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Why Michigan is the Best State for Affordable Starter Homes

For first-time homebuyers, Michigan is a rare gem – one of the few places in America where owning a home still feels within reach on a modest income. From Detroit’s urban revival to the charming small towns by the Great Lakes, the Mitten State offers an array of entry points for buyers on a budget. But with home prices and interest rates rising nationwide, how affordable is buying a starter home in Michigan today? This article explores why Michigan stands out for affordable starter homes, which cities offer the best deals (and which are tougher), and what new buyers should know as they embark on the journey to homeownership in Metro Detroit and beyond.

Michigan Is an Affordable Haven for First-Time Buyers

Michigan has emerged as one of the most…

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Metro Detroit Top Food Trucks with the Best Menus Right Now

Summer in Metro Detroit means Tigers games, Belle Isle picnics, and of course—food trucks on just about every corner. Whether you're new to the area or born and raised in the Mitten, there's something about grabbing a meal from a truck that just feels right. It's quick, flavorful, often locally owned, and gives you a literal taste of the community.

As someone who's spent decades walking families through life-changing real estate decisions, I always tell my clients: explore the neighborhoods by their food. Food trucks are a great place to start. Below, you'll find my curated list of the best food trucks in Metro Detroit this summer, each one vetted not just for flavor, but for its local roots, unique story, and real community impact.

Want to catch…

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Explore Sleeping Bear Dunes Like a Local: What to See, Do, and Know Before You Go

There’s a reason Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a beloved summertime pilgrimage for Metro Detroiters. This 35-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline – with golden sand dunes soaring 400+ feet above shimmering blue waters – was even crowned “the Most Beautiful Place in America” in 2011. Blending breathtaking natural beauty with small-town Up North charm, Sleeping Bear Dunes offers the ultimate Michigan beaches escape and a playground for family travel in Michigan. Whether you’re a newcomer planning your first Lake Michigan summer vacation or a local who’s been “Up North” countless times, this guide will show you what to see, do, and know – all with a friendly local twist. From can’t-miss sights like the Dune Climb and Pierce Stocking Scenic…

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Fun Under the Sun: Family-Friendly Picnic Spots in Metro Detroit to Enjoy the Sunshine

There’s nothing quite like a sunny afternoon in Metro Detroit, birds chirping, grills sizzling, and families laughing under shady oaks or lakeside breezes. Whether you're packing PB&Js for the little ones or planning a full-blown feast with friends, Southeast Michigan is packed with incredible picnic spots that are perfect for relaxing, reconnecting, and soaking up those golden rays.

From scenic island parks to wide-open spaces with playgrounds, trails, and splash pads, here’s a handpicked list of family-friendly picnic spots that locals love — and newcomers need to know about. So grab your blanket, pack the cooler, and discover where Metro Detroit families go when the sun comes out to play.

Addison Oaks County Park and Campground (Leonard, MI),…

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Saint John’s Resort Unveils The Monarch, a New Luxury Event Venue in Plymouth

In Plymouth Township, a historic Metro Detroit resort is spreading its wings in a big way. Saint John’s Resort – long known for its classic charm and sprawling 200-acre grounds – has officially opened The Monarch, a 24,000-square-foot luxury event venue with room for up to 1,500 guests in theater or cocktail-style layouts. This grand addition, described as the “crown jewel” of the resort’s ongoing $50 million renovation, promises to elevate local weddings, galas, conferences, and even concerts to a new level of elegance. And in true Saint John’s spirit, every celebration here helps a cause – the resort donates 100% of its net profits to educational and humanitarian initiatives in Metro Detroit and beyond.

Saint John's Resort, Facebook

The Monarch:…

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Inkster's Funkateer Dancers Win Terry Crews' Golden Buzzer on 'America’s Got Talent'

By a Metro Detroit Real Estate Expert – Four lifelong friends from Inkster, Michigan just turned a national TV stage into a celebration of Detroit’s funk history. On America’s Got Talent Season 20, the Funkateer Dancers – an Inkster dance team formed over 40 years ago – stunned the judges and earned host Terry Crews’ Golden Buzzer. The moment catapulted these Metro Detroit performers straight to the quarterfinals, drawing cheers across the region. For local families and longtime residents alike, this triumph is more than a flashy TV moment. It’s the heartfelt comeback story of hometown heroes who never gave up on the groove, blending nostalgia, community pride, and sheer talent into one golden moment.

Terry Crews, Facebook

Funk and Footwork: Inkster…

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GM Reverses EV Plans at Orion Plant with $4 Billion Gas Vehicle Investment

General Motors is changing course in Orion Township, and it’s a twist few saw coming. The automaker is hitting the brakes on its original electric vehicle (EV) plan for the Orion Assembly Plant and instead revving up a $4 billion investment in gas-powered trucks and SUVs. In a community that’s been bracing for an all-EV future, this U-turn has Metro Detroit buzzing – in part with surprise, but also relief. Local officials and residents see the move as a pragmatic step to secure jobs and economic stability, even as the broader auto industry balances EV ambitions with market reality.

General Motors, Facebook

Changing Lanes: From EVs to Gas at Orion Assembly

Not long ago, Orion Assembly (located in Orion Township, Oakland County, just north of…

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What Happened to the 13th Floor? Detroit Buildings and a Century-Old Fear

Ever noticed something strange in a Detroit high-rise elevator? Many Detroit buildings skip the 13th floor – at least, you’ll never see a button for it. Step into the Fisher Building’s art deco elevators or the sleek lifts at One Campus Martius, and you’ll watch the numbers jump from 12 to 14. The 13th floor is there physically, of course, but it goes unmentioned, wiped away by a century-old superstition in architecture. This odd omission isn’t just a local quirk; it’s part of a longstanding fear of the number 13 – a fear so common it even has a name: triskaidekaphobia, the fear of “13”. Why do builders and landlords avoid naming a 13th floor, and why does Detroit’s skyline quietly comply with this taboo? Let’s explore the roots of this superstition, how…

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Michigan House GOP Proposes Major Budget Cuts to UM and MSU

Think college funding in Michigan is settled? Think again. In a move that has Metro Detroit families and university leaders buzzing, the Michigan House GOP has unveiled a higher education budget proposal that would dramatically slash funding for the state’s two flagship universities – the University of Michigan (U-M) in Ann Arbor and Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing. We're talking about some of the largest higher education budget cuts in Michigan’s history, with U-M facing a reduction of over 90% initially and MSU around 73% in the first draft. While a last-minute revision scaled back the cuts a bit, the plan still hits these campuses hard, stirring up debates from the State Capitol to kitchen tables across Metro Detroit.

Students at the…

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Dearborn’s M Cantina Breaks Guinness Record for World's Largest Agave Spirit Collection

When you think of Guinness World Records, you might picture the tallest skyscraper or the longest pizza – not a local Metro Detroit restaurant. But Dearborn’s M Cantina has just earned its place in the record books, and it’s a feat worth raising a glass to. This week, M Cantina officially broke the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of agave spirits in a restaurant, putting Dearborn on the global culinary map. The contemporary Mexican eatery now boasts an astounding 1,825 distinct bottles of 100% agave-based spirits, from tequila and mezcal to raicilla and sotol. Let’s dive into how this achievement came about, what it means for Metro Detroit, and why it’s such a big deal for lovers of Mexican cuisine and culture.

M Cantina, Facebook

A…

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