Van Elst Plat Area
Surrounded by nature
1 home for sale·Median $412K·Walkability 3.5/10·Schools 8.5/10
Most people expect a nondescript stretch of suburban strip stores when they land out here, but what they actually find is a dense residential pocket tucked against nature trails, minutes from both downtown and the airport. The neighborhood sits on 321 acres with Calvin University Ecosystem Preserve just a four-minute walk away—real green space, not a lawn-and-cul-de-sac fantasy. Brick ranches and thoughtfully updated homes line quiet streets, many with direct or easy access to wooded paths perfect for walking and birdwatching.
Why people love it here
Near the water
- Reeds Lake — 1.3 mi
- 20 parks within 1 mile
- Whiskey Pond: 7 min bike
- Unnamed park: 9 min bike
$412K median
- 11 sales in last 12mo
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Van Elst Plat Area
Estimated Monthly Payment
$2,797/mo
Property tax and insurance are estimates you can edit — not a quote. Tap either figure to enter your own.
The interest rate shown is not an annual percentage rate (APR). Rate displayed is the current average 30-year fixed rate from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey and is subject to change without notice. Your actual rate, payment, and costs may vary. Contact a loan officer for a personalized quote.
Guild Mortgage NMLS #3274. Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS Consumer Access. Not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to underwriter approval; terms and conditions may apply. Subject to change without notice. Always consult an accountant or tax advisor for full eligibility requirements on tax deduction.
11 homes sold in Van Elst Plat Area this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthBased on 4 rated schools nearby
Range: 7/10 to 9/10
School District: Ridge Park Charter Academy
Flood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Calvin University Ecosystem Preserve
0.2 mi
Parks Nearby
20
within 1 mile
Nearest Lake
Reeds Lake
1.3 mi
Walkability
Limited
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Fresh Thyme
Ju Sushi and Lounge
Peet's Coffee
+1 more
O’Briens Deli & Burgers
+1 more
Unnamed park
+1 more
Camelot Park Playground
Whiskey Pond
+1 more
Unnamed beach
Reeds Lake Trail
dog_park
Unnamed bike path
Ada - Grand River Launch
The Other Body Shop
Burton/East Paris (WB)
+1 more
Walgreens
Hekman Library
+1 more
daycare
Phoenix Theatres Woodland Mall
Crime in Van Elst Plat Area is reported at the city level, not the neighborhood level. The FBI doesn't publish reliable crime rates for individual neighborhoods, and within any community crime varies street to street. For an accurate, comparable picture, see the jurisdiction-wide figures for Kentwood.
Kentwood crime & safety stats →To buy a median-priced Van Elst Plat Area home (around $412,000) at today's 6.49% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $73k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $2,740 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $2,740/mo | $73,075 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $3,155/mo | $84,133 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $3,294/mo | $87,830 |
Estimates use a 6.49% 30-year fixed rate (current Freddie Mac average), an aggressive ~45% housing-to-income ratio (roughly what FHA underwriting can allow for a buyer with no other monthly debts — your number depends on your debts and credit), this area's median sale price, plus estimated insurance and PMI below 20% down. Not a commitment to lend, and not an APR — your actual rate and payment will vary.
Association and local-government details are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and state registries, and can change. Confirm directly with the association or municipality before relying on them.
Solar potential
~$872/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,358 kWh/yr · offsets ~61% of a typical home's use
Resident-arranged private hauler
Residents contract own refuse hauler; city ordinance governs container storage.
Services for Kentwood · Source: kentwood.us
Utility, solar, and service details for Van Elst Plat Area are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and NREL / U.S. data.gov, and can change. Electric/gas can vary by address — confirm with the provider before relying on them.
🛒 Grocery(29)
Forest Hills Foods
Grocery Store
Grocery Store
Grocery Store
+26 more within 5 miles
🍕 Restaurants(8)
Knollcrest Dining Hall
Restaurant
Restaurant
Big E's Sports Grill Grand Rapids Beltline
Restaurant
Zoup! Eatery
Restaurant
Jimmy John's
Restaurant
+3 more within 5 miles
☕ Coffee(21)
+18 more within 5 miles
🍺 Bars(20)
+17 more within 5 miles
🏫 Schools(28)
+23 more within 5 miles
💪 Gyms(10)
Planet Fitness
Fitness Center
The Other Body Shop
Fitness Center
Fitness Center
+7 more within 5 miles
🐕 Dog Parks(4)
Dog Park in 29th St & East Paris Ave Area
Dog Park
Hillcrest Dog Park
Dog Park
Cascade Hospital for Animals Dog Park
Dog Park
+1 more within 5 miles
🚴 Trails(4)
Unnamed bike_path
Bike Path
East Paris Homesites Area Trail
Bike Path
Unnamed bike_path
Bike Path
+1 more within 5 miles
🚌 Transit(30)
Transit Stop
Transit Stop
Transit Stop
+27 more within 5 miles
💊 Pharmacies(9)
+6 more within 5 miles
👶 Childcare(3)
🏥 Hospitals(3)
📚 Libraries(11)
+8 more within 5 miles
⚡ EV Charging(2)
ChargePoint
EV Charging
EV Charging
Frequently asked about Van Elst Plat Area
- What do homes cost in Van Elst Plat Area?
- The median home value in Van Elst Plat Area is about $412,000. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Van Elst Plat Area housing market?
- there is 1 home for sale in Van Elst Plat Area right now, and 11 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Van Elst Plat Area?
- Van Elst Plat Area is served by Ridge Park Charter Academy. Its highest-rated assigned school is Northern Hills Middle School (9/10).
- Is Van Elst Plat Area walkable?
- Van Elst Plat Area scores 3.5/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.
