Entries by Tracy Willis

Home Buyers Face Bidding Wars

Due to a record low supply of homes on the market, 56% of home buyers face bidding wars in their offers. This is an increase of 52% from December of 2020. More than half of the homes listed go under contract in less than two weeks. Lower interest rates are making expensive homes more affordable, […]

Mortgage Forebearance Crashes to a Halt

With 2.7 million Americans still taking advantage of mortgage forebearance programs as late as mid-January 2021, the reality of a housing crisis looms. The CARES Act programs will end at the end of March unless changes are made to the rules. Most of the programs have a 12-month cap. If no intervention occurs, 600,000 Americans […]

Home Builder Proposes 56-Home Luxury Subdivision

Toll Brothers is proposing a 56-home luxury subdivision in northeast Ann Arbor. The intent is for the development to meet the needs of first time luxury home buyers, retirees, families, and working professionals. The subdivision proposal still needs to go before city staff for review and to Planning Commission and City Council for approval.

Washtenaw County Treasurer Halts Tax Foreclosures

The Washtenaw county treasurer declared a moratorium on tax foreclosures for residential, occupied properties. Catherine McClary is amending the Financial Hardship Policy in an effort to assist small business owners, landlords, and homeowners. The moratorium will extend the tax foreclosure deadline to next year.

Briarwood Mall Vacancies Concern City Officials

Briarwood Mall has 17 empty storefronts. Ann Arbor’s only mall has lost several businesses in the first quarter due to an increase in online shopping, high rents and the COVID-19 pandemic. City officials worry about the mall’s future and contemplate alternative uses for the large structure and parking lot. Multi-use ideas include entertainment venues like […]

Northern Michigan Communities Report Strong Residential Sale Trends

Median prices for residential real estate sales increased in Charlevoix, Otsego, Cheboygan and Emmet counties. The number of residential transactions also increased in three of those counties. The quick rebound in sales once pandemic restrictions eased is due to low supply and high demand and buyers’ desires to relocate to smaller communities. This trend could […]

Detroit Demolition and Renovation Begins Soon

With the passing of November’s Prop N, which approved the sale of $250 million bonds, demolishing and renovating is set to begin (again) in Detroit. The project starts with $175 million in bonds, and the city plans to sell another $75 million next year. 8,000 homes blighted homes will be destroyed, and another 8,000 salvageable […]

Overvalued Housing Markets: A New Nationwide Epidemic

In a new report, Fitch Ratings estimates that home prices are 5.5% overvalued nationally. However, Michigan is one of the few states where housing is undervalued. The demand for housing far exceeds the available inventory nationwide. This trend is due, in part, to homeowners’ reluctance to list homes during the pandemic. Metro areas around the […]

Legal Action Taken Against Former Collier Advisors Who Started New Firm

Colliers International U.S. states it has commenced legal action against 10 former senior brokers who split from the company to form their own firm, Advantage Commercial Real Estate Services, alleging, among other things breach of fiduciary duty and use of confidential information. Several of the brokers were majority owners in a firm that Colliers acquired […]

Ann Arbor and Developer Work to Save the Trees

Ann Arbor City Council and developers have debated over a 51-home subdivision for years. The original proposal called for the removal of 200 old growth oak trees, but was unanimously rejected by City Council in 2017. But now, a new alternative called “The Canopy” would preserve most of the old forest fragment at 2857 Packard […]