Property Types

Michigan real estate news weekly brief

Weekly Brief – March 1, 2021

This week’s discussion is about change. Although it is hopelessly cliche, the only constant in the real estate marketplace is change.

In past weeks, I have discussed the change that will be caused by the decline of bricks and mortar retail (especially malls), the rise of cannabis-related uses, the decline of video stores, and the long-term impact of electric and autonomous vehicles.

This week brings several stories about further changes. In Farmington Hills, we see a brand new hotel development quickly pivoting to senior housing. Also in Farmington Hills, we see vacant industrial space being redeveloped into multifamily housing.

At the national level, we see L Brands shifting its Bath & Body Works store mix away from mall locations. L Brands is also continuing to see its store count for Victoria’s Secret, another mall retailer, decline. And near Kalamazoo, we have another mall that is about to fail. All of these mall locations will be the subject of reuse.

Change is constant in real estate.

Farmington Hills Hotel Pivots Due To The Pandemic

The Farmington Hills’ Holiday Inn and Suites, NW Detroit, is shifting its focus. Due to the pandemic, hospitality and restaurants have taken a beating. Southfield-based Group 10 Management is converting the hotel (which was opened in 2018) into senior independent living quarters. 76 apartment units would be created from 133 hotel rooms in the current hotel layout. The company has kept two other properties in the same location open as hotels as there is a need for extended-stay facilities.

Crossroads Mall in Portage $77M Underwater, Deed-In-Lieu Possible

The Crossroads Mall in Portage, Michigan (near Kalamazoo) has recently been valued at $22.6M. Unfortunately, the mall has $100M in mortgage debt. The owner is currently in discussions with its lender about a deed-in-lieu. Although stories about the decline of the regional mall are all too common, the decline of Crossroads has been stunning, as it was valued at $152M as recently as 2013.

In addition to the square footage covered by the mortgage, the mall is home to a (vacant) Sears store, as well as JC Penney and Macy’s anchors.

As mentioned in a recent Weekly Brief, the mall is dead.

Michigan real estate news weekly brief

Weekly Brief – March 8

This week the focus is on the prospects for the housing market in Michigan in the summer 2021 selling season.

But first, a favor. If you find this weekly briefing and newsletter valuable, it would mean the world to me if you would forward it to others you think would find it valuable. And if this email was forwarded to you, you can sign up to receive this weekly newsletter here. My promise to you is that this newsletter will not be “spam”. The newsletter will provide real estate news to those who want to receive it.

Now, about the 2021 selling season. We have signs from all over Michigan that this a historic seller’s market. There are reports from West Bloomfield, Metro Detroit in general, statewide, and West Michigan. The reports indicate that the seller’s market is due to a combination of low inventory, as some sellers are reluctant to sell (because they will then have to buy), and low mortgage interest rates.

To be sure, the phenomenon is not unique to Michigan. There is low inventory nationally. However, listings in Michigan are down 54 percent in January, compared to only 42 percent nationally.

What can’t be known yet is what will happen in 2022. Will the market be flooded by foreclosed homes? Will mortgage rates inch up, bringing prices down? There is no crystal ball, obviously. But for this year, it appears the seller’s market is set. Prices are going to increase, and inventory will remain constrained.

Lawyer – No Light at the End of the Pandemic Tunnel for Property Owners

The future of real estate continues to be in a flux. At a federal level, GSEs have continued to extend foreclosure and eviction moratoriums through June 30, 2021. The Center for Disease Control issued its own eviction moratorium in September 2020, and the Biden administration has extended it through March 31, 2021. In Michigan, the pandemic’s eviction moratoriums have expired, although the Michigan Supreme Court has recognized the CDC Order. No formal foreclosure moratoriums were ever instituted in Michigan, but social distancing requirements have halted the proceedings that are held in courthouses which have been closed to the public during the pandemic.

FHFA Extends Forbearance Plans

The Federal Housing Finance Agency lengthened forbearance extensions for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac borrowers, allowing coverage for up to 18 months. Eligibility is limited to borrowers who are on a Covid-19 forbearance plan as of February 28, 2021. Some borrowers may now be in forbearance through August 2022. This may impact the timing of the impact of foreclosures discussed in last week’s Weekly Brief.