Here is a quick video tour of a new listing at Plaza Towers Condos located at 129 Campau Circle NW, Downtown Grand Rapids. Plaza Towers offers a great location downtown. You are right in the center of it all, across the street from The Bob, Van Andel Arena and minutes away from everything downtown. The building also offers a large full size pool, hot tub, fitness center, basketball and tennis courts, a track, deck and more. For more information on these or any other downtown Grand Rapids condo, feel free to contact me anytime.

Lets make 2012 the best year yet! The housing market in Grand Rapids has stopped it’s tail spin and has leveled off. You might say it has actually improved in some areas. Downtown Grand Rapids Condos are selling and I am seeing a lot of demand for condos. Single family homes in East Grand Rapids, Ada Township and Cascade Township have also been moving, particularly in the higher priced subdivisions. If you have any questions about anything, give me a call, I would love to talk to you!

Sincerely,

Andrew Ingram

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.

Rural Development Update

Rural Development is a great program and we are closing many of these loans. RD has recently taken on more restrictive rules with regards to what they consider to be a farm and farm service buildings (see below for their definition). Bottom line is that if RD determines that any part of the land is income producing or has farm service buildings on the property they will issue a property rejection. They have said that a standard pole barn used for residential storage is acceptable. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Farm Service Buildings

The regulation at 7 C.F.R. section 1980.313(a) states: “The property on which the loan is made must be located in a designated rural area ……A nonfarm tract to be purchased or improved with loan funds must not be closely associated with farm service buildings.”

The Agency considers a farm to be a parcel or parcels of land operated for the production of one or more agricultural commodities and which customarily produces or is capable of producing such commodities for sale. The Agency considers a farm service building to be any of the structures used in farming operations, which may include buildings to house workers and their families, or livestock, machinery and crops. Service buildings can include, but are not limited to, livestock barns and shelters; machinery-and form supply-storage buildings; buildings and facilities for crop storage, including fodder; and special-purpose structures such as grain silos. The nature and arrangements of farm facilities vary significantly. Older buildings may be built with lumber, while modern buildings are typically steel. Farm service buildings are typically associated with a tract of land cultivated for the purpose of agricultural production or devoted to raising and breeding domestic animals, such as cattle. They can also be associated with other types of farm operations involving water, such as oyster, catfish, or trout farms.

Properties that are actively used as a farm operation, or in cases where the seller previously used the property to operate a farm, are ineligible for the SFHGLP. The same apply for properties that contain farm service building(s), even if the building(s) have no contributory value.

Thanks,

Scot W. Veneklase, Sr. Loan Officer
Exchange Financial Mortgage
616-957-3480-Office Ext 108
616-575-9808-Direct
616-957-2306-Fax
616-293-7040-Cell (Available Monday-Sunday, 7a.m. to 8p.m.)
www.HomeLoansWithScot.com

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.

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.

If you are looking for something truly spectacular, something truly unique and luxurious, then perhaps one of downtown Grand Rapids’ condos would be the perfect option. There are several buildings in town that offer a penthouse option. Several of these spaces are offered as a white box, where you would be able to customize and create your own personal retreat that is truly all yours.

A Penthouse is typically one of the larger units located on the upper floors of the building and is different from the other condos in the quality and care that has gone into finishing them out. Downtown Grand Rapids has a couple of high rises but there are other condos as well that only have a few floors. These condos are still to be considered penthouse material and they are quite something to behold. You can find out what is available by visiting our Grand Rapids Penthouse Condo section. Here is a list of the downtown Grand Rapids buildings that offer a Penthouse condo.

Sixty Five Monroe Condos: Located at 65 Monroe Center and developed a few years ago, the whole upper level was converted into a 4500 square foot beauty with all of the amenities and an elevator that takes you up to your condo. 65 Monroe Condos are in one of Grand Rapids Renaissance Zones where all City and State income taxes are waived and property taxes are waived until 2017.

Cityview Condos: Located at 60 Monroe Center above the Select Bank, these condos are also located in an Extended Tax Free Zone. The upper levels feature two Penthouse condos, each are 3800 square feet and multi-level with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, family room and tastefully updated kitchens. Beautiful units with 21 ft ceilings and all of the upgrades. Cityview also has storage in the basement and a roof top deck for grilling in the summer months.

Front Row Condos: Located at 51 Monroe Center above Jimmy Johns, the Market and West Coast Coffee, Front Row offers a Penthouse option that is a four bedroom, 2800 square foot beauty. Loaded with top of the line amenities and features a terrific location in the center of downtown Grand Rapids. Front ow is one of my personal favorites as even the “smaller” units are well appointed. This one happens to come with it’s own private terrace and a Koi pond!

Fitzgerald Condos: Located at 27 Library St right across the street from Veterans Park and the Civic Theater, Fitzgerald is one of Grand Rapids’ finer downtown condos with many upper scale amenities and underground parking. The upper floors feature a 3000 square foot penthouse. The building is the historic YMCA building. The exterior features have been kept so you have all of the great old masonry workmanship blended with contemporary new condos.

River House Condos: Located at 335 Bridge St NW right across the street from Ah Nab Awen Park and the Gerald R Ford Museum, River House has been one of the fastest selling condos in Grand Rapids. The upper floors of this 33 story building feature the penthouse condos and also what is called, The Summit. These are offered as a white box option where you can design and create your own unique living space. Excellent condos with unmatched views from the floor to ceiling windows.

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

The Fitzgerald Condos are located in the heart of the Grand Rapids Entertainment District at 27 Library St NE in the old YMCA building. One of downtown Grand Rapids’ finer condos, the Fitzgerald’s sales, while not brisk, are certainly not stagnant. With over 5 condos sold in the last year and 3 deals put together in December alone, hopefully sales will be even more promising this year.

Fitzgerald Residences offer 39 units including the penthouse condos. The old building was gutted and completely rebuilt, while saving and restoring the lovely architectural details, masonry, limestone embellishments and detailed cornice-work on the outside. It makes for a unique and pleasant combination and the developer has done a very good job in melding old-school construction with contemporary style. A lot of attention was given to the interior acoustics to make your space as quiet and as peaceful as possible.

Amenities include underground parking, a pleasant outdoor deck with hot tub and green area. There is a quiet library and a fitness center. The interior spaces feature hardwood floors, ceramic tile, stainless appliances, granite counter tops and well thought out floor plans with quality finishes throughout.

At the Fitzgerald, you really are truly downtown! The Civic Theater is directly across the street as is Veterans Park. A few minutes’ walk takes you to all of the various boutiques, night clubs, restaurants and venues like the Van Andel Arena, Devos Performance Hall, the Grand Rapids Art Museum and much more.

For more information about these lovely condos, feel free to call me direct at 616-570-1871 or contact me any time.