Median Home Prices Reach New Heights in Detroit

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Detroit’s median sales price for a home topped $100,000 in June. According to the CEO of Realcomp, it’s the first time values have been that high, and it’s an important benchmark. The median sales price of $100,250 in Detroit is based on June sales figures. Wayne, Macomb and Oakland county values have also reached new heights with increases ranging from 10.1 to 17.6 percent increases. While the increases benefit homeowners, it leaves many first-time buyers grasping at straws. Inflation, high demand for housing, and the scarcity of new construction have contributed to the issue.

 

Birmingham Couple Files Race Discrimination Lawsuit in Federal Court

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Birmingham couple, Jeffrey Hall and Deann Nash have filed a federal lawsuit alleging housing discrimination. They purchased property in Paint Creek Estates in Oakland Township and submitted plans for a stone house to the neighborhood’s architectural review committee. The committee rejected the plans. The HOA insists the rejection is about design and not race. Hall is Black and Nash is white. They are claiming violations of the Fair Housing Act. Their plans follow the community’s bylaws, while a white-owned home that did not follow the bylaws in square footage and brick color was approved. 

 

Harper Woods Developer Buys Cleveland Apartment Project.

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Harper Woods-based developer American Community Developers Inc. purchased and has renovation plans for a 484-unit apartment project in Cleveland.  The company specializes in the buying and rehabilitating affordable housing. Cleveland’s Rainbow Terrace was built in the 1950s and sits on 31 acres. The units are a mix of garden-style apartments and townhouses for low-income families. The company paid $8.55 million and expects to spend about $18 million on upgrades and deferred maintenance.

 

 

Judge Dismisses Lake Charlevoix Lawsuit

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33rd Circuit Court Judge Roy C. Hayes III dismissed the lawsuit against Hayes Township officials. The lawsuit alleges a lack of due process and conflict of interest concerning the construction of a boathouse and private marina on residential property. The plaintiff  and neighbor LuAnne Kozma and her husband, with support from environmental groups, have been trying to stop the project. The lawsuit wasn’t about environmental concerns, however, but rather the lack of township administration. Judge Hayes did not find the lawsuit to have a proper basis and asserted that it was without merit.

 

Entrepreneur Nurse Set To Transform Detroit Block

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Nurse Sonya Greene’s redevelopment project is transforming a Detroit block into a business district. The project is called The Shift and  will include a fresh food market, barbershop, hair salon, nonprofit office space and a 4-unit newly renovated apartment complex. The  food market is an 1,800-square-foot property at 12752 Linwood St. The market, the barbershop and 1 or 2 of the apartments are expected to be open in late August.  Greene purchased the market space in December 2017. Although she wanted the whole development to open at one time, funding dictated a different approach.

 

Hotels Offer New Perks To Business Travelers

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Hotels are experiencing a revival of leisure travel. This May marked the third consecutive month that U.S. hotel profitability exceeded 2019 levels. However, business travel isn’t rebounding as quickly and isn’t expected to reach pre-pandemic levels until 2024. Detroit and Cincinnati’s markets are experiencing losses close to 23 percent. Larger cities like New York City and Chicago are weathering losses around 50 percent. Hotels are getting creative to encourage business travel by offering “bleisure” perks (business + leisure). They’re offering incentives like co-working spaces with luxury hotel amenities, special access to exclusive local museums, one-on-one exercise training sessions with an Olympic medalist, and welcoming pet policies,

 

 

 

Site Cleared For Ann Arbor Residential Development As Law Suit Continues

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A development planned for 91 acres of farmland north of Ann Arbor is moving forward, even though neighbors are suing the developer over a disputed piece of property. Chestnut Development LLC has plans for a 264-unit development south of Whitmore Lake. Builders are currently installing water, sewer and storm water infrastructure on the property. The plans include 56 single-family homes on individual lots and 208 multi-family attached units on 79 acres of property. The remaining acreage is slated for future commercial development. A neighboring couple has filed complaints that the developer has trespassed and destroyed their property. The lawsuit aims to determine ownership of the property that is partially on the developers lot. The residents are requesting the judge award title of the piece of property under adverse possession.

 

 

The Platform Buys Out HFZ

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Peter Cummings’ Detroit-based development firm, The Platform LLC, along with New York city-based Rheal Capital Managment LLC, has bought out the majority ownership interests of the  HFZ Capital group of the 28 story high-rise on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit’s New Center area. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. According to Cummings, they plan to work on the building’s facade, as well as electrical, elevators, doors and upgrades to the parking garage. There were many local and out-of-state buyers who made serious offers, but Cummings was concerned about stewardship of the property, as well a capital. Instead, they ended up taking out HFZ, a move which allows for more flexibility as they move forward with the property.

 

Oakland County To Create Land Bank Authority

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Oakland County is creating a land bank authority. The land bank authority will support economic growth and community revitalization. According to the county’s treasurer, the creation of the authority will enable the county to address property vacancies, support new developments and return foreclosed properties to the tax rolls. The application process for board members will begin in mid-July, with hopes that the board will be up and running by mid-August.

Inflation Impacts Property Taxes With Highest Increase Since 2007

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Michigan homeowners can expect to see bigger than normal increases in their summer property tax bills. Thanks to this year’s inflation, many need to prepare for even bigger hikes next year. The inflation rate adjustment for this year’s property taxes is 3.3%, the highest it has been in 15 years. The rate is the maximum increase in taxable value that can apply this year to Michigan homes that haven’t changed ownership or seen additions to the property. The multiplier hasn’t been over 3% since 2007. Inflation’s impact on food and gas prices are obvious to consumers, but its impact on property taxes can be unexpected and somewhat hidden.