Mostly, I am curious about the current climate and what others are seeing in, specifically east Grand Rapids, MI but also GR as a whole. 

I hope you're coming from a warm climate.

Juneau has some unique challenges but is a milder climate which leads to better applications for on-site heat pumps and electricity generation.

I'm a big believer in overall themes like the U.S. population moving South and West over time and the manufacturing base in the U.S. doing the same because of a more business-friendly climate, lower taxes, and an overall lower cost of living. 

.- Climate: I prefer milder climates, as extreme hot or cold temperatures tend to wear the properties more. 

Investing climates change. 

Besides that it varies based on the individual manager and the banks current business climate and is very difficult to predict.  

We have a large amount of "Snowbirds", people looking to escape our miserable winters in a much more tolerable climate (think Florida,Arizona etc) and when I tell these people that they can stay in a beautiful condo for literally a quarter of the price they would pay in many of our cities they jump on the opportunity.

I understand that filling a tank can cost a fair amount up front, but does it last for a while in a warm-ish climate (SC)?

It's warm, sunny, dry climate.