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10 Tips for Relocating to a West Michigan

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Hey there, future West Michigan residents and newcomers! If you’re getting ready for a move to this fantastic region, I’ve got your back with some awesome tips to make the transition smooth as butter. From finding your dream spot to getting all the paperwork squared away, moving can be a breeze with the right know-how. So, here are 10 top-notch tips to rock your relocation game in West Michigan!

1. Get Your Research On Before diving into the scene of West Michigan, let’s do some detective work. Check out what neighborhoods vibe with you, where the action’s at, and what job opportunities are on the horizon. Dive into online resources and chat up locals for some real-deal insights about living in this vibrant region.

2. To Buy or Not to Buy? This is your canvas—time to decide if you’re renting or owning in the West Michigan area. Whether you’re in it for the long haul or just feeling out the vibe, a local Realtor can be your compass in this decision.

3. Organize Like a Pro Making a move might sound daunting, but a little prep goes a long way. Make a checklist of to-dos, set yourself some deadlines, and gather all those important papers in one safe spot for your West Michigan adventure.

4. Keep What Sparks Joy Before you pack, channel your inner Marie Kondo and declutter your life. Toss out stuff that doesn’t align with your new adventure in this stunning region.

5. Pack Like a Champ Ready for packing? Let’s be smart about it. Create an inventory, tag those boxes, and snap pics for future reference. And hey, go for smaller boxes with the heavy stuff—it’s a game-changer for your journey in West Michigan.

6. Don’t Forget Your Furry Friends Got pets? They’re part of your crew too! Plan pet moves with pit stops and plenty of treats. They’ll be explorers of this area in no time.

7. Call Up the Utility Squad Prep for your new chapter by giving a heads-up to your utility providers. A little heads-up ensures everything’s ready to roll when you make your debut in the West Michigan region.

8. High Five Your New Neighbors Get ready to make pals! Knock on doors, invite neighbors over, and bond over your new digs. Plus, they’ll know all the best spots around.

9. Be a Local Explorer Once you’re all settled, it’s time to hit the town. Discover the gems, from the local coffee shop to the coolest hangout spots.

10. Embrace the Vibe Adjusting to life is like riding a bike—takes a little time, but you’ll get there. Make your space homey, meet new faces, and don’t sweat the small stuff.

Whether you’re crossing states or just neighborhoods, I’m all in to make your move a breeze. Reach out at 616-293-9952 or lizopatic@gmail.com for the lowdown. Let’s dive into your awesome adventure together!

SOLD! 11287 Westlawn Dr, Canadian Lakes MI

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11287 Westlawn Dr, Canadian Lakes MI 49346, $425,000, 2 beds, 2 baths, 1,528 square feet, 0.32 acre lot. This gorgeous home sold for $400,000!

Rare opportunity to own your lakefront paradise with gorgeous views! 115′ of frontage on Far West Lake with a beach area and dock. Inside you will find an open floor plan, hardwood floors, spacious kitchen with an island and new stainless steel appliances, main floor primary bedroom, huge upper level bedroom, open loft area perfect for additional sleeping space or office area, baths on both levels, sunroom, gas fireplace, lots of natural light. Oversized 2 stall attached garage, patio, located at the end of a cul-de-sac. Experience the good life in Canadian Lakes. Explore the 730+ acres of waterways (340 acres of all sports water) & enjoy all the recreational opportunities in this community including private beaches, golf courses, pickleball courts, pools, a dog park & so much more!

Canadian Lakes Info: https://canadianlakes.org/

RE/MAX SunQuest Realty 616-949-6980

When Selecting a Home Lender Choose Local

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Attention, home buyers! If you’re currently on the hunt for a lender, I’m going to let you in on a not-so-secret tip… 

Always. Choose. Local. 

Buying a home is a HUGE decision—and so is the lender you work with. Local lenders are more likely to provide you with stellar service because their reputation is at stake. Not to mention, your hard-earned dollars will often be recirculated within your community. So basically, it’s a win-win-win! 

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of using a local lender.

Pros:

  • Local expertise- you want someone who understands the market where you are purchasing. Each area has it’s own nuances that Realtors and local home lenders are educated about.
  • Personalized service- Like any service based business, local lenders will want to make sure that you are well taken care of to impress you and your Realtor. Most hometown lenders build their business on referrals and their reputation. If things go south with an out of town lender, they have much less to lose if you are unhappy or if things do not work out.
  • Support the local economy- There is a reason that there are support local movements. It feels good to support the businesses that are the lifeblood of the community.
  • Possible lower fees and interest rates- It is important to understand your rate and what costs are involved with the purchase. Bigger banks may come with higher fees.
  • Increased confidence in your offer from the listing Realtor & Seller- Reputation is everything. The listing Realtor will feel much better about the service and attention your file will have with a local lender. Again, local lenders are much more likely to get the job done smoothly!

Cons:

  • Longer lender search- It may take a little more time to find the right local lender. There is some convenience in calling your National bank and talking to their lender on call immediately. I highly recommend reaching out to a trusted Realtor that you know to ask them for a list of their favorite lenders.
  • Fewer loan options- Big banks and national mortgage companies may have more programs available for you to choose from.
  • Less brand recognition- You may not recognize the name of the local lender right away. This is just because they don’t spend the big dollars on advertising and promotion that the national lenders do.

Choosing a lender that will get the job done is very important. For a list of 5 questions you should ask potential lenders click here.

What You NEED to Know About Buying a Home Contingent Upon Selling Your Current One

You’ve weighed the options of selling before buying or buying before selling. You have finally decided that buying a new home with a contingency of selling your current home is the best way to go.

I’m going to be real…this is going to be stressful and complicated but SO worth it when you are sipping coffee on the back deck overlooking your gorgeous new back yard.

The best way I can help keep the stress level down is by breaking it down to bite sized steps. This will help you feel more “in control” during the process. Keep in mind this is a general overview. When we meet at your consultation we will put your personalized plan in place. I will give you more details as we go along and promise that I will be holding your hand the whole way.

Let’s start with a little review. Contingent Offer, what does that mean? A contingency is a provision of the contract that keeps the agreement from being fully legally binding until a certain condition is met. In this article we are specifically referencing the contingency of selling and closing the buyer’s current home prior to closing on the sale of the new home that they are purchasing.

Here we go breaking it down…

  1. Meet with your Realtor to discuss the market value of your current home and your goals for the next home.
  2. Contact a trusted mortgage lender. Discuss with them the amount of mortgage you will need to buy the next home and provide them with the approximate proceeds that your Realtor estimated for you.
  3. Determine if your goal is possible and worth it to you to continue with the process.
  4. If the numbers and information are in alignment, go through the formal pre-approval process and have your Realtor help you determine what needs to be done to your home so that you can put it on the market immediately once you find “the one”.
  5. Search for a home
  6. Go under contract on a home
  7. Put your home on the market
  8. Accept an offer on your home.
  9. Mortgage process on both sales.
  10. Close on homes, current home first and possibly both on the same day.
  11. Possession- turn over your home and move into the new one.

Ready to get the ball rolling? Start with step 1. Click here to schedule a consultation!

Upgrade Your Life by Downsizing Your Home

You’re ready for a new chapter in your life and not sure that your current home fits in this chapter or not. Some of the most popular reasons for downsizing include.

  • You are not using most of your living space.
  • You’d like a different style of home or floorplan because your lifestyle has changed.
  • Your yard and landscaping are getting to be a burden to maintain.
  • You want to simplify your life so that you can focus on more important things.
  • Your wants and needs have changed since you first moved in.

Now you’ve committed to the change. Let’s talk about the journey and steps to take to get to your new and improved chapter.

The first step is deciding what type of home are you looking for. Do you want that cabin on the lake, a spacious condo with an open concept floor plan, a new construction ranch home, a home in a warmer state? There are so many options!!

The second step is to determine if your goal is possible at this time. Find out what your current home is worth on the market. Determine what the cost will be to purchase your new home. Do the numbers work? Are there properties on the market that fit your wants/needs and are in your budget? Is there a market for your home right now?

Step three is to come up with a game plan and put it into action. The market (and a great Realtor) will help you determine which strategy is best.

  • List your current home then look for a new one once your home is under contract.
  • Buy your new home (cash, bridge loan, new mortgage), then list and sell your current home.
  • Look for a new home. Once you find the right home, write an offer contingent upon you selling your home. If your offer is accepted, list and sell your home.
Let’s Meet to Get the Journey Started!

SOLD! 8705 Thome Dr, Sparta MI 49345

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SOLD! 8705 Thome Dr, Sparta MI 49345

5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, 3 stall garage, Walkout Lower Level, 2.4 Acres. Sold for $549,900.

This one of a kind home is what dreams are made of! Expansive walkout ranch located on 2.4 acres overlooking an apple orchard yet in a neighborhood setting. Kitchen with custom cabinetry & walk in pantry, office/den, living room with cathedral ceilings & stone fireplace, generous sized primary bedroom suite private bath with double sinks, jet tub, walk-in shower & walk in closet, spacious family room and game room, main & lower level laundry rooms both with washers & dryers, new furnace, newer hot water heater (3 yr +/-), opportunities to add living space in bonus room over garage and unfinished portion of basement, lots of storage. Convenient location only 4 mi to the schools, 7 mi from Alpine shopping conveniences, & 9 mi from downtown Rockford.

Neighborhood Tour: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CgaJfLRFzsE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Liz Opatic, 616-293-9952 lizopatic@gmail.com

RE/MAX SUNQUEST, 616-949-6980

SOLD: 7144 Eastwood Ave, Jenison MI 49428

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Sold!! 7144 Eastwood Ave, Jenison MI 49428.

4 beds, 2 1/2 baths, Fireplace, Front Porch, New Carpet (Family Room and 4th Bedroom), New A/C in 2021, Fenced Back Yard, Underground Sprinkling, listed for $284,900 and sold for $333,750.

You’ll fall in love the minute you pull up in the drive! This Jenison ranch offers curb appeal in spades with beautiful landscaping, a front porch that will impress your guests and be your favorite outdoor space. Inside you will find a spacious living room with a bay window, kitchen with updated cabinets and counters, dining area with laminate floors, cozy family room with brand new carpet, a fireplace and sliders to the back yard, spacious bath with double sinks, half bath off kitchen, the primary bedroom has plenty of space for your furniture, 2 additional main floor bedrooms, finished basement with a bedroom (new carpet), bathroom, laundry, mechanicals and storage. 2 stall attached garage, underground sprinkling, enjoyable fenced in back yard with a patio, storage shed. Only ½ mile from Rosewood Park, 1.1 miles to Georgetown Library, 2.6 miles to 196 Highway.

More about the Jenison community

RE/MAX SunQuest,  (616) 949-6980

Buying New Construction? Mistakes to Avoid

Brand new carpet, fresh paint, shiny appliances – what’s not to love about buying new construction? ⁣
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While that new home feel is intoxicating, buying new construction can be tricky without some initial know-how. So you can experience all the pros and none of the pitfalls, here are some mistakes to avoid when purchasing a new construction home.⁣
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Failing to research the area ahead of time. It’s easy to fall in love with a neighborhood and floor plan before doing your due diligence about the surrounding community.

  • Ask around to assess what’s happening (or not happening!) in the area that may impact your home’s value down the road.⁣
  • Research the school district, even if you do not have kids or ever plan to have kids, the school district ratings affect the real estate values in the area.
  • Drive through the neighborhood at several different timeframes of day to get a feel for what it’s like. If you’re looking for a quiet subdivision and drive through during mid morning it may feel quiet. If you drive through again during the evening there may be more chaos and traffic through the neighborhood. This is helpful to know when making a decision.

Not thoroughly vetting your builder/developer. A builder can make or break your experience buying new construction, so make sure you do your research. And don’t just take their word for it.

  • Ask for referrals. Talking to other clients that have experienced the building process and even more importantly have lived in a home that was built by the builder can be extremely helpful. A reputable builder should have former clients that they can put you in touch with.
  • Read online reviews. Be careful to put too much weight of these. Most people tend to be more willing to share negative experiences vs. positive experiences. Still I highly recommend reading what you find and keeping it in the back of your mind. If there are a lot of negative reviews, this is definitely a red flag.
  • Consult your Realtor. Realtors work with builders and sell spec homes all of the time. Your Realtor is a great resource for you in this process. In fact, I highly recommend that you involve them in the whole process. They will absolutely be your advocate and help you avoid common mistakes.


Waiving the home inspection. Heads up! Newer homes can have just as many problems as older homes, so don’t waive the home inspection. It can alert you to things your builder overlooked or didn’t properly complete.⁣

Not asking about what type of warranty the builder will give you with the home. Don’t just assume the home comes with a warranty. Find out what is covered and for how long.

Considering building a new home? I offer a free new construction guide to help you in the process.

Download Your FREE Copy of Buying New Construction


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4 Tips For Buying a Home

Buying a home is such an exciting time in your life. Whether it’s your first home or you are a seasoned pro, here are 4 great tips for you to remember during the process:
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Buy in a great school district even if you don’t have kids. It’ll help your equity grow quicker and make reselling down the road easier.⁣

You don’t have to buy at the high end of your price range. In fact, you shouldn’t. Leave room in your monthly budget for repairs, renovations, and the unexpected.⁣ Living above or nearly at the top of your means can be very stressful!

You can ask the sellers for items you like or need such as furniture, artwork, or appliances. They may say no, but then again, they may say yes!⁣

Home Inspections are a great time to get to know the house that you are buying. Make sure to take the time to attend the home inspections. While you are there the home inspector, that you’ve hired, will show you the good and bad about the house and give you great tips on how to maintain your home (which is also one of your largest investments).

Looking for more tips on buying a home? Email me today!

SOLD: 3955 Kentucky Ln, Hudsonville MI 49426

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SOLD! 3955 Kentucky Ln, Hudsonville MI 49426

4 beds, 3 baths, built in 2013, pond frontage, cul-de-sac street. Sold for $384,000.

This home is in impeccable condition and ready for you to move right in! Spacious room sizes, vinyl plank floors in kitchen and dining area, kitchen offers a snack bar & newer stainless appliances that will stay (including a french door fridge & a double oven), living room with plush carpet , main floor laundry (washer & dryer stay), large primary bedroom with 2 closets and private access to bath, finished daylight lower level, new composite deck (2021), gorgeous landscaping with UG sprinkling, no neighbors behind you, backs up a pond that’s great for fishing & paddle boating, cul-de-sac street, extra parking pad in driveway. Located in the City of Hudsonville but has the country feel. Close to Hughes Park (0.6 mi) & Downtown Hudsonville (1.5 mi).