52 Places to Visit in 2016
NYT has complied an interesting list of places to visit in 2016 and our own Grand Rapids, Michigan shows up at #20!
“The early 20th-century furniture companies Herman Miller and Steelcase established a creative community in central Michigan’s Grand Rapids, one now flourishing thanks to a confluence of urban revival and arts funding. The 138,000-square-foot food hall Grand Rapids Downtown Market, built using repurposed materials from the dilapidated buildings it replaced, earned LEED-gold certification in 2014, and enticed a branch of Detroit-famed Slows Bar-B-Q to open last summer alongside bakers and other food-focused start-ups. For three weeks each fall, the city’s contemporary art competition ArtPrize attracts more than 1,500 works and awards $500,000 in prizes. Artists from Auguste Rodin to Ai Weiwei stake the 158-acre Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, which recently added a Japanese garden with works by Anish Kapoor and Jenny Holzer. Don’t leave thirsty; over 40 craft breweries line the city’s ale trail.”
Grand Rapids also enjoys a short commute to the pristine beaches and State Parks of Lake Michigan. A variety of social activities that take place year ’round for the entire family. If you are thinking of making Grand Rapids a permanent destination, we have award-winning schools and vibrant communities.
Grand Rapids Real Estate Quick Home Search
While the Grand Rapids housing market is extremely strong, it is a seller’s market and inventory is low. Interest rates are still relatively low however and homes are selling quickly. Let us help you stay on top of a quickly moving market.
Thinking of buying a home? Check out our easy-to-use search tool. Unlimited access to every home, condo or vacant lot in South West Michigan. Save your searches, save your favorites. Sign up for Email Alerts and schedule showings online.
Grand Rapids Neighborhoods
Grand Rapids is a happening city with thriving communities and unique neighborhoods. This video shared by Experience Grand Rapids, highlights 9 distinct “destination” neighborhoods. Enjoy.
Change in Home Sales by Price Range
Courtesy of KeepingCurrentMatters.
Important Points
- In the top 4 price ranges, home sales are up over last year’s numbers.
- Sales under $100,000 have slowed due to a lack of distressed property (short sales and foreclosures).
- Home prices are expected to continue to rise throughout 2016 so there will be less homes available in the lower price ranges.
Grand Rapids Real Estate Quick Search
Thinking of buying a home? Check out our easy-to-use search tool. Unlimited access to every home, condo or vacant lot in South West Michigan. Save your searches, save your favorites. Sign up for Email Alerts and schedule showings online.
What is Your Home Worth?
Find out your home’s value in minutes.
Tax Deduction for Mortgage Insurance Extended through 2016
Great news! Congress has voted to extend the tax deduction for mortgage insurance in Michigan through 2016.
That means that you can deduct your Michigan premiums on your federal income taxes this year and next year.
Who qualifies for the tax deduction?
- Borrowers with adjusted gross incomes up to $100,000 can deduct 100% of their borrower-paid MI premiums. Deductions are reduced by 10% for each additional $1,000 of adjusted gross income, phasing out after $109,000.
- The threshold for married borrowers filing separately is $50,000 of adjusted gross income per person. Deductions are reduced by 5% for each additional $500 of adjusted gross income, phasing out after $54,500.
Grand Rapids Real Estate Quick Search
Thinking of buying a home? Check out our easy-to-use search tool. Unlimited access to every home, condo or vacant lot in South West Michigan. Save your searches, save your favorites. Sign up for Email Alerts and schedule showings online.
NAR: Two Reasons to Sell This Winter
NAR: Two Reasons to Sell This Winter
It has been quite a seller’s market over the last year as current home inventory is still low. If more homes don’t come on the market, prices will continue to rise going forward. Buyers are definitely out there looking to make a purchase and we are seeing very strong activity throughout the market. This includes our luxury home market and our downtown condo market but really, demand for homes and condos have extended to the entire Grand Rapids housing market.
NAR’s Pending Home Sales Report
Homes that are under contract (on their way to close) are up over 3.9% over last year. This has increased for 14 consecutive months.
We can safely project that demand for housing will continue throughout the coming months and the seasonal slowdown hasn’t yet started and will probably be minimal.
NAR’s Existing Home Sales Report
The most important data point revealed in the report was not sales but instead the inventory of homes on the market (supply). The report explained:
- Total housing inventory decreased 2.3% to 2.14 million homes available for sale
- That represents a 4.8-month supply at the current sales pace
- Unsold inventory is 4.5% lower than a year ago
Here is a good rule of thumb in real estate. When there is less than 6 months inventory available, we are in a sellers’ market and we will see appreciation. Between 6-7 months is a neutral market where prices will increase at the rate of inflation. More than 7 months inventory means we are in a buyers’ market and should expect depreciation in home values.
If you are Thinking of Selling, Now May be the Time
Curious as to what your home is valued at? Find out here in a few minutes or contact me today for a detailed report of what your home will sell for.
Grand Rapids ranks # 1 Residential Market to Watch in Nation
Grand Rapids is the Number 1 Residential Market to Watch in the Nation
Another day another accolade for our fair city with a river running through it.
The Grand Rapids real estate market is still rolling right along. According to a report by Trulia and reported by the Grand Rapids Business Journal, the Grand Rapids – Wyoming market is the hottest market to watch in 2016.
Based on a survey of more than 2,000 Americans, Grand Rapids is on top due to our relatively affordable housing and the job opportunities the city provides.
Top Ten Cities
1. Grand Rapids-Wyoming
2. Charleston, S.C.
3. Austin, Texas
4. Baton Rouge, La.
5. San Antonio, Texas
6. Colorado Springs, Colo.
7. Columbia, S.C.
8. Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif.
9. Las Vegas
10. Tacoma, Wash.
Residential Real Estate Market
This latest report also claims that the American Dream of owning a home continues to be strong.
Those who hope to own a home is up 1% from last year with 80% of buyer in the age demographic of 18 – 34, wanting to own a home.
Interest Rates are expected to rise over the next year and while the housing market should remain strong, Americans do believe that securing a mortgage will be harder.
Grand Rapids Real Estate Quick Search
Thinking of buying a home? Check out our easy-to-use search tool. Unlimited access to every home, condo or vacant lot in South West Michigan. Save your searches, save your favorites. Sign up for Email Alerts and schedule showings online.
Existing Home Sales UP 3.9%
Existing Home Sales up 3.9%
Prices on Average are Up 5.8%
Inventory is Down 4.5% Over Last Year
Courtesy of KeepingCurrentMatters
Thinking of Selling Your Home?
Find out your Home’s value in minutes online. For a more accurate Price Trend Analysis, call or text us at 616-570-1871. We will provide you a complete breakdown of the value of your home and its projected sale price.
Thinking of Buying a Home?
Try our quick home search tool. It’s mobile friendly and you can conveniently save your searches, your favorite listings for review later, get email updates and schedule showings online.
Singles are Falling for Their Dream Home
Infographic courtesy of KeepingCurrentMatters.
Grand Rapids Real Estate Quick Search
Excited about owning your own home? Experienced or first time home buyers or investors can start your home search here with our easy to use search tool. Save your searches, save your favorites, set up email alerts and schedule showings online. Mobile Friendly.
Andrew Ingram
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616-570-1871
a.ingram@grar.com
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Andrew Ingram
Weichert Realtors Platinum Group
