Robert L. Brown~Grand Rapids Real Estate's Blog

Ask the Expert!Recently, our team ran a poll of our social media followers and current/past clients to ask what questions they had regarding real estate and buying or selling property. We wanted to get a feel for what most people don’t know about the industry, whether or not they have sold or bou...

Insurance: Not the Place to Cut Corners! Do you ever find yourself wishing there were more zeros at the end of your bank balance? It doesn’t seem to matter what our household incomes are, most of us still stretch ourselves pretty thinly every month. In light of this, most of us are also trying to...

Life Balance Please take note that we did NOT title this post “Work/Life balance”. As if there are only two goals in a well-rounded life…as if work itself is contrary to life! In truth, a life well-lived balances work with several other important activities that give us depth and meaning, help us...

Is a Fixer-Upper Right For You? When the markets skew in the favor of sellers, buyers looking for homes will often look for any way to save money on their purchase. When you don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity regarding neighborhood, school system, land acreage or amenities; homes needi...

Home Buyers- Avoid Closing Surprises!There are few things more exciting than closing on a new home. Signing your name on the dotted line comes with the promise of a fresh start, the hope for good new neighbors, and the chance to (really) stick to your cleaning schedule this time! In the whirlwind...

Home Sellers- How Can You Avoid Surprises at the Closing Table?I don’t know about you, but I have heard my fair share of horror stories from the closing table. There was the time that all of the appliances that were coming along with the home sale were conveniently “stolen” the day of the closing...

How Much is TOO Much When Customizing Your Home?There is a reason why the phrases exist- “there’s no place like home” and “home is where the heart is.” We all want to feel like our living spaces are uniquely ours, suited to our specific lifestyles, tastes, and preferences; even if in small ways. ...

Are You On Autopilot?Many times, when people experience loss or tragedies occur, it is said that life is “put into perspective.” The monotony of the day-to-day is broken by grief and sadness, and even anger and regret. These emotions can often cause a strong desire to break out of the mold of the...

Is Metro Grand Rapids Still a Seller’s Market?It has been said that it is the perception of a situation that holds greater value in the marketplace- especially to those with no direct connection to the person, place or event. This holds especially true when considering the way that trends move an...

Know Your Audience!Effective communication is an essential piece of any good relationship, no matter what kind of relationship it is. People with whom we interact at home, at the office, at school, at church, or anywhere else have different personalities, motivations, goals, etc.; but we must lea...