As reported by CNNMoney.com, the west side of Michigan and Grand Rapids in particular should and could be a model for the rest of the state. Grand Rapids is a small, modest city with a population of 200,000. Two decades ago we were heading the way of Flint, Pontiac and Detroit but somewhere along the way, our fortunes changed and not by accident. Grand Rapids is blessed with a winning combination of business leadership, public-private cooperation and local philanthropists that care about the city.

Signs of growth are everywhere  in downtown Grand Rapids, not the least of which is the Van Andel Arena, home to our Grand Rapids Griffins IHL Hockey Team, the Grand Rapids Rampage and host to a variety of international stars and events. Evidence of this urban renewal is visible all across our now Vibrant city but the real gem is in a section of the city named the Medical Mile. A $1 Billion (and growing) medical complex which includes specialized treatment facilities, a cancer research center and a medical school. Started in 1966 with the opening of the Van Andel Institute, it has expanded to include the Grand Rapids Community College’s Calkins Science Center across Bostwick Avenue, Spectrum Health’s Butterworth Hospital complex, Grand Valley State University’s Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, and Michigan State University Secchia Center Medical School, among other facilities in the area.

While Grand Rapids has it’s share of foreclosures and short sales, there are positive signs in the Grand Rapids Real Estate market as well. For example, the downtown Grand Rapids condo scene has done fairly well. There are new developments springing up like Riverhouse Condos. Riverhouse Condos has been the fastest selling condo project in Grand Rapids with over 130 units sold in 14 months. Other new construction condos are the Fitzgerald Condos which are as ritzy as the name sounds and are simply spectacular condos in the center of Grand Rapids. Thirty Eight Condominiums are the newest project and occupancy is projected for July or August. Park Row Condos are new and have just reduced their prices. These condos are located in the Grand Rapids Medical Mile and are definitely worth a look.

So, in my opinion, this was a great article and only serves to highlight the positive changes that can be realized through hard work, leadership and vision. For more information on the Grand Rapids real estate market, feel free to call me direct at 616-570-1871 or contact me anytime.

Union Square Penthouse Condo For sale – $315,000

 Work Downtown, Live Downtown. Rare, corner, downtown Grand Rapids Penthouse condo at Union Square, located not far from the Medical Mile at 600 Broadway Ave NW #620b. This stunning contemporary residence features 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. One of only 2 units on the 7th floor, this professionally designed penthouse has floor to ceiling windows, spectacular views and would make an ideal residence for the professional, retired couple or a cool second getaway anyone wanting the excitement of downtown Grand Rapids.

Grill out on your own private deck and watch the sunset overlooking the basilica. This unique floor plan offers ample living area with upgraded carpet and ceramic tile. The kitchen features lustrous, black granite counters, a snack bar, an upgraded kitchen cabinet package and premium stainless steel appliances. This condo also comes with a top of the line Bosch Washer/Dryer set and gated security entrance with your own private garage. Bathrooms have been upgraded with granite counter tops and tile flooring.

Union Square is a unique blend of an old and new. This historic, 100 year old high  school is now home to one of Grand Rapids’ coolest downtown condos and features a large deck with a pool and hot tub and grill and a fun common room with shuffle board, comfy couches and flat screens. Downstairs you will find a fully equipped fitness facility. One of the bonuses of living at Union Square is the Tax Free Living. Union Square sits in on of Grand Rapids’ Renaissance Zones. These zones offer home owners no City or State Income Tax and no Property Tax for a limited time. Income taxes start to phase in this year while you pay no property taxes until 2019.

This condo is easy to show and is definitely worth a look. Visit my Grand Rapids Real Estate website or contact me any time.

Which Condos Are Getting The Looks and Which Condos Are Invisible?

 The downtown Grand Rapids condo scene is moving right along these days and with good reason. There is a lot going on in Grand Rapidsand with summer right around the corner, people are getting out more, enjoying the sunny weather, strolling through town and checking out some of the condos. One of the bonuses in having a strong online presence is being able to track the different trends in the Grand Rapids real estate market. It’s actually quite interesting. My website ranks at the top of the search engines for many keywords so I get to see first hand what potential buyers are interested in looking at and what areas of town are attracting the most attention.

My stats tell me that downtown condos are quite attractive to relocating buyers, those looking for a second home, young professionals and students. People are curious to see what’s available. Of the various condos, the ones that get the most interest are Union Square condos, Plaza Towers condos, Cityview condos and 65 Monroe condos. Up next I would say that Boardwalk condos, 47 Lafayette condos, Brickway Residences and the Riverhouse condosalso get a lot of interest. In fact the Riverhouse condos have just introduced several new condos with substantially reduced prices. There are several great condos there for under $200,000 now and in my opinion, these are a very good deal!!! Let me know if you want to take a tour.

Union Square condos are on the NW side of town and not quite in the downtown core, but the building is very interesting and there are a lot of floor plans to choose from. I wasn’t really crazy about these at first but now that prices are dropping, they really should be on your list. The building itself is quite interesting and has some nice features including a great roof top deck with pool and hot tub and a well appointed fitness center. I know several of the owners and everyone I talk to is extremely happy to be living there. Check out my new listing at Union Square here.

 Cityview condos and 65 Monroe get some love from the online community and it is well deserved. These condos are in one of Grand Rapids Tax Free Renaissance Zones where you live tax free until 2017. No city or state income taxes and no property taxes until 2017. Surprisingly there are a couple of other condos right on that same strip that never get any inquiries. The Monroe Condos and Front Row Condos are lovely Grand Rapids Lofts and are also in the Renaissance Zone. Front Row in particular are gorgeous downtown Grand Rapids lofts with all of the bells and whistles like European Tile and Bamboo Floors, huge ceilings with large windows and exposed brick.

Right accross the street are Peck condos. These are cute affordable lofts and for some reason don’t get the attention they deserve. Another overlooked condo is Fulton Flats. Very affordable new condo conversion with 3 out of 14 units sold. These are spacious condos with a good location and a good value. For the longest time, Park Row condos didn’t get much activity but they have changed to a new listing agent who is doing a very good job marketing them. These condos will do well as the location is fantastic and perfect for someone working in the Medical Mile.

If you would like to take a tour of any of these condos, feel free to contact me any time.

JUNE 6TH, 2009 UPDATE:  —-> JUST REDUCED TO $235,000

600 Broadway Ave NW #411 - Union Square Condo Update

 I am pleased to introduce you to this wonderful condo for sale at Union Square condos. If you work downtown, why not live downtown too! Enjoy living at Union Square Condos at 600 Broadway Ave NW, in this contemporary space located not far from the Grand Rapids Medical Mile. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo features floor to ceiling windows and spectacular views from your large balcony. A graceful, winding staircase leads you upstairs to the loft and the owner’s master suite – complete with private bathroom. The main floor offers a bright and open living area with the original “refurbished” hardwood flooring and the kitchen is upgraded with a snack bar, gorgeous cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. Total finished living area on this one is 1293 sq/ft and the sales price is $235,000!

Union Square condos are a unique blend of an old and new. This historic, 100 year old high school is now home to the area’s coolest condos and features a large deck with a pool and hot tub and a fun common room with shuffle board, comfy couches and flat screens. Downstairs you will find a fully equipped fitness facility. Some of the fun features that the developer carried over from the old school are the old school chalk boards, those old big clocks that we all remember and in some of the condos, you can see the hardwood gym floors with the basketball lines still there! Stylish and classy, check this condo out. Tenant occupied, 24 hr notice preferred.

One of the benefits to living at Union Square condos is the Renaissance Zone Tax Benefits which includes paying zero property taxes until 2018. City and State income taxes will begin to phase in with your 2009 taxes but you will still enjoy some savings until 2012. If this is your first home, don’t forget the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.

For more information on these or any other downtown Grand Rapids condos, please visit my website or contact me any time.

Timing Is Everything

 Even in this market you have to move fast when opportunity presents itself. I had posted a couple of days ago about some great deals that had just been listed. A Cityview condo foreclosure and a Monroe Terrace condo foreclosure. The Cityview condo I just knew was going to go fast and when I found out about it the morning it was listed, I notified my buyers and contacts of this great deal. I went to show it the next day and was probably going to write an offer on it today or tomorrow, but it turns out they had accepted a cash offer last Friday. Whoever got this one, scored. It did need some work to be sure, but there was nothing a good hose down, some paint and carpet couldn’t cure.

The Monroe Terrace condo at 600 Monroe Ave NW, I had been watching since it got listed. It had several price reductions and finally sold this weekend as well.

What this shows is that even in this market, these condos will sell if priced correctly and it’s a good idea to have everything ready before you start looking. With a foreclosure property, you will typically need proof of financing in the form of a pre-qualification letter from a lender and an earnest money deposit of $1000.00. I would get these ready ahead of time because it isn’t fun to find a great deal only to lose it because you couldn’t write an offer straight away.

If you have any questions about Grand Rapids real estate in general or Grand Rapids condos in particular, please visit my website or contact me any time.

 UPDATE: BOTH OF THESE FORECLOSURES HAVE BEEN SOLD! That didn’t take long and I am not surprised.

I have been paying more attention to the Grand Rapids short sale and Grand Rapids Foreclosure markets of late. Particularly in the short sale market as my broker, the Platinum Realty Group, has formed a relationship with a local law firm to negotiate with the banks on our clients behalf. We also have an experienced Debt Mitigation Professional in the office.

There are several downtown condo foreclosures currently on the market. There are a couple at Union Square although I believe one of them is pending. There is one condo at Monroe Terrace and one condo at Cityview condos.

Click Here to preview downtown Grand Rapids Condo Foreclosures.

Renaissance Zone Condos

 Monroe Terrace is located at 600 Monroe NW. These are loft style condos in a Grand Rapids tax free Renaissance Zone. Monroe Terrace are nice lofts featuring exposed brick, hardwood, tile and cool layouts. The foreclosure listing here is going to definitely need a little work but someone willing to use a little elbow grease could have themselves a nice loft condo downtown. The drawback on this one is that there is a billboard on the outside of the building that covers some of the windows. Not the best place in the world for a billboard. Creativity would be required here.

Cityview Condos enjoy a terrific location at 60 Monroe Center NW, the

Monroe Center Condos

corner of Ionia and Monroe Center in the Select Bank building. These are pretty spectacular condos with tall ceilings, large windows, granite, tile, hardwood/bamboo, rooftop deck etc. The great attraction to these condos is the location and the fact that they are in an extended tax free zone (until 2017). I showed the foreclosure listing here. It needs to be thoroughly cleaned, fresh paint, appliances, carpet, but aside from that, it is a corner unit and has some nice finishes like hardwood, ceramic tile and granite counter tops. In my opinion, this is a good deal but you will need to do some work and spend some money.

If you have any questions about the Grand Rapids real estate market, please visit my website or contact me any time. To take a tour of any of these downtown condo foreclosures, call me direct at 616-570-1871.

Epicenter of Downtown Grand Rapids Condos Getting a Facelift

 Monroe Center in downtown Grand Rapids could easily be called Condo Central. There are several condo developments in various stages of development. We have new construction condos like the affordable Fox Lofts and new executive condos like the McKay Towers. We have nearly completed projects like the Brickway Residences (already sold out) and Monroe condos. We have recently completed condos like the gorgeous 65 Monroe condos and we have several established condos like Cityview, Front Row and Peck condos. Several of these condos are located in a Grand Rapids Renaissance Zone, which means that City and State income taxes and property taxes are waived. In the extended zone, taxes are waived until 2017.

As reported by David Czurak of the Grand Rapids Business Journal, several buildings on Monroe Center from the five story Kendall Building on the east end, to several historic buildings on the west end will be the recipients of long overdue renovations. Brice Bossardet of Virgin Soil LLC is working his magic on the Kendall building but he won’t be alone. Brice has done a fantastic job renovating the old building over the top of XO Asian Cuisine and converting them into the Brickway Residences. He has also rehabbed the eyesore at 65 Monroe into really incredible condo lofts and that project alone has significantly improved the look of that corner of Monroe Center.

Locus Development with John Green and Andy Winkel plan to rehab three landmark buildings which are each over 130 years old. They are looking at a $4.5 million dollar historic rehab to the upper floors of the Flat Iron, Herkner and Groskopfs buildings. The work they are planning will conform to historical renovation standards the project will seek LEED certification. Locus Development will be asking for local and state grants and state and federal tax credits to help with the project’s costs.

Developers like these with the vision and the will to carry these projects through are a definite credit to the city and developments like this will only help condo sales and property values in the downtown Grand Rapids core.

If you have any questions about the Grand Rapids real estate market in general or the downtown condo market in particular, visit my website or contact me any time.  

Union Square Condos are located  at 600 Broadway NW in one of those old buildings that just exudes character and coolness. Union Square was once Grand Rapids’ primary high school and has been recently rehabbed into a cool downtown Grand Rapids condo development. The developer somehow managed to preserve a lot of the old features like the old gymnasium hardwood floors (where you can still see the old basketball paint), the old slate chalkboards and those large classic school clocks that we all remember can still be found in some of the condos.

Union Square condos have many unique floor plans with interesting use of space. These downtown condos have large windows, 12 to 16 ft ceilings, 12 inch oak window sills and original trophy cases are some of the features that can be found. Common areas included in the association fees are a really cool pool/hot tub area on the roof, over-looking the freeways. In fact, if you are from the Grand Rapids’ area, you have probably seen Union Square at the junction of US 131 and I-196. There is a well equipped fitness center and parking garages as well as a relaxing common room with some games and flat screens.

One of the benefits to the owners of a Union Square condo is the tax break. Union Square are in one of downtown Grand Rapids’ Renaissance Zones which means that city and state income taxes are waives as well as property taxes. That can mean a good savings to qualified buyers and if you are a first time buyer that qualifies, there is a $7500 tax credit if you purchase before June 2009. The tax free benefits begin to phase out this year, meaning that you are responsible for 25% of your taxes this year. 25% is added each year until you are back to paying all of your taxes.

Click Here my latest Union Square Condo Listing!

Union Square condos offer 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condos with 3 story penthouse condos available. Some of the condos under the pool area have the option of adding a private deck with pool access. Most of the condos have nice packages of appliances, flooring and counters.

*Prices from $110k - 1, 2 and 3 Bedrooms including penthouse condos available
*From ~550 Sq/ft
*Association fee: depends on unit
*Coverage: Trash Pickup, Yard Care, Water, Sewer, Snow Removal, Insurance, Heat
*Features Incl: Secure entrance. Exposed Brick, Loft Style, In Unit Washer/Dryer Hookups, Fitness Center, Patio/Deck, Roof Top Deck, Pool, Hot Tub and Tax Free Living.

For more information on these or to search for homes or condos online, visit my website at GRRealEstateInfo.com or contact me any time.

Monroe Terrace Condos – Downtown Grand Rapids Lofts with Grand River Views

Monroe Terrace Condos are located just north of the “downtown core” at 600 Monroe NW. These condos are interesting loft style condos with unique floor plans. One of the attractions of Monroe Terrace Condos is that they are located right across the street from the Grand River, 6th St Park and the Grand Rapids Fish Ladder.

The building itself is a rich, dark red brick and hosts 28-loft style condos plus commercial space including the Cambridge House. Cambridge House is a popular local pub with an extensive beer and wine menu. It has a cozy English Pub atmosphere with large dark wood booths, fine liquor and a lengthy cigar menu. There is a food menu with Philly Steaks and Hoagies, soups, salads and more.

Monroe Terrace Condos feature 2 story loft units with 1 and 2 bedrooms. A one bedroom would be priced in the low $200’s and will have around ~900 square feet of living space. There is lots of hardwood, tile, exposed brick and exposed ductwork and they have a distinctive feel to them. The larger units will have slightly over 1600 square feet and will seem allot larger inside because of the 2 floors. When you are standing downstairs in the living area looking up, it is a great look with the thick wooden beams and large windows. Upstairs in the 2 bedroom condos feature a loft space, full bath and large bedroom.

Monroe Terrace condos are also located in one of Grand Rapids’ Tax-Free Renaissance Zones. Not the extended zone, so starting in 2009, City and State Income Taxes and Property Taxes will begin to phase in at 25% per year so that by 2012 you will be paying your full taxes.

*Prices from $200’s - 1 and 2 Bedrooms available
*From ~900 Sq/ft
*Association fee: $250/mo (900 sq/ft)
*Coverage: Trash Pickup, Yard Care, Water, Sewer, Snow Removal, Insurance and Heat
*Features Incl: Secure entrance. Hardwood Floors, Exposed Brick, Loft Style, Washer/Dryer Hook-Ups, Large Windows, Covered Parking and Tax-Free Living until 2012.

For more information on these or any other condos, call me direct at 616-570-1871 or email me anytime.

Brickway Residences – Downtown Grand Rapids Condos

Unique Downtown Condos

 The Brickway Residences are a great new condo development right in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids’ Entertainment District. This area of the city should be called  Condo Alley for all of the unique downtown lofts and executive condos that can be found here. The Brickway is located above Xo Asian Cuisine, (billed as the finest Chinese Restaurant in town) at 56 Monroe Center,  next door to Little Bohemia and close to other trendy shops and boutiques. The sidewalks on this strip are heated during the winter months and right accross the street is a favorite coffee shop of mine, West Coast Coffee. You can shop for groceries at Grand Valley Market and get ultra fast and delicious subs at Jimmy Johns.

Brickway Residences were developed by Virgin Soil LLC which began construction in February of 2008. The 9 unit project has moved fast and construction is nearly complete. Brickway offers 1 bedroom urban condo spaces with about ~850 sq/ft of downtown living. Prices start at $150,000 and association fees are a very reasonable $150/mo which covers water, sewer, trash and basement storage. Very telling is that the units have all been spoken for. This developer also built the 65 Monroe Condos and has a unique flare for building attractive , contemporay downtown condos. Covered Parking can be found around the block for ~$140/mo.

 If you are looking for a downtown Grand Rapids condo, what makes the Brickway condos such an attractive choice is their location. You are within walking distance to many attractions; The Grand Rapids Art Museum, Clubs like The Bob, Schools like Cooley Law School, GVSU and Fitness facilities. In my opinion these condos will make a good investment. They are attractive, well built units which have an excellent location and are surrounded by much higher priced condos and penthouse condos.

*Prices from $150k - 1 Bedroom available 
*From 850 Sq/ft
*Association fee: $150/mo
Coverage: Trash Pickup, Water, Sewer, Snow Removal, Insurance
Features Incl: Secure entrance. Hardwood Floors, Loft Style.

For more information on purchasing these or any other downtown Grand Rapids Condos, visit my main website at GRRealEstateInfo.com or contact me anyime.