Espresso Martini Market Update: West Michigan Is Back in Multiple-Offer Mode
May 26, 2026
What Steve & Margaux saw over the last 6 weeks—and why sellers should pay attention right now
If you’ve been wondering whether the West Michigan real estate market is “cooling off,” Steve & Margaux Drake have a clear answer: not in the neighborhoods they’re seeing. In this episode of Coffee with Steve & Margaux—dubbed the Espresso Martini Market Update—they recap six weeks of fast-moving, high-demand activity that feels familiar to anyone who remembers the COVID-era frenzy.
Here’s the real-world snapshot: one recent listing drew five offers—one cash and four financed—and the financed offers weren’t timid. Multiple buyers came in non-contingent, using bridge loans or strong cash positions to remove friction. Escalation clauses ranged from $1,000 to $5,000 over asking, with one offer escalating up to $90,000 over list price. Some buyers even waived inspections or shortened inspection timelines to compete.
And the wild card that’s becoming more common? Appraisal gap protection. Steve & Margaux saw offers with $60,000 in appraisal gap coverage—and even unlimited protection—meaning buyers were willing to bring extra cash if the home didn’t appraise at contract price.
The takeaway is simple: demand is strong, and well-positioned listings are getting rewarded. Their advice to sellers is to act intentionally—price the home correctly from the start, trust a skilled listing strategy, and let competition do what it does best.
For buyers and sellers alike, this episode is a reminder of what makes West Michigan extraordinary: people want to be here. They’re competing to live here. And when a place draws that kind of energy, it’s not just a market—it’s a community people are choosing.
🎥 Watch the full Espresso Martini Market Update to hear the full breakdown and what it means for your next move.
Keywords:
West Michigan real estate market update, Grand Rapids housing market, multiple offer situation Michigan, appraisal gap protection, escalation clause offers, selling a home in Grand Rapids, West Michigan homes for sale, real estate trends West Michigan