You are currently browsing the monthly archive for May 2009.
The Ada area growth trends remain strong. Ada Township planner,
Jim Ferro states that the Ada population has grown by 20% since 2000.
There is a new proposed 80 condo units – Villas of Ada going in next
door and Stone Falls of Ada – a 210 unit apartment complex, currently
under construction a short distance away on Spaulding Ave.
Both of these new developments are quite close to Adacroft Commons
and Forest Hills Gardens. Forest Hills Gardens subdivision is between
Hall Street and Ada Drive just west of the Forest Hills Central High
School complex.
Forest Hills Gardens Market Report May 2009
1 Sold, 3 For Sale, 1 Expired
The absorption rate for Forest Hills Gardens is 15 months, which
means if no new listings come on the market it will take 15 months
for the existing inventory of homes to sell at the current rate of sale.
Active Forest Hills Gardens Listings: 3
Average list price is $ 182,300
Average time on market is 77 days.
Average list cost/SqFt is $88.23
Forest Hills Gardens Sold Homes :1
Average Sold Price: $160,000
Average price/Sq Ft: $87.82
Average days on the market: 159 days.
Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes May 2009
Forest Hills Michigan ~ Public School Update May 2009
Forest Hills Michigan Absorption Report ~ May 2009
Forest Hills Michigan Absorption Report ~ April 2009
If you have questions about Forest Hills or Ada homes,
please contact me directly: 1-888-240-1968 ext 0 or
Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
Japanese Maple photo by Bonnie Westbrook
Catamount properties are in the rolling hills adjacent to the
Grand River in the northern section of Ada Township in a gated
community with privacy and wooded acreage. Executive style
homes with lots of room for entertaining and all the custom extras
that make a home luxurious are the norm here. If you are
searching for a prestigious address, this could be what you are
looking for, as it is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the
Grand Rapids area.
Catamount Market Report May 2009
4 For Sale, 2 Sold, 4 Expired, 2 Pending
Catamount Active Listings: 4
Catamount average active price – $800,725
Catamount average active price /SqFt – $ 227.03
Catamount average days on market – 290
Catamount SOLD Listings: 2
Catamount average sold price – $ 466,000
Catamount average sold price/SqFt – $ 160.03
Catamount average sold days on market – 32
Catamount Pending Listings: 2
The Absorption Rate for Catamount Homes is 5 months, which means if
no new listings come on the market it will take 5 months for the existing
homes to sell at the current rate of sales. The average sold price dropped
in 2008 and into 2009. The average list price is $300,000 over current
selling price. Only 4 homes sold in the last 5 months, which means buyers
are scarce in this segment of the market. The foreclosure nightmare has
found this neighborhood, as well as more modest homes. These sales
reflect the bank repossessed home sales, which are distressed, even in
this market price range. No area of the real estate market has been
spared this price degradation and it affects the average selling price.
Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes May 2009
Forest Hills Michigan ~ Public School Update May 2009
Forest Hills Michigan Absorption Report ~ May 2009
Forest Hills Michigan Absorption Report ~ April 2009
If you would like further information about the value of an Ada or
Grand Rapids Home, please contact me directly at:
1-888-240-1988 ext 0 or email: terry@terrywestbrook.com
Grand Rapids MI Real Estate – Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
photo of the Grand River in Ada by Bonnie Westbrook
Current Absorption Rate for Grand Rapids Township homes is 9 months,
which means if no new listings come on the market, it will take 9 months
to sell the existing inventory of homes. The average sold home price has
edged downward slightly from last month. Spring inventory is down
compared to last month and absorption rate is nearing normal levels.
If you want your Grand Rapids Township home to sell, it must be in
tip top condition and priced to sell.
There are 155 Active listings currently for sale.
The average List price is $ 309,886
Average List price $/SqFt $142.15
85 Sold & Pending Grand Rapids Township Homes since 1-09
The average SOLD price is $ 244,109
Average Sold Price /SqFt $115.88
High Sold Price $ 660,000
Low Sold Price $ 85,000
Grand Rapids Township Absorption Report March 2009
Grand Rapids Township Top Best Home Buys May 2009
If you have questions about Grand Rapids Township or Grand
Rapids homes, please contact me directly:
1-888-240-1968 ext 0
email: terry@terrywestbrook.com
Grand Rapids -Ada Real Estate – Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Photo of Frederick Meijer Gardens Entrance by Bonnie Westbrook
Forest Hills (Ada Cascade) MI Real Estate Absorption Report
Forest Hills is actually a school district in Ada Cascade MI. This market
is always active. These Grand Rapids suburban communities have
wonderful neighborhoods, some new and some older with Top Ranked
Forest Hills Public Schools, and private schools, such as Ada Christian
& St Roberts that attract many home owners.
This report will cover the Feb 1, 2009 to May 28, 2009 real estate
market activity.
Forest Hills MI Listings over $300,000
The absorption rate for Forest Hills MI is 15.4 months, which means if no
new listings come on the market, it will take 15.4 months to sell the existing
$ 300K+ homes at the current rate of sale. This rate is down from last
month, sold prices are still inching downward. Inventory is ticking up, but
sales are holding fairly steady. Your Forest Hills home has a good chance
to sell if it is in good condition and priced correctly.
$300,000+ Homes
224 Active Forest Hills Listings
Average price of $624,021
Average price/square foot $200.57
Low price of $300,000
High price of $2,700,000.
Sold Forest Hills Listings 36
Average sold price $486,649
Average Sold price/sq ft $ 163.25
Lowest sold price $300,000
Highest sold price $1,325,000
Pending Listings 22
Forest Hills Active Listings $100,000 – $300,000
The Absorption rate for Forest Hills homes in this price range is 6.5
months, which means that if no new homes enter the market, at the
current rate of sales, it will take 6.5 months to sell all current inventory.
Forest Hills Active Listings 211
Average Active Price $212,745
Average Active Price/SqFt $119.75
Average Active Days on the Market 108
High Active Price $300,000
Low Active Price $104,900
Sold Forest Hills Listings 80
Average Sold Price $193,493
Average Sold Price/sq ft $98.74
Average Sold Days on the Market 101 Days
High Sold Price $300,000
Low Sold price is $100,000
Pending Sales 49
Market Synopsis: Although the absorption rate is one of the lowest in
the area, for the under 300K homes, this market area is still seeing
some reduction in sold price and price per sq ft. With more active listings
coming on the market in the spring, this will not help current inventory
sell faster or for more money.
Forest Hills MI Top Best Buy Homes ~ May 2009
Forest Hills MI Top Best Buy Homes ~ April 2009
Ada Cascade Market Report March 2009
Forest Hills Michigan Public Schools Update 2009
If you would like specific information about an Ada Cascade or
Forest Hills MI Homes, please contact me directly:
email: terry@terrywestbrook.com
ph. 1-888-240-1968 x 0
Click here ^ to subscribe to my Grand Rapids Blog
Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Photo of Forest Hills Eastern High School by Bonnie Westbrook
Lowell Michigan Real Estate Absorption Report ~ May 2009
Lowell Michigan is located on the Flat River just east of Grand Rapids, MI.
It has really grown in the last 20 years, in many ways. Lowell has a great
school system, a thriving business community, a lively arts society, and
is one of the best kept secrets in Kent County.
These are the statistics for home sales in the Lowell School District.
Active Listings: 193 Active Listings
Average Price: $268,290
Price per Sq Ft: $133.97 (Main Floor only)
Average days on the Market: 159
PENDING: 31 homes
SOLD: 60 Sold Homes
Average Sold Price: $ 144,328
Average Sold Price Per Sq Ft: $ 87.07 (Main floor only)
Average Sold Days on the Market: 107
Expired: 83 Expired listings
These stats are figured from Jan 1, 2009 to May 28,2009
Absorption Rate for Lowell Listings is 10.6 months for the
current housing inventory. If no other homes enter the market, it
will take 10.6 months for the current homes to sell at the current
rate of sales. This is getting close to normal range of 6-8 months.
Lowell Homes that are priced competitively are selling.
As you can see by the statistics, the homes that have their price
per square foot under $90 are seeing the most activity. There are
quite a few foreclosure or short sale homes which are bringing
down the average sales price and square footage rates lower than
they might normally be, but both average list price and average sold
price are up from last months stats.
Some sellers have retired from the market and will try again soon,
filling an already saturated market.
They might find a better buying market, but price is still king.
Today’s buyer is looking for a well priced bargain in great condition.
Lowell Michigan Top Best Buys May 2009
Lowell Michigan Real Estate Market Report April 2009
Lowell Michigan Real Estate Market Report March 2009
Lowell Michigan Real Estate Market Report February 2009
If you would like additional information about Lowell
Area Homes, please contact me through email or my web site.
Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Current Absorption Report ~ Rockford Michigan ~ May 2009
Current Absorption Rate for Rockford Michigan is 15 months
on average, which means if no new listings come on the market,
it will take 15 months to sell current inventory. This is a small
decrease from last month. If you aren’t serious about selling
your Rockford home, don’t put it on the market. If you have
to sell, it must be priced correctly and be in excellent condition
with the huge inventory available, buyers can be very picky.
The under $200K market is moving faster than the over $200K.
Homes Less than $200,000 Since Jan 1, 2009 sold prices appear
to be still declining, even though 161 homes sold in
Rockford Public School District last month.
The over $200K market is rising in homes inventory but average
price per square foot seems to be stabilizing at $130/SqFt
.
258 Active Rockford MI Listings under $200,000
Sold Rockford Homes: 84
Pending Rockford Homes: 45
Average sold price $ 132,396
High Sold price $196,330
Low Sold price $40,000
Average Sold Price/SqFt $88.36
Over $ 200,000 Rockford MI Homes
232 Active Rockford MI Listings
Sold Rockford Homes 27
Pending Rockford Homes 5
Average Rockford List Price: $ 353,298
Average Rockford Sold Price: $ 308,656
Average Sold Price/SqFt $ 130.00
High Sold Price $ 585,000
Low Sold Price $200,000
Inventories have increased with the spring market and sales are
starting to take off in Rockford over the last month. The absorption
rate is 15 months, at least 6–9 months longer than a normal market .
It is imperative that you have your home in great condition and priced
correctly. Over-priced homes will not sell in this buyer’s market.
If you have any questions about a Rockford or
Grand Rapids MI homes, please contact me directly:
1-888-240-1968 ext 0
email: terry@terrywestbrook.com
Rockford Michigan Absorption Report ~ April 2009
Rockford Michigan Absorption Report ~ Feb 2009
Rockford Michigan Absorption Report ~ January 2009
Rockford Michigan Top Best Home Buys ~ April 2009
Grand Rapids -Ada Real Estate – Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Photo of Rockford Public Library – Downtown Rockford by Bonnie Westbrook
Current Caledonia MI Absorption Report
Absorption rate for Caledonia MI Market is currently 24 months,
which means if no other homes come on the market, it will take
24 months for the current inventory to sell at the current
sales rate. This stat is over double from last month.
There are 164 current active listings, from $39,000 to $1,284,900 in
Caledonia MI.
The current average Caledonia home listed price is much higher
[about $328,384] than the average sold price [$139,456].
19 Pending Home Sales, and 17 Sold Homes since Jan 1, 2009.
The average sold price/Square foot is $ 79.51
Sold High $270,000 Sold Low – $34,000
There are 6 homes over a million dollars listed, so this skews the
figures somewhat in the upper brackets.
However, the upper end of the Caledonia market is much slower
to sell (4 sales over $200K) than the lower end (under $200K) is selling.
Sold price per square foot continues to slide downward, overall. There are
some excellent buys in Caledonia, don’t wait until they are gone.
Caledonia April 2009 Real Estate Market Report
Caledonia March 2009 Real Estate Market Report
Caledonia December 2008 Absorption Report
If you have any questions about Caledonia or Grand Rapids MI
homes,please contact me directly through my web site.
Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights Reserved
Photo of Ruehs Park Caledonia Michigan by Bonnie Westbrook
East Grand Rapids Michigan has a beautiful park at 650 Lakeside Drive SE
where United Bank is hosting the 2009 Summer Concert Series.
Bring a blanket and relax lake side to hear this local entertainment.
Tuesday June 9th – Hall Street 6 – 7:00-8:00 pm
Hall Street 6 is an electric group of musical professionals who have been
performing locally for over 10 years. They enjoy playing Jazz, Swing, & Dixie
music together.
Tuesday June 23rd – Karisa Wilson Band – 7:00-8:00 pm
This 4 piece band is comprised of local and regional professional
musicians who combine Folk Rock with Blues and Latin for a great
all around listening experience.
Tuesday July 7th – Steve Hilger Band – 7:00-8:00 pm
A 7 piece Blues band which plays original blues, traditional, acoustic,
electric, and some original pieces.
Tuesday July 21st – Silent Bark – 7:00-8:00 pm
This band covers all the bases. They have a variety of musical styles to
lean on in: Rock, Funk, Alt-Country, Folk, & Groove. The band plans an
evening of original compositions and unexpected musical twists.
Tuesday August 4th – The Barndogs – 7:00-8:00 pm
A local EGR band that started in 2001. They play songs that have been the background to their lives. They have been inspired by U2, Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers, and Johnny Rivers. You may hear music from these artists as well as some original songs.
Tuesday August 18th – Mid-Life Crisis – 7:00-8:00 pm
Back by popular demand, this popular 8 piece band has a full horn section and features 6 different singers. Performing music from the 60’ & 70’s, they have opened for many national hit bands.
Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Current market conditions have brought home prices down to levels
we haven’t seen in 10 years. All price levels and amenities have been
affected.
Spring is a great time to purchase a Waterfront Home in Kent
County, Michigan.
This month has a list of 17 homes in Eastern Kent County in the
$200,000 to $300,000 price range with private water frontage.
DOM Address Price
60 8181 84th St SE 209,900
42 8555 Je Ne Be Dr NE 234,900
93 7744 Thornapple Bayou Dr 235,000
247 7020 Thornapple River Dr 259,900
15 7214 Ramsdell Dr NE 249,900
218 2474 Grand River Dr NE 274,900
177 3001 Thorncrest Dr SE 249,900
251 7349 Kilmer Dr SE 275,000
68 5901 Coit Ave NE 269,900
58 5956 Myer Lake Ave NE 269,876
125 9101 Parmeter Ave NE 295,000
93 472 9 Mile Rd NE 249,900
220 8870 Brower Lake Rd NE 299,900
82 6980 Kitson Dr NE 299,900
15 7268 Peninsula Dr NE 209,900
30 7850 Peterson St NE 224,900
20 3300 Shadyside Dr NE 217,900
If you are eligible for a first time buyer tax credit, buying this home could
be less than you think. The above link will take you to an explanation
of the 2009 tax credit and some possible applications I have provided.
If a leisure lifestyle appeals to you, this may be the perfect time to make
your move. I am always available for questions or details concerning
West Michigan real estate.
Contact me at:
ph. 888-240-1968 x 0
Top Buys Kent County Waterfront Homes April 2009
Top Buys Kent County Waterfront Homes March 2009
Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
The Residences at Watermark are located on Watermark Golf Course just
south of Cascade Road. Yes, I play Watermark golf course every chance
I get. Watermark is a premier course with friendly players.
It has an excellent grounds staff and a great pro shop staff, as well.
Watermark single family homes and condos make this a very attractive
place to live. Quality built homes with access off Cascade Road and
Spaulding Drive, you are close to the airport, 28th Street shopping,
I96 expressway and close to Cascade, Ada, and Forest Hills
schools and shopping areas.
Watermark Residences
May 2009 Real Estate Market Report
For Sale: 7
There are 7 active Watermark Homes currently on the market.
The median Watermark Homes current active price is $ 579,900
The average Watermark Homes current price per sq ft is $ 267.15
The average days on the market for active Watermark Homes is 216
The high price is $ 2,700,000 and the low price is $ 369,900.
Sold: 1
There has been 1 Watermark Sold Homes since Jan 1, 2009.
The average Watermark Sold Home price is $ 440,000
The average Watermark Sold Homes price per sq ft is $206.57
The average days on the market for Watermark Sold Homes is 73.
Pending: 0
Expired: 6
At the current rate of sales, we have a 35 month Absorption rate at the
Watermark Residences. This means that it will take 35 months for the
current listed homes to sell based on the current rate of sales.
Watemark buyers don’t seem to be interested at the present prices.
The listed avg. price/square foot is about $60 more than the only sale
so far this year. The $2.7 million home does inflate the figures a tad
but price/sq ft should be similar. Summer may see more activity but
I see overpriced homes and buyers just aren’t buying overpriced homes.
Additional articles about Watermark Residences:
Watermark Residences March 2009 Market Report
Watermark Residences December 2008 Market Report
Watermark Residences October 2008 Market Report
Watermark Country Club ~ Pool Time
If you would like further information about Watermark Residences
Cascade or Forest Hills Homes, please contact me directly:
1-888-240-1968 ext 0
Grand Rapids – Ada Real Estate – Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
photo of Watermark Residences Entrance by Bonnie Westbrook