In our last post we wrote about the rising home prices in Detroit. The city led the nation in gains this summer, topping out at six percent in May and June. Some experts say that the modest increases in markets all over the country could be a signal that the...
Detroit housing market leads nation in growth
Home prices rose by six percent in the Detroit area in May and June, leading the country in growth in what many experts say is a rebounding housing market. The average increase nationwide was 2.3 percent."We seem to be witnessing exactly what we needed for a sustained...
Life events that can trigger a review of your estate plan, part 2
As discussed in last week's post, there are a number of life events that should trigger a review of your estate planning goals and documentation, including a marriage, divorce or death in the family. Often certain aspects of an estate plan are missed in a divorce,...
Buying vacation homes: getting your best investment
Though real estate law often deals more in disputes than in vacations, purchasing a vacation home can be a great investment for you and your family, and by using the law, you can work to protect your new asset. Negotiating for the best purchase agreement is a...
More parents investing in housing for college students
Moving a child into their first college dorm has been a right-of-passage for many families as an offspring moves onto the next phase of their life. However, the dorm system is losing its popularity and more and more students are choosing to live off campus.College...
Life events that can trigger a review of your estate plan, part 1
If you already have an estate plan in place you are way ahead of the curve. Having a proper estate plan means you care enough about your estate and your loved ones to ensure they are handled appropriately upon your death. Having an estate plan is only one step in the...
High-end home prices dropping
We've written in the past about the difficulty faced by owners who invested in a larger, more luxurious home during better economic times. Many owners who bought in the early 2000s have continued to hang onto their homes even as the mortgages may be underwater, in...
Supply dwindles, prices rise in metro Detroit housing market
Housing data from July has many market watchers optimistic about the recovery in Detroit. Last month, home sales rose by about 11 percent and the median sale price rose 12.2 percent after months of decline.As recently as a year ago, many houses in the metro area were...
James Brown’s estate in a quagmire of litigation, finger-pointing
When people in Michigan plan their last will and testament, they do so with the idea their final wishes will be followed to the letter of the law. Even though music icon James Brown's estate plan specifically states that anyone who contests his will should not receive...
Urban landscape changes as retail chains move in
Big box stores like Target and Walmart have been making headlines recently as new locations of the traditionally suburban warehouse stores are popping up in cities. The stores are smaller in size and designed differently and carry different merchandise that is...