Chelsea Dubay - Your Home Girl with 616 Realty

09/23/2026

Fall doesn’t always belong to the pumpkin patch.

While everyone else lines up at the orchard, we’re on the shoreline. Cashmere on, feet in the sand, the sky putting on a show just for us. On the lakeshore, beach season doesn’t end on Labor Day. It simply becomes more refined. Quieter beaches. Golden light. A town that finally exhales.

Enjoy your apples. We’ll be at the pier.

Save this for your next Grand Haven escape.

Some people visit the lakeshore. Others call it home. Message me for a private look at lakeshore listings.

#616

09/21/2026

580 West is officially pending!

Newer updates, great finishes, and a location that can’t be beat! Excited to get the ball rolling on this one!

09/21/2026

I tell almost every buyer the same thing: do not start with the house.

The kitchen can change. The paint can change. The street cannot.

Before you fall for the white oak floors, spend time in the neighborhood. Visit at 6 p.m. on a weekday. Walk it on a Saturday morning. Talk to the neighbors. Notice how it feels.

In my latest blog, I break down how to shop for a street first and a house second, plus a quick look at what makes Rockford, Sparta, Ada, East Grand Rapids, Byron Center, Hudsonville, and Eastown each feel different.

Read it here: https://thedubaycollective.com/blog/eb8swnvboqx36k4lcgfhfq8yliqyab

Buy the life, not just the layout.

I Tell Buyers to Fall in Love With the Neighborhood First. The House Comes Second. Here is something I say to almost every buyer I work with: do not start with the house. I know that sounds backwards. You are scrolling Zillow at 10 p.m. You find the one with the white oak floors and the big kit

09/19/2026

It’s been a great week.

Leaning into passion, growth, big goals & all the fun along the way 🤎

09/16/2026

Sold.

From 182 days on market and an expired listing, to new agents on the job, an entirely different strategy, and pending before it ever hit the market again.

This is what happens when perspective, precision, and the right team come together. The way a property is presented, represented, and ultimately sold is never left to chance. Happy to have tackled this with Heather Smith | Grand Rapids & West Michigan Real Estate by my side 👊🏼 🤩

Cheers to the next chapter!

09/15/2026

Here’s where the West Michigan market stood in August 2026, broken down by Kent County, Ottawa County, and Greater Grand Rapids.

Real talk on rates: they’ve been sitting closer to 7% lately, and yes, that affects monthly payments. But here’s the upside nobody talks about enough. Higher rates mean less competition, more negotiating room, and sellers who are actually willing to talk price, closing costs, and concessions. If you’re a buyer waiting for the “perfect” rate, you might be waiting through some of the best negotiating leverage we’ve seen in a while.

For sellers, inventory is still tight across all three counties, which means well-priced homes are still moving quickly.

Questions about what this means for you specifically? Let’s talk!

09/14/2026

Happy closing day to this awesome family!

It took time getting to the finish line, but after beating out the competition on this one, it was worth every bit of the wait. Watching this become their happy place makes all the chaos feel small. And the best part? They’re home before the holiday season rolls around!

Congratulations Chaney family! Welcome home!

09/14/2026

People ask me all the time which lake town is my favorite, and it's always the same answer: Saugatuck.
I wrote up everything I love about it, the food, the seasonal things to do, and a few honest thoughts from a real estate perspective if you've ever pictured yourself actually living there.
Link to the full post is below.

People ask me all the time which lake town is actually my favorite, and I never hesitate. It's Saugatuck. Every time. I get why they ask. West Michigan has so many good options that picking just one feels almost unfair to the others. But Saugatuck has this thing going for it that I can't quite find