Blog Posts

Halloween is almost here, and Grand Rapids and the surrounding West Michigan communities have plenty of ways to celebrate! Whether you're looking for family-friendly trick-or-treating, a haunted adventure, or one last trip to the pumpkin patch, there's something for everyone this Halloween weekend. Here are some local events and activities to enjoy from October 30 through November 1, 2026. 🎃 Family-Friendly Halloween Fun Zoo Goes Boo – John Ball Zoo October 30 – November 1 |

The Greater Grand Rapids housing market continued its gradual shift toward a more balanced market in September. Home prices remain strong compared with last year, but buyers have considerably more options, and homes are taking a little longer to sell than they were just a month ago. According to September 2026 market statistics, the median sale price reached $396,714, up 3.7% from $382,474 in September 2025. At the same time, the number of homes available for sale increased t

Every fall, downtown Grand Rapids transforms into something completely different. Restaurants, hotels, museums, storefronts, parks, sidewalks and unexpected spaces throughout the city become galleries as ArtPrize returns to Grand Rapids. Whether you're a longtime West Michigan resident, new to the area, or visiting Grand Rapids for the first time, it's one of those events that really shows off what makes our city special. And ArtPrize 2026 is officially underway. When is ArtP

The Greater Grand Rapids housing market is beginning to look noticeably different than it did a year ago. Home prices continue to rise and well-positioned homes are selling quickly, but buyers have significantly more homes to choose from. According to August 2026 market statistics, the median sale price reached $398,460, up 2.6% from $388,251 in August 2025. At the same time, the number of homes available for sale has more than doubled. So, is Grand Rapids still a seller’s ma

Few things say fall in West Michigan quite like heading to an orchard, picking apples straight from the tree, grabbing fresh cider and donuts, and enjoying a crisp afternoon outside. And when it comes to apples, the Grand Rapids area is hard to beat. Much of the region's apple production is concentrated along The Fruit Ridge, an agricultural area northwest of Grand Rapids with growing conditions particularly well suited for apples and other fruit. Whether you're looking for a

The Greater Grand Rapids real estate market continues to favor sellers, but July's numbers show a market that is becoming noticeably more balanced. Home prices continued to rise compared with last year, while the number of homes available for sale increased substantially. For buyers, that means more choices and potentially a little more breathing room. For sellers, homes are still selling quickly, but pricing and preparation are becoming increasingly important. Here’s a look

The latest housing numbers are in for the Greater Grand Rapids real estate market, and while home prices continue to edge upward, inventory remains incredibly tight. Buyers are still competing for well-priced homes, and sellers continue to benefit from a market that strongly favors them. Here's what happened in June 2026. June 2026 Market Statistics Median Sale Price: $379,900 (up 0.7% from $377,250 in June 2025) Homes Currently For Sale: 716 (down 41.6% year-over-year) Avera

The latest May 2026 housing numbers are in for the Greater Grand Rapids area, and the market continues to demonstrate strong demand despite limited inventory. While home prices have leveled off compared to last year, the overall market remains highly competitive for both buyers and sellers. The median sale price in May was $380,000, compared to $383,000 in May 2025, a slight decrease of 0.8%. While prices have remained relatively stable year over year, home values continue to

The latest April 2026 housing numbers are in for the Greater Grand Rapids area, and while the market is beginning to show signs of balancing out, demand remains very strong across West Michigan. The median sale price climbed to $390,000, up 8.9% compared to April 2025. Home values continue to rise as buyer demand remains steady, especially in desirable areas throughout Grand Rapids and the surrounding communities. At the same time, inventory is starting to improve. There were

Grand Rapids is getting a major upgrade to its entertainment scene with the highly anticipated Acrisure Amphitheater, set to open in just a few weeks. Located along the Grand River just west of downtown, this new venue is designed to bring large-scale concerts and events right into the heart of the city. If you’ve ever driven to Pine Knob Music Theatre for a summer show, this is the kind of experience Grand Rapids is about to have—only closer to home. A Riverfront Venue Built

As we head into the spring market, March brought some noticeable shifts across the Greater Grand Rapids housing market. Inventory is starting to build, prices continue to rise, and buyer activity is picking up as we move into one of the busiest times of the year. Let’s break down what happened in March and what it means for buyers and sellers. 📊 March 2026 Market Snapshot Average Sale Price: $422,000 ( +9.3% YoY ) Homes Currently For Sale: 515 ( -6% YoY ) Average Days on M

How to Protect Your Home (and Its Value) After a Michigan Winter As winter fades and warmer weather returns to West Michigan, spring is the perfect time to check in on your home. Between snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, Michigan winters can take a toll on your property—often in ways you don’t notice right away. The good news?A simple spring maintenance routine can help you: Prevent costly repairs Protect your home’s value Keep everything running smoothly heading into sum

Spring Is Here—and So Are the Buyers As we move into spring here in Grand Rapids, we’re already starting to see a shift in the market. More buyers are getting active, showings are picking up, and new listings are beginning to hit the market. Every year, spring is known as the busiest time in real estate—but 2026 is shaping up to be a particularly strong window for sellers. If you’ve been even casually thinking about making a move this year, this is the time to start paying at

As we head into spring here in Grand Rapids and the surrounding West Michigan communities , things are starting to pick up—not just in the real estate market, but around town as well. From live music and festivals to family-friendly events, there’s something happening almost every weekend over the next month. Here’s a quick look at what’s going on 👇 🎶 Live Music & Shows Around Grand Rapids Spring is bringing a packed schedule of concerts, comedy, and performances across Gra

The Grand Rapids housing market continues to show resilience as we move through the early months of 2026. While inventory remains tight, we’re beginning to see subtle shifts compared to both last month and this time last year. Understanding these trends helps buyers and sellers make better decisions as the spring market approaches. Let’s take a closer look at what the numbers are telling us. Home Prices Continue to Rise Year Over Year One of the most noticeable trends is that

If buying a home is on your radar this year, March is one of the best times to get prepared . Here in Grand Rapids and West Michigan , this is the point in the year when the market starts to shift. More listings begin to hit the market, more buyers start actively searching, and the pace tends to pick up as we move deeper into spring. Recent housing data and market commentary point to exactly that: new listings have recently moved back into positive year-over-year territory, a

Why the Riverfront Matters for Homeowners, Buyers, and the Future of the City Grand Rapids is seeing some major momentum this year—especially along the riverfront. For homeowners, buyers, and anyone investing in West Michigan, these projects are worth paying attention to because they can influence how people experience the city, where they want to live, and where future growth happens. Three of the biggest developments to watch in 2026 are the Acrisure Amphitheater , Amway St

If you’ve heard that homeowners today are sitting on a lot of equity, you’re not alone. But equity isn’t just a headline or a number on a chart — it can be a powerful financial tool that helps you make your next move, upgrade your lifestyle, or create more stability. Here’s a simple breakdown of what home equity is, why so many homeowners have more of it right now, and four practical ways people are using it to improve their lives. What Is Home Equity, Really? Home equity is

If you’ve been wondering how the Grand Rapids housing market is shaping up as we move into 2026, the latest numbers paint a picture of a market that’s steady, competitive, and still favoring well-prepared buyers and sellers . Here’s a breakdown of what we’re seeing across the Greater Grand Rapids area — and what it actually means if you’re thinking about buying or selling this year. 📊 Key January 2026 Market Snapshot Average Sale Price: $361,000 Homes Currently for Sale:

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. And homeowner’s insurance is what protects that investment. Think of it as your safety net. NerdWallet explains it: Covers Repairs and Rebuilding Costs : If your home is damaged by fire, storms, or other covered events, it helps pay for repairs and possibly even a full rebuild, if that’s deemed necessary. Protects Your Belongings : It can also cover personal items like furniture, electronics, jewelry, and clothin