Robert L. Brown~Grand Rapids Real Estate's Blog

Is a Fixer-Upper Right For You? When the markets skew in the favor of sellers, buyers looking for homes will often look for any way to save money on their purchase. When you don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity regarding neighborhood, school system, land acreage or amenities; homes needi...

Home Buyers- Avoid Closing Surprises!There are few things more exciting than closing on a new home. Signing your name on the dotted line comes with the promise of a fresh start, the hope for good new neighbors, and the chance to (really) stick to your cleaning schedule this time! In the whirlwind...

Home Sellers- How Can You Avoid Surprises at the Closing Table?I don’t know about you, but I have heard my fair share of horror stories from the closing table. There was the time that all of the appliances that were coming along with the home sale were conveniently “stolen” the day of the closing...

How Much is TOO Much When Customizing Your Home?There is a reason why the phrases exist- “there’s no place like home” and “home is where the heart is.” We all want to feel like our living spaces are uniquely ours, suited to our specific lifestyles, tastes, and preferences; even if in small ways. ...

Are You On Autopilot?Many times, when people experience loss or tragedies occur, it is said that life is “put into perspective.” The monotony of the day-to-day is broken by grief and sadness, and even anger and regret. These emotions can often cause a strong desire to break out of the mold of the...

Is Metro Grand Rapids Still a Seller’s Market?It has been said that it is the perception of a situation that holds greater value in the marketplace- especially to those with no direct connection to the person, place or event. This holds especially true when considering the way that trends move an...

Know Your Audience!Effective communication is an essential piece of any good relationship, no matter what kind of relationship it is. People with whom we interact at home, at the office, at school, at church, or anywhere else have different personalities, motivations, goals, etc.; but we must lea...

Do You Have a Healthy Relationship…With Yourself???I hope that question gave you pause for a moment. We live in a world where “busy-ness” is a badge of honor. Exhaustion shows that you care, right? You’re not a good parent or a good business owner or a good anything if the activity doesn’t leave ...

The BEST of Our Competition In any industry, the long-term reputation and public perception of those who work in it is determined by the actions of the entire group (just ask an ethical lawyer!) As much as we would love to be able to serve the needs of all sellers and buyers in West Michigan on o...

Tips for First-Time Buyers- The Home InspectionBuying your first home brings a whole slew of new experiences into your life. Before this purchase, you likely have had limited experience with home insurance, taxes, appraisals, title insurance, or complex real estate contracts- just like the overwh...