Here are the current interest rates courtesy of John Fein of Fifth Third Bank. John is a hard working lender can help with any questions you might have concerning financing a home or condo or refinancing your current one.

Current Interest Rates

3.875%  30Yr Fixed Conventional
3.50%    20Yr Fixed Conventional
3.125%  15Yr Fixed Conventional
4.25%    30Yr Fixed Jumbo
3.875%  30Yr Fixed FHA 203b
4.375%  30Yr Fixed FHA 203k
4.75%    30Yr Fixed MSHDA FHA
5.125%  30Yr Fixed MSHDA FHA with DPA
3.875%  30Yr Fixed RD
4.00%    30Yr Fixed VA
2.375%  5 Yr Arm Conventional
2.75%    7 Yr ARM Conventional

John Fein
Fifth Third Bank
john.fein@53.com
Phone 616-261-4093
Fax 866-239-0118
NMLS #436321

For more information on buying or selling a home feel free to contact me anytime.

Horseshoe Condos are a new downtown Grand Rapids condo conversion located a few minutes south of the downtown core at 333 Grandville Ave SW, in the historic Horseshoe Bar Building. A small, “boutique” style development with only 5 units but including some pretty great features! One of those features is parking. Living downtown is a fun and different lifestyle that is appealing to many people but some of the condos that would normally be attractive, don’t have parking. Horseshoe Condos does. This is included in the association fee and the lot is directly across the street from the condos.

The building has a private and secure entrance and a new elevator has been installed. You are very close to US-131 so commuting is easy. Horseshoe Condos are just minutes from the Van Andel Arena which is home to the Grand Rapids Griffins and is the main venue for many shows and events. You are also close to The B.O.B and many other clubs, restaurants and museums. The condos themselves feature lofts and exposed brick and there is still time to add your personal touch! Association fees are a reasonable $200 per month, particularly with parking included.

For more information on these or any other downtown condos, feel free to contact me anytime or use our  Grand Rapids Listings search tool to browse online at your leisure.

Pricing: from ~$140’s for a 1 Bedroom from ~885sq/ft.
Association Fee: ~$200/mo
Includes: Yard Care, Trash, Snow Removal, Water, Sewer and Building Insurance (Exterior), Parking
Features: Hardwood Floors, Granite Counters, off-street parking, Exposed Brick, Loft Styles, Pets Allowed

Horseshoe Condos For Sale

Stoner Condos are a small 8 unit condo in the “Chicago Flat” style located at 15 Union St SE, just south of Fulton. It’s a cute red brick building that has been converted and most of the condos have been updated with granite and stainless appliances. The units I have seen all have original oak hardwood floors, spacious rooms and the walls have been removed and/or opened up to really showcase a great floorplan for entertaining.

The original architecture has been maintained through out with features such as lead glass, arched doorways etc. Some of the condos also feature a garage in the rear of the building. There is professionally landscaped yard with patio for sitting out in the summer under the large shade trees. These downtown Grand Rapids condos are located not too far from the center of town in the Heritage Hill neighborhood and close to bus routes. Association fees are very reasonable and include water, yard care, snow removal and more. Due to the location, these condos make a great investment and are quickly leased out.

For more information on these or any other downtown Grand Rapids condo, please feel free to contact us or search for homes yourself with our convenient search tool.

Pricing: from ~$130’s for a 2 Bedrooms from ~1080 sq/ft.
Association Fee: ~$275/mo
Includes: Yard Care, Trash (recycling), Snow Removal, Water, Sewer and Insurance
Features: Hardwood Floors, Concrete Counters, Granite Counters, Stainless Appliances, off-street parking and garages (on select units), Pets Allowed

Dates and Times

Don’t miss a fun experience for the whole family!

This is a great incentive to bring the entire family downtown on select days and check out some of our museums. At no charge!

Press release:

Grand Rapids, Michigan — For four Sundays in 2012, the four major downtown museums will open their doors free of admission. One Sunday each quarter, January 22, April 15, July 15 and October 21, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and the Grand Rapids Public Museum will join together to welcome the region’s residents for free general admission at each institution from noon to 5 pm.

Generously supported by presenting sponsors Amway and Fifth Third Bank, the collaboration was organized by Rebecca Westphal, formerly with the Public Museum. “The idea came from other cities such as Boston and Los Angeles, where similar collaborations have existed for years. After researching the concept, we had preliminary conversations among the museums, but until major sponsors were secured, the idea couldn’t move forward,” said Westphal. “It is so terrific that Amway and Fifth Third have stepped up to make this happen for the community.”

The collaboration has numerous benefits for all who will participate. Downtown Grand Rapids will welcome visitors drawn by the attraction of the free admission, some of whom may not have been downtown recently, or ever. These visitors will become familiar with the amenities available–the shops, restaurants, and parking options, making them more likely to return for additional reasons. They will have four more reasons to endorse the message “Let’s go. downtown.”

Free general admission will be offered during these Museums Free 4 All dates and hours:

Sunday, January 22, noon – 5 pm

Sunday, April 15, noon – 5 pm

Sunday, July 15, noon – 5 pm

Sunday, October 21, noon – 5 pm

Any special programming or exhibit fees may still apply.

Read more at GRNow.com.

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

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.

This weekend is the 4th annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer and Food Festival. If you love food, and I can relate to this… then you will definitely want to take your family to downtown Grand Rapids at Devos Hall this weekend to sample the various foods and drink!

It doesn’t matter if you are a connoisseur or just a food and beer junkie (like me), it will be a great experience for all!

Dates and Times:

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, admission is $15 with $0.50 sampling tickets sold at the door. Find out more information at the International Wine, Beer and Food Festival  website.