According to Money magazine. the Grand Rapids area is #9 on the list. The ranking is based on projected price increases. They are, in order:
1. Mc Allen, Texas
2. Rochester, New York
3. Birmingham, New York
4. Syracuse, New York
5. Buffalo/Niagra Falls, New York
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
7. Scranton, Pennsylvania
8. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
9. Grand Rapids, Michigan
10. El Paso, Texas
I know a Realtor who could help you find the perfect house in G.R.
image from:http://www.rightplace.org/cmsFiles/images/1162907259_flashfpo.jpg
Get over to Fruitbasket Flowerland! The front page of their ad ain't lyin'. Big, healthy, budded plants in 1-gallon pots $7.99. These are own-root roses, not grafted. Therefore, they're suited to survive our cold winters.
They're Easy Elegance and Paint the Town type roses. I bought an Easy Elegance named Grandma's Blessing last spring and it's leaping out of the ground right now. I did not winter protect it (or any of my others). No cones, no mounded mulch, no fence around it filled with leaves. No nothin'
The one below is another option named Sunrise Sunset. This is an unbelievably low price. RUN! They're bound to be gone soon.
images from: naturehills.com/own-root_roses.aspx | ||
| ||
It was a beautiful, mild sunny day in West Michigan. I had the itch to work in the garden. Uncovered the hydrangeas and prepared to give them their first post-winter drink of acid-loving planr fertilizer (no 60s stoner jokes, please) in hopes of encouraging blue blooms this year. Found I was out of fertilizer. Went to Lowe's.
The entire freaking town was there in the garden section. Buying lawn stuff. Buying hanging baskets. Buying roses. Buying annual plants (p.s. it's a little early). Buying mulch. Buying, buying, buying.
Of course I had to stroll the department to start deciding what I want to buy this year. African daisies? Gerberas? Geraniums? New roses to replace the slackers? All of the above?
I have a theory that something in our genetic makeup calls us out to dig in the dirt, even though it's no longer a matter of survival. I know I have a strong pull in that direction. There is nothing like the caretaking that's involved in beautifying one's space. It feeds the soul. Not sure what city-dwellers do with those instincts.
photo: My garden last summer featuring the chateau (it's too cute to be a shed).
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
Give yourself the benefit of responsive, competent representation whether you're a buyer or seller in the Grand Rapids MI area. Rockford, Ada, Cascade, East Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Caledonia.
Eric and I are a husband/wife team of realtors who are enthusiastic about and proud of the Grand Rapids area. I maintain a comprehensive community calendar on Eric's web site. Also, we have compiled an enormous list of links to community organizations and events. We dare you to find one that's more complete! Whether you're local or an out-of-towner, you can find useful info in either place. Check it out.
My company, 5 Star Real Estate, is an innovative locally-owned brokerage that has stormed the marketplace since its start 11 years ago. It's great to work with brokers who are ethical, trustworthy, and always striving to help agents reach their potential.
Eric has been a Grand Rapids realtor since 1989. I taught for 30+ years, retired and joined Eric as a licensed assistant in summer 2005.
I got my Bachelors and Masters degrees from Saginaw Valley State University on the east side of the state.
I majored in English as well as education, and I minored in Psychology. Many of the skills I learned are transferrable to real estate.
I LOVE BUYERS! It's great to see people achieve their dream of home ownership. Maybe it's just a throwback to my teaching days, but I love it.
From the first meeting when we clarify goals to the closing, I'm there to advise and help. Sometimes, with my professional access to the MLS service, I can see things about a home that will rule it out as a possibility, saving my buyers a trip there. I often know about pocket listings in my company that have not been broadcast. This puts my buyers first in line to view and to make an offer.
I have a network of exceptional professionals who provide the best of service to my clients. Mortgage brokers, appraisers, inspectors and closing specialists can make a transaction smooth or frustrating. I can help it to be smooth.
"I have recently completed the sale of my house in Lenwood Hills. I listed with Eric Webster. I was very pleased with his work and with the assistance of his wife, Karen.
The real estate market was seriously glutted at the time. They worked diligently with newspaper publicity, on-line presentation, open houses, and direct mailing, consummating a sale in spite of the problem.
All activity was conducted with skill, courtesy and sincerity.
I gladly recommend them to anyone who has property to sell, and wants an efficient and thorough agent to represent them." Lois Roepcke
"From the first e-mail Eric returned in a timely, professional manner, we knew he was the sharp, knowledgeable Realtor who would lead us from Pensacola, Florida to our perfect lake home here in Grand Rapids. His helpful, yet patient manner made us feel like we were his "Top Priority" each time we called.
We wholeheartedly recommend Eric Webster for any future real estate transaction. His wife, Karen is a perfect assistant to "Team Webster". Carole & Mike Ustick
Dear Eric,
Wanted to drop you a note, thanking you and Karen for the outstanding job that you two did in not only marketing, but selling my house in Bailey's Grove. As you know, it was a beautiful home, but located in a very competitive and saturated market.
Your marketing program was powerful and effective. Plus, your patience and assistance through a somewhat challenging closing process was greatly appreciated.
Please feel free to use this letter as a reference tool. You can count on me as a repeat customer, Eric!
-Regards,
Phillip T. Catalano II
Experience matters--and Eric's got it! We interviewed several realtors before putting our house on the market, and we were impressed with Eric's knowledge of the area. He also understands that many buyers use the internet to search for homes and makes sure that his listings take full advantage of the power of the web. He and Karen were in touch with us almost every day so we always knew what was going on. In a tough market, we sold our house in 6 weeks!
And last but not least, thank you for the lovely picture of our house. I assure you, we won't forget what we learned from owning it!
Best Regards,
Jocelyn and Tony
We had the pleasure of working with Eric Webster and
his wife, Karen, as both a buyer and a seller. We
first met Eric when we were looking for a home and he
was representing the seller of the house we purchased.
We were so impressed with his professionalism and the
outstanding materials he had developed for the seller
that we then listed with Eric to sell our current
home. Eric had our home on the market within a few
days and we had an offer within 13 days! Throughout
the process of buying and selling homes, Eric answered
all of our questions promptly. At our closing, after
selling our home, Eric and his wife presented us with
a beautiful framed drawing of our former home. This gesture
was unexpected and meant a great deal to us. We would
recommend Eric to our friends and family--our
experience with him was great!
Wayne and Kate Oom
Dear Karen and Eric,
Your parcel arrived last week with the final papers and a a wonderful picture of our "old" house. Thank you so much!
Looking at it does bring back fond memories of our years in Grand Rapids and the enjoyment I received working in the front flower bed.
What a relief for all of us that the sale of 5685 Juanita is complete. Paul and I really appreciate all the time and effort you two expended in the long process. We are very pleased with your services and communication. We stuck with you because we felt you were honest and did have our best interests in your minds/hearts...
We wish you continued success and happiness in all that you do.
Sincerely,
Pattie and Paul
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2008 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
Central A/C
Central A/C
