¿Qué No Debes Hacer Antes de Cerrar la Compra de una Casa?
Tener una oferta aceptada y una preaprobación no significa que el préstamo ya esté garantizado. Tu crédito, empleo, fondos y documentos todavía pueden verificarse antes del cierre. Evita estos errores mientras esperas las llaves.
Should You Sell Your Home Now or Wait Until Fall?
West Michigan homes are still selling quickly, but buyers have more choices and price reductions are increasing. Here is how to decide whether to list in late summer or prepare for a fall sale.
How to Make a Strong Offer Without Overpaying
The highest offer does not always win—and the strongest offer is not necessarily the one that takes the most risk. Learn how West Michigan buyers can compete through price, financing, earnest money, inspections, appraisal terms and timing while keeping sensible limits.
¿Debes Vender o Comprar Casa Primero en West Michigan?
Vender primero reduce ciertos riesgos financieros, pero puede dejarte sin vivienda temporal. Comprar primero facilita la mudanza, pero puede exigir calificar con dos pagos. Conoce tres formas de coordinar ambas transacciones.
Should You Fix Your Home Before Selling—or Sell It As-Is?
Some repairs can improve buyer confidence and protect your sale. Others consume time and money without producing a meaningful return. Here is how West Michigan homeowners can decide what to fix, what to disclose and when selling as-is may be the smarter strategy.
¿Qué No Debes Hacer Antes de Cerrar la Compra de una Casa?
Tener una oferta aceptada y una preaprobación no significa que el préstamo ya esté garantizado. Tu crédito, empleo, fondos y documentos todavía pueden verificarse antes del cierre. Evita estos errores mientras esperas las llaves.
Why Michigan Property Taxes May Change After You Buy a Home
The property taxes shown on a West Michigan listing may be based on the seller’s taxable value—not the amount you could pay after purchasing. Here’s how Michigan’s uncapping rules work and how to estimate your future housing payment more accurately.
Should You Sell Your House Before Buying Another?
Selling first may reduce financial risk, while buying first can make the move easier. Here’s how West Michigan homeowners can choose the right order—and avoid owning two homes or having nowhere to go.
Should You Waive a Home Inspection to Win a House in 2026?
A clean offer can be attractive to a seller, but waiving the home inspection could leave you responsible for expensive surprises. Here are several ways West Michigan buyers can remain competitive while still protecting themselves.
¿Cuánto Dinero Necesito para Comprar una Casa en Michigan?
No siempre necesitas un pago inicial del 20% para comprar una casa. Conoce los gastos que debes considerar, las opciones de financiamiento y los programas de asistencia disponibles para compradores en Michigan.
Why Isn’t My West Michigan Home Selling? 7 Possible Reasons
Grand Rapids remains competitive, but buyers have more choices and face higher borrowing costs. If your home is not selling, the problem may not be the market—it may be the price, presentation, marketing or terms. Here’s how to identify the real obstacle.
Should You Wait for Mortgage Rates to Drop Before Buying?
Mortgage rates have moved higher again, leaving many West Michigan buyers wondering whether they should buy now or wait. Here’s how to make that decision based on your finances—not headlines or guesswork.
Should You Wait for Mortgage Rates to Drop? | West Michigan Buyer's Guide
Should you buy now or wait for mortgage rates to come down? It's one of the biggest questions buyers are asking in 2026. Here's what today's market—and history—can teach us before you make one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.
Grand Rapids Housing Market Update: Are Homes Still Selling Quickly?
Grand Rapids homes are still selling quickly when they are priced and presented correctly. With home values continuing to rise, inventory remaining limited, and mortgage rates shaping buyer decisions, your strategy matters more than ever in today’s West Michigan market.
Kent County Housing Market Update.
Kent County Housing Market Update: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know | August 3, 2026
Weekly Market Brief · Kent County, MI
Kent County Housing Market Report: August 2026
Published August 3, 2026 · Sam Avila, Avila Home Group
Kent County remains competitive: prices are holding firm, well-positioned homes are moving quickly, and mortgage rates have climbed for four straight weeks. Here’s what matters—and how to use it when planning your next move.
The Numbers
$335,000
▲ 3.1% YoY
Kent County median sale price
|
13 days
Median days on market
|
99.0%
Sale-to-list price ratio
|
1.2 mo
Months of supply — still well below a balanced market
|
6.66%
▲ 0.08 pt WoW
30-year fixed mortgage rate, national avg.
|
+13%
Regional home sales volume, 2025 vs. 2024 (still 15% below 2019–2020 levels)
|
For Buyers
- Good listings can still move quickly. With roughly 1.2 months of supply, buyers should be fully underwritten and clear on their priorities before the right home appears—especially in popular price ranges.
- Rates deserve a strategy, not a panic button. Freddie Mac’s national weekly average reached 6.66% on July 30. On a $300,000, 30-year loan, the principal-and-interest payment is roughly $92 more per month than at 6.20%.
- Price still matters. A 99% sale-to-list ratio suggests most successful offers are landing near asking price, but property condition, competition, concessions, and neighborhood activity can change the playbook.
For Sellers
- Price growth is positive, not automatic. The latest local snapshot puts Kent County’s median sale price near $335,000, up about 3.1% year over year. That supports sellers, but it does not rescue an aggressive list price.
- Preparation creates leverage. A 13-day median means buyers make decisions quickly. Strong presentation, accurate pricing, and a clear launch plan help a home earn attention before the listing becomes yesterday’s news.
- The market rewards precision. Regional sales volume improved in 2025 but remained below 2019–2020 levels. Today’s seller advantage is real, yet execution still separates the standouts from the sitters.
If you’re considering a move this fall—or simply trying to understand your current equity—I’m happy to prepare a neighborhood-specific review. No generic estimate, no pressure, and no crystal ball wearing a name badge.
Have a question about what these numbers mean for your street, your equity, or your next move? Call or text 616-229-5082, request a personalized home-value review, or schedule a conversation.