Category: Crystal Springs

Showing Houses …

Well here comes the headline straight from Houzz. [Transitional becomes the No. 1 style as farmhouse loses steam] This according to the U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study.

Once again West Michigan, we are on the end of a trend that has taken off in our area. I love the farmhouse look, I see elements of it everyday as I show houses, be it the big sink in the kitchen or the signs over the walls telling us to GATHER in the dining room or the ones that let us know where our LAUNDRY and PANTRY’s are.

Farmhouse decor

So now, homeowners remodeling their master bathrooms are selecting natural and neutral colors to compliment their TRANSITIONAL, contemporary and modern style spaces, according to this new Houzz data. And farmhouse style, which had risen in popularity in master bathroom upgrades in recent years, has now declined. While you’re planning that master bathroom remodel, know that 21% are choosing a transitional style. What is Transitional? Transitional blends the classic elements of a traditional look with the clean lines and subtle color palette of contemporary style.

Photo by Moore House Interiors, LLC – More bathroom ideas

White is the most popular color for upgraded master bathroom vanities, and shades of gray for walls, wood elements on the walls themselves and heavier framing on the mirrors. White countertops is the No. 1 pick at 46% A white bathroom looks clean, crisp and bright. Add some natural wood elements into the design, and suddenly the space feels warmer and more inviting.

Meanwhile, vinyl/resilient flooring and engineered wood are on the rise, with their stats capturing a combined 10% of upgraded floors in 2019, compared with 6% in 2017. I think our area may be higher than that, with ceramic starting to take a backseat. These floors are beautiful, water resistant if not waterproof, and they are warmer on the feet on cold winter days.

1989 Bathroom 2019 Makeover
Cabinet Color Sherwin Williams Gray Shingle
Walls Sherwin Williams Cream Puff
Flooring Mannington Adura Max
Cape Shell

Meet Anna Grgurich, Photographer

Our featured Crystal Springs business is Anna Grgurich.  Anna is a photographer who enjoys every aspect of her work. She has had a passion for photography for as long as she can remember. As a          child, she was delighted in how a moment could be captured through the lens of a camera, and how time stands still within the frame of a photograph. Now she has the joy of bringing that same happiness to others. She photographs newborns, children, seniors, maternity, engagements, weddings, family portraits, as well as sports, recreational, and landscape photography. These are some of the questions I asked her and her response.

It’s High School Senior Picture time, is that one of your areas of expertise? Do you have an in-home studio or some special areas where you like to go, and what is your turn around time? I LOVE senior photos! I’m an advocate for natural light photography, and will travel anywhere within a 30 mile radius for photos (further with an added fee). I also have a studio space that I rent out for those that desire indoor photos. The studio space is in an old warehouse building with so much character! I usually try and have photos edited and released to my clients within 2-4 weeks, if not earlier.

How much lead time do you need for bookings and how do our neighbors get ahold of you?
I can be reached through my Facebook page Anna Grgurich Photography or my Instagram page @agrgurich.photography Depending on my availability, I can book photo sessions within just a few days of being contacted. I try to remain as flexible as possible for my clients because I know how busy all of our schedules can be.

Do you offer special promotions? I run several different promos throughout the year, but I am currently offering a 10% discount on all photo sessions for Crystal Springs residents.

Anything else you’d like to share? I look forward to working with everyone who is in need of photos! I try to make all of my photo sessions as enjoyable as possible for all of my clients, and want to make sure they are satisfied with their photos.

So now you have a “LOCAL FIRST” source to go to for any of your photography needs. Think of Anna for your family photos and support your neighborhood business. Cheers!!

 

 

February is the Month of Love

It’s February and Valentine’s Day will be here soon. I’ve been watching online and saw that some businesses have been promoting #LoveWeek (Feb 11-17) and thought maybe it’s time that all of us inserted a whole lot of love into our neighborhood. This hit me because I read a post on NextDoor where one of our neighbors said people don’t wave or speak to each other, nor do we have community events or block parties. That made me sad and made me think maybe it’s time we let our neighbors know how much we appreciate them, value their friendship, and wish them the very best. Of course, I let this gentleman know about our Facebook page and how we are sharing stories about our neighbors, their pets, and local events. How we have started organizing some activities; Wednesday before Thanksgiving at FireRock Grille, our Halloween “Boo Bags”, and are in the planning stages of an annual Easter Egg hunt and mid-Winter Progressive Dinner. Neighbors can pick and choose to join in or pass. But I digress …

So, what is #LoveWeek that these businesses are promoting? Everyone in the work place that is interested throws their name into a hat, and everyone picks a name. The name you draw is your Human, which makes you their Secret Angel, corny but kind of cool. Your duty as a Secret Angel is to show love and appreciation for your Human throughout Love Week in creative, mysterious, and secretive ways. But what if we become the FIRST NEIGHBORHOOD to join in this phenomenon. We have well over 700 homes in Crystal Springs, and although I own several hats, the logistics of putting names in hats may be a bit overwhelming to start. But what if all of us look around and think about a neighbor that needs a little attention? You don’t have to spend a crazy amount of money to show kindness and appreciation. Be creative and buy, or better yet, make them a card, bake a loaf of banana bread, or take flowers to them, maybe take them out for a cup of coffee, a movie, and if you have an elderly or disabled neighbor, what if you showed up and shoveled or salted their walk to the house for the rest of the winter or brought them dinner? Kindness comes in many packages. Make someone smile and share your story with us. You don’t have to use their names but let’s make this an annual “event” that can grow from Fountain View Villas, to The Heathers, The Greens, The Village, and to the West side of Kalamazoo. Here is a video of one such company who started #LoveWeek to give you some ideas on what you could do. Happy Valentine’s Day Crystal Springs!

What is the draw to living on a golf course, what’s the attraction, and is it for you? 

While getting our marketing off the ground at our newest listing at Boulder Creek Golf Club, we decided to spend some time at a few golf front housing communities and check them out. We have been blessed to have sold 5 other homes with golf frontage within the last 6 months so we’re feeling rather “golfy” these days. So for this trip we visited the East end of the city starting by our new listing at 6207 Boulder Ridge Dr., located just minutes to Knapps Corner at the NE corner of the city. Homes currently range from $300,000-$563,500. with frontage on Boulder Creek Golf Club. We took some time to have lunch at the clubhouse, and were offered excellent service, great food, and pleasant surroundings. It is rated 5 stars on “The Knot” for receptions of all kinds and has many golf outings throughout the year.

 

Boulder Ridge
6207 Boulder Ridge

Boulder Ridge_course
Views at Boulder Creek Golf Course

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stop #2 was Thousand Oaks Golf . Homes in this community are currently $425,000-$699,000, in gorgeous wooded settings and a choice of single family homes or stand along condominiums to choose from. Thousand Oaks Golf is part of the Watermark group of 4 courses where membership allows you to golf and access on any of the courses.

Onward to Watermark Country Club, a gated community of single family homes and condominiums with recent activity ranging from $350,000 to over $1,000,000.00. This community has a pool, a fantastic restaurant named Cork which has one of the largest wine lists in the areas. And FYI, all of the Watermark group of courses have different levels of membership, but the restaurants are open to the public with a members area.

A Watermark Home
A Watermark Home

 

Of course, we ended our afternoon at Stonewater Country Club , the corporate headquarters of 2RealEstateAgentsAndACity.com. Robbie lives at the 12th Tee and I’m at the 12th green. Lately home price’s have ranged from $705,000 to more affordable condominiums starting at $185,000. What we love most about living in Crystal Springs on the golf course is we feel a very strong sense of community. The social aspects of club membership, golf leagues, fun couples and food events that Stonewater  offers all really add to community. My favorite thing was unexpected……it’s watching all the kids riding their bikes to the pool, the golf carts buzzing down the streets like dinghy’s riding around the boats at the marina’s. It’s also so nice to look out your windows at the vast expanse of green grass….. and if you’re lucky enough to have a pond it’s a bonus. Or as Sherry, one of our neighbors put it, ” What I love most about living on the golf course is the beauty – sitting out in the evening with a cocktail in my hand,  watching the wildlife, enjoying the calmness and tranquility of the ponds I can see from my beautiful deck, a course that is always well maintained – just a beautiful place to be”.

So far we have 3 more golf front homes slated to be listed this year, so if you’re looking to buy or looking to sell your golf course home, please contact Karen (292.3712) or Robbie (299.0149) We’d love you to entrust your golf course home to us !

“Life on the Course” July

What a great summer to be at Stonewater Country Club at the pool. Click on the link below to see the July issue. Past issues are located under the Crystal Springs Category on the left. For all of your Crystal Springs real estate needs call Karen Gill or Robbie Bosch. We are 2RealEstateAgentsAndACity.com  Crystal Springs_2016 7 July