Rare Kentwood Schools Waterfront Property

6581 Summer Shores Dr

Incredible walkout ranch in Kentwood Schools located on Summer Shores Lake. Enjoy breathtaking views and your own sandy beach from a huge 44 foot deck overlooking the lake. This hard to find property is barrier free and fully handicap accessible.

Main floor features a large bright living room with ceramic tile throughout. Kitchen has oak cabinets and a center island. Top of the line Frigidaire Professional Series appliances to remain along with Kenmoor washer/dryer. Master suite has access to deck and features its own full bath with heated ceramic tile floors, Granite counter tops and large tub.

Walkout level features large family room. Two large bedrooms, a full bath and plenty of storage.

This is a great opportunity to own waterfront property in Grand Rapids. Home warranty included.

Call me today for a showing or visit my website for pictures and a virtual tour featured on YouTube.

Dont forget to Search the entire Grand Rapids MLS from my website.

GRNow Grand Rapids Events Calendar

Great guide for upcoming events and attractions in and around Grand Rapids.

Visit GRNow

Inexpensive Virtual Tours

As a Realtor I am always looking for ways to enhance my listings, increase marketing exposure and drive people to my fantastic website. A really great way to showcase a property is a virtual tour. There are many to choose from, some are better than others and all will cost you something.

However having a virtual tour doesn't ensure that anyone will even see it. So now what?

By now most of us have heard of YouTube or have been forwarded a video clip of a joke, a sports play or just about anything. With a digital camera and not too much time, you can create a virtual tour in the form of a slide show. Complete with music in the background, a title page and credits at the end. It's very easy to make.

If you use Windows XP, you already have all the tools you'll need at your disposal.

• Click Start
• All Programs
• Accessories
• Windows Movie Maker

Once in Movie maker you'll find the instructions fairly clear. Upload your pictures and follow the directions and save it to your PC.

You'll then have to create an account at YouTube in order to upload your creation. You can embed the url on your website, forward it to clients, friends, family and with luck they will pass it along and voila, instant network. Here is my 1st attempt. It took me about an hour and my sellers love the idea.

This would be especially helpful to a "for sale by owner" trying to increase their home's visibilty.

If you have any questions about real estate in Grand Rapids, feel free to give me a call or email me anytime.

Pumpkin season

Carving and Roasting time.

Halloween is always a great time for the family to do some activities together. Once you have selected your pumpkin, you'll need to carve it. Pumpkin Carving 101 is a fun website that offers information from choosing the right pumpkin to carving to lighting your creations.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds.

Keep those seeds. They are a good source of Fiber as well as vitamins B and E. They are easy to make and kids love them.

Quick Recipe:
1 1/2 cups pumpkin seeds
2 tsp. melted butter or oil (olive oil or vegetable oil work well)
salt to taste

Options To Taste:
garlic powder
cayenne pepper
seasoning salt
Cajun seasoning blend

Quick Staging Tips

In today's house market, overpricing is the #1 reason your home won't sell. The second reason is condition. Top price demands top condition so besides having your home accurately priced, make sure your home is ready to show. There are alot of homes on the market and you could be competing with several so it's important to take the time to get it ready. It will pay off in the long run.


Home Staging Tips for Home Sellers

Try looking at your house “THROUGH THE BUYER’S EYES” as though you’ve never seen it or been there before. Any time or money invested on the following will bring back more money in return, and hopefully a faster sale.


INSIDE:

1. Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of 1, 3, or 5 items.
2. Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops. If it hasn’t been used for three months... put it away! Clear refrigerator fronts of messages, pictures, etc. (A sparse kitchen helps the buyer mentally move their own things into your kitchen.)
3. In the bathroom, remove any unnecessary items from countertops, tubs, shower stalls and commode tops. Keep only your most needed cosmetics, brushes, perfumes etc., in one small group on the counter. Coordinate towels to one or two colors only.
4. Rearrange or remove some of the furniture if necessary. As owners, many times we have too much furniture in a room. This is wonderful for our own personal enjoyment, but when it comes to selling we need to thin out as much as possible to make rooms appear larger.
5. Take down or rearrange certain pictures or objects on walls. Patch and paint if necessary.
6. Review the inside of the house room by room, and

-- Paint any room needing paint.
-- Clean carpets or drapes that need it.
-- Clean windows.

7. If you need room to store extra possessions use the garage or rent a storage unit.
8. Leave on certain lights during the day. During “showings” turn on all lights and lamps.
9. Have stereo FM on during the day for all viewings.


OUTSIDE:

1. Go around the perimeter of the house and move all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, etc., into the garage.
2. Check gutters for roof moss and dry rot. Make sure they are swept and cleaned.
3. Look at all plants... prune bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows. “YOU CAN’T SELL A HOUSE IF YOU CAN’T SEE IT.” Plants are like children — they grow so fast!!
Weed and then mulch all planting areas. Keep lawn freshly cut and fertilized. Remove and dead plants or shrubs.
Clear patios or decks of all small items, such as small planters, flowerpots, charcoal, barbecues, toys. Etc. (Put them in the garage or a storage unit.)
Check paint condition of the house — especially the front door and trim.

CURB APPEAL REALLY WORKS!

 

Grand Rapids � Rapid Growth - Boardwalk receives 235 reservations for 230 condos

Boardwalk receives 235 reservations for 230 condos

After just 4 months, reservations for Boardwalk Condominiums have exceeded the number of units available. Parkland Properties, the building's marketing agent, now is processing 235 reservations for 230 condo units in the former Berkey and Gay Furniture warehouse located at 940 North Monroe.
“It’s the fastest reservation momentum that we’ve ever seen,” said Jon Rooks, owner of Parkland Properties. “Why are they selling so fast? We think it’s because of the low interest rates, we have a park and a river in our front yard, and because our purchase price is only $165 per square foot.”
About a third of the reservations typically don’t go through, according to Rooks. “If someone signed up today, they’d have about 70 units to choose from,” Rooks said.

Parkland Properties purchased the building in May 2006 with plans to convert its 280 apartments to 230 condominiums. Luxury accoutrements include an 8,000 square foot exercise facility, a pool, balconies and courtyards, a private theater, and covered parking on all five levels.
A 10,000 square foot courtyard with mature trees, grilling areas, and picnic tables is one of the green spaces available to residents. There is also a common rooftop deck, and over half of the units will include private balconies or rooftop decks.
Completed renovations thus far include a recreational room with 14 games, including shuffleboard and electric darts, and the 30-seat private theater.
Source: Jon Rooks, Parkland Properties of West Michigan, LLC

Charming New Condo listing in Bailey's Grove

3496 South Lyn Haven Dr


Immaculate condo in desirable Bailey's Grove is ready for the lucky buyer to move right in. This maintenance free condo comes with huge 20 foot ceilings in the living room complete with massive windows. Spacious kitchen with snack bar, gorgeous Maple Cabinets, large pantry and handy Lazy Susan. Master Suite has walk-in closets and a full bath connected to second bedroom through a pocket door. The Daylight basement is studded, plumbed for bathroom and ready for drywall. All appliances stay and a Home Warranty is included. Call Andrew today for a showing.