Metro Detroit

NEWSLETTER: APRIL 2021

April 15, 2021

HAPPY TAX DAY

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS TO OUR CPA FRIENDS…

In honor of Tax Day, virtually everyone’s least favorite holiday, we figured we would celebrate with everyone’s least favorite pastime, reading about taxes. Specifically, property taxes.

Early last year, Lou wrote a blog post explaining how property taxes are determined in Michigan and to our utter disbelief, it was our most popular blog post of 2020. Man, it’s almost as if you guys were stuck inside with nothing else to do. Oh wait…

Regardless, kick back and take a break from reviewing those income taxes you’re probably paying someone to evade, and grab some valuable shut-eye while reading about property taxes.

Questions or comments? Let’s chat!

FYI – the gem pictured above (by Lassale Homes) is here to remind you that your refund ain’t going to spend itself…

CURRENT LISTINGS

OUR NEW CONSTRUCTION COLLECTION

LOT 63 | STONEGATE SOUTH

Drywall has arrived for OUR FINAL HOME in Stonegate South; meaning this is also your last chance to own a home in Stonegate South where the toilets have never been used and come on that alone should be enough.

This 4 bed/2.5 bath/2,760+ sqft colonial by Strathdale Development (near the commute-friendly intersection of Dutton & Squirrel), features a partial daylight basement (which is great if you’re partial to daylight), and is loaded with design enhancements like quartz countertops, upgraded cabinets, hardwood floors, extensive trim, and more! Connect with us for the details; don’t wait until it’s complete – there is still time to choose some of your selections!

24847 DINSER | NOVI

Construction is set to commence on what will eventually look like the gorgeous home pictured above, in an established neighborhood adjacent to the Island Lake subdivision near 10 Mile & Wixom.

Built by Kensington Family Homes, this Augusta floor plan features 4 bed/3.5 bath, a home office, and 3-car side entry garage, along with all the high-end finishes you’ve come to expect from Kensington.

This home also features one of our favorite features, the deck-eliminating (or at least, deck-delaying) built-in rear porch. Fancy!

And of course, you get award-winning/award-accepting Novi Schools.

Connect with Lou and Jeff (if you’re already working with us), or reach out to Julie & Jennifer directly for the details.

MORE LISTINGS

OUR NOT NEW BUT NEW TO YOU COLLECTION

66 WINDER | BRUSH PARK

Our current listing in The Garden Lofts (recently featured on Deadline Detroit) offers stylish city-living, in booming Brush Park.

This former model-unit features hardwood floors, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and offers access to a 24-hour fitness center (across the hall!), as well as a secure garage, and a beautiful community courtyard with spectacular views of the city.

Across the street is Little Caesar’s Arena, with Comerica Park & Ford Field just a few blocks south. Dozens of restaurants are within a short walk or jump on the Q-Line for access to everything from the river to the New Center area. Explore the ever-evolving landscape that surrounds, or stay home and take advantage of the amenities within.

NOW PRICED AT $310,000!

Click here for the MLS details, or connect with Lou & Jeff to schedule a showing!

FROM THE YOUTUBES

Lately, we’ve seen prices increase dramatically from !?! to !?!?!?!?!, and we’ve heard about it from many of you, a lot.

A LOT.

So, Lou decided to head out in search of a cost-effective option for new home construction, and he found it with our friends at Century Communities. The Colorado-based national builder has a handful of neighborhoods on the fringes of Metro Detroit, as well as several more in the Grand Blanc-area. With a relatively simple path to owning a new home, including streamlined financing and pre-determined selection packages, they represent one of the few options for anything new under $300K in the current climate.

Check out Lou’s informative video, then stick around to comment on his adorably professional video-voice.

REAL ESTATE MEDICAL NEWS

All of our staff are in the process of getting vaccinated, helping to ensure we provide the safest search experience, for your new home.

We sent Jeff first, because Canadians are just too damn polite to say no; he reports back via the attached video – “Let’s not overthink things…” which is coming from the guy who barely even underthinks things.

IN OTHER REAL ESTATE NEWS…

Something | Northfield Township

If you’ve ever wondered what Northfield Township looks like, the picture above represents a fairly accurate sampling; open space. Lot’s and lot’s and lot’s of open space. And for those of you who think we mean Northville Township (Lou, we’re looking at you), we do not. No, running along the southern shore of Whitmore Lake and down to the northern section of Ann Arbor Township, Northfield Township is about as rural as rural gets in these parts… or those parts, depending on where you’re standing.

However, a new development is being discussed in the area of North Territorial Road and Ann Arbor Road that would bring a mix of residential and commercial units to the area. Though still in the “proposed development” stage, it could include 260+ single and multifamily houses, as well as commercial developments such as assisted living facilities or gas stations. A Change.org petition has been started in response to the proposal (because, of course), so we will be glued to the old Zoom for the next virtual public hearing on the matter because opinions are fun and we are confident we’re going to encounter a ton of “fun” when the neighbors get together… [read more]

Restoration Hardware | Birmingham

Birmingham continues to buzz about plans for the potential construction of a spectacular 4-story Restoration Hardwarestore/design studio/restaurant in the area of S. Woodward & Brown; a preliminary site plan was officially submitted to the city late last month. We know what you’re thinking, this has nothing to do with residential real estate but you are incorrect because we plan to live in this gorgeous fully furnished space and we aren’t really sure how we’re going to make that happen but we have lawyers, a basic understanding of squatters rights, and ideas… so stay tuned. [read more]

BUILDERS: DON’T JUST LIST YOUR HOMES…

GET THEM IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT BUYERS!

Our website caters exclusively to new-home-specific buyers, so in addition to the usual audiences found on the MLS, Zillow, etc., we also bring you local buyers searching specifically for new homes, by creating original, organic content, and pairing it with a social media strategy that guides prospects directly to your listing; and we do it for less than what resale agents charge.

Get in touch to find out how we can sell your homes AND save you money in the process.

CONTACT US

Questions about your new home search? Call or email us today – we look forward to hearing from you! Not ready for that kind of commitment? Check out our new-home-specific-search and email us incognito. Use a name like Emma Rhoids. We’ll never know it’s you…

Lou Bitove & Jeff Bortnick, owners of The New Home Experts®, have more than 35 years combined experience in real estate, much of that with builders like Pulte & Toll Brothers.  They also provide market research for area builders, developers and national firms.  If you’re considering a new home, remember: the builders rep represents the builder, not you.  Work with the only local agents in Metro Detroit to specialize in new homes, and save money in the process – ask us how!