What Lenders Look for in Home Loan Applications Once your loan application is filled out and sent to the lender for review, the first thing they will look for is your ability to pay back the loan you are requesting. My team and I have a streamlined loan process to help you get your ducks in a row prior to this review. A grand slam loan package is in perfect order and answers all the important questions up front. We know what the lenders are looking for, based on long-term relationships with them and extensive knowledge of guidelines for a multitude of loan programs that are available today. What is the lender looking for when they review the loan application? The lender wants to know about your personal financial picture, including savings and credit history and your employment stabil... 09/22/2011

Earlier this year, Grand Rapids MI earned a spot on the dubious list of Top 10 Dying Cities in a Newsweek magazine publication. Thankfully, our city is not a place where we choose easy over medium/mediocre when it comes to responding to what we instinctively reject as false. Rob Bliss, Grand Rapids' own Event Planner Extraordinaire determined to fight back with the most powerful weapon...the TRUTH.  As a result, over 5,000 West Michigan residents joined together to film an event that included media personalities, the mayor, a high school marching band and a host of other people.   In the process, they set a World Record for a Lip Sync event to Don McClains' classic song, ‘Bye, Bye, Ms. American Pie.’  The message was very clear…Grand Rapids, Mi is very much alive! When all was set and d... 09/20/2011

  Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent   Choosing the right person to represent you in negotiating your home purchase is a major decision. Whenever you see the designation of REALTOR® (with a registered trademark) you can rest assured that person is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR), and has a commitment to meeting the standards of the organization. My team and I have a network of professionals that have done a great job for our clients in the past, and we can provide you with a referral to a qualified representative, and pre-approval to shop as a cash buyer. How will you know which REALTOR® is right for you? Seek to work with an experienced Real Estate professional that works with buyers on a regular basis. A real pro will go the extra mile to show you that they w... 09/15/2011

 Forest Hills Michigan Schools Rank Top in Nation 2011 The new school rankings are out and several local schools made the best of the best list.  Forest Hills had 3 schools in the top 99th % of schools, Ada Elementary, 5/6 Central Woodlands and Goodwillie Environmental.   Grand Rapids also had 3 schools  place in the ranking, City Middle High, John Ball Park Zoo School and  Blandford Nature Center School.  East Grand Rapids had K-5 Wealthy place in the ranking.   SEARCH FOR FOREST HILLS HOMES SEARCH FOR EAST GRAND RAPIDS HOMES SEARCH FOR GRAND RAPIDS HOMES _________________________________________ 09/10/2011

Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes August 2011 Top Best Buy Forest Hills Homes (Ada-Cascade) for Sale, based on price per square foot. Price per square foot is a great leveler, if two homes are compared by square foot pricing, you get a much better picture of what you are paying for or if the home is overpriced compared to similar homes.    These homes might need major repair work done, such as new kitchens and baths, roofs, new plumbing, electrical & other major mechanicals.  They may have dated decor,  an odd floor plan, or additions/add-ons that are not what most people are looking for.   The Top Forest Hills Homes to Buy by Price per Square Foot: 77 Honey Creek                $85,900    1027 Sq Ft     $83.64/SqFt 2560 Kraft Ave                   $89,900    1396 Sq Ft    $64.40... 09/05/2011

Forest Hills Public Schools Resolve $9.5 Million Budget 2011 Shortfall Budget woes for school districts are not news for communities today, as the monetary belt tightens for school districts all over the United States. But the Grand Rapids Forest Hills Public School District has done a great job of planning ahead AND getting concessions from their teaching and support staff.  The recent budget shortfall was lessened by a $7.5 million voluntary decrease in staff and teaching compensation alterations. The other $2 million will come from the district’s strategic reserves.     Good schools are valued by the people who live in the community and Forest Hills has been ranked the number one school district in Kent County by Grand Rapids Magazine.   SEARCH FOR FOREST HILLS HOMES MORE FOREST HILL... 09/01/2011

Great Window of Opportunity You may have heard that home loan rates have improved and are back down to near historic levels. In fact, I've been slammed with emails and phone calls from people just like you who wanted to take advantage of this wonderful situation. But you need to keep the following in mind... While some people say good things come to those who wait, others say to strike while the iron is hot. In this case, the "iron is hot" with rates at exceptionally low levels. And while weak economic reports here in the U.S. and the economic crisis in Europe are two of the main reasons rates have improved recently, signs of inflation are beginning to creep into our economy–and that never bodes well for home loan rates. That's why it's more important than ever to act now. It will only... 08/16/2011

Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes July 2011 Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Forest Hills Homes (Ada-Cascade) to buy, based on price per square foot. Price per square foot is a great leveler, if two homes are priced similarly they should be very comparable in amenities. These homes might need major repair work done, such as new kitchens and baths, roofs, new plumbing, electrical & other major mechanicals.  They may have dated decor,  an odd floor plan, or additions/add-ons that are not what most people are looking for. This list could include properties in Ada Township, Cascade Township, Grand Rapids Township, Lowell Township, and the city of Kentwood. Please note: This list can change daily as some homes sell, prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market.            ... 08/15/2011

Foto Friday – GR Arts Murals Grand Rapids is into art in a big way.  If you are familiar with our city, you know we have murals downtown.  Cool murals thanks to ArtPrize, and forward thinking businesses and artists.  This mural was an ArtPrize 2010 entry on the Kendall School of Design building on Division Ave at Pearl.   ArtPrize 2011 is gearing up to display 1500 works of art in our fair city in September.  Are you in? Originally posted on Grand Rapids Real Estate..... 08/12/2011

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report Tamarron Estates Jan – June 2011 Quick Snapshot of Tamarron Estates Real Estate Activity Jan 1 through June 30, 2011 Active Listings – 6 Pending Sales – 1 Sold Properties – 4 Average Sold Price – $ 310,250   SEARCH FOR FOREST HILLS HOMES   Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Articles ____________________________________________ 08/01/2011

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report – East West Village Jan – June 2011 Quick Snapshot of East West Village Residences Real Estate Activity Jan 1 through June 30, 2011 Active Listings – 7 Pending Sales – 3 Sold Properties – 4 Average Sold Price – $415, 975 SEARCH FOR FOREST HILLS HOMES Ada Michigan Photos Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Articles ____________________________________________ 07/25/2011

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report – Centennial Park Condos Jan – June 2011 Quick Snapshot of Centennial Park Condos Real Estate Activity Jan 1 through June 30, 2011 11 Active Listings From $ 119,900 to $ 799,900 9 Sold Properties Average Sold price = $ 164,667 Absorption Rate for Centennial Park is 7.3 months.     SEARCH FOR FOREST HILLS HOMES Michigan Golf Photos Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Articles _________________________________ 07/25/2011

What if I don't have the money to buy a home right now? There are many loan programs available that offer low and no down payment options for buying a home. Some programs permit gift money as a down payment, and often sellers are willing to make a contribution to your purchase if they want to sell the home quickly. There are many benefits of home ownership to consider, most of all, tax deductions. Let's take a look at how advantageous this can be as a homeowner: How much is tax deductible? Tax deductions vary, but the IRS has laid out solid rules. They also have several tax publications full of helpful information worth taking the time to read. Publication 530, Tax Information for First-Time Homeowners, is very thorough, as is Publication 936, Home Mortgage Interest Deduction. For quick... 07/14/2011

GRAM on the Green Free Summer Concerts Grand Rapids MI 2011 Friday nights at the Grand Rapids Art Museum will be hopping this summer!  With live music, the arts, dance, and just plain people watching.  Come on over and join the fun! The third GRAM on the Green season will begin this week. Every Friday evening from July 8th to August 19th 2011 there will be live music in front of the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Events: Outdoor Sketching & Games – Wege Plaza  5:00 – 9:00 pm Zumba Exercise Class – Rosa Parks Circle – 5:15 – 6:00 pm Ballroom Dancing – Rosa Parks Circle – 8:30 – 10:30 pm Galleries Open till 9:00 pm Cash Bar on the Terrace till 8:30 pm Friday Night Conversations  7:00 pm LIVE MUSIC   6:00 pm & 7:30 pm July 8th – Marshland Express – Randy Marsh July 15th – End times Orchestra – ... 07/13/2011

  Sifting through the facts... Purchasing a new home is one of the most exciting experiences an individual or family can have.  If you’ve been out of the real estate market for some time, you may be unaware of some dramatic changes in the real estate market landscape.  In today’s market, there are some unique situations which home buyers should be aware of as they prepare to consider the purchase of a new home. GOOD NEW FIRST… The good news is that home buyers in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area will find that they have a bountiful number of choices for a new home purchase.  Inventory levels of homes for sale are at historic levels.  In addition, mortgage rates continue to remain low.  Homebuyers can still get a lot of bang for their buck! HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED…  However, home buyers l... 07/11/2011

Be Prepared, finding a home loan before you start looking at houses, is a great idea to know how much you can afford. To get a rough idea, you can get a lender pre-qualification, a quick process that can tell you roughly how much home you can afford. This does not, however, mean you have secured financing, and it in no way obligates you to use that lender. Preapproval is the next step and is generally more involved, requiring documentation of your income and assets. This tells you how much a lender is willing to lend you and at what rate, which you must know when you're ready to make offers.Here is what you will need to have prepared in order to complete a loan pre-approval. • Two months of pay stubs. • Two months of bank statements: That means checking, savings, brokerage and retireme... 07/05/2011

Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes June 2011 Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Forest Hills Homes (Ada-Cascade) to buy, based on price per square foot. Price per square foot is a great leveler, if two homes are priced similarly they should be very comparable in amenities. These homes might need major repair work done, such as new kitchens and baths, roofs, new plumbing, electrical & other major mechanicals.  They may have dated decor,  an odd floor plan, or additions/add-ons that are not what most people are looking for. This list could include properties in Ada Township, Cascade Township, Grand Rapids Township, Lowell Township, and the city of Kentwood. Please note: This list can change daily as some homes sell, prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market. The Top Fo... 07/05/2011

As loan officers, we frequently experience the stress of the ever-changing market. Gratification of our duties is often measured in monetary figures. But it is my experience that a gracious client can often times be more full filling to that often empty void of accomplishment. I recently sat at a closing with a great young couple buying their first home and listened to them talk to the title agent about their experience with me and our process. I was struck by a overwhelming feeling of pride for what I had done. I did what I had set out to do with my career and that was to separate myself from others in my industry. My goal was to provide great customer service and also to help people with their dreams of buying a home. I did both and it was days like that which give me the passion for ... 06/29/2011

  has implemented some great incentives to buy a home now! The Program is calle Home Steps. Homebuyer Incentive** Up to 3.5% actual buyer's closing cost 2-Year HomeProtect Limited Home Warranty*** DURATION OF BUYER'S CLOSING COST OFFER: May 16, 2011 – July 31, 2011 with escrow closed on or before September 30, 2011. ELIGIBILITY: The HomeSteps Buyer's Closing Cost Offer is available only to Participants who purchase and close on a qualifying HomeSteps home during the Program. The home may be located anywhere in the United States (including PR, VI and GU). However, to qualify for this offer, a HomeSteps home must be a single family, owner- occupied, financed dwelling used solely for residential purposes. Auction, sealed bid and bulk sale properties do not qualify for the Closing Cost Off... 06/28/2011

There is a great restaurant in Grand Rapids, Michigan called Ichiban.  They bring together Japanese and Chinese cuisine under one roof.  One side of the restaurant when you enter is Japanese food, and the other is Chinese.  My wife and I ate at the Habachi grill section, and watched our food being prepared.  It was an entertaining evening.  When we were leaving, I noticed in the lobby was a pond filled with Koi.  I took this photo, and thought I would share it.  This mix of Koi were all different sizes and I thought they were quite colorful. 06/26/2011