You are currently browsing the monthly archive for July 2008.
We have known Mark Wilson since the late 1970’s, when he first became
the golf pro at Hickory Hills Golf Club or was it Forest Hills Golf? Lots of things
have changed at our course but he hasn’t changed a bit, he is still the
friendliest, most professional golf pro we have ever known.
Mark is going to be inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of
fame on Aug 21, 2008. An honor Mark has well earned.
Let me tell you a little about Mark’s accomplishments. He is a Michigan native
and has resided in Grand Rapids since graduating from college. He is also a
Rhodes scholar, lest you think golfers aren’t cerebral.
Mark has been fascinated and personally involved in the PGA Rules of Golf
for as long as I can remember. These days you might see him on TV standing
next to Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods at any premier PGA event and
giving some unwelcome news about his golf ball and/or penalty strokes.
You see, Mark is the Chairman of the PGA of America Rules Committee.
He travels around the world to PGA golf events to be available for a ruling.
Be aware if you ask a question about the rules, he will quote the page number
or decision rendered about your question.
Members at Watermark have tried for years to stump Mark but we finally have
given up. When you see him, ask “When was the last time you played
golf? With all his duties he seldom has the time. Maybe after this year when
his term as chair of the PGA rules expires.
An excerpt from the Watermark Newsletter about Mark:
Mark Wilson, our Head Professional, has served the
membership of Watermark Country Club for over 25
Years. He is responsible for overseeing the total golf
operation at Watermark. His exceptional attention to
detail has produced years of quality and consistency
in both our regular and tournament play. Mark is
currently the chairman of the PGA of America Rules
Committee. He has served at all the PGA Tour major tournaments, several
European Tour tournaments as well as every Ryder Cup since 1995. Our
membership is proud to have him as our pro and look forward to many more
years with him in that role.
Typically this story goes in the other direction. The large corporation buys out
a locally successful business and relocates the core to their home offices,
sooner or later. Here in West Michigan we have seen this happen frequently
to some of our large local companies. Many long time employees lose their
jobs, must scramble to find a comparative position or relocate. That is why
this is so newsworthy! We are encouraged for the local area by this
one reversal….
Do you think they have read ” Small is Beautiful ” by E.F. Schumacher?
Transnation Title Agency Press Release:
National Company Goes Local
LandAmerica Financial Group (NYSE LFG) announced on July 1,
2008 that it has sold its twelve West Michigan Transnation
Title Insurance operations to a group of its senior Michigan
executives and key Western Michigan employees.
The purchaser, OFTA, LLC, has formed several title agencies and will
be commonly known as Transnation Title Agency of Michigan. The agency
has entered into a long term exclusive contract with LandAmerica and
will issue title insurance policies through LandAmerica’s two primary
underwriters, Lawyers Title Insurance Company and Commonwealth Land
Title Insurance Company.
The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Transnation Title Agency of Michigan is led by Monte Reinert who most recently
served as the Michigan Manager for LandAmerica’s title operations. Joining
Reinert on the executive team will be title industry veterans Tom Olson, Tom
Host, Sharlene Shineldecker, Steve Barnum, William VanHulle, Ed Tuma,
and Gary Opper.
Reinert indicated that this transaction was quite unique within the title industry
in the sense that a major underwriter had agreed to sell what is considered by
many to be its jewel operation in the Midwest. “We were successful in
demonstrating to LandAmerica that by selling the operations to us, we could
actually help LandAmerica increase its market share and operating margins
which, over the past few years, have become the overriding focus of all the
national title insurance companies. That focus has resulted in strategies aimed
at reducing costs through standardization of processes and centralization.
Centralization simply means that large segments of our day to day work is
relocated to work centers in other partsof the country. That strategy goes
against our group’s belief that superior service can best be
achieved through the efforts of highly trained and dedicated people
that customers know and can interact with on a local basis.”
Transnation executive Tom Olson stated that as unique as it was for
LandAmerica to sell a prime title operation, it is even more unique
that the agency will be wholly owned by a large number of its
75 employees rather than just a few individuals oroutside
investors. “It is exciting for me that so many employees were able to
become direct owners of this venture. We believe that our ownership
structure will empower employees at the local level to make decisions,
solve problems, and take whatever action necessary to get the job
done for our customers.”
Reinert further stated that Transnation was instrumental in negotiating with
LandAmerica to keep the Zeeland title production center from being closed and
relocated to Twinsburg. Ohio. This not only prevented most of the
positions associated with the Zeeland location from being
eliminated, it allows for Transnation to keep the preparation of its
title products in the hands of local experts familiar with the title
intricacies of West Michigan.
Transnation will be a full service title operation offering title insurance
and related title products for both residential and commercial transactions,
transaction management, escrow and closing services, mobile and bi-lingual
closings, 1031 Exchanges, customer marketing materials, builder
services, and customer information services.
Copyright 2008 ~ All rights reserved
Terry Westbrook Five Star Real Estate LLC
Summer and outdoor concerts just seem to go together. If you haven’t
attended one yet this summer, time to remedy that. Tuesday Night Free
Summer Concerts at John Collins Park in East Grand Rapids might
be just what you were looking for.
Pack a light supper or buy one there, just dig out the lawn chairs and
spend an evening listening to music.
Ahhh, summertime and the livin’ is easy…
Tuesday August 5 – Jeff Large
Local artist who has a far ranging style that is
not specific to any one genre but plays from
the heart. www.jefflarge.com
Tuesday August 19 – Wonderland Jazz Ensemble
Five experienced musicians that are drawn together to
pursue a traditional jazz blended with original compositions
and innovative arrangements.
http://cdbaby/cd/wonderland jazz
Place: John Collins Park on Reeds Lake, East Grand Rapids
Time: 7 pm
Concerts will be canceled if weather is inclement.
Sponsored by City of East Grand Rapids & United Bank of Michigan
The update for the Villas of Ada, Ada MI is that the bulldozers have moved
in, three existing homes have been torn down and are on their way out. We
have been watching the progress every day as we drive by. The road has
been closed this week to hook up sewer and water. At the present it looks
more destructive than constructive, but that is what the building
process is all about.
A large home was here but is gone now. The one on the right is the only one
left of the three existing homes being removed.
Our neighborhood connects to this parcel on the right. We can hear the dozers
and land movers working away all day. These photos are taken from Hall Street.
The Ada Drive entrance is at the other end of this development. Check out my
other blog article about Villas of Ada.
If you would like further information about Ada Homes, please
contact your neighborhood specialist, Terry@TerryWestbrook.com
Terry Westbrook – Five Star Real Estate –
Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
Photos of Villas of Ada parcel development by Terry Westbrook
The East Village subdivision off of Ada Drive in Ada Township is a fairly
new development. The new housing construction started in 2005 and
is still continuing to date. You can buy a resale home or a new home
in this centrally located housing development. Near both public and
private schools, East Village is also close to the Forest Hills and 28th
Street shopping areas. The Ada Bike or Walking Trail also connects
this area on Ada Drive with the village of Ada and the village of Cascade.
East Village is also close by the expressway for easy access to many
different parts of our greater Grand Rapids area quickly. Large,
executive style homes with many amenities and extras are the rule for
this neighborhood. If you would like to start with a brand new house,
this may be the place for you to call home.
East Village Market Report July 2008
8 For Sale, 3 Pending, 4 SOLD
Address Status Price Sq Ft $/Sq Ft DOM
707 Village Springs Dr For Sale 339,900 1895 179.36 49
459 Morraine Hill Dr For Sale 414,900 2480 167.29 131
524 Village Springs Dr For Sale 424,000 3180 133.33 81
572 Village Springs Dr For Sale 449,900 2926 153.75 48
632 Village Springs Dr For Sale 459,000 2760 166.30 47
5130 W Village Trail For Sale 499,000 3099 161.01 47
5010 W Village Court For Sale 499,900 3175 157.16 118
5050 Clear Springs Dr For Sale 574,900 2784 206.50 13
644 Village Springs Dr Pending 459,900 2825 162.79 190
4862 Meadow Springs Trl Pending 499,900 3175 157.44 75
5010 W Village Court Pending 499,900 3175 157.16 118
669 Village Springs Dr SOLD 349,900 2016 173.56 28
4969 Meadow Springs Trl SOLD 479,900 2914 164.68 51
527 Village Springs Dr SOLD 470,000 2757 170.47 58
4862 Meadow Springs Trl SOLD 489,900 3175 157.44 75
If you would like further information about Ada Homes, please
contact me directly
Cascade Woods is an established neighborhood of large, executive
style homes. Most of these homes were built in the 1960’s and
1970’s, although there are a few newer homes that were built recently
in the area. Close to the village of Cascade and the Thornapple River,
this heavily wooded area has been a Grand Rapids desired suburban
place to live for decades. Part of the Forest Hills School District,
which draws many families, there is also the river and it’s picturesque
appeal. The drive down Thornapple River Drive between Ada and Cascade
in the fall is one of the prettiest drives in the greater Grand Rapids area.
Cascade Woods Residential Real Estate
Market Report July 2008
13 Homes For Sale (FS), 2 Pending, 8 SOLD
Address Status Price Sq Ft $/SqFt DOM
7063 Thorncrest FS 159,500 1808 88.21 96
2600 River Edge Dr FS 209,900 2928 71.68 11
2740 Cascade Spgs FS 227,900 2161 105.46 179
7399 Lime Hollow FS 249,900 3085 81.00 12
7469 Lime Hollow FS 249,900 2592 96.41 56
7382 Treeline Dr FS 288,000 1876 153.51 118
2627 Shadowbrook FS 295,900 2822 104.85 46
2909 Cascade Spgs FS 329,000 1872 175.74 268
2669 Cascade Spgs FS 399,000 2590 154.05 151
2424 River Edge Dr FS 399,900 1979 202.07 129
2521 Pebblebrook FS 394,900 2600 151.88 34
2515 Cascade Spgs FS 650,000 2613 248.75 402
2597 Cascade Spgs FS 850,000 3795 223.97 103
7049 Oran Dr Pdg 179,000 1649 108.55 271
2441 Cascade Spgs Pdg 649,900 2101 309.32 251
2573 Cascade Spgs SOLD 395,000 2695 146.56 118
2838 Cascade Spgs SOLD 125,000 1768 70.70 22
2662 Cascade Spgs SOLD 190,000 2004 94.81 195
2770 Hayward SOLD 225,000 2385 94.33 12
2680 Shadowbrook SOLD 306,000 3068 99.73 177
2438 River Edge Dr SOLD 337,500 2306 146.35 81
7386 Cascade Terr SOLD 208,000 2186 95.15 182
7356 Treeline Dr SOLD 243,000 2306 105.37 47
If you would like further information about Cascade Homes,
please contact me directly.
Terry Westbrook – Five Star Real Estate – Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
photo of Cascade Dam on the Thornapple River by Bonnie Westbrook
Hidden Hills is an established neighborhood of homes off Cascade Road
and 30th Street in Cascade Township, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids.
Home construction started here in the 1960’s housing boom in the Forest
Hills School District and has continued through to today. There are new
homes still being built in this neighborhood.
Mid-size homes with quality construction are the rule, this suburban
subdivision area has been a desirable place to live in the Grand Rapids
home market for many years.
Median prices for homes in the Forest Hills School District for 2007-2008
were $235,000.
Hidden Hills, Cascade Township
Residential Real Estate Market Report
July 2008 ~ 12 For Sale, 3 Pending, 3 SOLD
Address Status Price SqFt $/SqFt DOM
7857 Aspenwood For Sale 369,900 2150 172.04 160
7982 30th St For Sale 164,900 1669 98.80 43
3447 Hidden Hills For Sale 169,900 2200 77.22 116
7745 Whitburn Ct For Sale 339,900 2756 123.33 12
7705 Tobemory For Sale 239,900 2238 106.33 41
3464 Hidden Hills For Sale 199,900 1734 115.28 34
7569 Woodvale For Sale 183,900 2238 82.17 37
7764 Kirkwall Dr For Sale 249,900 2212 112.97 48
3400 N.Applecrest Ct For Sale 248,900 2433 102.30 23
7626 Candlewood Dr For Sale 350,000 2856 122.54 173
7575 30th St For Sale 359,900 1920 187.44 187
3303 Whitburn Ct For Sale 399,900 3153 126.83 40
3282 Hidden Hills Pending 194,900 1512 128.90 77
3135 Bannockburn Pending 237,000 2211 107.19 20
3122 Torian Ct Pending 585,000 3000 195.00 132
3082 Torian Ct SOLD 443,500 3158 153.57 121
3464 Hidden Hills SOLD 137,900 1734 79.52 13
3510 Hidden Hills SOLD 197,000 2046 96.28 87
If you would like further information about Cascade Homes,
please contact me directly.
Terry Westbrook – Five Star Real Estate – Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
photo of Spring Flowering Forsythia by Bonnie Westbrook
The Residences at Watermark are on and near Watermark Golf
Course off Cascade Road. If you don’t like golf, or like to look
at a well manicured course, or get defensive when a stray ball rolls
into your “yard” you probably would be better off not buying a
home or condo here. Of course you would be missing out on the
best golf course in Grand Rapids (no prejudice here, just the facts,
folks)
Yes, I play Watermark golf course every chance I get. It is a
premier course with a friendly group of players.
The Single family homes and Condos make this a very attractive
place to live. There is access off Cascade Road and Spaulding Drive,
you are close to the airport, close to 28th Street shopping, close to
I96 expressway and close to Cascade, Ada, and Forest Hills
schools and shopping areas.
Watermark Residences July 2008 Market Report
2 Sold, 3 Pending, 8 For Sale
Address Status Price Sq Ft $/Sq Ft DOM
1991 Talamore Ct For Sale 475,000 1908 248.95 38
1664 Watermark For Sale 459,900 2085 220.57 177
2020 Watermark For Sale 525,000 2130 246.47 152
2064 Watermark For Sale 559,900 3423 163.56 124
1803 Watermark For Sale 599,000 2958 202.50 173
2201 Watermark For Sale 625,000 3137 199.23 125
1969 Watermark For Sale 724,900 3720 194.86 171
1908 Talamore Ct Pending 499,900 2115 236.35 10
2093 Stickley Dr. Pending 465,000 1908 243.71 116
2202 Watermark Pending 449,000 2860 156.99 85
2024 Feathery Ct. SOLD 525,000 3146 166.87 103
2096 Watermark SOLD 650,000 2388 272.19 79
If you would like further information about Cascade Homes,
please contact me directly.
Terry Westbrook – Five Star Real Estate – Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
photo of Watermark Residences Entrance by Bonnie Westbrook
Friday Night !! – Free Movies!! – John Collins Park- East Grand Rapids MI
Friday night is free movie night at John Collins Park in East Grand Rapids
this summer. The city of East Grand Rapids will be showing family rated
movies on a huge drive in movie screen at sundown. The 2008 Movies
in the Park is sponsored by Macatawa Bank. Bring your lawn chairs or a
blanket for the show. There will be a popcorn machine and an ice cream
wagon available if you get the munchies.
The movies scheduled:
Friday August 1 – The Game Plan
Friday August 15 – Cars
Friday August 29 – National Treasure
*List of movies may change due to availability
http://www.flickr.com/photos/psd/53316358/
Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan:
The weather is supposed to be warm and sunny.
BORED?????
What ya Gonna Do??
Get yourself a ticket for the Silver Maple Music Festival!
One day, Seven Bands
at Fifth Third Ball Park, Comstock Park, Michigan
Kids under 12 are free and the gates open at 11 am.
Festivities start at Noon. Tickets are $40 and available
through the West Michigan Whitecaps website
Bands Featured are:
Aphrodesia
Big Leg Mama
Greensky Bluegrass
The Milroys
Donna the Buffalo
The Ragbirds
Railroad Earth
For details, see Silver Maple Music Festival