birmingham michigan: Birmingham MI's most expensive home is a knockout!
- 05/26/10 08:51 PM
In early May, a spectacular home in Birmingham hit the market at a list price of $6,395,000, making it the most expensive residence currently on the market in the City of Birmingham. Our company, SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, has been entrusted to market this exceptional home. 400 Arlington was originally built for Carole Ilitch Trepeck and her then husband David Trepeck, who founded Uptown Entertainment, the company that runs Birmingham's two movie theaters, Birmingham 8 and The Palladium. Uptown Entertainment is a subsidiary of Ilitch Holdings (as in Little Caesers, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and so on...) The Trepecks decided … (9 comments)
birmingham michigan: Seller Baits Buyers With Financing
- 01/18/09 01:15 AM
Tightened credit markets and sluggish real estate sales in Oakland County MI have sellers looking for ways to seal the deal. This week I saw a Birmingham builder do what he could to take control of the situation and set his properties apart. His answer: the land contract. Not only is he offering land contracts, he's offering them at rates better than you will get at the bank. Today he advertised 4%! What's not to like about 4% money, especially since his homes sell at prices where the buyer is likely to need a more expensive jumbo mortgage. Other advantages of … (0 comments)
birmingham michigan: Happy New Years Oakland County!
- 01/01/09 04:45 AM
2008 has certainly provided for lots of unexpected surprises for Metro Detroit. In January we will be rolling out a new series of posts for Metro Detroiters on how to deal with the challenges in today’s real estate market. The good news: there are previously unseen opportunities for buyers. Sellers, you are not left out, there are ways for you to get your home sold in 2009. Dmitry and I started this year with one of the most intense personal challenges of my life. Along with our young daughter, we moved in with my parents to help care for my dying … (5 comments)
birmingham michigan: Great Value Alert in Birmingham, Michigan!
- 11/20/08 01:17 PM
731 S. Bates, Birmingham MI Someone is going to get a GREAT deal on this super home, steps out of desireable downtown Birmingham. When the home last sold in 2004, the list price was $1,395,000. Dmitry and I relisted it this week for the motivated seller at $799,990. No, nothing is wrong with the house. It is not a foreclosure, and it is in pristine condition. It is a FANTASTIC house, completely renovated with new baths, 2 kitchens, and 2 master suites. I LOVE this house. You can take a look at the 731 S. Bates in Birmingham on line, … (0 comments)
birmingham michigan: Birmingham Pediatrics - Dr. Molly Leads!
- 08/06/08 10:05 AM
This morning my 5 year old and I made that annual visit to the pediatrician for her back to school check up. Katya is a healthy child, but she “freaked out” last year when Justin, the nurse, had to prick her finger to do a blood test. Ever since she has had a deathly fear of “blood shots.” I intentionally hadn’t much mentioned the trip to the Dr.’s office today because I did not want her to get all worked up. But when the topic did come up as she got dressed, I showed her the pictures of Dr. Molly’s … (4 comments)
birmingham michigan: It's 12:00. Do you know where your tenant is? (Food for thought for investors)
- 09/20/07 04:35 AM
I doubt that there has EVER been a better time to make an investment in Michigan real estate. Opportunities abound, and smart investors will be rewarded. Not long ago, I heard about an out of state “investor” who made his first real estate investment in Michigan. He was sold a high end home in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area and shown a lease that would more than cover his monthly payments, which on a property in the million dollar price range, are hefty. I don’t know how he came into this deal, or where he found the people who “helped” him to make … (13 comments)
birmingham michigan: PoppletonPark.com Birmingham MI
- 05/21/07 09:02 PM
www.PoppletonPark.com - Perfect and on the ParkLocation: Poppleton ParkEnjoy living right on Poppleton Park! Updated colonial has a newer eat-in kitchen and stainless steel appliances. Hardwood floors throughout most of the home. Potential 4th bedroom and full bath in newly finished lower level, could be au-pair suite. Newer windows and landscaping. Fenced yard with electric gate at driveway and gated access to park. This home is move-in ready. Call Maureen @ 248.961.0801 for more information, or visit www.PoppletonPark.com.InformationContact InformationMaureen Francis248.961.0801maureen@maureenfrancis.comContact Reply FormForward to a FriendView Other FlyersPricingAsking Price: $500,000Property Location282 WimbletonBirmingham, MI 48009View MapLinksmiBirmingham.commiOaklandCounty.com (our blog)PoppletonPark.comFeaturesBedrooms: 3Bathrooms: 3.1Year Built: 1958School District: … (3 comments)
birmingham michigan: Birmingham, Builders Own Home
- 05/20/07 01:41 AM
Builder's Own Birmingham HomeLocation: Birmingham, MILuxurious home in a great location. Elegantly finished with all brick stucco exterior, granite island kitchen, hardwood floors on the first floor, 9' ceilings. Master bedroom features cathedral ceiling, bath with jacuzzi, fireplace. Tray ceilings and beautiful woodwork. Sound system. Impressive two story foyer. Finished basement with full bath. Deck in the fenced yard.For more information about this home, please call Dmitry at 248.961.0802InformationContact InformationMaureen Francis248.961.0801Contact Reply FormForward to a FriendView Other FlyersPricingAsking Price: $720,000.00Property Location1919 HenriettaBirmingham, MI 48009View MapLinksHome SearchOur Blog1919 HenriettaFeaturesBedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 3.1Year Built: 2001Garage Size: 2 carSchool District: BirminghamSquare Footage: 3100Agent Name: Maureen … (3 comments)
birmingham michigan: Off With Their Heads!
- 01/14/07 11:28 PM
Is your agent selling you short? Once again, I'm standing up to say that the agent you hire MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE. Sorry for the shouting. I am a little riled up about this one. A few days ago I came across a couple of listings in the MLS that I find not just irresponsible, but bordering on malpractice. I know that mistakes can be made, but big ones like these cost sellers a lot of time and money. A good Realtor is worth every penny she earns, and most days I don't see anything like this. Let me make it … (26 comments)
birmingham michigan: Fortune Magazine Predicts Real Estate Prices on the Rise in Southeast Michigan
- 01/11/07 01:36 PM
Fortune Magazine recently put out a list of the top 10 housing markets ready for a fall. Note that NOTHING IN Michigan is on the list. Honestly it is probably because we’ve already ‘been there and done that.’ In Oakland County and South East Michigan we are on the other side of a correction and now other markets are seeing what we experienced in 2006 when we went through it ourselves. To see the top 10 markets and read Fortune's predictions for Oakland County Real Estate, read What Goes Up, Must Come Down. But At Some Point it Lands on miOaklandCounty.com … (13 comments)
birmingham michigan: Is Santa Bringing Home Buyers to Michigan This Christmas?
- 12/23/06 09:29 AM
Overheard in my office more than once in the last two weeks, “Ever since the elections, it’s been like a Spring market.” The elections they are referring to are our Michigan gubernatorial elections in which the incumbent, Jennifer “She Can’t Run For President Because She Was Born in Canada” Granholm, easily defeated her Republican challenger, Dick “George Bush’s Amway Rep” Devos. We had an idea of how Dick could occupy his time for the next few years, but he has not called us to let us know if he is taking us up on it. Back to that Spring market thing… … (88 comments)
birmingham michigan: Donald Trump Visited My Blog Yesterday (Another Question For the Rainers)
- 12/20/06 12:43 AM
Yes, it does appear that The Donald made a social call on my Michigan real estate blog yesterday during the Yankee Blog Swap. (A big thanks to Mary McKnight and RSSPieces for a great idea well executed!) Though I have my doubts that it actually was the real Donald Trump, I had to capture that screen shot for posterity. If you haven't heard of MyBlogLog, check it out. It's a lot of fun to see who is visiting your site. While having The Donald visit was a hoot, it got me thinking about other things. There are many rewards to blogging. … (45 comments)
birmingham michigan: Stop the Presses! Birmingham Michigan home sold in 6 days!
- 12/18/06 11:36 PM
To those of our readers from places other than SE Michigan, that title is very ho-hum. “So what?”, you ask. But readers nearby know that half million dollar homes in SE Michigan have usually experienced much longer market times in 2006. I’ve held off announcing this sale since it went under contract in October. No postcards to the neighbors even. I’m cautious, even though I knew the buyers were well qualified and excited about their purchase. I preferred to make it through closing. That happened late last week, and I think both the buyers and the sellers are thrilled. So what … (19 comments)
birmingham michigan: Lunacy? I don't go to closings!
- 12/02/06 08:04 AM
Yesterday, Ann Guy wrote about pre-closing her mortgage clients. Her post made me think about how Dmitry and I conduct our real estate business. A few years back, when I was a newer agent, I had a particularly nerve-wracking morning prior to a closing on one of my seller's homes. The buyer's agent kept calling me about a mirror that was removed from the bathroom. The mirror was not in the contract, but she recalled a conversation that had taken place AFTER the deal was bottom-lined regarding the sellers' furniture. The sellers had agreed to sell a few pieces that would … (18 comments)
birmingham michigan: Call 9-1-1! I Can't Find Your Agent!
- 11/26/06 03:24 AM
Dear Mr & Mrs. Seller, I've noticed something funny lately. I happened to Google a couple of local agents' names. I was really surprised that NOTHING came up. I mean NOTHING! Not one lousy link. Not even one from their broker's site. Shhhhhhh. Don't tell them please. They are my competitors. I don't really want you to find them, if they don't want to be found. OK, OK, I don't mind if you find them, but here is my thought for the day: If you can't find any trace of your Realtor on Google, do you think your agent has a strong … (69 comments)
birmingham michigan: Fun Facts About Expensive Homes in Oakland County Michigan
- 10/14/06 11:47 AM
Some Fun Facts About the Top 10 Most Expensive Homes on the Market in Oakland County Highest Price: $11,900,000Lowest Price: $5,750,000Average Price Per Square Foot: $722Highest Price Per Square Foot: $1,083Lowest Price Per Square Foot: $378The smallest is 6,000 Square FeetThe largest is 16,000 Square FeetHighest annual property taxes are $125,000Lowest annual property taxes are $15,000 Where are they: NorthvilleLake AngelusBirminghamBloomfield Hills - 4 homes over $5,000,000West BloomfieldRochester What else Half are on lakesHalf are new constructionOnly one was built before 1990 Observation: At those prices per square foot, a 1,500 square foot home would go for between $567,000 and $1,625,000! … (8 comments)
birmingham michigan: The $12,000,000 Deal
- 10/14/06 10:55 AM
I admit to coming from a family of proud bargain hunters. We all love the thrill of the chase. For some of us, its an obsession, for others its a source of entertainment. So today I decided to check in on the 10 most expensive homes listed in Oakland County, just to see what my money would get me. These days, you have to list your home at a price over $5,000,000 to qualify for a top 10 spot on my list. Ladies and gentelmen, today I came across a bargain hunter’s dream. I’ve never saved $3,000,000 on anything! Have you? … (11 comments)
birmingham michigan: Birmingham, Michigan Real Estate - Third Quarter 2006 Market Update
- 09/30/06 08:55 AM
BirminghamWe're constantly looking at new listings and new sales in the MLS. Homes are selling every day. There is good news in this market. While the days on market have almost doubled since last year, we are seeing higher average sales prices and higher median sales prices. Higher end homes are selling as well. There just happen to be more of them out there. Today there are 689 single family homes and condominiums on the market in Birmingham. 333 homes and condos have sold since January 1, 2006. We just took a look back at 2005, and there were 336 sales … (15 comments)
birmingham michigan: The Very SAD House (Shhhhh.... They're Getting Divorced)
- 09/28/06 02:08 AM
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Seller, I am sorry your marriage didn't make it. Really, it makes me quite sad. I felt your loss when I walked through your beautiful house last night, in spite of gracious hostessing by your Realtor. Her broker open was well attended. The shrimp were delicious, by the way. But your house no longer feels like a home. I know you know. Your house feels sad.I don't know the specifics of your separation, but I imagine that you are both very interested in having the home that your family once shared sell for the highest possible price. … (28 comments)
Husband & wife, Dmitry & Maureen, specialize in residential real estate in Oakland County, Michigan.
Search for homes at Southeast Michigan MLS Search.
Visit us atmiBirmingham.comor on our new and improved
Oakland County Real Estate Blog. When you are ready to make your next move, call us at 248.961.0801.
Join ActiveRain. Dmitry and Maureen are licensed to practice real estate in the State of Michigan.
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