Family Circle Magazine rates NOVI among the 2011 Ten Best Towns for Families

Novi, MichiganAlthough we specialize in the Plymouth and Northville Real Estate markets, we also help our clients buy and sell homes in neighboring cities such as Novi.  Family Circle magazine recently recognized Novi as one of their 2011 Ten Best Towns for Families.

The top ten communities featured in this annual review of ideal places to call “home” combine affordable housing, good neighbors, green spaces, low crime rate, strong schools, and giving spirits.

For more information about Novi, you can visit www.cityofnovi.org.

Northville Township Real Estate Prices Show Slight Improvement 2011 Year to Date vs. the Same Period Last Year

There has been plenty of news lately regarding real estate prices across the country. But as we all know, nothing is more local than Real Estate.  Prices vary considerably across the metro Detroit area and it’s only when you examine local data closely, can you get an accurate picture of what’s really happening in your market. In Northville Township, an affluent western suburb of Detroit, prices have remained strong having shown a slight increase year to date vs. the same period last year. At the same time, the number of homes available for sale has decreased approx 15% and this lack of inventory has driven up pricing and reduced the number of days on market. Homes that offer great location, updates, and amenities are commanding very strong prices and selling very quickly. Combined with fewer distressed sales and an improving economy, we have seen more buyers relocating to the area vs. 2 years ago when many sellers were relocating out of State. Even with the overall market trends mentioned above, home pricing is unique to each particular home and seller circumstance. You’ll find the data summarized in the chart below.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the Northville Township Real Estate Market.  I can be reached at 734-272-8375 or patrick@bobbake.com.

City of Northville Real Estate Values Increasing Year over Year

The City of Northville Real Estate market showed relative strength in 2010 vs. 2009 as the economy began to recover in western Wayne County. The resurgence of Automotive and the overall stabilization of the region, combined with the Federal Tax Credit in 2010, all contributed to stronger consumer confidence and better values.

For 2010 vs. 2009, we’ve seen approx. 9 % fewer homes sold (31 vs. 34) but the average selling price increased from $232,313 in 2009 to $277,532 in 2010. Given the relatively small number of sales in the City and the effect of a few high value sales in 2010, the data can be a little misleading. Nevertheless, the trend does show an increase in both average and median sales prices year over year.  During the early part of 2010, the Tax Credit seemed to drive an increase in buying activity although some of this can be explained as ‘pull ahead’ sales.  The City of Northville Real Estate market has always remained attractive due to the historic homes, downtown shopping and restaurants, school system, parks, and much, much more.

To see more homes available for sale in Northville, please visit www.bobbake.com or simply contact Carrie, Northville REALTOR, at 734-788-2398 –  carrie@bobbake.com or Patrick, Northville REALTOR,at  734-272-8375 – patrick@bobbake.com.  If you have a home to sell in the Northville area and would like a private consultation, please feel free to contact us to discuss your needs in confidence. We are specialists in the Northville area with the experience and knowledge to assist you throughout your home buying and selling process.

Plymouth Township Real Estate Values Improving Year over Year

Plymouth Township continues to be a relatively strong real estate market as the economy begins to recover in western Wayne County. The resurgence of Automotive and the overall stabilization of the region, combined with the Federal Tax Credit in 2010, all contributed to stronger consumer confidence and better values. The area also offers a wide range of newer and older homes with plenty of space for growing families.

For 2010 vs. 2009, we’ve had approx. 8 % fewer homes sold (234 vs. 254) but the average selling price increased from $224,531 in 2009 to $239,116 in 2010.  During the early part of 2010, the Tax Credit seemed to drive an increase in buying activity although some of this can be explained as ‘pull ahead’ sales.  The Township of Plymouth Real Estate market has remained relatively strong throughout the economic downturn. The ‘pull factors’ that have kept Plymouth Township pricing strong includes the diversity in homes, proximity to downtown Plymouth as well as major roads and highways, school system, local parks and much, much more.

To see more homes available for sale in Plymouth Township, please visit www.bobbake.com or simply contact Carrie, Plymouth REALTOR, at 734-788-2398 –  carrie@bobbake.com or Patrick, Plymouth REALTOR,at  734-272-8375 – patrick@bobbake.com.  If you have a home to sell in the Plymouth area and would like a private consultation, please feel free to contact us to discuss your needs in confidence. We are specialists in the Plymouth area with the experience and knowledge to assist you throughout your home buying and selling process.

The Everlasting Mid-Century Tile Bathroom

If you’ve ever owned or searched for a mid-century era home, you probably have seen the ubiquitous tile bathroom I’m referring to.  A recent New York Times article: Bathrooms: Pretty in Pink, Again, discusses the virtues of these classic tile bathrooms from the 50’s and 60’s. Instead of demolishing them, homeowners are now seeing the beauty of the craftsmanship and the color. These tile bathrooms were also built very well and often require not just tile removal, but wall removal – so replacing them is not an easy nor low-cost job. 

According to the article, “Ceramic tile work done before the 1970s was usually of very high quality, according to architects and architectural historians. The tiles themselves were often more substantial and less prone to crack and the so-called mud job, or the way tiles are set in place, was more careful and adhesive.”

“The tiles back then were laid in real mortar, which is why so many of the pink and other wild-colored bathrooms survived,” said Jane Powell, a restoration consultant in Oakland, Calif., and the author of “Bungalow Bathrooms” (2001). “It’s extremely labor intensive and expensive to get rid of them.”

 Many were pink, beige, blue and green. For those of you who might have a pink example of the genre – there’s even a blog for you: www.savethepinkbathrooms.com.

While colors come and go with the season, one thing that never goes out of style is quality . So if you are lucky enough to have one of these bathrooms, think twice before renovating and look at the value in the tile work you have. Try changing different aspects of your bathroom while keeping the tile. You can also try painting or glazing the tile, but results can be mixed in terms of the final finish. Sometimes it’s best to just love the tile you have!

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Holiday Decorations Around Town

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It’s the season…  so I thought I’d share some December blizzard pics from around town.  Although there are fewer Real Estate transactions during the winter months, there is still a very active market. And often those buyers in the market are looking for a reason – they usually want or need to move and move quickly due to relocation or other reasons. If you are searching for your next home in Northville or Plymouth, please feel free to give us a call at 734-788-2398 (Carrie) or 734-272-8375 (Pat). Also, please check our company website at www.bobbake.com for more listings and information about Northville and Plymouth.  Thanks!

Northville Township Real Estate Values Stabilizing

Northville Township continues to be the destination of choice for many families in Western Wayne County with its larger, and newer homes on generous lots. Home prices are stabilizing as updated, well-presented homes with desirable locations command significant premiums.

For 2010 year to date vs. the same period last year, we’ve had approx. 19% more homes sold. Average selling price year to date has been $380,285 vs. $390,786 during the same period in 2009. During the early part of 2010, the Tax Credit seemed to drive an increase in buying activity although some of this can be explained as ‘pull ahead’ sales.  The Township of Northville Real Estate market has remained relatively strong throughout the economic downturn. The ‘pull factors’ that have kept Northville Township pricing strong include the treed settings, larger and newer homes, proximity to downtown Northville and Plymouth as well as major roads and highways, acclaimed school system, and much, much more.

To see more homes available for sale in Northville Township, please visit www.bobbake.com or simply contact Carrie, Northville REALTOR, at 734-788-2398 –  carrie@bobbake.com or Patrick, Northville REALTOR,at  734-272-8375 – patrick@bobbake.com.  If you have a home to sell in the Northville area and would like a private consultation, please feel free to contact us to discuss your needs in confidence. We are specialists in the Northville area with the experience and knowledge to assist you throughout your home buying and selling process.

Attention Plymouth and Northville Home Buyers: Tax Credit Extended and Expanded!

Update Nov. 6, 2009 – The extension and expansion of the Home Buyer Tax Credit has been signed into law by the President. For more details on the credit – please click here.

We get lots of questions about the home purchase tax credit and whether or not it will be extended, , modified, etc. It appears that work is underway in Washington DC to extend and modify the program. Once it becomes law, we will post more details but for now, you can go to www.realtor.org to see the latest status. If you’d like to talk about the program with us, please call Patrick at 734-272-8375 or email him at patrick@bobbake.com. For more details on how the tax credit will affect your specific tax situation, contact a tax attorney.

Recent Condo Sales in Plymouth

Saddlebrook Ct. Condo Sold!

Plymouth Village Condo
Plymouth Village Condo

Most of our posts on patrickandcarrie.com showcase new homes for sale or new listings. But for every new home we list, we also have buyers purchasing homes and we’ll be posting some of these sales on our blog to help you get a fuller picture of the market. For example, our buyers recently closed (bought) on two Plymouth Township condos. The first was an almost new, beautiful, custom, and upgraded detached condo on Saddlebrook court. The second was another almost new 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, attached garage unit in superb condition in Plymouth Village along Ann Arbor Road. Both sales were Short Sales and the prices were VERY attractive. Another one of our clients recently bought a brand new unit at Hamilton Lofts as well. So, if you are interested in purchasing a Condo in the Plymouth or Northville area, please contact Carrie at carrie@bobbake.com or 734-788-2398, Patrick at patrick@bobbake.com or 734-272-8375. To see more of our homes for sale, please click here

Why Do Some Homes Sell in a Week, While Others Take Months?

DSC_4705One of the most common questions we get asked is, “on average, how long do houses sit on the market before being sold?” The average right now for the last 12 months is north of 100 days in our area. So why do some houses sell in a few days while others take months? It depends on 3 factors: First is the “Desirability” of the home in terms of location, layout, specifications, updates, presentation, amenities, etc. Second, is the pricing of the home relative to what buyers are paying for comparable homes. Third, is the knowledge, skill, hardwork, and relationships that your Realtor must apply in order to maximize the value of and to sell your home.

All three factors are related and can be optimized by the homeowner and by us. Desirability is something that can be improved to help you sell your home faster and at a higher price. While you can’t change the location of  your home, you can improve the presentation of your home by emphasizing it’s strengths, addressing it’s weaknesses, and establishing a coherent ‘story’ for the home. We can work with you to make sure your home is poised and positioned to attract your target buyer at the highest price. And when it comes to price, obviously the closer the price is to the market, the faster it will sell – in general. Buyers today are less willing and certainly less able to overbuy based on impulse or emotion so transaction prices for homes are more predictable based on historical data. But with prices much lower than market highs, maximizing the Desirability of your home – combined with optimized pricing – combined with the third critical element – intensive marketing, selling, and plenty of hard work by everyone (including the homeowner) is the price of entry when selling your home.

If you want to learn more about this topic, submit a reply below or just email us at carrie@bobbake.com or patrick@bobbake.com. We’d be more than happy to meet with you and share what we know about buying and selling homes – specifically in Plymouth and Northville. As home and design enthusiasts and as local residents ourselves, we love to talk about anything related to homes and home design but most of all, we love to help our fellow neighbors and friends! Our ‘official’ homepage can be found at www.bobbake.com.

Plymouth Michigan’s Hough Park Community

CSC_4145Hough Park, located in the City of Plymouth, Michigan, is a quiet, neighborhood park between Maple and  Park Place, and McKinley, and Evergreen. This uncommon and unspoilt green space anchors the Hough Park Subdivision which includes Elm, Woodland Place, and parts of Linden and Ann Arbor Trail. Located within easy walking distance to town, these tree lined streets shade some of Plymouth’s most desirable homes. In Hough Park, you’ll find everything from the historic English Tudor built by the grandson of Lewis Cass Hough in 1927 ,to the magnificent Colonial homes on Maple, to the impressive restorations and additions throughout the neighborhood. In addition, you’ll see a range of Ranch and Cape Cod style homes as well. Built mostly in the 1940-1950’s with a few exceptions – both newer and older, Hough Park is also known as a wonderful place to just take a walk with your dog or stroller. From Spring through Fall, you can always see people young and old out enjoying the neighborhood. If you want to learn more about living in Hough Park, give Carrie a call at 734-788-2398.

Loft Living in Downtown Plymouth

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With all the historic Victorians, Cape Cods, Craftsman Bungalows, and Colonial homes surrounding downtown Plymouth, you might be surprised to learn that Plymouth also offers modern, contemporary, loft living combining sophisticated stainless and granite kitchens with exposed duct work, plumbing and plenty of brick, concrete and galvanized steel. The Daisy complex shown above even offers heated underground parking. Call Carrie at 734-788-2398 or email at carrie@bobbake.com or call Patrick at 734-272-8375 or email at patrick@bobbake.com  if you’re interested in learning more about these affordable condo units within walking distance to downtown.Loft Plymouth

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