Why Should You Get a Home Inspector in Grand Rapids?

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InspectionHome inspections are one of the most crucial elements of buying a home.  However, many people skip, gloss over, or rush through the process.  This can be a major mistake!

Quality home inspectors in Grand Rapids have saved us a ton of time, money, and headaches over the years.  To illustrate, this point, we wanted to share some of the good, the bad, and the ugly we’ve had with home inspections.  Learn from our mistakes and lessons, and don’t repeat them yourself!

 1.  The Good

When we were first starting to work with houses, inspections seemed like a big cost and hassle. They cost anywhere from $200-$500, and most of the time didn’t reveal anything major.

One day, we came across a nice looking house in a good neighborhood.  It needed some updating, but other than that, the place seemed fine.  Our first instinct was to skip the inspection entirely, and save money in the process. Continue reading “Why Should You Get a Home Inspector in Grand Rapids?” →

How to Estimate House Value in Grand Rapids (without MLS Access)

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HouseWhether you’re looking to purchase your own home or an investment property, it is crucial to properly estimate a house’s value.  This number is the starting point for all of your analysis and negotiations, so you need to get it right!

But what if you don’t have access to the MLS?  If you are not working with a realtor, it can be hard to find the data you need in a quick, easy way.  And analyzing the data you DO get can be a challenge.  So how do you estimate house value without MLS access in Grand Rapids?

1.  Understand the Neighborhood

Start by collecting data on houses in your target area.  If you know you would like to buy in a certain neighborhood or part of town, drive around!  See what is for sale, and then find the list price.  Check what kinds of amenities it has, in addition to the square footage, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

If you’re able to find 10 or more houses for sale in a given area, you can start to get a feel for prices and features in that area.  For instance, you might learn that $100,000 can get you a big house with a nice yard in one area, and a shoebox in another. Continue reading “How to Estimate House Value in Grand Rapids (without MLS Access)” →

3 Real Estate Sites You Should Use (That You Probably Haven’t Heard Of)

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ComputerThere are many great real estate sites online.  First, there are the usual suspects.  Sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, FSBO.com, ForSaleByOwner.com, and more.  But the internet is vast… there are a lot more quality sites out there!

So we wanted to shine the light on a few excellent resources that can help you with your home.

1.  Rentometer.com

This is a great real estate site for rentals.  It is simple and easy to use, and provides local rent numbers for just about everywhere in the country (including Grand Rapids).  Why is this useful?

First, if you’re looking for a place to live, this resource can help you figure out if your rent is fair.  They provide a nice range of prices, and indicate what is high and low for a given area.  You can quickly see if you’re getting a great deal. Continue reading “3 Real Estate Sites You Should Use (That You Probably Haven’t Heard Of)” →

4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Open House Listings in Grand Rapids

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CouchOpen houses can be a great experience.  You get to check out a nice house in a low-stress environment, and have an opportunity to talk to decision makers at the same time.  If you’re in the market for a new home, touring open house listings can be an excellent way to spend an afternoon!

However, you’ll want to make the most of the trip.  If you’re seriously considering buying a property, take an extra few minutes and maximize your visit.  Here are some key things to remember.

 1.  Don’t follow the path.

Typically, there is a set path people walk when visiting open house listings.  It varies based on the house, but there is a natural ‘flow’ to each property.

Go against the flow! Continue reading “4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Open House Listings in Grand Rapids” →

5 Hidden Costs to Watch Out for in Grand Rapids Real Estate Rentals

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ApartmentWe are fortunate here in Grand Rapids.  We have a lot of great housing available, and most of it is fairly priced.  However, real estate rentals have some hidden costs that can really blow up your budget,

These extra dollars can really change your month-to-month rental cost.  So what should you watch out for before signing your lease?

 1.  Utility Costs

This is a big one, because it can run you anywhere from a few bucks to several hundred dollars.  Be very careful about what utilities you’re paying for, and how they’re measured! Continue reading “5 Hidden Costs to Watch Out for in Grand Rapids Real Estate Rentals” →

4 Things the Great Sand Dunes taught me about Fixer Upper Homes For Sale in Grand Rapids MI

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Dunes 1As I mentioned in a previous post, I recently took an epic road trip out west with some of my family.  It is truly amazing what some time away can do for our perspective.

One of my stops was the breathtaking Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.  This park contains the highest dunes in North America, and is one of the most complex and fragile dune systems in the world.

After some time for reflection, I realized that my time there had a lot to teach me about fixer upper homes for sale in Grand Rapids.  We have a lot of experience with this type of home, and some of the lessons hit me like a scratchy tumbleweed… they just couldn’t be ignored!

Dunes 4 1.  Prepare in advance.

We arrived late at the Dunes.  We had a tough time finding a campsite, and the information center only had about an hour before they closed.  We only had one night to climb the dunes, and everything in us told us to CHARGE AHEAD!

This would have been a terrible choice. Continue reading “4 Things the Great Sand Dunes taught me about Fixer Upper Homes For Sale in Grand Rapids MI” →

Finding and Working With Homes For Sale By Owner in Grand Rapids MI

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The Multiple Listing Service is tight right now in West Michigan.  Right now, inventory is pretty low, and houses are moving quickly.  If it feels like your dream home keeps getting snatched up before you can submit an offer, fear not!  It may be time to search homes for sale by owner in Grand Rapids MI.

But how do you find the right house, and how should you approach the homeowner?

Driving1.  Drive the Neighborhood

Do you have a certain area in mind?  A few blocks where you love the location, the schools, and the local park?  Drive around!  This sounds very basic, but it is one of the best ways to find FSBO homes.  Many houses aren’t listed anywhere online, and the homeowner is hoping to attract buyers with a yard sign.

Keep a close eye out for the signs.  Sometimes, you’ll see big, colorful, obvious markers.  However, some homeowners will only have a small black and white sign on the corner of their property.  Look to see if the notice is posted on the house itself.  Also, be aware – you may be looking for a hand made sign, rather than the classic ‘for sale’ banner.

You may feel a little weird as you slowly drive, looking for homes for sale by owner in Grand Rapids.  Remember though – you may find a great house, and do the homeowner a big favor in the process! Continue reading “Finding and Working With Homes For Sale By Owner in Grand Rapids MI” →

6 Things to Remember as You Dig for Condos for Sale in Grand Rapids MI

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CondoCondominiums can be a great choice.  They often come with a lower purchase price, less maintenance, and added facility perks.  But those great advantages come with a few twists.  As you search for condos for sale in Grand Rapids MI, keep these tips in mind.

1.  The Basics

First, what is a condominium, really?  It is a living space that you own.  As a result, YOU get the appreciation and the tax benefits, in addition to getting to decorate exactly how you want to.

However, a condo is unique, because you share common areas with the other owners.  Depending on the unit, you may share parking areas, roofs, walkways, pools, and more.  This creates some unique benefits and challenges.

In addition, many typical maintenance tasks are handled by the association.  Roof repair, lawn mowing, snow plowing, water heater fixes, and exterior paint are will typically be covered in condos for sale in Grand Rapids MI. Continue reading “6 Things to Remember as You Dig for Condos for Sale in Grand Rapids MI” →

The Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selling Real Estate in Grand Rapids, MI

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Ultimate Guide to Buying and SellingBuying and and selling houses can be tricky.  Here in Grand Rapids, MI, we have a huge variety of markets and sub-markets, wildly different seasons, and enough options to make your head spin.  Do you buy a historic home in Heritage Hills, or a brand new build in Walker?  A side-by-side duplex in Kentwood, or a 3/2 in Wyoming?

What about the Kalamazoo, Portage, or Parchment areas?  Am I crazy to consider a rent-to own, and will a new build be way too expensive?  All of the questions can drive you nuts.

Fortunately, we can cut through the clutter.  If you’re looking to buy or sell a house in Grand Rapids, MI, or the surrounding areas, read on!

How to Find Real Estate Deals

How to Find Real Estate DealsLet’s start on the purchasing side.  Where do you start if you want to find the right home for your family (or the perfect investment)?

The ‘Tried and True’:  First, you can talk to a Realtor.  The right Realtor can provide a huge boost to your home search.  Since they work in your local market every day, they often get wind of great deals before they hit the MLS.  In addition, many homes are easier to access if you have a Realtor on your team.  They can show you a dozen houses in a day if you like.  Visit this page for great tips on picking the RIGHT Realtor.

The ‘Tech Savvy’:  The internet has a huge number of sites where you can look up available homes for free.  Zillow.com, Trulia.com, Realtor.com, FSBO.com, and ForSaleByOwner.com, are excellent places to start.  Looking through these sites can give you a great idea of what is available here in Grand Rapids, MI.

The ‘Do-it-Yourself’:  If you are willing to put in the work, you can find and create your own deals.  While this is more of a commitment, these ‘diamond in the rough’ properties often wind up being great deals.  Many of the best deals and homes aren’t listed on the MLS, so you’ll either have to find your own motivated sellers or know someone who does.  Which leads us into our next point… Continue reading “The Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selling Real Estate in Grand Rapids, MI” →