Best of West Michigan: Sangrias

By Mark Deering | 12/20/2021

Sangrias are pretty simple to make, get a good white or red wine and then add a whole bunch of fruits. You can find thousands of recipes all over the internet, but where can you find the best ones in West Michigan? Some of our team went around town to taste some of our favorites!…

Your Home is Sold…Now What? | Dear Seller

By Mark Deering | 12/03/2021

We have a new series on our YouTube channel! This series walks sellers through the four steps from accepting an offer to the closing table. You may think the deal is done once you have an offer, but there are a few more steps to get through before you sign on the dotted line. The…

Best of West Michigan: Parks and Trails

By Mark Deering | 11/17/2021

We love getting outside and exploring the beauty and diversity of West Michigan and what better way to do that than at some of the hundreds of parks here! Below are just a few of our team favorites! These parks offer everything from scenic hiking trails, to bike paths, to playgrounds for the kids! Beth’s…

Top 9 Tips for Hosting Your Next Holiday Party

By Mark Deering | 11/15/2021

The holiday season is coming up, and with that time comes plenty of opportunities for you to get together with friends and family to enjoy each other. If it’s your turn to host one of the holiday get-togethers, you might begin to feel nervous as the season draws closer. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways…

The Perfect Date (and Time) – Tips for Viewing Homes

By Mark Deering | 10/16/2021

Buying a home involves a lot of decisions, such as making sure it is the right one before you sign on the dotted line. If you only view the property once, you might miss something that’s important. Many real estate agents suggest viewing a home at least twice before making an offer. During the first…

5 Sure Signs That It’s Time To Downsize

By Mark Deering | 10/15/2021

  Your home may be your castle, but you need to know when to pull up the drawbridge and seek new surroundings. Many people follow a familiar pattern when it comes to real estate – they scrimp and save to buy a starter home and then move on to larger and larger properties as they…

Be Ready for Closing Day!

By Mark Deering | 10/14/2021

Closing day is coming! You’ve gotten over the hurdle of inspections and appraisals. The date is on the calendar for you to sign the papers, now what? There are a few things that you can do to be ready for your closing day! Don’t sweat the paperwork! You may still get some emails from us…

Best of West Michigan: Apple Orchards

By Mark Deering | 10/07/2021

It’s apple orchard season and the greater Grand Rapids area has dozens of them! Whether you are looking for a classic apple orchard experience, or something different, you’ll find something for everyone! Below are some of our favorite orchards around! Jessica’s Pick: Schwallier’s Country Basket has been our family’s favorite orchard for many years!  They…

Best CrossFit Gym in West Michigan-CrossFit Allendale

By Kevin Ahrens | 09/22/2021

Whether you are looking to get in better shape or have just moved to the area and need a home CrossFit gym, CrossFit Allendale is one of the best! The facilities are top-notch and the community is so supportive! Our own Kevin Ahrens has been a member there for several years and absolutely loves it!…

Why You Should Do a 24 Hour Walkthrough

By Mark Deering | 09/16/2021

You’ve spent weeks or months finding your perfect home, gone through inspections and are on your way to the closing table. We want to make sure that your investment is in the condition we’ve agreed upon in the purchase agreement. This is why we always recommend doing a 24 hour walkthrough before going to the…

Use a Pro to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

By Mark Deering | 09/15/2021

There are always things to do in order to get your home ready to put on the market. Some are large ticket items, some small, and some may not be necessary at all. It takes a pair of skilled eyes to help you separate the must-do from the don’t-bother. An experienced, savvy real estate agent…

Is There a Perfect Time to Sell Your Home?

By Mark Deering | 09/08/2021

Deciding when to sell your home depends on a number of factors, but the biggest one is need. We know you are always looking for a deal and wanting to make the most profit on your home possible, but most times need outweighs timing. Even if the market timing doesn’t seem perfect, we can still…