If you're having trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year due to the unusually warm and wet weather we've been having, you're in luck! There are a myriad exciting, holiday-themed events going on across West Michigan this weekend, and none of them require Mother Nature to bless us with some white fluffy goodness.

On Saturday morning, those with a love for gaming, especially arcade gaming, may want to wander down to Dave & Busters on 28^th Street, 3660 28th Street SE to be exact. There, in one of the facilitiy's private rooms, Santa will be sharing breakfast with those lucky enough to snag one of the $17.99 tickets to this event. Not only will there be special drinks and food served to the guests at this private, festive event, there will also be a $5.00 Power Card and unlimited video game play included, providing access to the Million Dollar Midway, full of all kinds of entertainment and fun. Guests will each get an individual photo taken with Santa Claus as well!

If you'd like to take the kids to see Santa without all the ruckus of a video arcade in the background, then perhaps visiting Santa Claus at Rogers Plaza on 28^th Street. Starting at 11 am and running until 8 pm, this Santa station is a local classic, sure to make the kids smile! He will also be there on Sunday, from 11 am to 4 pm, and Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week from 11 am to 8 pm. On Thursday, which will be Christmas Eve, Santa will be present taking last minute gift requests from 11 am to 3 pm.

If you're looking for a more adult Santa experience, then consider the annual Santa Crawl, put on by GRBarCrawl. From 7:00 pm Saturday until 1:00 am Sunday, ticket holders will have the chance to experience the Grand Rapids nightlife scene without waiting in line or dealing with downtown parking. Attendees are encouraged to dress up like Santa. Tickets are $42 for this social crawl, and tickets are still available online here.

This weekend is also the last chance for those last minute shoppers out there to visit the LowellArts! Holiday Market. From 10 am to 6 pm, the LowellArts! Gallery at 149 S. Hudson S will be turned into a special marketplace, where shoppers can purchase gifts and art made by over 40 local artists, ranging from soap and pottery to textiles and glasswork and admission is free.

No matter what kind of fun you're looking for, whether it's last minute shopping deals at unique local stores or something really fun before the long week of baking and traveling, West Michigan's got plenty to offer. If you're looking to buy or sell a home in West Michigan or the greater Grand Rapids area, be sure to do so with the best possible help: the professional team at Pyxis Realty! Call them today to get the kind of help with your real estate transaction that you deserve!

Photo Credit: gazrock under public domain via Pixabay

It's official. After months of suggestions and debate, the Federal Reserve has increased the key interest rate from a range between 0.0% and 0.25% to between 0.25% and 0.50%. This comes on the heels of seven long years that have seen that key interest rate stagnant at a range of zero to a quarter of a percent. Ever since the Great Recession in 2008, the interest rate at which financial institutions borrow money has been incredibly low in order to promote stability and encourage lending (and borrowing) ina culture reeling from the devastating impact of far too many speculative loans.

The Federal Reserve must walk a fine line when establishing interest rates, which have a very real impact on the economy of the United States. If the interest rate isn't adjusted with a careful eye to growth, the very real danger of inflation looms its ugly head. If it gets too high, too fast, it can stagnate growth. Now that the economy has re-stabilized, the Federal Reserve is taking steps to ensure inflation won't be an issue in the near future, by putting an official end to the eight year zero-interest rate policy.

For the vast majority of homeowners or those considering purchasing a home in the near future, this tiny increase of a quarter of a percentage point will not have any dramatic impact on the monthly cost of their mortgage. Most pending homeowners will not be put off by this modest increase. However, considering that the Federal Reserve intends to slowly increase that interest rate over the next three years to as much as three percent, the difference in interest could prove to increase substantially for those still putting off purchasing a home.

That means that right now, with interest rates still hugging all-time lows, is a great time to look into buying a home, whether as your own residence or as a long-term financial investment. It also means that the near future should continue to be a great time to list a property for sale, as there continues to be strong demand and relatively low stock of houses on the market. The West Michigan real estate market and the Grand Rapids real estate market will likely see minimal, if any, slow down as the result of this modest increase in interest rates at the federal level.

In order to get the most of your real estate transaction, whether you are buying or selling, you should make a point to get in touch with the experienced, professional staff at Pyxis Realty. Always ready to do what it takes to find their clients the perfect home (or get their home in the sights of the perfect buyers), the Pyxis Realty staff will make taking advantage of this hard-earned economic upswing as simple as contacting our staff, listing your property (or viewing some properties), and showing up for the closing. All of the paperwork, legwork, and stress can be handled by our professional realtors, freeing you up to make moving plans or just to focus on the holidays.  

Although most people are thinking a lot about shopping this month, it's more often shopping for gifts and not shopping for homes that occupies their minds. However, with interest rates still at incredibly low rates and increasing home values in the area, there's never been a better time to make the switch from renter to home owner. The home you purchase can be your biggest asset and investment, especially with some care and sweat equity invested. If you're thinking of making the switch, here are three great reasons to get in touch with the team of professionals at Pyxis Realty today instead of waiting for the “spring thaw.”

3. December is a slower month, meaning less competition for buyers. The West Michigan real estate market, especially the Grand Rapids real estate market, has been very strong throughout 2015, with little sign of slowing as the end of the year approaches. For prospective home buyers, this means, among other things, that the inventory of homes available for purchase on the market right now are at historically low levels. In real world speak, that means higher prices and more competition for the best homes on the market. Thankfully, the slight slowdown before the holidays can be the perfect time to view and make an offer on a property. Many prospective homeowners will put this search off until the new year, allowing a little more breathing room and time for reflection after seeing homes.

2. The mild winter is likely to continue. One of the primary reasons people loathe the idea of moving in the winter, especially around the holidays, is the snow and the cold. Thanks to El Nino, however, this winter is shaping up to be one of the warmest and mildest on record in West Michigan. That means substantially lower risk of snowy, slippery, or altogether miserable conditions when you're moving. It also means that you can beat the spring rush for real estate and be happily settled into your new home when the daffodils begin breaking ground.

1. There are some amazing houses on the market right now. Now that the economy is really starting to recover, both in West Michigan and nationally, there's more reason for people with well-cared for homes to put them on the market. Some are moving into new neighborhoods or cities due to promotions or other work changes, while others are upgrading to a bigger home to accommodate their family (or a smaller one to accommodate being empty nesters), and many of these people could not have sold their properties previously due to being unable to recoup investment thanks to incredibly low housing values in the area. As values and average sale prices have increased, more high value homes have come onto the market, as their owners are more confident about receiving an appropriate price for their home.

Whether this will be your first home or a change of size, style, or neighborhood, Pyxis Realty's professional staff is the best team to help you navigate the sometimes murky waters of real estate transactions on a hot, highly competitive market. Get in touch with our team today and see how easy it can be to go from renting to owning your home!  

As the holidays draw near, the nightlife and weekend events in West Michigan are picking up steam! From local theatre shows focusing on holiday classics to local-oriented shopping events and more, there is always something fun going on in Grand Rapids or any of the suburbs and small communities of West Michigan.

If you're looking for a fun way to spice up your weekend, you're in luck! Tonight, Friday, December 11^th, from 10 pm to 2 am, Luna Taqueria Cocina Restaurant will be hosting “Tropical Nights,” an event that will surely have the attendees heartrates and temperatures rising. Featuring a live DJ named DJ Monica Parker, spinning a mix of Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and Cumbia, this event will certainly be a great way to heat up your Friday night. Located at 64 Ionia Ave SW #100, Luna Taqueria Cocina Restaurant is a wonderfully centralized location for this celebration of Latin dance and music, and they also offer authentic Latin cuisine. Admission is $10, meals and drinks are extra.

If you're looking for something more family oriented, Downtown Grand Rapids does not disappoint. This Saturday the 12^th will be “Daddy Daughter Downtown” fun day, sure to make any doting dad and excited daughter happy. The event kicks off at 9:30 am at the Grand Rapids Public Museum for a scavenger hunt, as well as carousel rides and a private planetarium show for the group. The show will be the holiday-themed show this year, called “Let it Snow,” and the private showing begins at 10 am. There will be a lunch break at the museum, and attendees can purchase food at the museum or bring a brown bag lunch. There will be dessert treats provided. Should the temperature drop low enough to allow skating, everyone will head to Rosa Parks Circle, where skates and hot cocoa will be provided to the group. $20 gets in a daddy-daughter couple, and $30 gains admission for dads with more than one daughter.

South of town in Byron Township will be hosting the Byron Rec Candy Cane Hunt 2015. For $2 for parents and $4 for resident children ($6 for non-resident children), children can participate in an age-grouped hunt for candy canes. There are groups for children 2-4, 5-6, and 7-8, meaning your toddler won't have to outsmart second graders to get their hands on some candy canes. There will be a pizza lunch served after the hunt at Community Center, and word on the street is that Santa will be making a special appearance at the pizza lunch. Pre-registration is required for this event, which kicks off at 11 am on Saturday the 12^th. 

No matter what kind of cultural events you're looking for, you're going to find something engaging in West Michigan. Our diverse, culturally rich region has all kinds of entertainment and enrichment offerings for people of all ages and budgets. Working with realtors who know and understand our community, its neighborhoods, and the various cultures represented therein can make all the difference when buying a home or investment property or placing a house for sale. If you're getting ready to buy or sell a home, contact the knowledgeable, local team at Pyxis Realty for the best possible real estate experience.  

There are a lot of real estate brokerages in West Michigan, without a doubt. Everyone professionally involved in the Grand Rapids real estate market and the West Michigan real estate market has been taking notice of how well the market in West Michigan finally recovered in 2015. Home prices have finally rebounded and most experts are optimistic that because of their relatively low cost to value ratio, this is indicative of healthy, sustainable growth and not the development of a potentially catastrophic real estate bubble. For the first time since the Great Recession, long-term homeowners in West Michigan and Grand Rapids are finally recouping their investment in their properties, with home values increasing and leading to fewer local properties underwater.

If the increased value of homes and demand for real properties in the region are relatively ubiquitous knowledge among area realtors and real estate brokers, still, there are many other, smaller and localized developments that only those closely monitoring the real estate market and announcements from the city planning offices will be aware of. When it comes to fluctuations in housing price and demand on a smaller-scale, neighborhood by neighborhood or community by community basis, working with a local realtor who knows what's happening and what will be happening in any given area is very important to ensuring the best guidance during the sale or purchase process.

Much like stock brokers and banker, who watch closing figures from markets around the world to better invest in their home economy, the best realtors are paying attention to housing trends on a macro scale (national and statewide trends) as well as those more subtle and regional trends in the communities they serve. At Pyxis Realty, our professional, experienced staff of realtors is always watching the local market and our local communities to ensure they can best serve the members of those communities.

When it comes time to buy a home or sell your home or an investment property, you need to know that you are working with a realtor who is trusted, respected, and an invested member of the local community. The members of the Pyxis Realty team pride themselves on building longterm working relationships with our clients based on respect, integrity, and trust. While some people view real estate work as a form of sales, pressuring their clients to close quickly or attempting to place them in the most expensive properties possible, the Pyxis Realty team views real estate work as customer service. We stress the importance of honest (and quick) communication, as well as aggressive, diligent representation of our clients to ensure their success on the market and satisfaction with our part in their transaction.

By calling the team at Pyxis Realty (or emailing them), you are entrusting your greatest investment to professionals who will work tirelessly to ensure you find the home of your dreams or locate a motivated buyer who thinks your property is their dream home. Contact our team today, and discover how locally-owned and operated businesses really do provide that friendly, honest service one would hope for from a real estate professional.  

According to a recent article by the Grand Rapids Business Journal, the mixed-use developments becoming so popular downtown are not restricted to that main corridor of Grand Rapids.  Oakwood Manor Apartments, located in Heritage Hill at 547 Cherry Street SE will soon be renovated into a mixed-use building, giving this historical building a much more modern appeal for younger area residents and businesses. Oakwood Manor is currently home to 94 residential apartment units, and while those will remain, hopes are that the building will find commercial tenants as well.

Originally constructed in 1927, Oakwood Manor was initially built as a mixed use building. Back at the time the original construction was completed, in addition to residential units, the seven story tall building (currently the tallest edifice in Heritage Hills) hosted a small grocery store and a restaurant on the first floor. Those spaces have been vacant for some time, but that is about to change. X Ventures, a commercial real estate company, will be renovating the building in the near future in the hopes of turning it into an anchor location in the Heritage Hill neighborhood.

Oakwood Manor is currently owned by Green Property Management, and they are collaborating with X Ventures and Lott3Metz architecture firm in the renovation. Plans for the renovation include a complete overhaul of the interior of the building, a new back patio, and a carriage house for residents' bicycle storage. Everything, from the residential hallways to the lobby to the elevator interior, will be brand new when renovations are completed. There are plans to redesign the landscaping on the surrounding lot as well. The companies intend to work closely with the Historical Preservation Commission and the Heritage Hill Neighborhood Association, who will have a chance to review the renovation plans as soon as they are completed.

As for current tenants, some are staying and others are moving out. The upper floors are being completely redone to house several larger penthouse units, but many of the apartments on lower floors will remains close to the same in size and layout after renovations. Some current tenants are re-leasing, while others are moving on to new spaces, with their units being renovated as they leave. The first floor commercial units have already been renovated, and tenants are being sought for the 4,400 and 2,700 square foot units, which are reported to cost roughly sixteen dollars a square foot. Management reports the spaces would be perfect for an upscale convenience store or coffee shop.

This development and the renovations it will include will certainly have an impact on the values of properties in nearby communities and neighborhoods once it is completed. If you own a home in Cherry Hill, Heritage Hill, East Hills, or South Hill, there is a chance that this project could have an impact on you if you plan to sell your home in the next few years. Working with the knowledgeable, experienced realtors at Pyxis Realty is one way to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information about community developments and projected future changes in property values and housing demand. Call us today to see how easy making the most of selling your house can be! 

December is finally here, and while winter weather seems to be a bit out of reach for West Michigan right now, there's no reason why you can't get out and enjoy the season this weekend anyway. Thanks to our diverse community in West Michigan, there's plenty of great fun to be had around the city and outside it as well this weekend.

On Saturday (December 5^th), Lowell will be celebrating its Christmas Festivities. For those living East of Grand Rapids or craving some small town fun instead of big city bustle, this event, which runs from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm has plenty of charm and fun to go around. From 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, the Lowell High School is hosting the Rogue River Artisans 32^nd Annual Fine Art and Craft Holiday Show, which will include over 100 juried artists, a perfect place to find unique Christmas gifts for the more discerning and difficult to purchase for people on your holiday gift list. If you're not looking to shop, bundle up the kids and head down to the Lowell Showboat on Riverwalk Plaza, where Santa Claus will be in attendance from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. There will be free cookies and hot cocoa on offer as well.

At 4:30, Santa heads off to the King Memorial Center at the Lowell Fairgrounds to give people a chance to eat dinner with Santa. The meal will be a paid pancake supper, with the suggested donation rates being $5 per adult and $3 per child. Finally, at 6:00 pm, the Annual Night-time Santa Parade will start, departing from the Lowell Fairgrounds and making its way to the First United Methodist Church in Lowell.

If you're interested in shopping with local artisans but don't want to deal with the Santa parade in Lowell, heading Southwest of town might be the way to go this Saturday. The Allendale High School Craft Show, which is free to the public, will be open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with at least 75 local crafters and a few bigger vendors.

If you're just not interested in arts and crafts or don't celebrate or need to prepare for the holidays, there's still plenty to do, from the Repeal Day events at the museum downtown to the Grand Rapids Collectible Toy and Comic Expo. The Expo's General Admission runs from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm for only $4 per person and is being hosted by the Homeschool Building's auditorium in Wyoming, located at 5625 Burlingame Ave SW. Those with a burning need to scour the offerings early can pay $10 in admission for Preferred Buyer Admission, which allows buyers in as early as 6:00 am, providing them with a chance to scoop up the best and rarest offerings at the show.

From Christmas events to comic book expos, West Michigan has cultural events that will appeal to everyone, no matter their background or tastes. Pyxis Realty prides itself on knowing the culture and neighborhoods of West Michigan, and our staff will help you find your dream home in the perfect neighborhood today. Give us a call and find out how easy buying a home can be!  

Buying a home is a major investment, and it involves a lot of knowledge and information that must be processed in a short period of time. Some well-intentioned but misinformed buyers believe that approaching the market without a realtor is the fastest and cheapest way to go, but there are a number of reasons why that belief is likely unrealistic.

3. It doesn't really save money to buy without a realtor. There's a popular misconception that buyers can pay substantially less for the properties they purchase if they eliminate the use of a realtor. While this may prove true, on occasion, in markets with lots of inventory and undervalued properties, in a market like the West Michigan real estate market, this is unlikely to happen. Most properties on the market right now are selling at the asking price. Even if a property is listed for sale by owner, the seller is highly unlikely to chop thousands of dollars off the sale price because you come to the table without a professional realtor unless you're an amazing negotiator and there are no other interested parties. In reality, you'll simply be closing for the same price on the house with less assistance and fewer protections if something goes wrong.

2. You'll be missing out on viewing some amazing properties. Realtors know what's on the market, and they have access to massive databases full of available homes and the newest listings. While many of these resources can be found in realty offices and even online, those without comprehensive real estate training will be hard pressed to make the most of these tools. It's entirely possible that your dream house is on the market right now, but you may very well not find it in your searches without the help of a realtor. Worse, still, is the possibility of finding the home but doing so too late. There's nothing quite as miserable as finding the perfect home, only to discover an offer has been made and accepted on the property hours before you called.

1. Without professional advice and help, everything falls to the buyer. Arranging a competent, trustworthy inspection can be difficult and nerve-wracking. Do you know how to tell if a furnace is in excellent working condition or has been cleaned and rigged up to look like it's fine, when it needs to be replaced? Can you estimate a property's likely appreciation or devaluation based on proposed developments and changes to the neighborhood where it is located? Have you ever tried to actually read through the paperwork involved in a home sale? It's a lot of information, a lot of headache, that the average homeowner doesn't need during the buying process. Moreover, given that you're unlikely to receive any financial benefit from not using a realtor, you'll be doing a lot more work with a lot more stress without any tangible benefits.

When it's time to buy a home, whether it's your first home or a move into a bigger/smaller home or a new neighborhood, it's always best to work with professionals. That way, you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you aren't being tricked or overpaying for a property. If you're in the market for a new home, be sure to work with the best for the smoothest, easiest sale process. Call the experienced professionals at Pyxis Realty, and see what a difference a realtor can make!

Downtown Grand Rapids has seen some major announcements recently regarding developments, from new construction to work on updating existsing structures, that are sure to revitalize the city center. One of the projects drawing the most excitement and interest is the aptly named Arena Place, which will be located at 55 Ottawa Avenue SW. People are anxious to see construction completed, as there are hopes the exterior structure will be built by December 31^st, 2015.

Currently under construction, this eleven story tall building will be another mixed use development. That means that it will feature housing units, retail space, and office space, instead of being solely zoned and planned for only one kind of tenant. The project was designed and constructed by Orion Real Estate Development, a subsidy of locally-owned Orion Construction, who has been involved in a number of large construction and renovation projects across West Michigan in recent years.

The 210,000 square foot building will include a massive, two hundred and eighty unit parking structure, ensuring that business and residential traffic to Arena Place will not impact already scarce parking during peak times downtown. In addition to the retail space on the ground floor, there will be office space for rent (tenants already announced for office spaces include the Miller Johnson law firm and branding firm DOMOREGOOD, along with others) and one hundred market rate housing units in the building. The housing will be spread across four floors, one of which is planned as condominium units on the sixth floor. There will be a mix of studio, one bedroom and two bedroom units available when construction is completed.

Arena Place could be open for tenants as soon as the spring of 2016. Once the exterior is finished, crews will begin the work of interior construction for the individual units and floors. It was recently announced that a good portion of the 8,174 square feet of ground floor retail space will be leased by Option One Credit Union. While not the biggest local name in credit unions, Option One Credit Union has been in operation for 79 years, making it a stable and powerful local business and a great anchor to a major development such as Arena Place.

Option One Credit Union will share the first story of the building with a restaurant being opened by the Meritage Hospitality Group, who owns, among other things, local Wendy's franchises. The planned restaurant is being called The Wheelhouse, and it will take up approximately 6,000 square feet on the ground floor of the development. Proponents of Arena Place are pointing to the convenience of banking and upscale dining in the same building where one lives.

As with many of the recent announcements for planned renovations and developments in the downtown Grand Rapids area, the completion of Arena Place will likely have an impact on the Grand Rapids real estate market and West Michigan real estate market. If you are thinking of buying or selling a house (or buying a condo unit in Arena Place), get in touch with the real estate professionals at Pyxis Realty today, and let their experience and knowledge of the local markets work for you!  

Today is an unofficial holiday, known as Black Friday, when major realtors make enough money to put them “in the black” financially for the rest of the year. Many of you may have already hit up the biggest sales, many of which offer early morning or Thanksgiving afternoons doorbuster specials. However, most of those big, advertised sales are run by international corporations and businesses which have few ties to local communities. When many people think of Black Friday or holiday shopping, it is all too often the mall or big box stores that benefit from gift-giving. Although there are some great shops in the two Grand Rapids area malls and the outlet mall located in Byron Center, many of the big chain stores all carry the same thing.

Thankfully, there is plenty of small, local shopping around the West Michigan area that offer the chance to buy something unique that will be treasured. As we discussed in our blog last week, to the east of town, there is Lowell, with its Main Street lined with small, locally-owned and operated businesses. While their holiday shopping event is over, the potential for finding unique, incredible gifts in their shopping district is not. From antiques to art, there's a lot of awesome stuff to be found in Lowell.

If you'd prefer to stay closer to town, there are plenty of engaging, unique businesses across the city of Grand Rapids itself. Downtown Grand Rapids has a brilliant collection of diverse businesses, from the comic shop on Monroe Center, called Vault of Midnight, to the myriad small restaurants that offer gift certificates as the perfect gift for your foodie friends. There are locally-owned clothiers, as well as record shops and jewelers.

If you head just a mile or so east of downtown, into the East Hills/Cherry Street shopping district, there's a lovely collection of local shops. From locally-made ice cream flavored with Michigan ingredients and sustainable clothing made from hemp, silk, bamboo, and other natural fibers in fair trade environments at Clothing Matters to the beautiful gifts and plants on sale at Ludema's New Design Floral to the Michigan-made toys available at Hopscotch, this quaint, brick-paved shopping district is a great place to find gifts and enjoy yourself while doing so. Another half mile east lands you right in the heart of Eastown, where you'll find used bookstores and other great gift-buying locations.

If you're more north of town, consider visiting the historical shopping venues of downtown Rockford. From jewelry boutiques carrying Pandora and Brighton to used books to tween and teen couture and skateboards, there's a little bit of everything in Rockford as well. Stop in at Dam Dogs or the Corner Bar for a chili dog after you fill your vehicle with bags of perfect presents for your loved ones.

There are plenty of other neighborhoods with amazing shops for you to explore and discover, tucked away across West Michigan's many communities and neighborhoods. The diverse, locally-owned businesses are part of what make the West Michigan area so desirable for living. If you're looking to buy or sell a home, get in touch with the professionals at Pyxis Realty, who know and love the area where they work.