GRAR.com

10/12/2026

A look at market activity for the month of September 2026.
Curious about your home's value? A GRAR Member would be happy to chat! www.grar.com

10/12/2026

Vote No on Proposal 1, Vote No to the Con-Con
By Brad Ward, Esq.
Michigan Realtors® Vice President of Public Policy & Legal Affairs

Every 16 years Michigan voters get a unique opportunity to vote on whether the state of Michigan should hold a constitutional convention to rewrite Michigan’s Constitution. This general election on November 3rd falls on that 16-year cycle and the “Con-Con” as it’s known will appear as Proposal 1 on your ballot.

The Michigan Realtors® Public Policy Committee has studied and discussed Proposal 1 at length, and the association’s position on the Con-Con is “VOTE NO.” We are not alone, a growing coalition of business and labor, Republicans and Democrats, are coming together to urge voters to defeat Proposal 1.

A constitutional convention does not mean changing individual pieces of the Michigan Constitution. It is a tear-it-up-and-start-from-scratch approach that brings all issues to the table. The process elects 140 delegates that would be doing work down the street from the 140 members of the state legislature, to perhaps overturn everything the legislature passes. It also opens the election and lobbying of delegates to out-of-state deep pockets and foreign actors. The most concerning piece is the instability it creates for people, job providers, and investment looking to move here. People and businesses look for certainty and with the possibility of an entirely new governing document for our state, Michigan becomes less attractive.

The state constitution is not perfect. There is always a temptation for citizens to push back against the government, but this is not the way. There is already a process for amending our constitution through a citizen’s petition, or through 2/3 vote of the legislature to send changes to the ballot for the voters. It is a process your association successfully utilized in 2006 when securing protections for property owners against eminent domain, not allowing the government to take your property for the benefit of another private individual.

Absentee ballots go out next week and election day is November 3rd. Please remember to VOTE NO on Proposal 1.

VOTE NO ON PROPOSAL 1

09/18/2026

GRAR's Community Involvement Task Force is so proud of all the volunteers that helped with our inaugural Placemaking Project at Eastern Park this past weekend! Thank you to all who came to help or planned behind the scenes. With everyone's combined effort, we were able to plant trees and shrubs, lay w**d barrier and edging, spread a bunch of mulch, and paint hammock posts for our newly installed Hammock Grove.

While the plants are small and new now, they will grow and develop into an amazing addition to Eastern Park, adding shade for humans and homes for pollinators. Check out the video for some photos and insight from our community partners and leave them some love in the comments!

Did you want to help but the schedule didn't work out? Friends of GR Parks is hosting a bonus volunteer event Thursday, October 1st from 5:30-7pm for some additional mulching and final touches. You can sign up here:
https://volunteer.bloomerang.co/volunteer/ #/join-party?k=7pbf66wzpdsk6r

Want to learn more about how this was made possible? Have an idea for something similar in your community on public land for a future project? Check out https://www.grar.com/placemaking/ for all the details!

09/15/2026

Bat in the House? What to Do Now — and Later

It’s that time of year again when young bats are learning to fly and become independent. Sometimes, that learning process takes them right into our homes!

Because bats can carry rabies, it’s important to know what to do if you find one inside your home.

First: Keep Everyone Safe:
• Keep people and pets away from the bat and close doors to other rooms.
• Do not try to catch or swat at a flying bat. The brain tissue needs to remain intact for an accurate rabies test.
• Once the bat lands, put on thick leather or work gloves. Place a container over the bat, then slide a stiff piece of cardboard between the bat and the wall or floor to trap it.
• Secure the container with a lid and do not release the bat.
• If the bat is dead, keep it cool, such as in a cooler with ice or in a refrigerator.
• If you are uncomfortable capturing the bat, contact a professional pest or wildlife control company for assistance.

If You Live in Kent County: The Kent County Health Department can help with a rabies risk assessment, information about bat testing, and guidance about any necessary medical follow-up. During normal business hours, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., call 616-632-7228 and select Option 2.

If you live in a neighboring county, contact your local county health department for similar assistance.

And What About Later?

Once the immediate situation is handled, it’s a good time to look around your home for possible entry points. Sealing gaps, cracks, and openings where bats may enter can help prevent an unexpected visit in the future.

Remember: Don’t panic, don’t handle a flying bat, and don’t release a bat that may need to be tested. When in doubt, reach out for guidance.

Share this post to help your family, friends, and neighbors know what to do if a bat gets inside.

07/24/2026

Every homebuying journey is unique. A GRAR REALTOR® Member can help you understand your options, connect you with trusted lending professionals, and create a plan that works for your goals. Reach out to a GRAR member today - you may be closer to homeownership than you think! Visit our online membership roster at www.grar.com.

📖 Overcoming Barriers to Homeownership: https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2025-04/consumer-guide-overcoming-barriers-to-homeownership-2025-04-29.pdf
🎓 Student Loan Debt & Homeownership: https://www.nar.realtor/student-loan-debt

07/15/2026

Even though school is out and the summer heat is upon us all, 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐑'𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 was able to deliver a grant to our friends at 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 in Kentwood this morning. Thanks to our grant applicant, 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐜𝐤 and Community Involvement Task Force members 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐫 and 𝐉𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐤 (also a former KPS educator) for joining us for a picture!⁣
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The staff at Townline are working hard cleaning the building in preparation for the next round of students in the fall, and the grant we delivered is going to help them stock up with some 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 for their students. Having access to these resources in case of an emergency at school allows kids to just be kids - to learn, play, and grow together without worrying about needing (and possibly not having access to) a clean set of clothes for the school day.⁣
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Many of us may take that luxury for granted, but GRAR's Community Involvement Task Force is proud that we get the opportunity to address that need in our community!

Want to learn how you can help?
www.grar.com/schoolhouse

07/14/2026

Wait… how did we miss this?

Our own Michigan gem, Petoskey, caught national attention on Realtor.com as one of the country’s standout luxury destinations.

Of course, Michiganders have known for years what makes this place special — the views, the charm, the lake life, the seasons, and that unmistakable Northern Michigan magic.

Looks like the secret is officially out. 💙

https://www.realtor.com/news/real-estate-summary/petoskey-michigan-hidden-gem-secret-luxury-recap/

A surprising city made the Realtor.com March 2026 Pure Luxury List. It's Petoskey, Michigan, on the shores of Lake Michigan.

07/14/2026

🌲 Michigan Is Selling 97 State-Owned Properties—Could One Be Yours?

The Michigan DNR is auctioning 97 surplus properties across the state this August, including waterfront, wooded, and recreational parcels.

Properties are available in Allegan, Berrien, Livingston, Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Luce, Baraga, Dickinson, Houghton, Menominee, Crawford, Kalkaska, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Roscommon, Antrim, Charlevoix, Alpena, Cheboygan, Iosco, Presque Isle, Oakland, Oceana, Lake, and Jackson counties.

The DNR says the parcels have limited public use due to access or location, and proceeds from the auctions will help fund the purchase of land that offers greater public recreation and conservation value.

Read the full story here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real-estate/dnr-auctioning-97-properties-in-august-when-to-bid-on-state-land/ar-AA27PxBM?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Want to learn more? A GRAR REALTOR Member would be happy to help! Search our online roster at https://www.grar.com/realtorst/

Michigan DNR announced a major land auction statewide, preparing 97 properties to be bid on throughout August. See when to bid, property details.

07/13/2026

A look at market activity for the month of June 2026:
Curious about your home's value? A GRAR Member would be happy to chat! www.grar.com

07/07/2026

A look at market activity for the month of May 2026:
Curious about your home's value? A GRAR Member would be happy to chat! www.grar.com