, Author at Honeybee Homes, LLC | We Buy and Sell Grand Rapids Real Estate

3 Great Places to Grow Your Grand Rapids Real Estate Network

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Want to flip houses or own rental properties? Great! The world can use more quality homes for people to buy and rent. But as we’ve mentioned in previous posts, you can’t do it alone. You will need to work with realtors, appraisers, title companies, inspectors, and many more folks in order to be successful.

If we work together, we can all achieve more. Here in Grand Rapids, we have a great advantage – there are some great groups around! Here are three you should check out if you want to grow your Grand Rapids real estate network.

We are involved in all three of these groups, and get great value from each. So jump in!

1. Rental Property Owners Association

Otherwise known as the RPOA, this is a group that focuses on helping landlords and real estate investors succeed. As of this writing, they are the largest landlord association in Michigan, and are able to offer a wide variety of benefits and services. Continue reading “3 Great Places to Grow Your Grand Rapids Real Estate Network” →

How to Estimate Repairs on Bank Owned Homes for Sale in Grand Rapids

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Bank owned homes for sale in Grand Rapids can be a great opportunity to get an excellent deal on a house. However, they often come with additional challenges.

Many of these houses are in rougher shape, and access can be limited. How can you successfully estimate your repair costs on a house like this? Fixer-upper houses can be great, but you don’t want to find yourself with a money-pit you can’t escape. Here are a few tips to help you nail your costs.

1. Establish Times to Visit

Bank owned homes for sale typically offer limited access times. You won’t be able to get inside them as easily as you can with homes listed on the MLS, so be ready to dig! Continue reading “How to Estimate Repairs on Bank Owned Homes for Sale in Grand Rapids” →

5 Keys to Getting Started in Real Estate Investing in Grand Rapids, MI

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You’re ready to get started in real estate investing! Great news. You can do a lot of good, and Grand Rapids is an excellent place to start.

Maybe you’re a TLC addict, or can’t get enough of ‘Flip this House.’ Maybe you picked up a book on landlording, or saw a late night infomercial that promised the moon. But how do you realistically get started?

1. Tune out the Hype

Real estate is a great field, with a lot of potential. However, many, many people will sell you a dream. They will indicate (but never guarantee) that you can make a ton of money in your spare time, without a lot of work.

This is a lie. Investing has a large learning curve, and it takes time and hard work to get good at it. Continue reading “5 Keys to Getting Started in Real Estate Investing in Grand Rapids, MI” →

4 Types of Real Estate Companies You Need to Understand in Grand Rapids

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Real estate is a big field. There are a lot of moving parts in housing transactions, and a wide variety of real estate companies.

What is the difference between all of these companies? What do they do, and when are they important?

1. Inspectors

House inspectors are experts in structures and buildings. A thorough inspector will be able to walk through your property, and diagnose areas of concern. From separated gutters to insect issues to foundation flaws, they find areas that need attention and repair.

A good inspection can take several hours, so be ready to commit to an afternoon at home. Know in advance that they WILL find problems in the home. No house is perfect… don’t get stressed over minor repairs! Continue reading “4 Types of Real Estate Companies You Need to Understand in Grand Rapids” →

6 Keys to an Effective Real Estate Listing in Grand Rapids

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You’re ready to sell! Whether you’re looking to list your home For Sale By Owner or with a Realtor, you’ll need an effective real estate listing to get your home sold quickly.

But where do you start? Here are a few keys to remember as you post your home in Grand Rapids:

1. Get Ready.

First things first. Make sure your house is ready to sell, and is priced properly. The prettiest, most well-written real estate listing won’t get your home sold if your house isn’t ready. So if you haven’t finished your repairs, cleaning, and staging, start there. For some advice on this step, visit this page.

Having your house priced correctly is crucial. People tend to overprice their houses, for a number of reasons. First, sellers will often have a lot of great memories in a home, which inflates the value in their minds. Secondly, they don’t want to ‘leave money on the table,’ so they tend to start high. Continue reading “6 Keys to an Effective Real Estate Listing in Grand Rapids” →

5 Ways to Avoid Scams on Craigslist Real Estate in Grand Rapids

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The Craigslist real estate section can be wonderful. I have recommended it in several previous posts, including the 3 best ways to find homes for sale in Grand Rapids, tips for working with FSBO homes, and the Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selling Real Estate in Grand Rapids. It has a lot to offer, and when used properly, can be a great resource.

However, there is are some risks. Since postings are not monitored for content and legitimacy, there are scams on the site. The type of fraud varies, from fake money transfers to shady leases, but all can leave you high and dry. How can you avoid scams, while still taking advantage of this great resource?

1. Stay Local

First, work with local people who you can meet in person. The Craigslist real estate site for Grand Rapids has a lot of postings from local property managers, owners, and sellers. When you call on an ad, find out where they are located. Offer to walk through the property with them, or meet at a nearby coffee shop. Continue reading “5 Ways to Avoid Scams on Craigslist Real Estate in Grand Rapids” →

What to Expect with Rent to Own Real Estate in Grand Rapids MI

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Rent to own real estate can be a great choice in Grand Rapids. But it can be a little confusing at first. What is a rent to own property? What is the tenant-buyer responsible for, and how does it all work?

Fortunately, once you understand the basics, you can take advantage of this excellent option. You can live in your dream house as you prepare to get more traditional financing, and help build up your credit along the way.

Getting Started

First, how do you find rent to own real estate in Grand Rapids? There are a few options, and some are easier than others. First, check with a local Realtor. They will be able to run a quick search on properties on the MLS, and check if any are offering their homes for sale as a lease option. From there, you can set a showing, follow up, and begin the process. Continue reading “What to Expect with Rent to Own Real Estate in Grand Rapids MI” →

Grand Rapids Rentals: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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We are very fortunate in Grand Rapids, MI. There is a lot of quality housing available, and most of it is fairly priced. However, there are some unfortunate stories from both landlords and tenants about their worst experiences.

So how do you find Grand Rapids rentals that are good, or even great? How do you avoid the bad? And perhaps most importantly, how do you see the ugly in advance, and run 100 miles an hour in the opposite direction?

The Good

Let’s start with the bright side. Most Grand Rapids rentals are nice places that are priced fairly. If you’re searching for a rental now, I recommend you read our earlier posts on the 3 quickest and easiest ways to find houses for rent and the 4 things to remember as you hunt for apartments. But how do you know if the rental will be good? Check a few things. Continue reading “Grand Rapids Rentals: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” →

The 3 Best Ways to Find Homes for Sale in Grand Rapids MI

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You’re ready! Whether it’s time to move, upsize, downsize, or buy your first house, you’ve decided to look for homes for sale in Grand Rapids MI.

You’ve made a great choice. This is a wonderful place to live, and whether you are in the city or the surrounding areas, like Wyoming, Kentwood, Caledonia, or Rockford, there are great neighborhoods all around.

But how do you find them? Just starting your search can be daunting. Here are three great ways to kick-start your house hunt.

1. The Tried and True

Real estate professionals have been around a long time. We are very fortunate to have some excellent Realtors in the area, who can help you find homes for sale in Grand Rapids. Continue reading “The 3 Best Ways to Find Homes for Sale in Grand Rapids MI” →

Looking for Grand Rapids Realty? 4 Things to Remember BEFORE you Choose a Realtor

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If you choose to hire a Realtor, pick the right one. The wrong Realtor can lose you money, waste months of your time, and leave you pulling your hair out. The right professional can make the home buying and selling process pleasant and fast. But if you’re looking for Grand Rapids realty, what should you look for before signing the paperwork?

1. Check their references.

References are crucial. If you know someone who has recently sold (or bought) a home, ask them which Realtor they used, and how they would rate them. If you know someone in the real estate industry, get names of the top folks they would recommend. If you are looking for Grand Rapids realty, you can ask us for a reference. If you need more recommendations, there are a number of online resources and review sites where you can begin your search. Continue reading “Looking for Grand Rapids Realty? 4 Things to Remember BEFORE you Choose a Realtor” →