2018 fall
HOMEShowcase
The Tecumseh Herald • September 20, 2018
PAGE 2 | FALL HOME SHOWCASE
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
Tips for preparing your home to sell ~ Go for a walk or drive, clear your head, then walk up to and through your home slowly as if you were the buyer • What first impression will a buyer get as they pull up? • Does your front door area feel welcoming? • What do you see in your first moments inside?
~ Truly look as you walk with the critical eye of a buyer • Is there clutter? • Are there smells? • Does anything need a deep clean? • Does anything need to be fixed?
Does this feel like a daunting task? Don’t worry The Stepp Team of Foundation Realty really is here to help. Call us today!
Danielle Stepp 517-392-3828
116 W. Chicago Blvd. • Tecumseh
Robert Stepp 517-403-7287
SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
FALL HOME SHOWCASE | PAGE 3
Danielle and Robert Stepp — Foundation Realty...................... 2 Burdick & Associates....................... 3 Sieler’s Water Systems.................... 3 Bailey’s Water Care......................... 5 Tecumseh Insurance....................... 5 Bader & Sons Co............................. 5 Carpet on Wheels........................... 6 Underwood Nursery....................... 6 Great Ideas..................................... 7 Andrea Jo — Bellabay Realty........... 7 Jenn Kerstetter — Howard Hanna Real Estate......... 8
Solar roof shingles offer attractive options................... 3
EDITORIAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tecumseh Plywood......................... 1
Bathrooms overtake kitchens as most popular remodeling project................ 4 2017 Tecumseh area real estate data.................. 8, 9 Hot home sales in tecumseh.............................11 Replacing windows means many choices.......................12 Housing market index.............14
Hillari Gawron-Proffitt — The Mortgage Team.................. 10 Radant’s Electric........................... 10 Jan Hammond — Howard Hanna Real Estate....... 10 Barrett’s Showplace Gardens & Flower Shop............ 13
THE TECUMSEH
HERALD FIND US ONLINE www.tecumsehherald.com
Classic Cabinets & Interiors.......... 13 NuSash Windows......................... 14 F & S Landscape, Inc..................... 14 Michigan Building Specialists...... 15 Big C Lumber................................ 16
CALL OR EMAIL TO ADVERTISE advertising@tecumsehherald.com 517.423.2174
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PAGE 4 | FALL HOME SHOWCASE
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
SOLAR ROOF SHINGLES produce more
P WER S
By JACKIE KOCH jackie@tecumsehherald.com
olar energy collection systems have come a long way since the early days of bulky solar panels attached to residential homes. In addition to traditional solar collectors, companies now offer a variety of options for those who want to harness the energy of the sun. Robert and Gary Allen of Allen Brothers Roofing, a Rochester Hills roofing company started in 1950, saw the opportunity to be creative with solar roofing and expand past the traditional rack-and-frame solar panels. In 2006, they developed solar roofing technology designed to cover an entire roof, the first fully-integrated solar rooftop shingle system in North America. Twelve years later, their upgradable Luma Solar Roof Systems made by Luma Luxury Solar bring clean energy to customers who want beauty and enduring quality craftsmanship. Solar energy is attracting the interest of many homebuilders and homeowners. The technological advances over the past 10-12 years have made solar roofs more affordable, efficient and aesthetically pleasing. “Our biggest challenge,” according to Gary Allen, “has been helping educate interested parties about rooftop solar versus traditional rack-andframe. For example, we actually enhance the roof’s strength as opposed to traditional rack-and-frame solar that weakens it. The general public does not yet fully understand, but that is changing with all the press and growing demand about roof-integrated solar.” With the state of California moving to require all new homes to have solar panels starting in 2020, home-builders will need more options available to meet that need. Luma’s solar shingles produce more power than traditional solar
ABOVE Photo submitted: An aerial view of a residential installation of a solar roofing system by Luma Luxury Solar.
RIGHT The Bermuda Roof from Luma Resources. Original Photo from www.planetsave.com
SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
modules, turn on faster and turn off later. The shingles are designed for sloped roof applications and consist of a monocrystalline photovoltaic tempered glass module adhered to a custom formed metal shingle. A premium plastic edge protector surrounds the glass to provide added durability, and a junction box located on the back is positioned in the center of the shingle, allowing equal length wires to run in either direction. Installing Luma solar roof panels requires specialized training. The installation process take more skill and attention to electrical details compared to asphalt singles or even conventional metal roof panels. However, as the demand for solar roof panels increases, more roofing companies will likely acquire the capability to install solar roofs. Currently, there is only one company, Homeland Solar of Ann Arbor, with technicians trained to install Luma solar panels. Currently Luma Solar Roofs are sold through the U.S., Canada, and the West Indies. Allen said that over the past 12 years of being in business they have had many inquiries about the product from almost every part of the planet, and as they continue to scale their manufacturing capabilities they expect to have a global footprint for the Luma Solar Roofing System.
Home sweet home
FALL HOME SHOWCASE | PAGE 5
Allen Brothers Roofing has seen demand double and triple in the past four years due to the marketing dollars of larger companies as they try to develop solar roofing products. Allen listed the biggest advantage of the Luma Solar Roofing System as aesthetics, with the Luma Solar Roofing System patterned after an old world style of roofing called Bermuda Roofing. In addition, the Luma Solar Roof allows the company to deliver more watts to the roof space. “Because we use the Luma Metal Shingle right along with the Luma Solar Metal Shingle we can fit tighter to interruptions such as hips, valleys, flashings, etc.,” he said. “The metal shingle part of the Luma Solar Roof is a lifetime roofing product.” Large international companies are also manufacturing photovoltaic (PV) roof panels, including CertainTeed, GAF and Corning, plus a slew of Chinese manufactures. The solar roof products made by these companies are made of flexible glass, thin film, and hybrid solar/thermal options. As technology develops and the demand for sustainable energy grows, homes with solar roofs will become much more commonplace. Already sales of solar PV modules are increasing strongly as energy efficiency increases and the price of installation falls, coupled with financial subsidies and incentives.
Protect all that you’ve built with a company you can trust.
Tecumseh Insurance
Tecumseh • 423-2161
www.tecumsehinsuranceagency.com
PAGE 6 | FALL HOME SHOWCASE
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
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SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
FALL HOME SHOWCASE | PAGE 7
BATHROOMS
overtake
KITCHENS as Most Popular Remodeling Project he kitchen is king among the spaces with the most impact on a home’s identity. But having a beautiful bathroom is just as, if not, more important for many home owners. In fact, bathrooms overtook kitchens as the most popular remodeling project, according to a new National Assocation of Home Builders (NAHB) survey. NAHB has released the results highlighting the most common remodeling projects to kick off National Home Remodeling Month in May. “Small-scale renovations are slowly becoming just as popular as large-scale projects, as seen with bathroom remodeling becoming more common than kitchens,” said 2018 NAHB Remodelers Chair Joanne Theunissen, CPG, CGR, a remodeler from
Mt. Pleasant, Mich. “Home owners are finding costeffective and shorter-timeframe upgrades can also add comfort and value to their homes.” In the survey, remodelers reported the most common projects in 2017: • 81% did bathroom remodeling • 78% did kitchen remodeling • 49% did whole house remodeling • 37% did room additions • 30% did window/door replacements While remodeling is commonly associated with kitchens and baths, demand for green upgrades continues to swell as home owners seek to save on
utility costs, improve air quality and increase the value of their homes. An additional survey by NAHB Remodelers showed that high-performing, low-emissivity (Low-E) windows are the most common green-building product installed by residential remodelers. Programmable thermostats and high-efficiency HVAC systems also ranked highly among the most common green products used. National Home Remodeling Month is sponsored by Amerifirst, BuildDirect and Paslode. For more information about remodeling, visit nahb. org/remodel.
PAGE 8 | FALL HOME SHOWCASE
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
Tecumseh Area Real E INCLUDING City of Tecumseh, Raisin Twp. & Tecumseh Twp.
Area Home Info City / Town
Median year built
Median Move-In year
TECUMSEH
1964
2000
CLINTON
1969
1999
ADRIAN
1960
2001
BRITTON
1964
1998
ONSTED
1975
1998
TIPTON
1974
1998
Number of listings
300 275 250
SOLD
225 200
210
175 150 125 100
108
75
93
50
56
25
36
0
21 Adrian Township
Raisin Township
Tecumseh Township
Britton
Clinton
Tecumseh
SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
FALL HOME SHOWCASE | PAGE 9
Estate Data
Number of Listings
Dollar Volume
Residential Homes
491
$82,100,636
$167,211
62
Condominium Homes
33
$5,628,448
$170,559
49
Total
524
$87,729,084
$167,422
61
Average Price
Average DOM
SOLD 2017
Average Price
Loan Types
Number of Listings
Dollar Volume
Average DOM
234
$45,173,420
$193,049
58
Conventional
79
$13,044,549
$165,121
77
FHA
95
$12,790,110
$134,633
61
Cash
2
$319,900
$159,950
29
Land Contract
5
$801,900
$160,380
85
MIStateHsDevAuthority
9
$1,111,900
$123,544
54
Other
26
$4,579,085
$176,119
58
VA
74
$9,908,220
$133,895
53
Rurual Development
DID YOU KNOW? Tecumseh Housing Market Information At the end of World War II, American soldiers returned home triumphant and, with the help of the GI Bill, built homes by the millions on the edges of America’s cities. These homes were
predominantly capes and ranches, modest in size, but built to house a growing middle-class as the 20th century became the American century. Tecumseh’s housing was primarily
built during this period, from the ‘40s through the ‘60s. A full 39.01% of the city’s housing hails from this era. Other housing ages represented in Tecumseh include homes built
between 1970-1999 (38.11%) and housing constructed before 1939 (12.91%). There’s also some housing in Tecumseh built between 2000 and later (9.97%).
PAGE 10 | FALL HOME SHOWCASE
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
the REAL
the Fall
Market Scoop...
Real Estate Market
HEATING UP
Did you know that between September 15–November 15 the Real Estate Market for Sellers & Buyers can be as busy as the Spring Market?
Don’t wait to make the NEXT STEP IN YOUR JOURNEY.
CALL TODAY! Jan Hammond 517-403-0122 Howard Hanna Real Estate 145 E. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh
SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
FALL HOME SHOWCASE | PAGE 11
in Tecumseh By Mary Kay McPartlin marykay@tecumsehherald.com
T
ecumseh is hot! Not because September temperatures are warmer than normal, but because people want to live here. According to Howard Hanna realtor Bob Fox, home sales are happening very fast, and in the case of Fox’s next-door neighbor, a full-price offer came four hours after the realtor sign went up in the yard. How quickly are homes in Tecumseh selling right now? “If priced correctly, usually within the first week,” said Fox. Tecumseh homebuyers are mostly out-oftowners. While driving around the area, they come into the city limits and don’t want to leave. “We have a real vibrant downtown,” Fox said. “They fall in love when they come in town.” Families looking for a safe community close to their employment in larger cities see Tecumseh as a perfect place to raise their children. Many of Fox’s customers are relocating from Wayne, Westland and other Metro Detroit communities. Older homebuyers are coming back into Tecumseh to downsize and be closer to their children and grandchildren, according to Fox. Tecumseh’s condos, both traditional and standalone units are a perfect fit for senior buyers. Current trends in local housing depend on the buyers. Houses are popular with families, especially the standard three-bedroom, twobathroom house. “People are very specific in what they want,”
said Fox. Millennials, the younger generation, do not want large houses, according to Fox. “They are looking for small, easily maintained homes,” he said. In comparison with the housing market five to 10 years ago, Fox is seeing positives for both home sellers. “Prices are going up and we’re getting more and more full-price buyers,” said Fox. As for homebuyers, Fox sees different advantages in purchasing a new home. “The interest rates are still very very low and there are still many excellent federal programs,” he said. Fox and his Howard Hanna coworker Kay Prong
are working with the Bronner Farms development. Phase one is complete, and work on phase two is moving along quickly, with nine reservations placed on future homes. Three spec houses are being built, and one has already sold. Two custom sales from the two-story and ranch constructions have also been made. As for advice with home sales, Fox recommends to buyers, “Be preapproved and ready to move.” Home sellers should have a place to live ready right away with how quickly homes are selling. “We are getting a lot of good offers in and buyers are preapproved,” said Fox.
Kay Prong and Bob Fox, realtors from Howard Hanna, are working with home buyers to find their perfect home in Bronner Farms.
PAGE 12 | FALL HOME SHOWCASE
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
Replacing m e a n s
H
omeowners may have many reasons for considering replacement windows, but they have even more decisions and choices to face once they decide to go ahead with such a project. While saving money on energy bills is a commonly-used reason for new windows, the return on an investment of thousands of dollars in materials and installation could take decades, according to consumerreports.org. While Energy-Star-rated windows are able to lower a home’s energy bills by seven to 15 percent, the savings for a 2,000-squarefoot, single-story home with storm or double-pane windows would amount to approximately $27 to $111 per year. Saving energy is still a desirable goal, but there are other reasons to update windows. In addition to reducing maintenance by purchasing windows that don’t need to be painted, a window upgrade can increase the attractiveness of a home, reduce outdoor noise, and eliminate drafts that older, leaky windows commonly let through. The ease of cleaning new windows is another perk that takes some of the work out of home maintenance. Comparisons by Consumer Reports show that a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean better performance when it comes to windows. Homeowners looking to upgrade need to research their options, which is easily done online through reviews and websites that test products. Depending on climate, some windows perform better than others, so matching windows to the region’s weather is a good way to research performance capabilities. ENERGY STAR-qualified windows can be made from a variety of framing materials, according to energystar.gov. Fiberglass frames can be hollow or filled with foam insulation, and are strong, durable, low maintenance, and provide good insulation. Vinyl frames are also either hollow or filled with foam, are low maintenance, and provide good thermal insulation. Wide vinyl sills may be reinforced with
m a n y
c h o i c e s
metal or wood. Aluminum frames are designed with thermal breaks to reduce heat loss through the metal, and are durable, low maintenance, recyclable, and generally are made with at least 15 percent recycled content. If a home is in a historical neighborhood, often wood frames are chosen to keep with the look of the construction era. Wood windows are strong, provide good insulation, and many have an exterior covered with aluminum or vinyl to reduce maintenance. In combination frames, different materials are used separately throughout the frame and sash to provide top performance, such as when the exterior of a frame is made of vinyl and the interior may be wood. Composite frames are durable, low maintenance and well-insulated, created with various materials blended together. Upgrade features that add value to windows include low-E coatings to improve efficiency, and triple glazing, usually beneficial if the home is in an extremely cold climate. New windows can have double-hung, tilting sashes to make for easier cleaning. Full screens increase air flow, and finemesh screens let more light through and make for a clearer view than standard screens. The website hgtv.com advises that situations that may warrant window replacement include windows that have single-pane glass or temperatureconductive frames and sashes; windows in poor condition; cracked windowpanes; and nonoperational windows and rotting frames, sashes or
By Herald Staff
sills on wood windows. Another reason to replace would be windows that pose safety problems, don’t open or shut completely or that are weak or loose because of improper maintenance or damage. If a home has upper-floor rooms with windows that don’t open, replacing them with operable windows and placing a fire ladder in the room will increase safety in case of fire. Locally, Tecumseh Plywood, 2800 W. Chicago Blvd., sells ENERGY STAR Andersen windows, and in Adrian, Big C Lumber, 501 Division St., has Andersen, Marvin, Jeld-Wen and Simonton windows and NuSash, at 268 W. Maumee Street features Energy Xtreme and Joyce windows. No matter the choice in window replacement, homeowners have options close to home.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
FALL HOME SHOWCASE | PAGE 13
PAGE 14 | FALL HOME SHOWCASE
Windows Since 1948
Locally Owned Since 1948
Vinyl Replacement Windows Gutter Covers | Patio Doors Entry & Storm Doors
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
The NAHB Housing Market Index for the U.S. was unchanged at 67 in September of 2018, the same as in August and slightly above market expectations of 66. The subindex for current singlefamily home sales edged up to 74 from 73 in August; the gauge for home sales over the next six months went up to 74 from 72 while prospective buyers was flat at 49. NAHB Housing Market Index in the United States averaged 50.11 from 1985 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 78 in December of 1998 and a record low of 8 in January of 2009.
U.S. NAHB HOUSING MARKET INDEX 76 74
«
V 'T FORG E
N DO
74 72
72
O
T
. 23 PT R NU-SASH
END ING VOT S SE T EF O TO
71
Call Today For your
FREE
«
Estimate!
Free Glass Upgrade & Financing Available!
517.263.9465
268 W. Maumee St. • Adrian www.nusashwindowsmichigan.com
70
70
70
69 68
68
68
68 67
OCT. 2017
JAN. 2018
APR. 2018
JUL. 2018
Data courtesy of National Association of Home Builders, United States NAHB Housing Market Index https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/nahb-housing-market-index
67
68
66
SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
FALL HOME SHOWCASE | PAGE 15
Union Street Tecumseh
W ith an emphasis on design - MBS creates design
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866-464-2534 • www.4-mbs.com 1001 Beecher St., Adrian
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PAGE 16 | FALL HOME SHOWCASE
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 20, 2018