Step into a world of sophistication with this exceptional 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath condo in the coveted Inglenook neighborhood. Detached living (no shared walls) and quality finishes, from solid wood doors, hardwood floors, and Anderson windows, provide a home that not only captures the eye but also stands the test of time. Functional elegance defines the main floor, which offers a great room with a welcoming fireplace and a thoughtfully designed kitchen. The main floor also features an office/den, an owner’s bedroom with a private bath, and laundry. The lower level, bathed in daylight, is an inviting space for guests, offering two bedrooms, a full bath, and gathering room. Two-car attached garage. Located on Forest Hills Trails, a 50-mile walking/bike path. listing courtesy of Cheryl Grant RE/MAX of Grand Rapids
There are condominiums available in the Grand Rapids Metro area ranging from $100,000 to over $1,000,000. Depending on your needs and your budget this could be a great option if you want to leave exterior maintenance behind you and live in a community with like minded neighbors. Some offer amenities such as swimming pools, community centers, walking paths and exercise facilities with their association fees.
There are all types of architectural styles. Top left is a 2 bedroom 1 bath condo in a manageable 1,050 sq. ft. setting. Priced in the $150’s it’s a good alternative to apartment living in that you still own your own home.
Top right is a totally different choice of lifestyles. It’s for social people who would love to live where things are happening downtown. Walk to restaurants, Broadway Grand Rapids, events in DeVos Center, concerts in VanAndle Arena and museums. This particular condo has 1 bedroom and 1 bath and under 1,000 sq. ft. and priced in the $250’s.
The one in the middle on the right is new construction, townhome style in the suburbs with 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and over 1,500 sq ft. It has an attached 2 stall garage. It may not be your choice if aging in place is your top concern, since bedrooms are upstairs, but a great choice for newly empty nesters that travel and don’t want to worry about a home while they are away. Prices starting in the mid $320’s
Finally, the lower home is a stand alone condo, which is much like single family living without exterior maintenance. This is a popular option for many of my senior clients. They like the idea of their own home, with neighbors in the vicinity to form friendships with, and still have beautiful landscaping that they don’t have to be concerned about. This particular home is $414,900 with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths in an open floor plan with a 4 season room for gatherings. The lower level is unfinished so if you frequestly entertain family that stay overnight, you can finish that so that they have their privacy, but all of your living is on the main floor.
Located in a really convenient location in Grand Rapids NW side, just off the expressway with restaurants, LMCU baseball, shopping just minutes away there is a beautiful condo development. The main floor has about 1,500 sq. ft. depending on model, 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths and laundry area. If you want room for guests there you have additional space on the daylight or walk out level. Prices are in the high $300’s to mid $400’s depending on choices. Monthly association fees as of this date are $250.
Trillium Glen Condominiums
My Friend & Client Lynn moved here, into her new condo at the end of last year in time for the holidays. She moved from a ranch style home but her laundry was in the lower level and she had a pool. She wanted a condo where outdoor maintenance was done for her and she had everything she needed on one floor. Her biggest bonus? She has walk in closets and doesn’t have to move seasonal clothes around anymore. Love this, and congratulations again Lynn!!
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
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!
As a Realtor, driving through the snow and showing homes in the winter can occasionally be a challenge in Grand Rapids. When one of my lifetime clients considered purchasing a summer home on Mackinac Island I was up for the task. What I discovered though, was that this trip would be one of the most memorable times of showing homes of my career. Northern MI Realtors have more fortitude and can have way more fun!
The adventure began with a 4 hour drive north, stopping at a favorite stop in Cadillac, Clam Lake Beer Company for lunch. I highly recommend them for their extensive menu, great food, and of course spirits and craft beer. Crossing the majestic Mackinac Bridge at night was a first for me. At 5 miles in length, it’s the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere! For the feint of heart, they have vehicle escort service across the bridge.
Then it’s rise and shine at 6:30 to catch the 8:00 Star Line Mackinac Ferry to the island. The usual 20 minute summer ride can take more than twice that long as the boat cuts through the ice. Meanwhile, we are toasty warm inside the boat with an occasional sneak outside to photograph and video.
winter taxi
Upon our arrival, the docks were busy with construction workers unloading lumber and supplies as this is the season for hotels and shop owners to get their projects done before tourist season. We saw windows being replaced, front porches partitioned off in plastic while buildings were undergoing a facelift. Our hotel was the only one open this weekend, and we were very happy with the accommodations at the Pontiac Lodge. There was one restaurant open, Cawthorne’s Village Inn (same ownership as the Grand Hotel) where Planked Whitefish is a favorite. I especially liked that they had the Grand Pecan Roll, a fudgy ice cream classic featured at the Grand Hotel.
The Mustang Lounge was our alternate choice that was open for food and drink. Our server/bartender Miranda made a great Cosmo, instantly adding her to my friend list. They also serve breakfast, lunch and appetizers. Except for historic Doud’s Market which has been servicing the island with groceries since 1884, all of the other stores and eateries were in hibernation and the street was filled with parked snowmobiles and the occasional horse drawn island taxi. Our host, and listing agent for our home tour was Billy Borst from Mackinac Island Realty. My client, Cindy, rode shotgun behind Billy and I scored the sled and off we sped through the snow covered streets, up and down hills to view available inventory and see some pretty exciting scenery. Showing homes by snowmobile was a first for me!
We also did a lot of on foot touring that day. From Mission Point Resort through Main Street to the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Hotel The sky was blue and even in the crisp afternoon the sight of the Grand Hotel closed for the season sparked memories of Jack Nicholson and the movie “The Shining” but there was no sign of the 2 little girls or boy in the hall or voices of “redrum”. Imagination run wild!!!
Grand Hotel closed for the winter
In the evening we joined my daughter, Alicia and her partner Thomas for a twilight cross country ski trail lined with lanterns. Beautiful groomed trails took us past the Arch Rock and Sugar Loaf rock formations and ended at a bonfire complete with hot chocolate.
Twilight XCountry Trail
Arch Rock
Following a fabulous meal and a good nights rest, we were back out in the morning to take a taxi to the airport. The ferry doesn’t run on Sunday’s in the winter, so taking a small plane to the mainland was our only option. I don’t mind saying I was slightly terrified. William, the pilot, assured me that he had 15 years of flying experience so Cindy and I along with our 2 other flying companions hopped in the plane, me in the co pilots seat. It’s a 5 minute plane ride from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace and the views of the Mackinac Bridge were fabulous. I found myself disappointed that the ride was over so soon. As I left the island after our winter view, I am now anxiously awaiting my return trip for our closing on Cindy’s new condo at the end of April. Then, of course there is always the Lilac Festival, Fourth of July, the Labor Day walk across the bridge, etc. etc. ………..
flying over the Mackinac Bridge
Mackinac Island Air transportation to St. Ignace
with Alicia VanHeulen, Thomas Birks, Cindy Idema & me, Karen Gill
Ada Moorings is comprised of 230 single family homes and condominiums and offers a lifestyle unlike most with a walkable community built around 200 acres of scenic trails and private nature preserves. Imagine peaceful morning walks via the community trails to the Grand River boat launch for kayaking, canoeing or watching your favorite Forest Hills high school team rowing in unison while they practice for regatta’s. Walk to Ada Park to watch your kids play soccer, enjoy the playground with your toddlers, picnic with your entire family , play tennis or join an adult softball league. Take a bit longer stroll or a bike ride past the covered bridge or into the charming village of Ada where there are delightful shops, salons, a spa, coffee shop, several restaurants including Schnitz Deli, Vitalie’s Italian, Zeytin’s Turkish, and more. A favorite for dessert is Spoonlicker’s frozen yogurt shop. With the newly designed village underway it is a scene out of a Norman Rockwell Christmas print. Located in Forest Hill’s Central schools, or attend the full Spanish or Chinese language immersion schools.
