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Buying Services for Grand Rapids Home Buyers
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Congratulations! You have decided to purchase a home, or are thinking about buying one. You'll be joining the ranks of hundreds of families who realize that home ownership offers a number of benefits including building equity, saving for the future, and creating an environment for your family. When you own your own home, your hard-earned dollars contribute to your mortgage. The equity you earn is yours. Over time, your home will increase in value.
In the following reports, you'll find the information you need to make a wise buying decision. We'll take you through the planning process step-by-step , to help you determine which home is right for you. You'll find a host of informative articles on mortgages, viewing homes, the offer, closing details and moving. Please contact me if you have any questions about buying a home in Grand Rapids or elsewhere in Michigan. |
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Your Agent
A successful purchase starts with the right representative. In fact, once you’ve selected the best agent to represent you, it is likely that he or she can recommend other professionals to join your team, taking more of the responsibility off of your shoulders.
Lender (Appraiser)
A bank is not just a bank. Having the right backer can be extremely important – it is your money we’re talking about after all! Make sure that your lender and financial representative is someone with whom you feel comfortable, and be wary of any lender who promises you more than you think you can reasonably afford. Your lenders may or may not require an independent appraisal, and typically will make arrangements for the appraisal themselves.
Lawyer
Your home purchase is far too important a transaction to skimp on legal representation at the risk of leaving yourself open to costly future issues. Find a lawyer who is willing to take the time to answer your questions and who specializes in real estate law.
Home Inspector
No home inspection is 100% guaranteed, but a few hundred dollars to catch a major problem now is certainly better than many thousands to correct that ‘surprise’ down the road. Ask your agent for a recommendation.
Contractor
Planning some renovations? You’re not the only one! The home renovation industry is booming, and in some markets, booking a contractor must be done months in advance (that’s a long time to go without a kitchen). Don’t let finding the right contractor slip through the cracks – planning ahead will almost certainly make your renovation smoother, and you contractor will appreciate the advance notice.
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1. Find the right representative
Even if you’re not quite ready to buy, your buyer’s agent can be an absolute wealth of information, and can often offer ‘scoops’ on local developments you might not have know about otherwise. Speak to your agent first and he or she can be helping to guide you right from the start.
2. Find out what your price range is
Online mortgage calculators are a good place to start, but as you get closer to being ready to buy, there is no substitute for a written mortgage pre-approval. Just speaking to your lender is an extremely worthwhile venture – this is the only way to really get an in-depth picture of your overall financial picture and to discover exactly what you can reasonably afford to spend on a home (and possibly on renovating).
3. Find out what your local market looks like
The internet can be incredibly valuable in doing preparatory research. Start with your agent – he or she can direct you to valuable resources and immediately start e-mailing you real estate listings that may interest you (or at least give you a better idea of what your needs and wants are).
4. Find out what your true needs and wants are
Compose a needs/wants list that takes into consideration your local market conditions, your price range, and the advice of your real estate agent.
5. Find your dream home!
Once you’re ready to act, you may be surprised by how quickly you can make a decision. Armed with your pre-approval, a little market knowledge, and your needs/wants list, call your real estate agent, hit the pavement, and when you see ‘the house’, put in an offer.
With the right team behind you, it really can be that easy!
Avoid The Most Common Buyer Errors
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Shopping for a new home is an emotional experience. It’s also time consuming and comes with a myriad of details. Some buyers, however, caught up in the excitement of buying a new home tend to overlook some items. Their home purchase turns into an expensive process. These errors generally fall into three areas:
- Paying too much
- Losing a dream home to another buyer
- Buying the wrong home
When you have a systematic plan before you shop, you’ll be sure to avoid these costly errors. Here are some tips on making the most of your home purchase:
Bidding without sufficient information
What price do you offer a seller? Is the seller’s asking price too high? Is it a deal? Without research on the market and comparable homes, you could lose thousands of dollars. Before you make that offer, be sure you have researched the market. A professional realtor, can offer an unbiased opinion on the value of a home, based on market conditions, condition of the home and neighborhood. Without knowledge of the market, your offer could be too much. Or worse, you could miss out on a great buying opportunity.
Buying a mis-matched home
What do you need and want in a home? Sounds simple. Yet, clearly identifying your needs and bringing an objective view to home shopping, leaves you in a better position. Sometimes, home buyers buy a home that is too large or too small. Perhaps they didn’t consider the drive to work, the distance to school, or the many repair jobs waiting for completion. Plan ahead. Use your needs list as a guideline for every home you view.
Unclear title
Before you sign any document, be sure the property you are considering is free of all encumbrances. As part of their services, a realtor can supply you with a copy of the title to ensure there are no liens, debts, undisclosed owners, leases or easements.
Outdated survey
Before the purchase is completed, an updated survey is essential. This report will indicate boundaries and structural changes (additions to the house, a new swimming pool, neighbor’s new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.).
Unexpected repairs
For $300 - $500 a professional inspector will conduct a thorough inspection of the home. This way, you’ll have an idea of the cost of future repairs. Make the final contract subject to a favourable report.
Shopping without pre-approval
It only takes a few days to get financing pre-approval. When you are shopping for a home, this gives you more power. A seller is more likely to consider an offer from a serious buyer.
Remember additional cost
Besides the funds for the purchase of a home, you’ll need funds for items such as loan fees, insurance, legal fees, surveys, inspections, etc.
Rushing the closing
Before you sign, ensure that all documentation clearly reflects your understanding and conditions of the transaction. Has anything been forgotten? Don’t rush. You could lose money, financing or even the sale.
How to Not Pay Too Much for Your Home
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Whether you are buying your first home, or your fifth, the process of buying a home is a detailed, time-consuming venture. At the same time, it’s an emotional period laden with difficult choices. You want to ensure that the home you purchase meets your family’s needs now, and in the future.
Each of these decisions often involves money. When you consider all that money represents, you’ll want to ensure that you don’t pay too much. This article helps you become a savvy buyer, by pointing out some of the pitfalls inherent in the home-buying process. These include such things as knowing what you want before you begin shopping, taking your time to shop, choosing the right realtor, and remaining objective while viewing potential homes. With this information, you’ll be closer to finding your ideal home.
1. Before you shop, develop a needs vs. wants list
Everyone has a picture of an ideal home. This would include all the features you not only need, but have long desired. However, when it comes time to buying a home, the desires cost more. While it’s nice to think about having a beautifully landscaped backyard, or a solarium, perhaps even some built-in appliances, these are usually considered luxury items, which can add considerably to the price of your home.
That’s why it’s a good idea to develop a needs and wants lists. With this list, begin with items you really need like adequate space, garage and number of bedrooms. For most people, basic needs should be considered first. After that, you could consider additional desires, if you can manage these benefits financially.
With such a list in your hands, you’re less likely to be caught up in the excitement of the pursuit. You’ll have a good idea of what you want, within you price range, and if you can afford those additional items.
2, Get pre-approved prior to shopping
Visit your financial or lending institution prior to home buying. Quickly, you’ll know the amount of mortgage you’ll receive. Be sure to get a mortgage commitment in writing. Most importantly, you’ll tell sellers that you are a serious prospect. Depending upon market conditions, a seller may lean towards an unconditional offer. You’ll have less negotiating power if you have to wait for mortgage approval.
Banks and financial institutions have developed many programs especially for home buyers, be that first-time buyers or those with equity in their homes. When you review your needs and objectives with a lending officer, you’ll be one step closer to purchasing your home. | | | | |
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When Todd Imholte signed on with a Hopkins, Minn. company that makes and sells wallpaper murals, he never guessed his job would have "global" impact for thousands of American school children. Yet once a year, Imholte, the president of Environmental Graphics, spearheads the updating of the company's top-selling product of all time - its World Map mural.
Removing heavy snow from your roof can prevent costly water damage to several different parts of your house, including the roof, walls and ceilings.
Many elements must work together to create a remarkable room. There is the color scheme, furniture, decorations, and of course, the rug on the floor. Don't overlook the significance of the one thing that could tie the whole room together! Shopping the Internet for rugs opens up a new world of opportunities.
College is expensive, and we're not just talking about tuition. That may be the biggest chunk, but when you think about it, college kids are basically setting up a second household, and incurring all the expenses that go along with that, from rent if they're living off campus, to long-distance phone service.
In some ways, decorating a baby's room couldn't be easier. The room's primary occupant really doesn't have much to say about the décor. Enter the teen years. Now, she hates the pink carpet and floral curtains you thought were precious beyond words. He's into Japanese anime, and your clever pirate theme makes him want to walk the plank.
If you have and older home, you probably have a kitchen that's in need of a face lift. You don't need to do a complete remodel to get a new look though. Just update your cabinets with new doors.
Most homeowners know by now that improvements to bathrooms can bring big returns on investment when it comes time to resell a house. But there's another equally compelling, often-overlooked reason to freshen your bath - it just feels good.
Artists at the Franklin Mint bring movie moments to life, including Vivian Leigh's triumphant portrail of Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind."
Storm windows can help out your home in more ways than most people think. While protecting your home and older windows against inclement weather is typically the main function (and general perception) of storm windows, the truth is that these window types have can preserve your home in many ways.
Maybe your house needs a new roof or windows, or it's time to redo the siding. Perhaps you'd like to add a pool or deck. No matter what the project, one of the most important things you'll decide early on is who will do the work.
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Just a few short years ago, success in the retail world was measured solely on sales at brick and mortar stores. Now online sales make up a significant portion of the bottom line for most businesses. Now it's easy for you too to jump on the bandwagon by learning how to become an eBay seller. More |
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If you think it may be time to upgrade your home's heating and/or cooling systems, the first step you'll need to take is to find a contractor who can dismantle your old system and install something new. Here's how to find a good one. More |
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The average American's credit score is 723. Having a high credit rating can give you better interest rates on credit cards, car loans and even your mortgage. It's important to know the top factors that affect your score and check your credit report for accuracy. More |
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The average American's credit score is 723. Having a high credit rating can give you better interest rates on credit cards, car loans and even your mortgage. It's important to know the top factors that affect your score and check your credit report for accuracy. More |
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The average American's credit score is 723. Having a high credit rating can give you better interest rates on credit cards, car loans and even your mortgage. It's important to know the top factors that affect your score and check your credit report for accuracy. More |
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There are a lot of numbers that are important in life, but none quite as influential as your credit score. Having a high credit rating can give you better interest rates on credit cards, car loans and even your mortgage. On the opposite side, a poor credit rating can make many aspects of living difficult. It's important to check your credit score to learn where you stand. Here's how. More |
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Almost anyone can see your personal credit history, and you would be surprised at how many people are looking at it. More |
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A career in early childhood education can be very rewarding. More |
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The average American's credit score is 723. Having a high credit rating can give you better interest rates on credit cards, car loans and even your mortgage. It's important to know the top factors that affect your score and check your credit report for accuracy. More |
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Life can be unpredictable. As you plan for the future, it's a good idea to have all your financial bases covered. One thing that can provide some peace of mind: a life insurance policy. More | | |
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We all know the importance of having an accurate credit report and a good credit score. Still, many of us have no idea what our credit score is, nor do many people know what is on their credit report. More |
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Now that spring has arrived, a lot of people are itching to get started on their home improvement projects. But where can you turn to find a good contractor? More |
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What's the best way to lower your heating bills this winter? Stop trying to squeeze a few more years out of that old, inefficient heating system you've been living with. More |
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Painting is one of the most popular home improvement projects you can undertake, but it can be more difficult than you might think. Whether you're planning an interior or exterior painting project, hiring a painting contractor will save a lot of time and energy in the long run. More |
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It starts to rain and you see the drip, drip, drip of water coming through your ceiling. But not all roof leaks are that obvious, so how do you tell if your roof is damaged and what do you do about it? More |
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Don't believe that spending money can actually save you money? When it comes to home improvement, investing in cost-effective upgrades can actually save you a bundle in the long-run. More |
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We all know the importance of having an accurate credit report and a good credit score. Still, many of us have no idea what our credit score is, nor do many people know what is on their credit report. Here's an easy way to find out. More |
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It's a bad time to be selling a house in many markets across the country. But if you just can't ride out the real estate downturn, and you must sell now, the right renovations can help you seal the deal - and get top dollar. More |
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If you think it may be time to upgrade your home's heating and/or cooling systems, the first step you'll need to take is to find a contractor who can dismantle your old system and install something new. Here's how to find a good one. More |
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When you walk into your kitchen, do you feel like you've stepped into a time machine? If so, it might be time for an update. Here's what you need to know to get started. More | | |
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Charter Communications - 3355 Walker Ave NW - Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Local: 616.647.3240 Toll-free: 1.800.968.4352
ComCast - 955 Century Avenue SW - Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Local: 616.452.9205 Toll-free: 1.800.COMCAST
Dish Network
Toll-free: 1.800.333.DISH
Direct Tv
Existing Service Toll-free: 1.800.494.4388 New Service Toll-free: 1.888.238.7177
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Consumers Energy - 4000 Clay Ave. SW - PO Box 201 - Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0201
Local: (616) 530-4364 Toll-free: (800) 477-5050 Fax: (616) 530-4297
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United States Postal Services
Toll-free: 1-800-ASK-USPS
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Michigan Consolidated Gas Company (DTE Energy) - 444 Wealthy St SW - Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Local: 616.454.2663 Toll-free: 1.800.477.4747
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Charter Communications - 3355 Walker Ave NW - Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Local: 616.647.3240 Toll-free: 1.800.968.4352
ComCast - 955 Century Avenue SW - Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Local: 616.452.9205 Toll-free: 1.800.COMCAST
SBC - 225 W. Randolph St. - Floor 27A - Chicago, IL 60606
Local: 616.776.9314 Toll-free: 1.800.244.4444
TDS Metrocom - 1575 Gezon Pkwy SW - Grand Rapids, MI 49509
Local: 616.406.1654 Toll-free: 1.877.METROCOM
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- Ada Township - (616) 676-9191
- Algoma Township - (616) 866-1583
- Browne Township - (616) 868-6846
- Byron Township - (616) 878-0660
- Caledonia Charter Township - (616) 891-0070
- Cannon Township - (616) 874-6966
- Casnovia - (616) 891-9384
- Courtland Township - (616) 866-0622
- Cedar Spring - (616) 696-1330
- East Grand Rapids - (616) 949-2110
- Gaines Charter Township - (616) 698-6640
- Georgetown Township, Jenison, & Hudsonville - (616) 457-2340
- Grand Rapids, Alpine Township, Cascade, & Walker - (616) 771-1200
- Grand Rapids Township - (616) 361-7391
- Grattan Township - (616) 691-8450
- Grandville - (616) 530-4973
- Kent City - (616) 678-7232
- Kentwood - (616) 554-0734
- Lowell - (616) 897-8457
- Lowell Township - (616) 897-7600
- Nelson Township - (616) 636-5332
- Oakfield Township - (616) 754-5679
- Plainfield Township - (616) 364-8466
- Rockford - (616) 866-1537
- Sand Lake - (616) 636-8854
- Solon Township - (616) 696-1718
- Sparta Township - (616) 877-8863
- Spencer Township - (616) 984-0035
- Tyrone Township - (616) 678-4779
- Vergennes Township - (616) 897-5671
- Wyoming - (616)530-7389
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Recycle/Refuse Collection
City of Grand Rapids Items available at select retail outlets City Carts:
Cart sizes:
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35-gallon................($30 per quarter)
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64-gallon............... ($40 per quarter)
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96-gallon................($50 per quarter)
The current price of refuse items are as follows:
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Refuse Bags (package of 10) $12.50
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Appliance Sticker (per appliance) $12.50
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Bulk Sticker (per bulk item) $6.50
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96 Gallon Cart - $27.50 each
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Yard Waste Cart Tag - $4.40 each
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96-gallon yard waste cart.
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One-time cost to purchase cart for City resident is $27.50.
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A Yellow Yard Waste Tag is required each time you put your cart out for collection.
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They will cost $4.40 and can be purchased at all regular City bag and tag sales outlets (stores, fire stations, etc.).
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Affordable Rubbish Removal - 3531 Buchanan Avenue SW - Grand Rapids, MI 49548
Phone: (616) 890-5376
Waste Management www.wm.com - Grand Rapids, MI 49509
Phone: (800) 538-3750
Serving West Michigan
Prices vary depending on location. Example: Jenison $12.00/mo Kentwood $21.65/mo
Recycling is $4.70/mo on average
**Ask about price matching. If you find a lower price they are pretty good about matching it.
North Kent Refuse - 228 N. Main, Cedar Springs - 616-696-4349 or toll free 877-696-4349
Serving Howard City, Greenville, Belding, Lakeview, and Trufant
Prices range from $12.50/mo with your own can to $16.00/mo with NKR 90 gallon can
Recycling is $5.00/mo
Sunset Waste www.sunsetwaste.com - 800-882-9565
Serving Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Allegan, Barry counties
Prices vary depending on location. Example: Allegan $9.00/mo Kentwood $17.50/mo
Recycling is $5.00/mo on average Demolition and One time Clean-Up**
Dan's Clean-up Service - 616-532-2252 (One time Clean-Ups)
West Michigan Waste Reduction - 616-791-6010 (Dumpster Service)
Domestic Clean Up Service - 616-532-8172 (Dumpster Service)
Gary's Pickup - 616-862-9959 (One time Clean-ups)
Melching Demolition & Dismantling - 616-452-7995
Walsh Construction - 616-458-7781 (Interior Demolition)
Pitsch - 616-363-4895 (One stop service for everything related to demolition and removal)
Greg Heitalia 616-812-7457 (Dumpster Service) **As always, get 2 or 3 bids for your project and get the details in writing
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