10 Best Cities to Raise a Family

Choosing the best place to raise your kids can be daunting. You need great schools, plenty of libraries and playgrounds, and safe, family-friendly neighborhoods, all of which can come at a cost to parents. 

Luckily, MSN Real Estate took a two-step approach to come up with a list of the best cities to raise kids. First, they looked for metropolitan areas with high household incomes relative to living costs, a large percentage of families with children under 18, and low crime rates. They didn't look for the cheapest places to live, but rather places where earning potential is more than adequate to cover a family's expenses. 

Then, they honed in on a specific city within each of their top 10 metro areas that's well-suited to raising kids based on educational factors (spending per student and the quality of local school districts) as well as fun factors (availability of public parks, playgrounds, and libraries.) They also looked at each city's average income for families- as opposed to median income for all households- to give a realistic sense of how much it can cost a family to live in a place with so many kid-centric benefits. 

The results can be seen by clicking the link below, but, first, scroll down to read more about #5 on the list: East Grand Rapids, MI! If you are someone you know are looking to buy a home in the area, call us today at (616) 206-9667 to further discuss your real estate needs. We'd love to help find you the perfect home for you and your family!

http://realestate.msn.com/10-best-cities-to-raise-a-family#1

5. East Grand Rapids, Mich.

Population: 10,694

Average family income: $142,329

Percentage of families with children: 44.1%

Metro-area spending per student: $5,748

Public playgrounds: 8

Great schools are a big draw in East Grand Rapids. The public system has earned top rankings from the state, the College Board and the educational nonprofit GreatSchools.org for its high exam scores and focus on advanced classes. Grand Rapids' upscale neighbor isn't a bad place to make a living, either. The average family income is substantially higher than the national average, and the fat paychecks seem even fatter thanks to western Michigan's ultralow living costs.

Families will find big yards and friendly neighbors on the tree-lined streets around Reeds Lake, the popular park near the city's center. There's even more family-friendly stuff to do outside of town. Grand Rapids is home to a zoo and a children's museum, and the Lake Michigan shoreline lies a mere 30 minutes away.

Call us with all of your Real Estate Needs!
Northouse Realty Group (616) 206-9667
Jeff Northouse - REALTOR
Christine Lassa - Marketing Director
www.grhomelink.com 
Brokered by Five Star Real Estate (616) 257-1500

Homes of teen idols - MSN Real Estate

Check out this link with pics and info of teen star's homes... this picture below is the "humble abode" of Miley Cyrus. I mean, seriously... isn't she like 18?!

Homes of teen idols - MSN Real Estate

Call us with all of your Real Estate Needs!
Northouse Realty Group (616) 206-9667
Jeff Northouse - REALTOR
Christine Lassa - Marketing Director
www.grhomelink.com
Brokered by Five Star Real Estate (616) 257-1500

Restaurant Week GR!

Restaurant Week GR 2012 started August 15th, but it's not too late to take part in the event! Until August 25th, over 60 restaurants will be taking part in the event, so get your plans in place (yes, we meant "plans"...plural... it's a great deal, so give your stove a break and enjoy a few nights out!)

Fresh local products will be used in creative 3-course dinner menus priced at $25 per person, and at some restaurants, 2 people for $25.

Back for a third season, this year’s event brings the area’s most talked about venues and creative chefs together for a celebration of locally-grown food, friendship and the fine art of dining out. Tables fill fast, so book your seats soon!

There are over 60 incredible restaurants participating this year. Among some of the most anticipated here at Northouse Realty Group are listed below, along with their Restaurant Week menus!

Cygnus 27
Course One

Togarashi Crusted Pelican Ranch Beef Carpaccio
On a mirror of wasabi mustard and toasted focaccia bread

Sambal Nanas and Lime Cheese
Chili marinated cucumber with local buffalo mozzarella in lime juice

Lake Michigan Whitefish Sticks
Asian style potato salad

Course Two

Lake Michigan Salmon "Misoyaki" Style

The Local Epicurean Thia basil and lemongrass pasta

Deconstructed "Chicken Cordon Bleu"
Sobie Meats grilled teriyaki chicken breast, grilled ham and cheese on The Village Baker's (Spring Lake) Sourdough, Sambal Kejap

Char Sao Pork T-Bone Steak
Asian barbequed Sobie Meats pork, Michigan cherry nam prik sauce, Korean style stir-fried farmer's market vegetables

Course Three

Trio of Desserts

Mangiamo!
Course One

Golden Beet Carpaccio
Frisee, radicchio, baby arugula, raspberries, orange, goat cheese, pine nuts, beet vinaigrette

Grilled Summer Vegetable Terrine
Ricotta, pecans, toast points

Spiced Heirloom Tomato Soup
Buttermilk bread crostini, basil cream

Course Two

Slow Roasted Valley View Farms Pork Loin
Slow roasted over baby fingerling yam, black currant chutney, caramelized shallots, black mission figs, butternut squash coulis

Mediterranean Paella
Scallops, shrimp, Spanish chorizo, artichoke, roasted garlic, farm bell peppers, roasted tomato, saffron almond rice

Grilled Mahi Mahi
Walnut arugula pesto, pan seared rainbow chard, grilled heirloom tomatoes

Course Three

Torta al Cioccolato

Gelatina di Frutta e Moscato

White Chocolate Raspberry Tiramisu
Espresso chocolate, crème anglaise, strawberry flower

Reserve Wine & Food

Course One

Pate Maison w/ pickled red onions, mustard, & cornichon

Or

Heirloom tomatoes w/ house made mozzarella curd, tomato gelee, & mint

Course Two

Parisienne gnocchi w/ cherry tomato, confit leek, shaved fennel, dill flower, Midnight Moon cheese
Or
Gunthorp Farms pork chop w/ roasted peaches, rosemary oil, wild watercress

Course Three

Fruit salad w/ crème fraiche, sweet corn cake
Or
Faygo Trio: gum drop, float, icee

six.one.six
Course One

smoked heirloom tomato soup, grassfield’s cheddar, nantucket bakery croute

local mixed green salad, roasted vidalia onion, dancing goat chevre, blueberry vinaigrette.

Course Two

Michigan lake trout, three bean salad, bacon consommé.

goat cheese agnolotti, roasted mushrooms, mixed radishes, sweet corn.

devries pork shank, compressed watermelon, local cabbage , pickled watermelon rind slaw.

Course Three

trio of seasonal gelatos.

malted chocolate torte.

616 style strawberry shortcake.

Additional Offers

We are offering a 3 course wine pairing 20$
We have a Michigan cheese pairing 15$

The Green Well Gastropub
Course One

Local Tomato Gazpacho
Seasonal West Michigan Farm vegetables, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil
wine pairing: Green Well “Rosie” Rosé Blend

Honey Creek Farm Peaches
Mud Lake Farms arugula, red onions, toasted pine nuts, Grassfield's Leyden,
Blis bourbon-maple vinaigrette
beer pairing: Bells Oberon

Otto’s Family Farm Chicken
Smoked chicken & apple salad, country farm house sharp cheddar cornbread
beer pairing: Green Well Dripaliscious

Course Two

Green Well BBQ Brisket
In house smoked brisket, potato salad, corn on the cob, basil compound butter
wine pairing: Green Well “Frankie” Cabernet Franc Blend

S&S Farms Lamb Sirloin
Barley-local cherry tomato risotto, crumbled bleu cheese, balsamic reduction
beer pairing: Vander Mills Totally Roasted Cider

Grilled West Michigan Farm Veggie Amatriaciana
Mama Mucci paperdelle pasta, garlic bread, grated parmesan
wine pairing: Green Well “Charlie” Chardonnay Blend

Course Three

Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
Honey Creek peaches, cake crumb topping, palazolos vanilla gelato.
beverage pairing: Northern naturals Iced Apple Cider

Strawberry Shortcake
Honey drop biscuits vanilla whip cream.
wine pairing: Black Star Farms Raspberry Dessert Wine

Chocolate Stout Cake
Chocolate ganache.
beverage pairing: Arcadia starboard stout

The Melting Pot
Course One

Choice of Cheddar Cheese, Spinach & Artichoke Cheese, or Apple Cider Swiss Cheese Fondue

Course Two

Choose from our Caesar Salad or our House Salad with our Signature House or Peppercorn Ranch Dressing

Course Three

Restaurant Week Entree: Teriyaki Marinated Sirloin, Peppered Shrimp, Citrus Marinated Pork, Herb Encrusted Chicken, Andouille Sausage, and Spinach & Artichoke Ravioli

Land & Sea Entree: Teriyaki Marinated Sirloin, White Shrimp, and Mahi-Mahi

Vegetarian Entree: Portabella Mushrooms, Asparagus, Artichoke Hearts, Spinach & Artichoke Ravioli, & Edamame or Onion Rings

Additional Offers

Offering a Separate Lunch menu also with same cheese options and also chocolate fondue (Choice from Pure Chocolate Fondues with Milk, Dark or White Chocolate, our Original Chocolate Fondue or our featured White Chocolate Fruit Cobbler Fondue with locally sourced apples blueberries, or peaches) for $12.50 per person or $25 for two people.

We will also be offering a local (founders) beer flight and local (from Great Lakes wines and spirits) wine flight.

Call us with all of your Real Estate Needs!
 Northouse Realty Group (616) 206-9667
Jeff Northouse - REALTOR
Christine Lassa - Marketing Director
www.grhomelink.com 
Brokered by Five Star Real Estate (616) 257-1500

Mortgage Closing Costs Fell 7%

Federal regulations are helping to significantly reduce the amount new homebuyers are paying come closing time.

The average cost of closing on a mortgage has fallen by 7.4% over the past year, according to a recent survey by Bankrate.com. At the end of June, a homebuyer looking to close on a $200,000 mortgage with 20% down paid an average of $3,754, $300 less than 12 months earlier.

Included in those costs are origination expenses, such as application fees and the cost of doing credit checks, and third-party fees, such as those paid for title searches and insurance.

The decline can be attributed to new regulations that require lenders to be more accurate when estimating closing costs for borrowers, said Greg McBride, Bankrate's senior financial analyst.

The regulation, which was put in place two years ago as part of the Real Estate Settlement Practices Act requires lenders to provide a "good faith estimate" of third-party fees that is within 10% of the actual amount the buyer will pay.

"The big drop in third-party fees indicates the lenders are doing a better job at estimating what the costs will be," said McBride.

For more information on this article and to watch the video, click the link below!

http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/06/real_estate/closing-costs/index.htm?source=linkedin

Call us with all of your Real Estate Needs! 
Northouse Realty Group (616) 206-9667 
Jeff Northouse - REALTOR 
Christine Lassa - Marketing Director 
www.grhomelink.com 
Brokered by Five Star Real Estate (616) 257-1500

Cut Your Summer Energy Costs!

With energy costs on the rise, this summer could be sweaty — and expensive. But there are some easy ways to trim your cooling costs without suffering through 90-degree evenings, sans air conditioning. In fact, if you start preparing for the coming heat wave now, you can probably save a few hundred dollars. You'll also be doing the environment a favor, since the Energy Department estimates that half of a household's overall energy usage goes toward heating and cooling costs.

1. Plug up any holes

The cool air spewing out of vents should be treated like a precious vapor that must not escape. Inexpensive plastic film available at hardware stores can boost insulation around older windows where drafts are most likely. Foam and caulking can also help seal problem areas, as can extra insulation in the attic. Professionals can help with any installation challenges.

If you use window-unit air conditioners, make sure they fit tightly so air can't escape around the unit. The Energy Department recommends that window units have their own electrical circuits to reduce the risk of overloading the system. It estimates that creating a proper "thermal boundary" around your home can shave up to 20% off heating and cooling costs. Shutting the doors and vents of unused rooms can also lighten the load of your air-conditioning unit.

2. Close those shades

Anything that keeps the sun from coming in and creating a greenhouse effect will make it easier for your air-conditioning unit to maintain cooler temperatures. For the longer term, consider planting leafy trees or bushes to shade your home.

3. Keep the filters clean

It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it. In fact, Geoff Godwin, division vice president of Emerson, the country's largest provider of heating and cooling systems, says it's important to clean out air-conditioning filters once a month, which usually involves running water through them and letting them air-dry.

4. Program the thermostat

If your cat is home alone all day, he probably won't mind if things heat up a bit before you get home. Programmable thermostats, which allow the temperature to rise automatically during the day when no one is home, can lead to annual savings of 30%, Godwin estimates. Even though most systems today have programmable thermostats, people use them only about half the time, which means a lot of systems work harder than necessary. If trying to set the thermostat leaves you scratching your head, the step-by-step videos on the government's Energy Star website can help.

5. Unplug, unplug, unplug 

Even television sets, DVD players and computers that are turned off can suck power out of outlets, a phenomenon aptly referred to as "vampire power." That's why you should either unplug your electronics or use a Smart Strip, which cuts power when it's not needed.

6. Step away from the oven

Here's your excuse to order takeout, or at least rely more on prepared meals. Turning on the oven heats up the rest of the house, too, which forces your air conditioner to go into overdrive. If you still want to cook, consider an outdoor grill, toaster oven or even the stovetop, which gives off less heat than the oven.

7. Take cold showers 

Sure, you might need to crank up the water heater during those frigid winter months, but cooler showers in the summertime will let you turn down the temperature setting for a few months, which reduces energy costs. Godwin estimates that turning down the temperature on a 50-gallon tank from 130 degrees to 115 degrees can save more than $50 a year.

8. Bring in the professionals

Most experts suggest getting your air-conditioning unit serviced once a year, to check for potential problems such as mold, rust or grime buildup, all of which can hamper efficiency. "A lot of people don't do that — they ignore the AC system until something goes wrong," Godwin says. You can also give your home an overall check with an energy auditor, who can look for any air leaks and other inefficiencies.

9. Upgrade your systems

The Alliance to Save Energy suggests replacing older light bulbs with compact fluorescents. Doing so saves electricity directly, and fluorescents generate less heat. If you're buying other major items, such as washers, dryers, dishwashers or televisions, don't forget to take energy efficiency into account. The Energy Department's Energy Star rating helps consumers navigate those purchase decisions, so look for products with the label.

If you're in the market for a new air conditioner, the Energy Department recommends paying close attention to size. Some consumers mistakenly choose bigger units, thinking they'll be more powerful, but in reality, they can make too much noise and use excess electricity. A unit that's the right size for the home will last longer and be more efficient, it says.

Call us with all of your Real Estate Needs! 

Northouse Realty Group (616) 206-9667
Jeff Northouse - REALTOR
Christine Lassa - Marketing Director
www.grhomelink.com
Brokered by Five Star Real Estate (616) 257-1500

Buying Better Option Than Renting!

 

A new analysis released by real estate marketplace Zillow revealed that for most buyers who intend to spend at least three years in a home, buying is a better option than renting.

An analysis of the “breakeven horizon” in more than 200 metros and 7,500 cities showed that in more than 75 percent of metros examined, a homeowner would break even after owning a home for three years or less.

Zillow incorporated all possible costs associated with buying and renting, including down payment, mortgage and rental payments, transaction costs, property taxes, utilities, maintenance costs, and tax deductions and opportunity costs. This data was adjusted for inflation and forecasted home value and rental price appreciation.

In some metro areas where home values fell most during the housing recession, homebuyers break even after less than two years of ownership. The Miami-Ft. Lauderdale metro is among the most favorable for buying, with homeowners breaking even after 1.6 years of living in the home.

On the other end of the spectrum, homeowners in San Jose (where home values are among the highest in the country), a buyer must commit to living in their home for 8.3 years before breaking even.

Many metros saw a difference from one community to the next. For example, homeowners in Mill Valley, California, break even after 8.8 years, while those living in the similarly-priced Menlo Park (in the same metro) must commit to owning their home for 14.1 years before breaking even.

“Across most of the country, historic levels of affordability make buying a home a better decision than ever, especially considering rents have risen more than 5 percent over the past year,” said Stan Humphries, Zillow chief economist. “This is the first analysis of metros and cities that presents the buy versus rent decision in an intuitive way by telling consumers how long they must live in the home before buying breaks even with renting financially.”

“It’s much more understandable, and therefore useful, than the abstract notion of a simple ratio of prices to rents. If we want consumers to act on market information, we have to align it with how they think about the issue and make it straight-forward to grasp.”

Metros where the breakeven point is more than five years made up 7 percent of the 224 metros covered in the report and included San Jose, California (8.3 years), Oak Harbor, Washington (7.2 years), and Santa Cruz, California, (7.1 years). A number of metros tied for the shortest breakeven horizon (at 1.6 years): Memphis, Tennessee; Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Salisbury, Maryland; and others.

Call us with all of your Real Estate Needs! 

Northouse Realty Group (616) 206-9667 

Jeff Northouse - REALTOR 

Christine Lassa - Marketing Director 

Check out our listings at www.grhomelink.com 

Brokered by Five Star Real Estate (616) 257-1500