This information is provided by the Grand Rapids Assoication of Realtors. This is showing that the amount of homes sold during the last year, depending on price are decreasing. Looking at 07 to 08 shows some decrease in home sales. Notice the increase of solds in the $250,000 - $299,999!
MLS Year to Date Closed/Sold Profile Report
Category - ALL
Statistics for Entire MLS
Category:0
Counties:41
Sale Price Range Last Year
01/01/2007 - 09/17/2007This Year
01/01/2008 - 09/17/2008Percent Change
$0 - $99,999
31
45
45.16%
$100,000 - $149,999
85
76
-10.58%
$150,000 - $199,999
111
89
-19.81%
$200,000 - $249,999
75
41
-45.33%
$250,000 - $299,999
26
31
19.23%
$300,000 - $349,999
21
22
4.76%
$350,000 - $399,999
10
10
0.00%
$400,000 - $449,999
4
1
-75.00%
$450,000 - $499,999
6
3
-50.00%
$500,000 - $549,999
4
4
0.00%
$550,000 - $599,999
0
2
100.00%
$600,000 - $699,999
4
1
-75.00%
$700,000 - $799,999
0
0
100.00%
$800,000 - $899,999
0
0
100.00%
$900,000 - $999,999
0
0
100.00%
$1,000,000 - $1,499,999
0
0
100.00%
$1,500,000 - $1,999,999
0
0
100.00%
$2,000,000 and Above
0
0
100.00%
Total 377 325 -13.79%
Copy write by Charlene Hammontree@ U.S. Home & Realty.
Neighborhood Block Party 2008
When: Sunday, September 21st from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: New Day Church – On -the –Hill
Church Parking Lot
Come and join your friends and new neighbors for
fun and food.
New Day Church is providing: Hotdogs, Hamburg’s, condiments, eating utensils, drinks, tables & chairs.
You bring your appetite and a dish to pass.
* Games * Basketball * Face Painting and more!
Plus Special visit from Cascade Fire Department
RSVP to Charlene Hammontree @ (616) 481-1401 or at hammontree@grar.com
If you are in Grand Rapids and looking for something to do, you need to check out the Zoo! WE did and we live here and forgot how much fun it really is! Located at 1300 W Fulton
The last days of summer slipping through our hands my son and my daughter decided it would be fun to go to the Zoo! After checking some on line info about John Ball Park Zoo. Not to mention my comment of: "What? We live AT the Zoo already! Why should we go visit one?" They were still determined to go so, we packed up and headed off for an early morning visit! It was cooler and the animals were very active! It was a great day of fun!
John Ball was an interesting guy! Even a REALTOR! It wasn't till after he died that the Zoo began to take shape! He left 40 acres to the city back in 1884. The city not sure what to do with it! (Priceless today no doubt!)
I wish I had a nickel for every picture and every kid that climbed on the lap of this guy!
The mission of the zoo is as follows:
Mission Statement
The mission of the John Ball Zoo is to help all individuals gain information about, respect for, and an understanding of the animal kingdom by providing a quality zoological facility that promotes good animal husbandry, provides diverse educational opportunities, actively participates in local, state, and national conservation and research programs and achieves a significant breeding and reproductive record.
Way Cool!
Our journey/adventure begins!
As we entered the park we were greeted by friendly attendants and many blooming flowers!
Here is some of the great animals we saw that day! 
I love these pink things!
Look another agent! lol
Not a snake lover, but 8 year thought this was cool!
cute! WALK THRU WALLABIES and JOEYS – Last day SUN – 9/14
SKY TRAIL ropes course – Weekends only - Thru September – weather permitting – Also available by request for corporate parties or team building events 269-673-0016
Weeknight vs Weekend Open Houses
I am just wanting some opinions on this. Our area has been mainly "Sunday Open House" so I am thinking now that school will be back at it and many parents are going to and from school games and practices would an "Weeknight Open House" be something to try? And what night?
Many of us are busy on the weekends and just can't fit it in. Some Sunday's do produce natta bodies to chat with even. It might even have to be a shorter time 1 - 1 1/2 because with fall there is the time change too. Sometimes having a shorter time brings more people in at one time, placing an "it might sell" in the front of the would be buyers mind.
Safety being another reason, but I always take a mortgage person along if they are up for the sitting to catch up on the mortgage news and have would be sellers make a connection right there.
I know some markets just aren't doing many of them because they don't work well. I say, hang in there and be the 'agent that works the market' even 'lookie lous' 
have to buy and sell and sometimes I get so much done in that time frame by myself! (that is if I don't have a mortgage buddy to go with me! Always looking for some good ones!)
So what is gonna be: Weekend or Weekday for you?
(Not only do "Birds of a feather flock together, they swim in a row!" I love the saying: " If you always do what you have always done, you always get what you have always gotten!" ~ Unkown)
Picture taken at John Ball Zoo in front pond before ticket gates)
If you are selling or buying please tell us so we can better serve you!
All rights reserved by Charlene Hammontree and U.S. Home & Realty
I am happy to say that another closing went as .... well... not as planned, but the clients are happy! Had everything in place and found out that a 20 year old plus condo wasn't VA approved! Who would have thunk? Went
FHA and it went just fine. The time frame was a little longer, but like I said.... Happy Clients!
Thanks to my Mortgage guy as well ~ Thanks Tom!
I always look back and think: "I could of done that and better or should have added that", but I think that is normal for the most part! If you can't improve, why bother? Each Home sale is so different.
I kind of get a little sad when they close. For me! No more phone calls, no more updates, no more flyer's or emails... it is kind of like giving birth! You must someday let that little bundle of joy fly off on it's own. Not that I don't follow up with ca
rds and notes and what not, but it isn't the same!
I am so blessed to have such great clients that they do become friends in the end. It is what I love about being a real estate agent! A house that becomes another HOME!
Thank You for allowing me to be your agent!
All rights reserved Charlene Hammontree and U.S. Home & Realty
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Michigan real estate agent specializing in Rockford, Belmont, Comstock Park & Grand Rapids Communities as well as vacation homes. Accredited Buyer Representative & Senior Real Estate Specialist.
Charlene Hammontree Real Estate Consultant, ABR, SRES
I started working in real estate in 1982 in Rockford, Michigan. I had just graduated from Rockford High School, and a good friend of the family, also a Realtor at the time, suggested that I obtain my real estate license, so I did. Interest rates at the time were 18% and it was a different world back then in every aspect of this profession. I wanted to grow in this profession. I knew it then.
From there I ventured deeper into the real estate industry by way of title insurance, mortgage processing, appraisal, loan origination, and underwriting. I loved working with people, but found that I was being lead away from what I enjoyed working with the most: The Home Owners!
I have found that I love helping them understand the continently changing real estate process. I love a client that calls just to say "Hi, and oh, by the way, can you look this home up for me?" or "Do you know someone who.....?" My initial meeting with new buyers and sellers allows me to stress one very important thing: Real estate changes daily! I love teaching what I learn!
I continue my education daily in this industry to better serve my clients needs. I read, I network, I blog, I take classes specially designed for agents to become the best agents for their clients and in their profession; I talk with other professionals to share ideas of what works and what doesn't. I research the market trends as well as monitoring home sales in my communities. I interview other professionals in the industry that might have a product or service my clients might need now or in the future. But most importantly, I listen to the needs of my clients so that I can fully understand what they are wanting from me..... their real estate agent for life!
I love what I do! Having someone working for you that enjoys what they do makes your real estate experience successful and less stressful. Although the times have changed in real estate since I began my journey, I truly love what I do. I love the fact that every home sale brings uniqueness with both the home and the buyers/sellers. No two homes are alike and neither are the clients. Their needs or their situation and therefore should have their real estate process designed for them.
What does this mean to you? Whether it is a first home, downsizing the family home, relocating, or anywhere in between, I will be involved and available. My experience and knowledge allows me to get the best price for a buyer, negotiate the best price for a seller and is a resource for those who want to know more about real estate in their neighborhood and in real estate in general. Reviewing every week what has sold or is currently on the market in their neighborhood gives me the edge on marketing for a profitable, faster home sale. For home buyers, that means looking at as many houses as possible to find the best one that meets the needs of the buyer and helping them obtain the best financing as well as negotiate the best price for their new home. My goal is having happy clients for life! Your life! Your needs!
I currently hold my ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) and SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) Designations. I continue to take educational training classes to keep my knowledge and skills on the cutting edge.
The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate BUYERS AGENT Council (REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® who met the specified educational and practical experience criteria. The criteria are: Completed the comprehensive two-day REBAC course in buyer representation Successfully passed a written examination Demonstrated a practical experience of having completed five closed real estate transactions in the field of buyer representation. Received recommendations from two of the real estate practitioners buyer clients. Be a member in good standing with the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Look for those real estate agents that proudly display the ABR® designation and know that they are professionals in the field of buyer representation.
Seniors Real Estate Specialists® areREALTORS® qualified to address the needs of home buyers and sellers age 50+. The SRES® Council awards the SRES® Designation to those members who have successfully completed its education program.
By earning the SRES® designation, your REALTOR® has demonstrated necessary knowledge and expertise to counsel clients age 50-plus through major financial and lifestyle transitions involved in relocating, refinancing, or selling the family home. Your REALTOR® has received special training, gets regular updates, and is prepared to offer the options and information needed in making life changing decisions.
My Blog disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is posted for open opinions and comments. The articles are the property of Charlene Hammontree and U.S. Home & Realty. Either Charlene Hammontree or U.S. Home & Realty are not responsible for opinions, thoughts, ideas or comments by visitors nor any loss obtained by the information posted here. The information on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not deemed reliable or guaranteed. It is highly recommended that a legal professional or others deemed to be knowledgeable professionals to assist you during any real estate transaction.
"We really felt listened to and our concerns were always addressed. This helped us make the right choices to sell and buy a home. We truly feel your knowledge and your professionalism helped us get top dollar when we sold our home. Not to mention your negotiation skills when we bought our new home. It is a great time to buy with you!" ~ Brad & Cindy
"I can't tell you how great it was to have you helping my Father with selling his home. Not being able to be there to help him because of our own family and the distance was really hard for us. You made us feel like we were right there. We didn't need to worry with your help and guidence. My Father loved working with you too!" ~ Kim & Sean, Chicago
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