Washington Market & Shops
Thursday, November 06
It’s raining, and the interior of the old Smith Furniture building lets in some of the drizzle. A cold light comes through a hole in the ceiling, but as I stare, I can imagine awarmer, more inviting light, admitted by a third floor skylight. I can hear the spatter of rain against the bare concret...
113 Buffalo: A Renovation Adventure
Thursday, November 06
As Michigan receives its summer share of storm wrath, it occurs to me that my house--built in 1890--has withstood perhaps a thousand such storms. There’s something humbling about hearing the rain assault us from outside, taking shelter with my family inside something so solid--a structure built, ...
Washtenaw County Housing Market
Sunday, September 28
“Rising employment” and “rising enrollment” don’t sound like problems. In fact, they are metrics by which you can usually assess a community’s economic and civic well-being. An influx of new jobs and students only becomes problematic once the people involved are looking fora place to live. Imagin...
Toledo's Old West End
Thursday, September 11
The Old West End of Toledo is a cultured, historically rich neighborhood—but that doesn’t mean the residents don’t like to show off. Each year, the Old West End Festival (OWE Fest) sees neighbors opening their beautiful homes for tours, filling their Arboretum with music, and proudly displaying t...
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Thursday, September 11
Ypsilanti Is the Place to BeOutside Café Ollie, dozens of hot rods catch the evening sun in their chrome. Professors, musicians, and businesspeople stroll into locally-owned restaurants for destination fare. The Farmers’ Market has stayed open late, and the smell of fresh strawberries hangs in th...
Property Management for the 1st Time Real Estate Investor
Thursday, September 11
Property Management for the 1st Time Real Estate InvestorInvesting in real estate is a time-honored way of seeing a return on your money. But the risks can outweigh the rewards for the newcomer. Managing a property efficiently, recruiting and maintaining tenants, and staying on the right side of ...