Avila Home Group

10/13/2026

Want to move but don’t want to give up your current low rate? This is for you.
Data shows homeowners with a mortgage have an average of $310K in equity right now.

And that means if you've been putting off a move because you don't want to give up the mortgage rate you locked in a few years ago, your equity could help.

You could use it toward a bigger down payment and borrow less at today's rates.

Or, if you're downsizing, you might even be able to buy your next home in cash. No mortgage. No worrying about today’s rates.

Want to know how much equity you have and what it makes possible for you? DM me, and I'll help you find out.

10/13/2026

Your next move deserves a plan.

Maybe you need more space, want to simplify, are relocating or have a home to sell. Before you decide, let’s talk through your options, including whether new construction could fit your goals.

Join me and Joe Dunlap of Allen Edwin Homes for Your Next Home, a free buyer workshop in Caledonia.

We’ll cover what to consider with new construction, how to plan your moving timeline and which questions to ask about costs and financing. There will also be time for your questions and a model home tour.

Saturday, November 14, 2026
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
3210 Postern Drive, Caledonia

All types of buyers are welcome. Registration is required.

Reserve your free seat:
https://www.avilahomegroup.com/your-next-home

Sam Avila | Avila Home Group
Keller Williams Grand Rapids East
Every move begins with a plan.

10/12/2026

Does the refrigerator stay when you sell your house? What about the chandelier, TV mount, curtains, garage remotes or video doorbell?

These may sound like small details—until the buyer arrives for the final walk-through and expects something that is already riding away in the moving truck.

In Michigan, attached fixtures are commonly included unless the purchase agreement excludes them. Movable personal property generally needs to be included specifically. Appliances and smart-home devices deserve extra attention because the answer may depend on the contract, how the item is installed and whether the seller actually owns it.

My latest West Michigan seller guide explains the Avila STAYS Check, a room-by-room checklist and the exact questions to answer before listing.

Read the guide:
www.avilahomegroup.com/ahg-blog/what-stays-with-house-when-selling-home-michigan

Thinking about selling? Text STAYS to 616-229-5082 or book a call—virtual or in person:
https://calendly.com/sam-avilahomegroup/30min

Every move begins with a plan.

10/12/2026

Don’t let today’s uncertainty make you lose sight of what homeownership can do over time. Most homeowners say they’d make the same choice again. And decades of home-price growth help explain why.
If you’re wondering whether buying makes sense for you right now, let’s look at the numbers together – and what owning a home could mean for you in the years ahead.

With everything going on, it’s understandable if you’re wondering if you’d regret buying right now.

10/09/2026

1923 character, minutes from Gaslight Village. 🏡

Join me for an open house at 1653 Wealthy St SE in East Grand Rapids. It’s a classic bungalow with original built-ins and woodwork, a fireplace, a sunlit sunroom, and a furnace and A/C replaced in 2023.

📅 Saturday, Oct 10 · 12:00–1:30 PM
💲 $419,000 · 3 bed · 1.5 bath · 1,412 sq ft

Tour it before you tour it. Tap the link in bio for the full photo tour, floor details and seller disclosures. 📅 Saturday, Oct 10 · 12:00–1:30 PM
https://avilahomegroup.kw.com/property/1653-Wealthy-Street-SE-East-Grand-Rapids-MI-49506/2166776270707926

Can’t make it? Tap the link in bio for the full photo tour and details, or text HOME to 616.229.5082 for a private showing.

Sam Avila | Associate Broker, REALTOR®
Avila Home Group · Keller Williams GR East
📱 Call/Text: 616.229.5082
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 avilahomegroup.com
📍 1555 Arboretum Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Se habla español

Listed by Darryl Matthews Jr., Keller Williams GR East.

10/09/2026

Over half of homes (60%) are selling below their original asking price right now. And that stat’s held steady for about a year and a half.

With affordability still so tight, having room to negotiate on price will take some of the biggest financial pressures off your move.

Where you've got the most pull comes down to the neighborhood. Let's chat, and we'll pinpoint where you can push hardest.

10/08/2026

Staying and moving can both be good choices. What matters most is finding the place where you'll feel comfortable and at home for years to come.

If you'd like help weighing the two, let's connect. We can look at what your house could sell for and what 55+ communities in our area have to offer, so you can decide what feels right for you.

You've spent years making your house feel like home, celebrating milestones, making each room your own, and turning neighbors into friends. As you look ahead to the next chapter of your life, it's natural to wonder if this is still the place you want to spend it.

10/08/2026

12 days. That's how fast the typical Kent County home sold this month. 🏡

So why have nearly half of today's listings already cut their price?

Here's what the latest MLS numbers show (Kent County residential, Oct 7):

📊 1,335 homes for sale · 652 under contract · 560 sold in the last 30 days
⚡ 74% of recent sales went under contract within their first month
💰 Median sale price: $360,000, at about 99% of list price
📉 49% of active listings have already changed their price

If you're selling: homes that sold within 30 days got 99.5% of their original asking price. Homes that took 31–60 days got 91.1%. On a $360K home, that's roughly a $30,000 difference. Your starting price matters more than almost anything else.

If you're buying: half of today's listings have been on the market 41+ days. Fresh listings still move fast, so get pre-approved. Homes that have been sitting often have more flexibility on price, repairs or closing costs.

Every neighborhood moves at its own pace (swipe to slide 6 👉). Want the numbers for yours?

📲 Text HOME to 616.229.5082 for a free, no-pressure market snapshot.

Save this for later and share it with someone thinking about a move this fall.

Sam Avila, REALTOR® | Avila Home Group
Keller Williams Grand Rapids East | Equal Housing Opportunity
Source: MichRIC MLS, Kent County residential, 10/7/2026. Deemed reliable, not guaranteed.

10/07/2026

Good news if you're house hunting: the asking price may not be the final word. Right now, about 60% of homes are selling below their original asking price. With budgets stretched thin, a little give on price or terms can take some pressure off your wallet. But how much you can negotiate depends on where you're buying. So, let's chat about what you can ask for in the neighborhoods you're eyeing.

10/07/2026

Wondering what buying a home could look like when mortgage rates are higher? Let’s talk through your options.

A lower starting payment can be appealing—but what happens when that rate changes? My latest blog breaks down adjustable-rate mortgages in plain English, with a payment example, an explanation of rate caps, and questions to ask your lender.

With more than 25 years of experience across mortgage lending and real estate, I’ve seen markets change and headlines get loud. You don’t have to let that noise make the decision for you.
Waiting can have costs, and moving forward deserves a thoughtful plan.

The goal is to understand your options and decide what works for your budget, timeline, and life.

If you’re considering buying in West Michigan, let’s explore what your next move could look like—without pressure.

Read the blog for more info
www.avilahomegroup.com/ahg-blog/adjustable-rate-mortgages-west-michigan

📅 Book a call — virtual or in person.
https://calendly.com/sam-avilahomegroup/30min

Every move begins with a plan.

Sam Avila | Avila Home Group
Keller Williams Grand Rapids East