Clarity Realty

We heard the good inflation news this morning and knew that Lawrence Yun at NAR would have a good take on how that affects housing.

Big plans in the works for East Grand Rapids! We're surprised this plan took 20 years to revive as East GR is one on the most desirable places to live with high land values. Gaslight Investors, LLC wants to build new residential, retail, and parking space on at 2255 Wealthy.

If approved, the project would bring about 55,000 square feet of new commercial space, 166 new rental units, 14 townhomes, a through street and a new parking garage on the undeveloped property.

This will really change downtown East Grand Rapids!

https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/community/gaslight-village-development-project

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/developers-revive-20-year-old-plan-for-giant-mixed-use-project-in-east-grand-rapids/

Congratulations to for their new space! We are so grateful that Julie Grevengoed shared her previous office with .table.ministries before we had our Hub! We ❤️our Community partners!

Wednesday is "housing stats day" here so we thought we'd share that state leaders announced today that they are ahead of their scheduled goal to help build housing and now has increased that to 115,000 units.

“By raising our statewide housing goal to 115,000 units, we will build more housing to drive down costs and ensure every Michigander has a safe, affordable place to call home,” Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement ahead of a news conference.

For more on the story about helping our housing shortage...

State boosts 5-year housing goal to address shortage Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other state leaders have a new housing-production goal that calls for permitting, building or rehabbing 115,000 units over five years to address a shortage of affordable and quality housing, up 53% from an earlier target of 75,000.

We had such a great time having the Chamber help us with the grand opening of our new location. We love being a part of this awesome organization!

There was a food truck court planned for Bridge Street but that plan changed to a several story apartment building. However, the BackLot food truck court is now being planned in place of the old Chase Bank branch at 616 Bridge, just doors down from our old offices.

They will demolish the existing building on site and build a restaurant with an upper roof deck. It will include a courtyard, food hall and beer hall with indoor seating for around 200 people and outdoor seating for 100 and will be open year round.

There was a food truck court planned for Bridge Street but that plan changed to a several story apartment building. However, the BackLot food truck court is now being planned in place of the old Chase Bank branch at 616 Bridge, just doors down from our old offices.

They will demolish the existing building on site and build a restaurant with an upper roof deck. It will include a courtyard, food hall and beer hall with indoor seating for around 200 people and outdoor seating for 100 and will be open year round.

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/developer-resurrects-plans-for-bridge-street-food-truck-court

Thanks to all who came out to our Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening! We had a great time celebrating with you!

If you missed it, feel free to stop by the office sometime - it's a great space.

We were too busy eating, drinking and talking at the party to take photos so if you have any good photos to share, we'd love to see them!

Though sales are currently at a 30-year low, long-term growth in the U.S. population ensures more elevated homebuying activity in the near future.

Read more in this article in REALTOR® magazine.

Yun: It’s Impossible for Home Sales to Remain Low Though sales are currently at a 30-year low, long-term growth in the U.S. population ensures more elevated homebuying activity in the near future. From the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings, Washington, D.C., May 4-9

We're busy getting ready for our big Clarity Realty office opening party on Thursday, but we still wanted to keep you updated on what's being built in West Michigan!

We talked about the Acrisure Amphitheater quite a while back but with the official groundbreaking this week, we thought we'd share some new details!

It's scheduled to open for the 2026 concert season.

They are planning over 50 ticketed events per year plus many other community events. It should draw over 300,000 people a year.

While a lot of the funding is in place, they are still working on the capital fundraising campaign.

LiveNation will be the booking company and as they are the global leader, you know there will be some big names coming in 2026!

Come celebrate the official opening of our offices at 3892 Lake Michigan Drive!

May 23 - 3:30pm-6:30pm

We'd love to have you stop by, enjoy some mexican food and celebrate with us!

Enjoy this well-maintained end unit condo with 3 beds, 2.5 baths, and beautiful finishes throughout! Contact Laura Koetje for a showing at 616-262-1303.

🏡 898 Center Park Dr, Byron Center
💰 $364,900
🛏 3 Bedrooms
🛁 2.5 Bathrooms

IMMEDIATE POSSESSION. This property is for sale, not rent. Offer deadline: 5/21/24 at 2 PM. This well-maintained end unit features 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, hardwood floors, and quality throughout. The open floor plan gives way to the spacious 4-season room. In the kitchen, you'll find quartz counter tops, a full complement of stainless appliances, as well as a center island. The main floor laundry will include the washer and dryer as well. This great layout includes another bedroom on the main floor(optional office or den.) In the primary bedroom, an en suite bath and walk-in closet ensure peace and privacy. The daylight level includes a large family room, the 3rd bedroom, full bath, and ample storage. Low association fee covers water and sewer, as well as standard items such as lawn care, snow removal and maintenance of the road, trash, reserve fund, and more. Other, newer units have sold in the low $400's so this condo is priced right and is ready to go. Wait and it will be gone.

Residential for sale in Byron Center, Michigan, 24024466 IMMEDIATE POSSESSION. This property is for sale, not rent. Offer deadline: 5/21/24 at 2 PM. This well-maintained end unit features 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, hardwood floors, and quality throughout.The open floor plan gives way to the spacious 4-season room. In the kitchen, you'll find quartz counter....

Some interesting national housing market stats for your Wednesday from the National Association of REALTORS®.

Single-Family Home Prices Had Gains in 92.3% of 221 Metro Areas in 2024 Q1 In Q1 2024, national median home prices rose 5.0% year over year to $389,400, with 28.5% of metro areas seeing double-digit price increases.

We are excited to check out the new bar/restaurant going into our old building at 600 Bridge later this year! We are glad they are able to share the news about Bridge Street Bar. We love this quote from the new owners...

“It’s just hopping there,” Wahl said. “There is a lot of stuff going on. It’s my favorite area in Grand Rapids and when (the location) became available, I knew I had to jump on it.”

We loved our home on Bridge Street but that area is much better suited for another restaurant/bar than an office and we were glad to be part of the transformation there over the past decade!

Come check out our new offices at 3892 Lake Michigan Drive just 4 miles to the west!

Jenison tavern owner plans new bar on Bridge Street: ‘It’s just hopping there’ A Jenison restaurateur is pivoting from plans of opening a bar in downtown Grand Rapids and instead turning his attention to developing a new bar on Bridge Street.

This historic building on the Grand River at 974 Front Ave. NW along with 3 others, are slated to be renovated this summer into housing and office space. The building is over 110 years old and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Pinnacle Construction plans to put 35 apartments in this location.

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/grand-rapids-riverfront-development-trades-office-space-for-more-housing/

Lawrence Yun always has his pulse on the US housing market. Here are some of his latest thoughts!

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun Predicts Falling Long-Term Interest Rates, Rising Existing-Home Sales in 2024 Chief Economist Lawrence Yun forecasts that 2024 existing-home sales will rise to 4.46 million and 2025 existing-home sales will increase to 5.05 million, with further gains in eight of the next 10 years.

The plan to restore the rapids in the Grand River had some setbacks recently but they are starting up efforts again. This plan looks “very similar” and “has a lot of the same elements that we had the last time" and they feel confident that the revised plan will earn state and federal approval by the end of 2024, so work can begin as early as summer 2025.

More great news for Grand Rapids and our natural resources!

For more on this, https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/economic-development/grand-river-whitewater-rapids-plan-resurfaces-after-yearlong-pause/

This beautiful 2016 Parade home located on all-sport Pettit Lake in Newaygo is ready for you! Contact Laura Koetje at 616-262-1303 to schedule a showing.
🏡 8006-A S Potawatomi Ct, Newaygo
💰 $799,900
🛏 3 bedrooms
🛁 2.5 bathrooms
No need to move again. This 2016 Parade home is located on all-sport Pettit Lake in the quaint town of Newaygo. With 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, and a gorgeous 4 season room overlooking the beach, this walkout ranch is a dream come true. Ottawa Pointe is a newer development so the homes are built with architectural oversite on paved roads. Includes 2 sites for a total of 2.8 acres, this home is located at the end of a cul-de-sac with no neighbors to the south. Enjoy great attention to detail and upgrades such as granite countertops in both kitchen and baths, engineered hardwood floors, 9' tray ceilings, and unbelievable views of Pettit Lake. Ottawa Pointe provides amenities such as a boat launch, ball diamond, meeting room, play ground area, community garden, beach with volleyball and picnic areas, walking trails, and much more. The HOA fee of $500 also includes snow plowing, road maintenance, and reserve funds. Membership in the Pettit Lake Association ($120/year) covers use of boat launch and w**d control. Homes in Ottawa Pointe are rarely for sale. The yard includes underground sprinkling, a hot tub, the dock, and per the seller, $30K in landscaping. Call today for a private showing before this one is gone. See MLS #24021886 and 24021887.

Residential for sale in Newaygo, Michigan, 24021888 No need to move again. This 2016 Parade home is located on all-sport Pettit Lake in the quaint town of Newaygo. With 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, and a gorgeous 4 season room overlooking the beach, this walkout ranch is a dream come true. Ottawa Pointe is a newer development so the homes are built with....

Some Grand Rapids area job news for your Wednesday.

The Right Place has announced that new jobs are coming to the following communities:

• Amway to add 260 jobs, invest $127M to expand location in Ada Township.

• Packaging Compliance Labs, a medical device manufacturing services provider, to add 50 jobs, invest $4.5M to expand locations in Cascade Charter Township and City
of Kentwood.

• Celia Corporation, an adhesive film manufacturer, to add 52 jobs, invest $6.9M to expand location in Sparta.

• Schreiber Foods, a dairy processor to add 32 jobs, invest $59M to expand location inWyoming.

• Tesa Tape, an adhesive manufacturer, to add 60 jobs to Grand Rapids region.

This is great news for the economy and job market, but also emphasizes the continued need for additional housing inventory!

More new housing in Grand Rapids! Check out these 181 proposed apartments at 301 Leonard right near the Creston Neighborhood. Retail space and a 4th floor lounge with city views are part of this development.

Some interesting information on the national housing market from REALTOR® magazine.

"The spring housing market is off to a sluggish start, with home sales falling in March. Economists say a resurgence in mortgage rates and inflation could be softening sales at the start of what is traditionally real estate’s busiest season. Despite the headwinds, sellers continue to see home prices grow, buyers’ appetite for housing remains high and bidding wars are still occurring. On top of that, a growing job market may offer some rosier prospects for more sales."

Home Sales Tumble, But There’s Hope for a Turnaround Consumer sentiment for home buying and selling is growing despite recent headwinds.

Even though Clarity Realty is now 4 miles down the road at our beautiful new Lake Michigan Drive offices (still finishing some decor before we share photos) we still love to share the development in our old nieghborhood!

Coming soon to Bridge Street is a new restaurant from the same owners as Butcher's Union - Gin Gin's!
Gin Gin's will be a timeless neighborhood gathering place with steak, seafood and pasta. http://ginginsgr.com

Also coming soon to the site of the old Duthler's Foods is this beautiful new five-story building with 150 apartments, a small ground floor retail space, fitness center, a roof deck for residents, and onsite parking. Look for it to be open in 2026!

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport keeps growing! Last week, they broke ground on a $135 million dollar terminal expansion. This will put all the ticketing counters to the west and separate it from the baggage claim and more.

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2024/04/grand-rapids-airport-begins-135m-terminal-expansion.html

Even though we may wish for lower interest rates, the steady rate we've had this year does help homebuyers plan. Here's some interesting information if you're looking to buy.

Steady Mortgage Rates Help Home Buyers Plan Ahead Aspiring homeowners may have a less fraught experience shopping for a property as rate fluctuations calm, says NAR’s deputy chief economist.

Courtesy of NAR, pending home sales are up 10.6% in the Midwest over January. With low inventory, it’s a good time to get your house on the market if you’re looking for a move. Clarity agents have also found it possible to find great homes if you’re looking!

We knew the city was hoping for residential to be part of the amphitheater project and the soccer stadium but we now have some more ideas at what they are looking to have built next to each site.

Skyline-changing mixed-use projects envisioned with Grand Rapids amphitheater, soccer stadium Nearly 750 apartments could be included in high-rise towers surrounding the proposed Acrisure Amphitheater and soccer stadium projects around downtown Grand Rapids, according to documents filed with the city.

Housing Affordability Stats for January from NAR

The monthly mortgage payment decreased by 2.4% compared to the prior month, while the median price of single-family homes declined modestly by 0.3%.

Housing Affordability Conditions Made Progress in January 2024 At the national level, housing affordability increased in January 2024 compared to the previous month, according to NAR’s Housing Affordability Index.

Last August, we shared about all the great things coming to Muskegon. Opening in June at the Adelaide Pointe development is Muskegon Brewing Company! A call back to a vintage Muskegon Brewery founded in the 1800's, this new restaurant and bar will feature beer brewed by Pigeon Hill Brewing Company under the Muskegon name. This should be a great new place to grab dinner on beautiful Muskegon Lake this summer! The mixed-use development also includes a marina, hotel, event center, three parks, office space, an event center, and up to 400 housing units.

Canal Park is such a great park in North Monroe but is about to get even better! Check out it's $7.5 millon dollar new look that should be ready in a few years. For more information on specifics, check out this article from MLive.

Riverfront park in Grand Rapids to be transformed with $7.5M renovation Canal Park, along Monroe Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids, will be refurbished with a new playground, all-season park pavilion, a river overlook deck and a more accessible river landing with a seating terrace.