Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Archives | Page 7 of 7 | Honeybee Homes, LLC

5 Things 80+ hours of Driving Taught Me About Meeting Goals in Residential Real Estate in Grand Rapids

Posted on by

A road trip… the classic American vacation. Hitting the open road, seeing beautiful parts of the country, and catching a glimpse of what makes this country great. It is a wonderful adventure, and hopefully everyone gets to experience it at least once.

However, be ready for the long haul.

Getting to a destination several states away takes a LONG time. Like many of you, I am very busy, and my days are tightly packed with things to accomplish. So spending 80+ hours in a tight space, without much to do, seemed daunting. Little did I know that this time was exactly what I needed, and taught me a lot about meeting my goals in residential real estate.

1. The Journey is the Destination

On the road, I initially wanted to arrive at our next destination as quickly as possible. However, on a road trip, there are always hundreds of miles in front of you. No matter how you slice it, there is a long way to go.

At some point, I realized that the time in the car wasn’t just an interlude to the vacation. The hours on the road WERE the vacation. It was wonderful time to think, relax, and enjoy time with family. By living in the moment, I was able to appreciate the highway, rather than being cranky, cramped, or grumpy. Continue reading “5 Things 80+ hours of Driving Taught Me About Meeting Goals in Residential Real Estate in Grand Rapids” →

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

Posted on by

As 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!

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” →

4 Things Carlsbad Caverns taught me about the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market

Posted on by

The world loves to show us a lesson, and then sit back and wait to see if we’re paying attention. With a little time, perspective, and analysis, sometimes those lessons can sink through even the thickest skulls (like mine).

Recently, I was lucky enough to go on a great road trip out west with some of my family. We made a lot of amazing stops, and now that I’ve had some time to process, I realize that our fantastic trip was ripe with lessons.

Life isn’t divided into ‘work time’ and ‘vacation time.’ It’s all part of one life! So as I reflected on our stop at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, I realized that this amazing natural wonder had taught me a lot about the Grand Rapids real estate market.

1. It was here long before us, and will be here long after.

Carlsbad Cavern is a 31 square mile subterranean limestone cave system, formed over 200 million years ago. The formations have developed and grown over that time, and created something truly beautiful. Continue reading “4 Things Carlsbad Caverns taught me about the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market” →

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

Posted on by

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?

1. 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

Posted on by

Condominiums 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” →

3 Great Reasons to Sell Your Home as a Rent-to-Own in Grand Rapids, MI

Posted on by

There is a ton of confusion about rent to own houses in Grand Rapids. At first glance, they seem overwhelming. How do you set them up? What paperwork do you need? What kind of title transfer occurs, and when?

These are all FANTASTIC questions. But to start, let’s begin with the basics. If you’re selling your home, why would you want to sell it as a rent-to-own?

1. Speed

Selling your home traditionally can take a looooong time. Depending on the market, your home, your asking price, competition, and many other factors, it can take a long time to get an acceptable offer.

Once you receive an offer sheet, it’s still not over. There’s the inspection period, potential for further negotiations, title work, and more. Combine these things together, and you can end up waiting months to get your house sold.

In many cases, this long wait is just not an option. If you need to move for your career or family, for instance, speed can be crucial. If you have to move in days or weeks, the traditional methods of selling may simply take too long. Continue reading “3 Great Reasons to Sell Your Home as a Rent-to-Own in Grand Rapids, MI” →

4 Things to Remember as You Hunt for Apartments in Grand Rapids MI

Posted on by

Apartment hunting can be a long and trying process. How many bedrooms do I need? What can I afford? Is the in-unit washer and dryer worth the extra 20 minutes of work commute?

As you search for apartments in Grand Rapids, MI, there are several things to keep in mind. Remember, there are many great places to rent… we are blessed with some high-quality landlords here. But before you move in, keep a few things in mind.

1. Read and Understand the Lease

This sounds like a basic tip, but it is extremely important. Before you sign up for a multi-month (or year) commitment, know what you are getting into. Just a few things to look out for:

-Length of the lease: Is the agreement month-to-month, six months, a year, more?
-Renter responsibilities: Which utilities are included, and which aren’t?
-Late Payment Penalties: How much are they, and how are they assessed?
-Rules about early move-out: If you absolutely need to move out before the end of the lease, what is the procedure?
-And More

Essentially, you don’t want to be surprised by anything. While it is a lot easier to just sign the agreement without reading it, you should take your time. It can save you a lot of headache later on. Continue reading “4 Things to Remember as You Hunt for Apartments in Grand Rapids MI” →

5 Things to Remember BEFORE Buying Your First House in Grand Rapids

Posted on by

You’re ready for the jump!

You’ve thought, you’ve planned, and you’re going to buy your first house in Grand Rapids, MI. Or maybe in Kalamazoo, or Kentwood, or Hastings, but you get the idea. It’s go time!

This is a very exciting journey. However, there are a few important things to remember as you start your trip.

1. Stay calm, and accept the timeline.

Buying a house can take a long time. From finding the right place, to getting your financing fully approved, to the never-ending negotiations, the home buying process can really drag on.

This is normal, and it’s OK! There are a lot of moving parts to a real estate transaction, and none of those parts are 100% efficient. It will probably take longer than you want it to. If you stay calm and collected, you will sleep much better at night. Continue reading “5 Things to Remember BEFORE Buying Your First House in Grand Rapids” →

The 3 Quickest and Easiest Ways To Find Houses For Rent In Grand Rapids, MI

Posted on by

That’s it. I’m done.

There are officially NO houses for rent in Grand Rapids! It’s all either scams or apartments!

Sound familiar? I’m positive I’ve said those things more than once. A few years ago, when I was searching for a house for rent in Grand Rapids, I felt like I was running into a brick wall.

I wasn’t sure where to look for a house, and my trusty Google searches didn’t seem to be helping. I was scouring website after website, trying to find anywhere that had more than three houses for rent. No dice.

I called friends, and they seemed to all find their places through family or ‘someone they knew.’ Which is great, but what if you don’t have an Uncle Joe who happens to rent out houses?

Fortunately, by asking a lot of questions, and not quitting, I found some great resources that are still strong today. Continue reading “The 3 Quickest and Easiest Ways To Find Houses For Rent In Grand Rapids, MI” →

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

Posted on by

Buying 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

Let’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” →