Month: November 2021

Since the 1930s, The London Chop House has earned a reputation as one of the top restaurants in the country. Nowadays, guests come from near and far to chow down on steaks, chops, and seafood in a unique setting reminiscent of nearly 100 years ago.

Along with being a special place to dine, the full bar is an ideal spot to gather and sip a specialty cocktail or a glass of wine from the in-house cellar. You can also relax in the old-school cigar room while catching up with friends.

To get started on your fine-dining experience at The London Chop House, head to 155 West Congress Street in Detroit.

Because of its unique history and atmosphere, The London Chop is the perfect spot for a special occasion.

Once you enter the restaurant, it might feel like you’re in England. Along with the decor, be sure to check out this antique telephone and memorabilia.

Before savoring a juicy steak for dinner, start your evening off with some fresh oysters.

One of the most difficult things about your evening will be deciding which mouthwatering meat or seafood dish to order.

Since The London Chop House is one of the finest restaurants around, you won’t be disappointed with your top-notch dinner.

Along with the charming cigar bar, The London Chop House hosts live music performances.

The restaurant is also a popular venue for private parties and special events.

Remember to save room for one of the decadent desserts on the menu, too!

If you’re ready to delve into some of the best steaks you’ve ever had, check out The London Chop House’s website to make a reservation. Enjoy!

The post The London Chop House Is An Old-School Steakhouse In Michigan That Hasn’t Changed In Decades appeared first on Only In Your State.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park covers over 60,000 acres of pure Michigan wilderness. The area is covered in tremendously beautiful forest, rushing rivers and trickling streams that turn into mesmerizing waterfalls, and miles of Lake Superior shoreline that you could explore forever. The state park also hosts over 90 miles of trails that can be used for hiking and exploring, and has multiple campgrounds if you are looking for a multi-day, overnight outing.

There really isn’t a bad time to plan an outing to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. In the fall, there is no better view of the changing foliage, and in the spring, wildflowers shoot up beside the hiking trail.

Lake of the Clouds is a popular destination within the state park. Found within two ridges of the Porcupine Mountains, individuals looking for beautiful hikes, incredible fishing, or a peaceful place to camp for the night frequent the lake.

The Summit Peak observation tower is another spectacular feature of the park. This observation tower is the highest point in all of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and offers 360 degree views of the rest of the park. If visibility is good, you can even see the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior.

The Porcupine Wilderness is also a great place to see wildlife. On quiet days, you may be able to find moose, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, beavers, and of course, porcupines!

The Porcupine Wilderness is filled with old growth forest, providing a fascinating look at ancient trees including sugar maple, yellow birch, and eastern hemlock.

The area was officially made a park in 1945, giving additional protection to the trees and animals that live here. This is true Michigan nature, and is an ideal spot for your next outing.

The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park should be at the top of your list for your next outing. With expansive room to explore, and so much to see, this state park can be visited time and time again, and there will always be something new to see.

The post Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Is A Little-Known Park In Michigan That Is Perfect For Your Next Outing appeared first on Only In Your State.

Mackinac Island is perhaps best known for its Grand Hotel, where Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour rekindled their age-old love in the iconic film “Somewhere in Time.” But the waterfront haven is a natural gem as well. Venture past the downtown area featured in the film, and you’ll find Mackinac State Park, a wooded retreat filled with ample space to wander and views you won’t forget when you do so. Anne’s Tablet Trail is one such place. Hike the relatively easy trail, or travel it by mountain bike. It features the 1916 bas-relief sculpture Anne’s Tablet and leads to a striking view of Lake Huron and the quaint little village on its shores.

The cool Straits of Mackinac provide a brilliant background for this picturesque community on the Michigan shoreline.

Take the forested and hilly path to the art nouveau creation of William Ordway Partridge called Anne’s Tablet.

Anne’s Tablet is a tribute to a literary heroine whose life was filled with adventure, romance, and success, but also heartbreak.

White cottages speckle the landscape you can spy from the top of the trail. The Mackinac Bridge is lovely in the distance.

The gazebo from “Somewhere in Time” sits right off of the trail. It conjures images of a young Christopher Reeve and the lilting flute of the theme song.

Even with clouds rolling in, the panoramic views from the path’s summit are breathtaking.

If you’d like to see Anne’s Tablet, do some hiking, and take in a world-class view, head to Mackinac Island. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the island, so find out all you need to know about getting around at Mackinac State Park’s website. Don’t forget to wear good hiking shoes, tote your camera, and bring a pair of binoculars for a great trip to this northern Michigan trail.

The post Anne’s Tablet Trail Is An Easy Hike In Michigan That Takes You To An Unforgettable View appeared first on Only In Your State.

Whether you’re a fan of the Christmas season or not, there’s no denying that it’s right around the corner. There’s a certain magic in the air as temperatures drop, snow begins to fall more steadily, and twinkling decor appears on each and every street. One towering Christmas tree near Detroit will soon come to life with seemingly endless sparkles and utter charm — and you’ll want to see it for yourself.

The 2021 Birmingham Winter Markt will take place December 3-5 at Shain Park in beautiful Birmingham, which can be found at 270 W Merrill Street. The park sits just 30 minutes by car from Detroit.

When you and your loved ones are looking for the perfect dose of holiday cheer and enchantment, this event fits the bill. On the market’s first night, December 3, festivities will kick off with the annual tree lighting.

At 6 p.m., Metro Detroiters of all ages will gather ‘round the 35-foot Christmas tree and marvel as more than 40,000 beautiful lights are illuminated. There will also be caroling and appearances by Santa himself.

Of course, you and your loved ones might want to snap a few photos alongside this commanding light display. There’s something so simple yet spectacular about glimmering lights and holiday cheer.

In addition to the tree-lighting ceremony, the Winter Markt is overflowing with seasonal attractions and opportunities to snag Christmas gifts. Stroll through rows of vendors, artisans, and goodies galore.

Other attractions include live reindeer, impressive ice sculptures, warming stations to keep your fingers and toes toasty, and refreshments for purchase. You might wonder if you’ve stepped into Santa’s Workshop.

Hop on a free carriage ride through the park to round out your inaugural holiday outing in Birmingham. You might even find yourself returning day after day to appreciate every hour of the wonderful Winter Markt.

As you plan your next family adventures here in Metro Detroit, be sure to keep the tree-lighting and accompanying activities in Birmingham on your list. You’ll be absolutely enamored in no time.

For additional information about this impressive Christmas tree near Detroit and the many moving parts that make Birmingham’s Winter Markt so special, click here. Do you plan to do some holiday shopping at this year’s event? Share your favorite vendors with us by leaving a Facebook comment or recommend another amazing adventure near Detroit by filling out our nomination form here.

Searching for another charming adventure? Read about this delightful train depot restaurant near Detroit.

The post The Magical Christmas Tree Near Detroit That Comes Alive With 40,000 Colorful Lights appeared first on Only In Your State.

Are you thinking about selling your house right now, but you’re not sure you’ll have the time to do so as the holidays draw near? If so, consider this: even as the holiday season approaches, there are plenty of buyers out there, and they really want your house. Here’s why selling this winter is a win for you.

Today’s buyers are still dealing with a limited number of homes for sale. Thanks to continued low inventory, those buyers are competing with one another for their dream home. And when that happens, if your house is one of the few on the market, it will rise to the top of the pool – and it will be worth it.

According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average seller received 3.7 offers on their house in September. For a view into what’s happening at the state level, take a look at the map below:Nationwide, the average seller today is getting nearly four offers. That number is significant because it means you’ll likely have multiple offers to pick from if you sell your house this season. To put things into perspective, no matter where your state falls, remember that you really only need one good offer to close the deal.

Any offer you receive will likely be from a highly motivated buyer who’s doing everything they can to beat the competition. The stakes for buyers are high. They’ve been looking for a house and they want to lock in their dream home before prices and mortgage rates rise further next year. Chances are, they’ll get creative with the terms of their offer, which could include waiving contingencies and offering over the asking price – both of which are great news for you.

If you’re on the fence about when to sell, remember your house is a hot commodity this season. As other sellers take a break for the holidays with plans to re-list their homes in the new year, you can put your house in front of motivated buyers by making your move today. That means your house will be the center of attention, and likely the center of a bidding war too.

Bottom Line

Selling now gives you even more opportunity to win big as buyers compete for your house in today’s market.

The past year and a half brought about significant life changes for many of us. For some, it meant entering retirement earlier than expected. Recent data shows more people retired this year than anticipated. According to the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis, 2021 saw a retirement boom:

“At least 1.7 million more older workers than expected retired due to the pandemic recession.”

If you’ve recently retired, your home may not fit your new lifestyle. The good news is, you’ve likely built-up significant equity that can fuel your next move. According to the latest Homeowner Equity Insights report from CoreLogic, homeowners gained more than $50,000 in equity over the past 12 months alone. That, plus today’s sellers’ market, presents a great opportunity to sell your house and address your evolving needs.

You Can Move Closer to the Ones You Love

The 2021 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) provides a look at the reasons people buy homes. For those reaching retirement age, the number one reason to buy is the opportunity to be closer to loved ones, friends, or relatives.

If you find yourself farther from your loved ones than you’d like to be, retirement and the equity you’ve built in your home may enable you to move closer to the people in your life who matter most.

You Can Find the Right Home for Your Needs

Not only can your equity power a move to a new location, but it can also help you purchase the right size home. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, says many homebuyers 55 and older choose to downsize – or buy a smaller home – when they make a purchase:

“Clearly from the age patterns, young people want to upsize, and the older generation is looking to downsize. . . .”

Whatever your home goals are, a trusted real estate advisor can help you to find the best option for your situation. They’ll help you sell your current home and guide you as you buy your next one while you move into this new phase of life.

Bottom Line

If you’ve recently retired and your needs are changing, you’re not alone. Let’s connect so you can get a better sense of how to find a home that will match your situation.

Like most industries, residential real estate has a seasonality to it. For example, toy stores sell more toys in October, November, and December than they do in any other three-month span throughout the year. More cars are sold in the U.S. during the second quarter (April, May, and June) than in any other quarter of the year.

Real estate is very similar. The number of homes sold in the spring is almost always much greater than at any other time of the year. It’s even labeled as the spring buying season. Historically, the number of buyers and listings for sale significantly increase in the spring and remains strong throughout the summer. Once fall sets in, the number of buyers and sellers typically drops off.

Last year, however, that seasonality didn’t happen. The outbreak of the virus and subsequent slowing of the economy limited sales during the spring market. These sales were pushed back later in the year, and last fall and winter saw a dramatic increase in home sales over previous years. The only thing that held the market back was the extremely limited supply of homes for sale.

What About This Winter?

Some experts thought we’d return to the industry’s normal seasonality this winter with both the number of purchasers and houses available for sale falling off. However, data now shows that neither of those situations will likely occur. Buyer demand is still extremely strong, and it appears we may soon see a somewhat uncharacteristic increase in the number of homes coming to the market.

Buyer Demand Remains Strong

The latest Showing Index from ShowingTime, which tracks the average number of monthly showings on available homes, indicates buyer activity was slightly lower than at the same time last year but much higher than any of the three previous years (see chart below):A report from realtor.com confirms buying activity remains strong in the existing home sales market:

“New housing data shows 2021’s feverish home sales pace broke a yearly record in October, . . . with last month marking the eighth straight month of buyers snatching up homes more quickly than the fastest pace in previous years. . . .”

Buyer activity for newly constructed homes is also very strong. Ali Wolf, Chief Economist for Zonda, recently reported that Stuart Miller, the Executive Chairman of Lennar, one of the nation’s largest home builders, said this about demand:

“There is still a great deal of demand at our sales centers with people lining up and not enough supply.”

The only question heading into this winter is whether the number of listings available could come close to meeting this buyer demand. We may have just received the answer to that question.

Sellers Are About To List – Right Now

Instead of waiting for the normal spring buying market, new research indicates that homeowners thinking about selling are about to put their homes on the market this winter.

Speaking to the release of a report on this recent research, George Ratiu, Manager of Economic Research for realtor.com, said:

“The pandemic has delayed plans for many Americans, and homeowners looking to move on to the next stage of life are no exception. Recent survey data suggests the majority of prospective sellers are actively preparing to enter the market this winter.”

Here are some highlights in the report:

Of homeowners planning to enter the market in the next year:

• 65% – Have just listed (19%) or plan to list this winter
• 93% – Have already taken steps toward listing their home, including working with an agent (28%)
• 36% – Have researched the value of their home and others in their neighborhood
• 36% – Have started making repairs or decluttering

The report also discusses the reasons sellers want to move:

• 33% – Have realized they want different home features
• 37% – Say their home no longer meets their family’s needs
• 32% – Want to move closer to friends and family
• 23% – Are looking for a home office

Data shows buyer demand remains unusually strong going into this winter. Research indicates the supply of inventory is about to increase. This could be a winter real estate market like never before.

Bottom Line

If you’re thinking of buying or selling, now is the time to have a heart-to-heart conversation with a real estate professional in your market, as things are about to change in an unexpected way.

Some Highlights

• When it comes to buying a home, there are a number of key milestones along the way.
• The process includes everything from building your team and understanding your finances to going house hunting, making an offer, and more.
• When you’re ready to start your journey, let’s connect so you have trusted guidance at every milestone in the process.

Your equity is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your goals as a homeowner. And chances are, your equity grew substantially over the past year. According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, homeowners gained an average of $51,500 in equity over the past year.

If you’re looking for the best ways to use your growing equity, here are four options:

1. Use Your Equity To Buy a Home That Fits Your Needs

If you’re finding you no longer have the space you need, it might be time to move into a larger home. Or, it’s possible you have too much space and would like something smaller. No matter the situation, consider using your equity to power a move into a home that fits your changing lifestyle. Moving into a larger home can provide extra space for remote work or loved ones. Downsizing, on the other hand, may mean saving time and money by caring for a smaller home.

2. Move to the Location of Your Dreams

If the size of your home isn’t a challenge but your current location is, it could be time to relocate to a new area. Maybe you enjoy vacationing in the mountains, at the beach, or another area, and you’re dreaming of living there year-round. Or perhaps the distance between you and your loved ones is greater than you’d like, and you want to close the gap. No matter what, your home equity can fuel your move to the location where you really want to live.

3. Start a New Business

If you’re not ready to move into a new home, you can use your equity to invest in a new business venture. As the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy says:

“There is an estimate of 31.7 million small business owners in the United States, many of them started their business with the equity they had in their home.”

While it’s not recommended that homeowners use their equity for unnecessary spending, leveraging your equity to start a business that you’re passionate about can potentially grow your nest egg further.

4. Fund an Education

Whether you have a loved one preparing to head off to college or you’re planning to go back to school yourself, the thought of paying for higher education can be daunting. In either situation, using a portion of your growing equity can help with those costs, so you can make an investment in someone’s future.

Bottom Line

Your equity can help you achieve your goals. If you’re unsure how much equity you have in your home, let’s connect today so you can start planning your next move.