blog - Michael Perna

Detroit Driving & Commute Times: How to Drive in Detroit

Learning how to get around in a new area is equal parts exciting and intimidating. It can take some time to learn the best major roads to take, where to expect roundabouts, and how to navigate the unconventional road layout in the heart of Detroit. Taking time to study up on the best local tips and tricks can help with the challenge and lead to a more pleasant time out on the roads as you explore the neighborhoods of Detroit.

Get to Know Your Major Roads

Getting around Detroit is generally easy because of the area's extensive toll-free highway system combined with the area's status as a major port city. The city is serviced by several interstates and US Highways. Many of the numbered roads also have formal names, such as I-75…

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A Moving Timeline for a Successful Relocation

Moving a standard three- or four-bedroom house is a process that takes most people many months of work. However, getting started early can help. Those who can start the moving process before the work becomes urgent can take a more organized and logical approach to moving.

Declutter: One Year to 6 Months Before Relocation

Decluttering is one of the most important steps in the moving process because it can make the rest of the relocation easier and more affordable. This process reduces the amount of stuff that needs to be moved (which can reduce the moving fees) and makes the packing and unpacking process simpler.

People should tackle the decluttering process room by room. To successfully declutter a home, it's important for people to start by…

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Things to Do in Detroit: Detroit, MI Places to Go and Things to Do

Detroit is better known as the Motor City by long-time locals and car enthusiasts around the world. With General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler all headquartered in Detroit, it's easy to see why millions of locals and visitors flock to the city in order to learn everything about the history of the automobile industry. However, cars aren't the only things you will readily find in and around Detroit. In fact, the city has a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities that can keep long-time locals and those fresh to the city entertained for years to come. From outdoor adventures to shopping, dining, arts, and nightlife, Detroit has an activity for everyone all year round!

Detroit Outdoor Adventures

With hot summers and cold winters, locals and…

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Safety Hazards for Homeowners: How to Make Your House a Safer Space

Homeowners should make safety one of their home's top priorities, and there are many ways they can make this happen. Household hazards like the stove, oven, bathtub, and slippery floors can be made safer with products and different methods. The following information can help homeowners determine how to keep their home safe.

Common Bathroom Safety Hazards

The bathroom is a place where people can experience many hazards, including scalds from hot bath water or showers and slipping on the wet bathtub floor. How can homeowners improve their bathroom's safety? They can start by turning the hot water heater to 120 degrees or less, or whatever setting their water heater manufacturer recommends. Finally, it's helpful to install non-slip flooring material…

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Most Expensive Neighborhoods in Detroit: Detroit, MI Luxury Home Buying Guide

Sales of luxury homes in the Detroit metro area quadrupled in the past year when compared to 10 years ago. The resurgence of the luxury home market is further indication of the recovery of Michigan's real estate market following the recession.

If you're planning a move to Detroit and are interested in acquiring a luxury residence, you may be thinking about the features you will be looking for in your new home. But it's equally important to learn about potential neighborhoods so that you can narrow it to those which have the location, architectural style, age, covenants, and other features that most closely fit your needs.

While Detroit has a number of high-end neighborhoods, they differ considerably. Here are some of the best luxury neighborhoods…

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Best Neighborhoods in Detroit: Detroit, MI Community Living Guide

With a sprawling metro area of 4.3 million people, Detroit is Michigan's largest city. Although this urban center earned the nickname "Motor City" for a reason, there's more to Detroit than the automobile industry. Detroit has a unique culture that is reflected everywhere from its music to its architecture.

Over the last 20 years, the city has undergone concerted efforts to revitalize and renovate many of its neighborhoods, as well as its riverfront, historic performance venues, and other aging community buildings.

While choosing a neighborhood is a subjective process, there are certain areas of Detroit that stand out above the rest.

Corktown

Corktown Amenities

• Trendy hipster area
• Industrial-Chic Bars
• Great restaurants and…

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5 Ways to Include Sustainable Materials and Technology in Your Home

If you're building a new home, you will likely want it to be built entirely to your specifications. This is also your opportunity to make your new home as eco-friendly as possible. Environmentally friendly design saves money, reduces the impact to your local environment, and improves property value.

There are so many eco-friendly materials and technologies available on the market today that it can be hard to choose the best materials for your house. The following are some of the most popular, effective, and inventive green materials and technologies for new home construction.

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats have been available for years, but they're only getting smarter as time goes on. Smart thermostats connect to smart phones…

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How Can You Motivate Your Buyers?

Here’s some advice for overcoming buyer objections in today’s market.

I’m sure you’re encountering buyers that are hesitant about buying in the current market. I know we are, but we’ve found a cool way to help overcome that.

Many potential buyers out there are unsure about whether they want to buy right now or not because home values are going up and up.

So how do you combat this?

The reality is that today’s interest rates will not last forever. As the economy continues to improve, they will go back up. That being said, right now is the time for buyers to take advantage of these low rates and get a better home for their money, saving thousands in interest over the course of their home loan.

We recently went out and…

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Detroit Economy: Top Industries, Biggest Employers, & Business Opportunities

If you're considering a move to Detroit, Michigan, it's useful to understand the city's cost of living in addition to the economic opportunities the city has to offer. Detroit's broader metro area has a population of nearly 6 million people and consists of a 10-county area. It is home to about 347,000 businesses and a workforce of 2.6 million people.

Detroit has long been known as the automobile capital of the world, but it is also the second-largest source of architectural and engineering jobs in the country. Downtown Detroit has recently seen a resurgence in companies moving their headquarters from the suburbs to downtown. Metro Detroit is among the top five financial centers in the U.S. and is an emerging leader in technology.

Detroit Top…

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4 Steps for Buying a New Construction Home

Building a new construction home requires focus, organization, and knowledge about what the buyer wants in a property. Although buying a new construction home can feel like a complex task, following these four basic steps can help homebuyers through the process.

Set a Budget

To set a budget, home buyers start by determining how much they can afford to pay for their home. One way to start this process is for homeowners to contact reputable lenders to find out what kind of loan they would qualify for. Loans that pay for new construction homes can be harder to find than loans that pay for pre-existing homes because lenders are reluctant to pay for a home that does not yet exist. Until the home is built, the lender has little leverage if the buyer…

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