426 Lafayette Avenue

Overview

This property is a true real estate unicorn because it is a completely updated, turn-key masterpiece nestled right in the heart of Grand Rapids' historic Heritage Hill, blending 1890s charm with zero of the usual nineteenth-century headaches. It is practically unheard of to find a historic home with four finished floors that was taken down to the studs and meticulously reborn with all updated wiring, plumbing, and high-efficiency mechanicals and hvac, saving you the absolute joy of discovering antique pipes that leak behind old walls. Built originally for a local perfume magnate, this five-bedroom, five-bathroom estate is the most compelling resurrection story in the city. Today, it offers an exceptionally open floor plan tailored for modern entertaining, elegantly partitioned by two sets of pocket doors. Your guests will marvel at the soaring, ornate 1890s staircase before gravitating toward the chef's kitchen, boasting top-tier granite countertops, a custom hood vent, and an

Property details

What to ask about this one

Three questions worth putting to the listing side before you write anything. They are specific to this property, not a checklist.

1. 01

   Budget for a pre-1978 inspection — lead paint, knob-and-tube, and the roof

2. 02

   Ask what the taxable value uncaps to after the sale, not what the seller pays now