Why Is 2016 Going to Be an Amazing Year?

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We are really excited about 2016 here in Grand Rapids. All signs are showing that it's going to be another amazing year. Our team had a record year in 2015, as we were able to help over 200 families get into homes. We also ended the year highly ranked on Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com. 

We are very thankful for all the business and referrals we've gotten over the year. Thanks to all of you! Today we are going to talk about a few things that you should keep in mind if you are thinking about taking advantage of the conditions in our real estate market this year. 

The most important thing you can do in this market is plan ahead. You'll need to do some research on what homes in your area are selling for, and what price yours could possibly fetch. We would love to come out to your home and do a thorough market analysis, giving you the most accurate value possible. Give us a call and we can schedule an appointment.

One thing I also wanted to mention was to be wary of using automated home value estimators. Even ones like ours are prone to mistakes, as recently it valued a client's home at $125,000, when it was actually worth four times that amount. We apologize for that, but it's important to remember these estimates are just estimates. Having us come out to give you an accurate assessment by looking at your home in person is the best way to know your home value.

Another thing to keep in mind is that interest rates are incredibly low right now. I just talked to a loan officer, who told me you can get a 15-year mortgage for 3.75% interest right now. Rates have actually come down a little bit lately, but they are only going to go up from here on out. 

If you have any questions for us, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Prepare Your Home for the Holidays with these Decorating Tips!

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The holidays are approaching. Today, we thought we'd do something a little different and share this festive video on holiday decorating tips from HGTV. Designer Angelo Surmelis shares several great ideas to spread holiday cheer throughout the home. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Pay attention to the mantle. If you don't have some already, buy some kind of garland to drape over the mantle. Next, use leftover ornaments and candles to add light and texture. When choosing ornaments and candles, ensure they are in the same color-palette. This helps make your mantle a great focal point!
2. Use smaller Christmas trees. Every house has their main Christmas tree. In addition, you can also purchase smaller, inexpensive, eco-friendly trees to place throughout the home. Decorate these trees with strips of fabric from a T-shirt in holiday colors to save money for the main tree.
3. Use what you have. Be resourceful. Adding a plate charge and place mat to your everyday dining set adds some jazz to your table. Fresh-cut flowers and candles will help finish the look. You don't need grand, expensive candles -- a little candlelight goes a long way!

As you can see, it doesn't take much to make your home feel more festive. If you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

What All First-Time Home Buyers Should Know

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Buying a Grand Rapids home? Search all homes for sale

Being a first-time homebuyer is very exciting, but there are a few things you should know and questions you should answer before starting the process. We’ve got the information for you today, and are happy to share it with you. Before starting the process of buying your first home, you need to:

• Know what financing is best for you. If you can qualify for certain programs through the state of Michigan, you may be able to get a $7500 grant. There are also financing programs from the USDA and VA that don’t require any down payment.
• Know what you are looking for. What area do you want to live in? How many bedrooms/bathrooms do you want? What amenities do you need? Answering these questions will allow us to set up a profile for you on our home search website, which will only send you the listings that match your criteria.

Once you’ve found your dream home, we can go through it, take a look at everything, and advise you on where you should make an offer in the current market. It’s that simple!

If you have any questions for us, or are looking to buy a home in Grand Rapids, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!