Foto Friday: Why Robins Go South for a Michigan Winter

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Terry & Bonnie

Gone South for the winter!

Foto Friday: Why Robins Go South for a Michigan Winter

By Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

This little Robin’s nest is empty and filled with snow –

vacant for the winter. As the first of March rolls around,

our pair of robins will be back to add another layer and make

this Crabapple tree in our front yard home again.

They prefer to live in West Michigan Spring, Summer and Fall.

If you would like to find a home in West Michigan, especially the Greater

Grand Rapids area, we can show you some of the many reasons the Robins

return every year.

SEARCH for Grand Rapids Homes

If you would like specific information about a West Michigan or

Grand Rapids MI Home, please contact me directly.

____________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

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Do You Observe the Small Things in Life??

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Do You Observe the Small Things in Life??

We are so busy and distracted in our lives, we often walk right

by things that are interesting or novel. It just takes a moment

to notice and it can certainly change your outlook and

maybe make you smile. We were in a store shopping for hardware

the other day. It was a cold, windy day and we were backing

out of our parking spot, when we noticed two little ones that

had found a warm, safe place to sit for a few moments.

The close up below shows them much better.

Were the tires warm?

Are they looking for food ?

We don’t know the answers but it gave us a little different perspective

on the day.

We were inside a nice warm car with a nice warm lunch we had just

finished. These little sparrows were happy to find a temporary shelter

hoping to glean a crumb or two from people coming and going in the

parking lot.

_____________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in

West Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing

metropolitan area with a diverse business community, great medical

research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and

entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Westbrook Realty ~ Grand Rapids Real Estate

Call 1-616-292-7263 or email me: terry@terrywestbrook.com

Day Trip to Grand Haven Michigan Pier

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

On a beautiful day in April, we went on a day road trip

to Grand Haven Michigan, which is about 30 miles from

Grand Rapids. Grand Haven is on Lake Michigan, it has a

great beach. If you won’t take my word for it, it was

named one of the Top 5 Beaches in the United States by

Good Morning America-Travel Mom and has hosted the AVP

Pro Beach Volleyball Tournament throughout the summer

months, due to the quality of its sand beaches.

It also has 2 lighthouses, connected by a lighted catwalk

which runs along the pier to the shore. Grand Haven is a

Great Lakes port, home to a large charter fishing fleet, the

US Coast Guard Lake Michigan Group, which coordinates all

Lake Michigan Coast Guard activities. In fact, Grand Haven

is officially nicknamed, Coast Guard City USA.

Grand Haven State Park is also a popular destination for tourists,

because it is on fabulous Lake Michigan. We are so fortunate to

live so close to a natural wonder, Lake Michigan, one of the

largest fresh water lakes in the world. On a balmy day in

April, it is so serene. The same scene in stormy November

or January can look totally different. We get warnings on our

weather channels about wave heights and swimming in

dangerous rip tide conditions all summer.

But on a day trip to Grand Haven in April, all we have to

concern ourselves with was lunch. Which we had on the channel

at the Snug Harbor Restaurant while we watched the boats

going up and down the channel out to the big lake.

Grand Haven has lots to offer, whether you come for a vacation,

the Annual US Coast Guard Festival, or just a day tripper, like us.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iemIL4twKYc&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Kent County Waterfront Homes ~ Time to adopt the Leisure Lifestyle

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Current market conditions have brought home prices down to levels we

haven’t seen in several years. All price levels and amenities have been

affected.

Now may be a great time to think of owning a Waterfront Home.

I have included a list of over 30 homes in Kent County Michigan in the

$200,000 to $300,000 price range, in the above link.

Water front ranch for sale kent county mi

This river front home is listed for $219,900 and is nearly new, being built in 2008.

If you are eligible for a first time buyer tax credit, buying this home could be

less than you think.

The above link will take you to an explanation of the 2009 tax credit and some

possible applications I have provided.

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Five Star Real Estate

Caledonia Michigan Top Home Buys ~ January 2009

Posted on February 14, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

We have gathered a list of the top Caledonia Houses to buy based

on price per square foot. **Please note that this list can change daily

as some homes sell, prices are adjusted and other homes come on

the market.

Check back often or just subscribe to our blog to get

up-to-date local real estate information that you want to know.

Caledonia MI Homes for sale
The total square footage is noted here, although only the

main floors are used to figure price per square foot. The

lowest price/Sq Ft range from $54.34 to $79.93 here.

The lowest list price is $59,900 and the highest list price is

$285,000 for January 2009 BEST BUY Homes in

Caledonia, Michigan.

The Top Caledonia Homes to Buy by Price per Square Foot:

8368 Jasonville Ct#37 $ 59,900 1015 SqFt $59.01/SqFt

8766 66th St SE $ 60,900 936 Sq Ft $65.06/SqFt

6720 Campau Lake Dr $ 63,900 1176 Sq Ft $54.34/SqFt

8578 Jasonville Ct SE $ 69,900 891 Sq Ft $78.45/SqFt
8536 Jasonville Ct SE $ 73,900 981 Sq Ft $75.33/SqFt

8622S Jasonville Ct SE $ 74,900 1274 Sq Ft $58.79/SqFt

8636 S Jasonville Ct $ 84,900 1068 Sq Ft $79.49/SqFt

8382 Jasonville Ct SE $ 88,900 1162 Sq Ft $76.51/SqFt
9580 Scotsmoor Ct SE $168,714 2140 Sq Ft $79.93/SqFt

9583 Scotsmoor Dr SE $154,900 2387 Sq Ft $78.84/SqFt

5420 Whitneyville Ave $ 79,900 1400 Sq Ft $57.07/SqFt

8433 Kraft Ave SE $103,900 2128 Sq Ft $48.83/SqFt

4949 Sequoia Dr SE $179,900 3064 Sq Ft $58.71/SqFt

6070 E Fieldstone Hls#2 $ 79,900 1560 Sq Ft $62.81SqFt

2290 84th St SE $109,900 2400 Sq Ft $59.86/SqFt

4700 92nd St SE $ 74,500 1878 Sq Ft $58.52/SqFt

8590 E Paris Ave SE#20 $112,500 1866 Sq Ft $60.29/SqFt

1616 Crescent Pointe Dr $164,988 2174 Sq Ft $75.89/SqFt

1657 South Park Dr SE $174,988 2264 Sq Ft $77.29/SqFt

2947 92nd St $285,000 4158 Sq Ft $68.54/SqFt

470 S Shore Dr $ 99,900 1400 Sq Ft $71.36/SqFt

572 145th Ave $135,000 1836 Sq Ft $73.53/SqFt

455 Green view Dr $150,000 2073 Sq Ft $72.36/SqFt

12910 Near Lane $148,000 2016 Sq Ft $73.41/SqFt

327 Johnson St SE $199,500 3000 Sq Ft $66.50/SqFt

If you would like a list of top best buys in your area, please

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Five Star Real Estate

Definition of Excess = 4.5 Million Teardown

Posted on February 11, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

People are fascinated by the wealthy and their myriad ways

of spending their money. The press and the media make a

field day of providing this fodder for us to consider. This recent

Grand Rapids Press Article on the demolition of

Lake Macatawa Home of Richard DeVos of Amway is a

typical example of this phenomenon.

This article piqued our interest because of the impression

it gives of the DeVos family and their concerns.

This has to be one of the most expensive tear-downs in our area

—-ever.

The very wealthy have either forgotten or never cared

about the example they are showing the rest of us. In the

present climate of nearly 10% unemployment in Michigan,

this article shows how out of touch the wealthy really are.

We go on appointments every week and speak with people

who are losing their homes because of unemployment,

lowered values, and the poor buyers market.

I wonder if Mr. DeVos talks with people who are in these

situations every day?

Our business is on the forefront of the economic turmoil

this country is facing. The choice of this type of development

in the face of our current situation is puzzling to us.

How would you spend 5-6 million, if you had it?

Would you buy a huge home, a luxury car or boat, take an

expensive vacation??

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Five Star Real Estate

Opportunity Knocks for Film Set Training

Posted on January 29, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Grand Rapids Community College Offers Film Training

Michigan is one of the few states courting the film industry with

rebates and tax incentives. This should bring more film makers

to Michigan in 2009. In anticipation of the films and film crews

that will be needed to bring these projects to completion,

Grand Rapids Community College is offering 4 different courses

in training for film production.

These classes run from $125 to $1750 for tuition fees and some

require some technical knowledge and expertise.

TicTock Studios in Holland MI is co-sponsoring the Basic Film Set

Training to supply needed expertise to film makers here. These

programs are state approved and might qualify for No Worker Left

Behind funding to participate in the film training program.

Henry Ford Community College is also offering classes.

The classes at GRCC start in March, so check out the links and

you could be working on a movie set this year!

Click here ^ to subsribe to my Grand Rapids Blog

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate Five Star Real Estate LLC

East Grand Rapids MI Absorption Report ~ Jan 2009

Posted on January 24, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Current Real Estate Market Report For East Grand Rapids Michigan

East Grand Rapids MI Public Library

Absorption rate for East Grand Rapids MI housing market is currently

at 9.9 months, which means if no new listings come on the

East Grand Rapids market, it will take 9.9 months for the existing

home inventory to sell.

There are 140 active listings on the East Grand Rapids market now,

ranging from $50,900 to $4,000,000.

12 Pending Home Sales w/ prices ranging from $ 48,000 to $ 369,000.

87 Sold Homes with sold prices ranging from $ 52,000 to $ 680,000

since July 1, 2008 in the East Grand Rapids housing inventory.

The lower end of this market (under $300K) has been 2/3 of the sales

in the last seven months.

East Grand Rapids December 2008 Absorption Report

If you have any questions about the value of your East GR home,

please contact me directly.

Grand Rapids Ada MI Real Estate ~ Five Star Realty

Photo of East Grand Rapids Public Library by Bonnie Westbrook

Warning: Change Your Thermostat Batteries Before This Happens To You!

Posted on January 24, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Warning: Change Your Thermostat Batteries Before This Happens To You!

We have a vacant home listed. It is a nice house, clean, neat, 4 bedroom

two story home that I showed last Saturday. It was a changed house

when I showed it again on Monday. We had record setting low

temperatures here over last weekend and the batteries failed in the

thermostat.

NO HEAT!

Frozen pipes.

Needless to say, I rushed to the store, bought batteries, and got the

furnace going again. I also turned off the water to try and eliminate

as much damage as possible. When the house warmed up, sure enough,

a water pipe broke between the kitchen ceiling and the upstairs bathroom,

according to the plumber.

So, the moral of the story is: If you have a vacant home,

change the batteries in that thermostat—don’t take chances!

This home had a 2 year old furnace and thermostat, so I

didn’t have a thought that the batteries in the thermostat

could fail. Remember this tip is you are planning on an extended

vacation or going south for a month or longer. Replace

those batteries before you go. It doesn’t take long in below zero

weather for your home to incur substantial damage.

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate

Rockford MI Absorption Report ~ Jan 17, 2009

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Rockford Michigan Real Estate Market Report

Current Absorption Rate for Rockford Michigan is 18.35 months on

average, which means if no new listings come on the market, it will take

18.35 months to sell current inventory.

The under $200K market is moving faster than the over $200K.

345 Active Listings in Rockford MI today.

132 Sold Rockford Homes since July 1, 2008 with high price

at $385,000 and the low price at $50,000.

22 Pending Home Sales since June 30, 2008 to date.

Average Rockford List Price: $ 245,443

Average Rockford Sale Price: $ 207,554

If you have any questions about a Rockford or Grand Rapids

MI homes, please contact me directly.

Grand Rapids -Ada Real Estate – Five Star Real Estate

Photo of Downtown Rockford by Bonnie Westbrook

Grand Rapids Real Estate

Grand Rapids Real Estate Information

Tag Archives: West Michigan

Foto Friday: Why Robins Go South for a Michigan Winter

SEARCH for Grand Rapids Homes

Do You Observe the Small Things in Life??

Do You Observe the Small Things in Life??

Day Trip to Grand Haven Michigan Pier

Kent County Waterfront Homes ~ Time to adopt the Leisure Lifestyle

Caledonia Michigan Top Home Buys ~ January 2009

Definition of Excess = 4.5 Million Teardown

Opportunity Knocks for Film Set Training

Grand Rapids Community College Offers Film Training

East Grand Rapids MI Absorption Report ~ Jan 2009

Current Real Estate Market Report For East Grand Rapids Michigan

Warning: Change Your Thermostat Batteries Before This Happens To You!

NO HEAT!

Frozen pipes.

Rockford MI Absorption Report ~ Jan 17, 2009

Rockford Michigan Real Estate Market Report