LIVE
There is something about growing up in a rural community that draws people back, no matter how long they have been away. For many, the draw pulls the strongest when enrolling children in school is on the horizon. For Marc and Erika Walker, their careers pulled them closer to the city—Grand Rapids—but their roots were in the small towns they grew up in on the outskirts of the city. As their children approach school age, they began looking for a place where their family could put down roots, providing the small town values and experiences they had growing up. “My wife and I both grew up in the country,” Marc says. “We moved from a dirt road to a 50 x 100 lot in the city. That’s not where we want to be. We want the lifestyle of living in a rural area where our kids can play outside and go to a smaller school.” Last winter the Walkers purchased an 18-acre parcel in Plainwell and began working toward their dream of raising their family in the country. In order to keep costs low and generate more equity in their home, Marc and Erika decided to build their four bedroom, 3,000 square foot home themselves, with help from family and friends. “This has been much more work than we planned, but it will all be worth it when we move in,” Marc says. The first hurdle for the Walkers to overcome was finding a lender who would allow them to act as the contractors for the home. “Most banks only let you do what you are licensed for,” says Marc who is a licensed builder having worked on a construction crew in college. “So they would not let me do the electrical and plumbing, two of the biggest cost savers.”
Putting Down Roots
They were surprised and thankful to hear that GreenStone finances do-it-yourself home construction. The Walkers worked with senior financial services officer Nancy Blaauw to set up the construction financing. The financing allows the Walkers to act as the contractor as well as subcontractor provided the permitting and other regulations are met.
➡ Opposite page top: Making family memories in their new home starts before the Walkers move in.
➡ Opposite page center: Surrounded by 18 acres of woods and open land, the Walker’s new home provides the opportunity to enjoy many outdoor activities. 27
Spring 2018 — Partners