Metro Detroit

NEWSLETTER: MARCH 2025

March 17, 2025

MARCH MADNESS

TOURNAMENTS, TIME CHANGES, AND TARIFFS…

Meh, March.

 It starts with ESPN’s annual wall-to-wall coverage of college basketball and absolutely NOTHING else.

Then, we get hit with sleep deprivation.

Usually, it stops there. But not this March – nope, this year we’ve added tariffs to the mix.

But everything is going to be ok – we are here to put a positive spin on all of your March misery.

First – turn ESPN off. Put on MLB Network and watch spring training games. Even if you don’t like baseball, seeing Florida & Arizona on your TV will remind you of the weather that will be arriving here soon.

Second, it’s just a 1-hour time change. Have you traveled to Chicago? Were you able to return home and resume living? Awesome. Same difference here. You’ve got this.

Finally, tariffs. The good news is… they’ve been delayed until April, so this is no longer a March problem!

Ok, not much of a silver lining, but the honest truth is no one really knows what to expect.

At worst, we’ve seen increase estimates from the NAHB that range from $7,500 – $10,000 per house for raw materials, to upwards of a 10% increase in the total cost of a new home when factoring in everything; appliances, fixtures, etc.

The graphic above from the San Jose Mercury News is the best visual representation we could find, but it only covers the costs of a 400 sqft ADU (think in-law suite).

Not ideal, but better than what is expected in other industries (we’re looking at you automotive).

Of course, it’s also possible that the tariffs are just a threat and nothing ends up happening.

The bottom line is, if you’re still waiting to see if prices are going to come down, we can safely tell you they are not. And even at the current prices – or whatever is to come – Metro Detroit remains one of the most affordable locations, compared to other similarly sized markets/regions, in the country.

So watch some spring baseball, maybe take a nap (they go really well together), and let’s get moving on your new house before the inevitable happens.

Let’s connect and discuss your search!

Go Tigers! Yawn.

Pictured above: Visual explanation > written explanation…

CURRENT LISTINGS

OUR NEW CONSTRUCTION COLLECTION

WHISPERING RIDGE ESTATES | COMMERCE TWP.

We are down to our final two lots: lot 9 & lot 11. We will be starting a spec home on one of those lots soon, so if you’re on the fence about building your own home from scratch in Whispering Ridge Estates, now is the time to act – let’s chat about it.

Located near Benstein & Glengary in Commerce, Whispering Ridge Estates is in one of the few sections of the township that doesn’t require navigating 2-lane roads while winding around every lake in Oakland County, resulting in commute times that range from 30 min to the Donner Party. Yay! Connect with us for the details!

UPTOWN VILLAGE | MILFORD

Located on the north side of Downtown Milford in Uptown Village, these well-appointed 2-3 bed/2.5-3.5 bath townhomes are a short walk to one of Metro Detroit’s most coveted historical downtowns, with rows of shops and restaurants that are steeped in the authenticity that comes with nearly two centuries of cultivation.

Only a small offering of these townhomes will be built, so act soon; connect with us (if you’re already working with us), or reach out to Julie directly for the details.

16442 SLEEPY HOLLOW | FENTON

Located in the desirable Pinnacle Shores neighborhood in Fenton, 16442 Sleepy Hollow Drive offers a sprawling ranch plan from our friends at Pzarka Custom Homes.

The open concept layout offers high-quality craftsmanship and thoughtful design, on a premium homesite.

With 3 bed/2.5 bath and 2,255 sqft, this home includes a 3-car garage and a daylight basement; it is priced at $629,800.

his home is expected to be complete in April; connect with us (if you’re already working with us), or reach out to Tina Piezarka directly for the details.

OUR NOT NEW (BUT NEW TO YOU) COLLECTION

3217 SHENANDOAH DRIVE | ROYAL OAK

Located within walking distance of the Corewell Health (Beaumont) Royal Oak campus, this 3 bed/2 bath ranch offers nearly 2,000 sqft between the main floor and the spectacularly finished basement.

This home is not currently listed, but being offered as a pocket listing and priced at $384,900.

Connect with us directly for additional details!

881 YARMOUTH ROAD | BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Located in Bloomfield Village, this 4 bed/3 bath 3,045 sqft colonial sits on a nearly half-acre/corner lot, within the Birmingham School District.

This home is not currently listed, but is being offered as a pocket listing and priced at $975,000.

Connect with Lori directly with questions or for additional details.

IN OTHER RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION NEWS…

MARCH 2025 NEIGHBORHOOD UPDATES

Toll Brothers announced Cold Water Ridge of Northville would be opening soon, offering 1st and 2nd-floor owners suite floor plans, priced from the $600s. Located near 5 Mile and Ridge, this neighborhood is within the acclaimed Northville School District.

Lombardo held a grand opening for Town Square in South Lyon last weekend (pictured above), releasing the first offering of home sites to the public. Featuring single-family homes ranging from 2,700 sqft to over 4,500 sqft, the initial release had prices starting in the mid $700s.

The Meadows of Troy by Robertson Brothers is now sold out, with the final home officially under contract. However, if you need to be in Troy – or specifically, in the Troy School District – some options remains at their neighboring project Village of Troy.

LIVERNOIS DEVELOPMENT | DETROIT

A new mixed-use development has been proposed for the west side of Livernois, between 7 Mile and 8 Mile, in an area commonly referred to as the “Avenue of Fashion” in Detroit.

The $14M development would feature a new 3-story building with 50 residential units, retail, and a restaurant; the plan is contingent on obtaining several development incentives, including tax abatements and a Brownfield future
tax-capture.

With this stretch of Livernois receiving significant improvements in recent years, developers are excited about the renewed viability of the area, which is in close proximity to the University of Detroit Mercy, the Detroit Golf Club, and some of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods like Palmer Woods and Sherwood Forest.

With projects like this in the works, it’s becoming easier to see the potential for a bustling Livernois corridor, connecting this stretch of Livernois to Downtown Ferndale.

You can read more from The Detroit Free Press here.

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.

If you’re already working with a client and they have a house to sell, we can help with that as well – using our knowledge of the construction process, to help prevent any issues with timing, etc., when we list their home.

Get in touch to find out how we can sell your homes (and your client’s home), and save everyone money in the process.

Also… if you like what you’ve seen in our March 2025 newsletter, connect with us to find out how your homes can be featured in future newsletters!

AGENTS: BECOME AN EXPERT…

WE ARE THE HOME FOR NEW HOME SPECIALISTS!

Join us. We are growing our national network of New Home Experts® agents across the United States and beyond.

If you are a builders sales rep looking for something different, or an agent/broker with a masterful level of experience selling or building new construction homes in your local market, we want to talk.

Set your business apart from competitors by focusing on this lucrative real estate sector; one that most other agents are either afraid of, intimidated by, or both.

Interested? Let’s chat about the life of an “expert” and if it’s the right path for your career.

CLIENTS: WE LOVED WORKING WITH YOU!

…AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HELP YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS WELL.

(at least, the ones who are like you)

Our clients mean the world to us, and watching their dreams turn into reality is what keeps us going. We appreciate all of you, and would love the opportunity to help your friends, family, and co-workers as well.

If anyone you refer to us builds, buys, or lists a home with a New Home Experts agent from now until the end of 2025, we will send you a $100 Amazon gift card to show our appreciation.

Call, email, or just send them our way – we’ll take it from there.

And of course, if YOU decide to build, buy, or list with us again, the same offer applies to you.

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…