Real Estate Information Archive

Blog

Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4

More Apartments Coming to Downtown Ann Arbor

Thursday, February 13, 2014
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

The city of Ann Arbor recently announced its decision to sell a parking lot downtown to a local property manager. As part of that agreement, Dennis Dahlmann has agreed to turn this parking lot into a mixed-use development no later than January 1, 2018, which means that more apartments are coming to downtown Ann Arbor very soon.

The deal is estimated to be worth around $5.25 million. The sale of the former YMCA property was approved unanimously by the city council in November. In making the decision, once council member was excited at the possibility of creating something “magnificent” on the site, and remarked that it would be an excellent development for the downtown area.

This parking lot is located near the Blake Transit Center, and is also situated along William Street and Fourth and Fifth Avenues. It consists of just under an acre of land that will house a structure that is at least five stories high when completed. The lower level will contain retail and restaurant space, office space on middle floors and apartments on the top floors.

Ann Arbor’s city council had previously set forth a number of stipulations for building on the site. One of the requirements was that the site plan had to be based upon available standards for energy efficiency. Proper parking facilities were also outlined, to include connecting with another underground parking garage that is nearby.

In addition, the city also made exact specifications as to the amount of open space that’s provided. The amount of open space must be at least 10% of the property. The city also mandated that the developer include a fountain that is approximately the same size as the one located in front of the Campus Inn.

City officials received five different offers, and considered all of them carefully before deciding to sell this lot to Dahlmann. In deciding which offer to take, council members looked at the benefits of each proposal separately in addition to considering the asking price.

Residents can expect ground breaking for this new construction to begin soon. Government officials are hopeful that the idea of more apartments coming to downtown Ann Arbor will help spur economic growth within the city.

Add Comment

HR 3221, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008

Monday, July 28, 2008
by Group One Realty Team - Real Estate One
Summary

(as of 7/24/08)

 

H.R. 3221, the “Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008,” passed the house on July 23rd by a vote of 272-152.  The Senate must now approve the language adopted by the House.  The Senate is expected to approve the bill on Friday, July 25th or Saturday, July 26th.   The President has said he will sign the bill.  It includes:

 

·         GSE Reform – including a strong independent regulator, and permanent conforming loan limits up to the greater of $417,000 or 115% local area median Home price, capped at $625,500.  The effective date for reforms is immediate upon enactment, but the loan limits will not go into effect until the expiration of the Economic Stimulus limits (December 31, 2008).

 

·         FHA Reform – including permanent FHA loan limits at the greater of $271,050 or 115% of local area median Home Price, capped at $625,500; streamlined processing for FHA condos; reforms to the HECM program, and reforms to the FHA manufactured housing program. The effective date for reforms is immediate upon enactment, but the loan limits will not go into effect until the expiration of the Economic Stimulus limits (December 31, 2008).

 

·         Homebuyer Tax Credit - a $7500 tax credit that would be would be available for any qualified purchase between April 8, 2008 and June 30, 2009.  The credit is repayable over 15 years (making it, in effect, an interest free loan).

 

·         FHA foreclosure rescue – development of a refinance program for homebuyers with problematic subprime loans.  Lenders would write down qualified mortgages to 85% of the current appraised value and qualified borrowers would get a new FHA 30-year fixed mortgage at 90% of appraised value.  Borrowers would have to share 50% of all future appreciation with FHA.  The loan limit for this program is $550,440 nationwide.  Program is effective on October 1, 2008.

 

·         Seller-funded downpayment assistance programs – codifies existing FHA proposal to prohibit the use of downpayment assistance programs funded by those who have a financial interest in the sale; does not prohibit other assistance programs provided by nonprofits funded by other sources, churches, employers, or family members.  This prohibition does not go into effect until October 1, 2008.

 

·         VA loan limits – temporarily increases the VA home loan guarantee loan limits to the same level as the Economic Stimulus limits through December 31, 2008.

 

·         Risk-based pricing – puts a moratorium on FHA using risk-based pricing for one year.  This provision does will be effective from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009.

 

·         GSE Stabilization – includes language proposed by the Treasury Department to authorize Treasury to make loans to and buy stock from the GSEs to make sure that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae could not fail.

 

·         Mortgage Revenue Bond Authority – authorizes $10 billion in mortgage revenue bonds for refinancing subprime mortgages.

 

·         National Affordable Housing Trust Fund – Develops a Trust Fund funded by a percentage of profits from the GSEs.  In its first years, the Trust Fund would cover costs of any defaulted loans in FHA foreclosure program.  In out years, the Trust Fund would be used for the development of affordable housing.

 

·         CDBG Funding – Provides $4 billion in neighborhood revitalization funds for communities to purchase foreclosed homes.

 

·         LIHTC – Modernizes the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to make it more efficient.

·         Loan Originator Requirements – Strengthens the existing state-run nationwide mortgage originator licensing and registration system (and requires a parallel HUD system for states that fail to participate).  Federal bank regulators will establish a parallel registration system for FDIC-insured banks.  The purpose is to prevent fraud and require minimum licensing and education requirements.  The bill exempts those who only perform real estate brokerage activities and are licensed or registered by a state, unless they are compensated by a lender, mortgage broker, or other loan originator.


Click here for a copy of the bill lanuage.

Time to look for Property. Seller paid concessions run out on FHA loans Oct 1, 2008!.  Click here to get started with direct MLS Access for the Ann Arbor Michigan Area.

Add Comment

Ann Arbor Area July Real Estate Housing Statistics

Friday, August 10, 2007
by Group One Realty Team - Real Estate One
HOUSING MARKET HOLDS STEADY

The housing market will hold close to present levels in the months ahead, according to Lawrence Yun, the National Association of REALTORS® senior economist. "Existing-Home sales should be relatively stable over the next few months, holding in a modest range, with some pent-up demand growing from buyers who’ve been on the sidelines," he said.

"Mortgage disruptions will hold back sales over the short term, but long-term fundamentals are favorable. A modest up turn is projected for existing-home sales toward the end of the year, with broader improvement to include the new-home market by the middle of 2008."

The Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS® July Housing Statistics demonstrate the economic outlook of Lawrence Yun’s projections. When compared with July 2006, median residential and condominium sales prices are on the rise. New listings show a decline of 13 percent, while pending sales increased 21 percent and average list and sale prices increased by $2,730 and $3,970 respectively.

Add Comment

June Ann Arbor Area Realty Statistics

Wednesday, July 11, 2007
by Group One Realty Team - Real Estate One

Statistics can give us a decent picture of what happened in the real estate market. They can also act as a guide in what to expect in today’s market.

While June 2007 residential sales are down about 10% over June of last year, there is strong activity in the summer market. 364 residentila properties were sold in June this year, compared to 404 in June 2006.  Reflecting an increase of 5% in the number of units sold in June 2006, 93 condos were sold in June of this  year.

Current market conditions have created a great time to buy.  The average residential sale price in Washtenaw County was $267,571 in June.  buyers have a rare opportunity to obtain maximum value for their investment dollar.  Inventory is plentiful, interest rates are stable and sellers are ready to move.  The following statistics were provided by the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors. 

June 2007

June Report

Add Comment

Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4

Syndication

Categories

Archives