For years prior to the 2008 real estate bubble, HGTV specialized in shows about investment properties, rehabbing homes, and even the questionable practice of flipping homes. Since 2008, many Americans are skittish about investing in real estate, viewing stocks or even bonds as a safer bet. However, given the volatility of the stock market and the perpetual demand for housing, it's probably a good time for small-scale investors and families to consider investing in the local real estate market. There are numerous companies that offer comprehensive services for landlords and property owners, and the potential for substantial income is there. Here are three great reasons to consider purchasing an investment property in the greater Grand Rapids area.

3. Low interest rates and sweat equity increase income potential. Interest rates are still incredibly low for mortgages, which means that the effective cost of purchasing an investment property, even if completely financed, is at one of the lowest points its been in decades. If you have the liquid capital to purchase an investment property outright, so much the better. The potential for overall financial gain is substantial, especially if you buy a property that could use some TLC and do much of the manual labor (such as repairing and painting walls, installing flooring, upgrading hardware, landscaping, etc) yourself or with the help of family and friends.

2. Property values are on the rise in West Michigan. This means that not only do you stand to make regular, monthly income from the rental of the property in question, should you choose to sell it, it is likely that there will be profit there as well. Although prices have been stagnant for years, they are slowly beginning to increase, a promising sign that this is a long-term trend and not just a brief rally. Additionally, there have been some major, long-term investments in the city center recently, ranging from the construction of new research facilities to mixed-use rental spaces. Downtown hasn't been this vibrant and in-demand in a long time!

1. New development in the city means greater housing demand. In addition to all the Gen Xers and Millenials who would like to live somewhere close to where they work, there is an increasing portion of Baby Boomers moving closer to city centers and renting as they approach their golden years. Whether your target market for renting will be working families, retired people, or students, there's a steady increase in demand for housing for all three of these demographics across West Michigan.

So there you have it! If you're considering purchasing an investment property in the Grand Rapids real estate market or the West Michigan real estate market, give the experts at Pyxis Realty a call today! Not only do they know the region well enough to help you find the right neighborhoods for your price and desired clientele, they also know the market well enough to help you find a diamond of a deal! Call or email our team today for the hands-on, experienced help that will make your real estate investment a breeze!  

Today is one of the best days to find get out and socialize. After all, there will be oodles of children running door to door, parties all over the city in businesses and private residences alike, and costumes everywhere. If you're looking for the perfect Halloween activity, you're in luck! We've rounded up some of the best offerings in West Michigan for you to consider when finalizing your ghoulish evening plans.

First and foremost, if you are an adult without children, several local watering holes are having majorly spooktacular events tonight. If you've got a killer costume planned, there are plenty of fun places to head to show it off. Monte's is offering a $1,000 prize for their costume contest, and doors open at 8 pm. Founders downtown, while not offering a cash prize for best costume, is having a trio of live bands perform for a $5 cover.

For those with little ones, looking for something to do before hitting the candy trail, consider heading down toward Eastown, where the local business district is celebrating by handing out candies (and even comic books in the case of Argos Bookshop). Almost every business in the area is participating, from Yesterdog to Smitty's Specialty Beverage, meaning there will be plenty of sugary goodness for all the little ones and even some fun for the adults, too. The Halloween walk is slated to run from noon to 5 pm, which means the kiddos still have plenty of time to go door to door as well.

If you're more nerdily inclined, consider stopping by Tardy's Comic Book Corner, near the intersection of Eastern and Burton, where they will be giving out free Halloween Comic Fest Comics (much like Argos) and hosting a costume contest, with a $60 gift certificate to the best adult costume and a $30 gift certificate for the best child costume. Winners will be selected via vote on Facebook, so stop in by 7 pm tonight and have your picture taken for a chance at free comics!

If freebies aren't what you want and scares are what this holiday is about for you, there are several great options! On the west side of Grand Rapids, located at 2070 Waldorff St NW just off of Walker Avenue, The Haunt is celebrating its 15^th year of scaring the crud out of locals. With tickets running $20 for standard tickets and $30 for speed pass tickets that let you bypass the line, The Haunt (which opens at 7:30) is 20,000 square feet of indoor terror, perfect for a drizzly Halloween.

For those south of town, there's also the Forest of Fear, a massive outdoor haunted attraction whose tickets are $15 (or $20 for the speed pass). Located in Caledonia, this 1/3 mile path run by the Kentwood Jaycees is sure to have you running for cover. It opens at 7 pm tonight. Readers who live north of Grand Rapids are also in luck; the Haunted Barn in Greenville, located at 1471 S. Greenville Rd, is only $5 per person to enter. While most days this haunted barn is adult-oriented (and admission is usually $12), tonight it's been toned down to ensure that kids of all ages can enjoy the attraction.

No matter what kind of Halloween fun you're looking for, there's plenty to be had in West Michigan. Remember to call us if you're looking to buy or sell a house in the West Michigan area. Trying to do it without professional help can get scary! Happy Halloween from everyone at Pyxis Realty!

Plenty of people start the home buying process on their own, only to get overwhelmed with options and information. They may also have trouble finding ideal, desireable properties on the current market, where housing inventory remains low throughout the Grand Rapids real estate market and West Michigan real estate market. What's a prospective West Michigan homeowner to do? Call in the experts: the Pyxis Realty team.

There are plenty of realtors and brokerages in the area, but at Pyxis Realty, there are benefits that surpass those available at bigger firms.

3. Connections with other excellent agents. The importance of professional connections in real estate cannot be overstated. When the market is moving as quickly as it is right now, you need an agent who is keeping up to date on listings and working with listing agents to find the best possible properties to view. By maintaining strong, positive relationships with other brokerages and agents, we ensure that our clients interested in buying have an edge when looking for homes (it comes in handy when we're listing your home for sale as well). Working with a realty team that builds relationships by behaving in an ethical, courteous, and professional manner can help you find the perfect place.

2. White glove service without white glove fees. No matter what your needs are, from a fully-wheelchair accessible home to a place that will permit all five of your beloved dogs, our staff can help you find the perfect home while ensuring that you don't have to get stressed out about the process. You can rest easy, knowing that an experienced, reliable realtor is working hard to locate properties that will meet your needs and the needs of your family. You can expect quick response times to calls and emails, and a smile whenever you meet with us in person. You don't have to worry about having your property search put on the backburner for a client with a larger pre-approved mortgage amount. Every client who works with Pyxis Realty is treated as our most important client, because we value the people who we serve and our community.

1. No pushy salespeople. The staff at Pyxis Realty isn't just here to get you to close on home. We're here to help you find the right home for where you are in life right now. You don't have to worry about high pressure tactics or only being showed properties that were listed with one of our agents. No matter who you work with at Pyxis Realty, you can rest assured that your happiness and satisfaction with one of the biggest purchases you will ever make is our number one priority.

The real estate market is hot right now and continues to move quickly in the area. If you are in the market to buy your first home or sell your current home and move to another home or neighborhood, having a professional at your side can make all the difference in the world. Forget the real estate nightmare stories you hear; buying a home can be a dream come true with Pyxis Realty on your side!  

Grand Rapids has worked hard to cultivate the reputation and businesses that led to its newest nickname: Beer City, USA. There is a flourishing microbrewery community in West Michigan, with several big name (but locally owned) breweries like Founders garnering national attention. Now, another local West Michigan business is looking to capitalize on the demand for unique, locally-produced artisan adult beverages by expanding to a second location in downtown Grand Rapids. According to the Grand Rapids Press, Vander Mill Hard Cider hopes to open their new Grand Rapids location either in December of 2015 or January of 2016. In addition to offering their hard cider, there will be a restaurant in the new location as well.

The flagship location for Vander Mill Hard Cider is in Spring Lake, located at 14921 Cleveland Street. This original location offers not only a tasting room but also a cafe for customers and connoisseurs. The Spring Lake location, which opened in 2006 and also houses the productions facilities for Vander Mill Hard Cider, takes up a lean 8,000 square feet of space. This new location in downtown Grand Rapids will be five times larger with 40,000 square feet of space inside the newly renovated building on the Northeast side that originally housed B&B Beer Distributing Company.

The owner of Vander Mill Hard Cider, Paul Vander Heide, has reportedly invested $4 million into this expansion. Those funds covered the acquisition of their new building at 505 Ball Avenue NE, as well as the extensive renovations and changes made to the edifice after its purchase. Vande Heide, as quoted in the Grand Rapids Press, makes it clear that this expansion should be an incredible boon for his business, as Beer City, USA offers massive demand for craft beverages, such as locally made hard cider.

This expansion is something the company has been seriously considering since January of this year, when the business requested permission from the city of Grand Rapids to repurpose the old B&B headquarters. Plans include making the distillery visible to taproom patrons, meaning that the process of pressing, fermenting, and packaging the beverages will be viewable through a massive window in the retail space. The restaurant will take up approximately 3,300 square feet of the building, leaving a substantial space for commercial cider production. Readers can follow Vander Mill Hard Cider on Facebook for updates on the actual opening date of the new Grand Rapids facility, which is sure to add something exciting and fresh to the downtown scene. 

As always, Pyxis Realty is keeping its staff and its fans up to date on developments in local neighborhoods that can impact housing demand and prices. Anything from the opening of a massive production facility and retail space (with the jobs that go along with that) to the creation of new sidewalks in the Alpine corridor can impact home values and demand for both properties for purchase or rental spaces. If you're looking to buy a new home or purchase an investment property, having a realtor with knowledge of and experience in the Grand Rapids real estate market is invaluable. Call the team at Pyxis Realty today to get the ball rolling on your purchase with the help of experienced, friendly professionals who make closing a cakewalk.  

Although Vermont is famous as the state where everyone on the East Coast travels to see the fall color, Michigan residents know that they don't have to travel anywhere to get the best show in the world. When autumn takes hold of our forests and trees, we are treated to brilliant yellows, oranges, reds, and every conceiveable shade of brown in existence. Now that the air is a little crisper and the leaves are starting to drop, just taking a drive north on M-37 can be a lovely way to spend a weekend morning or afternoons, especially if you have a steaming cup of hot apple cider in your cup holder. However, if you're looking for something a little more active, there's still plenty in the area to enjoy!

Have you ever considered running through a corn maze? There are over a dozen in the Greater Grand Rapids area, each with its own design, ownership, and other attractions. Some of the best in the area are just north of town, out in farming country.

Ed Dunneback and Girls' farm is a staple offering for corn maze enthusiasts . Not only is there a maze throughout acres of corn with a variety of hint questions (ranging from Detroit Tigers trivia to animal noises) complete with additional stations and a prize at the end of the season for those who find all of the extra stations hidden in the corn maze, there's a playground, a pumpkin patch, and homemade goodies including doughnuts and apple cider in the barn. Locals love to take photos with the bright pink John Deere 420 model sitting at the edge of the road (#dunnebacks), and there's a field full of u-pick pumpkins waiting to come home and be made into Jack-o-Lanterns. While you're waiting for the hay ride out to the maze, the kids can play on the playground, which includes massive, painted tractor tires and recycled tire swings, made to look like horses, tractors, and a moose, as well as a “spider web” for the kids to climb.

If you're looking to get a little farther from the city, you might want to travel about ten miles farther north to Fruit Ridge Hayrides. Their ten acre corn maze is not for the faint of heart; Fruit Ridge Hayrides brags that their maze is one of the hardest in the area. Dubbed the Giant Maize Quest, this massive maze is created annually by renowned maze designer Dave Phillips. This year's design is called “Everest Expedition.” If you have little ones not up for a 10-acre romp, there's a smaller, child-friendly maze perfect for impatient little people who just can't wait to get back to the pony rides, the petting zoo, or the playground.

The beautiful, engaging culture of West Michigan is part of what makes this area such a desirable place to live and raise a family. If you're looking to buy a new home or sell the one you currently own, the professionals at Pyxis Realty have the experience and local knowledge to help you get the most out of your purchase or sale. Give us a call today!

We've discussed plans to develop the areas around the Gerald R. Ford airport previously here on the Pyxis Realty blog. That story, for those who hadn't had a chance to read it, discussed the multi-acre, massive, aeronautically-themed development planned nearby, to be called “Area 52.” Today's West Michigan real estate development news involves not nearby construction and development but rather plans to expand and improve a section of the airport itself!

According to a report by the Grand Rapids Business Journal, Landmark Aviation has broken ground on a massive expansion of their local operations. Specifically, they are constructing a brand-new hanger for airplane services that Landmark Aviation offers on a 16.8 acre lot within the airport itself. The planned new building will be 23,750 square feet, with plenty of room for planes ranging from personal vehicles to the largest commercial jetliners. The company stated in a press release that this new construction was part of the company's internal commitment to constantly re-investing in its own infrastructure and network.

The building will be broken down into two primary spaces and uses. 5,000 square feet of the new construction will be dedicated to office space for employees of Landmark Aviation, with the remaining 18,750 square feet being dedicated to the hanger itself. Although Landmark Aviation did not disclose the estimated expense of constructing this new office and hanger space, it did advise interested parties that the construction would be completed used “eco-friendly” materials, which fits well with Grand Rapids' ongoing attempt to be an environmentally-conscious metropolis.

Landmark Aviation is clearly aware of the potential of the West Michigan market and what makes locals tick, even if they are not a locally-based or locally-owned company. They are actually based out of Houston, Texas. However, Landmark Aviation has had a presence in the greater Grand Rapids area since 2013 at the Gerald R. Ford airport. This new expansion will allow them to service commercial plans as large as 747s at the largest West Michigan airport, mirroring what they offer in other areas of the United States, Canada, and throughout Europe.

Landmark Aviation offers such services as de-icing planes getting ready for take off, routine maintenance, and concierge services and catering to both private plane owners and commercial airline companies. Their company is currently in talks with the massive British airplane services company BBA Aviation about a potential merger. Landmark Aviation is priced at a cool $2.065 billion for the purpose of this potential purchase, which would make BBA Aviation the largest fixed-location airplane services company in the world.

For now, while the sale is in discussions, Landmark Aviation remains independent and clearly feels that Grand Rapids and the West Michigan area are a prime location for development and growth. As the airport grows, it will likely impact real estate and rental prices in south-eastern Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Caledonia, Cascade, and other nearby municipalities. If you are planning to buy or sell a home in any of these areas, give Pyxis Realty a call today to ensure you're getting up-to-date information and the best possible assistance through the real estate transaction.

Recently, the West Michigan real estate market and Grand Rapids real estate market have taken off, with inventory of homes for sale dropping to an all-time low and the average home price in the area increasing. This has been beneficial not only for local homeowners and real estate investors, who are finally able to sell their properties for a reasonable price or refinance and get out from being “underwater” or “upside down” on their mortgage (by owing more than the home is estimated to be worth), but also for local communities on a larger scale.

When the Great Recession hit in full force in 2008, Michigan had already been experiencing a long-term economic slump, brought on in no small part by the ongoing outsourcing of the blue collar manufacturing jobs that were once the backbone of our state. Housing prices in many cities had been on decline for some time, and the national real estate bubble popping led to many homeowners losing their properties or struggling just to make the minimum monthly payment on their mortgage. This, in turn, led to housing values dropping further in many areas, with a glut of inventory of homes for sale. Civic taxes, obtained by taxing real estate via millages, dropped substantially in many areas, forcing budget cuts in everything from local schools to law enforcement and emergency responders.

According to a broad analysis by Mlive published in the Grand Rapids Press over the weekend, in many areas, property tax rates are the highest they have been since 1994. However, given the massive drop in home values, in many communities, these higher property tax rates were doing very little to ameliorate the issue of declining tax income. Now that residential property values are on the rise, so is tax revenue (or anticipated tax revenue) in many of the most populated counties in the state of Michigan. Here in Kent County, for example, the average property value of residential homes has increased by 3% since 2014.

Of course, property tax rates and county tax income are still down when compared with pre-recession figures. Mlive states that the total value of all taxable properties in Michigan is still 10% below what it was in 2008, despite being up 2.6 percent this year when compared with figures from 2014. Overall, property taxes paid are down 8.6 percent when compared with their all-time high set in 2007, before the Great Recession. It will take more time for the market to completely rebound, but the increase in tax income and property values can only help speed the process.

As tax revenue increases, infrastructure and community investments will improve and increase, leading to Michigan communities appearing more appealing to new homeowners and investors alike. If you are planning on buying a home or selling one in what remains of 2015 or in 2016, now is the time to begin discussing options, neighborhoods, and price with an experienced realtor. Contact Pyxis Realty today to list your property for sale or to begin the process of searching for a home for purchase. You can count on receiving top-notch service and expert advice on local real estate markets.  

It's finally that season again: hockey season! With the turning of the leaves comes the whirring of the Zamboni and everything else that comes with indoor professional hockey games. The Grand Rapids Griffins, the local professional hockey team, will be hitting the ice and providing an excellent outing opportunity to parents, sports fans, and people of all ages.

For those unfamiliar with the franchise, the Grand Rapids Griffins are a locally-based team who compete in the American Hockey League (AHL). They are a major facet of Michigan's professional hockey scene, as the Grand Rapids Griffins are an affiliate team to the Detroit Redwings, one of the biggest hockey teams of the last half-century. Originally formed in 1996 as part of the International Hockey League (IHL), the Grand Rapids Griffins joined the AHL when the IHL ceased to exist as an organization. Their relationship with the Redwings is a close one; the Griffins do not have their own team manager, relying instead on the Redwings for support. A significant percentage of the players on the ice for the Grand Rapids Griffins are prospective Redwings players, including draft picks. That means the Griffins regularly serve up high-level hockey entertainment at a fraction of the Redwings pricetag.

The season opener is tonight, October 16^th at . The Grand Rapids Griffins will face off against the San Antonio Rampage in two back-to-back nights of early season hockey excitement! Both games begin at 7:00 pm and will be hosted at the Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids. The Friday night game will feature $2 hot dogs and $2 domestic draft beers. Tickets both nights will range from $16 for upper level seats to $35 for VIP Glass seats. Those prices are $3 more if purchased on the day of the game. The same prices apply for the next home game, against the Charlotte Checkers, on Wednesday, October 21^st at 7 pm. There are no discounts for children, and all children ages 2 and older must have their own ticket to enter the game. Regular season games will run until Saturday, April 16^th, 2016. There are also season passes available for Griffins fans and local sports enthusiasts.

The Grand Rapids Griffins are one of several local sports teams, including the Grand Rapids Drive and the West Michigan Whitecaps, that allow local sports fans something to enjoy. They provide an outlet and conduit for community civic pride, and create an opportunity for local athletes to move into professional play. The local sports teams, like our cultural festivals and community events, help to make West Michigan the unique culture that it is, and offer everyone a chance for a fun outing, should the seasonally-appropriate urge arise.

Whether you love West Michigan for the plentiful local sports offerings or the four seasons climate we enjoy every year, if you're considering buying a home in West Michigan or selling your home in the area, you should give Pyxis Realty a call. Our professional, experienced staff is ready to help you make the most of your sale or to find the home of your dreams. Call or email us today!

National real estate and development firms aren't the only ones who recognize that the West Michigan real estate market and the greater Grand Rapids real estate market are both great places to invest; locally-owned companies often spend years investing in West Michigan communities. The landscape of the downtown area and many of the more populous suburbs of Grand Rapids have seen a massive influx of investment, with new construction and retrofitting of older buildings happening all the time.

According to an article published by the Grand Rapids Business Journal, locally-owned and operated Orion Real Estate Solutions has a major project planned, and they will be appearing in front of the Grand Rapids Planning Commission on October 22^nd to seek city approval for certain aspects of the project. This project, which represents a massive $8 million investment, would be an apartment complex located on the banks of the Grand River downtown, at 1001 Monroe Avenue Northwest.

These modern apartment units, if approved, will create housing for 34 individuals and families. Named River's Edge Apartments, this development would offer approximately 44,000 square feet of living space spread over a total of five stories. The apartments which will be located on the second through fifth stories of the building, would be studio units, one bedroom apartments and two bedroom apartments, ranging in size from 680 square feet to 1,100 square feet. The first story would be dedicated to parking, as well as to housing an 1,800 square foot restaurant space.

Orion Real Estate Solutions would handle the demolition of the existing structure at the planned location, as well as the construction of the new River Edge Apartments building. Orion Real Estate Solutions already owns the land, having purchased the property with business capital. Should they gain approval for the project, they will be seeking financing for the construction of the apartment complex. The building itself was designed by architects at Progressive AE, another Grand Rapids firm. As far as interior design goes, it appears that contract is still up for grabs, as no firm or company has been named at this time.

As far as the approval required from the Grand Rapids Planning Commission, that appears to have to do primarily with certain elements of design incorporated into the building plan. Orion Real Estate Solutions will need to obtain city approval for certain aspects of the project, including the art work, a set-back variance allowing them to build within a certain proximity to the Grand River, and certain other site details. Should it all go through the Planning Commission without a hitch, Orion Real Estate Solutions hopes to break ground on the project early next year.

As the downtown area of Grand Rapids continues to develop and expand its offerings, it is increasingly important for those selling their homes in the area or considering buying a home or investment property in the region to have very knowledgeable, well-informed, and experienced realtor backing them and aiding them in the process. The staff at Pyxis Realty is always ready to help clients navigate the confusing and complex real estate market, so give them a call today!

If you're considering buying your first home, you may have come across a common catchphrase in real estate: location, location, location. Unless you've got a specific spot already picked out (your childhood neighborhood, for example, or a certain school district), finding the right area can be one of the trickiest parts of buying your first home. Having a realtor who really knows the area, the suburbs and communities, is invaluable during the home buying process, especially if you're flexible on where you want to be living. Here are three questions to ask yourself and discuss with anyone else who will be buying/living in the home with you to figure out what locations are best for your needs.

1. Do you want to live in one of the beautiful country settings West Michigan has to offer? If you dream of running a hobby farm or have a desire to own a horse, obviously you're going to need a little more space than someone who just wants a goldfish. Many cities, townships, and suburbs have limitations on the kind and number of animals residents can keep, so be sure to disclose your intentions to the realtor early on to ensure properties are condusive to your life goals.

2. Do you love the idea of living downtown? If the hustle and bustle of the metropolis that is Grand Rapids calls your name, knowing what part of the city to look at can still be confusing. Do you want to be in the heart of it all, living in one of the many amazing, upscale condominiums that downtown Grand Rapids has to offer? Or do you dream of living in an older, massive home in South Hill or Heritage Hill, still close enough to bike or walk to the city center? The city has homes on offer from extravagant to quaint and affordable. Having a realtor working with you can ensure you select a home in a neighborhood condusive to the lifestyle of dream of having in the city.

3. Do you long for small-town communities and quiet suburbs? There are dozens of beautiful small townships and villages in West Michigan, each with something special to offer prospective residents. From festivals to public parks to curbside recycling, the small towns of West Michigan and suburbs of Grand Rapids offer beautiful homes and friendly, family-oriented communities. Talk to your realtor about what aspects of a community appeal to you, whether it's the local grocery store or a multitude of city parks. They'll be able to help you narrow down the choices of where to look based on what amenities you most desire.

If you're getting ready to buy a home, there are a lot of things to consider, from local taxes to biking trails and the size of the local library. The experienced, professional staff at Pyxis Realty is highly skilled at helping first-time homeowners find a home and a community that fits them just right. Call our office today to get the best possible assistance in navigating the West Michigan real estate market or Grand Rapids real estate market.