Hillmount Condos Blowout Prices – Grand Rapids Downtown Condos

Hillmount Condos Slashing Prices on remaining developer owned units!

Hillmount condos, located at the corner of College Ave and Cherry St, have announced a great promotion to sell  their remaining developer owned units. Prices have been cut, buyer incentives offered and we really like to hear that. Hillmount condos are one of those downtown Grand Rapids condo developments that have sold well over the last year or so. Building amenities include a great roof top deck, well equipped fitness center and WiFi throughout the building. Many of the units here have been upgraded and the most of them are bright and open. These condos are located just a few minutes walk from the downtown core in Heritage Hill, close to St. Marys and Cooley Law School.

The three remaining units that the developer is offering are large, 1 bedroom condos priced as follows:

• Unit 102-$79,900 INCLUDING FULL FINISH
• Unit 103-$89,900 FINISHED MODEL
• Unit 201-$99,900 VERY UPGRADED FINISHED MODEL

All three of these floor plans are the largest one bedroom floor plans in the building and also include FREE DUES FOR ONE YEAR with a $5,000 gift certificate to Klingmans or Best Buy. If you’re not familiar with Klingmans, they are an upscale furniture store here in town.

Click Here to view the available condos for sale at the Hillmount.

For more information on the downtown condo scene, how to sell your home in this tough market or buying a home or condo, visit my website at GRRealEstateInfo.com or contact me anytime.

Don’t forget the Homebuyer Tax Credit deadline is April 30th, 2010. You need to have a signed purchase agreement in place by the end of April.

$8000 Tax Credit Extension is Approved

Grand Rapids Real Estate Market Update

The $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax credit was approved and is now on the President’s desk for signatures. This current extension does have a few changes, for the better in my opinion. For first timers, the $8000 tax credit is extended until April 30th, 2010. The major addition is a $6500 Tax credit for existing home owners. Effective the day of the signing, this gives current homeowners, that have owned their current home for more than 5 years, a credit and incentive to move up or sell their home.This is nice for homeowners to help with their closing costs. Income limits have also been increased to $125,000 single or $225,000 married and you can claim this credit on any home up to $800,000 in price.

Many people have used this tax credit to help with their home purchase and it has helped the market recover, so this latest extension is welcome. Here is a list of Tax Credit Highlights.

For more information about the Grand Rapids real estate market, visit my website at GRRealEstateInfo.com or contact me any time.

Downtown Grand Rapids Condos That are FHA Approved

 

 Downtown Grand Rapids offers some incredible condos from cool, affordable urban studios at the Hillmount or the Boardwalk condos, to luxurious penthouses and lofts at Riverhouse condos or the Fitzgerald Condos. One of the problems we have been experiencing with buyers wanting to purchase a downtown Grand Rapids condo has been financing. Many of the condos, especially the “boutique” condos like Peck, Front Row, Cityview or 65 Monroe require a conventional mortgage with ten to twenty percent down. It can be difficult to come up with that amount of cash  on hand.

Having said that, there are some condos that are FHA approved. This is important to many buyers, especially first time condo buyers looking to capitalize on the $8000 Tax credit. With an FHA loan, you need only pay a 3.5% downpayment on the loan. Much better than 10% or 20%!

 Boardwalk condos are FHA approved! Just before last Christmas they were approved. Boardwalk is a great building with many amenities including a pool hot tub area, game room, theatre room, fitness center, roof top deck, salon and JD Reardon’s bar. These condos are loft style with exposed brick, exposed duct work, river views and tall ceilings. Many floor plans are available from studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms and there are two courtyards, one with the pool and the other with a peaceful, wooded area where the outdoor grills are located.

The Hillmount condos are FHA approved! The Hillmount condos offer a little different feel to the Boardwalk. The building itself is an older, solid brick buillding and it does offer a few amenities such as wireless (wifi) internet, fitness center and an awesome rooftop deck with grill. Many of these condos offer lovely hardwood floors and updated kitchens with stainless steel appliances. This is a great building located at the corner of College and cherry, minutes from the downtown core. Pets are allowed.

 Union Square condos are FHA approved! Union Square is one of the coolest buildings in town. You have probably seen it while driving on the expressway at the junction of I-96 and US-131 highways. The building is the Union Square High School and there is a big mix of condos here from affordable 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms which also includes some incredible penthouse units. Amenites include a very nice fitness center and the  roof top deck, pool and hot tub. These condos are loft style similar to Boardwalk but with more floor plans and larger windows. Some of the old school features like chalk boards and lockers have been blended in with the modern condo features.

Fulton Street Flats are FHA approved! This is a new addition to the downtown condo scene and has just been approved. These are affordable 1 and 2 bedroom condos with some nice standard features accross the street from Davenport University and minutes to the downtown core. Some features include large balconies, hardwood floors and granite counters. I like the location here and for the money, you get a good sized condo with reasonable association fees, parking and laundry rooms in each unit.

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

ArtPrize Top Ten

The ArtPrize Top Ten Has Been Selected

The first ever ArtPrize contest is winding down and the top ten have been selected. This competition was a phenomenal success and generated all kinds of buzz while bringing many people downtown. I brought the kids downtown Grand Rapids to see some of the art and we were genuinely amazed at the creativity and originality of the various artists. Make sure to cast your vote for your favorite piece, there are still two days left to do so. There have been an amazing 300,000+ votes cast already and the grand prize is a whopping $250,000.

ArtPrize is just one of the great things about Grand Rapids, Michigan! If you are considering a move here, visit my website at GRRealEstateInfo.com where you can search for homes and condos online, request a comprehensive relocation package or find out the value of your home. If you have any questions about the Grand Rapids housing market, feel free to contact me anytime.

Realty Executives Comes To West Michigan

The Platinum Realty Group is now affiliated with Realty Executives.

I am excited to announce that the Platnum Realty Group is now affiliated with Realty Executives. This is a great opportunity for everyone involved including our Realtors, their families, clients and business partners. The Platinum Realty Group has always been a family oriented broker that has always put customer service above all else. Affiliating with one of the fastest growing national real estate companies, with offices in 18 countries, opens up many doors and will only benefit our clients.

Realty Executives Platinum Group will now be able  to provide cutting edge marketing tools with which their agents can use to market their client’s homes. This increased national and international exposure can only help us sell these properties and open up doors to buyers relocating to the Grand Rapids area. For more information on the local Grand Rapids market or to request a Relocation Package, visit my website at GRRealEstateInfo.com or contact me any time.

EightWest – A New Show About West Michigan

 

 Recently announced is a new TV show called EightWest. I wouldn’t normally talk about a TV show but this one is different. EightWest is billed as ” a vibrant one-hour destination for everything West Michigan”. It is hosted by Terri DeBoer of Storm Team 8 fame and Rachael Ruiz of 24 hour News 8 at Noon. These two ladies are high octane and are sure to pump that energy into their new show. I think there is a niche for a TV show like this and from a Grand Rapids real estate standpoint, I’m excited  to see how it unfolds. Some of the topics likely to be covered will be family, technology, food, finances, health and more and it will be a good tool to showcase Grand Rapids!

West Michigan is a beautiful place to live, work and play. There is something  for everyone from world class golf courses, excellent fishing for salmon and trout right in the center of town on the Grand Rapids Fish Ladder and recreational watersports opportunity galore on the many lakes and rivers. There are some great bistros and restaurants in town, plenty of nightlife to enjoy as well as museums and art galleries to visit. In fact, Grand Rapids is hosting it’s first ever ArtPrize contest. The largest art prize of its kind in the world, Artprize is an exciting arena where established and emerging artists are afforded the chance to show off their work. Visitors cast their vote and the winner gets the big prize of $250,000.

There has never been a better opportunity to own a home in West Michigan. Interest rates are still low, property values have drastically dropped and you still have time to take advantage of the $8000 Tax Credit. If you are considering a move to West Michigan, visit my website and request one of our relocation packages or contact me anytime.

Celebration On The Grand – Grand Rapids Events Update

Celebration On The Grand Turns 30 Years Old – September 10th – 13th

This years Celebration On The Grand will continue with the same successful formula that has made this end-of-summer festival so popular. Grand Rapids is known for it’s family friendly atmosphere and this event is no different. Premier live music, great food and the usual awesome fireworks promise an excellent treat for all.

Here is the schedule of events for the 2009 Celebration On The Grand:

Thursday

Rosa Parks Circle:

Taste of Downtown

5 p.m. — Union Guns
6:15 p.m. — Bill Kirchen
7:30 p.m. — Love and Theft
9:15 p.m. — Emerson Drive

Friday

Rosa Parks Circle:

Taste of Downtown

11:30 a.m. — Spencer Mulder
5 p.m. — Hank Mowery
6 p.m. — R.B. & Company
7:10 p.m. — Tomas Esparza Blues Experience
8:20 p.m. — Lynn Thompson Band
9:30 p.m. — Fireworks
10 p.m. — Jimmie Stagger

Ah-Nab-Awen Park:

5 p.m. — Ralston Bowles
5:45 p.m. — Nomad Willy
6:45 p.m. — Glean Infusion
8 p.m. — Organissimo

Saturday

Monroe Center:

Grand Valley Corvette Club Car Show

Rosa Parks Circle:

Taste of Downtown

3 p.m. — School of Rock
4:15 p.m. — Left Hand Daisy
5:30 p.m. — Rockit King
6:45 p.m. — Mid-Life Crisis
8 p.m. — The Concussions
9:45 p.m. — Edgar Winter

Ah-Nab-Awen Park:

3 p.m. — Children’s activities, including face-painting, crafts and games, “Come on Over” (3-4 p.m.), Kevin Kammeraad (4:30-5:30 p.m.), Scribble Monster (6-7 p.m.), Father Goose (7:30-8:30), “Madagascar” screening (9 p.m.)

For more information on relocating to Grand Rapids, visit my website at GRRealEstateInfo.com or contact me anytime.

$8000 Tax Credit Ending Soon – Grand Rapids Real Estate Update

$8000 Federal Tax Credit is Ending Soon

If you are thinking of purchasing a Grand Rapids home or condo and want to use the First Time Homebuyer’s $8000 Tax credit, time is running out. To qualify, you can’t have owned a home in the last 3 years and you must purchase a home before December 1st 2009. This is a real credit and does not have to be repaid. Many clients have taken advantage of it this year.

In order to close on a home by the end of November, your should be looking right now. My website provides all of the listed homes on the MLS Database and the search is free. Feel free to use it and if you have any questions, let me know. Once you find your home or condo, you will need to have an accepted offer before the end of October, just to be on the safe side.

If you don’t know where to start and would like to talk to a lender, give Scot Veneklase a call at Exchange Financial. Scot can be reached at 616-957-3480.

Click Here for a 2009 Tax Credit Q & A

Thirty Eight Condos – Downtown Grand Rapids Condos

Thirty Eight Condos – Grand Rapids Penthouse Condos

Thirty Eight condos are a new upscale downtown Grand Rapids condo development, located at 38 Commerce Ave SW. The lucky owners of these unique, urban residences will find themselves in the center of Grand Rapids’ art and entertainment district. You will be surrounded by many fine restaurants and boutiques, with easy walking to our downtown venues such as the Van Andel Arena, Devos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids Art Museum and the many outdoor festivals and nightlife that downtown Grand Rapids offers. If you work downtown or are looking for a 2nd residence in town, this is the place.

As one of only a very few of Grand Rapids’ Penthouse condos, Thirty Eight will  feature lavish amenities and a sprawling floorplan from 1260 to 2500 square feet of downtown living space. There are several different layouts to select from or you can also design your own to your specific tastes. The sky is truly the limit. Attached parking is available from the city and what is interesting  is that your parking space is on the same level as your condo. Features will include Granite, Tile or hardwood floors and highend appliances. The condos are two bedrooms and two and a half baths. Three bedrooms are available.

*Prices from $370’s – $700k+, 2 and 3 bedrooms available
*From ~~1260 to 2500 Sq/ft.
*Association fee: from $387 depending on unit
*Coverage: Trash Pickup, Yard Care, Water, Sewer, Snow Removal, Insurance, Heat
*Features Incl: Secure entrance. Penthouse Styles. Multiple Layouts available or design your own. In Unit Washer/Dryer Hookups. Close to Art and Entertainment.

For more information on the Grand Rapids Real Estate market or any condo information, visit my website or contact me any time.

Click Here to view the available condos for sale at Thirty Eight.

600 Broadway Ave NW #620b – Union Square Condo For Sale

 

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.