6 Pro Tips From Real Ann Arbor Home Buyers

I asked past clients what advice they have for buyers new to the Ann Arbor market. Here’s what they told me…

6 Pro Tips From Real Ann Arbor Home Buyers

This is especially true for buyers looking for a single family home on the West side of Ann Arbor. There is a finite amount of inventory every cycle, and far more buyers than houses for sale.

It’s a good idea to start getting a feel for prices early to avoid sticker shock when it comes to putting in offers.

This is great advice. A good inspection gives buyers a long punch list for the first few years of home ownership. You don’t have to tackle everything at once, but it’s good to know what is coming down the road.

There are a lot of variables involved in figuring out your monthly mortgage payment. I am always available to help calculate future property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, PMI, etc. and plug the numbers into a mortgage calculator.

This is the wisdom of a grizzled veteran. Another factor at play is the consideration of what improvements can be done to make your home more marketable when it comes time to sell. In the case of Nick, he and his wife made major improvements to his Ann Arbor house, got to enjoy them for a decade, and sold their home for a tidy profit.

I hear this a lot from folks in academia who are moving from different Big Ten college towns. Ann Arbor is a great place to live, but buying power is indeed more limited.

It is also important to have a clear sense of future maintenance costs, which Ananya handled masterfully during the buying process.

There is no Sorting Hat that tells buyers which neighborhood is right for them, but looking everywhere like Josh did does the trick.

Along with the items that Josh mentioned, many Ann Arbor areas are also known for water / drainage issues, Orangeburg plumbing, high radon levels, and plenty of other hazards to be on the lookout. That being said, the resale value is one of the highest in the Midwest.

Meghan was the most resilient buyer client I have ever had. She never once got discouraged despite putting in 10 strong offers that were not accepted. Even more impressive, she stayed disciplined and responsible, which paid off on the 11th offer.