Steve Witte Realtor

10/18/2021

Don't forget to check out this charming and meticulously maintained 3 Bed, 1.5 bath Grandville Ranch with updated interior, large fenced-in yard, composite deck, quartz countertops, etc... Offer deadline this Friday .

Come see this move-in ready fully updated 3 bed 1.5 bath Grandville ranch! You are assured to love the features of this house that includes a large fully fenced-in back yard (2020), new Trex deck (2020), updated appliances (2018), quartz kitchen countertops, finished basement with an office space, f...

10/02/2021

Just listed today, 4 bed 3.5 bath in Walker!

Come see this move-in ready 4 bedroom 3.5 bath home located in the City of Walker! This home has been meticulously maintained by the owners and you are assured to love the amazing features. You'll really enjoy the outdoor space that includes a vine-covered pergola that is sure to be a talking point....

04/10/2019

Check out this new listing! 2 Bed, 2 Bath condo in Caledonia. Featured highlights: Open kitchen/dining/living room floor plan, large master suite, covered porch, fireplace, one and half stall garage, and more. Amenities include an outdoor pool, fitness area, and clubhouse. Feel free to call or email me with with questions! 231-330-5001, [email protected].

Come visit this beautiful 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo! Located on the 3rd floor with elegant cathedral style ceilings! You will fall in love with the open concept floor plan, perfect for entertaining guests. Open kitchen, dining, and living room with a gas fire place. Enjoy a large master suite with wal...

03/15/2019

Lumber Liquidators to pay more than 6 million dollars to settle with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for fraud. I'd recommend checking into your flooring if you purchased it through Lumber Liquidators as it may not have passed formaldehyde emission standards. Their practices did not comply with regulatory requirements. See SEC press release below:

Press Release SEC Charges Lumber Liquidators With Fraud FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2019-29 Washington D.C., March 12, 2019 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced charges against Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc. for making fraudulent misstatements to investors.  The charges stem from ...

03/12/2019

6 of my favorite "go-to" restaurant spots in the Grand Rapids area:

-Stella's Lounge
-Terra
-Lindo Mexico
-Brick and Porter
-Big O' Pizza
-Downtown Market (collection of restaurants)

This may not be the top 6, but some solid spots to add to your list! Anyone else have some favorite "go-to" spots?

03/04/2019

Home buying is still tough! Buyers should ask their bank or realtor how an appraisal could influence their ability to purchase a home. You may offer well over the listing price, but this does not always mean a seller will be so keen to your offer if they do not believe their house can appraise. The bank may also stop you in your tracks if you do not account for an unfavorable appraisal: Check out this article from Realtor.com for more info and feel free to ask me how you can use this information to your advantage within your offers:

https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/appraisals-buy-home/

The home appraisal process is just a formality, right? You've found the house you love and put in an offer, which was accepted! But don't celebrate yet.

08/01/2018

A little Grand Rapids Housing Market statistic drop, specifically Kent County:

Comparing the month of June from 2017 to 2018

-June 2017 New Listings in Kent County: 1,286
-June 2018 New Listings in Kent County: 1,274

From June 2017 to June 2017: -.9% (a slight decrease)

June 2018 months of inventory available = 1.2 months. This means that should no new houses come on the market, the current inventory would last 1.2 months before being depleted (low inventory).

The summer did kick off to another seller's market and it is quite evident if you are looking for or selling a house right now. Basic economics principle, low supply and high demand causes prices to go up. I'd encourage Buyers to prepare to put forth significant effort in the current market (bidding wars). Sellers, I'd encourage you to ask your Real Estate Agent how they intend to create value to you as housing priced right can sell very quickly with little effort. I'd also encourage For Sale By Owner sellers to consider whether you can create the same amount of traffic and sales price that exposure to the Real Estate Agent network could bring. There are strategies to selling your house and you will want the one that best fits your situation regardless of whether you sell on your own or go through an agent.

How are mortgage rates right now? Rates have slightly climbed in 2018.

U.S. Avg. 30 year rate on Jan. 4, 2018 = 3.95%
U.S. Avg. 30 year rate on July 19, 2018 = 4.52%

Sources:
Kent County statistics via grar.com (Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS®)
Mortgage rates via https://ycharts.com/indicators/30_year_mortgage_rate

07/04/2018

Happy Independence Day! Be safe out there!

06/25/2018

Walked through plenty of houses to notice various cover ups of damage. Check out this article from Realtor.com to help identify when someone is hiding damage in a house!

https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/whats-hiding-perfectly-staged-house/

A staged home can accentuate a property's best features, but it can also be used to hide trouble spots. Here's what to look out for on open house visits.

06/22/2018

I'm looking to bring any potential buyers through this 4 bed, 2 bath, move in ready Grandville house! Finished basement, outdoor pool, and even 1/2 acre yard. Great home in the popular Grandville area. I just bought in this area and happy to say we could be neighbors 😁. This won't last long (nothing does right now), schedule a showing with me this weekend!

Click Groot Let's get this house a buyer 😎

https://www.flexmls.com/share/1Z8uN/3679YellowstoneDriveSWGrandvilleMI49418

Listing Agent: Philip H Ribbens
Listing Office: RE/MAX

4 bedroom, 2 full bath brick ranch in Grandville. The home features a year round sunroom that overlooks the pool and the large ½ acre yard. The basement is finished with a family room, bath and the 4th bedroom. Attached garage.The pool is 13 x 27 and 8' deep. Great location convenient to school, sh...

06/20/2018

Some houses seem to good to be true, what are some of the things you have backed out of a sale from? Check out these scenarios:

When buyers make an offer on a home, they're usually hoping this is it. But sometimes the home buyer walks away from the deal. Here's why.