Author: Karen Gill

I work with Seniors as they determine where to live as empty nestors ... be it Downsizing, Rightsizing, Relocating, Condominium, Senior Living Community, Apartment. Whatever you choose, I help you take the first step. My designations include SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist), CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), CRP (Certified Relocation Specialist), GRI (Graduate Realtors Institute).

Superbowl Sunday Special _ Matthew Stafford’s Homes

Our Detroit Lions quarterback has moved on and many of us feel he is so deserving of a Super Bowl win. So, have you ever wondered where the Stafford’s live? After 16 months on the market, their 7,720-square-foot home in Bloomfield Hills sold in early September 2021 for $6 million. Right around the time he was traded to the West Coast, Stafford also closed a deal on a yet-to-be-built mansion in Hidden Hills, CA. For the proposed 15,000-square-foot home in the exclusive gated community, the quarterback shelled out a whopping $19.6 million.

$6 million Michigan home SOLD


While he awaits the completion of his massive residence, he made a much smaller purchase in the L.A. area last June. He paid $1.4 million for a more modest three-bedroom home in Woodland Hills, CA. Built in 1962, the single-story residence is just a couple of blocks from the gates of Hidden Hills. Perhaps it’ll be used as a guesthouse once the mansion is built.

He wasn’t done, either. Last August, Stafford also closed on a sale of his huge 10-bedroom mansion in Atlanta. Located in the city’s Buckhead neighborhood, the 8,657-square-foot home sold for $4.5 million. It represented yet another win for the QB—he had purchased the place for $3.85 million in June 2017.

Atlanta $4.5 million home SOLD

Thanks to Realtor.com for this article

Is Winter the new Spring in Real Estate?!?

Are you waiting for the “Spring Market” to sell your home? Think again! The Grand Rapids area has been a global relocation market for quite some time with corporate transfers coming and going from the East side of the state, other states, and from across either ocean. Ask any Human Resource Manager if they are furloughed in January, February and March and you will hear a resounding “NO” and an occasional “I WISH”. People still transfer because of their jobs, accept new career moves and positions, and retire during the Winter. Home inventory, already low, is even lower during the Winter so there are less homes to choose from, and viewing homes that are warm and cozy  allows potential buyers to get a real idea of what their home life could be like for them in any given home. As a seller you have less casual lookers and more serious buyers who mean business. Leave summer pictures on your kitchen counter from summertime with green lawns and beautiful flowers, because they obviously liked the looks of your home with the Winter pictures and this firms up their feelings with what is coming when the weather breaks.  We currently have a shortage of homes on the market, it’s a great time to get top dollar for your  home.  1,829 homes & condos were sold in January through March of last year. This means that they were shown and under contract during or shortly after the holiday season, in WINTER.

In The Kitchen_Black Forest Cake

One of my daughter’s favorites, I was in baking mode and she said I hadn’t made it in years!?! Sometimes I think that Covid has left us all in a time warp because I didn’t think it was THAT long ago. So after slaving away in the kitchen and producing what I thought was a great looking cake, my husband said he didn’t like cherries. Say WHAT?!? Then I found out that Alicia’s husband also doesn’t like cherries. Should I have known this, did I have a Senior Moment, or did I purposely tuck those facts away in the back of my mind. Doesn’t matter, more for Alicia and me.

INGREDIENTS TO HAVE ON HAND

1/2 cup melted unsalted butter 4 large eggs 1 cup whole milk 1 container snack Pack chocolate pudding, not the powder but premade. 1 box Devil’s Food Cake mix 1.5 cups cherry pie filling 2 cups whipped cream chocolate shavings (if desired) Full recipe is on my Pinterest page under Desserts www.Pinterest.com/KarenJasonGill

Try This Condo On For Size

I’ve had some seniors express interest in moving downtown and being where the action is. Restaurants, Broadway Grand Rapids, the Grand Rapids Symphony, all the downtown events, not to mention being close to the Medical Mile and great areas to walk downtown. You can have all this, a perfect sunset view and new construction! This condominium has almost 2,200 sq. ft. with elevated views over GR and the Grand River! It’s a roomy 3 bed 2.5 bath, kitchen, living, and laundry all on one floor with two stall garage. Flex space for an office or gym below. It has Quartz counters and backsplash, oak floors, heated tile, fireplace Jenn-Air appliance package, 9 ft ceiling with vault in the family and kitchen. Many more high end features! $657,000

Listing courtesy of Matthew Hall CopperRock Real Estate

Senior to Senior_ Retirement

I tried it once. I got bored, so I have it on my long-range plans to attempt it again in a few years. Meanwhile, I continue to multitask, selling homes, spending time with family & friends, personal time, traveling, reading, and on and on. So “how is real estate” I get asked almost every day. Our real estate market is bloodthirsty for inventory, aka houses to sell. So, right now my fellow seniors, you really should be asking yourselves if your current home is equipped for the YOU that you will be in 3-5 years or is it not suited to a senior lifestyle? My husband and I downsized awhile back, and honestly it was no picnic, but better to do it while you’re healthy and your limbs aren’t crying out to be replaced. The stairs to your main bedroom on the second floor could present you with challenges. And “downsizing” doesn’t mean you have to go “tiny house” unless you want to. My daughter gave me the best line when she stopped by to see our new house. She said “Mom, you didn’t downsize you just flattened out.” It’s true, we have the same amount of sq. ft. but it’s all on one floor, old age here we come! The second question you should ask is do you know what your present equity situation is in this market? If your answers are “no” to one or the other, let’s get together over a cuppa and chat about what your future lifestyle looks like for you. This could be the very best time to cash in that nest egg for cash in your pocket and a new chapter in your life.

January 2022

In updating and converting my blog it appears that I lost almost 2 years worth of posts. I like the new format however, and will attempt to recreate anything of importance. My New Year’s post will now become my Chinese New Year post, with blessings especially to my Asian friends.

YEAR OF THE TIGER

Ada Home on Acreage

Just prior to the Governor’s “Stay in Place” order because of the Corona virus, I had listed this gorgeous property on 13.5 acres. Just a short bike ride across the river from the village, once the order is lifted you can enjoy the restaurants, shops, grocery store or connect with all of the paved trails and take in the beauty of the area parks. Dogwood is designated a natural beauty road and this home sits high on a hill overlooking the adjacent 20 acres which is also for sale. If you have further questions, or would like additional information emailed to you, please feel free to contact me at 616.292.3712