Recently, I was introduced to a new concept. Well, the concept wasn’t necessarily new, but it was clearly described in this fancy phrase; living life with a degree of margin.

A quick Google search of the word margin returns the definition ‘the edge or border of something’. With synonyms including, fringe, verge, and brink. If you are on the verge of something, it could mean you are about to have an amazing break through. It could also mean that you have exhausted your tank and are on the verge of empty.

When we come home from work, we frequently have little energy left; we’ve used 100% of ourselves at work. No margin has been left for our family, our spouse, our house, or any other responsibilities we have.

Meetings scheduled back to back to back, leave little room for margin. No time to process the information from one meeting before the next begins. Also, what if the person in meeting 1 needs a little bit of extra time to talk about something that wasn’t on the schedule? Could this be a missed opportunity? This may not be the most efficient way to schedule a day, but how long can you go at 100%? Can a car’s engine run in the red line forever?

Living with margin at home can be as simple as living within your means; spending less than what you make. As simple as this is, it can have a profound impact on your life. If there is a financial margin in your personal life, let’s just say 10%, imagine what opportunities you could be a part of. Pay down debt, invest, give to others, support those with less.

Life has a rhythm to it, it ebbs and flows. There are times  when we are very busy at one thing, and not at others. A snow plow driver has a busy season, as do landscapers, and other similar professions. We also have seasons of raising children. This is a longer season, about 18 years, but it’s a season. Starting a business requires a season of highly focused energy. All of these seasons come to an end. What season are you in? Do you know when it will end? Did you know you were in that season?

If we live without margin for long enough, something will give. If a car engine runs too fast for too long, it will run out of gas or oil, or even worse, over heat and break down. If we slow down for a brief moment, it will become obvious which areas of our lives have been neglected, and which areas need to be lived with more margin.

Congratulations to the local owners of the new Pak Mail store located at 5751 Byron Center Ave, Suite U.

This is the 3rd location for this owner, stop by today and put their expertise to use for your shipping, packing and mailing needs

No shipping need is too large or too small. They even offer custom crate and packing solutions.

Conveniently located at the Bayberry Marketplace retail center, on Byron Center Ave, just off of M6. Directly across from Metro Hospital, and neighboring other great establishments such as; BoRics, Blue Ginger, Re/Max Lifestyles, Red Geranium, Chubby’s, Quizno’s and more!

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For more information, contact the store directly at 616.532.4430, or visit www.pakmail.com

Eastbrook Homes has begun their transformation of Carlisle Crossings! Signs went up a few weeks ago, and the landscapers have been busy cutting back over growth, planting new trees and installing dozens of landscaping rocks!

We’re excited to see new homes go up… Hopefully soon!

Also, Eastbrook Homes will be at the Byron Township Board meeting on November 14th at 7pm to request a ‘major change’ to the PUD. Then they will be at the Byron Township Planning Commission meeting on November 21st at 7pm for ‘Final Site Development Plan’ for phase 1

Here’s your opportunity to buy a great Byron Center 2-story home before it hits the market!

Contact Paul if you, or your client is interested.

• Popular Byron Center neighborhood
• 1800+ square feet
• 2 story design
• Newer home
• 4 bedrooms
• 3.5 bathrooms
• 2 stall garage
• Finished walkout lower level

If you’ve searched everything on the internet and still can’t find anything that fits your needs, contact Paul today for a personal tour of this home before it hits the market!!

NEW LISTING!

10050 E Rivershores Dr Se, Alto, MI 49302

• 3 bedrooms
• 2 full, 2 partial bathrooms
• 2,690sf
• 2.3 acres
• 2 Stall Attached Garage
• Additional 2 Stall garage/barn
• Screened in sun porch + large deck for entertaining!

Feel right at home in this well appointed house situated on 2.3 acres in Caledonia Schools. Enter into the two story foyer, enjoy relaxing in the living room, or entertain in the dining room! The kitchen is large yet functional, and a cozy breakfast area is ideal for a quick meal. Enjoy the surrounding nature from the screened in porch or from the large deck. Upstairs is the spacious master bedroom, with attached bathroom and walk in closet. Find two additional bedrooms, full bathroom, and den/office(could be converted into a 4th bedroom). The lower level is unfinished, except a 1/2 bathroom. Finish it to add a large family/rec room. The attached two stall garage is great for the everyday cars, but the extra two stall garage is ideal for the fun toys! Extra room upstairs for storage or finish off as a man cave.

Take a look at this great video for Byron Center High School!

In the October 2011 edition of the BConnection, Byron Center Public Schools is proposing an extension on the current school bond. In a time when federal and state school funding is diminishing, it is increasingly important to maintain local funding for our schools, according to the article.

What are your thoughts? Should this bond be extended or not? Leave your comments below.

The following excerpts was taken directly from the publication
Explanation of Byron Center Public Schools Bond Extension

• Transportation: The district has 38 buses that transport more than 2,500 children per day, traveling 1,800 miles per day. The district must prepare for the purchase of ten new buses over the next 5 years.
• Technology: The vast majority of the districts technology is 5-8 years old. An extension to the current bond would allow the district to replace core infrastructure equipment including aging phone systems and network equipment as well as enhancing our wireless access points. In addition, the district would replace and enhance current classroom technology and other devices pertinent to student learning.
• Buildings: Extension of the bond would provide for enhancements, remodeling, or additions to Byron Center High School, Brown & Marshall elementary and the Administration buildings (see images below)

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is driving the need for this Bond Issue now?
• The high school is nearing capacity and Brown Elementary is in need of major renovation and additions. Our elementary schools are approaching capacity. By moving our early childhood programs to th eold Nickels building, we will free up 12 elementary classrooms district wide.
• Technology upgrades and improvements are needed at all buildings. The last major technology purchase was a result of the 2001 bond issue.
• Also, we want to improve safety and security for students, parents and staff by providing control vestibules and security systems at all buildings
• How much planning has gone into this proposal?
• This process has taken place over the last year and more. Meetings have been held with staff and community members to discuss facility needs and a total of 3 community forums were held to discuss a variety of options.
• How would this Bond Issue affect the average Homeowner?
• The proposal does not increase the current annual school millage of 7 mills. The bonding is projected to extend the existing debt millage eight additional years.
• How will this impact property values?
• There is no guarantee, but in other communities, improved educational facilities have helped to increase property values, encourage development and provide a “stimulus” to the local economy.
• Is our school district projected to grow?
• Yes. According to enrollment projections provided by Stanfred Associates, we will see approximately 15.6% growth in our K-12 population over the next five years. We have grown from 3,042 students five years ago to 3,500 students this year and our five year projection is for 3,907 students.

Congratulations to CBH Building & Development on their recent move into their new space at 5780 Crossroads Commerce in Wyoming, MI! (Map)

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Increasing their space by over 5x’s, this 33,00sf building will provide plenty of space for their growing business. Located right around the corner from the new YMCA, Metro Hospital, and minutes from M6 & US 131, this location serves their needs perfectly.

CBH is a general contracting company specializing in commercial and residential construction. Take a look at Sierrafield Condominiums in Byron Center, or the Rainbow Child Care Center on the East Beltline in Grand Rapids for examples of their work!

A division of CBH, Construction Material Specialist (CMS) is a project based construction material supplier; supplying lumber, doors, flooring, counter tops, ect. Congratulations to the owners, employees, and crew at CBH!

If you or your business are considering buying, leasing, or building industrial, office, or retail space, contact Paul today!

Looking for a home to rent in Byron Center?
More information Coming Soon!

If you have a rental property available for rent in Byron Center, and would like to advertise for FREE here, contact us today.

At the September 20th Planning Commission meeting in Byron Center, a representative for the developer officially requested, and received, approval for phase 5 of the Planters Row sub division. This newest phase will include about 16 new lots; a small number compared to the sizes of the previous phases, but market conditions justify a more conservative approach.

As reported earlier, Planters Row is almost completely built out, there are only a few empty lots remaining.

If you are considering purchasing an existing home, or building a new home in Planters Row, or anywhere in Byron Center, Contact us today!

Click here for a list of homes currently for sale in Planters Row