We are always happy to hear about continued growth and expansion in Grand Rapids. This growth will affect the Grand Rapids real estate market in a positive way as well as the impact it will have on the various shops and business around town.

Read More at MLive

Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine’s expansions in Grand Rapids and Flint reflect the school’s burgeoning research programs as well as growth in opportunities for medical students, school officials said.

In Grand Rapids, the collaboration among MSU, the Van Andel Research Institute, Spectrum Health and St. Mary’s Health Care has proven valuable in recruiting top scientists, said Jeffrey Dwyer, senior associate dean for research.

“If there was at one time a question about this community’s ability to recruit top scientists, I think that question has been answered,” he said. “Our success in recruiting has been precisely because of the wealth of opportunity everyone brings to the table.”

In the competition for top talent, “it rarely comes down to money,” he said. Rather, the opportunities available and the community’s quality of life generally are deciding factors.

MSU recently announced plans to buy The Grand Rapids Press building at 155 Michigan St. NW, which is just west of the College of Human Medicine’s headquarters in the Secchia Center. The $12 million purchase includes five parking properties for a total of eight acres.

In the short term, the purchase will provide parking for students and faculty and, in the long term, more space for research, Dean Marsha Rappley said.

Email Sue Thoms at sthoms1@mlive.com and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/suethoms

Yes it’s coming! Well Thanksgiving in finally over, the Turkey has been cooked and eaten, waistbands have been let out, but now it is time to start putting up the Christmas decorations, lights and Christmas Trees. We are fortunate here in Grand Rapids that our community has so much to offer at this special time of year. It’s definitely my favorite time. Here are few locations where you can pick up your own tree.

One of the fun places on my to-do list is to take the family to visit Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. From November 22nd this year until January 8th, Meijer Gardens presents their Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibit. With over forty international trees and displays and a new feature this year;  the redesign of the Diwali display honoring the Hindu Festival of Lights, along with the enhancement of Nativity displays including the new-to-the-exhibition Polish szopka.

There are many various activities in town and throughout the Grand Rapids area. From Theater, Ballet, Symphony and Live Music, parades, family events to photos with Santa, Christmas Lights and Tours and Church and Religious services and Fundraisers. GRNow.com has a comprehensive list of things to do in Grand Rapids.

Fifth Third Ball Park has a huge Christmas Light exhibit each year. Make sure to pack the kids in the car and head over to the Ball Park located on W. River Dr in Comstock Park for a drive thru experience with millions of lights.

Have a wonderful 2011 Holiday Season!

Well Grand Rapids receives a welcome bit of news in the form of the fastest growing real estate market! It’s no surprise to us of course. Grand Rapids has done a lot of things right, especially in the downtown core. We have a thriving, vibrant community of people that care about this city. It’s a great place to live and raise a family.

Home values rose in about one-fourth of housing markets from the third quarter of 2010 to the same period of 2011, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. The Grand Rapids, Michigan market enjoyed an increase in home values from $89,900 to $111,200. Up 23.7 percent!

Looking for a home or condo? Search all of Grand Rapids homes and condos from this website. if you have something specific in mind, contact me any time.

Bagley Townhouses have been given the go ahead from East Grand Rapids and occupancy is tentatively planned for the spring of 2012. These East Grand Rapids condos will be a welcome addition to the area and will fill a void in that price range.

High end quality will be the standard and the location within Gaslight Village, with walking distance to Reeds Lake will make these condos highly desirable. There will be 16 condos in 2 buildings with prices starting in the $250,000 range.

From MLive.com:

The Bagley Townhouse project that includes demolition of six existing homes in East Grand Rapids is back on.

The City Commission has approved a request to extend the time for allowing variances first approved in November 2007. At the time the project was first proposed, the city also rezoned the parcels to allow for multifamily units. While granted variances expire, rezoning does not.

The developer plans to construct 16 townhouse-style condominiums on a 0.91-acre site now occupied by six single-family homes located at 727 through 755 Bagley Ave.

The variances allow for a change in the front-yard setback of 58 feet to 40 feet; a change in the required side-yard setback of 20 feet to 10 feet; and permission for 2,477.5 square feet per family unit instead of the required 4,000 square feet per unit.

For more information on these or any other condo, please feel free to contact me anytime. You can also search for homes and condos online on this website.

Bagley Townhouses Listings

Here is a video tour of a new listing at River House Condos. This listing is the Kalamazoo floor plan on the 9th floor is on the North East corner of the building and that means Grand River views and views of downtown Grand Rapids. River House Condominiums has been one of Grand Rapids most popular and fastest selling condos. Definitely worth a look if you are in the market for something downtown.

River House Condos, located at 335 Bridge St NW, is offering a new sales incentive to buyers looking to purchase a downtown Grand Rapids condo. No association dues for 1 year. That’s right! So in other words, if you buy a 1400 sq/ft condo at River House, you would save $4700 right off the top as they charge 28 cents per square foot.

River House Condos has been one of the fastest selling downtown condo developments. It is the tallest residential building in Michigan, very distinctive with blue glass all the way up. You are a couple of steps away from Devos Performance Hall and the Grand Rapids Sky-walk, which allows you to walk indoors all the way down Monroe to the Van Andel Arena. For more information including pricing, pictures and availability, visit our River House Condo page.

If you have any questions about these or any other downtown Grand Rapids condo, don’t hesitate to email or call me direct at 616-570-1871.

I love this time of year for many reasons but I always look forward to the car show in Grand Rapids at Devos Performance Hall. February 4th, the show opens to the public. Forty brands or automobiles and trucks, more than 300 hundred vehicles will be available to the public to compare and contrast.

If you are in the market for something new, this is a good opportunity to try them all on for size and see which is the best fit. Representatives from the different car companies will be on hand to answer any questions.

Other attractions to see:

• Antique cars from the Gilmore Car Museum, of Hickory Corners.
• Million Dollar Motorway, featuring vehicles with a minimum pricetag of $100,000.
• A handful of concept cars, to be determined.

Tickets cost $10 for adults, $4 for children age 6 to 14, and younger children, free. Discounted tickets are available at area new car dealers and some Wendy’s restaurants.

Devos Hall is located at 303 Monroe Ave NW, Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Cityview Condos are located at 60 Monroe Center right in the heart of the Grand Rapids Entertainment District, above Select Bank and next door to XO Asian Cuisine. There is currently one active condo, which just happens to be one of the two beautiful Penthouses, available for sale. This Grand Rapids Penthouse condo is a 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 3800 square foot beauty and is offered as a short sale. A real bargain, in my opinion.

Cityview Condos have many desirable features that one would expect from such an exceptional downtown Grand Rapids’ residence. Hardwood floors, 10 ft ceilings, large windows overlooking the heart of the city and heated tile bathroom floors. A fully equipped roof top deck with patio furniture, gas grill and fireplace are just a few of the amenities that can be found here.

A real benefit to condo owners are the extended Tax benefits. Cityview condo owners benefit from no City or state income tax and no Property tax until 2017. This could potentially save you thousands of dollars each year.

For more information on these or any other downtown Grand Rapids condo, feel free to call me direct or email me any time.

Landmark Lofts, located just north of downtown Grand Rapids at 801 Monroe Ave NW, are a cool, urban loft style Grand Rapids Condo. Enjoy views of the city, historic 6th Street Bridge and walk along the Grand River pathways. There is an Endurance Fitness Center just up the street at the Boardwalk condos, you are about 1 mile north of the downtown core and a few minutes walk to the Cambridge House, a popular local bar and restaurant with an extensive beer and wine menu.

There are currently 3 listings available for sale at Landmark Lofts and 1 listing sold last year. These condos are very nicely updated with granite counter tops, kitchen cabinetry and hard wood floors. There are several unique floor plans to choose from, a small laundry downstairs as well as basement storage. There s also off street parking designated for these condos and included in the monthly association fees. You will also find exposed brick in many of the units as well as the original wood beams and with the Grand River right outside your door, excellent views.

Landmark Lofts have various sized condos from 1 and 2 bedroom units and different price ranges starting at $149,900. They are not FHA approved so expect to have at least a 10% down payment if you want to purchase one.

For more information on these or any other of our downtown Grand Rapids condos, feel free to call me direct at 616-570-1871 or email me any time.

Boardwalk Condos are located at 940 Monroe Ave NW, about a mile north of the center of downtown Grand Rapids. These condos sold very well at first and then had a fairly good year for resales in 2010 with 12 condos sold. There are currently 24 active listings that range in price from $112,000 to $439,000. Sales may slow in the next year though as Boardwalk has lost their FHA rating. That means no more 3.5% downpayment loans.

The Boardwalk is a great building with many amenities including J.D. Reardons, an Endurance Fitness Center outlet, a salon, theater room, game room, laundry and covered parking. Boardwalk condo owners benefit from a discount at the fitness center so you have no excuse. Some of the unique features to Boardwalk Condos are the two courtyards. One of them has a terrace leading off of the restaurant to a good sized pool and hot tub area. The other courtyard a quiet wooded area with gas grills, a trail, benches and many shade trees. Kayaks and tandem bicycles are also on hand for the owners to use.

The condos themselves feature hardwood floors, tile, exposed brick, the original wood beams, exposed duct work, tall ceilings and balconies. There are studio condos, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units available.

Location wise, Boardwalk is close to the Leonard Street exit onto the US-131 and not too far from the center of town. Right across the street is the Grand River where you can try out those kayaks or bike along the many trails. You are also close to the fish ladder where there is always good salmon and trout fishing to be had.

For more information on these condos feel free to call me direct or contact me any time.