Living in Grand Rapids

About Living in Grand Rapids

This podcast brought to you by May Group Realtors with RE/MAX of Grand Rapids is all about (you guessed it) living in Grand Rapids! We'll talk about everything that's happening in our community from events, restaurants, neighborhoods, and of course, we have to talk a little about Real Estate too!

Publisher

May Group Realtors

Category

leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 May 2021

Latest episode

19 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

186 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Oct 2026

   Who Pays the Buyer's Realtor Now? Buyer Agreements & Commission Explained

   Wondering what is happening with realtor commissions in 2026? Are sellers still covering commission fees, or are buyers on the hook? In this video, Ross Bacon with The May Group breaks down the real estate rules, how written buyer agreements work, and who ultimately pays the buyer's agent. KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS VIDEO: Mandatory Buyer Agreements: Before touring any home, buyers and agents must sign an Exclusive Buyer's Agency Agreement outlining agent duties and compensation. No MLS Advertising: Sellers can no longer list buyer agent commission offers on the MLS, but fees are still actively negotiated during the offer process. Sellers Still Pay: In many cases, sellers continue to cover the buyer's agent fee through seller concessions in the purchase agreement. Negotiable Fees: Commission rates are not set by law and are fully negotiable between the buyer and their agent. LET’S CONNECT Find out which Grand Rapids, Michigan neighborhood is best for you. Take the quiz! https://rem.ax/4gmzlK3 (https://rem.ax/4gmzlK3) Email: info@marketgrandrapids.com Website: https://marketgrandrapids.com INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maygroupgr/ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/marketgrandrapids #RealEstate #HomeBuyingTips #RealtorCommissions #GrandRapidsRealEstate #BuyerAgency #REMAX #MayGroupRealEstate #BuyingAHome

2. 

   12 Oct 2026

   Why Some Grand Rapids Homes Sell Fast (And Others Don't)

   Why do some Grand Rapids homes sell in a weekend while others sit for months? Josh May of May Group Realtors, RE/MAX of Grand Rapids, breaks down what really drives days on market in Grand Rapids and shares the home-selling tips that help homes sell faster and for more money. ⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS Introduction (0:00) Pricing Strategy (0:51) Home Preparation and Staging (2:30) Why Your First Weekend Matters (3:33) Marketing That Creates an Emotional Connection (4:58) Understanding Your Specific Market (5:53) What Makes a Home Sell Quickly (6:40) WHY SOME GRAND RAPIDS HOMES SELL FAST, AND OTHERS DON'T After more than 25 years selling real estate in West Michigan, I can tell you there is rarely one simple answer. Days on market in Grand Rapids can vary dramatically based on price, location, condition, preparation, competition, and marketing. In this video, I walk through the biggest factors that decide whether your home sells quickly or sits. 1. PRICING A HOME TO SELL Pricing is the biggest factor, and pricing to sell does not mean pricing low. It means positioning your home correctly against the competition. Buyers are not only comparing your home with what sold six months ago. They are comparing it with everything they can buy right now at the same price. I look at recent comparable sales and the current competition, whether you are in Forest Hills, Ada, East Grand Rapids, or Rockford. 2. PREPARATION AND STAGING Preparation is one of the most overlooked reasons some homes sell quickly. Decluttering, fresh paint, updated light fixtures, landscaping, minor repairs, a deep professional clean, and staging all help buyers feel at home. Buyers are not just buying square footage. It is an emotional purchase, and preparation should happen before your home hits the market. 3. YOUR FIRST WEEKEND MATTERS When sellers ask how long homes take to sell in Grand Rapids, I explain that the first several days are critical. That is when your home reaches the largest group of buyers who have been waiting for a property like yours. The right price, great photography, and a home that shows beautifully create urgency, and urgency creates competition. 4. MARKETING THAT CREATES AN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION Professional photography is the minimum. Video and floor plans help tell the story of your home, whether that is a wooded backyard in Cascade, walkable access to downtown Ada, life near Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids, or acreage near Rockford. 5. KNOW YOUR SPECIFIC MARKET There is not just one Grand Rapids housing market. A $350,000 home in Grand Rapids can have a very different buyer pool than an $850,000 home in Ada. Your neighbor's three-day sale does not automatically mean yours will follow. For 2026 context, Redfin reported a median of 13 days on market in Grand Rapids in May. Many homes still sit longer, and the difference usually comes down to price, preparation, and presentation. Thinking about selling? Ask yourself what you can do before going live to make buyers choose your home over the competition. Have questions or want to talk more about selling a home in Grand Rapids? Contact The May Group at RE/MAX Grand Rapids Phone: (616) 330-2555  Email: info@marketgr.com Follow us for more Grand Rapids and West Michigan content: https://www.instagram.com/maygroupgr/ #GrandRapidsRealEstate #WestMichiganRealEstate #GrandRapids

3. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Rockford vs. Sparta vs. Cedar Springs, MI Compared

   Thinking about moving north of Grand Rapids? Rockford, Sparta, and Cedar Springs are three of the most popular small towns near GR, and in this video we break down what makes each one different, from home prices to schools to commute times, so you can figure out which one is the right fit for you. ⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS Introduction (0:00) Rockford: Rogue River & Established Downtown (1:11) Sparta: Apple Country & Affordability (2:08) Cedar Springs: Red Flannel & New Growth (3:08) Commute to Grand Rapids (3:57) Which Town Is Right for You? (4:20) Rockford, Sparta, and Cedar Springs are all within 10 to 15 minutes of each other and roughly 20 minutes from Grand Rapids, but each has its own personality, price point, and lifestyle. In this video, Doren Colley with The May Group at RE/MAX of Grand Rapids walks through what each community is known for and who tends to be the best fit for each one. Rockford is the most established of the three, with the Rogue River running through town, access to the White Pine Trail, a walkable downtown, and a strong lineup of restaurants, breweries, and community events. The Rockford School District is also a major draw for families, known for strong academics and a big, welcoming sports culture. All of that comes at a premium, making Rockford a great fit for buyers who want an amenity-rich, established small-town experience. Sparta has a more rural, agricultural feel and leans fully into its identity as apple country, complete with orchards and the annual Apple Fest. Home prices in Sparta tend to be the most affordable of the three towns, making it a strong option for first-time buyers or anyone looking for more house or property without a long drive from Grand Rapids. Cedar Springs blends established neighborhoods with a wave of new development as the Grand Rapids area continues to grow north. It offers great access to the White Pine Trail and Cedar Springs Brewing Company, along with the town's signature Red Flannel Festival each fall. Price-wise, Cedar Springs typically lands between Sparta and Rockford, offering a solid mix of value and growth potential. When it comes to commute times, all three towns sit about 20 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, giving residents easy access to the city without giving up that small-town pace of life. If you're weighing Rockford vs Sparta vs Cedar Springs for your next move, this video breaks down exactly what you need to know before making a decision. Thinking about relocating to Grand Rapids or the lakeshore? Grab our free Relocation Guide: https://mailchi.mp/8b5aff1055a5/relocation-guide Have questions or want to talk more about a move to or around West Michigan? Contact The May Group at RE/MAX Grand Rapids Phone: (616) 330-2555 Email: info@marketgr.com Follow us for more Grand Rapids and West Michigan content: https://www.instagram.com/maygroupgr/ #GrandRapidsRealEstate #WestMichiganRealEstate #MovingToMichigan

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

167,594

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 84 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

86

Social presence

94

YouTube

82

Engagement

77

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.