WOW! It's been a long time since I blogged on my site.  So sorry to my avid readers!  Life is busy, there is real estate, more real estate and oh yeah, don't forget about life in general... kids, kid's baseball games, activities, maybe supper once in awhile.  You get the drift... life just gets hectic sometimes.

Good things have been happening and greater things are right around the corner.  Right now, if I could give you my perspective on things and answer my most asked question, "What's going on in the market?"  I would say that we are going through another change.  (Duh!)

  In all seriousness, consumers are becoming more aware of the cost associated with the higher crude prices, how that affects not only their gas bill but items related to it such as groceries. 

My question to you ~ Are we finally going to become more cost conscience and not be so heavily indebted?  If you haven't realized it by now, the reason for a lot of our foreclosures and other problems were not just the lending institutions overlending or setting people up on A.R.M. (Adjustable Rate Mortgages) but HELLO, we were the ones borrowing the money, right?

Michigan's economic struggles always seem to be in the forefront of the media and on people's minds.  And rightly so, all business sectors have struggled and many people have had to make moves that would be right for their family.  Interestingly enough, as others have moved out of state, Johnny's Lunch has decided to Move Into Michigan.  Can you believe it?

Johnny's Lunch sees Michigan and Grand Rapids in particular as an opportunity.  Johnny's Lunch is a Ohio franchise with quick-serve hotdogs and burgers with "extremely low" prices (Beeke).  Johnny's Lunch is a 72 year old company with national expansion plans with Livonia, Michigan being their first stop.  Closer to home in Downtown Grand Rapids in the Monroe Center is our first Johnny's Lunch.  Three more franchises are planned to open up in other areas of Grand Rapids as well.

Why did Johnny's Lunch decide to come to Michigan when others have been leaving?  Here's what the president George Goulson had to say, "We knew all that stuff going in.  We also knew in Michigan there's a lot of opportunity to get in on the ground floor." (Beeke).

HMMMM! 

In a shortened condensed version, or more aptly put, my version of viral marketing is what every business owner yearns for.  Its where you do a great job for someone and they tell 10 people who tell 10 people, who tell 10 people.  O.K. maybe not 10 people each time, but you get the jist.  Your reputation for business explodes because of this great reputation you have built by good ole' word of mouth advertising.

So, that's viral marketing. ...

Location, location, location. Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan is the location! As discussed before there has been a lot of changes in Grand Rapids. Besides the fantastic restaurants, bars, and fun activities. Many condo projects have come about and people who live in downtown Grand Rapids, love downtown Grand Rapids.

For more information about Downtown see the following blogs:

"Favorite Places to Hang in Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan"

"The Nightlife in Grand Rapids, Michigan a Draw for Many"

Urban Living Prevalent and Open to View this Sunday

Downtown Grand Rapids has all the comforts and fun of the big city and yet is still a very affordable place to be a part of. Downtown is perfect for urban dwellers that long for

• a sense of connection to their neighbors and surroundings
• beauty of the arts
• and the certain energy and vitality that exists in this area

There are many condo projects that offer urban living. One condo development with its own unique style of exposed brick, huge windows, high ceilings, hardwood floors is Union Square Condos. Union Square Condos offer a community within a community with the outdoor pool and hot tub, exercise room, community clubhouse, and game room.

Take advantage of the tax benefits offered at Union Square with the Renaissance Zone and save on personal and city income taxes~a real tax advantage for many. 

   Check out this listing (600 Broadway #324) that will be OPEN this Sunday, April 13, 2008 from 1-3 pm. Others will be open as well and see what Union Square is all about!

Here's some other great Grand Rapids websites to visit for more information of what's going on in downtown Grand Rapids: .. visitgrandrapids.org, grnow.com, grcity.us, city-data.com, city/grand-rapids-michigan.html, downtowngr.org, and of course don't forget the local blogs and real estate information at:

www.seegrhomes.com !