Howell Update on March 31 2016

The inventory of available Howell homes is at a low for the year at 198 units.  Even though we had 18 new listings in the last 7 days, 20 were sold in the same period, and when you count in expired listings and those pended (taken off market pending the sale), we're at a net loss.

For the 20 sold properties, the average days on market was 45 - a quick time period.  But the median time on market was a blistering 18 days!  Buyers - don't hesitate when you find something you like,  I want to throw in a pitch for LOCAL, full-time agents, too.  We know the little nuances of our market in ways that you can't decipher from looking at multilist statistics.  Plus, we can react faster and get you into a home quicker than an out of area agent.  

The average and median sales prices were very close, right around $200,000, and the price per square foot is within what we normally see for the Howell market, $100-$125/sq ft.

Sellers - if you've been waiting for warmth and sunshine but are able to list now you'll be doing yourselves a favor.  There is high demand and low inventory.  That will likely change by the beginning of May.  More competition usually gets you top price and the quickest sales.

If you're interested in the 18 new listings you can download a copy of them here, along with this week's analysis.  You can also watch my video report here.

Green Oak Township Market Report – Week of 3/18/2012

Green Oak Township is located in the SE corner of Livingston County. It starts right at the county line and portions of the Whitmore Lake, South Lyon and Brighton School Districts fall within its boundaries. Zip codes that serve the township are Brighton (48116), Whitmore Lake (48189) and South Lyon (48178). It has seen some large commercial developments along the US-23 at Lee Rd in recent years. I think it also leads the county in number of traffic roundabouts installed, with three at the Lee Rd/US-23 exchange.


There’s also a lot of recreation space in the township. The entire 1500 acre Huron Meadows Metropark falls within its border, as does most of the 4000 acre Island Lake State Recreation Area. Moose Ridge Golf Course is in Green Oak as is the northern end of all sports Whitmore Lake (including the public DNR boat launch).

During the week of March 18th, two homes were reported as being sold. The first one at 11508 N. Main Street, Whitmore Lake, was noted as being sold ‘as is’ and ‘needing some work’. It was a 1950-built ranch (cottage?), fair market sale (no short sale or foreclosure), 1122 sq ft, 2 bed/1 bath on a 0.21 acre lot. Originally listed at $50,000 it was reduced in price to $40,000 and sold for $34,000 cash after 135 days on the market.

The second sale was a ranch built on a slab in the Willmor sub at Lee & Rickett Rds. Built in 1956 it has 3 beds/1 bath and sits on a 0.21 acre lot. Offered at $64,900 it sold for $63,000 in just 17 days and was financed with a conventional mortgage.

There were also 10 new listings, ranging in price from $49,990 to $499,900 during that week. Two homes went under contract but had contingencies to work through (financing, inspection), one expired listing came back onto the market, and two homes had price reductions.

Two homes changed status to ‘pending’ (contingencies resolved, working towards closing) and one home was taken off the market.

This year (through 3/24/2012), there have been 38 sales in Green Oak Township, with an average sold price of $169,445 and an average of 86 days on the market. The highest sales price was $348,000 and the lowest $34,000.

Lakefront Foreclosure-5440 Sharp, Howell 48843

This foreclosure home is in rough shape and likely will not qualify for financing other than a rehab loan. It is being sold 'as-is' for now.


About 100 ft of frontage on the north side of East Crooked Lake, two detached 3 car garages that abut each other but are not connected in their interior. Originally a cottage built in 1947, has ben extensively remodeled and added onto, but it would take a special person to really love the floor plan. Might make a better weeend/summer getaway place than a primary residence. Needs extensive cosmetic work.

Offers from owner occupants can be submitted Wednesday, January 18th and investor offers on Monday, January 23rd. See listing at http://www.realestatemich.com/10/listing/21682. MLS 212003325

Ranch Homes For Sale in Howell



 Some home buyers have very specific requirements. Perhaps it’s a large kitchen, or a finished basement. Sometimes it’s acreage with a pole barn, occasionally it must have an in-ground swimming pool. One of the most often heard requirements is for architecture type, and it seems that ranch style is at the top of the list.


Of the 270 of homes for sale in the Howell School District right now, there are 90 ranches and only 12 are bank-owned (foreclosures). They range from a 1969-built manufactured home on deeded land (in Woodland Lake Estates) listed at $9,000 to a $1.8 million home on 204 acres in Cohoctah Township.

The low end home is bank-owned, on a small lot, has two bedrooms and two full baths and is 552 sq ft in size. It is not mentioned in the listing, but this subdivision has two Woodland Lake access parks for the residents. Woodland Lake is a large, all-sports lake and also has a Public DNR launch off Hilton Rd.

The high end house was built in 1940, is three bedroom, two bath and 1770 sq ft. The 204 acre parcel has a 5 acre private lake, and there has been engineering done to develop the land if the buyer wishes to pursue that avenue. It’s currently a farm with “excellent hunting” as an MLS (multi-list service) remark. It is also available for financing, land contract or cash terms.

There are 88 other ranch homes available in the Howell School District. If you, or somebody you know is looking for one, give me a call.