FIND-of-the-DAY Mid-Century Modern in Michigan

The design rage of the moment is "Mid-Century Modern". Unfortunately Michigan has few such properties. Most of these homes are in warmer climates such as Southern California.

I love this home for multiple reasons. (Yes the great furniture and clean photo presentation helps). Location, location, location. Huntington Woods is centered in the Detroit metropolis with easy access to 696, Woodward and mass transit (what minimal mass transit Detroit has). 36324 Humber is within walking distance to the Detroit Zoo offering. Biking distance to the bustling cities of Royal Oak and Ferndale.

An extra $12,000 could be used to updating the homes flooring and installing ceiling lights. Obviously this blogger has been watching waaaay to much HGTV when she starts throwing around $12,0000 in a blink.

A far less sexy reason why Mid-Century ranch homes are so popular: aging Americans want  ranch homes easier to navigate. Thus those  who have taste but abhor condos seek out alternatives to the bland track homes of the 1960's. 

Home buyers wanting access to entertainment and an easy commute to multiple directions of Metro Detroit 26324 Humber is a property worth visiting. The $390,000 (2,000 sq. ft.) price should be reviewed to comparable selling prices in the neighborhood. 

Questions on the Realestate buyers wish list .... do you want the hot happening urban scene down town? Or a quieter home with lovely architecture, double the square feet and ample storage. Huntington Woods will have lower insurance and no added income tax that Detroit residents are unfairly burdened with.

McMansion home builders take note ....the not so sexy reason folks are flocking to ranch houses are for ease, mobility and access to urban culture. Those massive homes also impact the environment via heating, cooling and commuting. McMansions .... so 90's. 

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FIND-of-the-DAY Birmingham Walkable Condo $240k

Birmingham Michigan highly desirable address. I have been asked to find a condo within walking distance to down town for $250k. 

FIND-of-the-DAY / Starter Home Can Be Yours $170,000

Four story historic home cherried out top to bottom....$170k. Details to follow .... keep an open mind kids.

ZILLOW: Completely re-designed this home features new kitchen with lead glass cabinets, butcher block counter-tops, center island sink with breakfast bar, and all new appliances. Updates include New roof (2014), High end LED lighting, New plumbing (2014), and professionally redone espresso colored floors. Living room features a natural fireplace. the second floor features a laundry room and two master suites, Both of which feature spa style bath rooms with Calacatta and Carrara marble vanities respectively, and mansion views! Third floor space would be perfect for and artist or writers studio! (Photos below)

Photo out back may seem strange to post but it shows that 90 Glynn Ct. backs up to the Ira Grinnell (Grinnell Electric Auto Co.; Grinnell Brothers music) estate. The Grinnell estate, at 650 West Boston Blvd. is one half block of the block. Boston Edison is a premier historic neighborhood in Detroit. The homes in Boston Edison, built between 1911 and 1917, housed the most notable people of the era.

Handful of estates within walking distance of 90 Glynn:

John W. Drake (President, Hupp Motor Car Co.)

C. Harold Wills (Designer, Model T) 

Ira Briggs (Briggs Staduim & Tigers owner)

Berry Gordy (Motown Records)

Mid-town two bedroom lofts are selling for $250-$300k. The tide is moving north especially with the new light rail. Boston Edison never completely lost its shine during Detroit's rough times. Folks who wanted to live in real architecture with history maintained many of these gems. 

Look on the Realestate sites. Ferndale 2bd/1.5bth listing $200-$300. Just south of Ferndale in Detroit's historic Palmer Woods neighborhood prices are moving up.

This bloggers instinct: 90 Gynn Ct. in the prestigious Boston is a steal at $170,000. True turn key jewel I would snap it up.

FIND-of-the-DAY Broderick Tower Rent $3,695 WOW

 26th floor Broderick Tower Apartment - 2 bedroom 1 bath 924 sq.ft. $3,695 mo.

10 Witheral, Detroit, 48226 

Remember my earlier post regarding condo purchase prices "A changing tide moves all ships." Well hang on to your hats (apartments) because $3,695 for a two bedroom no parking is going to move this tide (rents) so much it may move some of you out. 

Yes the photos indicate a prime view of Comerica Park. A company will likely rent 10 Witheral for client entertainment due to the view of Comerica Park. The real view from apartment window is north west out towards third base ..... not the photo, above, posted by Rentlinx. 

Tigers 2015 home season 81 games = $547 per game. 

Discription via Rentlinx: Broderick Tower is one the city's most recognizable sky scrapers. Opening in 1927 as the Eaton Tower, Broderick Tower has enjoyed a full renovation yet maintains many classic features. Value Suites, LLC is proud to offer fully furnished corporate suites at Broderick Tower, each with views of Woodward, the theater district and the Ball Park. Enjoy valet parking (included), easy access to the people mover, fitness center, in unit wa...sher/dryer, clean steel appliances, granite counter tops, granite shower, porcelain tile floors and more. Broderick Tower is known by some as the whale building because of the large mural of whales on one side. Make your home a beautiful high-rise atop four floors of retail and commercial space. Restored historic lobby, bronze doors, coffered ceiling, new high-speed elevators with highly appointed lobbies, marble clad walls and terrazzo floors, exercise facility, 24-hour valet service to garage parking and more. (Direct Access Kales Parking) Note access to parking does NOT mean paid parking.

$44,340 Per year. ..... Again does not include parking.

FIND-of-the-DAY Own a Piece of History

90 Arden Park Blvd, Detroit $499,000

8 bedrooms / 8 bathrooms / carriage house apartment 8,800 soft.

 

Those of you who missed out on the Mid-Town boom take a look at properties north of Grand Boulevard. These properties are not for the faint of heart. Both renovating and security concerns. Any one know if  a neighborhood association exists on the east side of Boston Edison? West of Woodward seems intact. 

Details: 90 Arden Park Blvd. property:1st Offering In 70 Yrs On This Landmark Historic East Boston-Arden Park Mansion. Built For Automaker B. Everitt & Later Sold To C. Grinnell Of Grinnell Bros., This Magnificent English Manor Has Been In The Current Family For 7 Decades! Boasting 3 Full Floors Of Living Space Above A Finished Lower Level, This Is Truly An Urban Palace. The House Has 7 Bedrooms W/ 4 Full & 2 Half Baths. The Main Floor Offers A Huge Living Rm W/ Carved Limestone Fplc, A Large Quartersawn Oak-paneled Dining Rm, AnArt-tiled Sun Room W/ Limestone Fplc, And An Expansive Paneled Library W/ Fplc & Hidden Wet Bar. The Kitchen Area Includes A Butler's Pantry W/ Dumbwaiter, Original Refrigeration Rm & A Breakfast Nook. The Grand Hall Is Mimicked Upstairs W/ A Barrel Vaulted Ceiling. Marble Stairway Leads To The Lower Level Finished W/ An Elaborate Ballroom, A Billiard Rm W/ Wet Bar Plus The Children's Play Rm. Complete Apt. Above The Huge 3-car Garage. Rare Opportunity To Own & Restore This Wonderful Gem! 01/17/15

Revisit post below. 

Find-of-the-Day Rising Tides of Realestate

The condo at Cass and Willis in a neighborhood that once was frequented by hustlers, art galleries, ladies of the night and undesirables. 

Now there are condo developers asking $779,900 for:

2 bedroom / 2 bath condo / 2,830 sqft. Loft conversion.

Are you willing to risk moving into a new tide north of Grand Boulavard?

FIND-of-the-DAY Nature In the City

Metro Detroit has numerous pockets of water front homes and large up-north feel lots for under $200,000. Key: look at the rivers on a map. This is how I found our ranch home. Via maps not Realestate listings. I outlined areas that had beautiful land and good schools then I looked at the listings. 

Example of a current listing on ZILLOW: $190,000

24235 Tamarack, Southfield, MI 48075 / 4 bedrooms · 3 baths · 1,482 sqft - 1.5 acres

Up-North living in the heart of Southfield. This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home sits on 1.5 acres of tranquil living. 324 feet of Rouge River frontage and the spacious front and backyard make it a home to enjoy to come home to. Updates include furnace, hwt, LL carpet, electrical, plumbing, Kit. back splash and fresh paint. Hardwood in DR, LR and 4 Bedrooms. Living Room W/ Natural Fireplace. DR and Kitchen face great view of yard. Upstairs 2 Lg. bedrooms, one has Cedar Closet. Walk-out Lower Level has Large Great Room, Bonus Room (could use as office), Laundry and Full Bath. Oversize 2 car garage with overhead ex. storage and Heated Breezeway to house. Fenced oversize wide backyard. BATVAI Come take a look. You won't be disappointed. This is priced right to SELL! Motivated Sellers. 

(Realestate lingo "Motivated Seller" = they are willing to reduce asking price.)

Author: WATER ALWAYS WINS

It is imperative to research flood plains before buying. If the property is in a flood plain the mortgage company will insist the owner obtain flood insurance.

Flood insurance throws home owners from all over the country into one 'pool'. Thus the home owner is paying insurance premiums on par with those in Miami, barrier islands to small streams. Research what the flood insurance covers.

ABOVE: the large back yard may easily accommodate a change in the river height.

ABOVE:

Look at low level rooms. Do they have an obvious water line? Are the lower rooms newly painted while the remaining rooms are not? Unfortunately realtors are not the best source regarding water issues. Buyers may need to forgo basements if a beautiful lot is on their list. The photos do show new carpeting in the basement. Try to take a peak in a corner under the carpeting.  1. Ask the owner about water. 2. If they've had a problem it must be disclosed. 

ABOVE: The second story at 24235 Tamarack defiantly the up-north cabin feel with the knotty pine on the walls and floor.

Do your research on the water shed and flood plain when considering water front property. We purchased our beautiful brick ranch on a property that opens to a 600 acre forest on an upper branch of the Rouge river for $189,000 in Farmington (1999 price). My family is honored to share this jewel in the city with owls, 1 red fox, blue Herron's, 1 giant turtle, ground hogs, coyotes an occasional eagle and countless other animals.

Readers do you have any jewels in the city to share?

FIND-of-the-DAY Mixing Modern

This home owner likes the clean paired down look of Mid Century modern.  The 'Mad Men' 1960's aqua blue couch is representative of some of our furniture. 

To my surprise I am attracted to the home spun needle point rugs shown below. I am NOT a garage sale repurpose designer. I can, however see the stunning colorful graphic rug with the 60's slim room. Not one piece of clutter. Rug, couch, chairs and floor lamps. Keep the room balanced not over the top distracted with too many accent pieces. 

     Rooms above and below by: Alison Kandler Interior Designs 

** Arm chair designers what are your thoughts about mixing Mid Modern with the hand made rug?

 

  I promise not to install a birdcage chandelier above our Scandanvian bent wood set.