Fall is finally in full swing in West Michigan, and that means that every weekend there is a wide assortment of great entertainment, from family-friendly to downright terrifying. Whether you're looking for something to do with the kids or grandkids or something more related to the fine arts, there's plenty of fun to be had in West Michigan this weekend!

This Sunday, for example, will see the Frederick Meijer Gardens hosting Fall Family Days from 11 am to 4 pm. The Gardens, which are located at 1000 East Beltline Ave NE in Grand Rapids, MI 49525, offer not only beautiful greenhouse gardens but also sprawling out door facilities, such as the expansive Children's Garden, which includes a water table shaped like the Great Lakes and a two-story treehouse facility for running and exploring. This Sunday (and other Sundays this month), the Children's Garden will have a number of fun activities for little ones, from making flower prints to telling autumn tales in the Storytelling Garden to old-fashioned childhood games in the Log Cabin. Standard admission rates to the Gardens apply. Admission is free for members and their guests, otherwise it is $12 for adult tickets, $9 for seniors 65 or older or students with identification, $6 for children ages 5-13, $4 for 3 and 4 year olds, and free admission for children 2 and younger.

If you're looking for something a little quieter, consider visiting the City of Allegan today, from 4 pm to 11 pm, while Oktoberfest is being celebrated. This year's festival will also include the opening of the new Riverfront area. There is a kid's area, a beer tent, and live music for attendees. Admission is free, though there is a charge for food and beverages. There will be a massive sky lantern send-off later in the evening as well, making this event well worth the drive.

If plants and fall color aren't what you're looking for, consider attending the Life In Color event beginning at 8 pm on Saturday October 10^th in downtown Grand Rapids. It's being billed as the world's largest paint party, and should be very unique and entertaining. There is a feature in the “Paint Factory” showing how paint and color have evolve over the centuries, but this is far from a dry, educational event. There's live music and plenty of refreshments available as Life in Color takes over DeVos Place, culminating in a massive paint explosion at the end of the night.

Tickets, which are $45 apiece are still available online. Click here to purchase them now. 

Finally, for the more artistically inclined, there is the Grand Valley Shakespeare festival, which is performing All's Well that Ends Well this year. The finally performances are Saturday, October 10th and Sunday the 11^th. Adult tickets are $14. Student tickets cost $6, and there is an additional $1 fee for tickets purchased at the door. People can buy tickets online here to ensure there are still seats available.

There is always something exciting going on in Grand Rapids and the nearby communities across West Michigan. The rich and diverse local culture of our region is one of many reasons why the West Michigan real estate market and the greater Grand Rapids real estate market have remained strong despite low inventory and increasing prices. If you're considering buying or selling a home or investment property in the area, call Pyxis Realty today to get the full advantage of an experienced, knowledgeable realtor in your corner!

If there's one indicator of how strong the West Michigan real estate market and more specifically the greater Grand Rapids real estate market currently are, it is probably ongoing investment and development in the downtown area. The end of October will see the pre-leasing open house in the face of the final stages of completion for the long-awaited 616 Lofts on Michigan, a housing project that represents a $16 million dollar investment in our city and community. The company who designed and built 616 Lofts on Michigan, 616 Development, has also built and operates six other 616 Loft complexes, including 616 Lofts on Monroe, 616 Lofts on Pearl, and 616 Lofts at the Kendall, among others.

616 Lofts began construction of the Michigan Street complex in September of 2014 and hopes to finish construction on the building by January 2016. Located at the corner of Eastern Avenue and Michigan Street with an address of 740 Michigan Street, the 616 Lofts on Michigan are close to everything downtown, particularly the Medical Mile area. It was designed and built as a mixed-used building, meaning that the first floor of this four-story addition to downtown will be devoted to rental retail space. According to the developer, they will be announcing the tenant of the 9,700 square foot retail space on the first floor in the near future.

The upper three stories of the building contain fifty-four one and two bedroom apartments. There are multiple layouts available, with space inside the units ranging from 678 square feet to 1,086 square feet and rents ranging from $1,350 to $2,325 per month. That amount includes water, sewer, trash, recycling. Units are pet-friendly, but there is a pet fee for those who wish to bring their furry friends along to live at 616 Lofts on Michigan. Some of the amenities planned for this building include 95 parking spaces for tenants, many of which are below ground and therefore protected from the elements, and washer and dryers in each of the units, as well as modern fixtures and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. Some units will feature balconies as well, making them very desirable to those who enjoy a beautiful view of the cityscape.

The open house, which will allow prospective tenants a chance to check out the building and the area, will be held on October 23rd from 3-6 p.m. and Oct. 24^th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be gift bags for the first 50 attendees to show up. Applications will be taken at the open house. There is a $50 application fee and security deposits for tenants will be $800. For those looking for a rental in a brand new building, this could be an excellent opportunity!

At Pyxis Realty, our staff keeps up-to-date on local and nearby development projects, such as the ongoing investments in the city made by 616 Development. Knowing what is going ensures that we can offer our clients the best possible advice on what neighborhoods are currently and will soon be a good fit for their living spaces and investment properties. If you're considering purchasing a home, either for a dwelling space or an investment, contact Pyxis Realty today to get the edge you need in this highly competitive market!  

This autumn is a great time to list your home for sale with Pyxis Realty. Not only are average home sale prices up from last year (and last month), but the market is still moving very quickly, with low levels of housing inventory. If you've been considering selling your home, but are worried that it's too late in the year to take advantage of the high demand in the West Michigan real estate market and the greater Grand Rapids real estate markets, let us lay your fears to rest. Here are three reasons why the fall is a great time to list your home and move into the new neighborhood that you've been considering.

3. Fall colors really add to curb appeal. Showcasing the exterior of your home is never easier than in the autumn. Some corn stalks and pumpkins in the front yard, along with some hardy mums, and your home will really stand out to those driving by, looking at properties. Trees, an important feature of many yards, really stand out in the fall, instead of fading into a monotonous green background that goes unnoticed. Even colorful bushes and garden plants can make a big impression in the fall. One or two prominent displays of colorful fall foliage can make potential homeowners see seasonal beauty and the possibility of your space becoming theirs.

2. Fall is a great time of the year to move. If the thought of packing and moving your possessions in the summer exhausts you, you are certainly not alone. Many people loathe the additional strain that summer hear can add to the already stressful activity that is moving house. Now, in the cool of the autumn air, is a great time to move. There's no ice or slippery snow to worry about, and no need to concern oneself with the projected humidity before deciding on a date to move. This is also a perk for you if the home you're selling is your primary residence, because you won't have to worry about the heat either while packing.

1. Buyers are eager to settle in before winter comes. Winter is coming. When it gets here, while plenty of people still buy and sell, there are also plenty of people who may avoid moving until the weather breaks. Some people would prefer to move in less frigid conditions, such as the spring thaw or the cool of autumn. The winter holidays are also a concern for some; moving right around the holidays could make family get-togethers more difficult. Moving in the weeks leading up to Halloween and Thanksgiving, however, seems much less daunting and disruptive.

Here at Pyxis Realty, our professional staff is always ready to help our clients get their home on the market while maximizing the potential for a sale, no matter what the season. If the time is right for you to sell, or you're wondering if it is, call Pyxis Realty today to see how easy it can be!

The first weekend of October is upon us, and with it, a West Michigan tradition: Pulaski Days! Beginning today,October 2^nd, and running through the 5^th, this local festival is a celebration of local Polish Heritage and has a little something for everyone. There has always been a large Polish presence in West Michigan, particularly on the west side of Grand Rapids, and Pulaski Days helps to highlight how many Polish organizations and people there are in our community!

The original purpose of Pulaski Days is to honor the memory of General Casimir Pulaski, who fought in the Revolutionary War and is considered a hero, as well as the Father the United States Calvary. He died in the War, but is commemorated locally both by this festival and by the large statue of him on display near the Diamond Street Hall, one of many Polish halls that participate annually in this festival and hall crawl. Those who put on this event also list the end of anti-Polish discrimination as one of their goals, with Pulaski Days meant to help everyone feel included in Polish culture, thus creating a greater sense of social appreciation for Polish culture.

If you're looking for fun for the whole family, there's the Pulaski Days Parade on Saturday, October 3^rd, on the West Side of the city, on Fulton Avenue. Every year, a Pulaski Queen is crowned as part of the celebration and she and her court are featured in the parade. There will also be a Polka Mass (a Catholic Mass) at 11 a.m. on Sunday at the John Ball Park Bandshell (alternatively, at the Knights of Columbus Hall if weather presents an issue). Most of the Polish halls that are serving beers are also serving traditional Polish dishes and offering patrons live polka music or djs. Click here for a spreadsheet showing what times which halls are serving food and what entertainment will be available at each venue throughout the weekend. 

The real attraction of Pulaski Days, however, is the fact that fourteen local Polish halls participate, with live music, homemade polish foods, and all the beer a person could ever want. The event is so popular that a free shuttle is provided from 7 pm to midnight on both Friday October 2^nd and Saturday October 3^rd, allowing patrons to safely travel from hall to hall while imbibing as much beer as they wish. There will also be a raffle on Sunday night, with a grand prize of $1,000, with each raffle ticket only costing $1.00. From the beer to the dancing to the food, there's plenty of fun to be had, at sites ranging across the city.

Pulaski Days, a storied annual celebration beloved by many in the West Michigan area, is just one of many unique cultural events that makes West Michigan real estate and Grand Rapids real estate so valuable; there's all the culture of a big city without the big city rush and prices. If you are considering moving to the area or if you live in the area and are changing neighborhoods, get in touch with someone at Pyxis Realty today to ensure that you receive top-notch assistance from a locally-owned company that loves our community.  

With our plethora of microbreweries and small, locally owned but nationally renowned breweries, it's no wonder that West Michigan and Grand Rapids have been gaining attention as a must-visit location for beer aficionados. It should come as little surprise, then, that a major Detroit brewing company has decided to make a major investment in downtown Grand Rapids in hopes of cashing in on the popularity of hops-infused brews.

Atwater Brewery, founded in 1997, uses centuries-old brewing techniques to produce both a variety of traditional beers and creative new brews, such as the Traverse City Cherry Wheat and this summer's Blueberry Cobbler Ale, all of which are popular at their Detroit location (a four-star average on Yelp doesn't lie). All of their brewing equipment was imported from Germany, and they also use German malt grains and hops for their lagers. Specialty ales are brewed with American-sourced hops. This means that although they hail from the East side of the state, the Atwater Brewery team can compete with the amazing, west-side offerings, and they intend to.

As they announced earlier this week, they will be taking up residency in the Rowe Building, which is currently undergoing massive renovations for a 2016 re-opening. Located at 201 Michigan St. NW., the Rowe Building, with its fusion of modern amenities and classic architecture, is the perfect home for Atwater Brewery, which touts a similar classic/modern combination in their brewing practices. In addition to a taphouse featuring their increasingly popular selection of standard and seasonal brews, the Atwater Brewery location in Grand Rapids will feature a biergarten, an outdoor space dedicated to the enjoyment of beers (and the growing of hops and herbs, in many cases).

Not all the beers will be trucked across the state; Atwater intends to brew a number of their offerings on site at the Rowe Building location in Grand Rapids, making its offerings truly local. Some of those beers will be bottled and sold at retailers who carry Atwater products, which also include other spirits, such as cider and wine. That means at Grand Rapids brews will make up a portion of Atwater's annual production of 80-100,000 barrels of beer and $12 million in revenue.

New projects, such as the Atwater Brewery renovation in the Rowe Building, are breathing fresh life into the downtown area. These investments bode well for long-term stability and expansion in the Grand Rapids real estate market and West Michigan real estate market. It's hard to deny that there is every kind of entertainment in the area, from family-friendly events and festivals to adult beverages to athletic events and semi-professional sports teams. West Michigan has all the amenities of a big city without the big city feel.

If you're considering moving to West Michigan or Grand Rapids, or if you're ready to sell your home and move to a new neighborhood, give Pyxis Realty a call! Our team of experienced real estate professionals will ensure you have the best experience possible!

The final numbers on home sales in the West Michigan real estate market and the Grand Rapids real estate market have been released, and they underscore what we've been saying for many weeks: right now is a great time to sell your home! The month of August saw a dramatic uptick in the number of listings in the West Michigan area, a full 11.9% increase, which is quite substantial.

Given that we've seen several months of decreasing home inventory in the area, to record lows in fact, this increase in listed homes would seem to imply that the market is cooling off. However, the opposite is in fact true. While 11.9% more homes were listed in August, there was a pending sales increase of 18.4%, which means that inventory in the area is still not keeping up with market demand. The average home sale price increased as well, from the July annual average of $176,020 to $177,648. That's a nearly 1% shift in less than a month.

What that means is that this continues to be an excellent time to sell your home. There is a lot of primary purchasers interested in buying for the first time or upgrading their current accomodations in the West Michigan area. There has also been a surge in purchasing multi-family dwelling units; the sales of multi-family buildings has increased a staggering 37.4% when compared with last year. Whether you own a home and a cabin, a single property, or a number of investment properties, right now is a great time to call Pyxis Realty and list one or more properties.

For starters, with the market so hot and the inventory in the area so low, sellers will receive the best offers, possibly multiple offers, on their properties. Instead of taking a loss or breaking even on a massive, upside-down mortgage, area property owners are finally seeing a positive return on their real estate investments, allowing them to move into new markets or neighborhoods as desired instead of feeling tied to the initial home they purchased.

If you are thinking about selling your home, cabin, or investment property, there's no better time than now to get in touch with the professional, experienced staff at Pyxis Realty and get the ball rolling. Our educated team will ensure you set an appropriate price for your property, low enough to interest buyers, but as high as is reasonable to ensure you make a good return on the sale. Additionally, our team will help aggressively market your properties, making sure they're seen by the right people looking for home and the right realtors as well. Especially if you have a property that is unique or has a higher-than -average price tag, our team is the team to help motivate potential buys and move that property for you! Don't wait until the rush has cooled off and prices dip back down, list your property as soon as possible and reap the benefits of the upsurge in local real estate with the backing of the team at Pyxis Realty today!

If you live in West Michigan or Grand Rapids and have internet access (as you must to be reading this post) or a radio or a television, you probably realize that this weekend is the official beginning of ArtPrize, the Grand Rapids community-judged art competition that annually fills the streets of downtown Grand Rapids and the interior of its many venues with works of art.

Citizens and visitors alike are encouraged to vote for works of art they enjoy, and there's a cash prize of $200,000 on the line for the artists whose work is being displayed. Those who don't inspire interest from the popular vote still have a chance at a prize; there is a jurored prize that equals the popular-vote prize, allowing those with great technical skill and talent but few social media followers a shot at winning as well.

The artworks range from massive murals and gigantic sculptures to standard-sized photographs and paintings, as well as everything in between. This year, in addition to a sculpture meant to depict The Three Billy Goats Gruff, there's a massive wall comprised of backpacks that were abandoned by people trying to cross the southern border into the United States. There re more than 1,500 works of original art on display on venues across the downtown area, and thousands of people across Michigan and from well beyond flock to the city for the ArtPrize festival. The local restaurants are offering their best as well, catering to the massive crowds, and Sunday features the Kids ArtPrize event downtown.

If the swell of art-gazing people doesn't appeal, there are plenty of alternative activities in West Michigan this weekend, because there's always something amazing happening in this area. Calder Plaza will be hosting the African American Art & Music Festival Friday, September 25^th and Saturday the 26^th. There will be live music, as well as a number of African American ArtPrize contestants. There will be amazing food on hand as well; food vendors include Backyard Grill Masters and the ever-amazing Jamaican Dave's.

If you want to avoid downtown altogether, you're in luck! Pack up the kids and hit the Hudsonville Fairgrounds, where you're find the Annual Farmgirl Pickers and Makers Market. For $4 admission with 12 and under free, you can browse the wares of 150+ vendors who offer handmade, antique, and vintage items for sale, from home furnishings to food.

If you're looking for something more outdoorsy, Robinette's is offering horse drawn hayrides on Saturday, from 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm. The beloved local farm attraction sells tickets for $6 each for those who are 13 and older, $4 for children ages 3 to 12, with infants 2 and under free. They also offer a maze and a jumping pillow, though children under 3 can not participate in the jumping pillow, which is a massive jumping platform not unlike a trampoline.

There is always something interesting going on the Grand Rapids and West Michigan areas, which is one of many reasons why people move to this very family-friendly area. If you're interested in moving to West Michigan, call Pyxis Realty today for the best help in the area! If you're relocating to a new home or community in the West Michigan real estate market or the Grand Rapids real estate market, call Pyxis Realty for professional, courteous help from an experienced, professional team.

Buying a house, especially if it's your first home purchase or a property in an area you're new to, can be a stress-inducing nightmare instead of a pleasant dream. There are so many aspects of the process to keep straight, so many variables, and everything requires a good eye and up-to-date information to go smoothly. Sure, plenty of people fuddle through real estate deals without a realtor, but doing so isn't always in your best interest. The protection offered by a licensed, experienced real estate professional is real peace of mind and safety during a confusing, hectic period in your life.

They know the real professionals. It's not hard to become an inspector, and there's very little overhead management of inspection professionals, meaning that if you use one selected by the seller or picked at random from the phone book, you may be doing yourself a disservice. They could be friends with or related to the seller, or they could have a questionable under-the-table business arrangement. Working with a licensed realtor ensures that you're working with someone who knows the best local assessors, inspectors, and similar professionals. That way, when someone checks the property you're considering making a major investment and part of your life, you know you can actually trust what they say about the property.

They know all the staging tricks. Knowing how to stage a home can be invaluable to a seller, because it helps draw the eye and mind of the buyer away from problematic aspects of the property and toward the more desireable aspects, like the sunny, recently-remodeled kitchen. If you're touring and viewing homes without a realtor, you may find yourself so dazzled by the parts of the home they want you to see that you'll miss the parts they don't want you to see. Similarly, it's hard to assess the condition of a foundation, older furnace, or roof without extensive experience. You have to know what to look for, including quick and dirty tricks to make something broken or in poor repair appear to be in better condition than it is.

They know what the actual value of the home. Estimating the value of a 2,800 square-foot home can be difficult for a layperson, to say the least. How much impact should interior remodeling affect the price? What about the condition of the neighbor's home? Is the asking price too high with room for a lower offer? Is the property a steal, indicating there may be some hidden issues forcing the sellers to ask a lower price, such as a terrible smell from a nearby property or an issue with the septic field? Knowing when the price and property aren't a perfect match can be invaluable to the home buying process, and having the best realtor possible helping you is a great way to ensure you're getting good information.

The staff at Pyxis Realty knows how stressful buying a home can be. They also know it doesn't have to be an unpleasant experience. They are here to lend their expertise and assistance to the process, ensuring that you find the right place at the right price, without the unpleasant surprises that sometimes accompany real estate transactions. If you're in the market for a new home in the Grand Rapids real estate market or even the broader West Michigan real estate market, call or email Pyxis Realty today to ensure you receive the best help possible!

A large building in downtown Grand Rapids will be reaping the benefits of business investment in the local West Michigan real estate market. As downtown develops, becoming more modern and walkable, many companies are looking to make their mark on the area, and wisely so. One of these major investments, according to an article in the Grand Rapids Business Journal, is that the Calder Plaza Building will soon be getting a makeover. This ten story building, which is located at 250 Monroe Avenue, adjacent to the Calder Plaza and across the road from DeVos Place, is going to be updated to provide more modern amenities.

Originally constructed in 1982, the large building has never really been changed or updated in any major way since its completion/ Now that one of the largest tenants, Miller Johnson, in the building is leaving, the company that owns and manages the building, CWD Real Estate, plans to completely overhaul the interior of the edifice. CWD has owned the building since December 2014 and has big plans for the space. They aren't providing an estimate as to the cost of renovating the 160,000 square foot building, but the company intends to make it into competitive, high-quality office space.

What they have been specific about are some of the changes they are hoping to make. These will include expanding/improving the common areas and lobbies, increasing the amount of natural light the building makes use of, improving curb appeal and street viewability for retail businesses inside the structure, making it more of an asset for the increasingly modern downtown area. This means the exterior of the building will also be seeing major changes, in an attempt to make a dated edifice appear more modern from the outside.

CWD Real Estate has reported that they hope to begin construction in December, with custom-made office suites available for tenants by next summer. Given that they haven't even owned the property for a year, it's clear they are eager to make an impression on the skyline and city streets of Grand Rapids. They aren't the only ones; many recent stories in local media have focused on the number of construction and renovation projects in the downtown area, from Heartside to the Westside,

As our city grows and modernizes, the property values in the surrounding areas and neighborhoods will increase. From demand for centralized condo units in the heart of downtown to the desireability of classic homes in South Hill, all of the outside investment in our city's infastructure bodes well for homeowners in the West Michigan area. Although there is a predicted slow down of the market this fall, overall, it is still much more quickly paced and competitively priced when compared to where it stood three years ago or even last year at this time. Right now is the perfect time to invest in the Grand Rapids real estate market or the West Michigan real estate market. While prices are healthy, they aren't artificially high, and they have nowhere to go but up. Contact Pyxis Realty today to see about purchasing a home or condo in Grand Rapids, or to list your home and find a new one!

As always, there is plenty to do in the West Michigan area this weekend! If you haven't already made plans to take advantage of this last, pleasant weekend before fall is officially upon us, there are several really great options available to you.

From 11:00 am to 11:00 pm on Friday, September 18^th and Saturday, September 19^th, the Calder Plaza will play host to Fiesta Mexicana 2015! This two-day festival is a celebration of Mexican food, music, culture, and the local Mexican community as well. In addition to live musical performances, dancing, traditional dance performances, and a beer tent, there will also be an equestrian show, a salsa contest for the best local salsa, and a taco eating contest! This is a family friendly event that has been taking place in Grand Rapids for over 45 years. Everyone is encouraged to come and learn about (and enjoy) Mexican culture.

If you're downtown on Saturday, but large crowds aren't your thing, consider participating in the Third Annual Chalk Flood Street Fair. From 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, an entire block of Monroe Avenue, from South Division to Ionia, will be closed to all vehicular traffic while citizens of all ages and skill levels come out to color the streets. There are two $1,000 prizes, one for kids and adults, for the best chalk art. Even if you don't want to participate, it's a great event to witness. There is a beer tent, with all proceeds going to charity (specifically Rays of Hope International). There's also a preview of Art Prize on display; a total of 51 artists have pieces that will be viewable during the event. There will be food for sale by Pinkie's Ice Cream and Desserts, a food truck.

If you're south of town or just prefer something an outing to a less central location, considering visiting the locally famous and beloved Allegan County Fair. This Friday and Saturday are the final days of the fair, and there's still plenty going on for the whole family to enjoy! This evening, at 8 pm, Fall Out Boy will be performing as the last in a series of amazing concerts, which has included Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum. Although most of the shows are done, there's still fun to be had a the midway, enjoying carnival rides, as well as the myriad animal attractions and a youth Western style horse and riding show. Wristbands for the rides for all day enjoyment are only $25.

If you're feeling like giving back to your community, tomorrow from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm the city will be celebrating the 12^th Annual Mayor's Grand River Cleanup. Thousands of volunteers gather to sift waste and refuse out of the river and its tributaries. A small breakfast will be served before the event and a light lunch after the event. There will also be an after party at Founders, who will provide free beer to event participants who are 21 or older. Volunteers are also encouraged to participate in the West Michigan People’s Climate March. The parade route begins and ends at the 6^th Street Park, and it runs from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. For a map of where to meet, click here to visit the website for the West Michigan Environmental Action Council, who is sponsoring the event. 

Culture and community are part of the reason why West Michigan real estate and Grand Rapids real estate is in high demand. There is plenty to enjoy, no matter what your tastes! If you're considering moving to the area, selling your home, or changing neighborhoods, contact the amazing, experienced staff at Pyxis Realty today to get the process started!