  Wazootyman Member Username: Wazootyman Post Number: 346 Registered: 02-2006 |
A good friend of mine that I've known since elementary school is moving back into the area (after several years at medical school in upstate NY), and he and his wife are very much interested in living in Detroit - amongst some other options. They'll both be completing their studies at Henry Ford and WSU over the next several years, but they already have tentative job offers lined up, so it looks like they'll be here long-term. See, not everyone in their 20's is moving OUT of Metro Detroit... They are looking at several condos near the riverfront and in midtown. Besides Detroit, they're also considering other walkable communities, such as Royal Oak or Ferndale. The Pointes are also a possibility (even though they're not necessarily "walkable"). Birmingham may be a little over-priced. Their schooling and employment places them in Detroit or in the east-side suburbs. I understand that their target price is around $225,000, but less is better. So, with that in mind, what would you recommend? I'm looking for good/bad experiences at various buildings, as we really can't tell too much just from looking at online listings. They'll be seeing these places in person once they narrow down the list a bit. | ||
Neilr Member Username: Neilr Post Number: 722 Registered: 06-2005 |
In Lafayette Park, there is one high-end condo community, Navarre Place. I think that the exterior appearance of these townhouses is rather severe. The interiors are very well designed. The units are quite large with, IIRC, 4 bedrooms, multiple baths, 2 fireplaces, and large 2-car attached garages. Most of the rest of Lafayette Park, including the Mies van der Rohe THs, Chateaufort, and 1300 are coops. Most of the condos and coops in LP would be within their price range. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 235 Registered: 03-2008 |
http://www.twelve-25.com/ | ||
Jsmyers Member Username: Jsmyers Post Number: 2003 Registered: 12-2003 |
UCCA is a great group with some great resources. If I were your friends, I'd start with these links, and if there was any questions or difficulties, contract the UCCA: http://www.detroitmidtown.com/ 05/midtown.php http://www.detroitmidtown.com/ 05/develop.php?msub=5 http://www.detroitmidtown.com/ 05/develop_property.php?msub=5 http://www.detroitmidtown.com/ 05/links.php This last one is directed at WSU faculty and staff: http://www.detroitmidtown.com/ 05/doc_lib/3rd_edition_1-16-20 08.pdf I highly recommend anything with Joel Landy's name on it: http://www.lelandlofts.com/int ro.php I used to live next to a building in the early stages of being developed by Midtown Development. I also recommend them: http://www.midtowndetroitlofts .com/ http://www.willysoverlandlofts .com/ They could live upstairs of the new grocery: http://www.crystallofts.com/ Haven't heard much about this lately, but it was promising: http://www.midmedlofts.com/ Great location: http://theparkshelton.com/ Here is another well known one: http://www.westinbookcadillacr esidences.com/ This is close: http://www.woodbridgeestates.c om/ Corktown is also worth a look, and you might be able to find housing through the GCDC: http://www.corktowndetroit.org / It may also pay to hire a good realtor(no recommendations here) since the are probably a number of properties on the market that aren't new developments. I hope this helps! I know I didn't narrow down by price range, but I figure that if the condo market is slow enough, your friends might be able to get a deal better than published. | ||
Jfried Member Username: Jfried Post Number: 1144 Registered: 11-2003 |
That's a good list jsmeyers. The only thing I would mention is that MidMed Lofts are no longer residential/for sale, they are being leased for office use. here is another good source for listings http://www.downtowndetroit.org /ddp/housing_intro.htm | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1661 Registered: 11-2004 |
I recommend getting a realtor, if anything to help take most of the frustration out of the home-buying process. Most sellers are so desperate to sell they will cover the agents commission to make the deal happen. My fiancee and I are in the process of closing on a place right now and we used Margaret Palmer at Renaissance, www.margaretpalmer.com. A longtime forumer recommended her to us and we also highly recommend here. Her office is out of Midtown, she lives nearby and she has been a real-estate agent in the city for more than a decade. She knows all of the ins and outs of the local scene and where the best deals are. She found a great one for us and has made the process quite easy. She will also make sure you don't get stuck paying nagging little things like back taxes or water bills. Also, Willy's Overland is a great project. We were close to buying one of those places. | ||
Rsa Member Username: Rsa Post Number: 1469 Registered: 10-2003 |
quick hi-jack; congrats hemingway! where'd you end up finding place (if you don't mind me asking)? | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1664 Registered: 11-2004 |
We're buying a loft in Midtown. We found one of the diamonds in the foreclosure rough and this place is an excellent deal. We expect to close this week and move in this summer after our honeymoon. We're more of a historic home type of couple but we couldn't pass this place up when we saw it. | ||
Jaydetroit Member Username: Jaydetroit Post Number: 21 Registered: 02-2008 |
In regards to the earlier posting of the "twelve-25 lofts", I dont see any actual plans or updates in place for this project...even though they have an operational website, it seems to be indefinitely stalled. | ||
Lo_to_d Member Username: Lo_to_d Post Number: 74 Registered: 07-2007 |
There are several doctors and med-students in the ellington from the DMC, WSU, and Henry Ford. It's worth a look. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 2477 Registered: 10-2006 |
It might be easier than you thought to find your friends a place on DetroitYES: https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/5/137672.html?1210005863 | ||
Wordonthestreet Member Username: Wordonthestreet Post Number: 162 Registered: 11-2003 |
I agree with E_hemingway, getting an agent is the best route for your friends. My agent was Austin Black with Max Broock Realtors. He lives in Midtown and is very knowledgeable on developments and neighborhoods. Check out his website: www.austinb2.com and his monthly newsletter http://archive.constantcontact .com/fs017/1101821466868/archi ve/1102067136922.html Good luck to your friends. | ||
Craggy Member Username: Craggy Post Number: 329 Registered: 10-2003 |
Wazooty... The Pointes aren't walkable? What is your definition of walkable? | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 281 Registered: 03-2008 |
Jay detroit, concerning Twelve-25; I was told that it has been pushed back, but was assured it was still happening. First unit available in mid to late 2009. No exact completion date. (Message edited by Sean_Of_Detroit on May 07, 2008) |
