If you passed a few horse-drawn Amish buggies on your way to work, you may be in Mecosta County, where there are over 80 Amish families residing.  Folks enjoy the many homemade Amish products offered from their farmsteads, including honey, maple syrup, jams, pickles, breads, pies and other baked goods, and fresh produce in season!  If you wake up in the wee hours of the morning to go fishing, you may be in Mecosta County, where there are over 80 lakes and the Mighty Muskegon River, (not to mention the Little Muskegon River and many streams as well), connected to 22 miles of prime water activites including fishing, swimming, boating, tubing, kayaking, canoeing... you get the picture! If you have been to Paris, you probably live in Mecosta County! The town of Paris, Michigan in northern M... 04/29/2015

2015 Quilters Glory Bi-annual Show - Big Rapids, MI June 6 & 7 (Saturday & Sunday)  Enter your quilt now! Visit the ArtWorks site for forms:2015 Quilters Glory Show - Big Rapids, MI June 6 & 7 - Enter yours now Mark your calendar, as you won't want to miss seeing these beautifully crafted works of art. Artworks is located just north of Maple Street in Big Rapids, on N. Michigan.  There is plenty of parking in the lot behind ArtWorks. 04/28/2015

Big Rapids, Michigan 2015 Farmers Market Opens May 12th - Sponsored by Metron  Health, the Farmers Market is located in downtown Big Rapids in the parking lot of the strip mall on N. Michigan Ave. (near Secretary of State office and city offices). You can find some great things at this ever-changing market!As gardens mature, the produce offered at the market changes from week to week, and a variety of crafts, flowers and sometimes music, make it a most enjoyable experience! Come and check it out often! For full Schedule Click on Link for printable pdf formatBig Rapids 2015 Farmers Market Schedule The Big Rapids Farmers Market opens Tuesday, May 12th, and the hours areMayTuesday the 12th, 19th, 26th from 1 pm to 6 pmFriday the 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th from 8 am to 2 pm JuneTuesday the 2nd, ... 04/27/2015

Stanwood, Michigan - 'Mothers Day' Dinner 2015 at the Eagles 4360 & Live Music by Luke Warm and the Not So Hots! Note:  Event is actually on Saturday, May 9th, (day BEFORE Mothers Day!) Location: The Stanwood Eagles 43607200 Stanwood Dr.Stanwood, MI 49346 Time and Day:May 9, 2015Dinner 5pm - 8pmMusic starts at 7pm May 9th at The Stanwood Buffalo Eagles 4360Mothers Day Dinner from 5pm - 8pmDinner includes:Country style ribsBaked potato...Corn breadColeslawand dessert... only $8.50 per plate!Music starts at 7pm with Luke Warm and the Not So HotsThis will be a night full of great fun and great music!— with Luke Gitchel.  04/26/2015

Does that skunk come with the home? All was ready to close the home sale the next day, but when we did the final walk-through, we discovered a skunk who had recently taken up residence in the 4-foot-deep window well of the egress window in the basement.  (Definitely was not there during inspections, as contractor opened and closed the window to check operation). This skunk was indeed alive and well(?), and should have been hibernating, but it stirred and was shivering in the ten-degree cold.  Since there was two feet of snow covered with a sheen of ice on the very frozen ground, he was just huddled in a corner up against the window.   The soon-to-be-owner inquired about options for removing it (mostly teasing me, I think, as he probably could tell I was wondering if it would delay the c... 04/17/2015

Is it a good investment to buy a home for Ferris State University college student(s) in Big Rapids, Michigan? About this time of year, parents start thinking about the costs of paying for college dorms compared to the cost of buying a home that their student can live in during college years. Sometimes investing in a home can be profitable, yet there are no guarantees. One thing that is sure - you will not get any money back from dorm costs, so you might come out ahead by owning a home short term and then selling it. Many owners have kept their rental properties for years because college rentals can sometimes bring in a good income - even if you have an agency manage the property for you. Within the city limits of Big Rapids, Michigan, there are many rules rental properties must abide by... 04/13/2015

Have Fun at the Hemlock Park - Wooden Playscape in Big Rapids, MichiganNow that Spring has finally brought us some (almost sorta kinda) warm weather, the wooden playscape at Hemlock Park is a great place to bring the kids for hours of fun - and best of all, it's FREE!  Located just east of the main downtown Michigan Street, just go north of Maple and you will see the city sign pointing toward Hemlock Park.  The longer you look, the more you will notice the special touches in this park, including a bridge resembling the Mighty Mackinac Bridge, a 'stage' complete with curtains and the comedy/drama masks, Rapunzel's tower, a train engine, a car with steering wheel, sand boxes, swings, climbing areas, etc.  They will have a ball!   04/09/2015

We finally had a robin show up in our yard this week - latest date ever!   Even the crocuses are not out yet... just the tips of the leaves poking out of the ground so far.   While most signs of Spring are a little behind this year, one sign is right on time - buyers looking for homes to buy and sellers wanting to sell their homes!   It seems so good that every year this same sign of Spring signals the beginning of that great circle of life - Sellers listing their homes for sale, and Buyers finding a great new home in which to make wonderful memories! 04/01/2015

Whether you are buying a home or selling a home in Mecosta County, MI, it is important to know what prices are being accepted on homes, compared to what price the homes are listed for.   In Mecosta County, this has not varied a lot over the last few years, at approximately 92% over the last year and through February 2015.  The chart below also shows the ratios comparing the original list price with the actual selling price.  (The chart is displaying data from the Southwest Michigan MLS, specifically for Mecosta County only.) Of course every sale is different, but this can help buyers see the reality of making a reasonable offer.  If your offer is more than 8% below the current listing price, it is not likely to be accepted by the seller.   Sellers can use this information to make sure t... 03/16/2015

Ready to list?  Spring is just around the corner in Mecosta County, MI Sellers and home owners: If you are planning to have your home listed for sale this Spring, now is the time to get started on those fix-ups that always seem to take longer than you think!  Photos will be taken of your home as soon as you list, so you want it to sparkle inside and out. 1)  Clean everything as thoroughly as possible.  Buyers want to see that your home and land are well cared for.  Stand in the doorway entering a room and take a good look.  Fingerprints on the light switches?  A few knicks in the paint?  Touch it up for your best presentation.   2)  That front entry is key!  Make it look great.  If you need a new storm door, don't hesitate.  It is likely the first thing the buyer will see.   3)  Clean u... 03/09/2015

The Best Way to Search for a Home for Sale - Home Buyer Big Rapids, MI Many times I hear from home buyers that they get very frustrated trying to find a home for sale as they are searching through web sites on their own. They are very relieved to find out that there is a simple solution... Work with a Realtor®!  Your agent can set up an automatic search, based on your own criteria such as area, size and price, and additionally can designate many special features that may not even be an option to look for on national web sites for home searches. I do not charge for this service, and am happy to serve you! Click on my photo to see my ActiveRain Rainmaker profile:   02/23/2014

Relocating to Big Rapids, Michigan - Ferris U? Info for Mecosta County Big Rapids is a great place to live and work, and home of Ferris State University! Click on photo to go to: Big Rapids, Michigan Community information such as Schools; Motels; Ferris State University; Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce; area Rental Homes and Apartments; Jobs; link to Homes for sale---- Even the Big Rapids current weather! Feel free to call me for a Big Rapids area packet of information, or if you have questions about buying a home in the area.  You will be amazed at this lively city with year round events and fun places to be! 02/23/2014

Sat. Mar 8, 2014, Music JAMboree FREE Wheatland Music Org - Remus, MI   (Click on photo for Wheatland Music Org page)  2 to 5 PM on Saturday, March 8, 2014, a free music JAMboree is open to all at the Wheatland Music Organization Cabin in Remus, Michigan.   You can come to just enjoy the music, or plan on joining in with any accoustic instrument, no matter what your level of playing!   Always a great time at Wheatland!     Held monthly, those scheduled for 2014 include: March 8th, 2014 April 12, 2014 May 10th, 2014 June 7th, 2014 July 12th, 2014 August 9th, 2014 (September 5-7 is Wheatland Music Festival weekend) October 11th, 2014 November 8th, 2014 December 13th, 2014 (2nd Saturday of the months) Wheatland Music Organization 7251 50th AvenueRemus,MI 49340   Remus is located by M-66 a... 02/20/2014

Hidden Gems Attract Buyers in Big Rapids, Michigan Homes for Sale I will tell you up front that this is not about gemstones!  This is about the hidden values in a home, that you, as a seller or buyer, need to think about front and center. For one of my buyers, the hidden gem that sold the home was an old fashioned root cellar/tornado shelter built outside the perimeter of the normal basement walls.  It was love at first sight as they discussed how their lovely homemade canned goods and garden surplus would find a home in that room.  To most, it would seem like a plain old storage room, and unheated at that, except for the earth's natural heat keeping it an almost even temperature all year around.  These buyers immediately recognized the value to their family. Additionally, the safety of... 02/17/2014

Festival of the Arts 2014 ( FOTA) Andy Warhols’ “Silver Clouds” Artworks Gallery Exhibit will run through February 28th 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM  Andy Warhol’s “Silver Clouds,” is an interactive exhibit combining light, air, movement, and audience participation to create an environment that is playful and engaging. Other events: February 4th | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Lecture | “Pop Goes the Art World” Presented by Carrie Weis February 17th| 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Youth FestLab |Creating Contemporary Art February 18th| 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Adult FestLab | Creating Contemporary Art February FOTA classes will explore medium and style of the Contemporary Art movements specific to Andy Warhol - Please check the website and Facebook for up-to-date information. www.artworksinbigrapids.org The Andy Warhol exhibit ... 02/02/2014

Labor Day Arts & Crafts Festival Date: September 2, 2013Location: Hemlock Park, Big Rapids, MichiganTime: 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. This is a great Labor Day Activity, with plenty of local flavor!  Food, fun, and Arts and Crafts from all over Michigan!! Come and join the fun... sponsored by the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce.   See the latest trends as well as old-fashioned favorites. Everything from crafty homemade items and foods to fine arts represented by local artists! Something for everyone, and all ages! Admission for attendees: FREE 08/27/2013

Big Rapids, Michigan 2013 River Days Celebration Events Aug 29-Sept 2 Labor Day Weekend brings out the fun in Big Rapids! For Riverdays Schedule of Events Click Here It is amazing how many events are packed into this end-of-summer celebration in Big Rapids every year! Events for all ages to enjoy include a Thursday ice cream social, Friday night music in Pocket Park by the Keywest Permafrost Blues Band; Farmers Market; Car Cruise and Classic Car Show; 5K run; Kids sidewalk art and mural painting; Sale at the Old Jail; Outdoor movie; Numerous garage sales around town; Craft show on Labor Day...  Many, Many more activities!   Please check out the link above for the schedule, and have a great time at Riverdays, Big Rapids, Michigan (in Mecosta County). 08/27/2013

  FISH FRY & KARAOKE at the stanwood eagles Date: August 30, 2013 Time: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM   Event DescriptionAll you can eat fish (5pm-8pm) & Karaoke starting at 8pm, being held at the Stanwood Eagles.  For more information call 231-823-5451.    Fraternal Order of Eagles 7230 Stanwood Dr,  Stanwood, MI 49346    08/23/2013

August 22, 2013 - Paris, MI Farmers Market AND Sell Items - free booth space outdoors STONE HATCHERY PARK MARKET & FARMERS MARKET Date: August 22, 2013 Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM   Event Description Located in Paris MI. Rate for booth/site is $5.00 inside the stone hatchery building and free outside in a designated area. Sell your collectibles, or unused items. Contact Gary Todd for questions/registration reservations at 231-796-6012 08/21/2013

Aug.14, 2013 Big Rapids, MI-Free Band Shell Summer Concert! Blue Water Ramblers- Bluegrass/Country concert Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2013  Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM       The Big Rapids Bandshell Summer Concert Series at Hemlock Park Located behind the BR Middle School.  Concerts are FREE and open to the public, pull up a chair and enjoy the sounds of Mecosta County! Do not miss this last concert for the 2013 series!August 14th Blue Water Ramblers (Bluegrass/Country)         08/12/2013