Living in Plymouth

2024 Plymouth Ice Festival (February 2-4)

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The 2024 Plymouth Ice Festival is on the weekend of February 2nd through 4th in Downtown Plymouth. Watch ice sculptors and statues across downtown Plymouth.  Hopefully the ice bonfire will be back lighting up the night sky! For more information, go to www.plymouthicefestival.com.

plymouthicefestival-bonfire-patrickwong

The Ice Festival is one of several street festivals in Downtown Plymouth that take place throughout the year (usually).  The area is very walkable with plenty of parks, shops, restaurants, and entertainment – along with plenty of parking. Plymouth also has beautiful residential tree-lined streets with lots of gorgeous historic homes making it one of the area’s prettiest and most walkable small towns. plymouthicefestival-penn-patrickwong

This weekend in Plymouth: 2023 Fall Festival, Carnival, Pancake Breakfast, Chicken Barbeque and More – Sept 8-10th, 2023!

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20120908_103518It’s back!  Football, kids back in school, and the smell of barbeque smoke will soon drift across downtown Plymouth as the annual Fall Festival is nearly here.  September 8-10th, 2023 will be non-stop pancakes and barbecue chicken along with carnival rides for all ages, midway games, car show, concerts, and attractions for everyone.

Downtown streets are closed off and for one weekend, Plymouth is transformed into a local fall fair with all the pre-requisites.  This is of one of our favorites festivals in Plymouth – good fun for the whole family and another great reason to live in the Plymouth area.  For more information, go to: http://www.plymouthfallfestival.com/

2021 Plymouth Art in the Park – A Local Summer Favorite is Back on July 9-11th, 2021 in the City of Plymouth!

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Plymouth Art in the Park 2010
It’s that time of year again after missing 2020, when the artists arrive and showcase their talents to people that come from all over Metro-Detroit and beyond. Art in the Park is July 9-11, 2021!

Come one, come all, to enjoy Plymouth’s Art in the Park!

For more information on the event, transportation, maps & sponsors, visit their website by clicking here.

How COVID-19 has Changed the Plymouth and Northville Real Estate Market

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It’s been just over 1 week since the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-21: Temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life.

This order has meant the end of in-person showings and open houses – essentially putting a hold on our usually busy Spring season.  There are very few new listings and many are for yet-to-be-built homes as nearly all sellers and buyers choose to delay instead of risking the health of themselves and others. There are tools to show homes virtually including Zoom, FaceTime, Virtual Tours, etc. for someone that absolutely needs to sell or buy but these situations are extremely rare and generally not recommended for making real estate investment decisions.

For people who already had a purchase agreement in place, the process can proceed to closing as Lenders, Appraisers, Inspectors, and Title companies are still working albeit with the appropriate precautions.

Although the above mentioned Executive Order went into effect March 24th, the impact on the real estate market can now begin to be quantified:

Plymouth and Northville: March New Listings Down down approximately 30% Year over Year

New listing activity (except for yet-to-be-built homes) has slowed to a dry trickle as people stay at home.  Even if agents and photographers were allowed to travel and work, new listing activity would be nearly as low in my estimation.  People simply don’t want to endanger themselves or others unnecessarily. The April data when available should be even more telling.

Covid March Impact 2

Plymouth and Northville: March Active Listings Down down approximately 20% Year over Year

Active listings for March are also down year over year reinforcing the message above. The impact of COVID-19 mitigation actions has resulted in a frozen real estate market that will gradually thaw after we can flatten the curve and get past the worst of this crisis. Please stay safe everyone. Real estate will always be here.

Covid March Impact 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Plymouth, Michigan…A Rich History” Trailer – Movie will be available On Demand Tonight!

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Plymouth, Michigan…A Rich History from Highway Media on Vimeo.
If you didn’t catch this movie at the Penn late last year or earlier this year, now’s your chance to watch it at home. Look for an appearance from our own Bob Bake!

Founded in 1825, the Plymouth community has experienced a deep and rich history, filled with greatness…and despair. From the earliest settlers who trekked through the Erie Canal, to the war heroes, fires, trains, and air rifle industry, this film takes you on a 200 year journey of Plymouth like never before. So jump on board before the whistle blows to experience an endearing tribute to this beloved town. Welcome to Plymouth, Michigan!

Plymouth and Northville Real Estate Performance in 2019

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The data is now in for 2019 and although the trends have remained fairly consistent, there are some interesting changes to note.  We had a very rainy spring which dampened the market slightly. Otherwise it was a strong year overall. Interest rates remained low, the local economy was strong, and inventory of new and existing homes is gradually growing so it isn’t as much of a seller’s market as it used to be. We are also seeing fewer bidding wars and more contingent offers being accepted.  This is good news for buyers who have had a particularly difficult time over the past few years.

The City of Plymouth actually saw a slight decline in average sales price after years of steady price increases since the recession.  There are many factors to average sales price so it’s only one indicator but it is meaningful that for the first time in 10 years, average sales price has pulled back.  This could be due to smaller new construction homes being built or perhaps home values have simply peaked for the time being.

Both Plymouth and Northville Townships are holding fairly steady. The below charts illustrate the 10 year Average Sales Price trend for Plymouth and Northville, City and Township.  There are fewer home sales at higher prices in the City of Northville which can result in a more dramatic chart. 

10 Year Average Sales Price for Plymouth and Northville:

Buyers and sellers often consider $/sqft ratio when valuing a home. It’s just one indicator of many when you value a home but the $/sqft ratio trend over time is worth looking at. Generally, the larger the home, the lower the $/sqft all other things being equal.  Naturally, more updated/upgraded homes with finished basements and so on will also be higher than the average. The below charts illustrate the 10 year Sales Price by Square Foot ratio trend for Plymouth and Northville City and Township.  It remains steady for the area overall:

Sales Price by Sqft Ratio

To illustrate the current low inventory which hasn’t changed much since the recession, the following charts show Months of Inventory and Days to Sell for Plymouth and Northville combined.  Inventory remains relatively low while Days to Sell was slightly higher.  The market has tilted slightly towards buyers.

Months of Inventory

Days to Sell

2018 Real Estate Market – Year in Review and look back at where we were 25 years ago!

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Looking back at 2018, the real estate season started off strongly after a fairly mild winter but things gradually settled down in our area depending on where you were in Plymouth or Northville, City of Township. In general, the city markets did better as people continue to be drawn to walkable downtowns and all that they offer in terms of lifestyle while a broad range of issues influenced many buyers and sellers including the following:

  • Rising prices and limited supply making it especially competitive for first time buyers.
  • Increasing interest rates, which although historically low, were a deterrent to some buyers
  • Stock market volatility
  • Availability of new construction homes
  • Automotive industry changes

The local economy remains quite strong as new businesses continues to appear and new real estate development goes on and up – residential and commercial. Plymouth and Northville, City and Township have seen similar trends in terms of value last year. The City markets saw a slight uptick while the Townships were fairly flat.  Even when you factor in new construction values, the City’s of Plymouth and Northville have limited supply and an extremely diverse housing stock ranging widely in size, age, desirability, and price. So statistics can require a lot of interpretation but overall the trend is up.

In the Townships, Plymouth is fairly stable with only a slight decrease in Sales Price by  Square Foot ratio. Northville Township is also fairly even where new construction is an added competitive factor for resale homes especially in the upper price ranges.  Homes that haven’t been updated are having an especially difficult time selling and tend to linger longer on the market.  Buyers today have the added influence from HGTV and social media so what was desirable 10-20 years ago, never-mind 30-40 years ago, becomes quickly dated and obsolete.  So choose your designs, materials, and finishes wisely when building or updating and your home should withstand the test of time in terms of value.

To put things in historical perspective, here’s Robert Bake’s Holiday Bulletin from 25 year ago:

Robert Bake Realtors Holiday Bulletin 1994

Below are the charts showing each area’s 10 Year trend of Sales Price by Square Foot Ratio.  The average prices shows a similar trend. Overall, after 10 years of upward movement, the positive trend has begun to ease.

Plymouth Township:

Township of Ply dollar per sqft

Northville Township:

Township of nv dollar per sqft

City of Plymouth:

City of Ply dollar per sqft

City of Northville:

City of NV dollar per sqft

Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina is now open in Downtown Plymouth!

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The new Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina in downtown Plymouth is now open where the Box Bar used to be.  Located at 777 West Ann Arbor Trail right across the street from Kellogg Park – we now have another great thin crust pizza, pasta, and salad option for lunch in DTP! The contemporary interior with sky high ceilings and tall windows on 2 sides really makes the place feel spacious and light.  Welcome to Plymouth!

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My Little Paris Cafe and Bookstore in Downtown Northville

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mylittleparis
My Little Paris Cafe and Bookstore in Downtown Northville

Having a bookstore in the city center is something everyone likes.  Then combine it with a cafe that serves crepes and you’ve got the ingredients for a destination!  My Little Paris Cafe and Bistro in downtown Northville is a definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

Formerly the Next Chapter Bookstore and Bistro at 141 E. Main Street, this gorgeous brick building is in the heart of the historic downtown and makes an ideal place for a comfortable book store and sidewalk cafe.


northville bookstore
The restoration project in 2009

 

Independence Day Parades: Plymouth Starts at 9am, Northville starts at 10am

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For more information about the Plymouth 4th of July Good Morning USA Parade, click here.

For more information about the Northville Independence Day Parade, click below:

Parade-icon-for-web

Craft Beer, Food Trucks, and Games! Tapped in the Ville for 2018 is coming June 23rd!

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tappedinthevilleNorthville’s annual Tapped in the ‘Ville beer festival features some of the best local, state and regional brews.  Food Trucks will be on site as well as live entertainment and a cornhole tournament

Plymouth and Northville Real Estate Values – 2017 Continues the Trend

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The Super Bowl and Olympics are over, Spring Training has begun and that means only one thing: Real Estate Season is here! Buyers and Sellers are emerging from their winter hibernation and preparing and planning their next move.

Our markets of Plymouth and Northville, both City and Township, remain strong and steady. The charts are fairly self-explanatory and locals know how intense the market is around us. The City of Plymouth continues to increase in value as the downtown area flourishes with busy shops, restaurants, and events.  The City of Northville has also seen significant increases in value.  The Townships of both Plymouth and Northville have also shown steady price increases in addition to growing new development activity – especially in Northville Township. The lack of inventory as shown below illustrates that in an area where there is limited opportunity for new development, the price of existing homes will appreciate in a strong market.