Downtown Streets are closed for the annual Northville Flower Sale. The weather is perfect! Click here for more info.
Northville Flower Sale Today May 28th Until 5pm
Center Street Grille in Northville Now Open!
Now open in Downtown Northville where the old Starting Gate Saloon used to be at 135 N. Center Street, the Center Street Grille (248-924-3135) is the latest offering from the people that brought us the Ironwood Grille and Barrio in Plymouth. A family-friendly restaurant, the Center Street Grille menu features pizzas, pastas, burgers, salads, seafood, steak, and sandwiches. Next time you are in town looking for a new casual option, this one could be worth a try. We’ll stop in soon to give it a try ourselves and report back!
Picture of Plymouth
On our blog,, you’ll find countless photos of houses, both old and new, small and large, around Plymouth and Northville. But just beyond the tree-lined streets, front porches and sidewalk cafes of our local real estate, you’ll discover pastoral landscape that will take your breath away. Here’s a moment I recently captured at Constantine Farm. Enjoy.
Neighborhood Spotlight: Royal Crown Estates of Novi
If you’re looking for a friendly neighborhood community feel, look no further than Royal Crown Estates in Novi. Neighborhood activities include pumpkin carving, a chili cook off, ice cream social…and that’s just in the Fall. For those Spring & Summer nights of fun, take the kids in your life to the annual Easter egg hunt or enjoy leisurely walks around the community, which provides sidewalks!
And if these neighborhood activities aren’t enough, Royal Crown Estates is close to historic downtown Northville where you can discover a wide variety of shopping, restaurants, events (including live music in the Town Square), and historic Mill Race Village. For heavenly baked goods, try the popular Great Harvest Bread Co. located on Main St. And for a larger scale shopping experience, Twelve Oaks Mall, Fountain Walk, and Novi Town Center are all easy to access.
Located between 9 and 10 Mile Roads off Taft Road with award-winning Northville public schools, locals call the area ‘No-Ville’ because of the Novi address with Northville schools. Resident children have the option to attend Thornton Creek Elementary, Hillside Middle, and Northville High School for public schooling with many other private options nearby. The Novi Public Library and Novi Civic Center are also very convenient.
Royal Crown Estates comprises 287 homes built in the early and late 1990’s. Floor plans are typically Colonials and Cape Cods ranging in size from 2,300 Sq. Ft. to 3,500 Sq. Ft, with 3-5 bedrooms. Some homes enjoy walkout lower levels while other have the privacy of backing to wooded common areas.
Here are some recent sales in Royal Crown Estates…
45736 White Pines Dr. 4BR 2.1BATH $430,000 3,062 Sq. Ft.
45704 Irvine Dr. 4BR 3.1BATH $430,000 3,097 Sq. Ft.
22691 Foxmoor Dr. 4BR 3.1BATH $450,000 2,845 Sq. Ft.
45787 Irvine Dr. 4BR 3.1BATH $485,000 3,077 Sq. Ft.
Remember to look for Bake Real Estate’s listing in Royal Crown coming soon!
Neighborhood Spotlight: Island Lake of Novi
Located in Novi north of 10 Mile Road along Wixom Road, you’ll discover the neighborhood of Island Lake. Exemplifying resort living at its finest, Island Lake is a place where you can feel like you’re “up north” all week long. This recent development by Toll Brothers offers an impressive array of amenities around a 170 acre lake. It is truly a place you need to experience in order to appreciate. Many families relocating to Southeast Michigan from out of state or even out of the country find themselves instantly at home in Island Lake with a safe, “community” feel and plenty of social activities for every age.
One of the key reasons people choose Novi are the highly acclaimed Novi Public Schools. Novi is also convenient to private school options including Catholic Central and St. Catherine’s High Schools. There are also a number of exceptional parks nearby, such as Kensington Metropark and Maybury State Park although you never have to go far with plenty of walking trails and paths within the Island Lake community itself!
Island Lake is also convenient for those of us who like to shop, dine, and have fun with nearby Twelve Oaks Mall, Fountain Walk and Novi Town Center .
Close by medical facilities include Providence Park Medical Center and Hospital.
Island Lake has more to offer than just location. Around the neighborhood, you’ll find luxury level accommodations with stately elevations, grand foyers, sun rooms, gourmet kitchens, and spa-like master suites. There are homes with walk-out finished lower levels, private pools, wine cellars, and more. While some homes offer waterfront views, others may have private, wooded rear yards or back to wide expansive common areas. The homes range in size from approximately 3000 to 5000 sq. ft. (above grade) and comprise of both single family homes and condos.
At the center of it all you’ll find Island Lake’s “Boathouse” with amenities like a fitness center, pool, children’s pool, party room, sandy beach, volleyball court, tennis courts, day docks, and playground.
When you’re looking for your Island Lake home, Bake Real Estate can help! Some of our firm’s sales within Island Lake of Novi include:
49733 Leyland Circle, 5BR 6.5 Bath 4837 above-grade sq. ft.
25515 Hillsdale Dr. 4BR 3.5 Bath 3,611 above-grade sq. ft.
50678 Amesburg Dr. 4BR 3.5 bath 3,734 above-grade sq. ft.
All photos are the property of BAKE Real Estate and cannot be reproduced without permission.
Coming Soon in Island Lake
Fitness Room
Boathouse Interior
Docks
Boathouse Deck
Pool
Boathouse
City of Plymouth Downtown Development Authority looks towards Kellogg Park Improvements
The Kellogg Park fountain is one of Plymouth’s most recognizable landmarks. Turning on the fountain is a rite of spring while closing the fountain marks the end of the season. The below notice comes from the Downtown Development Authority. It looks like changes are in the air!
The City of Plymouth Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is embarking on a major program to make upgrades to Kellogg Park and the water fountain in the center of the park. This is a DDA led project with the hope of having the upgrades completed by July 2017, in time for the City’s 150th Anniversary.
The DDA in cooperation with the Wilcox Foundation is funding the initial design concepts. The DDA has previously accepted proposals from a number of firms and they selected the design team from Russell Designs of Northville and WESCO Fountains of Florida to begin the conceptual designs the project. The total project is expected cost one million dollars, which is to be raised through private and community funding.
Recently, the DDA hosted a community input session where preliminary designs were revealed and input was provided. The DDA is now making those preliminary designs available on their web site and is seeking additional input.
This link will direct you to the DDA web site where the preliminary designs are hosted: http://downtownplymouth.org/DocumentCenter/View/330
Feel free to make comments at DDA@ci.plymouth.mi.us
Plymouth City and Township Average Sales Prices in 2015
With November data in and the year drawing to close, it’s time to look back at the pricing trends in the City and Township of Plymouth over the past year and let the data speak.
City of Plymouth Average Residential Home Sales Price Last 10 Years
In the City of Plymouth, average prices continue at record highs far exceeding pre-recession highs. Demand is very high, inventory is low, and tear down/new construction activity continues at a fever pitch. Driving around town, homes are disappearing faster than we can keep track of! Downtown Plymouth continues to be a destination of choice for many buyers although the increase in prices have limited those who can actually afford to live here. While prices aren’t rising like they were few years ago, well maintained homes with good locations and reasonable prices can still draw multiple offers and even sell over asking price.
Township of Plymouth Average Residential Home Sales Price Last 10 Years
In the Township of Plymouth, prices are still strong and rising slightly. With limited space for new development, existing homes sales are somewhat protected from new construction competition. Like Northville, the area has seen a lot of corporate relocation activity both in and outbound.
As always, homes with the best locations, in move-in ready condition, and with current materials/color choices will command the highest prices.
If you’d like to know how much your home is worth in today’s market, please contact BAKE Real Estate at 734-453-8080 and we’d be happy to come out and give you an expert assessment of the value of your home and how you can navigate the process of transitioning from one home to the next.
Northville City and Township Average Sales Prices in 2015
With November data in and the year drawing to close, it’s time to look back at the pricing trends in the City and Township of Northville over the past year.
City of Northville Average Residential Home Sales Price Last 10 Years
In the City of Northville, average prices remain strong and comparable to pre-recession highs. Demand is high, inventory is low, and tear down/new construction activity continues. With new restaurants and shops opening up, building and renovation all around, the downtown area continues to be a very attractive place to live. While prices aren’t rising like they were few years ago, well maintained homes with good locations and reasonable prices can still draw multiple offers and even sell over asking price.
Township of Northville Average Residential Home Sales Price Last 10 Years
In the Township of Northville, prices are still strong but the rapid rate of rise in previous years appears to have crested. We’ve seen a lot of relocation activity both in and outbound which drives a big portion of the Northville market. Relocation buyers from industries such as automotive and healthcare are moving here from across the country or back from overseas. The area has also seen the growth of new businesses especially along Haggerty Road – and they all seem to be busy! As always, homes with the best locations, in move-in ready condition, and with current materials/color choices will command the highest prices.
If you’d like to know how much your home is worth in today’s market, please contact BAKE Real Estate at 734-453-8080 and we’d be happy to come out and give you an expert assessment of the value of your home and how you can navigate the process of transitioning from one home to the next.
Neighborhood Spotlight: Walnut Creek in Plymouth Township
Plymouth Township had a surge of suburban development in the 1960’s-1970’s that resulted in creating many prominent Township neighborhoods, including Walnut Creek. This quaint neighborhood has about 80 homes built in the late 1970s that range from 2,050 sq. ft. ranches to 3,400+ sq. ft. colonials, tudors, and other styles. All homes in Walnut Creek have basements, attached garages, at least 3 bedrooms and at least 2 full baths. There are two entrances off of North Territorial – Portsmouth Crossing and Haverhill. Both streets connect at the South end of the neighborhood. The association recently replaced their entry signs with ‘Walnut Creek’ carved beautifully into stone.
In recent years, sold prices have ranged from $305,000 to a high of $419,000. The average sales price since September of 2014 is $398,600. With sizes varying dramatically and each home designed independently, it’s hard not to love Walnut Creek. This neighborhood prides itself on being a nature lover’s paradise with mature trees and rolling hills. Because of these hills, some homes feature walk-out basements. Homes sit on at least 0.3 acres each, some elevated on a hill or tucked away on a cul-de-sac.
The following homes sold in the last year in Walnut Creek:
- 13175 Wyndham Court sold for $395,000
- 12841 Portsmouth Crossing sold for $400,000
- 13301 Portsmouth Crossing sold for $409,000
- 12903 Moorcroft Court sold for $419,000
Walnut Creek is in the Plymouth-Canton school district. Children from this particular neighborhood may attend Bird Elementary and West Middle Schools, which are both on Sheldon Road. All students in Plymouth-Canton’s district will go on to PCEP (Plymouth Canton Educational Park). The Park is comprised of all three high schools for the district and a lottery decides whether your child will go to Canton, Salem or Plymouth high school. There are also many private and charter schools in the area for you to select from.
We at Bake Real Estate have been fortunate enough to view many of these homes that have sold over the years and understand how special the neighborhood is. Two of BAKE’s recent sales were 13301 Portsmouth Crossing and 12903 Moorcroft Court. Each home in Walnut Creek has a unique style, landscape, and location. That’s why this neighborhood should be on everyone’s watch list!
For more insights on homes in Walnut Creek or the surrounding area, please contact BAKE Real Estate. If you have a home to sell in Walnut Creek and would like a private consultation, please feel free to contact us to discuss your goals or concerns in confidence. We are specialists in the local area with the experience and knowledge to assist you throughout your home buying and selling process.
Stephanie Brown
The Renovation of 908 Penniman Avenue in Plymouth Michigan by BAKE Real Estate – your Local and Independent REALTORS
908 Penniman in the Early 1900s
2009
908 Penniman 2013 Post-Renovation
Before
Note New Windows including Boxed Out Window
Before
After: New Porches, Siding, Windows
New Landscaping
Entrance now a Porch
Added Window
Old Entrance
During Construction
New Main Entrance Porch
Before
After
Entrance Area During Construction
Reception Area
Reception Area and Office
Office
Vintage Wall Sconces
Before
After with Vintage Stained Glass
Stairway
Stairway Today
Conference Room
Conference Room During Construction
Conference Room Today
Old Main Entrance and Waiting Area
Like a vintage automobile, a historic home can sometimes see dramatic changes over its lifetime. What may have been a residence might be converted into a business, and later back again to a residence. A dwelling might be wholly preserved as completely original, but changes over time can also add to the story a home carries with it – like the racing and modification history of a car that is one-of-a-kind. So the exterior appearance, layout and amount of living space may change. It’s all part of the lifetime of a structure that transcends each individual owner.
We started the 908 Penniman Project 3 years ago and are happy to report that the renovation is now finished. Originally built in 1910, this downtown Plymouth home has seen many changes over the past century. Most people will remember 908 Penniman as Dr. Gary Krueger’s office, a very well-known local Chiropractor (now retired). We purchased the property from the Kruegers and have re-purposed the building for light office use. This wasn’t exactly a “restoration” project as the home was already highly modified as a doctors’ office with exam rooms, an x-ray machine room, etc. So without expanding the foot-print of the home, we changed the layout of the main floor, relocated the main entrance, uncovered and added additional windows, and replaced flooring, walls, fixtures, siding, gutters, doors, etc. It was an extensive renovation that included new electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, kitchen and baths. The result is a completely updated office building with historical details and influences throughout. Some of the reclaimed items incorporated into the design of the building include vintage wall sconces, glass, and furniture. We also tried to source much of the material locally. For example, the porch railings were designed and fabricated in Detroit. With all the new builds and additions taking place in Plymouth and Northville, each project offers a great opportunity for the owners to create something lasting and uniquely their own.
– Patrick & Carrie
Bento 39 in Novi
Before our careers in real estate, Patrick and I were expatriates living in Hiroshima, Japan for 3 years. That’s even where I gave birth to our son. We loved living there, absorbing a culture that is so foreign, yet technologically advanced. One of my favorite aspects of living there was the food. I love seafood and interesting dishes – Japan has lots of both. The food is overall very healthy. One of the traditional everyday meals in Japan is the Bento Box meal. It is a meal prepared either at home or for takeout that comes in a box with compartments, each holding a different food item, so you get a balanced meal all within the box. The food in a bento is typically minimally processed and items such as rice, pickled vegetables and a protein are standard.
This leads me to Bento 39, a small restaurant in a strip mall on Novi Road in Novi, Michigan. It is called Bento 39 because in Japanese, the numbers 3 and 9 sound like “Thank You” so the owners named it Bento Thank You. Japanese like to take English words and incorporate them into Japanese so this time they are doing the opposite.
Anyway, I was so excited when I found this shop a few months ago. They have a relatively small menu of about 12 bento dishes and every day there is a daily special. Sometimes I can read the special in Japanese if it has enough of the words I still remember…but you can ask them. You can either dine in or take out.
I am so happy I can get a healthy bento box now of traditional Japanese food at Bento 39.
22200 Novi Road, Novi 48375, Telephone: (248) 344-0896.
Northville Homes Values Continue to be Strong in First Half of 2015 – Especially in the City of Northville
With the first six months of 2015 behind us, it’s a good time to look back and see how the market is doing vs. last year. In the City of Northville, average prices are up sharply with strong demand and limited inventory. With new restaurants and shops opening up, the downtown area continues to be a very attractive place to live. In the Township of Northville, prices are still strong but the rapid rate of rise in previous years appears to have crested. Homes in both markets continue to be highly sought after – especially by incoming relocation buyers moving here from across the country or back from overseas. The area has also seen the growth of new businesses which all seem to be busy! As always, homes with the best locations, in move-in ready condition, and with current materials/color choices will command the highest prices. If you’d like to know how much your home is worth in today’s market, please contact BAKE Real Estate at 734-453-8080 and we’d be happy to come out and give you an expert assessment of the value of your home and how you can navigate the process of transitioning from one home to the next.
