You are currently browsing the daily archive for May 6, 2009.
We are definitely seeing signs of the
local real estate market heating up.
This all brick ranch located in Wyoming Michigan
off 52nd Street between The Pines Golf Course
and L E Kaufman Golf Course is officially a pending
sale. It has been listed a week today.
It is located on .85 acres of land and has 1500+
square feet of finished living area. A large deck,
two stall garage, outdoor storage building, and fully
fenced back yard.
We always have new listings coming up and have
buyers waiting for the right home to be placed on
the market.
If you would like to purchase a new home, ask about
the $8000 First Time Buyer’s Tax Credit that Uncle Sam
is handing out in 2009. It could be available to you.
Contact me:
1-888-240-1968 ext 0
Grand Rapids Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
photos by Bonnie Westbrook
It is spring and the home improvement train is chugging along.
Especially for people that are staying in their home, by choice
or economic necessity. A home improvement project can be top on
the list of things to do. So, how do you determine if it is a
cost that is reasonable for your budget or even a smart thing
to do? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a ball park figure before
you call the contractor.
As usual, the web is here to help you.
HGTV has a Local Cost estimator for home improvement projects
that will estimate a project in your local area. Costs do vary by
location, so remember this is just a guess-timate. If you want
marble tile or $500 faucets, the cost of your new bath can
escalate quickly.
Here is another site that might be helpful in your process of
home improvement decisions. The DIY Network has a remodeling
Budget Estimator that covers frequently asked questions. It
is always helpful to get as much information as possible to aid
in your decision making process.
Viewing these home improvements from a Realtor’s viewpoint,
some projects will make your home more attractive but will they
make it more valuable to a buyer? Check out Realtor Magazine’s
to see if that new bath will add to the value of your home before
you spend your hard earned money.
It might be worth while to you as a family no matter what the
payback if you sell your home in the future. It might not, too.
For example, if you know that your job will probably be
transferred in a year or two, do you really want to put $40K in
a new bathroom? Will you get any payback for this when you
sell?
The Top Five Remodeling Project Paybacks:
1. Upscale fiber cement siding (86.7%)
2. Midrange wood deck (81.8%)
3. Midrange vinyl siding (80.7%)
4. Upscale foam-backed vinyl (80.4%)
5. Midrange minor kitchen remodel (79.5%
Exterior projects that improve curb appeal are leading the list.
What will your home improvement project be this summer?
Westbrook Realty ~ Grand Rapids Michigan
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Forest Hills Michigan – Home to a Growing Public School District
We just received the Superintendant’s News Letter with all the Forest
Hills Public School news. Of course, there was talk of budget challenges
and difficult times. Even school districts that are well-funded, like Forest
Hills Public, are having budget issues because of state funding reductions.
Forest Hills is focused on student education, and is still reducing
administrative overhead. 76.7% of the school budget is spent on
classroom and instructional support.
2009 Forest Hills School News:
- 3 Teachers recognized on state & national levels for excellence
- Conserved 1.9 million in reduced energy costs
- ALL Forest Hills Schools receive Green Certificates
- Received David D Smith Award for Environmental Stewardship
- Growing enrollment while 80% of Michigan districts are declining
- 2007 Bond Issue allows investment in infrastructure
- 10,100+ students, 2nd in size in Kent County, 23rd largest in
Michigan, out of 552
- 2009 Student MEAP Scores Highest in Michigan
Grand Rapids Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
