I Like it Here! (Grand Rapids, Royal Oak: homes, rent, income)

[bryan61]

The U.P. is not effected as much as other more robust economies. Our economy has been anemic since day one so down turns and upswings just dont have the impact that they do in Detroit or other parts of the country. To suggest that the democrats will save the day in 2008 does not apply to the UP.

IE..

I bought a 3 bedroom 2 bath single family home in town back in 1992 for $22,000.00. Its a solid old place and ive made good money living and renting it over the years. Im doing a light flip, new plumbing, paint inside and out, re do hard floors, landscaping and im almost done. Im going to ask somewhere around $50 for the place and I already have neighbors, friends and even starngers inquiring about the place and I havent even put a sign up. When you look at the MLS in that price range theres nothing that can even touch my place. The point is I never got "equity rich" owning this place in a boom and I dont see having trouble selling in a very low price range. Such is life in the UP

[odinloki1]

Originally Posted by bryan61

The U.P. is not effected as much as other more robust economies. Our economy has been anemic since day one so down turns and upswings just dont have the impact that they do in Detroit or other parts of the country. To suggest that the democrats will save the day in 2008 does not apply to the UP.

IE..

I bought a 3 bedroom 2 bath single family home in town back in 1992 for $22,000.00. Its a solid old place and ive made good money living and renting it over the years. Im doing a light flip, new plumbing, paint inside and out, re do hard floors, landscaping and im almost done. Im going to ask somewhere around $50 for the place and I already have neighbors, friends and even starngers inquiring about the place and I havent even put a sign up. When you look at the MLS in that price range theres nothing that can even touch my place. The point is I never got "equity rich" owning this place in a boom and I dont see having trouble selling in a very low price range. Such is life in the UP

Bryan thats a great outlook, you're more what we need than these house flippers that try and make 100k in 2 months of owning, those people are causing the current mortgage crisis

[bryan61]

Exactly right odin. I dont think you can get away with that in the UP. In fact I see a place everyday that was a complete and total flip right down to the studs. This contractor did a magnificent job and the house is absolutely gorgeous. Hes had it for sale for 6 monts and now I see a price reduced sign out front. People just dont have the kind of money around here to buy properties in the $100,000 and up range. Houses in those markets are sitting. Houses at or under 50....heh theres alot of two income minimum wage youngsters or elderly on fixed incomes that need and want housing. They get MSHDA laons that put a cap on their loan amount that puts them righ in my price range. Thats the reality of real estate, no ones really getting rich but if you are diciplined you can live comfortably and over time build a nice little nest egg

[zygnoda]

I love Michigan. Nobody else can match michigan's lakes.
The other people are apparently grumps that can't leave one thread alone. Shame on you! There are enough other threads where you can complain.

[Virginia1]

Presently live in Va. Beach and have been on this forum for close to a year now I guess. My fiance lives in Flint and we figure it's about time for us to be a little closer geographically. So I got on this forum so I could get some information about Michigan as a whole and the Grand Rapids area. I must say the negativity on the forum in regards to folks not being able to find a job, the big 3, crime, etc. or how poorly some feel the State government is doing with the current situation has affected me some in my willingness to move up. I on occasion have even been wrapped up in the reasons why Michigan is not doing well and putting my own two cents in. Much to my surprise it was refreshing to see a thread that was positive. On occasion there are some positive comments on other threads by the usual positive folks on the Michigan forum, but not a whole thread being positive. I knew (after visiting a few times) that I wouldn't be happy in the Flint area, this my fiance knew. After visiting GR I told her I would be willing to move up, but it has to be GR. I did consider downtown Detroit believe it or not which I believe is trying to get better, but I would feel "confned" in the small "safe" downtown area. I now have an official job offer with the right salary in GR and I need to tell them in the next 24 hours if I accept. This thread has been a shining moment in the last 3 hours for me. I was really leaning towards maybe just staying here in Va. Beach because I really didn't know if I would be happy among folks who are just a "little" ticked off, an economy that is adjusting to the big 3 losing the market share. But like I said it's great to see the response on this thread and I must give cudo's to Magellan (seems like he is all over this forum ) for keeping everyone straight on statistics about everything from crime to real estate and being optimistic about Michigan. It will be a big change for me, but an adventure. Well, now to another website to check out the real estate, gotta find a house or condo in 30 days. Which is the only negative for me in Va. Beach, I can't afford a house here, impossible, at least in GR I can own something.

[suydam]

Virginia1, welcome to GR! It's a great area and I don't think you'll find the people living around here to be negative like the people on this board....not by a long shot.

[Virginia1]

Thanks Suydam......It's the toughest choice I had to make, leaving friends and family and a great hospital I work at. So I need all the comfort I can get, especially after spending a few moments on this board. Thanks again. Should I bring my winter coat?

[suydam]

You will need your winter coat. Eventually.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Virginia1

Presently live in Va. Beach and have been on this forum for close to a year now I guess. My fiance lives in Flint and we figure it's about time for us to be a little closer geographically. So I got on this forum so I could get some information about Michigan as a whole and the Grand Rapids area. I must say the negativity on the forum in regards to folks not being able to find a job, the big 3, crime, etc. or how poorly some feel the State government is doing with the current situation has affected me some in my willingness to move up. I on occasion have even been wrapped up in the reasons why Michigan is not doing well and putting my own two cents in. Much to my surprise it was refreshing to see a thread that was positive. On occasion there are some positive comments on other threads by the usual positive folks on the Michigan forum, but not a whole thread being positive. I knew (after visiting a few times) that I wouldn't be happy in the Flint area, this my fiance knew. After visiting GR I told her I would be willing to move up, but it has to be GR. I did consider downtown Detroit believe it or not which I believe is trying to get better, but I would feel "confned" in the small "safe" downtown area. I now have an official job offer with the right salary in GR and I need to tell them in the next 24 hours if I accept. This thread has been a shining moment in the last 3 hours for me. I was really leaning towards maybe just staying here in Va. Beach because I really didn't know if I would be happy among folks who are just a "little" ticked off, an economy that is adjusting to the big 3 losing the market share. But like I said it's great to see the response on this thread and I must give cudo's to Magellan (seems like he is all over this forum ) for keeping everyone straight on statistics about everything from crime to real estate and being optimistic about Michigan. It will be a big change for me, but an adventure. Well, now to another website to check out the real estate, gotta find a house or condo in 30 days. Which is the only negative for me in Va. Beach, I can't afford a house here, impossible, at least in GR I can own something.

I'm humbled, thanks.

I'm just here trying to keep things real. (can you imagine what it would be like if I and some of the other positive ones left and let the trolls take over?)

Congratulations on the job! I was hoping things would work out for you. I think you'll be quite surprised by the great sense of community you'll find here in GR.

- Magellan

BTW: This forum is so funny. Here's one of many doomsday threads in Florida:

Is Florida Over?

[baystater]

Originally Posted by magellan

I'm humbled, thanks.

I'm just here trying to keep things real. (can you imagine what it would be like if I and some of the other positive ones left and let the trolls take over?)

Congratulations on the job! I was hoping things would work out for you. I think you'll be quite surprised by the great sense of community you'll find here.

- Magellan

You earned the kudos.