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Trusted West Michigan Realtor

Your Trusted Real Estate Guide in
Greater Grand Rapids MI

Upsize or Downsize: Which is Your Best Move?

Deciding if it is time for your family to upsize or downsize is not always a clear choice. There are factors to consider that might push you to take the leap or stay put for a while longer. Whether you are thinking about upsizing so your family can spread out or purging possessions so you can downsize, here are some questions to ponder.

1. How are you using your current space?

Do your family members feel like they don’t have adequate privacy or space to do their own thing?  Are you tired of working at the dining table and really need an office or workshop? Is having the kids share bedrooms just not working out? Maybe an upsize is warranted. On the other hand, do you have rooms that aren’t being used, or are you tired of paying property taxes on more house than you need? Check for the downsize column!

2. Have you considered the maintenance costs?

If upsizing is on your mind, consider the added costs for maintaining a larger home and property, whether in money or time. Will you be able to keep up with cleaning, lawn care, and general maintenance issues that come with owning a home? If you are ready to cross maintenance off your to-do list, perhaps you are ready to downsize to a more manageable property or one where the HOA handles part of the job.

3. What are your outdoor space needs?

Are you ready to give up having a yard or garden to downsize to a maintenance-free space? Do you have pets that need outdoor space? Do you need more outdoor space for your children to play or your dog to run around in? The size of the house is one thing, but the property is important also.

4. Have you looked to the future?

What do you expect your needs to be in the next five, ten, or twenty years? Do you want a large home where your children and grandchildren will come for vacations and holidays, or will you be spending those times at their homes? Will you want to entertain groups of friends, or do you foresee going out for your entertainment? What will happen if your spouse passes; will you want to stay in the home on your own?

5. Do the financial implications add up in your favor?

Can you handle the higher costs involved with a larger home, or are you ready to cut costs with a downsize? Consider where you stand on your current mortgage. Are you alright with starting a new mortgage at this point in your life, or are you in a position to purchase in cash? What are the tax implications for your move?  

6. Is it the right market to upsize or downsize?

A seller’s market is hot for those looking to sell a larger home and downsize. Upsizing may be riskier in a big seller’s market, but if your family would be happier in a larger home, it might be worth the leap.

Whatever questions you have about purchasing your next home, I’d be honored to assist you. So let’s work together to make sure your next move is the right one!

Click Here to Download your FREE Report!!

SOLD!!! 6341 Adams St, Zeeland

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Listed for $159,900 and sold (after receiving multiple offers) for $190,000.

2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1 stall garage, 1,080 square feet.

Country living at an affordable price in Zeeland! This home has a lot to offer. A welcoming front porch, white kitchen with newer stainless-steel appliances (including a dishwasher), living room with wood trim, main floor bedroom, freshly painted bath, upstairs you will find a large bedroom with skylights, a window seat & plenty of storage closets, storage & laundry in the basement- washer & dryer are included. There is a 1 stall attached garage with a sliding door perfect for all of your outdoor storage! Beautiful setting with lots of trees. Great location close to the 196 highway access (4.3 miles) & all of the conveniences of Downtown Zeeland (parks, restaurants and shops) are only about 6 miles away.

Find out more about the Zeeland community here!!

@Home Realty, 5789 Balsam Dr

5 Ways to Create a Statement in Your Home

Ready to go big, bold, and beautiful in your home without breaking the bank? Do it with hardly any effort (or Benjamins!) with these 5 statement pieces:⁣
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An accent wall: Even if you aren’t ready to go totally “off-the-wall,” darkening a neutral you already have will give your space depth and create a rich, layered, look.⁣


Pillows: A pop of color here and a patterned pillow there are two of the easiest ways to add some interest to your decor. Plus, you can switch ‘em out for the seasons or whenever you get tired of them.⁣


An area rug: Love your neutral sofa but want some oomph somewhere? Opt for a colorful or geometric area rug. It’s like artwork for your floor!⁣


An ottoman: An ottoman is oh-so-functional but can also make a statement in your living room. Choose one that’s oversized, oddly shaped, or just plain funky.⁣


Light fixtures: Lighting can be an afterthought when decorating but it makes a huge impression on the way your home feels. A gorgeous chandelier or a trio of pendant lights are always eye-catching but affordable, and carefully placed canned lights can create an equally dramatic atmosphere. ⁣
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Don’t be afraid to give new trends a try—especially if the price is right and you’re feeling bold and brave!

SOLD!! 7495 Melody Ln, Jenison MI 49428

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3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 stall garage, 2,209 square feet, built in 1965.

This great home was listed for $279,900. It attracted 13 offers and sold for $330,000!!

Dream kitchen and a backyard pool oasis? This home has both!! The custom kitchen was completely remodeled in 2013 and offers a large center island with built-in range and snack bar area, solid surface counters, stone backsplash, undercabinet lights, soft close drawers, double oven, microwave drawer, and bamboo floors. Mud room off garage entry, main floor laundry in the guest bathroom, large living room with bamboo floors, spacious family room with tile floors and a fireplace, dining area off kitchen. In the bedroom wing you will find a spa-like main bath with a glass walk-in shower, jet tub, marble counters and new cabinetry. Spacious primary bedroom large enough to comfortably fit a king size bed and 2 additional sizable bedrooms. The lower level has daylight windows and has a huge “L” shaped rec room with canned lights, it is plumbed for a 3rd bathroom, and has tons of storage space. Outside you will find a beautiful inground pool (18’ x 36’), a shed (12’ x 16’) with loft storage, greenhouse shed, there is another section of yard that is fenced in separately. New cement driveway and front walk, huge enclosed porch off of house and garage area, lots of perennials, located on a cul-de- sac street.

Convenient location close to Georgetown Library (1.3 miles), Maplewood Park (1.3 miles), Woodcrest Park (1.4 miles), Sandy Hill Elementary (1.6 miles), Jenison Jr & High Schools (2.6 miles), 196 ramps (1 mile).

Find out more about the Jenison community click here!!

@Home Realty, 5789 Balsam Dr

Are We in a Housing Bubble?

Wondering if we’re in a housing bubble? If so, you’re not alone. ⁣
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Here’s the latest on what experts over at Bloomberg Business are saying about the current housing boom.⁣
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No doubt today’s environment feels a lot like the bubble market in 2006, but don’t worry, there are a few “market” differences:⁣
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Loans are much harder to get today than in 2006. Lenders have raised lending standards and loans are smaller in proportion to house values and borrowers’ income. Translation? Buyers can’t weasel their way into loans like they used to.⁣

The main factors in the current price runup are tight supply and strong demand, not sloppy lending.⁣
Many think the boom has been years in the making. Having overbuilt in the 2000s, homebuilders underbuilt in the 2010s—and now, it’s playing catch up.⁣
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Yes, home prices are soaring, but the market is strong with no hint of slowing down. If you’re curious about buying or selling right now, I’d love to connect. Reach out and let’s talk.⁣
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When Should I Refinance?

Low-interest rates have many homeowners wondering if it’s a good time to refinance. Refinancing can save you a lot of money in the long term when done correctly. It’s important to consider the drawbacks as well. Here are some reasons why you might want to refinance, and a few things to be cautious of.

Reasons you may want to refinance:

1. To lower your monthly payment. If today’s interest rates are lower than when you purchased your home, refinancing to a lower rate will reduce your monthly payment down, freeing up cash to help with other bills, your children’s education, or to save towards retirement.

2. To pay off your mortgage earlier. A great way to use the money you save with a lower mortgage payment is to apply it right to your principle, which will help you pay your loan off earlier.

3. To take advantage of a better credit score. If your credit score has increased significantly since you bought your home, you may get a better loan if you refinance.

4. To save on total interest. For some, the desire to pay less interest overall makes refinancing an attractive option. Reducing the interest rate and/or the loan term will save you money long term.

5. To change loan types. If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage that has been increasing or is nearing the end of the fixed period, you may want to switch to a fixed-rate mortgage.

If you have extra cash on hand to make larger monthly payments, it may make sense to change to a 15-year mortgage so you can pay it off earlier.

6. To consolidate debt or take cash out. If you have built up equity in your home, you may be able to borrow against your home to obtain cash to pay off higher-interest debt, to make improvements on your home, or for things like your children’s education or medical expenses.

If you think that refinancing is the best option for you, I have several lender partners that will take great care of you. Reach out to me and I’ll send you their info!

Should You Sell to an Instant Offer Company?

There’s a new term in real estate: iBuyer.

iBuyers, short for instant buyers, give sellers an almost instantaneous offer on their homes. Also called instant offer companies, iBuyers promise sellers an offer within a couple of days and closing dates within one to two weeks. Some popular iBuyers include Opendoor, Offerpad, Redfin, and Zillow Offers. 

Unlike house flippers, iBuyers aren’t looking for distressed homes. iBuyers purchase moderately-priced homes, fix them up as needed, and relist them.

The obvious downside to selling to an iBuyer is that you will not get top dollar for your home. They are looking for homes where they can make a specific profit margin. Typically, the company will analyze your home online, using algorithms to come up with a value. For example, Zillow Offers will most likely offer you their Zestimate price. Sellers should expect an offer of about 10% under fair market value.

iBuyers accept a tiny percentage of the homes submitted. If the company decides to make you an offer, they may send a home inspector out to determine what costs they will have in preparing to resell the house. If you work with an iBuyer, make sure to read all the terms, as you may be required to cover some repairs.

While using an iBuyer saves you from paying real estate agent fees, watch out. You may not have to pay the 5-7% real estate commission, but iBuyers charge fees that may run anywhere from 6 to 9%. The total costs of working with an iBuyer can sometimes run as much as 12-15% of your selling price.

Working with an iBuyer benefits sellers who don’t have the time or desire to market their home traditionally. If you are in a situation where you need to sell your home quickly and are willing to take less than your home is worth, then an iBuyer may work out well for you. 

Before you offer your home to an iBuyer, please allow me to discuss your options with you. 

Terms to Consider When Writing an Offer

When you are submitting an offer to purchase a home, there are several factors that are key in the offer negotiation. Here is a list of top factors:

Purchase price

Obviously this is one of the biggest key factors in the offer. How much are you willing to offer the seller to buy their home? Your offer strategy will vary depending on the market and your negotiating power.

Survey

Knowing the boundaries and location of the buildings on the property is an important factor. Is this home in a deeded plat where the boundaries are defined? Is it in an area where the neighbors outbuilding or fence may be encroaching? You may want to have a survey done by a licensed surveyor.

Included & excluded items

Which appliances will stay? Is the seller reserving their curtains? These are examples included and excluded items. If it is not a fixture or in writing, there is a chance that the seller is not including it with the property. These items should be addressed in the offer/counter offer.

Earnest money

This is also referred to as a good faith deposit. How much money are you willing to give up front to show in good faith that you will not back out of the sale for something other than the contingencies agreed upon in the purchase agreement.

Closing deadline

This is the timeframe of how soon are you able to close on the purchase of the home.

Financing method

Will you be paying cash for the home or getting a mortgage? If you will be financing the property with a mortgage, what type of mortgage will it be? These are terms that will need to be spelled out in your offer to purchase.

Response to offer deadline

You will give a deadline on how long your offer is valid for the seller to respond.

Possession

Will you allow the seller to occupy the home after closing? In Michigan, many sellers ask for time after close to move out of the home. What is that timeframe and is there some type of rent for said timeframe? This all needs to be spelled out in the purchase agreement.

Inspection time frame

Will you be doing inspections on the home? If so how quickly will you get them done and respond back to the seller? This is a key factor in the offer to purchase.

There are many more terms in a purchase agreement that aren’t discussed in this article. I would highly recommend hiring a professional Realtor in your area to help you determine your negotiating power and guide you to write the best offer for your needs and situation.

If you are in West Michigan, I’d love to help! Click here to read about my process with home buyers and schedule a no obligation consultation.

What is the difference between a SELLER’S and BUYER’S market?

IT’S A SELLER’S MARKET! ⁣
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IT’S A BUYER’S MARKET! ⁣
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IT’S A BUYER’S & SELLER’S MARKET! ⁣
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I mean, seriously. What does all the jargon even mean? What exactly IS a “buyer’s market” or a “seller’s market,” and how does anyone know which one we’re in? ⁣
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Wonder no more, good friends. The next time you hear the oft thrown-around term, here’s what to call to mind:⁣
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A BUYER’S MARKET⁣
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• Lots of for sale signs around town and homes on the MLS⁣
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• Homes selling below listing price with several price cuts along the way⁣
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• Rising inventory levels and increase in days on market⁣
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• Population and job growth trending downward⁣
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• Sellers offering to pay points or closing costs or give allowances for new flooring or appliances⁣
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• Sellers regularly taking their home off-market for a few weeks, then relisting it, in an effort to make it appear “fresh”⁣
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A SELLER’S MARKET⁣
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• Fewer for sale signs around town and homes on the MLS⁣
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• More FSBOs because some think they don’t need an agent to sell⁣
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• Homes selling through word-of-mouth before they are even listed⁣
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• Low inventory levels and shorter days on market⁣
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• Job growth above average ⁣
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There are pros and cons to each type of market. I’ve been in this business long enough to experience many different market conditions. Whether you need to buy or sell, I can help you with a strategy! Send me a message and let’s chat about your real estate goals. Don’t put it off any longer—I can’t wait to connect with you.

Schedule a No Obligation Consultation Today!

Strategies to Buy Without Having to Sell First

In a competitive market it can be challenging to get an offer accepted. Add in a contingency upon selling or closing your home, and the chances are even slimmer. There are a few strategies that you can use to buy your new home before having your current home under contract or sold.

The first and easiest strategy would be to pay cash (either from your own funds or borrow from a family member) for the new home then sell your current home. You can use your proceeds from the sale of your home to replace the cash that you used for the transaction.

If you don’t have cash (or a family member willing or capable to lend it to you), there are ways to use financing to accomplish your goal. A great mortgage loan officer will be able to go over the pros and cons of each scenario for your specific situation and let you know if you qualify for the program. It’s worth researching!

  • Bridge Loan- A bridge loan is basically borrowing the equity from your current home to use as a down payment for the new home. When you sell the current home, the bridge loan will be paid off.
  • Home Equity Line of Credit- You can apply with the bank to open a line of credit on the equity in your current home (or you may already have an open line in place). You can use these funds as a down payment or as cash to purchase the new home.
  • New Mortgage- Already have funds for a down payment? You can simply take out a new mortgage and purchase the new home. After the sale of your current home, you can replace those funds or recast your mortgage. What does it mean to recast your loan? Its when you make a large, lump-sum payment toward the principal balance of your mortgage and your lender, then re-amortizes your loan. This means that your loan is reduced to reflect the new balance. Recasting lowers your monthly payments and the amount of interest you’ll pay over the life of the loan. Your interest rate and terms will be the same as when you locked it in initially.

Buying without selling first can be scary, but with the right plan in place it can go very smoothly. I’m happy to chat with you about your situation and help you come up with a strategy that will help you reach your goals. Click on the link below to get started!

Click Here to Get Started!!

P.S. Here is the link to download the FREE handout Strategies to Buy Before Selling.