Let's Talk Real Estate

Let's Talk About Michigan. (Real Estate, Beaches, Tigers, Agents)

The last 90 days have been chaos, working with clients from the North Carolina beaches to Northern Michigan lakes and it seems a lot of places in between. I have seen the big swings in agent behavior, seller expectations, market conditions and especially the weather!

Here is my take on Michigan:

The market is very familiar, year to date sales are down in three of the four markets on which we focus:

Oakland County YTD Sales 6938 vs. 7253 in 2024

Kent County YTD Sales 3570 vs. 3328 in 2024 

Wayne County YTD Sales 8248 vs. 8843 in 2024

Genesee County YTD Sales 2217 vs. 2332 in 2024

Oakland and Kent Counties had year over year increases in sales in June and all markets had significant YoY price increases:

Oakland Average Sales Price June 2025 up $24,280.00 vs. 2024 to $469,134

Kent Average Sales Price June 2025 up $16,242.00 vs. 2024 to $429,783

Wayne Average Sales Price June 2025 up $26,539.00 vs. 2024 to $273,539

Genesee Average Sales Price June 2025 up $38,107.00 vs. 2024 to $264,107

The Genesee Average Sales price is crazy for two reasons, they had two sales at $4,000,000.00. They were next door neighbors on Lake Fenton. Another home was listed on Lake Fenton two weeks ago at $2.3mm and sold in 3 days. 

The two sales added $18k to average sales price so real number is a positive $20k YoY which is still mind blowing. Genesee County is Flint. There are early signs of an interesting trend in Genesee County, more to come. 

The Detroit Tigers are one of the most amazing TEAMS I have seen in decades, best record in baseball, reasonable payroll, and it feels like they can win any game. Truly an inspiring group that everyone should be watching. They make baseball fun again, I am addicted to the story, you can watch all the games on Fan Duel Sports Network.

Why people from Ohio drive to Myrtle Beach to walk on 140* sand in the summer blows my mind. It maybe something to do with "the school up north" but come on MI beaches are amazing. 

Agents in Michigan have always been very "Agenty". Often they are more experienced and professional than other markets, with fewer "selling sunset" inspired agents polluting the pool. But they are immune to national issues. The commission law suit is not an issue, no one here paid a fine, so they DO NOT CARE, 3% buyer fees, included in listing agreement, PERIOD. Electronic lockboxes COMING SOON to one MLS. No Compass. No Opendoor. No real innovation. But the highest percentage commission rates I have seen. I get it, no problem with it, just an observation. Maybe an example of Real Estate being local is not a consumer benefit.

It has been such an educational 90 days and my time spent in Michigan, as always, has been fulfilling. I am so fortunate to be able to experience so many markets.