Michelle Gordon

Grand Rapids, Michigan never ceases to amaze me. My family and I have lived here since 2001. We moved here two weeks before 9/11.

The way this community reaches out to help each other is like no other place I have ever lived.

I remember just where I was when the reports of the bombing of 9/11 hit the TV, not knowing hardly anyone in town.... I was scared and nervous. However my new neighbors came over and checked on me, and together we worked through it.

Michigan is in the top 10 for foreclosures, and many jobs have been lost. Since 9/11 many people in this community have experienced loss of some kind. It has been hard for many.

But for the last 2 years, A guy named Rick DeVos, son of a very wealthy family in the area, had an idea. He wanted to have the largest money prize contest for artist from anywhere here in Grand Rapids, and called it ArtPrize.

I am not sure he knew the effect this was going to have on our community, I am sure he had dreams of what it could be like, and what it would mean to our community.

I imagine the out come exceeded his expectations. As I must admit it did mine.

There has been such a positive effect from this main event here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There has been many articles featured not only in our local paper, and reports from local and surrounding news programs, we have been noticed by the New York Times and many other large news programs and papers.

However, I think one of the things that amazes me the most and makes me smile a smile from ear to ear, is the way our community comes together during these 2 weeks of ArtPrize.

There has been neighborhood block parties, the restaurants are so busy - as during this time there is more then enough business to go around for our down town restaurants, the owners help each other out, the volunteers for this event is plentiful and the culture is taught to many of our children as they walk the streets and buildings with parents and teachers.....to see the expression of art in just about every form you can think of.

When attending ArtPrize last Saturday, the most impressive thing out of all of this to me, was the way the public all got along, were happy, polite, friendly in a VERY large crowd of people. Kind of reminds me of a Jimmy Buffet concert!

People of all ages, from all walks of life attended........however.........the feeling I got, was none of this mattered. The event is free, so all can attend who would like. Strangers talked to each other to discuss the art. We met artist from all over, and artist's shared their thoughts and idea's as well as talked about where they are from and what it is like there.

ArtPrize is more then a BIG money prize contest. To me, it is a peace maker, a education for young and old, a 2 week event that makes a lot of people happy, in a time and place, where many are struggling. To be able to do this for our community is huge! I applaud Rick DeVos in his efforts and accomplishments with this event. And I say "THANK YOU"!

I have an update to this blog:

Last Saturday night we had dinner downtown at one of my favorite's Tre Cugini - they have out door seating. We enjoyed awesome food and great wine while watching the free outdoor concert sponsored by the VanAndel family. It is truly one of the best evenings I have thus far in the city of Grand Rapids. Again it was very crowed, but the people were friendly - dancing and singing along to the music. It was very hard for me to sit still at my table. Okay, I confess, I did not sit still we all danced too!

Also, this event has caught the attention - again - with national news - Kathie Lee Giifford. She says she loves our town, and ArtPrize - So Kathie - when are you ready to buy your summer home here in Grand Rapids? Call me! I will be happy to show other things/places that make Grand Rapids, Michigan great all year round!

I have sat down many times to write this blog, and have started it then deleted many times.

However, I am really posting this one. One, because I know I will feel better after writing this, and two I feel like I have to get the word out.

I now think the 1st question to ask a lender before asking about rates or cost is to ask "where do your appraisers come from?"

As this can make all the difference in the world. If a lender is using appraisers who are NOT local or do not know the area, in which you are purchasing or refi-ing, the appraisal may very well be wrong.

In Kent County, (surrounding area's of Grand Rapids) we have many "pocket neighborhoods" which makes all the difference in the world. If your home borders these areas, the unfamilar appraiser may not know this and use homes out side of this pocket neighborhood and get the values all wrong.

As a Realtor, may I add a an aggressive Realtor when need be, I am ready to fight, and most of the time win, but wondering is this fare?

It makes for a bad feeling for all concerned, Realtor, buyer and seller..........we need to have these right the 1st time.

If there was ever a time or need to choose local 1st, this is it!

On my website I have Several lenders listed who use local appraisers and have normal cost.

www.bemovedbymichelle.com

Another reason to buy and close on home before May 1st. You may be saying to yourself, well I do not qualify for the home buyers credit, so you are doing the lets wait and see what happens. With the anticipation of home prices dropping once again.

Well here in Michigan we have this lovely thing called NON-HOMESTEAD Property taxes.

May 1st is the dead line to file your Michigan Property tax exemption.

Why should this matter to you? Well the cost of property taxes will go up about 40% for non-homestead properties. So homes that are owned by banks, owned by HUD or where the owner has moved and bought another home will go into non-homestead status after May 1st. So when you (the owner occupant) buys this home in the non-homestead tax status, you will be paying these higher taxes till the following year, because you can only change this status at the beginning of the year............which means higher mortgage payments till you can get this changed.

With some buyers the cost is so much greater it can make or break the sale. So that 'good deal" is no longer the good deal as you may not be able to afford the mortgage payment based on non-homestead property taxes.

If you do wait to buy a home after May 1st - your lender or Realtor can look this up for you and tell you what you are getting into. Make sure your lender gives you a good faith estimate based current tax status of the home.

On line questions and answers for homestead/non0homestead property taxes

Forms for property taxes in Michigan.

I am very proud to announce that our Broker at Keller Williams Realty, Grand Rapids Michigan signed this agreement with Grand Rapids Assocaition of Realtors; as this is a requirement for all of Realtors who want to sign as well, that their Broker must sign 1st.

I have been blogging about this kind of thing for a while now, but much better said and done by our association.

It basically brings out in the open the ethics and standards that we should all up hold as a Realtor and now have us sign a pledge to show that we will. We have our kids sign a pledge at school to be drug free, we have a pledge for most offices............so why not Realtors?

I support the efforts of the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors.

At a glance - here is what is covered -

A. Customer CAre and Communication

B. Technology Proficiency

C. Professional Development

D. Risk Management

E. Transaction Management

F. Professional Relationships

To see the full form we had to sign click here

So as you interview a Realtor for buying or selling a home, this may be one of the questions you add to the list..........Did you sign the Professional Expectations?

Grand Rapids has great culture! I was trying to find a way to share the culture with you - in a way that you can feel it like I do.

We have so much talent in this area along with people with a passion for where they live - Grand Rapids Michigan.

I think the struggling economy has only pulled us together more, and I have never been more proud to live here then I am today.

Young adults are a true asset to our community as they are very much part of our culture. Older adults like myself are supportive and encourage the young adults and children to express themselves.

We are a small town with big idea's, who act on their idea's and make things happen!

So in my effort of sharing the culture of Grand Rapids with you, I have a collection of video's for your viewing pleasure.........I hope you enjoy watching them as much I have.

If ever in the area and would like to learn more - contact me for your personal tour - showing homes and "show and tell" about Grand Rapids is one of the jobs I love to do!

CHEERS!

2010 Jammies - Local artist play thier music in PJ's

Pics of Grand Rapids - Turn up the music

Zombi walk - Holloween - This young man has a way to get people moving just with socail media - now working for Wood TV!

Photo History - nice smooth music with this one!

Art prize 2009 - Awesome event - coming back this year -2010 can not wait - good time to visit us!

Bush's Visit - you may not agree with thier views, but at least they have one!


If you goto YOUTUBE and search Grand Rapids Michigan - there is more there. These are just some of my favorites.

Are you feeling the cuture yet?