Attention all first-time home buyers! Are you ready to take the leap into homeownership but feeling a bit apprehensive about the process? Don't worry, we've got you covered. In this blog post, we're going to share with you the top warnings every first-time home buyer should know before signing on the dotted line. So, buckle up and get ready to arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make smart and informed decisions during your home purchase. Let's get started!

Interest Rates Are Not Going Down

Not to be the bearer of bad news, but the days of 2.5 and 3% interest rates are gone and more than likely will not be seen again anytime in the next decade. Interest rates for home loans climbed relentlessly in 2022, with the Fed hiking rates 7…

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Have you ever visited or moved to a new state and felt like an outsider? Welcome to the Great Lakes state, where the locals are as unique as the weather patterns. From our famous Coney dogs to the ever-changing weather, Michigan is a melting pot of culture and personality. But don't let that intimidate you, because as you'll soon find out, fitting in here is all about embracing the diversity and embracing the quirks that make Michigan, well, Michigan!

Michigan Consists of Two Peninsulas

Michigan is the only state in the United States that is made up of two separate peninsulas - the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula. But don't let that fool you, these two peninsulas are vastly different in terms of geography, culture, and personality.…

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Why is Michigan a Great State to Live In?

Living in Michigan, you can experience all four seasons in one day! Ok, so this one may only be mostly true. Just like moving to any other state, there are pros and cons of moving to or living in Michigan, and while we may be partial, we believe the Great Lakes State has plenty more positives to outweigh the negatives. You may be wondering, "Is Michigan a good state to move to?" Michigan is a great state to move to  due to its rich cultural heritage, beautiful natural landscapes, strong economy, affordable real estate, excellent education options, vibrant arts and entertainment, and numerous other attractions. If you are looking to move to Michigan, call The Perna Team at (248) 886-4450 to chat with one of our…

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Winter in Michigan may be cold, but it's also a time of year that offers a wide variety of fun and exciting activities for everyone. Whether you're a thrill-seeker looking for an adrenaline rush or someone who prefers a more relaxed pace, living in Michigan during the winter provides ample opportunities to get outside and enjoy mother nature. So, grab your warmest coat, hat & gloves, and let's explore all the fun things Michigan has to offer in the winter!

     

Bowers School Farm 

The Bowers School Farm, owned and operated by Bloomfield Hills Schools (BHS) since 1967, serves as a place for schools and the community to gather and celebrate agriculture. With a focus on the importance of food, farming, and the outdoors for healthy living and…

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One year ago Michael Perna made eight predictions regarding what would be seen in the 2022 real estate and financial markets. Six of them turned out to be right on the money, one started out on the right foot before taking a turn, and one - well he was completely off. Now Mike is back with eleven more predictions for 2023! Will he keep up his winning streak or will 2023 throw us all a curveball? For that answer, only time will tell.

2022 brought a lot of change to the markets with real estate cooling off significantly in comparison to the previous year and many stock values taking a hit. 2023 is also shaping up to hold quite a bit of change in store - some for the better, some not so much. Read on for our top predictions of the year.

Home…

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In December of 2021, Michael Perna released a video giving his predictions on what we would see take place in the real estate and financial markets of 2022, but how close was he after all was said and done? In this article we’ll take a look back at 8 predictions versus what the actual outcome was.

Rent Prices
Prediction: Rent costs will continue to rise in 2022.
Actual: True. Rent costs increased dramatically across Metro Detroit and the United States as a whole throughout 2022 before beginning to slightly decrease in Q4 in some areas. 

There are several factors that can cause rent prices to increase with the largest contributors to increasing rent prices seen in 2022 being skyrocketing home values, high inflation and low inventory…

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January 2023 is just around the corner and we couldn’t be more excited for another year of awesome happenings taking place around Metro Detroit! We’re starting the year off strong with some excellent events that are both family friendly and fun for adults. Let’s dive in! 

Van Gogh in America 

If you haven’t yet made your way to the Detroit Institute of Arts, January is your last chance to attend Van Gogh in America! This exhibit celebrates the 100th anniversary of the DIA's status of becoming the first public museum in the United States to purchase a painting by Vincent van Gogh, his Self-Portrait painted in 1887. With 74 authentic Van Gogh works from around the world, the DIA is the exclusive venue where you can visit to see this…

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Concerts and stand up comedy shows are getting off to a bit of a slow start for 2023, but there are still some big names (and one legendary name!) coming to town this January. Whether you’re a fan of funk, hip-hop, rock or looking for a night of laughs, get out and visit one of our wonderful venues to start the year out strong!

CONCERTS

Elvis The Concert of Kings

MotorCity Casino Hotel 
January 12

Click here for tickets and info 

     

Loud Luxury

Royal Oak Music Theatre
January 13

Click here for tickets and info 

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

MotorCity Casino Hotel 
January 14

Click here for tickets and info 

 

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic

Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts
January 20

Click here…

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2022 is almost in the books (can you believe it?!?) and Metro Detroit is going out in style with some of the top events in Michigan to celebrate New Year’s Eve! With excellent choices for both adults and more family friendly events, you’re sure to find the perfect way to kick off 2023 in style!

EVENTS FOR ADULTS

Detroit NYE Bar Crawl 
Exodus Rooftop December 31, 2022
529 Monroe Street Detroit, MI 48226
December 31, 2022

If you’re looking to party and dance the night away you can’t go wrong with the annual Detroit New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl! Check in is at Exodus Rooftop beginning at 6 p.m. and the fun runs straight through the night until 2 a.m. Ticket prices range from $30 to $40 and provide free access to six of Detroit’s hottest bars…

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So you’re thinking about buying a home. Awesome! You’ve visited your favorite realtor’s website, picked out some beautiful homes in your favorite cities, you’ve thought of everything and are ready to start scheduling some showings! Right? Before you do, double check that you’re prepared for this journey and arm yourself with the knowledge that will protect your family both during and after the purchase of your new home.

Private Mortgage Insurance

We touched on this in 10 Things You MUST Know Before Buying a Home Part 1, but believe it’s an important enough part of the process to dive into deeper detail here. If you don’t put at least 20% down when purchasing a home with a conventional mortgage, the bank is going to require that you get…

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