Ann Arbor’s Walkability Score – Is it Your Paradise?

Driving has always been one of America’s odd pastimes, with week-long road trips from coast to coast, but sometimes we just want to leave our car behind and walk. Maybe that’s why the downtown area has become so popular with local residents in Ann Arbor. The “walk-able” character of the city has always appealed to those wanting to forget the hassle of traffic and be conveniently located near the university campus, local grocery stores, and favorite restaurants. The charm of any downtown is always determined by it’s “walk score,” and Ann Arbor can proudly tell everyone it scored a 98 out of 100.

Ann Arbor Walkability

Ann Arbor’s Walk Score

Ann Arbor – A Walker’s Paradise

With a walk score of 98, this means you can easily run daily errands without a car. From your downtown loft or condo, you can enjoy a hot coffee one block down the street or see a movie behind your complex. The University of Michigan’s campus is nearby, allowing college students to easily get to class and find what they need. For those who just enjoy living in the city, grocery stores and local marketplaces are all located within a short walking distance — giving you the relaxation of going at your own pace. You don’t need to deal with driving, filling the tank up, or mess with traffic.

Ann Arbor’s Scores

  • Walk Score = 98
  • Bike Score = 99
  • Transit Score = 65

With top scores like this, it’s easy to see why living in downtown Ann Arbor is so pleasurable. Schools, coffee shops, restaurants, and bars are located in one central hub that you can easily get to. However Ann Arbor’s scores are complemented by great places to live. Condo complexes like Liberty Lofts and Sloan Plaza introduce residents to comfortable living matched with unique amenities. Not only is the city at your command, but you also have access to swimming pools, exercise rooms, and breathtaking views. Everything you’ve ever wanted is at your doorstep — literally, so why not give downtown Ann Arbor real estate a look. Search our current listings below:

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Other Condos for Sale in Downtown Ann Arbor:

Ann Arbor Real Estate; 534 Galen, Circle, Ann Arbor MI 48103

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Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 3.5 Square Feet: 1,693

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Located close to downtown Ann Arbor lies a maintenance free condo! Talk about carefree living! The minute your eyes gaze onto this beauty, it will truly exceed your expectations. Upon entering the foyer, guests are greeted with inspiring taste and fabulous upgrades. A dramatic  entry leads you to the wonderful open floor plan that will be the place to entertain with style. A multitude of windows, a stone fireplace, and neutral decor create solace for all residents and guests alike. Continue into the first class kitchen boasting a built-in wine rack, oak cabinetry,  and stainless steel appliances. Imagine all of the wonderful cuisine that will be prepared in this culinary dreamland. The dining area is just steps away and offers stunning views of the backyard as you dine with guests.  A lower level family room is an added bonus!

Escape to your own personal oasis in the master bedroom suite which comes complete with large windows, a walk-in closet, and an attached master bathroom. This bathroom includes a vanity with granite counter top, vanity lighting and a separate shower.  A second bedroom   provides the extra space for a guest.  Experience outdoor living on the rear deck or patio or you can relax in the hot tub.  This wonderful community features tennis courts, a swimming pool, basketball courts, and a play ground area.   This Ann Arbor real estate is a gem!  It is truly a must see!

Additional  ANN ARBOR REAL ESTATE Listings

254 Wollf Road

9885 Sunrise Drive

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Kathy Toth and Team are Washtenaw County, Michigan real estate experts who will guide home buyers and sellers through the entire real estate process. Our extensive knowledge of Washtenaw County areas, combined with decades of expertise in the local real estate market is extremely valuable to helping you achieve your goals. For quality service and personal attention during your real estate transaction, contact Kathy Toth and Team for all your home buying and selling needs.

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What Summer Is Like In Ann Arbor, MI

Summer Fun In Ann Arbor:

Welcome to a summer festival of constant fun and ongoing entertainment in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The 2013 summer months in Ann Arbor run from May to September, with indoor and outdoor performing arts. The festival encompasses street parties, varied dance ensembles, film series, visual arts, family events, exhibitions and music everywhere. There are ticketed events and open space free events ongoing from downtown Ann Arbor to the University of Michigan. The Ann Arbor Summer Festival features local, national and international artists from all genres of art and entertainment.

Ann Arbor Summer Festival

Summer Festival Line-Up:

This year’s summer festival will feature renowned acts, such as Britain’s Django Django, the Capitol Steps, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band with New Orleans Bingo, Garrison Keillor, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. for the kids, the amazing Montreal circus troupe of Les 7 doigts de la main performs as well as the 3D Kid Zone:Rocks and Robots demonstrations. No, entertainment is not over yet, join tourists and residents at the Ann Arbor Art Fair. We’ll see you Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. To 6:00 p.m., and Wednesdays through Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. under the starry night sky. The 2013 Summer Art Fair is located on Main, Liberty and State Streets with artist booths, live entertainment and plenty of art demonstrations, maybe even including you!

For more information about Ann Arbor’s Summer Festival, visit their website: click here.

Reading Is Fun In Ann Arbor:

The books are coming, the book geeks are coming! Meet avid book readers at Ann Arbor’s summer book fair which is held every May. 2013 marked the 35th annual Ann Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair which was held in the Ballroom of the Michigan Union on South State Street and will held at this location in 2014. Readers and writers attend this event by the thousands because it features noted authors who read and discuss their works. Children are enthralled with Disney, animated characters, and children’s book authors reading to them, as well as entertaining them with arts and crafts. During the Antiquarian Book Fair, many antiquarians showcase first editions, original manuscripts and literary collectibles.

For more information about book events in Ann Arbor, visit this website: click here.

Ann Arbor Art Fair:

Yes, there is still more Ann Arbor summer fun. Join everyone for the four event, Ann Arbor Art Fair which runs from July, 17th to the 20th. The first art fair is held around the clock tower of the University of Michigan and features 200 artists who not only paint and draw, but become their own art pieces with interesting performances. The second art fair location is downtown on Main Street with jewelry artisans, sculptures, ceramic artistry, photography, glass works, fiber wear, activities for the children and lots of food and drinks for those humid summer evenings. The State Street Art Fair is an award winning display of local, regional, and international artistic talent. The fourth art fair is Ann Arbor’s South University location where traditional, modern, avant-garde and next generation art forms come together for an amazing display of talent.

For more information about the Ann Arbor Art Fair, visit their website: click here.

Come One, Come All:

Ann Arbor is the place to be this summer for non-stop entertainment for the whole family. There are no strangers at the summer festival, only smiling faces. Eat, drink and be gloriously giddy at the myriad of events that take place all summer long. If you want to join in this excitement every year, make sure you have the right house to call Ann Arbor home!

Click Here to View Ann Arbor Real Estate

5 Ways to Make Your Condo Seem Bigger

Explore Ann Arbor Condos for Sale

Downtown Ann Arbor has always been characterized by its lively atmosphere, convenience to many shops, and its location to the University of Michigan — which is why it has become such a popular area to live in. However, as some people might find, not every condo in Ann Arbor is as spacious as a regular home, and making the transition might be hard. No matter what reason you have for living in a small space, you’ll undoubtedly have to make some compromises between decorating and furniture. However, we’ve provided some interesting tips to make your condo seem as big as a regular house. And if you’ve been thinking about selling your condo, this might be the perfect solution to increasing your sales potential.

5 Ways to Make Your Condo Seem Bigger

1. Use Light Colors for Visual Expansion

A lot of local experts will tell you to use light color tones to help the room visually expand, but we’d like to make an addition to this statement. If you use “cool” colors like a soft sky blue on the walls, it will help them visually “recede,” fooling the eye into thinking there’s more space. Overall, your mindset will be happier and feel more comfortable with lighter, warmer colors. Softer paint tones also provide furniture and artwork a neutral background to complement.

Ann Arbor Condo for Sale
by The Lettered Cottage

2. Utilize As Much Natural Light As Possible

Letting the sun in doesn’t just warm up your Ann Arbor condo, it adds character. Don’t believe me? See the difference when you add dark curtains to your window and remove them. The overall setting of your condo will drastically transform into a warmer, more inviting place — which is great when selling. Natural light brightens up your condo space and makes everything seem more open. If you don’t have much natural light coming in, you can utilize what windows you do have and add mirrors around the room. Each mirror will reflect the light and add a little sparkle to the room that you didn’t have before.

3. Smaller Prints & Plain Color Rugs Are Best

By hanging smaller prints on your walls and laying down rugs with plain, solid colors, it helps create a “unified” effect that visually expands the condo space. Continuation, if you don’t mind the word play, keeps the eye from noticing the real size of the room. If you put different colored paintings, rugs, and curtains, the eye would catch the difference and begin to notice the lack of size.

4. Go With Multi-Purpose Furniture

One of the first things you’ll try to do to make your condo seem bigger is by scaling back on your furniture. Obviously, smaller furniture will give you more space, but in our opinion, you don’t need to do all this necessarily. What you should look for is multi-purpose furniture. This way, you can avoid the overall clutter of furniture. One example we like to use is the treasure chest (doubled as coffee table). You can place some stuff inside, but also use it as a regular table in your living room. Pieces like this give your condo a unique character, but are also practical.

Ann Arbor Condo for Sale
by Studio Sarah Willmer

5. Half Empty Shelves = Good

In a small space every nook and cranny is drastically important and needed, but if you’re selling your condo and you want it to appear extremely spacious, try taking some clutter off the shelves. By leaving some shelves half empty, you can create an “airy” and dramatic look that potential buyers might love.

Selling Your Condo

Ann Arbor condos are all highly-desired, but if you want yours to be set apart from the rest, employ some of our “spacious” techniques and you’ll instantly see a dramatic lift in buyer interest. Even if you’re not selling, it still creates a more open space for you to call home, which you’ll enjoy everyday. If you have any questions about selling your Ann Arbor condo, don’t hesitate to contact us in the free form below!

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Recently Sold Homes in Ann Arbor, MI – June 2013

The Ann Arbor real estate market has been turning in favor of the home seller which makes this a great time to sell in the area. Many properties have sold at the highest price ever in their history. We have selected some typical sales that reflect the upturn in the Ann Arbor market.

2121 Devonshire Rd Ann Arbor MI2121 Devonshire Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

This single-family home located on a ¼ acre of land sold for $603,000 on Mar 8, 2013. The home has a charming outside appearance with great curb appeal. The home has a New England cottage appeal, but accommodates 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths with nearly 3,000 square feet of space. The home is designed to have a welcoming entrance which leads to a tiled center-entry foyer that opens to a large dining and living room. There are many features of this home that make it a highly desirable place to relax and to entertain. The detail work in the interior is fabulous.

2200 Vinewood Blvd Ann Arbor MI2200 Vinewood Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

This home has 5 bedrooms and 5 baths and over 5,000 square feet.. It sold for $600,000 in March 2013. This home has somewhat of an old classic design. This home features hardwood floors, the stylish arched doorways of the era, and the house is generously proportioned. This home has many unique and spacious features, but it also has high-end updates everywhere. This home reminds one of the English country homes except for the updates. The interior of this home has some amazing features in the space that is available.

1216 Brookly Ave Ann Arbor MI1216 Brooklyn Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

This home is situated on a city lot in the neighborhood near downtown Ann Arbor. It was built in 1927 with 4 Br, 2 1/2 baths, and a 2 car garage. The interior is warm and it has a classic architectural feel of space with accented woodwork. The formal living room features arched openings to the formal dining room. There are many features such as the large kitchen that opens to the family room. This home sold in February 2013 for $400,000. Although there is no historical sales price for this home, the average sales price for is $355,053 for similar homes.

It Is a Great Time to Sell

The Ann Arbor real estate market is inviting sellers to take advantage of increasing prices. While there are various homes for sale at various prices, the market is generally trending upward. The listings all reflect a significant increase in home value. The pertinent points illustrated by the above examples is they are: 1)all a different style; 2) all are on different size properties; 3) they have different interiors, and 4) they have all achieved price growth and stabilization.

1 Learn More About Listing Your Home

Email Address

Phone Number

What is your timeframe for selling?

 

What is your desired selling price?

2 Send Us Your Questions:

Tell us about your concerns and why you would like to sell.

* Required fields

Submit Now!

Ann Arbor Area Real Estate: 14160 Sharon Hollow Road

14160 Sharon Hollow Road

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Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2.5 Square Feet: 1,934

Come out and enjoy 10 beautiful rolling wooded acres in the country. This move-in condition home has been freshly remodeled and updated with the following: Kitchen, carpeting, flooring, boiler, roof, and siding. This 3 bedroom and 2.5 bath home has a finished lower level complete with a stared access to the outdoors. The open kitchen overlooks the family room with antique wood burning stove. You will enjoy the private study tucked away in this home. Upstairs master suite has a walk-in closet and private bath along with two additional bedrooms and main bath. Outside has a paver brick patio and a wonderful gazebo with detachable screens to enjoy cookouts or for just doing nothing but relaxing. The large outbuilding includes a horse stall and tack room along with plenty of hay storage or toy storage. It also has a work room for the hobbyist. This Ann Arbor area real estate is located just inside the Clinton School System but family attended school of choice Manchester Schools.

 

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Please visit our website for a complimentary MLS search

Additional ANN ARBOR AREA REAL ESTATE Listings

 

Kathy Toth and Team

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Keller Williams Realty

May 2013 Ann Arbor Real Estate Statistics

May 2013 real estate sales statistics have been posted by the the Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS®.

  • The average sales price was $246,305, an increase of 20% over last year.
  • New listings are up 16% over the previous month and 7% over last year.
  • The average days on the market has decreased from 71 days to 39 days.

The market is on the upswing and now is a great time to sell your Ann Arbor area home!  If you are thinking of selling or buying a home in the Ann Arbor area we’d love to hear from you.  Please contact us today with any questions you may have or to get started! We look forward to hearing from you!

May 2013 Stats-2

 

May 2013 Stats-3

Find out more from the Ann Arbor Experts!  Search for homes in the Ann Arbor Area.

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Ann Arbor Real Estate; 525 Second Street, Ann Arbor, MI

525 Second Street

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Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2.5 Square Feet: 1,896

 

 

 

 

Can you say Classic Old West Side Home with front porch swing and large double lot private fenced backyard with garden? Look no farther it’s here. Totally remodeled home that keeps its charm but gives you modern living at its finest. Large kitchen with custom glass cabinets and stainless steel appliances comes with a tiled breakfast nook with French doors to a large outside deck. Living room, family room and formal dining room with hardwood floors along with a bath and sauna finish off the downstairs. Upstairs has been opened up with cathedral ceilings and skylights in all the bedrooms and large main bath. The master suit has a sitting room, closets and skylight along with a large master bath with glass and tiled shower. There is a carport and an enclosed work shop/potting shed located just steps away from the deck. Easy walk to downtown Ann Arbor and Central U of M campus. This kind of home on the Old West Side does not come along to often so schedule a showing to view this Ann Arbor real estate before it’s too late.

 

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See Extra Photos for 525 Second Street

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Please visit our website for a complimentary MLS search

Additional ANN ARBOR REAL ESTATE Listings

 

Kathy Toth and Team

www.KathyToth.com

Keller Williams Realty

Ann Arbor Ranked as One of the Most Well-Read Cities

Ann Arbor ranks on top of many “Best City” lists, but recently Ann Arbor has another benchmark they can check off: 6th Most Well-Read City in the United States. Compiled by Amazon.com, Ann Arbor has shown its position as a city that loves to read – including books, e-books, magazines, and newspapers. Beating out cities like Berkeley, California and Seattle, Washington, Ann Arbor is letting the nation know we are interested in everything fiction and non-fiction.

Ann Arbor Reading

How Did We Make The List?

Amazon.com’s list is created annually after they thoroughly analyzed the sales of print and Kindle-format materials on a per-capita basis in cities of more than 100,000 as of June 1, 2012. The list is proof that the country is reading, according to Sara Nelson from Amazon’s Editorial Department. But the more interesting question is what book is Ann Arbor’s favorite? That answer is “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn. It was the most purchased book in Ann Arbor as of this year.

Are Ann Arbor Residents Buying Books Locally or Online?

According to Nicola Rooney, owner of Nicola’s Books, the answer is yes and no. Though Amazon does consist of a majority of book sales, Rooney has noticed an increase of local business since the downtown Borders closed. Customers are looking for recommendations, local expertise, and the right atmosphere to find their books. With this in mind, people love visiting book shops, perusing a little bit, and maybe bringing a copy to a nearby coffee store. Reading is apparently on the top of Ann Arbor’s mind and is no doubt contributed by the University of Michigan’s student base.

Amazon’s Top 20 List

  1. Alexandria, VA
  2. Knoxville, Tenn.
  3. Miami, FL
  4. Cambridge, Mass.
  5. Orlando, FL
  6. Ann Arbor, MI
  7. Berkeley, CA
  8. Cincinnati, OH
  9. Columbia, SC
  10. Pittsburgh, PA
  11. St. Louis, MO
  12. Salt Lake City, UT
  13. Seattle, WA
  14. Vancouver, WA
  15. Gainesville, FL
  16. Atlanta, GA
  17. Dayton, OH
  18. Richmond, VA
  19. Clearwater, FL
  20. Tallahasee, FL

With this in mind, the better question is what book have you read recently? Feel free to share in the comments sections below!

Click Here to Explore Ann Arbor Real Estate

Ann Arbor Real Estate: What I Want For Summer!

Why wait until Christmas to get what you want for your home? The summer is the perfect time to make your dreams become reality — more specifically in the backyard and patio area. When the weather is this great in Ann Arbor, you don’t want to waste it indoors, sitting on the couch and watching television all day. You want to be outside, lounging about in a hammock or hosting fun backyard parties for friends and family. You can even celebrate your children’s birthday party with a small get-together outside. It’s the perfect space for children to run around and play together, so it’s important that you get what you want and turn your backyard into a paradise waiting to be enjoyed.

Here’s some ideas to get your Summer list started:

The Relaxing Backyard

Ann Arbor Relaxing Backyard
by Smith & Vansant Architects PC

If what you want for summer is a relaxing backyard, set your yard up like a lounge area. Tie the hammock to some trees, line up some chairs, and maybe introduce the backyard to an outdoor table to enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs outside. With the calls and beauty of nature all around you, relaxing should be a breeze.

The Entertainment Backyard

Ann Arbor Entertainment Backyard
by Colorworks Studio

If you’ve been looking for the perfect excuse to put a big screen television outside, this is it. Serving as the perfect entertainment venue for sports games, friends and family can relax outside, enjoy the warmth of the firepit, and not miss a single second of the game. Turn the regular sports party into something memorable and make all your neighbors jealous!

The Chef’s Backyard

Ann Arbor Chefs Backyard
by Holloway Company Inc.

Everyone loves delicious food, especially legendary burgers and ribs from the grill-master himself. If you want the perfect backyard setting for cooking and entertaining guests, it’s time to build the neighborhood’s best grill station. Design a cozy patio area for guests to relax under, yet still be able to admire the natural surroundings. Have the grills heated up and let the pleasing aromas do their work. No doubt friends will be begging to come back for seconds.

What You Want for Summer

These ideas should serve as great starting points to making your dreams come true for the summer. Everyone wants a great place to relax outside and have great parties in. If you’re looking for a great home that you can enjoy the outdoors with, check out our current home listings in Ann Arbor:

Click Here to View Ann Arbor Homes with Excellent Backyards