Check out Pigeon Creek Park!

 Tucked away in the middle of the county, this park offers a quiet retreat for the outdoor enthusiast. Pigeon Creek Park is 282 acres with another 130 adjacent acres of County Open Space land. Over 10 miles of trails wind through old pine plantations, mature deciduous forests and through bottomland forests along the Pigeon River. The trail system includes designated trails for hiking, biking and equestrian use and a 0.9 mile trail loop that is generally within barrier free standards. During the winter, this park is a popular cross country ski destination with groomed trails for both classic and ski skating. A sledding hill is also provided. Three miles of ski trails and the sledding hill have lights for night use. The Pigeon Creek Lodge provides ski rental, a food and beverage concession and serves as a warming house (open limited hours)

Winter Pigeon Creek Lodge Hours

Skis and snowshoes may be rented whenever the lodge is open. Ski rental costs are $8.00 per two hours for adult skis and $5.00 for two hours for children’s skis. Snowshoe rental is $6.00 for two hours. A driver’s license, credit card or other picture ID is required as security for all rentals. Rentals are cut off 2 hours before the lodge closes to ensure all equipment can be returned and checked in before closing.

A concession is available when the lodge is open. The concession menu includes hot dogs, chili, popcorn, candy, chips, soda, water, hot chocolate and Cappuccino; as well as coffee, hot tea and juice.

• Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

These hours only apply when ski and sledding conditions are satisfactory.

 Call the Pigeon Creek Winter Sports Hot Line at (616) 738-9531 for daily updates on ski and sledding conditions, park hours and lodge hours.

There are no park entry fees or trail use fees

Directions

Located in Olive Township on Stanton Road between 128th and 120th Avenues. From US 31, take Stanton Road and travel 3 miles east to the park entrance. From 120th Avenue, travel west on Stanton about 1/2 mile.

 The trails at Pigeon Creek are so beautiful; check it out at: http://miottawa.org/ParksVI/Parks/pigeoncreek.htm. And who said there weren’t fun things to do in the winter! I have personally skied these trails and loved it, if you have any questions, feel free to email me at lori.kuipers@cbgreatlakes.com.

 Are you looking to re-locate? Holland, Michigan could be the place for you! There are so many great things to do in this area. From the beautiful beaches to the endless hiking trails to the great parks! Check out some of the great homes for sale now at www.holland-homes.com and www.lakehomes4u.com or call Larry at 616-490-3078 to get more information.

Home prices are likely to fall for the next year, and then stabilize, with a rebound in 2012 as the overall economy takes off again.

Americans have not seen a boring housing market since the last millennium. You know—the average, ordinary kind of market where supply just about matches demand, prices are steady, and real estate ceases to be a topic of daily conversation. Instead, we’ve had six years of upside craziness followed by three years of downside terror. Now we’re in a tug-of-war between those who think we’ve finally found a bottom and those who are convinced that the overhang of unsold homes is going to push prices considerably lower.

By 2012 we may finally get back to blissful boredom. With any luck, three years should be long enough for the U.S. economy to recover and for the nation’s housing inventory to shrink to more normal levels. At that point, housing will return to its old ways, with prices governed not by national mood swings and global credit crises but by local issues ranging from zoning to immigration to job growth.

Prices? While they’re likely to keep falling a while longer under the weight of foreclosures, the market is definitely closer to the bottom than the top. “We expect prices to drop for another year and then stabilize before starting to rise with incomes,” says Standard & Poor’s (MHP) Chief Economist David Wyss. Moody’s Economy.com (MCO) predicts the S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, maintained by data specialist Fiserv, will fall about 16% this year before regaining ground. Based on the National Association of Realtors national median home price of $180,000 for the fourth quarter of 2008, which would mean a median of $152,000 at the end of 2009 and then a rebound to $179,000 by the end of 2012.

Full Article can be found by visiting: www.bussinessweek.com

To view Waterfront-Lake Michigan Real Estate, follow these steps! Near the top middle section of my website you will find the link Waterfront Listings. Then click “Refine Your Search” on the left, and this will bring you to a page where you can specify Lake Michigan properties by highlighting that body of water. You can also narrow your search criteria in this section.

 The featured waterfront home for the month is 17299 Beach Ridge Way located in West Olive, MI.

Gorgeous newer home on Lake Michigan with low bluff & good sandy beach. This David Bos quality built custom home features a nicely landscaped acre lot inside of a newer subdivision with 122′ frontage on the lake. Its only 34 steps to the beach. Large gourmet kitchen oversized 2 stall garage with one side that is 40′ deep for a boat or RV 10′x 18′ door. Top of the line Anderson windows, 2 story great room with stone, 2 sided fireplace. Tall ceilings and lots of light make this a cherry home. Nearly 5240 sq. ft. of heated finished, plus another 216 sq. ft. 3 season room with electric heater. Lower level is a walkout with 2nd kitchen, 2nd laundry, 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Low maintenance stone & vinyl, shake siding. Master suite has a jacuzzi, a fire place and steam shower.

As of today, this home has been on the market for 5 days and is listed at $2,195,000. For more information on this home, or to search Lake Michigan Homes for sale visit my Waterfront Listings Section.

People around the world have been celebrating the start of each New Year for at least four millennia. Ever wondered who made the first resolutions or what traditional dishes to serve at your New Year’s Eve bash?

According to the research of History.com, people have been pledging to change their ways in the New Year—whether by getting in shape, quitting a bad habit or learning a skill—for an estimated 4,000 years now. The tradition is thought to have first caught on among the ancient Babylonians, who made promises in order to earn the favor of the gods and start the year off on the right foot. (They would reportedly vow to pay off debts and return borrowed farm equipment.) The age-old custom of breaking one’s newly formed resolutions within several months—a fate that befalls the majority of would-be reformers, according to statistics—probably originated shortly thereafter.

At New Year’s Eve parties and celebrations around the world, revelers enjoy meals and snacks thought to bestow good luck for the coming year. In Spain and several other Spanish-speaking countries, people bolt down a dozen grapes—symbolizing their hopes for the months ahead—right before midnight. In many parts of the world, traditional New Year’s dishes feature legumes, which are thought to resemble coins and herald future financial success; examples include lentils in Italy and black-eyed peas in the southern United States. Because pigs represent progress and prosperity in some cultures, pork appears on the New Year’s Eve table in Cuba, Austria, Hungary, Portugal and other countries. Ring-shaped cakes and pastries, a sign that the year has come full circle, round out the feast in the Netherlands, Mexico, Greece and elsewhere. In Sweden and Norway, meanwhile, rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is served on New Year’s Eve; it is said that whoever finds the nut can expect 12 months of good fortune.

Some other fun facts about New Years include:

• “Auld Lang Syne” is sung at midnight to toast in the New Year. Robert Burns composed the song sometime in the 1700′s. The term means “old long ago” or “the good old days.”
• December 31, 1907 saw the very first ball lowering in Times Square.
• Stats of the first New York ball: 700 pounds; 5 feet in diameter. The ball was made from wood and iron.
• The modern ball that is dropped is made from Waterford Crystal and weights over 1,000 pounds. There are over 9,000 LED lights, but uses hardly any energy. The ball begins to drop at 11:59 and completes the journey exactly at midnight to ring in the New Year.
• The ball was not lowered in 1942 and 1943 due to wartime restrictions.
• On New Year’s Eve, about 75% of American Parties are with 20 people or less.

Are you looking to buy or sell a home? Larry has over 20 years of experience and will get you the results you are looking for! Please visit Larry’s webpage at www.holland-homes.com to learn more about him and how he will market your home.

Selling a home in the winter can be quite stressful. The lawn is brown, the weather is usually bad and, unlike the longer days of summer, you have less time to show it off during daylight hours! The winter season makes staging your home all the more important. If you put a little effort into it, you could get the results you are looking for!

 Here are some tips to help get your home sold this winter:

• Use the season to your advantage – it’s easy to make your home warm & cozy during the winter. Decorate your home with winter wreaths and candles, and make sure to have the fire going during your showings.
• Consider the area you live in – Advertise the local winter sports to do in your area. Highlight fun things to do as a family or fun places to go in the winter.
• Protect your investment  - Ask realtors to have buyers remove their shoes or boots, this shows buyers that you take pride in your home and have kept it nice.
• Give your home a sweet aroma – The favorite smell is chocolate chip cookies. But other smells are great too. This puts buyers at ease and gives them a sense of comfort. Don’t over do it though.
• Make a good first impression – Treat the people at your showings as if they were guests in your home. Have a plate of cookies for your guests, some warm cider or even chilled bottles of water.
• Set-up timers – Making your home look welcoming at all times is ideal. But you’re not home all the time, so put your indoor and outdoor lights on timers. Is there enough illumination around your front entrance to look inviting?
• Emphasize winter positives – Is your home on a bus route or some other vital service that means it’s plowed or de-iced regularly in bad weather? Be sure to mention that to the buyers.
• Play music softly in the background – Creating a little atmosphere, could be a great thing. People could stay around longer.

“Larry’s personal website was a great tool in connecting us with available houses. This is the reason we chose Larry to represent us. We also appreciated that Larry stayed with us for 2 years until we sold our other house! We would definitely refer other to Larry.” 

 J & A Yaneris

“Overall our satisfaction with Larry was excellent! We began our search by looking on Larry’s web page home search, which eventually led us to making an appointment with him. Larry was helpful in giving us good ideas to consider. He was a very good communicator, very personable, and easy to talk to. He kept us informed as we progressed through the offer process. And, he always returned our phone calls! We would definitely refer others to Larry!” 

M & K Arendsen

To view Waterfront Real Estate, follow these steps!

Near the top middle section of my website you will find the link Waterfront Listings. Then click “Refine Your Search” on the left, and this will bring you to a page where you can specify Lake Michigan properties by highlighting that body of water. You can also narrow your search criteria in this section.

 The featured waterfront home for the month is 1584 Waukazoo Dr. located in Holland, MI.

Completely remodeled 4- bedroom, 5-bath estate with 118 feet of prime Lake Macatawa frontage. 1.4 professionally landscaped acres, complete with decorative arbors, is the setting for this gorgeous home that maximizes the amazing Lake Macatawa sunsets with its wall of windows overlooking the water. All new exterior cedar shake shingles with copper flashing, 2-foot thick cedar trim & siding, and lakeside patio. Redesigned kitchen, which includes new granite counter tops, custom painted & glazed cabinets, stainless steel appliances & large center island with Jenn-Air cook top. All new woodwork, new 6 inch wide hickory hardwood floors, beautiful crown molding throughout entire home.

As of today, this home has been on the market for 263 days and is listed at $1,895,000. For more information on this home, or to search Lake Michigan Homes For Sale visit my Waterfront Listings Section.

What is it? “Kerstmarkt” in the Dutch language means “Christmas market.” Such markets pop up all over the Netherlands during the Christmas season, offering a venue for local artisans and specialty shops to sell their wares while shoppers gather, enjoying traditional food, drink and entertainment.

Kerstmarkt in Holland, Michigan began with a dream at the Holland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Holland has always been a very popular destination in the spring, summer and fall, and they wanted to find a way to encourage visitors to visit our award-winning downtown during one of the most beautiful seasons–Christmas.

Starting out with just 10 booths in Centennial Park in 1997, the Kerstmarkt is now set up at the 8th Street Market Place in front of the Civic Center. Sixteen booths are set up for three weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as the Saturday before Thanksgiving. On those Saturdays they share space with the Farmer’s Market. Check out the exact hours at Holland’s website: http://holland.org/events/18904-holiday-kerstmarkt

So….bring your list and check it twice! This open-air European Christmas Market at the Eighth Street Market Place is an ideal place to shop for unique handcrafted gifts and enjoy authentic Dutch holiday treats!

Are you looking to re-locate? Holland, Michigan could be the place for you! There are so many great things to do in this area. From the beautiful beaches to the endless hiking trails to the great city of Grand Rapids, just minutes away, to downtown Holland, which offers amazing events like Kerstmarkt; this area is an amazing place to live! Check out some of the great homes for sale now at www.holland-homes.com and www.lakehomes4u.com or call Larry at 616-490-3078 to get more information.

If you are looking for a waterfront home, this could be it! Larry presents 658 Tennis Ct. priced at $699,900.

This Lake Macatawa home has 90 feet of frontage adjacent to private waterfront park. This home has an open concept with great waterfront views from most rooms. This home is described as quality throughout, with granite kitchen counters, stainless appliances, and hardwood floors. This waterfront home has a permanent dock with 4-foot water depth to accommodate your watercraft. This home has two master suites, both with their own private bath. One even has a whirlpool tub. The home features all wood doors and a custom gas stove top in the island. The outdoor space is immaculate as well, from the views to the very large deck for entertaining and the fenced in area to let your dog run.

There are many opportunities to live on the lake, especially in Holland  and many homeowners are taking advantage. Now is the best time to buy…prices are so low!

Whether you are looking for a calming place to unwind after a hectic day at work, or a fun dwelling where you can entertain guests during a warm summer day, or to relax in your private lake setting, or even a place to partake in the many water sports that are available to you;  lake living may be the ideal location for you! Let Larry know if you are interested in lake living, he can find the property just for you and at a good price too!

 “Larry’s personal attention stands out in my mind when I think about my real estate experience with him. I’m well satisfied with my purchase and glad I met Larry to represent me!”                                                         

J Kennedy

 “I chose Larry for my real estate transaction because of his honesty, experience, and dependability! Larry’s friendly but non-confrontational personality stands out in my mind! I felt complete comfort and trust  in Larry as my real estate agent.”

 J Thompson

 “We chose Larry to represent us because he was located in the city we were looking to move to. We were so impressed with how fast he was able to find us the perfect place! We would definitely refer others to Larry. There wasn’t anything we thought Larry could have done better for us!”

 C Anklam

 “We chose Larry to represent us because of our conversations with him on the Internet. His fast reply to our first email, helped in our decision! Larry’s knowledge and experience in the area was extremely valuable. We appreciated that he did not try to influence us in anyway. He simply provided us with excellent information in our decision making process. Our experience was very positive in every aspect!”

 L & K McFall