Category Archives: Ann Arbor Real Estate Trends

The Pros and Cons of a Buyer’s Letter: Standing Out in a Busy Market

Imagine, after weeks of searching, that you’ve finally found your dream home. It’s in the perfect location with the right features and exactly the amount of space you need. But after requesting more information, your agent informs you that there are already several offers made on the house. How do you stand out in a busy market and snag your dream home?

When buyers are looking to make a lasting impression on sellers, they often opt to submit a letter to the seller. In fact, a recent study found that buyers who submitted letters were 9% more likely to have their offer accepted.

A Buyer’s Letter can work both with you and against you, so it’s important to understand what they are and when you should use one. Continue reading →

A New Kind of Home Buyer: Tips for Marketing Your Home to Millennials

A young millennial couple standing in front of the home they've just purchased.

Millennials get a lot of flack, but they’re an important part of the real estate market. In fact, they make up the largest generational percentage of home buyers right now!

So, if you’re planning on selling your home soon, it’s important to keep the average millennial home buyer in mind. This generation is unlike any that’s come before it, and the way they buy everything (from laundry detergent to life insurance) is unique.

When it comes to catching the eye of the discerning millennial home buyer, here’s what you need to do:

Create a Strong Internet Presence

It goes without saying that millennials rely on the Internet for, well, everything. This isn’t unusual: the Internet makes every kind of shopping easier and more accessible.

As such, giving your home an effective online presence is key. It needs to be easy to find via the most popular home-buying networks, and it has to look great no matter the screen size. After all, more home buyers than ever before are using their smartphones to find their dream home. Continue reading →

Polo Fields, Ann Arbor Real Estate Report

Polo Fields Real Estate Report – April 2019

There are currently 2 homes listed for sale at the upscale Polo Fields subdivision and so far this year, 0 have sold. 4 homes sold in 2018.

Homes for Sale:

  • $699,900. 4943 Birdie Lane, Ann Arbor. 3021 sq. ft., +1250 in finished lower level, 5 bedrooms and 3.1 baths. Sale Pending
  • $510,000. 4861 Polo Fields Drive, Ann Arbor. 2514 sq. ft., +2250 in finished lower level, 5 bedroom and 3.2 baths. Sale Pending

Homes Sold 2018:

  • $715,000. 794 Bogey Court, Ann Arbor. 2855 sq. ft., +1254 in finished lower level, 5 bedrooms and 3.1 baths.
  • $670,000. 853 Chipshot Court, Ann Arbor. 3197 sq. ft., +1200 in finished lower level, 4 bedrooms and 3.1 baths.
  • $593,000. 4957 Gullane Drive, Ann Arbor. 3031 sq. ft., + 1100 in finished lower level, 4 bedrooms and 4.1 baths.
  • $402,000. 918 Fairway Park Drive, Ann Arbor. 2375 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.1 baths.

In 2017, 4 homes sold with an average sale price of $491,875 and an average price per square foot of $175.00. The 4 homes sold in 2018 had an ASP of $595,000, up 21%, and an A$/SF of $206.00, up 18%. To learn more about this golf and country club community, contact the real estate specialists with The Bouma Group at 734-761-3060 or email info@bouma.com. View photos and more market statistics for the Polo Fields here!

Ann Arbor Real Estate Report – December 2018

More Ann Arbor Homes Sold Than Listed in December to Finish Off the Year

Here is your final real estate report for 2018 for Ann Arbor homes! Both this past month’s prices and year-to-date prices have increased. Unfortunately, both the average sale and listing prices have increased on all fronts as well. Like November, 39 homes were sold this December, which is a 12.8% decrease compared to the 44 homes sold the prior December. There is minimal increase in the average listing price last month, from $451,784 to $452,492 now. A total of 57 homes have been sold in December, and although this is a 17.4% decrease from December 2017; it is good for sellers because more homes were sold than listed (in December) meaning that some homes that were entered into the multiple listings service before December were able to be sold. The average sale price is $436,533 versus $417,239 in December 2017, which is a 4.6% increase. Luckily for sellers, there has been a decrease in the average days on the market, from 56 to 45 days, a 19.6% difference. Continue reading →

Ann Arbor Real Estate Report – September 2018

Ann Arbor Homes See an Increase in Both Inventory and Listing PricesHome inventory and prices increasing for Ann Arbor Real Estate

There has been growth in inventory for Ann Arbor homes comparative to last year’s statistics. With listing prices rising, sale prices have too; however, sale prices are still below the asking. This September, 137 listings were entered into the multiple listings service, this is an increase of 15.5% compared to the 110 listings entered last September. The average listing price saw a rise of 8.9%, from $488,176 to $530,567 currently. Unfortunately, only 71 homes were sold in September, which is a 22.8% decline in comparison to the 923 homes sold the previous September. Sale prices have seen an increase of 6.9%, $408,967 versus $437,082 this month. Luckily for home buyers, the average days on the market has lowered slightly to 26 days, from 28 days last September. So far this year, more listings have been entered into the multiple listings services compared to this time last year; but there has been a decline in the amount of sold homes. A total of 1286 homes have been listed for sale thus far, which is an increase of 5.7% compared to the 1217 homes sold at this time last year. There has only been a small rise for the average listing price of homes, from $476,195 to $489,791 which is approximately 3%. Like the increase of ALP, average sale prices have experienced the same growth. The ASP is $441,322 thus far, versus $428,494 last year at this time.

For more information about Ann Arbor homes, contact the real estate specialists with The Bouma Group at (734)761-3060 or email info@bouma.com. Don’t forget to check back here for more about the market!

Ann Arbor Hills Real Estate Update

Ann Arbor Hills Real Estate Report – September 2018Ann Arbor Hills, Ann Arbor Neighborhood of Executive Homes

Home sale activity in Ann Arbor Hills is mimicking that of last year at this time with 37 home sales year-to-date. There are currently 13 homes listed for sale, 4 more than last year.

Homes for Sale:

  • $1,500,000.  2320 Devonshire, Ann Arbor. 3974 sq. ft., +780 in finished lower level, 5 bedrooms and 3.2 baths.
  • $1,250,000.  1832 Vinewood, Ann Arbor. 3500 square feet with 6 bedrooms and 5 baths.
  • $1,070,000.  3080 Hunting Valley, Ann Arbor. 3016 square feet with 2099 in finished lower level, 4 bedrooms and 3.1 baths. Listed by The Bouma Group
  • $999,999.  3116 Overidge, Ann Arbor. 4005 sq. ft., +2072 in finished lower level, 5 bedrooms and 4.1 baths.
  • $950,000.  1116 Chestnut St. E., Ann Arbor. 2449 sq. ft., +580 in finished lower level, 2 bedrooms and 3 baths.
  • $875,000.  1942 Cambridge, Ann Arbor. 2270 sq. ft., +616 in finished lower level, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths.
  • $650,000.  1610 Kearney, Ann Arbor. 2592 sq. ft., +200 in finished lower level, 4 bedrooms and 2.1 baths.
    • For a complete list, contact us at 734-761-3060 or info@bouma.com

Continue reading →

Ann Arbor Real Estate Report – July 2018

Increased Inventory for Ann Arbor Homes

Ann Arbor Residential Real Estate Report for July 2018

Compared to last month and last July, inventory has increased for Ann Arbor homes. As well, average sale prices have also risen for both this month and so far this year. This July, 7% more listings have been entered compared to the prior July, 146 homes versus 136. The average listing price saw a minimal decline compared to last July, from $491,264 to $490,390. Compared to July 2017, there has been a 5.6%  increase in the amount of homes sold this month from 124 units to 131. Although prices usually decrease with more available inventory, prices have actually risen for July. This month  the average sale price is $443,944, which is an increase of 11.6% compared to the ASP of $397,721 in the previous year. Luckily for home sellers, the average days on the market has decreased to 21 days. So far this year, 1018 homes have been entered into the MLS; this is a 4.3% growth compared to the amount of listings entered at this time last year. Unfortunately, only 655 homes have sold this year which is a slight decrease compared to 2017  which had 663 units sold. The average sale price for homes sold thus far in 2018 is $438,859, this is a slight increase in comparison to the ASP of $428,564 last year. It is still a seller’s market for Ann Arbor single family homes, with a month supply of 4.3. Homes priced from $500k to $800k are considered to be a balanced market. Like always, higher end homes, those above $800k, are a part of a buyer’s market. Continue reading →

Ann Arbor Real Estate Report – June 2018

Low Inventory Encourages Prices to Climb

Ann Arbor Residential Real Estate Report for June

Although only slightly less, Ann Arbor homes saw a decrease in both listings and sales entered this June compared to the previous. The amount of new listings entered only differed by 1.5%, from 194 homes to 197 homes last June. Listing prices saw an increase of 5.9% though, with the average LP being $449,417 in 2017 and $475,710 currently. Properties sold in June declined by 4.3%, 139 versus 133 sold homes. However, the average sale price rose by 3.4% from $434,142 last June to $449,116 this year. Houses are being sold faster, with the average amount of days on the market being 18; this is great for sellers. So far this year, there is a 3.8% increase in homes listed from 840 in the year prior to 872 now. With the small increase of homes added to the market, prices have done the same, $477,729 versus 488,286; an increase of 2.2%. The amount of properties sold to date has decreased 3.3% from 540 to 522 sold homes. There has been minimal discrepancy between the average sale price so far this year compared to the previous year, $435,573 versus $437,914 currently. Overall, it is a seller’s market for Ann Arbor residential homes; especially for homes priced under $600k. Higher end homes, in the $600k to $1m range, are considered to be a part of a balanced market. As per usual, luxury homes that are over $1m are a buyer’s market. Continue reading →

Newport Creek, Ann Arbor Subdivision Report

Newport Creek Real Estate Report – June 2018Newport Creek Subdivision, Ann Arbor MI 48105 Luxury Home

With stately executive homes in a beautiful, mature setting, Newport Creek is one of Ann Arbor’s most desired neighborhoods. There are currently 2 homes listed for sale, and so far this year 0 have sold.

Homes for Sale:

  • $1,025,000.  1715 Newport Creek, Ann Arbor. 4061 sq. ft., +1226 in finished walk-out, 5 bedrooms and 4.1 baths. Listed by The Bouma Group
  • $1,020,000.  1721 Newport Creek, Ann Arbor. 4359 sq. ft., +1098 in finished walk-out, 4 bedrooms and 5 baths. Listed by The Bouma Group

Home Sold in 2017:

  • $935,000.  1542 Newport Creek, Ann Arbor. 4016 sq. ft., +1300 in finished walk-out, 4 bedrooms and 4.1 baths. Listed by The Bouma Group

In 2016 at Newport Creek, 2 homes sold with an average sale price of $1,085,000 and an average price per square foot of $209.00.  In 2017, 1 home sold with a sale price of $935,000, down from the previous year, and price per square foot of $233.00, up 11%. To learn more about home values at this Ann Arbor subdivision, contact the real estate specialists with The Bouma Group today at 734-761-3060 or email info@bouma.com.

Ann Arbor Real Estate Report – April 2018

Buyer’s and Seller’s Market Dependent on Price Range

Ann Arbor Real Estate Report May 2018

 

For Ann Arbor homes, listings were slightly down and sales increased in April compared to 2017. New listings decreased a small percentage of 1% in comparison to April last year, 173 versus 175. Although there is minimal decline in the amount of listings, according to the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors, the average listing price increased from $478,871 to $510,951. The number of sales rose 35% compared to the previous year, from 75 homes sold to 101; along with it, the average sale price increased by 5%, $414,281 versus $435,787. When looking at the average days on the market, only one day differed from this April compared to last, this year had 1 more day equaling 22 days on average. Looking at the year to date statistics, listings are lower. This year, 454 listings have been entered thus far, versus the 496 listings entered in 2017. But, the homes sold since the beginning of the year have a higher volume compared to last year, with 270 homes sold versus 247 in 2017. Homes sold under $400k are a seller’s market, and becomes stronger as the price range reduces. Mid-range homes are part of a balanced market, creating negotiation between buyers and sellers. Higher end homes, such as those above $800k, are considered to be a buyer’s market, with it being most intense in the 1 million dollar + range.

Looking ahead, it should be a solid year for Ann Arbor residential homes. Whether you are looking to sell or buy, contact the real estate specialists with The Bouma Group at (734)761-3060 or email info@bouma.com. And stay tuned for next month’s real estate report for Ann Arbor homes!