Real Estate

New home demand surges in May

Demand for new U.S. homes rose more than forecast in May as mortgage rates dropped, bolstering the residential real-estate market while other parts of the world's largest economy cool.

What kind of house can you buy in Detroit? Median prices below $10,000

Much of the inventory for sale in Detroit is priced under $75,000, according to a first-quarter report by Real Estate One in Southfield.

• Jun. 24, 2012

U.S. builders start more single-family homes

New construction increases for third straight month, giving hopes the slow recovery in housing can continue.

• Jun. 19, 2012

Home builders slightly more optimistic, but index still low

Confidence among U.S. builders ticked up this month to a five-year high, an indication that the housing market is slowly improving.

• Jun. 18, 2012

With photos: What you can buy across metro Detroit in fast-paced housing market

After losing out on three Livonia houses to other bidders, Tom Holmes, 42, of Novi, perfected his strategy to buy a home. "The house went on the market at 9:15 a.m. We walked through at 1 p.m. and made an offer at 2 p.m.," Holmes said. "That's what you have to do to get a house. Anything in a good location gets swooped up fast."

• Jun. 17, 2012

National mortgage rates

0.7 points Last week: 3.67% Month: 3.79% Year: 4. 50% 15-year fixed 2.98 % 0.7 points

• Jun. 17, 2012

Linkletter estate sells for $10.6 million

It's the darndest thing. The Art Linkletter estate in Bel-Air has sold above asking price for $10.6 million. Built in 1957, the 5,000-square-foot Midcentury Modern house includes two atriums, sculptural metal screens, pocket doors, two stone fireplaces and walls of glass. Carports and a motor court can accommodate about 20 cars.

• Jun. 17, 2012

Home calendar

Finance seminar: Learn how to finance your purchase and rehab projects in and around Detroit. Hear from an expert in the lending business, Trent Dalrymple, who has more than 25 years of experience. Real estate and investment professionals are welcome. Seating is limited, so call 248-547-3006, or sign up at metro-mi. These free one-hour seminars will be 6-7 p....

• Jun. 16, 2012

Sold in your area: Oakland

OAKLAND COUNTY Auburn Hills 428 Alberta St., $80,000 2294 Walnut Rd., $86,000 Berkley 960 Eleven Mile Rd., $115,000 3795 Buckingham Ave., $169,000 2680 Columbia Rd., $82,000 2980 Ellwood Ave., $129,000 1811 Franklin Rd., $272,000

• Jun. 16, 2012

Sold in your area: Macomb

MACOMB COUNTY Bruce Township 14445 Thirty-four Mile Rd., $290,000 70290 White Tail Ln., $155,000 Center Line 8090 Menge, $63,000 Chesterfield Township 51723 Adler Park Dr. W., $62,000 49990 Callens Rd., $150,000

• Jun. 16, 2012

Sold in your area: Western Wayne

WAYNE COUNTY Allen Park 9770 Allen Rd., $318,000 15244 Arlington Ave., $75,000 15055 Aster Ave., $125,000 15404 Belmont Ave., $65,000 14594 Horger Ave., $40,000 10084 Laurence Ave., $70,000 9030 Niver Ave., $75,000 6382 Robinson Ave., $66,000

• Jun. 16, 2012

Sold in your area: Wayne

WAYNE COUNTY Allen Park 9770 Allen Rd., $318,000 15244 Arlington Ave., $75,000 15055 Aster Ave., $125,000 15404 Belmont Ave., $65,000 14594 Horger Ave., $40,000 10084 Laurence Ave., $70,000 9030 Niver Ave., $75,000 6382 Robinson Ave., $66,000

• Jun. 16, 2012

Bank repossessions drop 42% in Michigan

Bank repossessions dove 42% in Michigan last month, as an improving economy and more short sales diverted the flow of foreclosures. Michigan has seen a decline in the REOs, or real-estate owned by the banks, in 18 of the past 19 months, said Daren Blomquist, spokesman for Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac, a foreclosure website.

• Jun. 14, 2012

With increase in home prices and sales, some see return to a seller's market

Metro Detroit home prices and sales rose in May making some believe the market has turned from a buyer's to a seller's market, creating renewed hope for a continued slow recovery in housing.

• Jun. 12, 2012

Metro Detroit home prices, sales rise in May

Metro Detroit home prices and sales rose in May as the tables turn on the buyer’s market that’s been going strong since the housing slump began.

• Jun. 11, 2012

2012 Parade of Homes gives kudos for use of space, aesthetics and value

The 23rd annual Parade of Homes runs through the end of June and features 34 new model, under-construction and pre-construction homes and condominiums throughout southeast Michigan.

• Jun. 10, 2012

Q & A: How to clear up confusion over legal description of property

QUESTION: Our lender purchased our mortgage in 2003. Even though we own 35 acres of land, we have had only a two-acre cutout involved in the home mortgage for the more than 30 years we have owned the property. The lender is insisting that the collateral is the entire property, not just the two acres.

• Jun. 9, 2012

Philanthropist selling compound

Niche marketer and philanthropist Kelly Stone and her husband, Bruce Singer, have put their compound in Sherman Oaks on the market at $3.995 million.

• Jun. 9, 2012

Sold in Wayne County

Allen Park 9812 Andrews Ave., $113,000 9953 Becker Ave., $98,000 15599 Belmont Ave., $95,000 9829 Colwell Ave., $80,000 9655 Sterling Ave., $86,000 Canton 248 Charterhouse Dr., $115,000 49761 Courtyard Ln., $165,000 685 Foothill Dr., $85,000

• Jun. 9, 2012

Upcoming real estate events

Buying real estate at sheriff's sale seminar: Sponsored by Real Estate Investors Association of Oakland on June 14. Speakers will include Oakland County Sheriff representative and Trott & Trott foreclosure attorneys, 5:30-9:30 p. Club Venetian, 29310 John R Rd. Mile, Madison Heights. Seminar free to members, $20 nonmembers. Call 800-747-6742 (www. REIAofOakland....

• Jun. 9, 2012

Sold in Macomb County

Armada 76757 Omo Rd., $181,000 Bruce Township 11517 Erins Way Unit 4, $40,000 70251 Henry Ross Dr., $250,000 Center Line 8211 Standard, $40,000 7517 Sterling, $18,000 Chesterfield Township

• Jun. 9, 2012

Sold in Oakland County

Auburn Hills 4125 Arcadia Dr., $369,000 637 Hathaway Dr., $238,000 167 S Vista, $68,000 Berkley 2153 Beverly Blvd., $172,000 2945 Buckingham Ave., $149,000 1295 Eaton Rd, $118,000 3581 Kenmore Rd, $147,000 2520 Oakshire Ave., $70,000

• Jun. 9, 2012

Sold in Washtenaw County

WASHTENAW COUNTY Ann Arbor 214 8th St., $262,000 3209 Aldwych Cir., $165,000 3770 Arcadia Dr., $429,000 830 Avon Rd, $476,000 1011 Barton Dr., $203,000 804 Berkshire Rd, $495,000 350 Briarcrest Dr. Unit 161, $65,000 3426 Burbank Dr., $120,000

• Jun. 9, 2012

National mortgage rates

0.7 points Last week: 3.75% Month: 3.83% Year: 4. 49% 15-year fixed 2.94 % 0.7 points

• Jun. 9, 2012

Homes tour to draw crowds to a historic Indian Village in Detroit

The 39th annual Indian Village Home & Garden Tour kicks off this morning as one of Detroit's more enduring events to plan a day around -- as reliable as Flower Day at Eastern Market.

• Jun. 9, 2012

Prominent metro Detroit real estate broker Ralph Roberts files for Chapter 11

Ralph Roberts, author and local real estate broker, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from creditors including his mother. Roberts, 55, a prolific author of real estate books including "Foreclosure Self-Defense for Dummies" and "Walk Like a Giant, Sell Like a Madman," filed for bankruptcy on May 25 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit.

• Jun. 5, 2012

With photos: Vacation home sales outlook brightens on the eastern side of northern Michigan

Part 2 in a Free Press series | It may not be as intense as the clash between Spartan and Wolverine fans, but there's definitely an east side-west side rivalry when it comes to Up North vacation spots. Both areas on either side of I-75 are loaded with natural beauty, lakes and wildlife. And they have vacation homes selling below their peak values.

• Jun. 3, 2012

Videos: Real estate agents on the markets on the eastern side of northern Michigan

Real estate agents and homeowners in northern Michigan

• Jun. 3, 2012

Northern Michigan counties search rankings, list prices and total listings

Here's a list of northern Michigan counties and their search rank in April on Realtor.com along with median list prices and total listings for each county.

• Jun. 1, 2012

Forcing the sale of inherited condo could destroy a family

QUESTION: My aunt recently died and left behind an estate that includes a luxury condo in Illinois. My aunt had no family of her own and left 40% of her estate to my mother (her sister), and 20% each to me and my two siblings. We have divided and distributed all the assets except for the property.

• Jun. 3, 2012

For sale in Oakland County

OAKLAND COUNTY Auburn Hills 580 S. Grey Rd., $150,000 Berkley 2175 Buckingham Ave., $142,000 2079 Kipling Ave., $152,000 1186 Larkmoor Blvd., $95,000 1083 Oxford Rd., $215,000 2813 Phillips Ave., $95,000

• Jun. 8, 2012

For sale in Wayne County

WAYNE COUNTY Allen Park 9975 Allen Pointe Dr., $18,000 10134 Andrews Ave., $143,000 17253 Anne Ave., $25,000 15571 Keppen Ave., $68,000 14933 Russell Ave., $35,000 Brownstown Township 23173 Bluegrass Dr., $211,000

• Jun. 3, 2012

For sale in Macomb County

MACOMB COUNTY Armada 20450 Armada Ridge Rd., $200,000 Bruce Township 73601 Caldwell Ln., $35,000 11503 Covered Bridge Ln. Unit, $252,000 Center Line 8262 State Park, $38,000 Chesterfield Township

• Jun. 3, 2012