Having worked in the real estate industry for more than 20 years now, the age-old question that gets asked about once a week is, “So, how is the market?” My initial reaction has always been, “Well, what street are you referring to?” I don’t say this...
Everyone knows the big players on the real estate scene that boast 10, 20 or more Realtors in each office. But smaller operations abound in northern Michigan – boutique brokerages with a handful of agents. These smaller outfits say that they are not only surviving, but...
As anyone who has looked into building a home in the past couple years has found out, building costs have increased. While escalating home costs have made it difficult to find a three-bedroom, two-bath home for less than $200,000, it’s still easier than trying to...
LochenHeath – the exclusive waterfront golf development on the shores of East Grand Traverse Bay – could soon become a private golf club again. Owners have greenlit construction of upscale “statement” cottages on the course, which could be a key step in attracting outside members...
When Eric Gerstner decided he wanted to rehabilitate the Tru Fit Trouser building on Woodmere Avenue, neither it nor the surrounding area were especially desirable locations. Today the corridor includes several businesses which have injected new life into the area. That includes Gerstner's property, which is...
What is northern Michigan’s most valuable asset? According to Kevin Query, of local commercial real estate company Three West, the answer might just be farmland. There are many reasons that Michigan’s arable land is so inherently valuable. Statistically, Michigan’s fruit-producing regions – including the Traverse City...
The way most homes are built is archaic: Materials, ordered from hundreds of suppliers, arrive at one place for on-site assembly. Former tech exec Paul Bandrowski believes it’s a costly, time-consuming, mistake-laden process. “Why are we doing it this way? The construction industry is ripe for disruption,”...
Brad Platt knows it won’t be easy, but he’s enthusiastic about the pending reboot and rebranding of the venerable Century 21 real estate franchise. “We’re excited about the revised look and feel,” said Platt, the owner/broker of Century 21 Northland and Century 21 Sleeping Bear. Platt said...
What can $250,000 get you in northern Michigan? Probably not a view of the bay, but you'll get close. When it comes to residential real estate, the answer varies depending on where you buy and what you are looking for. If downtown Traverse City is your spot,...
