Colonial Village Area!
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1717 Cooper, Lansing, Michigan 48910
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Eastside Neighborhood – Bike to MSU!
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431 N Foster, Lansing, Michigan 48912
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Changing Lansing One Home at a Time
Something strange has been happening around Lansing. As the doom and gloom of the recession bombards the headlines and swallows up the media attention, a small local construction company, Lau Construction, has been steadily renovating homes around the Lansing area for 5 years now. With 17 projects under their belt, this small company has done all manor of projects. From light renovations, such as paint and carpets, to major overhauls, including one home that was lifted off its foundation so that the foundation could be rebuilt. The list of completed projects includes four homes that had been “red tagged” by the City of Lansing, and one that was slated for demolition. All of these homes are now back in service and have been sold to owner occupants.
Lau Construction was started in 2005 by Christopher and Adraine Lau, who met at Michigan State University in the Construction Management Program. Both have always had an interest in urban revitalization and decided to stay close to home and open their own business. Lau Construction has given special attention to The Westside Neighborhood. Ten of these whole house renovations have occurred in this neighborhood. “We like working in The Westside Neighborhood because we live there as well. The historic character of the neighborhood makes it a wonderful place to live and an easy place to sell a renovated home. We can work close to home and help change the neighborhood for the better at the same time.”
There have been challenges along the way, of course. “You have to learn to adapt to a changing and sometimes challenging real estate market” says co-owner Adriane Lau, who is also a real estate Broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals, “Being on the front lines in real estate I have seen things change seemingly overnight.”
For more photos and information, please visit Lau Construction’s Website.
Stuff to do in Lansing
My sister recently came to visit from Chicago so we had a few days to explore Lansing. As we enjoyed gelato and live music on the patio at the new City Market, we talked about all of the things there are to do in Lansing. It seems like there has been an explosion of new festivals and activities around town in the last few years. Here are a few of my favorites:
1) Lansing City Market and Lansing River Trail – While the Lansing City Market has been around for over 100 years, a brand new space that opened in March seems to have rejuvenated the market. You can enjoy fresh local produce, chocolates, fresh fish and cheese, flowers are more. Grab a gelato and take a stroll down the Rivertrail, which is right outside the front door. The River Trail runs all the way from Old Town to MSU and you will see loads of bikers, runners, and strollers. It also connects to Potter Park Zoo, which is another great place to spend an afternoon.
2) Lansing Lugnuts – Everyone enjoys a good baseball game…perhpas for different reasons. I used to enjoy Thirsty Thursday’s with $2 beers, but today I am really more about the kid’s play set in the back and fireworks after the game.
3) Old Town Festivals – Old Town has lots of great outdoor festivals throughout the summer. Some of the top festivals include Festival of the Sun and Moon in June, Blues Fest, Jazz Fest, Oktoberfest, and Charles Dickens Christmas.
4) Hawk Island County Park – For those of you who have not had a chance to visit, this park is a must. There are miles of trails around a lake and through the woods. There is also a dog park (which I am told is awesome, however, I can not back that up because I have no dog). For kids there is a huge play structure and a splash park, which is included in the $2 entrance fee. You can also rent paddle boats or enjoy a swim in the lake.
5) Classes. If you are the type that enjoys learning something new, you will enjoy a variety of classes offered around town. I have taken a few through MSU Evening College. They have everything from meditation to cheese tasting. You may also enjoy a photography session at Perspective 2 or a mosaic making class at Delphi Art Center.
6) Social Networking Events (IRL) – I recently visited a networking even through the Grand River Connection. It is a networking group for young professionals and a great way to meet people if you are new to town. There are also various business networking events through the Lansing Chamber of Commerce, many neighborhood associations, and more.
7) MSU Sporting Events - My personal favorite event is tailgating before the football games, but for those of you that are more sport inclined you may enjoy Big Ten Football, Basketball, or Baseball.
8) Live Music – Lansing puts on some great concerts series in the summer. Lansing Live is held for free on Washington Square on Thursdays in the summer. East Lansing also has a live concert series in the summer on Fridays and Saturdays. The City of Lansing Parks and Rec Department also puts on various concerts throughout the parks on Lansing on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer.
9) Planetarium and Telescope – One of the advantages to living next to a large university is enjoying all of the things that the campus has to offer. In the center of campus you will find the Abram’s Planetarium which offers various classes and shows throughout the year. The large telescope is also open to the public at various times throughout the year.
10) Librarys and Museums – I recently joined Impression 5 Museum because they have a great baby room, however, Lansing has several great museums for those of you without children. The State of Michigan Museum is a great things to do on a cold or rainy day and the RE Olds Museum is a fun spot for car buffs. The Capitol Area District Library has great events and speakers throughout the year.
11) Enjoy a show. Lansing has some class act theaters. The Wharton Center routinely attracts national shows, while smaller local theater can be enjoyed at the Riverwalk Theater and several other locals players around town. In the summer there are even outdoors performances with MSU’s Summer Circle or LCC’s Theater Under the Stars.
12) Canoe, Rock Climb, Horseback Riding. There are some wonderful rivers around town. You can rent a canoe at the MSU Livery. If you are looking for something more adventurous, you could try out rock climbing at the Ledges in Grand Ledge at Fitzgerald Park. There is also the Sundance Riding Stables for all experience levels who want to give horseback riding a try.
You may also want to check out the City Pulse, which publishes events as they happen every week. I have found it to be a great resource. As you can see, there is lots to do in Lansing for those who are willing to get out there.
Spotlight on Lansing Neighborhoods: Lansing Eastside Neighborhood
Tucked in between the tall buildings of Downtown and Michigan State University, Lansing’s Eastside Neighborhood is a hidden treasure for Lansing real estate. Many people are drawn to the area because of the convenient location within biking distance of both East Lansing and Downtown. Others like the fact that there are numerous shops and restaurants within walking distance on Michigan Ave, the main drag through the neighborhood. You will also find access to parks and bike trails. The Allen Street Farmer’s Market attracts a crowd from around the region while Hunter Park offers a year-round greenhouse and the Lansing Rivertrail can be accessed easily and taken all the way to MSU or Old Town. Sparrow Hospital anchors the west end of the neighborhood as in a major regional employer. As you travel east along Michigan Ave, you will find a variety of locally owned shops, including some of my favorites such as Fabianos (chocolatiers), Emil’s (Italian Food), Gone Wired Cafe (coffee shop), Green Door (bar), and many others. The neighborhoods surrounding the shops are older homes, mostly built between 1910 and 1945. Big front porches invite neighbors to talk and give the area a quaint, old-time feel. You can check out lots of photos of the area by clicking this link. With everything this area has to offer, you may surprised that the average sales price in the last 6 months was $54,000 (figures generated from MLS data on 5/5/10). A wonderful neighborhood for those who are looking for an affordable housing option close to Downtown, MSU, or Cooley Law School.
Search all HOMES FOR SALE IN LANSING’S EASTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD
Spotlight on Lansing Neighborhoods: Downtown Lansing Living
Downtown Lansing has begun to emerge in the last few years as a lively and unique place to live. Just five or ten years ago you would be hard pressed to find a place to eat or anything to do after 5:00. With the expansion of Cooley Law School and more Downtown residents with the addition of loft apartments, The Arbaugh, Printer’s Row, Stadium District, Prudden Place and numerous other smaller projects, Downtown Lansing is again becoming a vibrant place to live.
Downtown living options include ownership with new and refurbished townhomes and condos. There are many loft apartments for rent as well as single family homes. Because the options vary so much the average sales prices do as well. The average sales price for all types of real estate in the last year Downtown was $46,954. To give you an idea of how much prices vary, however, you should know that the maximum sales price was $540,720 and the low sales price $2,403 (crazy, huh?) Figures generated from MLS data as of Dec. 8, 2009.
Some of my personal favorite things to do Downtown include shopping at the City Market going to a Lansing Lugnuts baseball game in the summer, working out at the YMCA on Washington Square, Visiting the main branch of the Lansing Library, and eating at some of my favorite restaurants, including Clara’s Lansing Station, Michigan Brewing Company, Tavern on the Square. Various festivals add life to Downtown throughout the year, including Blues on the Square (a free music festival in the summer) The Chili Cookoff in June, and Silver Bells in the City in November. There are also several museums, theaters, art galleries, and access to the Lansing Rivertrail which is a riverside biking/walking trail that spans from Old Town all the way to MSU.
For those looking to be in the center of the action and within walking distance of shopping, entertainment, and even a food market, Downtown Lansing may be the right choice for you. Click here for photos of Downtown.
Spotlight on Lansing Neighborhoods: Old Town Lansing
What a unique area! For those looking for the Big City feel in Lansing (think Lincoln Park, Chicago without quite as much bustle) this is the place. The streets are lined with funky shops, such as Polka Dots (a bead store) Grace (boutique clothing store) October Moon (a gift boutique), and my personal favorite Mexican Restaurant, Pablo’s Panderia. If you have never had the veggie burrito you are missing out! There are also a host of other things on this busy intersection of Turner and Grand River, including design companies, art galleries, restaurants, bars, and more. The Old Town Commercial Association provides you with a complete look at all the activities going on in the area. If you ask most anyone from the area the best part about Old Town, however, you will most likely hear the same response over and over: The Festivals! There are music festivals throughout the year, including jazz and blues. You will also find many other activities such as the Oktoberfest celebration, Festival of the Sun and Moon in June, a Charles Dickens Christmas, and a Farmer’s Market and more. The Lansing Rivertrail also runs through Old Town, connecting it to Downtown and East Lansing. There are living options for everyone, including loft apartments, rowhouses, single family homes, and multi-family units. Click here for some more photos.
For such a unique area you may be surprised to learn that the average sales price within a half mile of Turner and Grand River in the last year was an astounding $34,700. That figure, however, jumps to $74,050 if the foreclosure sales are eliminated (based on MLS figures generated on Nov. 16th, 2009)
Do you live or work in Old Town? Make sure to leave a comment so others know what you think about the area.
Spotlight on Lansing Neighborhoods: Colonial Village and Quentin Park
Born in the post-war era, the tidy streets of Colonial Village and Quentin Park in Lansing are always filled with people walking their dogs and children playing. Located just south of The Grand River, this area has remained solid for years and has a great location in the heart of the City. We used to live in this area (loved the area…the only reason we moved is because some of the homes, including ours, are admittedly a little small). I loved being able to walk to the grocery store, restaurants, QD, and being just a stone’s throw from the freeway. These homes are your traditional “starter homes” with an average sales price in the last year of just $70,500 ($95,000 if you take out the foreclosure sales). Click here for some photos of the area. For someone looking for a nice area for their first home, Colonial Village must be considered. Do you live in Colonial Village or Quentin Park? Don’t forget to leave a comment to let everyone know what you think of the area.
Spotlight on Lansing Neighborhoods: Groesbeck
Many times this year I have found myself driving through the Groesbeck Neighborhood to meet clients. I find myself thinking about what a cute, quiet, clean area it is. Situated on the Eastside of Lansing, The Groesbeck Area has a convenient location near 4-96, Eastwood Towne Center, Downtown, and MSU. The Groesbeck Neighborhood is also home to Post Oak Elementary School, Lansing’s only Chinese language elementary school. The well-known and respected area was developed in the 1960s are features large homes on suburban style lots. The median home price in the last 12 months in the Groesbeck area was $134,450, which is down from the 2006 median home price of $154,100. With a strong neighborhood association and location within walking distance to several parks and a golf course, it’s no wonder that the Groesbeck area has remained solid throughout the recession. Click for more photos of the Groesbeck area.
SEARCH FOR ALL HOMES FOR SALE IN GROESBECK LANSING
Spotlight on Lansing Neighborhoods: Westside Nieghborhood
I have decided to start a new segment on my blog highlighting different neighborhoods in Lansing. What better place to start than my own neighborhood…Lansing’s Westside Neighborhood. Located 11 blocks West of Downtown, the Westside Neighborhood is comprised of homes built mostly in the 1920s when intricate details and gorgeous wood trims were commonplace. With big front porches and small backyards it is an area where neighbors know each other and stick together. The charm of the area is compounded by the quaint tree-lined streets, which just can not be replicated in a new neighborhood.Interested in current homes for sale in the Westside Neighborhood? Click the link to real time info on homes for sale in the Westside Neighborhood. You can also search by map by clicking “map search” at the top of the page. This feature works best with internet explorer.
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