We hope you're enjoying this warm, lovely summer.  We've had 6 times more days over 80 degrees than we had all summer in 2009!
 
You may have noticed some changes in our MLS system as we have merged our data with several other southwest Michigan real estate boards in an effort to regionalize our listings and to make them available to more agents to show and to sell.  Our dedicated tech staff at GRAR is doing its best to iron out the problems and to get the MLS system in proper working order.  They hope to have the problems resolved soon, maybe even by July 27.
 
Well, I am sorry to report on July 30 that the glitches with the new MLS are not corrected and there seem to be even more shortcomings that are not fixable.  Someof our own listings have disappeared from this site;  they come through an IDX feed from the MLS, and we have have no control over it.  We don't understand why previously visible listings are no longer here for you to see. I apologize for the inconvenience and the reduction in information and media that has resulted from the merger.  We'll keep working with the powers that be to deliver the most accurate and complete information possible, but it appears it will not be what it used to be.  This is particularly unfortunate in the middle of the busy summer season.  Stay tuned for updates on virtual tours that are no longer attached to emailed listings.  Call if you have questions. We'll do our best to explain.
 
 
The market continues to be active and buyers are seriously looking at houses.  Showings are more frequent and offers are being written, in fact there are often multiple offers on particularly desirable properties. Dan and I have been very busy and are thankful to be working so much.  People know that now is the time to make a move, and they are eager to do so.  Wise buyers and sellers want expert counsel because they know information is free but knowledge is priceless.  Let us share ours with you. 

                      

Grand Rapids is grand and growing.  It offers the benefits and atmosphere of a small town with all the perks of a big city, and it is the hottest place to live in West Michigan. You may have read some of the flattering articles written by people from large metropolitan areas who have visited Grand Rapids and were extremely impressed with what we have and who we are. 
 
If you're selling, it's never been more important to have your home in good condition and priced competitively due to the inventory of homes for sale and the stiff competition.  The number of listings is expected to grow in 2010 after the expiration of the buyer tax credit in the spring and a second wave of foreclosures which is anticipated along with an increase in mortgage interest rates.  Sellers who are able to sell before this happens will get a better price for their homes.  
 
Today's buyers prefer homes that are up-to-date and ready to go, but regardless of a home's condition and appeal, buyers want a fair price and want to make a wise buying decision. It's never been a better time to buy and those who do will be glad they did.

You want to sell profitably and buy wisely, and the services of a professional, experienced real estate broker is vital to your success in making sound real estate decisions. 

Call us, we'd love to talk to you. Interview us and size us up. Ask around about us or read what our clients say about us in their testimonials.  We are known for our personal service, our honesty, and our sound advice. 

Our web-site is full of useful information for our clients and for the public.  Our site is visited by thousands of people every month so you know your listing will enjoy additional exposure here.

The public can "tour" our listings viewing a variety of photographs and floor plans included with them and can review all the listings currently offered on the Multiple Listing Service/MLS. This time saving device is employed by most home buyers in narrowing their choices of properties to look at in person. Buyers and realtors tour homes on-line before visiting them, and open houses have become all but unnecessary as attendance continues to decline as technology advances.

Our listings on the MLS have a "MEDIA" link for photographs and floor plans of the property. We also attach the floor plans, the sellers' disclosure statement, the survey, and other pertinent information and documents that are accessible to realtors for their review.

Realtors like to work with Realtors who are ethical, accessible, competent,and helpful. Having us represent you will be a plus for you throughout the transaction. 
CHOOSING A REALTOR 
You want to buy a home. You want to sell your home. Who will help you? Whom will you choose to handle this important personal and financial transaction? This is a critical decision, and Dan and Patsy are ready and willing to take responsibility for your home buying and/or selling experience. Most of their business comes from personal referrals, but many new clients come to them by way of their listings and web-site. Today technology is an important part of the buying and selling process, and they use it to promote your property and to make your real estate experience with Dan and Patsy a pleasant and satisfying one. Equally important is their knowledge and feeling for the area. Both are lifelong residents. Dan grew up in Ada and went to Forest Hills schools. Patsy lived in Grand Rapids attending VandenBerg Elementary before moving to East Grand Rapids in the fifth grade.

Call us at 949-1355 or Dan at 437-9218, Patsy at 437-9220.

You can reach us by e-mail at ddevol@grar.com or pdodgson@grar.com.
OUR CREDENTIALS 
We, Dan DeVol and Patsy Dodgson, are full-time realtors who were licensed in 1983 and licensed as brokers in 1991. We represent clients in the buying and selling of millions of dollars of real estate every year and have worked diligently to earn their respect, their repeat business, and their referrals. They are confident in our experience and abilities and know that our reputation among our colleagues and in the community will benefit them. We understand what a home means to people and, therefore, how important it is to make good real estate decisions. A home is a nest and a nest-egg.

Each holds the national designations of GRI/Graduate of the Realtors Institute and CRS/Certified Residential Specialist; nationwide fewer than 5% of realtors hold the latter. We are actively involved with the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors/GRAR and have served in many capacities.

Dan recently completed a three year term as a broker member of the Board of Directors for GRAR and as its Treasurer. Each has been assigned to the Professional Standards Committee several times. Dan was the chairman of the Grievance Committee in 2006 and was appointed to the Professional Standards Committee for 2007-2010.  He was elected in January 2009 to be the Chairman of the Professional Standards Committee for the Grand Rapids Real Estate Board. 

He was appointed in 2008 to the East Grand Rapids Planning Commission by EGR Mayor Cindy Bartman.

Patsy completed a four year term on the Professional Standards Committee and was elected 2005 Chairman of the committee and of the Professional Standards Review Board. The Review Board evaluates all complaints received from the public and from realtor members and decides which complaints will go on to formal hearings concerning ethics violations and/or business disputes. Decisions by the hearing panels are recognized in Kent County Circuit Courts.

She served in 2006 on the Grievance Committee and on a specially appointed Professional Standards Task Force which won an award for its efforts. She was elected by her broker colleagues as a broker member of the Board of Directors for the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors for 2007-2009.

Patsy has been on the East Grand Rapids Board of Review during the tenure of the last three EGR assessors and will serve again in 2011.   
 
OUR CLIENTS 
Dan and Patsy have a broad based clientele that comes from referrals, repeat business, and from their promotion of listings and community outreach. Their clients are from every age group and level of real estate experience; Dan and Patsy list and sell homes in all price ranges and work with people of all ages. Their clients expect excellent service from them and depend upon their knowledge, expertise, and judgment. They are confident Dan and Patsy will not disappoint them or the people they refer to them.
 
OUR COMPANY/KELLER WILLIAMS 
Keller Williams is a nationwide organization with over 77,000 realtors and is one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S.  In a first-of-its-kind ranking of customer satisfaction, Keller Williams was top-rated in September 2008 in Inman News for over-all customer/client satisfaction based on a J.D. Power and Associates study of home buyers and sellers..


Dan and Patsy and five fellow Realtors opened the Grand Rapids office in May 2000. We had many years of experience and our venture was a newsworthy event covered in various publications. With superb management and support, we have flourished and grown to more than 180 licensees and our sturdy and colorful red and white signs are everywhere.  Even in this challenging market with real estate offices closing and agents leaving the business, we remain profitable and growing.  Keller Williams Grand Rapids is the top producing KW office in Michigan and Ohio and one of the top offices in the entire country.  We were voted the best real estate company by GR Magazine in 2010.  Look for our colorful billboards all over the area this summer.

Keller Williams is a new real estate model in which agents are partners and the office is run by an Agent Leadership Council. Our offices are conveniently located at 630 Kenmoor SE, north off Cascade Rd just east of the I96 expressway. We're right next door to the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors.

In 2007 we opened a branch office in Grand Haven to better serve our lakeshore clients; this office at 601 S. Beacon Blvd, zip code 49417, currently has 20 agents.

We also have a new branch office in downtown Grand Rapids at 15 Ionia SW, 49503.