Entries by Tracy Willis

Zombie Properties Becoming More Common

In the first quarter of 2021, 1 in 14,825 homes sat empty during the foreclosure process, but that number is on the rise. In the second quarter, one of every 12,256 homes are zombie properties. The spike may be due to lenders foreclosing on homes that were already abandoned. However, even with the increase, zombie […]

Real Estate Slow Down In Sight?

Although nearly 50% of the homes sold for more than their list price in the last four weeks ending May 16, there are signs that housing market demand may be reaching its peak. In the 7-day stretch leading up to May 16, pending sales were down 10%  from four weeks prior. Home prices remain astronomically […]

Human Migratory Habits Change Post Pandemic

Although offices are beginning to reopen as vaccinations climb, many employers are still allowing employees to work remotely from home indefinitely. Those who are able to continue working remotely at least part of the time are heading for greener pastures, literally. Real estate company Redfin reported this month that online searching for homes in suburbs […]

Islandview Apartment Development to Occupy Former High School Site

Construction will begin soon on the first part of a mixed-use development at the site of the former Eastern High School in Detroit’s Islandview neighborhood. The first phase is a joint venture between nonprofits GenesisHOPE Community Development Corp. and Lansing-based Cinnaire Solutions. The $10 million first phase will have 30 townhomes, a pair of pocket […]

Millions Face Eviction & Uncertainty

As states challenge the federal moratorium on evictions, families across the U.S. don’t know if they’re going to have a place stay.  An avalanche of evictions could soon become a reality as renters owe $53 billion to landlords. The Texas Supreme Court lifted the moratorium on evictions on March 31. As a result, the Dallas-Fort […]

Nicole Curtis’ Years-Long Dispute Decided

HGTV star and Lake Orion native Nicole Curtis was awarded the Islandview property she’s been fighting to save. The decision ends a years-long dispute in which Curtis sued the Detroit Land Bank Authority in March to recoup her investment. Her Detroit Renovations LLC purchased the property from a private owner in 2017 for $17,000. The […]

Investors Continue to Bet on Commercial Real Estate

A year after the start of the pandemic, high-rise office buildings are near vacant, one of every two hotel rooms is unoccupied, and malls continue to struggle. However, by most measures, the U.S. commercial real-estate market is in solid shape. Prices are already rising again, and the number of foreclosures barely increased. The federal government’s […]

Developers Adding to Auburn Hills Business District

Developers are building about 400 new apartments and nearly 50,000 square feet of office, restaurant, retail and commercial space. The main business district has about $55 million in new buildings that are under construction or recently completed. Interest in increasing more foot traffic and growing a walkable community are driving the developments. The hope is […]

Sellers Continue to Have the Upper Hand

Sellers continue to have the upper hand in the real estate market. A shortage of homes has contributed to the current state.  In March 2021, the average seller in metro Detroit received 100 percent of the asking price. Often, sellers received well over their asking price. Sellers continue to contend with dozens of offers that […]

Oakland County’s Luxury Housing Boom

Oakland county’s luxury housing market is booming. With stronger prices and quicker sales, 70 homes listed at $1 million and higher have gone pending in Oakland County in past 30 days. Post pandemic, buyers are wanting a lifestyle upgrade. Instead of world travel, buyers are sinking their money into their homes. Currently, Birmingham has the […]