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One of the biggest decisions a person will make in life is determining where to settle down and purchase a home. As this can be a difficult decision, we’re here to help by providing insight on why you should choose Grand Rapids, as well as offer a few tips on the home buying process!

Why Grand Rapids?

If the abundance of activities and events, ranging from the music and arts to the expansive food scene weren’t enough, reports have shown that Grand Rapids is one of the fastest growing economies in the nation. What does this mean for you? Whether you’re looking to start your career or continue prospering in your current field, Grand Rapids is full of opportunity. Here’s a fun fact: 91 percent of Grand Rapids commuters drive to work, and studies have shown that the average commute time is just 21.8 minutes, which is 4.8 minutes faster than the national average! Kentwood was even voted in the nation’s “Top 10 hottest ZIP codes,” proving to have higher employment rates and average incomes vs. the national average.

Earlier this year, Grand Rapids ranked #3 in the best cities for first-time homebuyers, where homebuyers were shown to have lower down payments. Grand Rapids also proved itself to be the best place to be an FHA borrower (59 percent of homebuyers in Grand Rapids qualified with less than prime credit ratings, according to FHA statistics through a LendingTree survey).

In addition, Grand Rapids is full of culture and experiences. The music scene has grown immensely, drawing in a wide range of top performing artists, as well as a variety of local talent. Grand Rapids is also home to ArtPrize, an international art competition that expands throughout the city with innovative art exhibits, both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, if you enjoy the symphony or museums, downtown is home to the Gerald R. Ford Museum, the GRAM, the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Grand Rapids Symphony. If you’re looking for something to do outside of downtown, the John Ball Zoo and Meijer Gardens offer beautiful and fun options to visit and explore. If you’re into sports, GR is home to the Griffins hockey team, Whitecaps baseball and the Drive basketball team.

Not to mention, Grand Rapids was voted “Beer City USA,” so if you’re a craft beer lover, you’ll love brewery hopping around the city. There is also a wide variety of restaurants, offering a range of different cuisines that are both, unique and delicious!

We could go on (and on) about the various activities and events offered, as there are various outdoor activities as well and you won’t want to miss out on summer trips to the beaches on Lake Michigan! But for now, let’s take a look at some helpful tips to consider when buying a home.

What should you consider when buying a home?

There are numerous factors to consider when purchasing a home, including (but not limited to): location/neighborhood, whether to build or buy an existing property, future growth, school district, safety/crime stats, single-family home vs. condo or townhouse, as well as affordability.

With these factors in mind, it’s essential that you choose the right agent, and that’s where GreenSquare Properties can help! Our agents are extremely knowledgeable in the Grand Rapids area and will assist you in making confident decisions that stay within your budget.

Our agents can help you look at various neighborhoods and determine which is right for you. It’s important to look at the location in terms of nearest hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores and any other amenities that will be important to you (and regularly used). Additionally, the school district will not only be important if you’re raising a family, but also due to its affect on the home’s value.

If you’re willing to sacrifice space and have a few extra amenities (and don’t mind paying a homeowners association fee) a condo or townhouse could be the right option instead of a single-family home. On the other hand, maybe you are adamant about finding the right house, but you aren’t sure whether to build or buy an existing property. Fear not! Our agents at GreenSquare Properties can guide you in the right direction in determining the pros and cons of your options. We value our clients and ensure that they get the closest option to what they’re looking for and in the price range that they’re most comfortable with. After all, just because you’re approved for a specific loan amount, does not mean you want to max out your budget!

We can’t express enough the importance of having a good (no, great!) agent to help guide you through the home buying process. We strive to simplify what can often be a difficult decision, and we hope that you choose GreenSquare Properties to help you find your dream home!

Sources:

http://realestate.mlive.com/realestate-news/2018/02/grand_rapids_ranked_no_3_in_us.html

https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2018/02/16/first-time-buyers-may-have-it-easiest-here

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/09/26/hottest-housing-markets-u-s/1425665002/

https://www.rightplace.org/blog/city-of-grand-rapids-named-one-of-fastest-growing-economies

https://www.meetingstoday.com/magazines/article-details/articleid/29329/title/grand-rapids-is-flush-with-culture-and-activities

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/tips-for-first-time-home-buyers