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”