Search Homes For Sale in Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI
Property Types
(active listings)
Ann Arbor Charter Township Real Estate Statistics
Average Price
$1.2M
Lowest Price
$525K
Highest Price
$3.5M
Total Listings
16
Avg. Price/SQFT
$302
Ann Arbor Charter Township Homes for Sale — The Real Buyer's & Seller's Guide
Ann Arbor Charter Township at a glance
What it is: Ann Arbor Charter Township (often abbreviated AACT or "Ann Arbor Township") is a 16.88-square-mile charter township in Washtenaw County, Michigan,
wrapping around the north and east sides of the City of Ann Arbor — not inside the city limits. Population was 4,747 at the 2020 Census.
What homes cost: The median sold price is roughly $512,500 with a median price per square foot near $250, and homes typically go pending in 20–24 days (Rocket Homes / Realcomp MLS, most recent full-month data). The city of Ann Arbor median ran about $489K in March 2026 per Redfin — so the township trades at a measurable premium for more land, bigger lots, and lower municipal taxes.
Schools: Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) serves the entire township — Skyline, Huron, Pioneer, and Community High.
Why people pick the township over the city: Lower municipal millage, larger lots, mature trees, and the same AAPS schools plus University of Michigan access — without city of Ann Arbor property taxes.
How to reach Michael: Call or text 248-886-4450. Text the word VALUATION to 248-886-4450 for a same-day home-value estimate. Email michaelperna@pernateam.com.
Table of contents
Quick facts about Ann Arbor Charter Township
Where it actually sits on the map
Why the township is different from the city (and why that matters)
Why people move here — the real reasons
Ann Arbor Charter Township vs. nearby communities
The seven neighborhood pockets buyers ask about
Homes for sale by price range (five tiers)
Market overview — April 2026 snapshot
Property types you'll actually find here
Schools — the full AAPS breakdown
Lifestyle, parks, and outdoor life
Dining, coffee, and the everyday grocery run
Commute times from the township
Safety and the public-safety picture
Property taxes — exact millage, explained
Healthcare access (the real reason half the township moved here)
History — 1824 to today
Climate and what winter actually looks like
28 real estate scenarios I see here (six clusters)
What clients say
The Perna Team advantage — plus my personal township stories
FAQ — 32 questions people actually ask me
Voice search quick answers
Key takeaways
Quick facts about Ann Arbor Charter Township
Here's the one-minute version of what you need to know about Ann Arbor Charter Township MI before we go deeper. I've sold here since 2001 — these are the numbers that actually matter when you're trying to decide.
Ann Arbor Charter Township homes for sale aren't really one market. They're five markets stacked on top of each other — I'll break those down in Section 7.
One sentence to remember: this is the township that surrounds Ann Arbor, not the one inside it.
Where the township actually sits on the map
The confusion is real — I get called about this two or three times a week. People search for homes for sale in Ann Arbor Charter Township MI and land on city-of-Ann-Arbor listings. They're not the same place.
Ann Arbor Charter Township forms a kind of crescent around the north and east flanks of the city of Ann Arbor. It's not one contiguous blob — it contains several exclaves (small detached pieces of township land surrounded by the city). That's a quirk of how Ann Arbor kept annexing parcels over the 20th century while the township held its charter status.
Compass-direction borders (memorize these four)
- North: Northfield Township (across M-14 and Whitmore Lake Road)
- South: City of Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Charter Township (along Geddes Road)
- East: Superior Charter Township (along Prospect Road and Dixboro)
- West: Scio Township (across N. Maple and US-23)
The Huron River cuts through the township near Barton Dam and Geddes Dam. Most of the high-end homes cluster along that river corridor and on the wooded ridges above it.
If your GPS says "Ann Arbor," double-check the township line. The tax bill is written differently.
Why the township is different from the city — and why that matters to your wallet
This is the single most important page on this site if you're comparison-shopping between city and township addresses. The Ann Arbor Charter Township Michigan parcel you're looking at and the city of Ann Arbor parcel two blocks away can have a $3,000–$5,000 annual tax difference on identical home values.
Three things make the township distinct:
- Municipal millage — the township levies roughly 4.76 total mills (operating, fire, police services). The city of Ann Arbor levies over 16 mills in city-only charges. That gap is real money every year you own.
- Land use — the township limits density east of US-23 and south of M-14. You'll see one acre minimums in many subdivisions, wooded lots, private drives, and horse property. The city doesn't allow that.
- Services — the township contracts with Washtenaw County Sheriff for public safety rather than running its own police department. Fire is provided through a shared services agreement. That's how the millage stays low.
Get the township-vs-city tax math for your specific home
Before you write an offer anywhere around Ann Arbor, text me the address. I'll send back a one-page side-by-side: estimated annual tax in the township vs. estimated annual tax in the city, plus the PRE (Principal Residence Exemption) math.
Text the property address to 248-886-4450 or email michaelperna@pernateam.com. No cost. No obligation. Usually back to you in under 2 hours during business hours.
Why people actually move to Ann Arbor Charter Township
Let me be honest — people don't move here for the shopping or the nightlife. They move for five reasons, and they're almost always in this order.
1. AAPS schools without city taxes. This is the #1 driver. Every address in the township feeds Ann Arbor Public Schools, which U.S. News ranks among Michigan's top districts. Buyers who get priced out of the Burns Park or Old West Side neighborhoods in Ann Arbor proper come here and get the same schools for a lower annual tax bill.
2. U-M and Michigan Medicine proximity. A lot of my Homes for sale in Ann Arbor Charter Township MI buyers are physicians, engineers, and researchers at Michigan
Medicine or U-M's North Campus. They want a 10-minute commute and mature trees. The township gives both.
3. Land. Half-acre, one-acre, and multi-acre lots exist here. They basically don't exist inside the Ann Arbor city limits anymore. If you want a garden, a barn, a pickleball court in the backyard, chickens, or just distance from the neighbors — this is where you come.
4. The Huron River. Properties on Barton Pond, along Huron River Drive, or backing to the Border-to-Border Trail are rare and held tightly. When one hits the market, I know about it before it's public.
5. The tax math on retirement. Michigan's homestead PRE exemption of 18 mills for school operating applies here, and the township's low operating millage makes this one of the best Washtenaw County places to age in place. I sold five homes to retirees in this township last year alone.
You'll notice what I didn't say: I didn't say "walkable downtown" or "restaurant scene." If those are your top two, you want the city of Ann Arbor — and I can help there too.
Ann Arbor Charter Township vs. nearby communities — the honest comparison
Buyers usually narrow to four options when they're shopping the Ann Arbor area: city of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Charter Township, Scio Township, or Pittsfield Township. Here's how I explain the trade-offs at the kitchen table.
A note on that table: Ann Arbor city prices moved down about 0.26% year over year in March 2026 per Redfin, while Rocket Homes reported the township up 2.7%. The township is holding value better than the city right now. That's unusual historically, and it matters if you're timing a move.
Straight talk: if your budget is under $400K and you want AAPS, you're probably looking at Pittsfield or a condo in the city, not the township. If your budget is $600K+ and you want AAPS plus land, the township is usually the answer.
The seven neighborhood pockets buyers ask about
The township is small but it isn't monolithic. Here are the pockets I get asked about, in order of how often:
Barton Hills Village
The 140-home enclave on the north bank of Barton Pond. Population 316 at the 2020 Census. Designed by the Olmsted Brothers (yes — same firm as Central Park) starting in 1915 for Detroit Edison president Alex Dow. The village became the first home-rule village in Washtenaw County on December 12, 1973.
- Median sale price in Barton Hills runs around $1.41M, with standout sales above $3M
- Deed restrictions require homes be designed by a registered architect
- Barton Hills Country Club (founded 1917) is the only business inside the village
- Median property taxes in 2023: about $10,024 on mortgaged homes
- Buyer profile: C-suite executives, U-M surgeons, successful entrepreneurs
My note: if you're looking here, the inventory is tiny. Often 2–5 homes a year. Get on my private buyer list early.
Earhart / Glacier Highlands
The corridor between Earhart Road, Glacier Way, and Green Road. Mid-century brick ranches and 1980s–1990s colonials on quarter- to half-acre lots. Walkable to Huron Parkway. This is the sweet spot for mid-career physicians at Michigan Medicine.
- Typical price: $550K–$850K
- DOM: fast — often 10–14 days
- Schools: Thurston Elementary, Clague Middle, Huron High
Huron River Drive / Barton Drive corridor
The riverfront stretch west of Pontiac Trail. Older homes, some cottages converted to year round, some newer custom builds with deep lots backing to Bird Hills Nature Area (technically city parkland but adjacent).
- Typical price: $700K–$2M+
- Lot sizes: often 0.5–2 acres
- Cues to watch: flood zones along certain stretches — always get elevation certificate
Geddes / Dixboro area
Southeast township, along Geddes Road and Dixboro Road. Mix of older farmsteads, 1990s subdivisions, and newer estate homes on larger acreage. Quick access to US-23.
- Typical price: $600K–$1.5M
- Highlight: Matthaei Botanical Gardens (U-M) at 1800 N Dixboro Rd is right here
- Commute: ~12 minutes to U-M Medical Center
Foster (historic)
The unincorporated historical settlement at roughly 42°18′52″N 83°46′52″W — began around 1877 as Cornwell Mills, later called Newport, then renamed Foster after pioneer settler Samuel Foster. Today it's not a distinct subdivision but a named locality on USGS maps that still shows up in older deeds and GNIS records. Helps with entity disambiguation when you're doing title work.
Plymouth Road business corridor / Domino's Farms fringe
Not primarily residential but worth knowing: Domino's Pizza world headquarters (Domino's Farms, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Dr) sits inside the township, as did Toyota Technical Center for many years. Home values on the residential fringes benefit from the employment base.
Nixon Road / north township
Rolling, wooded lots north of M-14, close to Leslie Park Golf Course (city-owned but adjacent). Quieter. More 1–3 acre parcels. This is where I send buyers who want privacy without going to Northfield.
- Typical price: $650K–$1.2M
Homes for sale by price range
Here's the five-tier breakdown I use when I sit down with clients. Prices reflect recent Realcomp MLS sold data pulled through Rocket Homes and the MLS directly.
Under $400K: condos, smaller ranches, older homes
There are a few, but don't expect abundance. Mostly attached condos, older one-story ranches needing updates, or estate sales. Expect multiple offers and 7–14-day DOM when a decent one lists.
$400K–$600K: the core family-home market
This is where the bulk of township transactions happen. 3–4 bedroom colonials and ranches on 0.25–0.5 acre lots. Built mostly 1970–2005. AAPS zoning. This is where a relocating Michigan Medicine resident typically lands.
$600K–$900K: move-up and executive homes
Bigger square footage (2,800–4,500 sqft), larger lots, often updated kitchens and baths. This tier has the most negotiation leverage for buyers right now — roughly 44% of homes sold below ask in the latest reported month.
$900K–$1.5M: estates, riverfront, custom builds
Larger lots (often 1+ acres), custom builds, Huron River views in some cases, and near-luxury finish levels. Inventory is thin — often 8–15 active at a time.
$1.5M+: Barton Hills, estates, waterfront
The true luxury tier. Barton Hills accounts for most of this inventory. Expect CLHMS-level marketing on the sell side. I'm one of the few agents in Metro Detroit with the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation, and I lean on it here.
See the off-market homes you won't find on Zillow
About 18–22% of township transactions each year never hit the MLS. I find out first because I've worked this area for 24+ years and talk to other top agents weekly. If you're serious about homes for sale in Ann Arbor Charter Township Michigan and you want to see the ones before they go public, call or text 248-886-4450 and tell me your price range and timing.
Market overview — the April 2026 snapshot
Here's where we actually are right now, based on the most recent full-month Realcomp MLS data, Rocket Homes aggregation, and Redfin's city-of-Ann-Arbor proxy.
What these numbers mean for you:
- Sellers: you still have leverage on well-prepped homes in the $400K–$750K tier, where buyers are most active. Price strategically at list — don't chase above.
- Buyers: 44% of township homes sold below asking last full month. That's the highest share I've seen since 2019. Don't let any agent tell you "no room to negotiate" — the data says otherwise.
- Days on market matters more than list price. A home past 30 DOM in this township is usually a pricing problem, not a property problem.
The 2026 market is not a frenzy. It's a market. Both sides have leverage. That's a healthier environment than the chaos of 2021–2022.
Property types you'll actually find here
Not every property type shows up in every Metro Detroit community. Here's what's actually available in the township:
- Single-family detached homes — the vast majority. Expect 3–5 bedrooms, 2–4 baths, built 1950–2015.
- Custom estates — concentrated in Barton Hills and along Huron River Drive, Earhart, and Dixboro Road.
- Condos / attached townhomes — limited. A handful of complexes near Plymouth Road. Good for downsizers.
- New construction — rare inside the township itself. A few recent teardown-rebuilds along Barton Shore Drive. Cranbrook Custom Homes and Main Street Homes are the primary builders I see active here.
- Land & building sites — yes, but scarce. When a buildable acre hits the MLS, expect a 30-day close and a full-price offer.
- Multi-family — essentially none. Not zoned for it through most of the township.
- Waterfront — Barton Pond (Huron River reservoir) is the prize. Geddes Dam backwaters have a handful of private river frontage lots.
- Historic / landmark homes — the Orrin White House on Beechwood (built in 1836 with cobblestones) is the founding home of the township and is occasionally for sale. My Historic Home Expert designation is useful for these properties — historic homes need appraisers, inspectors, and lenders who actually understand them.
Schools — the full AAPS breakdown
One hundred percent of Ann Arbor Charter Township MI homes for sale feed into Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS). No district split, no address-by-address lookup required. That's a massive simplifier.
Elementary schools serving township addresses
- Thurston Elementary (2300 Prairie St) — serves most of the Earhart/Glacier/Green corridor
- Logan Elementary (2685 Bishop Cir) — serves parts of the southeast township
- Wines Elementary (1701 Newport Rd) — serves the Barton Hills and northwest corridor
- King Elementary (3800 Waldenwood Dr) — serves the far northeast
Exact school assignment depends on the address. AAPS has adjusted boundaries a few times in the last decade. Always confirm with a2schools.org or I'll pull it for you.
Middle schools
- Clague Middle School (2616 Nixon Rd) — serves most of the township
- Forsythe Middle School (1655 Newport Rd) — serves the western edge
- Scarlett Middle School (3300 Lorraine St) — serves the southeast pockets
High schools
- Huron High (2727 Fuller Rd) — the default for most township addresses
- Skyline High (2552 N Maple Rd) — serves western and northwestern addresses
- Pioneer High (601 W Stadium Blvd) — serves a handful of southern township addresses
- Community High School — application-based magnet, open to all AAPS students
Private and specialty options
- Greenhills School (850 Greenhills Dr) — independent 6–12, college-prep
- Emerson School (5425 Scio Church Rd) — PreK–8 independent school (in Scio, nearby)
- Clonlara School — progressive, Montessori-influenced
- Huron Valley Catholic (elementary) — for Catholic families
- Washtenaw International High School (WiHi) — IB program
What AAPS actually means for resale value
Here's what I've tracked on my own transactions: township homes that feed into the "stronger" elementary schools (Thurston, Wines) consistently sell 3–5% above otherwise comparable homes that feed into different districts. School boundary changes move prices. When AAPS last redrew lines, I had clients call me within 48 hours to ask what it meant for their equity.
Lifestyle, parks, and outdoor life
The township lives outside. The Huron River, the Border-to-Border Trail, and the adjacent Matthaei Botanical Gardens shape how residents spend weekends.
Parks actually inside the township
Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum (1800 N Dixboro Rd) — 300+ acres, U-M-operated, free general admission, a conservatory with tropical plants, prairie
trails. My clients' kids grew up here.
Parker Mill County Park (4650 Geddes Rd) — 26 acres, operating 1873 gristmill (still runs!), boardwalk through Fleming Creek wetland
Border-to-Border Trail (B2B) — the county's non-motorized trail runs through the southeast corner of the township along the Huron River. Washtenaw County has about 45 miles complete with 9 more miles planned, funded in part by the 2024–2027 roads millage.
Parks nearby (not inside township but used like they are)
- Gallup Park (3000 Fuller Rd) — city of Ann Arbor, 70 acres, canoe/kayak livery
- Bird Hills Nature Area — city park, 146 acres of hardwood forest on the township line
- Leslie Park Golf Course (2120 Traver Rd) — city-owned 18-hole public course
- Barton Dam & Barton Pond — the dam itself is inside city limits, but the reservoir extends into township waterfront
Outdoor things to do weekly
Running or biking the B2B before work. Paddling Barton Pond on summer evenings. Cross-country skiing the Matthaei trails after a good snow. Farmer's market Saturdays in the city (6 minutes from most township addresses). Fishing Fleming Creek. That's the actual rhythm.
Dining, coffee, and the everyday grocery run
The township itself has limited commercial — by design, it's residential. But you're 5–10 minutes from some of the best food in Michigan.
- Zingerman's Deli (422 Detroit St, Ann Arbor) — the James-Beard-Award-winning original, 8 minutes from Earhart/Glacier
- Zingerman's Roadhouse (2501 Jackson Ave) — American classics done right
- The Lunch Room (407 N Fifth Ave) — vegan/vegetarian, 10 minutes away
- Miss Kim (415 N Fifth Ave) — modern Korean, consistently in Michigan "best of" lists
- Frita Batidos (117 W Washington) — Cuban-inspired, counter service
- Sava's (216 S State) — brunch/dinner standard
- Weber's Restaurant (3050 Jackson Rd) — old-school steakhouse on the west side, 15 minutes
Coffee
- RoosRoast (117 N First) — local roaster
- Mighty Good Coffee (217 N Ashley) — another local
- Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea (multiple locations) — founded in Ann Arbor, now regional
Grocery
- Plum Market (375 N Maple Rd) — upscale natural grocer, 6 minutes from most township addresses
- Whole Foods (3135 Washtenaw Ave) — 10 minutes
- Busch's Fresh Food Market (2240 S Main and 2020 Green Rd) — Michigan chain, strong deli
- Kroger (multiple) — the standard option
- Argus Farm Stop (325 W Liberty) — year-round farmer's market concept
One true thing: most township residents do their weekly shopping at Plum Market or Busch's Green Road. Both are under 10 minutes from almost every township address.
Commute times from the township
These are actual drive times I've timed, not Google estimates.
US-23, M-14, and Plymouth Road are the three arteries that matter. M-14 connects you east to I-275 and the whole Metro Detroit west-side tech corridor.
Safety and the public-safety picture
The township contracts with the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office for policing, which is how it keeps the operating millage low. There's a dedicated sheriff's substation and township-funded deputies assigned here.
Crime rates in the township consistently run below the Washtenaw County average and below the state of Michigan average. The 2020-2023 FBI UCR data (latest complete set) places property crime in the township at roughly 40% of the state rate and violent crime well below 1 incident per 1,000 residents per year. The Ann Arbor police department does not patrol township roads — that's a common misconception — and the township's low-density layout means most calls are non-emergency.
Fire response runs through a shared services agreement with Ann Arbor and mutual aid agreements with Superior and Scio townships. Typical response time to most residential addresses: 5–8 minutes.
Property taxes — exact millage, explained like you're at my kitchen table
This is the section that saves or costs you the most money. Read it twice.
Township-only millages (levied by AACT on every township parcel)
Per the Washtenaw County 2025 Apportionment Report approved November 19, 2025:
- Township operating: 0.7591 mills
- Fire services: 3.3405 mills
- Police services: 0.6644 mills
- Township total: ~4.7640 mills
That's all the township itself charges. For perspective, a home with a taxable value of $250,000 would owe roughly $1,191/year to the township directly.
Winter tax portion
The AACT Treasurer's office reports the Winter Total millage levy at 3.1856 mills. This portion includes some of the township-specific items plus county voted millages.
Other mills layered on top (same for most Washtenaw homestead properties)
- Washtenaw County operating + debt + voted millages: ~6.1 to 7.2 mills total
- Washtenaw County Parks & Rec operating: voted millage
- Washtenaw County Roads & Non-Motorized (2024–2027 renewal): 0.5 mill
- Huron Clinton Metro Authority (HCMA): 0.2146 mills
- Washtenaw Community College: ~3.4 mills
- Washtenaw ISD: ~4 mills (combined enhancement + special ed + operating)
- AAPS school operating (Non-Homestead only): up to 18.0000 mills — reduced by the supplemental Hold Harmless millage levied on all properties
- AAPS sinking + debt: additional mills
- State Education Tax: 6 mills
Total estimated millage rates (homestead / PRE)
For a homestead-exempt owner-occupied home in Ann Arbor Charter Township:
- Estimated total: ~37–40 mills
For a non-homestead (rental or second home):
- Estimated total: ~55–58 mills
Translation: on a $500,000 market-value home (taxable value roughly $250,000 after PRE), expect annual taxes of roughly $9,500–$10,000 as a primary residence.
Compare that to the city of Ann Arbor, where the same $500,000 home would run closer to $12,500–$13,500/year. That's a real $3,000–$3,500 annual spread — and why my retirees keep migrating from city to township.
Important: millage rates change yearly. The 2025 Apportionment Report is the most recent; the 2026 report will be approved in November 2026. Always confirm with the Washtenaw County Equalization Department or your title company before closing. Text me the parcel and I'll run current numbers for you.
If you already own a home in the township and you're curious what it's worth today — plus what your 2026 tax bill will look like with the refreshed millage — text the word VALUATION to 248-886-4450 and your property address. I'll send back a same-day market analysis plus a tax-bill estimate. No appointment. No pressure. No sales pitch in your inbox.
Healthcare access — the real reason half the township moved here
If you talk to a transplant physician who moved to the township, they'll tell you the honest answer: they chose here because they can be in an OR in 12 minutes.
- Michigan Medicine (U-M) main hospital complex — 1500 E Medical Center Dr, 8–12 min from most of the township
- U-M Mott Children's Hospital — same campus
- U-M Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital — same campus
- St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital (Trinity Health) — 5301 E Huron River Dr, Superior Township, 15 min
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System — 2215 Fuller Rd, 10 min
- Glacier Hills Senior Living Community — 1200 Earhart Rd, inside the township — a continuing care retirement community run by Trinity Health Senior Communities
This is the density of world-class medical care that most communities simply can't offer. It's the single biggest reason my retirees come here and stay.
History — 1824 to today
If you care about title, deeds, and why the township map looks so fragmented, this is useful.
- 1824 — Orrin White arrives from New York, becomes the first recorded settler in the township. Builds a shanty on land that now holds Huron High School. In 1836 he builds the cobblestone house using locally gathered stones — still standing.
- 1825 — Brothers John and Robert Geddes arrive May 11, 1825. Purchase land along the Huron and build a sawmill by 1826. Geddes settlement becomes the first real community in the township.
- 1827 — The Legislative Council of the Michigan Territory organizes the "Township of Ann Arbour." The township predates the Village of Ann Arbor (organized 1833).
- 1877 — Cornwell Mills (later called Foster) develops as a milling settlement in the northwest.
- 1910s–1920s — Detroit Edison president Alex Dow acquires land for Barton Dam (completed 1913). The Olmsted Brothers design the Barton Hills subdivision beginning
1915. First homes built early 1920s. - 1944 — Detroit Edison sells the Barton Hills community to its residents.
- 1973 (December 12) — Barton Hills incorporates as the first home-rule village in Washtenaw County. The township itself adopts charter status that same year, giving it
enhanced home-rule powers against annexation. - 1985 — Tom Monaghan (Domino's Pizza founder) builds Domino's Farms, a Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie-style office complex, inside the township. Still Domino's world HQ today.
- 2001 — Township adopts its first Master Plan, emphasizing rural preservation. Updated 2005 and 2015.
- 2011 — Con-way (freight company) relocates HQ from San Mateo, California to the township.
- 2010 — Barton Hills Village purchases its own streets from the Barton Hills Maintenance Corporation.
- 2024–2026 — Washtenaw County Roads & Non-Motorized Millage renewed for 2024–2027 at 0.5 mill. B2B trail expansion continues.
Why this matters for real estate: older township deeds reference "Foster," "Cornwell," or "Geddes." A clean title search in 2026 still needs someone who can read those old plat names. My in-house title team does this weekly.
Climate and what winter actually looks like
Based on NOAA climate normals for the Ann Arbor area (1991-2020 reference period, Ann Arbor University of Michigan station):
- Average annual precipitation: ~38 inches
- Average annual snowfall: ~38–44 inches
- Average July high: 83°F
- Average January low: 18°F
- USDA plant hardiness zone: 6a (transitioning to 6b in warmer microclimates)
- Frost-free growing season: ~165 days
Winters are real. Expect 3–5 plowable snow events per year. Driveways in the township are often long — budget for a snow service ($400–$800/season) or a good blower. Summers are warm and moderately humid. Springs arrive late (tulips in mid-April). Falls are the prize — October foliage along Huron River Drive is genuinely spectacular.
28 real estate scenarios I see here
These are the actual situations clients walk into my office with. You'll probably see yours below.
Moving TO the township (8 scenarios)
- Michigan Medicine physician relocating from out of state, needs AAPS + 15-min commute
- U-M tenure-track professor moving up from rental housing
- Tech worker relocating from Bay Area, shocked at square-foot value
- Retiring couple downsizing from a larger Michigan suburb for walkable healthcare
- Family moving up from first-home in Pittsfield for better AAPS elementary
- Returning Michigan native who took a job at Michigan Medicine
- Canadian buyer with U.S. work authorization, wanting proximity to U-M
- Out-of-state grandparents buying near grandkids in AAPS
Moving FROM the township (5 scenarios)
- Empty nesters selling the family home to downsize
- Job relocation (Detroit, Chicago, East Coast)
- Moving to a senior community (Glacier Hills, University Commons)
- Estate sale after parent passes
- Divorce — splitting the asset
Buying first home (4 scenarios)
- First-time buyer stretching budget for AAPS address
- Young physician using Michigan Medicine credit union financing
- Graduate family buying after years of renting
- Low-down-payment FHA or MSHDA path
Investing / income property (3 scenarios)
- 1031 exchange into a rental
- Buying to hold for U-M research-affiliate tenants
- Second home for extended family who visit U-M often
Specialized situations (4 scenarios)
- Historic home purchase needing designation-level expertise (my Historic Home Expert certification)
- Luxury purchase over $1.5M in Barton Hills (my CLHMS certification)
- Senior-specific sale, trust-titled, with SRES complications (my SRES designation)
- Relocation with employer-paid buyer broker agreement
Complex deals (4 scenarios)
- Pre-listing renovation decision — what actually ROIs in this market
- Off-market private sale between neighbors
- Contingent sale: must sell before buying
- Short sale or estate sale needing probate-savvy representation
For every one of these, my team has a repeatable playbook. That's what 8,000+ transactions teaches you — you've seen the scenario before.
What clients say
Written testimonials from 2022–2025 are on file and available on request. I don't pay for fake reviews and I don't scrape Zillow — every one of mine is a real person you can call if you want to.
The Perna Team advantage — plus my township stories
Why our numbers are what they are
- 24+ years licensed and actively selling in Michigan (since 2001)
- 8,000+ closed transactions across Metro Detroit
- 99.1% average list-to-sale ratio (most of Metro Detroit averages ~97–98%)
- 14-day average days-on-market on our listings
- 110+ agents on The Perna Team
- Integrated in-house title services (faster closings, fewer surprises)
- Integrated in-house mortgage services (pre-approval in hours, not days)
- eXp Realty platform (largest cloud-based brokerage in North America)
- Based in Novi, MI — with agents across Washtenaw, Oakland, Wayne, Livingston, Macomb counties
My professional designations — and why each matters for township buyers
- CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) — top 3% of REALTORS® nationwide. The gold standard for residential expertise.
- GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute) — 60+ hours of advanced coursework.
- ABR (Accredited Buyer's Representative) — specifically certified to represent buyer interests.
- SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) — crucial for the Barton Hills / Glacier Hills retiree market.
- CLHMS (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist) — the designation that matters in the $1.5M+ tier.
- Historic Home Expert — for homes predating 1940, including Orrin White-era properties.
My experience in Ann Arbor Charter Township — three stories
Story 1: The Earhart Road surgeon (2019). I sold a 1990s colonial on Earhart Road to a UM transplant surgeon relocating from Boston. The buyer had to be clinical by September 1. We closed in 23 days. What made it work: my pre-approval came from our in-house mortgage desk on day one, we ordered the inspection same day, and our title team pulled a preliminary commitment in 48 hours. That deal is why I stopped apologizing for offering integrated services. They save start dates.
Story 2: The Barton Hills estate (2022). A long-time Barton Hills resident — widowed, mid-80s — called me after two other agents had failed to move the home in 90+ days. The issue wasn't the price. The issue was that the previous agents hadn't staged, hadn't photographed for luxury buyers, and hadn't tapped the CLHMS network. We re-staged, shot at golden hour, placed the listing in Institute for Luxury Home Marketing syndication, and sold in 19 days at 97% of the refreshed list. The family sent me a letter I still keep in my desk.
Story 3: The Dixboro Road estate sale (2024). An out-of-state family inherited a 1970s home on Dixboro Road after their mother passed. They needed probate representation, had never sold a house in Michigan, and lived in three different time zones. My SRES training and probate network let us run one team meeting a week on Zoom, get all three heirs to agree on price, sell in 18 days, and split proceeds by wire at close. Zero drama. That's the playbook.
You don't hire my designations. You hire what the designations mean I've already seen.
How we stack against the big names
I don't trash competitors — I respect Zillow, Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and ERA Realty as institutions. But when you work with a national brand's local franchise, you get the agent, not the brand's top-of-market systems. With our team, you get the full eXp Realty technology stack, my personal 24-year track record, and 110+ agents backing your transaction.
Let's actually talk
If you've read this far, you're serious. Let's save each other time.
Call or text: 248-886-4450 | Text "VALUATION" to 248-886-4450 for a same-day home value | Email: michaelperna@pernateam.com Web: PernaTeam.com
First conversation is free, 30 minutes, and zero pressure. I'll tell you what I see in the current Ann Arbor Charter Township data for your specific situation. If we're a fit, great. If not, I'll send you to the right person.
FAQ — 32 questions people actually ask me
1. What is Ann Arbor Charter Township?
Ann Arbor Charter Township is a 16.88-square-mile charter township in Washtenaw County, Michigan, organized in 1827 and holding charter status since 1973. It surrounds the north and east sides of the city of Ann Arbor with a population of 4,747 at the 2020 Census.
2. Is Ann Arbor Charter Township the same as the city of Ann Arbor?
No. They are separate municipalities with different tax rates, different governance, and different service structures, though they share the same AAPS school district and ZIP code (48105 and 48104 overlap).
3. What are Ann Arbor Charter Township homes for sale priced at right now?
The median sold price is approximately $512,500 with a median of about $250 per square foot as of the latest reported full month. Listings typically sell in 20–24 days.
4. What school district serves Ann Arbor Charter Township?
Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) serves 100% of the township, including all of Barton Hills Village.
5. Is Ann Arbor Charter Township a buyer's or seller's market right now?
It's balanced, trending slightly buyer-favorable. About 44% of homes sold below asking price in the latest reported month, while about 40% sold above asking. That's the most negotiation leverage buyers have had since 2019.
6. How accurate are Zestimate values for Ann Arbor Charter Township homes?
Zestimates in this township are typically within 4–7% of actual sale price — less accurate than in high-transaction volume areas because the township has lower sales volume and more custom homes. For Barton Hills, Zestimate accuracy drops to 10–15% off. Always get a local CMA, not an algorithm.
7. Do I need a buyer's agent in Ann Arbor Charter Township?
Yes, especially after the 2024 NAR settlement. Buyer's agents are now typically compensated through a signed Buyer Agency Agreement. A good agent with township experience pays for themselves in negotiation and inspection management. I represent buyers here every week — call 248-886-4450.
8. What does closing look like in Washtenaw County?
Typical timeline: 30–45 days from accepted offer to close. Title commitment, inspection, appraisal, final walk-through, then sign-and-wire at a title company. Michigan is an escrow-less state at signing — funds wire same day or next. My in-house title team runs these weekly.
9. Should I waive inspection?
Almost never in this market. Inspection contingencies are back in play in 2026, and waiving inspection on a $600K home to "win" is a bad trade. You can shorten the inspection period to 7 days as a competitive lever instead.
10. Can I negotiate on a township home?
Yes. The days of "zero negotiation, full ask" are gone. Current data shows 44% of township homes sold below asking. Seller concessions (rate buydowns, closing cost credits) are common again.
11. What are Ann Arbor Charter Township property taxes?
Homestead (owner-occupied) total rate is approximately 37–40 mills. A $500K home with taxable value around $250K pays roughly $9,500–$10,000 annually. That includes township, county, AAPS, WISD, WCC, and state ed tax.
12. How does the township tax bill compare to the city of Ann Arbor?
On identical home values, township taxes run about $3,000–$3,500 lower per year than the city. Over 10 years that's $30,000+.
13. What's the worst time to sell in Ann Arbor Charter Township?
Mid-November through mid-January. Buyer traffic drops sharply, inventory sells slower, and you end up negotiating more. March 1 through June 30 is the prime selling window.
14. What's the best time to buy?
October through January, if you can tolerate cold-weather showings. Less competition, more negotiation room, sellers who were carried over from summer.
15. Is Ann Arbor Charter Township better than Scio Township?
Depends on your priorities. Township wins on AAPS-only zoning and proximity to Michigan Medicine. Scio wins on newer construction availability and slightly lower price per square foot. Barton Hills beats anything in Scio for luxury. Both are excellent.
16. Is Ann Arbor Charter Township better than Pittsfield Township?
For most AAPS-focused buyers over $500K: yes. Pittsfield has more entry-level inventory and serves multiple districts (AAPS, Saline, Ypsilanti). Pittsfield is a better answer for first-time buyers under $400K.
17. How do I know which specific school my township address feeds into?
Boundary lookup at a2schools.org — or text me the address at 248-886-4450 and I'll pull it.
18. What's the Barton Hills median price?
Approximately $1.41M based on recent-year sales, with a small active inventory most years. Some sales clear $3M.
19. Can non-residents join Barton Hills Country Club?
Yes. Membership is not tied to village residency — of roughly 540 member families, only about 56 live inside the village.
20. Is new construction available in Ann Arbor Charter Township?
Limited. A handful of custom builders (Cranbrook Custom Homes, Main Street Homes) build spec and custom homes on infill lots and teardowns. New-construction subdivisions inside the township are essentially nonexistent.
21. What lenders work best in Ann Arbor Charter Township?
Michigan-based lenders with appraiser networks that understand custom and historic homes. My in-house mortgage desk at The Perna Team is purpose-built for Metro Detroit — including Barton Hills luxury appraisals.
22. What about flood zones?
Parts of Huron River Drive, Barton Pond shoreline, and Geddes Road have FEMA-mapped flood zones. Always pull the elevation certificate and FEMA flood map before writing an offer on riverfront. Flood insurance can add $1,500–$4,000/year.
23. How is cell and internet service?
Good to excellent. Comcast/Xfinity, AT&T Fiber (in parts), and Spectrum all cover most of the township. Verizon and AT&T cellular are strong. Starlink works for the rural north.
24. What township government meetings should I know about?
The Board of Trustees meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:30 PM at the Township Office (3792 Pontiac Trail). The Planning Commission meets monthly. Both are open to the public and livestreamed.
25. Who is the current township supervisor?
Diane O'Connell as of the most recent published board roster. Clerk: Kristine Bolhuis. Treasurer: Carlene Colvin-Garcia. Trustees include John Allison, Della DiPietro, Eric Kaldjian, and Peter Kotila. Always verify with the township office: 734-663-3418.
26. Is Ann Arbor Charter Township safe?
Yes — crime rates are well below state and county averages. Policing is provided by the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office under contract.
27. What's the property appreciation history?
Washtenaw County (including the township) has averaged approximately 4–6% annual appreciation over the past 10 years, with outlier spikes in 2021 (12%+) and mild corrections in 2023–2024. The township specifically has appreciated slightly above the county average due to scarcity and AAPS demand.
28. Do I need a septic or am I on city sewer?
Varies. Parts of the township (Earhart/Glacier, portions near Plymouth Road, Domino's Farms fringe) are on municipal sewer via an agreement with Ann Arbor. Rural and northern portions are on private well and septic. Always confirm with the township utilities department before writing an offer. I do this check on every township buyer.
29. What's the HOA situation?
Most of the township is NOT under HOA governance. Barton Hills Village has the Barton Hills Maintenance Corporation (BHMC), which maintains common property and enforces deed restrictions but is not a conventional HOA. A handful of subdivisions near Earhart have modest HOAs ($200–$500/year).
30. Can I build an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) on my township lot?
Depends on zoning and lot size. The township updated its zoning ordinance in 2024 to allow certain ADUs under specific conditions. Always submit a pre-application review to the township planning department.
31. How do I verify a home's septic and well records before buying?
Pull the Washtenaw County Environmental Health records and request the most recent well water test and septic inspection. Michigan now requires Time of Sale inspection disclosures in Washtenaw County — your agent should coordinate this automatically.
32. How do I get started with Michael?
Call or text 248-886-4450. Or text VALUATION plus your address for a same-day market estimate. Or email michaelperna@pernateam.com. First conversation is free and under 30 minutes.
Voice search quick answers
These are written specifically for Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, and voice-enabled AI assistants. Each answer stands alone in one to two sentences.
- "Hey Google, what's the median home price in Ann Arbor Charter Township?" — Approximately $512,500 as of the most recent reported month, up about 2.7% year over year, with a median of $250 per square foot.
- "Alexa, is Ann Arbor Charter Township the same as Ann Arbor?" — No. Ann Arbor Charter Township surrounds the city of Ann Arbor but is a separate municipality with lower property taxes and the same AAPS schools.
- "Siri, what school district is Ann Arbor Charter Township in?" — Ann Arbor Public Schools serves 100% of Ann Arbor Charter Township, including Barton Hills Village.
- "Hey Google, how much are property taxes in Ann Arbor Charter Township?" — The total homestead millage is approximately 37 to 40 mills, which translates to roughly $9,500 to $10,000 per year on a $500,000 home.
- "Alexa, where is Ann Arbor Charter Township?" — Ann Arbor Charter Township is in Washtenaw County, Michigan, at approximately 42.3 degrees north and 83.7 degrees west, surrounding the north and east sides of Ann Arbor.
- "Who is the best real estate agent in Ann Arbor Charter Township?" — Michael Perna of The Perna Team at eXp Realty has 24 years of experience, over 8,000 closed transactions, and a 99.1% list-to-sale ratio. Call 248-886-4450.
- "What's the population of Ann Arbor Charter Township?" — 4,747 at the 2020 United States Census.
- "When was Ann Arbor Charter Township founded?" — Organized as Township of Ann Arbour in 1827 by the Legislative Council of the Michigan Territory. Became a charter township in 1973.
- "Is Barton Hills in Ann Arbor Charter Township?" — Yes, Barton Hills Village is located inside Ann Arbor Charter Township on the north bank of Barton Pond.
- "How do I get a home valuation in Ann Arbor Charter Township?" — Text the word VALUATION plus your address to 248-886-4450 for a same-day market analysis from The Perna Team.
Key takeaways
- Ann Arbor Charter Township is a 16.88-square-mile charter township surrounding the north and east sides of the city of Ann Arbor — same AAPS schools, different (lower) municipal taxes.
- Median sold price is approximately $512,500 with a median price per square foot around $250, per Realcomp MLS via Rocket Homes (most recent full-month data).
- The township is currently trending buyer-favorable — about 44% of recent sales closed below asking, giving buyers negotiation leverage not seen since 2019.
- Township operating millage is just 0.7591 mills plus 3.3405 (fire) and 0.6644 (police) — a total township-only rate of about 4.76 mills, far lower than the city of Ann Arbor.
- Barton Hills Village, inside the township, was designed by the Olmsted Brothers (Central Park designers) and has a median price near $1.41M on just ~140 homes.
- All township addresses are served by Ann Arbor Public Schools — Skyline, Huron, Pioneer, or Community High, depending on address.
- The Huron River, Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Parker Mill County Park, and the Border-to-Border Trail define the township's outdoor lifestyle.
- Michigan Medicine is 8–12 minutes from most township addresses — the primary reason physicians cluster here.
- The Perna Team advantage is 24+ years, 8,000+ transactions, 99.1% list-to-sale ratio, and integrated in-house title and mortgage — 248-886-4450.
Let's make your move
You've just read the most detailed page on the internet about Homes for sale in Ann Arbor Charter Township Michigan. You know the schools. You know the taxes. You know the commute times. You know the neighborhoods. You know the market.
What you don't know yet is what your specific situation looks like — and that's my job.
- Buying? Tell me your budget, your timing, and your AAPS elementary preference. I'll send you the 3–7 best homes for sale in Ann Arbor Charter Township MI that match, including the off-market ones no one else is showing you.
- Selling? Text VALUATION and your address to 248-886-4450. You'll have a detailed market analysis back the same day.
- Not sure yet? First 30-minute conversation is free. No pressure, no pitch, no obligation to use me. I'll tell you what I see.
Are you interested in buying or selling a home in Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI? Contact us here or call 248-494-4698 to speak to one of our Ann Arbor Charter Township realtors today!
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Michael Perna serves as the trusted real estate guide for luxury home selling in Ann Arbor Charter Township, Michigan, delivering proven results and maximum value for discerning homeowners. Contact today for comprehensive market analysis and selling strategy consultation.
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