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Building Your Dream Home: How to Choose the Perfect Floor Plan

Building your dream home in West Michigan from the ground up is an exhilarating journey, but one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make along the way is selecting the perfect floor plan. With so many options available, it’s important to approach this decision with careful consideration. Don’t worry, though – I’m here to guide you through the process!

  1. Know Your Lifestyle: Start by envisioning how you’ll live in your new home. Are you a social butterfly who loves to entertain guests? Or perhaps you prefer cozy nights in with your family? Understanding your lifestyle will help you choose a floor plan that caters to your needs and preferences.
  2. Consider Your Future: While it’s essential to design a home that meets your current needs, don’t forget to think about the future. Are you planning to expand your family? Will aging relatives be moving in? Keep these factors in mind to ensure that your floor plan remains functional for years to come.
  3. Evaluate Room Layouts: Pay close attention to the layout of each room. Think about how you’ll use the space and whether it aligns with your lifestyle. Consider factors such as room size, location within the home, and flow between spaces. A well-designed floor plan will enhance both comfort and functionality.
  4. Think About Flexibility: Flexibility is key when it comes to selecting a floor plan. Look for features that can easily adapt to your changing needs. This could include multi-purpose rooms, convertible spaces, or options for future expansions. Keep your options open to accommodate any unexpected changes down the road.
  5. Maximize Natural Light: Natural light can transform a space, making it feel bright, airy, and inviting. When choosing a floor plan, prioritize designs that maximize natural light throughout the home. Consider factors such as window placement, orientation, and the use of skylights or glass doors to bring the outdoors in.
  6. Consult with Experts: Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from professionals, such as architects, designers, or real estate agents (ask me, I’m happy to help!!). They can offer valuable insights and help you navigate the complexities of choosing a floor plan. Their expertise will ensure that your vision becomes a reality while staying within budget and meeting local building codes.

Remember, building your dream home is a journey, not a race. Take your time to explore your options, ask questions, and envision the life you want to live in your new space. With careful planning and consideration, you’ll soon find yourself stepping through the doors of your perfect home.

Get a FREE Copy of my New Construction Guide!

Unveiling the Future: Embracing the Top 5 Smart Home Trends of 2023

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Greetings, tech-savvy homeowners of West Michigan! If you’re as captivated by the marriage of modern living and innovative technology as I am, then you’re in for a real treat. The smart home evolution is charging forward, and Forbes has delivered a treasure trove of insights on what’s set to take 2023 by storm. Let’s dive into the most exhilarating tech trends reshaping homes across our beloved West Michigan.

1. The Era of Connected Appliances Imagine a home where your refrigerator knows exactly when to order groceries or your oven adjusts cooking times on its own—this is the new normal. Home automation is taking center stage, granting homeowners effortless control over lighting, security, climate, and entertainment systems. With a tap on your smartphone, you can transform your living space into an oasis of convenience.

2. Customized Smart Showers Introducing the future of relaxation—the smart shower. This year, top brands are unveiling digitally personalized showers that cater to your preferences. From warm-up modes to user presets, these showers offer more than just a refreshing experience. Now you can customize elements like temperature, flow, and even indulge in audiotherapy, chromotherapy, and aromatherapy—yes, aromatherapy in your shower! With built-in Wi-Fi and voice-activated controls, smart showers are revolutionizing our daily routines.

3. Hygiene-Conscious Touchless Faucets Bid farewell to messy kitchens and say hello to touchless faucets. These unsung heroes promote hygiene, conserve water, and save you time. With touchless operation and smart sensing technology, these faucets elevate your kitchen experience. West Michigan homeowners can now minimize water wastage and maintain cleanliness with ease.

4. The Era of Smart Toilets Basic toilets are a thing of the past. Smart toilets have stormed the scene with sleek designs and enhanced functionalities. Get ready to embrace electronic toilets and bidets, complete with features like warm water washing and hands-free operation bringing a touch of luxury and innovation to our daily lives.

5. Eco-Friendly Smart Water Networks In West Michigan, nature is dear to us, and our homes are following suit. Eco-conscious practices align seamlessly with smart home trends, shaping a greener future. Smart water networks are stepping in to manage outdoor irrigation efficiently. Sprinkler controllers and wireless soil sensors ensure your yard is watered only when needed, conserving water and minimizing wastage.

From sleek faucets to revolutionary smart showers, these trends are reshaping homes across West Michigan. Whether you’re considering a small upgrade or a grand transformation, smart technology has something to offer. These innovations aren’t just about aesthetics—they enhance the efficiency and harmony of your home life. Embrace the future with open arms, and consider the possibilities that lie ahead for your West Michigan haven.

Source: Forbes Home

What Does the Appraisal Process Include?

Grand Rapids Michigan what is an appraiser

Hey there! Have you ever wondered what exactly an appraiser does and whether or not you need an appraisal done? Well, let me break it down for you.

What is an appraiser?

Basically, appraisers are licensed or certified professionals who provide an opinion of value for a property. They are highly trained individuals who understand current real estate market conditions in your area. And if you’re buying a home or refinancing, you’ll likely need one since all states require appraisers to be licensed or certified to provide appraisals to federally regulated lenders.

Appraisers are considered third-party participants in the transaction, and their work assures mortgage lenders that the amount they are lending does not exceed the home’s true value. But it also assures that you, as the home buyer or homeowner, are receiving a fair, unbiased price for your property.

What does a home appraiser look for?

So what does an appraiser look for? Well, they research recently sold properties in your area with features similar to your prospective home, called “comparables.” They also consider factors like the condition of the home, size of the property, quality of landscaping, quality of roofing and foundation, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and more.

More specifically, you can expect the following factors to be reviewed:

A home appraisal is not the same as a home inspection. Learn about the differences and the importance of home inspections.

How long does an appraisal take?

Now, you might be wondering how long an appraisal takes. For home buyers or borrowers looking to refinance, you can expect an appraiser to be at your home approximately 20-60 minutes, depending on the size of the property. Once the physical appraisal is complete, the appraiser creates a written report of findings for the mortgage lender, which generally takes about a week.

How to prepare

Maximize your home value ahead of time, so your home appraises as high as it can. This may include significant work such as home renovations, or simple tasks like the ones listed in the checklists below:

Appraisal checklist for buying a home

  1. Review neighborhood home values and recent sales
  2. Assess your desired home’s condition so you can plan ahead for necessary repairs
  3. Include an appraisal contingency so your offer can be withdrawn if the appraisal comes up short
  4. In a competitive seller’s market you may want to offer an appraisal gap to cover any shortage should the appraisal come in low.

Appraisal checklist for selling or refinancing a home

  1. Ensure your landscaping is on point as“curb appeal” is considered during an appraisal
  2. Repairing damaged drywall or painting rooms can factor into your valuation
  3. Make sure every light switch, wall outlet, fan or vent works
  4. Document recent home improvements with estimated prices and dates
  5. Provide copies of previous appraisals
  6. Make sure all rooms of the house are accessible

Be aware of the $500 rule

Appraisers tend to value property in $500 increments – like $300,000, $300,500, $301,000, etc. Because appraisals with $500 increments are common, it’s in your best interest to make small repairs if you are selling your home or refinancing. Even the smallest of changes can contribute to the overall condition of your property.

4 Mistakes to Avoid for a Successful Build

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Here’s the thing: Building a new home is exciting, but it’s also time-consuming and stressful (to put it mildly).  That’s why I want to share 4 mistakes I see homeowners make when building that could be 100% avoided with a little planning and guidance on the front end: 

→ Not setting a realistic budget: Building a new home can quickly become expensive if you don’t set a realistic budget from the start. You must consider all the expenses, from permits to finishes, and plan accordingly.

→ Skipping the planning phase: It’s important to take the time to plan out every detail of your new home, from the layout to the finishes. Rushing through this phase can result in costly mistakes and regrets down the line.

→ Choosing the wrong builder: Choosing the right builder is crucial when building a new home. Do your research and choose someone with a good reputation, experience, and a proven track record in the city or neighborhood where you want to build. 

→ Neglecting future needs: It’s important to consider your future needs when building a new home. Will your family be growing? Will you need more storage space? Consider these factors when planning out your new home.

Click here for a FREE Guide: Buying New Construction in West Michigan!

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!

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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Pros and Cons of New Construction

If you’re thinking about buying or building new construction consider these pros & cons:

Pros of New Construction

  • Custom-fit: Customizing your new home is the biggest pros of building new construction. It gives you the chance to design almost every inch of space to meet your needs.
  • No renovations: When you build or buy new construction, there’s no need for updating because your home will be up to date with materials, colors, and design from day one.
  • Builder warranties and financing incentives: Many builder warranties will cover anything that happens to the home within two years of the date of purchase.
  • That new home smell! Moving into a new home knowing that no one has ever lived there is an amazing feeling — plus, major systems and appliances won’t need replacing anytime soon.

Cons of New Construction

  • Cost: All that custom stuff? It comes with a price. On average, it costs around 20% more to have a new home built than to buy an existing one.
  • Limited options: Unless you build an entirely custom home, you may be limited in your design, floor plan, and finishing options.
  • Fluid sticker price: Because of delays, change orders, and added costs, it’s hard to know how much your new home will cost until the welcome mat is out.
  • Timeline: You can be kicking your feet up in an existing home in as little as 30-45 days. New construction? Stretch that timeline out to at least 3-12 months. 

Considering new construction? Use my guide to assist you through the process. There you’ll find questions to ask the builder, pros & cons checklist, lender information, a list of builders and some of the available communities in West Michigan and more! Click here to download!!

Let’s Talk Title Insurance

A title search is a crucial but behind-the-scenes part of the home buying process. I’ve asked a local title insurance expert what buyers should know about their services — and the valuable role they play in keeping buyers safe.

Q: First off, what is title insurance? 

A: Title insurance protects you and your mortgage lender from loss — and headaches — if your seller doesn’t own the property outright. ⁣

Q: How does title insurance protect you? ⁣

A: Title insurance protects you from financial loss in the form of: ⁣

  • Deeds by minors or by persons of unsound mind
  • Deeds by persons supposedly single, but in fact, married
  • Fraud⁣
  • Forged deeds or wills
  • Liens
  • Misinterpretations of wills⁣
  • Unpaid taxes or inheritance⁣

Q: What is a title company? 

A: The title company confirms that the title to the real estate property is legitimately given to the purchaser of the property. Typically, the title company conducts the closing on the home and verifies that the seller has the rights to sell the property.⁣

Q: What does a title company do?

A: Since a clean title is required for every real estate transaction, title companies complete a search on every title to check for claims or liens before a new title can be issued. Without title insurance, buyers could be liable for monies owed on the home long after closing.

Q: How much should title insurance cost?

A: The cost of title insurance ranges between $500 and $3,500, depending on where you live, the provider you choose, and the purchase price of your home.

In most cases, the title company works quietly behind the scenes, making sure everything is set for a smooth transaction. No news is definitely good news. ⁣ Have questions about the buying process? Don’t hesitate to reach out – I’d love to help out.

Thinking About Building Your Dream Home? What to Know Before Starting…

You’ve decided you want to build your dream home. Now, you need to hunt down and snatch up that perfect piece of paradise to call home. Here’s how to go about finding just the right spot:⁣
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Consider the general layout of the home you want to build. Sprawling ranch? Front-porch farmhouse? Two-story bungalow? The lot you choose should complement the home you envision.⁣

Save time by narrowing down where you want to live. Then research available lots in those areas.⁣

Link arms with an agent who knows local builders and can help assess a lot’s potential. You want to be well-acquainted with a lot’s slope, drainage, and utilities.⁣

Check with the local zoning office about the land you’re interested in purchasing. Pay attention to surrounding land as well and try to weigh what future zoning and construction will happen in the area. Your agent can help!⁣

If you’re looking to buy in an established neighborhood, research minimum square footage or building materials requirements. Ask about HOA fees or restrictions that could limit your number of pets, vehicles, or home additions down the road.⁣

Meet with reputable lenders familiar with construction loans to learn your financing options.⁣

Work with an agent to write and negotiate an offer.⁣

Attend your closing and break ground!⁣
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If you’re leaning towards new construction, but haven’t found the right lot, I’d love to help. Send me an email and let me know what you’re looking for – zip code, school district, acreage, etc. As I chat with my network of agents and hear about lots, I’ll reach out – you’ll be one of the first to know! I can also set you up to receive email alerts the second a listing hits the MLS that fits your wish list. Can’t wait to hear from you!⁣
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