There has been a recent explosion of commercial interest in the West Michigan markets, leading to an increasing number of new developments and purchases of properties. One of the biggest, most talked about transactions and developments comes in the form of the Greater Grand Rapids area's first outlet mall. Unlike the outlet mall in Holland that was unable to maintain business and traffic flow, eventually losing all of the major outlet stores it once contained, the newly constructed Tanger Factory Outlet Center will boast nearly 80 stores and hopes to be a major draw for shopping traffic south of Grand Rapids.

Located in Byron Center, one of the southernmost suburbs of Grand Rapids, the Tanger Factory Outlet Center represents a massive real estate and development investment in West Michigan, with an estimated price tag of $79 million. The address of the Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids is 350 84^th St. SW, Byron Center, making this new outlet mall easily accessible via the US-131 highway. The completed building is roughly 350,000 square feet and was built in under a year, as the official groundbreaking for the construction of the Tanger Oulet mall began on August 21^st, 2014. Estimates indicate that the sales generated by this outlet mall should generate approximately $7.3 million annually in sales tax.

For those who are interested not in the development of the Byron Center region and the impact on the local economy but rather in discounted shopping options, there's good news. The grand opening event will be held this Friday, July 31^st, beginning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 am. There will be an ongoing celebration, dubbed the Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids’ Art of Style and Savings, which will run from July 31^st through August 2^nd. Events will include personal styling sessions at the Celeb Stylist Studio, a fireworks display, interactive displays, and special deals to help the doorbuster customers save even more on their outlet purchases. There will also be giveaways, including a $3,000 shopping spree, a special design workshop with Jonathan and Drew Scott from “Property Brothers,” and a $5,000 Dream Closet Makeover sponsored by Closet and Room Solutions.

For the Tanger company, this will be their third outlet mall installation in the state of Michigan, and the interest in building it 11 miles south of Downtown Grand Rapids speaks to the increasing solvency of the west side of the state and the ongoing potential for development and investment in this region. While the estimated 900 jobs brought to town by these new retail shops will mostly be low-paying positions, it will certainly increase the value of rentals and investment properties in Byron Center, southern Wyoming, and even nearby towns like Dorr.

For those with properties in these areas, reasonably priced rentals, whose target demographic will be the 900 or so full- and part-time retail employees flocking to the Byron Center area, will likely become increasingly high in demand and easy to fill. As the influence of the mall spreads and induces other companies to develop spaces nearby to take advantage of the large crowds of bargain hunters that will visit this space, many more nearby properties are likely to become retail centers and restaurants as well. Best of luck to those attending the opening ceremony and to those looking forward to the positive economic impact that this outlet represents for the local community.

According to an article in MiBiz.com, the commercial real estate (CRE) market is west Michigan is up and looks to stay that way, following a brisk first and second quarter in 2015. They quote local CRE office Collier's International of West Michigan as calling the local commercial real estate market “healthy” currently. The article quotes Duke Suwyn, the chairman and CEO of Collier's International of West Michigan and relies heavily on his analysis of current market data.

The article intimates that there are some concerns about lack of inventory, especially in the industrial real estate market, but that high level of demand paired with decreasing available spaces is a great sign for professionals in the real estate business and also for the local economy. Any concerns about the lack of available industrial spaces for sale can easily be offset by the abundance of local vacant properties that are zoned for commercial or industrial use.

Suwyn makes a point of noting the fact that properties are more likely to sell when the prospective buyer is new to the market and seeing them for the first time. Additionally, unlike the last few years, buyers are no longer simply looking for the cheapest possible property. Instead, they are looking for proximity to commuter routes and other individual factors which comprise the best possible space for their business' goals. This is a good sign for local job seekers and the future of West Michigan as a whole. As more areas are developed, as new construction commences to create spaces for businesses unable to find something to suit their specific needs, more jobs will be created and more money will move through the local community.

Collier's analysis of internal data indicates that vacancy for industrial spaces is down by approximately 6 percent, which is a substantial drop. In the office sector, vacancy has been steadily dropping as well. Collier's quotes the current vacancy rate for available office spaces in the Grand Rapids/West Michigan market at 11.6 percent. For example, in the downtown Grand Rapids area, office real estate took over an additional 132,546 square feet of space in the second quarter of 2015. Vacancy for office space in the surrounding suburbs is somewhat higher, at 22.9 percent. The retail market has dropped in the last two quarters, but much of that is due to lack of inventory and lack of interest in poorly placed retail rentals. These days, Collier's is reporting fierce competition for prime retail locations, with plenty of traffic and high volume of potential visitors.

For those interested in commercial or retail properties, this hot market means aggressive, intelligent representation is the bets bet to obtain a space that fits your business' needs. For those in the market for homes or investment properties, this upswing in commercial property sales and the overall decrease in vacancies bodes well for increasing home values in the area, should the trend continue. If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in the next six to twelve months, you'll want to have the most knowledgeable, helpful realtor working for you. Get in touch with someone here at Pyxis Realty, and discover what a real change a successful realtor working for you can be!

This evening, at the latest installment of Movies at the Park, there will be a free screening of the popular 90s film Hook. If you are not familiar with the movie Hook, tonight is a great chance to see a classic movie on a two-story inflatable screen in excellent company for free. Movies in the Park is an ongoing summer tradition in Grand Rapids, with a long list of sponsors and an even longer list of happy attendees. Tonight's presentation of Hook specifically has been sponsored and funded by the Grand Rapids Public Schools. Sponsors for the full series of screenings include Grand Rapids, Inc, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, the Community Media Center, the Wealthy Street Theatre, Celebration! Cinema, Franklin Partners, LLC and Macatawa Bank.

Hook is a grown-up sequel to the story of Peter Pan. Peter has grown up and is now a mediocre father and corporate lawyer. Everything in his life changes when his children are kidnapped from Wendy Darling's home. Wendy is now a very old woman, but she helps Peter remember who he is, and he returns to Neverland to save his kids. While there, he must win over the Lost Boys, who don't understand how Peter Pan could leave them and grow up. He must also re-learn all of his powers, like flying, sword fighting, and crowing like a rooster. At times funny, sad, and poignant, Hook is a classic work of American cinema, starring the great, late Robin Williams in the role of Peter Pan, Dustin Hoffman as Hook, Maggie Smith as Wendy Darling, and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell.

For those who have not previously attended a Movies at the Park screening, these events are free and open to the public and family friendly. There is always pre-screening entertainment, which usually begins at 7:00 pm. Tonight, however, there will be additional free fun for the family beginning at 4:30 pm with a skateboard clinic hosted by Girls Riders Organization. That clinic will run until 6 pm, when the mini skate park provided by AGA Nation will be open for anyone who wants to ride. After that, from 8:00 to 9:00 pm, there will be a skateboarding contest. Anyone who wishes to ride must sign a waiver and bring their own helmet. More details about the skating events can be found here.

There will also be free kid's games provided by the Grand Rapids Children's Museum and a live music performance by AB Music. Those who wish to dress up as a pirate, lost boy, Tinkerbell, or Peter Pan can participate in a free costume contest, wherein the audience of the film will vote by cheering for the various contestants and their costumes.

Tonight will be the last night to vote for what movie will be screened on August 21^st as part of the Voter's Choice annual screening at Movies at the Park. Voter's Choice night is especially fun, as two movies are screened back to back. First, the voter's choice movie will be screened, followed by The Lost Boys, a popular, campy vampire movie from the 1980s.

Bring a blanket or a low-rise lawn chair, bring the kids, and bring your sense of humor and wonder for an unforgettable evening at Ah-Nab-Awen park, enjoying a fun film with many other local families. Additional details about Movies at the Park can be found at the Facebook event page here. Have a great weekend! 

Grand Rapids' urban center is receiving a lot of attention recently, especially from real estate developers and investors. Certain areas, like downtown Grand Rapids and the Medical Mile are receiving the brunt of commercial attention, but there are certainly many neighborhoods that are ripe for development and new construction. Orion Real Estate Solutions, a Grand Rapids-based company, is looking to the popular Eastown neighborhood as one such area.

According to an article in the Grand Rapids Business Journal,  the development was designed and submitted for consideration to city planners by Orion Real Estate Solutions. While the project has been in the early planning stages for some time, Orion Real Estate Solutions is now within a month of potentially having their plans approved, pending zoning changes and approval.

The newest announced development plan involves a 1.2 acre parcel at the intersection of Fulton Ave and Carlton Ave, with an address of 1 Carlton Ave. SE. The proposed development would be a four-story mixed-use building, which could bring substantial traffic to the area. Included in the concept plans for the property are 3,500 square feet of restaurant space on the first floor of the building, as well as another 3,200 square feet of retail space on the ground floor as well. For businesses, that means plenty of street frontage and a chance to lure in customers who are walking or driving through the neighborhood with signage and window displays. For those driving, there will be a total of seventy-six parking spaces, making finding a place to park a snap for those wanting to patronize the businesses and those living in the building as well.

For potential residents of the building, this means that there will be several convenient shopping and dining options right past their front door, a truly convenient set-up. The three upper stories of the building would house a total of 47 apartments in a variety of sizes. The building at 1 Carlton Ave would include three three bedroom apartment units, twelve two-bedroom apartments, twenty-five one bedroom apartments, and seven studio apartments.

The current plan has evolved and changed substantially since the development was first proposed to area residents and community planners. They took into consideration feedback both from local community organizations and the city zoning department while working over the last year to fine-tune this proposal.

The next step for this proposed multi-use building will be a meeting on August 23^rd regarding changing the zoning for the parcel of land. Should that process complete without further complications, Orion Real Estate Solutions will move forward with establishing a construction schedule. That will include announcing the date for a groundbreaking ceremony. Orion Real Estate Solutions is confident that they will soon be working to build their second multi-purpose building to the Eastown neighborhood.

As the face of Grand Rapids and its various neighborhoods change and develop, you can count on the professional team at Pyxis Realty to be knowledgeable about future developments and how they can affect the livability of a neighborhood. If you are considering buying a house, selling your home, or moving to a new neighborhood, be sure to get in touch with our staff today to see how we can make the process as simple and painless as possible!

There are plenty of realtors and real estate brokers in the West Michigan area, but not all real estate professionals can provide purchasers with the kind of assistance that prevents the heartbreak of losing a dream home because an offer wasn't made in a timely fashion. Before you sign on with a realtor, make sure they're going to provide you with quality service worth paying for.

5. Professional background. Whether you're looking to purchase a mixed-use building, an investment property, second home, or a primary residence, chances are there's a local realtor who specializes in that area of the market. There are also plenty of realtors, like the dedicated and professional staff at Pyxis Realty, who are competent in many different areas of real estate. Look for a professional with a background of quick sales (if you're selling) or satisfied purchasers if you're in the market to buy.

4. Timely communications. Some professionals, in any field, take on more than they can handle. In real estate, juggling too many clients and projects at once can often mean that they all suffer. Look for someone who returns your messages and calls in a timely and courteous manner; this likely indicates that they have the time and availability to assist you properly, instead of shoe-horning something vastly important to you in their completely packed schedule.

3. A personality that clicks with yours. You want to work with someone who you feel comfortable with, who understands what you're looking for, whether it's to maximize your home value or find and close on the perfect property quickly. Especially if there's going to be traveling or multiple viewings involved in the process, you want to ensure you're working with someone that you enjoy working with and who understands your needs as well as the market.

2. Attention to details. It takes a keen eye and a knowledge of what to look for in order for a realtor to spot possible issues with a property if you're purchasing. It's also important when putting together a list of potential properties, because finding places that fit all of a buyer's criteria can be difficult. That eye for detail is also important during the closing process; make sure you're working with someone who knows how to handle all the paperwork efficiently and correctly. In this market, it can make all the difference.

1. Putting your needs first. Your real estate professional should be working for you, not just for their own bottom line. You need to be able to trust that they are helping you find a place that will really work for you, not just get you to close on the first possible property. If you're selling, you need to be able to trust that they are getting you the best possible price and will help you get through closing quickly and painlessly.

Selecting the best possible realtor is as important as knowing what kind of property you are looking for. The professional, dedicated realtors who work for Pyxis Realty are always ready and willing to answer your questions and help you wade into the real estate market with confidence. Call or email us today!

In a press release from the Woda Group, the development company advised that they have plans to construct a 68-unit affordable housing development on the western shore of the Grand River. The project will be called Grand View Place. There will be a primary building that houses 64 of the units, which will stand four stories tall and is being referred to as a “pavilion building.” There will also be four city-front townhomes. Of the 68 units, 7 are designed to be barrier-free.

Their plans for development of this space have netted them a massive $1.2 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. That means that state funds will be used to help build this property and ensure that it remains affordable for the low income families and Grand Rapids locals it was originally designed to serve. The LIHTC is renewable annually, meaning as much as ten times the slated $1.2 million could be invested in the construction of Grand View Place and improvement in the local community.

The central location of Grand View Place will put large swaths of Grand Rapids within walking or biking distance for tenants at the building, including the rapidly developing Medical Mile, the Leonard corridor, and downtown Grand Rapids. In order to support foot traffic to the west of the development, Woda Group has earmarked $25,000 of the budget for the project to upgrades and investments in the pedestrian tunnel under US 131, ensuring that all residents of the area will benefit from this project.

Throughout the construction phase of this project, there will be nearly 100 jobs created in the area, and there will be substantial financial investment from the Woda Group in the project as well. While some may balk at the amount of public funds being used to subsidize the construction of this project, estimates by the National Association of Home Builders indicate that these tax credits have created over 13,000 jobs in Michigan between 2011 and 2014 and resulted in the investment of over $105 million in various real estate development projects across the state.

This development and the potential impact on low-income families, the disabled, and the elderly is substantial. At a time where real estate purchase and rental prices are increasing in the area, this will ensure that those on a fixed income and the working poor still have access to central, high-quality housing in the city of Grand Rapids. While the development of downtown and the Medical Mile have brought many deep-pocketed investors into the area, most are targeting well-paid professionals and businesses with their projects.

Sadly, much of the business envelopment primarily produces service-industry jobs, such as food service, and these jobs do not pay wages that allow people to support themselves in many cases. Subsidized housing projects such as Grand View Place help ensure that those who labor in these low-paying, high-demand jobs will still have the option of living close to the area where they work, instead of being forced to commute long distances to a low-paying job. Developments such as these help keep our city clean, safe, and worker-friendly.

Many of the suburbs, villages, and small communities in West Michigan have their own special festivals and events, in addition to the large, well-known events in the larger cites such as Grand Rapids and Holland. One of the longer running and more popular events is hosted by the village of Sparta, which is located to the north of Grand Rapids. Called Town and Country Days, this celebration of local farmers and culture starts this afternoon, July 15^th, and runs through Sunday, July 19^th. If you're looking for some family-friendly diversion this week or weekend or the chance to discover more about one of West Michigan's quaintest farming towns, this is a great opportunity.

The festivities kick off tonight with a Scouts Honor Kids Carnivale, hosted by the local troop #704. There are many different games available to play, for $1 per 5 tickets (and one ticket per game) in Rogers Park. Across the street, the carnival rides will open at 5pm as well, with discount ride armbands available for $17. There will also be horse drawn carriage tours, which are $5 per rider (and kids under 3 ride free). The weekly concert in the park will start at 6:30 in Rogers Park, and there will also be a free watermelon social.

On Thursday, the Howard Christensen Nature Center will host Junior Naturalist Day, featuring free fun such as hiking, hands-on activities, and animals from 9 am to 4 pm. In Sparta proper, the local bowling alley, Sparta Lanes, will be hosting the Kids Bop 'n Bowl. Kids 17 and under get to bowl two free games with free shoe rental. Adult games are $1 each. The Railroad Depot at 400 N. Union in Sparta will be holding an open house, allowing visitors to tour the Depot, which is over a century old, as well as a caboose and rail cars.

The street festival will also kick into high gear, starting at 5 pm. There will be a children's chalk art event; free chalk will be provided. There will also be performances by the groups involved in Sparta's Celtic festival, including dancing and music and a free spray-on Celtic knot apple tattoo. There will be live music on the main stage and 3 on 3 basketball competition. There will also be the Art in Sparta Competition and Exhibit, hosted at the Sparta Library and a hot air balloon launch at Balyeat Field at 7:30 pm.

Friday, July 17^th, is kids day. In addition to the carnival, there will be a Kids Parade at 11 am, a petting zoo from 11 am to 4 pm, pony rides, a play zone, and a rock climbing wall, as well as a KIDSGROOVE dance party, and a pedal tractor pull in the evening. For the adults, there will be a beer tent, which opens at 4 pm, a kickball tournament, and a bale toss competition.

Saturday will feature a pancake breakfast at the Sparta Civic Center, a softball tournament, a 5K race Superhero style and children's fun run, a craft show, a beef cattle show, the primary parade at noon, a goat show, a tractor pull, a talent show, and an arm wrestling competition. The day culminates in a pyrotechnics and fireworks show, beginning at 10:15 at Balyeat Field.

Sunday, which is the last day of the festival, features a Chorale Concert and a Community Potluck. There is something for everyone, so pack up the car and head on down to Sparta for what promises to be a fun-filled weekend!

The Northeast side of Grand Rapids and the downtown area are primed to receive a major bump in property values over the next few years, thanks to investments in the “Medical Mile” on Michigan Avenue. First, Butterworth Hospital was acquired, remodeled, and overhauled by Spectrum Health. This prompted the development of several additional medical facilities on Michigan Avenue, including MSU's Secchia Center. Now, Michigan State University is looking to invest $88.1 million in the construction of a medical research faciliy which will sit on the corner lot at Monroe and Michigan, where The Grand Rapids Press long had its offices.

As The Grand Rapids Business Journal reports, MSU will be submitting plans to the city for approval later this year which, if approved, will allow them to develop the currently vacant lot that measures 4.1 acres, a massive amount of open space for a location so close to the heart of downtown. If all goes according to plan, the facilities will be open for research by 2017. In time, when the facilities are open, the MSU research facility will bring 409 jobs to Grand Rapids, with a whopping estimated annual payroll of $28 million.

As far as specific plans for the site, not much is concretely known at this time, other than MSU's plan to build a 600 space vertical parking structure on part of the land. Other than that, specific information about MSU's Innovation Park have been kept under wraps, possibly because they are still be finalized by the university.

So what does this have to do with local real estate? It's really pretty simple: the residential neighborhoods near the Medical Mile will very likely experience an increase in value with little investment on the part of the owners, due to an increase in demand for both ownership near work by those employed at the MSU facility (and others nearby) and rental properties for employees and students. The increased population and foot traffic brought on by local commuters and students will in turn inspire more businesses to invest in the area as well, as restaurants and similar businesses will have substantially increased demand when the facilities open.

City planners are optimistic that this investment and the resultant increase in traffic and business will spill over into the West Side neighborhoods as well. Many local developers, such as 616 Development LLC have ongoing mixed-use projects in the area, banking on the influx of money and residents. Similarly, CWD Real Estate Investment has been renovating the Rowe Building, which sits just across the intersection from the planned MSU biomedical research facility.

For those looking to purchase properties on the Northwest side, the North end of downtown, or the West Side (especially properties easily accessible to or located on Bridge Street), now is a great time to invest. For those currently living in these areas or holding investment properties, it is likely that the next two years will see a substantial boost in property value.

As always, the professional, dedicated professionals of Pyxis Realty are available to advise on the acquisition of investment properties and the sale of homes and investment properties. If you're looking to get in on the ground floor for what looks to be a major wave of investment and improvements in the downtown Grand Rapids area, now is the time to call!

If you are looking for something enjoyable to do this weekend, with a friend, loved one, or the whole family, consider checking out this weekend's installment of the popular Picnic Pops.

For those who aren't familiar with the Picnic Pops series, it is an outside concert series that has been a summer staple of the West Michigan community for 21 years. This year's offerings promise to be quite enjoyable for those with a love for live music and fresh air.

This year's Picnic Pops are being hosted at the Cannonsburg ski area, which is located at 6800 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Belmont, MI 49306. During the winter, Cannonsburg provides people in the Grand Rapids area with an excellent place to go tubing, skiing, or snowboarding, with multiple hills and even beginner options for children and those still learning to maneuver in the snow.

Now that all the snow is long gone, Cannonsburg is the site of this classic outdoor concert series. They will also be opening a man-made lake for wakeboarding, with mechanized tow ropes to pull people through the water. While that attraction isn't open yet this summer, it will hopefully be available next summer, making for an even more fun-fulled day with the family. They also hope to remodel and upgrade the concert facility, though it is quite lovely in its current incarnation.

Still, for those who have attending Picnic Pops in the past, there will be a noticeable change in the performance venue, specifically that the stage has been reconfigured and will now make the stage more visible to those sprawled out on the rolling hills of Cannonsburg.

Tonight's event features the music of Neil Diamond, with instrumental music provided, as always, by the Grand Rapids Symphony and the vocals performed by Super Diamond, one of the best-known Neil Diamond tribute bands currently touring.  Gates open at 5:30, and the show itself begins at 7:30.

Tickets for lawn seating are $18 per adult, $16 for seniors over 62 and students (with ID), $5 for children ages 2-18, and children under 2 are free! Chair seats cost $30, and an individual seat at a table will set you back $48. If you have a group and wish to purchase all eight seats at a table, that will cost $384. If you didn't pre-purchase your tickets, there is an additional $3 charge per ticket for same-day ticket purchases.

If you didn't buy tickets for tonight or aren't interested in Neil Diamond, there are several more concerts planned for this year's Picnic Pops. Next weekend, July 16^th and 17^th, will feature the ever-popular Classical Fireworks show, which features popular classical music and fireworks, and unlike other concerts in the series, begins at 8pm instead of 7:30 pm. The following weekend, July 23rd and 24^th, will feature tributes to Billy Joel and Elton John. The last show of the season, July 30^th and 31^st, will feature vocals performed by John Ondrasik from Five for Fighting, including many popular hits, such as "Superman (It's Not Easy).” The final show will have a higher ticket price, with lawn seats running $30 ($28 for senior and students) and children's tickets going for $15.

Pack up the family, some food, and head out to Cannonsburg to enjoy live music in a wonderful environment every Friday and Saturday for the rest of July! Tickets are available at the GR Symphony website.

In June 2015, the Michigan Board of Realtors confirmed what many local experts and professionals had been saying for some time: West Michigan's real estate market is improving rapidly. Compared with figures from 2014, this last quarter's home sales were up by roughly 35%, a massive increase.

As of March of this year, according to the Michigan Board of Realtors, 996 homes in West Michigan sold, which is substantially more than the 737 homes that sold during the same period last year. And the good news doesn't end there; home are also selling for higher prices than they were at this time last year. The average home sale price in 2014 increased 17%, from $140,335 to $162,394. Thankfully, because West Michigan was never fully absorbed by the real estate bubble, prices have remain, if low, still relatively stable on this side of the state.

Professionals are cautiously optimistic that this uptick in sales and prices is natural and sustainable, not the effect of a real estate bubble. They point to the fact that the majority of sales are currently to first time homeowners, those looking to upgrade or downgrade their home size, and those who have recently moved to the West Michigan area for employment.

According to The Associated Press, a 20-city home price index maintained by Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller indicates that in those 20 markets, prices were up roughly 5% in February and 4.5% in January. This is good news for those looking to sell their home. Currently, many homes are selling in a day or two, often with multiple offers at or above asking price.

At Pyxis Realty, our staff of devoted, experienced realtors are standing by, ready to list your home and help you maximize your profit from its sale. Contact our office today via email or the phone (616)247-7801  or check out our online -home )value estimator, which can give you an idea of the price your home could fetch in the current market.

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Having an experienced realtor on your side is one sure way to avoid the biggest pitfall made by sellers hoping to cash in on an improved market: overpricing the home to take advantage of the competitive market. Of course everyone wants to make a reasonable profit on the sale of a structure or property, but it's important to note that many of the homes that are not selling within a few days currently are those whose price does not seems competitive when compared to similar properties nearby. A realtor can help you make minor improvements and ensure that the home is staged in a manner that maximizes its appeal to buyers on the current market and thus the price you can command for it.

Whether you're looking to upsize, downsize, or switch neighborhoods, right now is a great time to put your home on the market, especially if it is move-in ready or close to it. Our expert, hard-working team here at Pyxis Realty is ready to work with you to get you the best price possible and to help you locate a new home that fits all of your needs.