To answer the famous question, "What's Going on in the Market?" Here you are...

Single Family and Condo Report

Price #Sold through

June

$0 to $ 99,999 1810

$100,000 to $199,999 1870

$200,000 to $299,999 451

$300,000 to $399,999 125

$400,000 to $499,999 49

$500,000 and over 44

New Listings Jan - June

2008 2007

16,035 18,599

Total Sales

2008 2007

5,981 5,745

The number of listings currently on the market is down in comparison to last year and sales are up. Email me if you would like to see what's going on in your specific neighborhood! tstone@grar.com

**Information gathered from the Grand Rapids Association Board of Realtors.

Michigan's economic struggles always seem to be in the forefront of the media and on people's minds. And rightly so, all business sectors have struggled and many people have had to make moves that would be right for their family. Interestingly enough, as others have moved out of state, Johnny's Lunch has decided to Move Into Michigan. Can you believe it?

Johnny's Lunch sees Michigan and Grand Rapids in particular as an opportunity. Johnny's Lunch is a Ohio franchise with quick-serve hotdogs and burgers with "extremely low" prices (Beeke). Johnny's Lunch is a 72 year old company with national expansion plans with Livonia, Michigan being their first stop. Closer to home in Downtown Grand Rapids in the Monroe Center is our first Johnny's Lunch. Three more franchises are planned to open up in other areas of Grand Rapids as well.

Why did Johnny's Lunch decide to come to Michigan when others have been leaving? Here's what the president George Goulson had to say, "We knew all that stuff going in. We also knew in Michigan there's a lot of opportunity to get in on the ground floor." (Beeke).

HMMMM! Aren't Enterpreneurs looking for the ground floor opportunities? Noodles & Co. franchises have also benefited from the low cost products as people may be trading down from the upscale restaurants to more "casual dining". Did you know, that the Michigan market for Noodles & Co. has outpaced any of their other markets? Interesting.

Good things are happening in Michigan and in Grand Rapids. It depends on how you want to look at the cup... is it half full or half empty? Johnny's Lunch believes its over half full!

References: Beeke, Candace. "Retailers debate coming to Michigan." Business Review Western Michigan. May 15-21, 2008.

The weather used to be the common conversation.  Nowadays, our conversations focus around the high gas prices at the pump.  You'll listen to the talk radio as they discuss the oil prices per barrel and then how it affects us, the consumer.  The other day, I heard talk on the radio about how bike sales were now on the rise.  Maybe, with the higher gas prices we'll have a now physically fit America?  OR we could do a lot of complaining about the prices, start walking more, buy better high efficiency cars or suck it up and deal with whatever gas prices may come our way.  It's a choice!

When you build a new home, you also have a choice.  You can choose to build with wood OR you may want to consider another method.  Let's face it ~ with the high heating and cooling costs and overall increased costs in many areas, we may have to start thinking about the future and how we can control some of these issues and actually save money.  Now that is a remarkable thought!!!

What I'm talking about is ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) construction.  Does the thought of concrete walls make you think of a bomb shelter?  Honestly, it did for me.  Why else would you use concrete for walls?  It just seemed odd.

However, with knowledge of the product and the benefits it provides, it really just makes sense.  Here's what you need to know about this type of construction.  Those who have researched this product, swear by it and realize the benefits immediately.  Let me explain.

1. Most important to you... High heating and cooling costs should make you seriously consider ICF's that can reduce energy costs by 80%.
2. They provide a healthier indoor air quality due to the lack of air infiltration through the solid concrete walls.  This is HUGE, just ask anyone with bronchial or health issues.
3. Obviously, concrete walls are very durable.  The insurance industry is starting to pressure government into creating homes that are more durable. (ICF Builder)
4. Noise reduction is a noted benefit in areas with high traffic.  A very quiet setting.
5. Finally, concrete is the best solution when it comes to withstanding and surviving extreme weather.  Now, I know that Michigan is not prone to hurricanes, but did you know that just recently we did have an earthquake nearby.  I thought that only happened in California?
6. Homeowners who live in ICF homes, are adamant that this is what they want. (ICF Builder)  That statement in itself should hold a lot of weight for those considering ICF construction.

If you are considering a brand new home construction project, you really need to consider the bottom line.  One of the common misconceptions is that this type of construction is for the elite and is very expensive.  It really is quite affordable. 

My next home that I build will have ICF construction because I understand the long term benefits specifically for me as it relates to energy efficiency and indoor air quality.  A great energy efficient home located in the great area of Canadian Lakes across from Tullymore Golf Course (the third largest golf course in the COUNTRY!!!), is priced fantastic and has all these benefits plus radiant and geothermal heat.  It's only $179,900.00, which is a steal for the area amenities and the benefits it has.  I would seriously consider this home myself except I want to stay a little closer to home which is Grand Rapids. 

Perfect for anyone considering a healthy home or wanting to be within walking distance to the Lakes and Tullymore Golf Course!  Open May 18th from 2-4 pm!

As I prepare a mutual release, I'm deeply saddened by the unfortunate turn of events. Today, was the day that my buyer was supposed to close on a home only to get news the day before that her job may be in jeopardy. We were still proceeding as planned but I did put everyone on notice about the upcoming events.

In Life, I guess we have to learn to be Flexible

While REALTORS are used to having things go wrong with a transaction and hold ups with conditions, a loss of job was obviously something that we weren't even considering. Today about 9:30 a.m. it was confirmed that she was let go. She was crying on the phone and upset and thanked me for all my hard work. She even said she felt so bad for me. While she was feeling sorry for me, I was feeling sorry for her. One of the reasons I like working with buyers is because it allows me to develop friendships. I've developed friends from this business that I would have never met otherwise. So while I'm disappointed that this transaction isn't going through, I'm severly disappointed that my new friend won't be in Grand Rapids, much less Michigan. It's a sad day!

On the positive side. Everything happens for a reason. As I told her, buying a home wasn't meant to be and I know there is something better in store for her.

Recently, we visited Seattle, Washington for a vacation. We also went to see my niece Samantha's college softball game. While she didn't get to play much, we had a great time watching the girls. We even got to meet a few of them.

One of their star players is Mallory Holtman. Mallory is a first baseman and in her last year. She has broken several of the school records and is somewhat famous at the school for the girl's softball team.

Just the other day, my sister sent me an ESPN link that was about this Central Washington team. Maybe, you saw the story on the news. In fact, this story not only made local headlines but The Today Show. Word on the streets is that this story is supposed to be on the Ellen Degeneres Show as well as Jay Leno.

In an article by the New York Times titled, "A Sporting Gesture Touches ‘Em All", you read about Sara Tucholsky from Western Oregon's College Softball team. Sara is also a senior this year but what's remarkable is that it wasn't until she played against Central Washington that she scored her first homerun. In fact, she wasn't quite sure that she cleared the fence and ran it out fast to make it to first base where Mallory Holtman was eagerly waiting to get her out. Sara was so busy concentrating on the ball that she missed first base and had to run back to touch the base. Unfortunately for her, Sara's knee buckled and she went down trying to crawl back to first base but in obvious pain.

Two other runners scored due to Sara's slam over the fence, however, without Sara running the bases, she would only be credited with a single instead of the homerun. At this point, it was obvious that Sara wasn't going to make it to home much less first base. One of the other rules for softball is that no one from her team can help her make the play.

Here's what makes this a great story. Knowing the rules of softball, Holtman of Central Washington's team said, "Excuse me, would it be O.K. if we carried her around and she touched each bag?" The umps ruled that that would be O.K. and Holtman and Liz Wallace, the shortstop, carried Sara around the bases and had her touch each of the bags so that she could get her homerun. It was an amazing act of great sportsmanship.

She hit it over the fence," Holtman said Tuesday. "She deserved it. Anybody would have done it. I just beat them to it." She said she had been taught by her coach, Gary Frederick, that "winning is not everything."

Wow, a life lesson that I believe we can all learn from. I'm so proud of my niece's team... almost like it was one of my own kid's teams. Crazy thing is I actually met some of these girls.

Here's what the coach had to say in regards to Holtman's statement, "As coaches, we are so competitive, we forget this stuff. By God, I would hope I would have done the same thing." How about you? Would you have done the same thing or not? Good question for all of us to ponder.

References: Vescey, George. April 30, 2008. "A Sporting Gesture Touches 'Em All." The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/sports/baseball/30vecsey.html?_r=2&ref=sports&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

As I continue to learn about home building, I have to admit that a lot of stuff used to fly right over my head. I consider myself to be fairly smart but sometimes those builders just happen to talk in language (builder's code) that is not decodable to the average listener. So, as I learn about all this STUFF and understand it, my goal is to bring things down to a readable and understandable level. While there may be other reasons and added benefits for using a product, you unfortunately get to see what I see from that product.

Honestly, you may wonder if some of these green things are important. I guess it depends on your perspective and what's important to you. Is it important to know that your home is sturdy and safe? It may be important if your home is prone to tornados, fires caused by droughts (no rain for a long period of time), hurricanes, heavy snow fall etc... Is it important for good indoor air quality? It may be if you suffer from allergies or other bronchial infections such as asthma. Is it important to you to block the sound from the outside or from other rooms in the house? It may be if you live on a busy street, noisy neighborhood, or have kids.

So what in the world am I talking about? I'm talking about a home that is using a precast concrete structure. Concrete is one of the most solid building materials, known to be used throughout the ages. It not only provides a safe and secure envelope (the outer walls of a home are referred to the envelope) but a safe and secure environment that can withstand tremendous heat (as in a fire) and other natural environmental conditions. To put it simply - it defies severe weather!

In Charles Moore's article, Concrete reasons: most common building material a better choice, he says that, "Decisions made during a building's design and construction stages will affect cost and performance for decades to come." The intentional plan to build a home made of concrete or ICF forms as in the home in Canadian Lakes was for the benefit of the buyer. This builder understands the benefits of concrete construction and also understands the benefits to the buyer of using the 6" concrete walls on the house and garage and a 4" concrete roof. Not only are these walls engineered to be so durable to carry the weight of a car, they are also thick enough to be a great sound barrier. It is very quiet in this house and it is all because someone did a little bit of planning to build a great healthy home.

You need to check it out, and listen. Did you hear anything? Me neither.

Oh, by the way, this is what Moore also said in the article, " The economic and life safety benefits of precast concrete also make a property more desirable, resulting in better tenant retention, higher net-operating income and increased property value."

References: Moore, Charles. Concrete reasons: most common building material a better choice. March 1, 2005. http://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-indiana/380697-1.html

So tomorrow is officially Earth Day and you know that everyone who is involved in the Green movement will have to do a blog about earth day... I just thought I would get my blog in the night before.

Interestingly enough, I was thinking about why I chose to focus on Green as a REALTOR. One of the green features is the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle logo. Obviously, some people think that Green People (is there such a thing as an actual Green person?) are tree huggers, environmentalists, obsessed about the environment etc, etc... And quite honestly, the more I learn about the Green Stuff, the more I believe this is just the right thing to do. I only have to go by the landfills, see the huge "mountain" from our garbage and become sold on the idea that to recycle is a much better option. Not only is the stench unbearable but it saddens me to see that mountain that used to be a flat surface from all of us being lazy and not taking care of God's "green" earth.

Just to let all of you know, I do my best to recycle and reuse but I'm not an extremist. I still have my faults and could probably do a much better job than I do right now. But I do recycle those aluminum cans (I even pull them out of the trash can because my family is not as big on recycling) and I do try to conserve energy. My issue is trying to get the others in my family to remember to turn off lights, TV etc... There are seriously some nights where the TV downstairs has been left on with no one watching it and turned off when I go to bed at 11:00. What a waste of useless energy. Oh, by the way, to wrap those two things together. I once did an article on Shrek being Green and he said that by recycling 1 aluminum can that is equivalent to 3 hours of TV time. That was amazing!!!

So, what's the point of this article. The point is that you don't need to be a fanatic to help out the environment. With everyone doing a little bit of recycling, we can all make a difference! A little bit truly goes a long way!!!

Gaining in popularity for the green home are the tools of the trade. ICF's, or insulating concrete forms, are one of the strongest forms of construction in that the home is built with concrete. These forms used primarily for the exterior walls of the home are designed with foam that is grooved and fitted to fit the other ICF pieces just like a puzzle. In between the two pieces of foam on either side are rebar reinforcements that lock the foam pieces together and provide solid material for the concrete to adhere to.

ICF's are a popular way to go in the construction of a green home in that they not only provide a solid home but also an energy-efficient home. Since the concrete is totally encapsulated in rigid foam, the foam provides the energy efficiency while the concrete provides the strength. Energy efficiency is dependant on how the home is built and how much leakage is moving in and out of the house. Green home practices focus on building air-tight homes and with the interlocking foam blocks and long continuous panels, ICF's are ideal in preventing air leakage. The solid structure and the fact that concrete doesn't settle, also lends to the tight house construction.

While ICF's are definitely something that may seem like a different philosophy in building a home, the fact is that when the home is finished, it actually looks like every other home. If you have ever been in a house with ICF construction, one of the many comments is in regards to how quiet the home is with very little outdoor noise penetrating the walls. Solid construction, high energy efficiency, superior wind and fire resistance, superior soundproofing, and affordability are big plusses for ICF's. Vapor and air barriers are built in to maintain a healthy interior air environment.

Rising Energy Costs Causing Money to Go Down the Drain

No question about it, ICF's are changing the way homes are being built. Consumers are realizing not only realizing the benefits of a healthy home, but most definitely are enjoying the benefits of energy efficiency. With the rising cost of oil, more people are more aware of how much of their budget is actually being flushed down the drain by high energy costs.

My green listing in Canadian Lakes, Michigan has been built from top to bottom with ICF construction including the roof. It is one of most quiet, energy efficient homes located in that beautiful area.

While some of us like to "shoot from the hip", there are others that are very organized in their thoughts and processes. Initially, I'm an organized individual and unfortunately, there are a lot of days that I "shoot from the hip." So, I guess I'm a little bit of both personalities.

For those of you who hate organized ideologies, you have to admit that a little bit of organization can go along way. In fact, when it comes to buying a home, answering some key questions just makes the process so much easier and helps you figure out what your true priorities are. See Planning the Key to Home Buying Success.

New construction works the same way and more specifically when you discuss "green" homes. "Green" homes start with a smart design and efficient technology systems to create green homes. In fact, the planning or design stage, in my opinion, is one of the most important steps in the process. Deciding what factors are important to you in the beginning saves a lot of time and possibly a lot of money in the future.

Green homes are about having "residential structures that achieve optimal year-round comfort, reduce energy consumption, improve indoor air quality, and limit environmental impact." (http://www.solarenergy.org/workshops/sushomedesonline.html). This type of home is about taking the house as a whole unit, being aware of the climate and temperature changes and knowing which design strategies can handle the environment and its natural surroundings. In order to reduce energy consumption, green designers look at other ways of obtaining other forms of renewable energy, such as solar, wind. In fact, here's what Wikipedia defines renewable energy as, "Renewable energy effectively uses natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat, which are naturally replenished.

Let's discuss solar energy. To effectively use solar energy, the placement of the house on the lot is a big issue. Builders that are trying to use other sources of heat, will look for a lot which gives the front of the home a southern exposure. The placement of the sun during the different seasons give the home optimal sunlight exposure and natural heat helps with heating and cooling costs. To see a more detailed explanation of why this is important, a great article can be found at... http://money.howstuffworks.com/southern-exposure.htm

One of my green listings located at 11638 Pierce Rd, in Stanton has used green thinking in their planning of this home that is solidly constructed to achieve that "optimal year-round comfort, reduce the energy consumption, improve indoor air quality and limit environmental impact." This home starts with the southern exposure to take advantage of the solar heat and reduce your energy bill. The home also contains some other great Green features that will be talked about at a later date. Understanding some of the thought processes behind the green way of thinking, helps you be more knowledgeable about the process. Regardless of the process, green built homes provide a great healthy home which is becoming more important every day.

Buying a home is a process and while it looks easy (and it can certainly can be), a little bit of planning can make the process run much smoother. My goal is to make sure there are no kinks in the process and that it does run smooth. However, did you know that there are 88 types of turbulence or things that can go wrong with the house buying process?

Realistically, it starts with your motivation? Why do you want to buy a home? What are you looking for? Are you planning on living in this home for a short period of time or is this the dream home that you've been yearning for? What's your lifestyle? Basically, what are your priorities that you'll need in this home?

Let's discuss the main purpose of the home. Answering some of these questions will give you a clear direction in helping you find the ideal home.

1. How long are you planning on living in the home?

2. How important is it that this home realizes has your most valued desires?

3. Are you buying or building for the greatest profit or your dream home (retirement home).

They say that there are three important things in real estate... location, location, location. O.K. I guess there is just one!

Do you want to live in the city (urban) or live in suburbia (in the country)?

1. Do you want to be next to a certain urban area but outside city limits?
2. Are you looking for acreage?
3. Are you looking for a planned community?
4. Are you looking for a particular setting ie. Mountains, hills, trees, sandy terrain?
5. Consider the environment of the neighborhood... is it excitement that you are looking for? Safety, tranquility, beautiful view?
6. What about the neighborhood amenities? How important is it for the neighborhood community to contain a golf course, open spaces, particular school, closeness to employer, shopping, water, public transportation. I had a buyer that loved the quaint village feel of East Grand Rapids but her husband liked more space. They compromised with Rockford which has a small shopping village, housing communities plus homes on acreage.

If you are undecided between the urban lifestyle and the suburban lifestyle... here are some of the trends and differences between the two.

The urban lifestyle (which is classic for downtown Grand Rapids) tends to gather people who

• Want to be closer to shopping centers, closer to places for their children to play etc..
• Preferred mostly by young, childless, and the rich
• Young singles and empty nesters are filtering back to city because they want to be around people with similar interest, educations, incomes, hobbies, habits, family status, stages in life
• They love the ability to have everything they need within walking distance.

A good example of urban living is 600 Broadway, located right in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids.

The suburban lifestyle usually involves...

• Families searching for bigger homes, more acreage, better schools, safer streets
• They are looking for homes to be gathering spaces for family, friends, neighbors

O.K. We've discussed the purpose of the home, the location of the home, now let's get specific with the home itself. To do this you need to think of some key things that are in a home.

• Home Style - Ranch, 2 story, multi-level. A Ranch may be appealing for the fact that everything is on one level (except for the basement) and no stairs to climb.
• Floor plan style - Open - rooms flow into each other Partially open - mainly open with some walls/doors to close off rooms Closed - each room has a defined function or purpose with doors/walls
• What rooms do you need?
• What rooms do you need?
• What do you picture your home to be... a social gathering place for friends and family, space or enjoyment of the solitude of the office?
• Where do you spend most of your time?
• Will you have visitors and how will you accommodate it?
• Where will you entertain?
• What are essential rooms that you can't live without?
• Are there rooms in your current room that you always use? Are there rooms in your current home that you could live without?

Why you may want to build...

You're not finding what you want currently on the market?

You want to be in a certain area or subdivision?

You like "new" things and creating your own place.

You believe you can build cheaper than buying a home already on the market

You have specific needs and plan on adding on later?

You are looking at this home as a more "long" term investment and plan on staying in the home for a longer period of time.

Last but definitely not LEAST...

The good ole' dreaded budget. What can you actually afford to live comfortably within your means? Time to seek a good mortgage company that will give you the range of home that you should be looking at to buy or build. Remember, if you decide to build that you should plan on budgeting 20% more for overages and those "necessary" things that you decided to add to the list.