ANN ARBOR, MI – April 15, 2024 – The Arbor Move Team today released findings from their comprehensive analysis of Ann Arbor’s housing market, revealing how national price surges are creating dramatic neighborhood-level transformations across the city. While U.S. home prices have reached an average value of $359,741 in March 2024 with a modest 1.2% year-over-year increase, Ann Arbor’s micromarkets are experiencing significantly more pronounced shifts.

The investigation found that certain Ann Arbor neighborhoods have seen price increases exceeding 8% annually, far outpacing the national average, while others have remained relatively stable. This disparity has created unprecedented opportunities and challenges for local buyers and sellers navigating the market.

“What we’re witnessing is essentially a tale of two markets within Ann Arbor,” explains Middy Matthews, CEO of The Arbor Move Team. “While national headlines focus on broad trends, our hyperlocal analysis reveals dramatically different realities depending on which neighborhood you’re examining. Some areas have become almost untouchable for first-time buyers, while others still offer relative value despite the overall market pressure.”

The report highlights how persistent high mortgage rates, currently hovering around 6.83% for 30-year fixed loans, have fundamentally altered buying patterns and neighborhood preferences. Areas once considered transitional have seen rapid appreciation as buyers compromise on location to secure affordable housing.

Key findings from the analysis include:

• Near-campus neighborhoods have experienced the most dramatic price escalations, with some properties receiving multiple offers within hours of listing
• First-time buyers are increasingly gravitating toward previously overlooked neighborhoods, creating new demand hotspots
• Investment properties near transportation corridors have seen valuation increases exceeding 10% annually
• Luxury home markets have remained relatively insulated from financing concerns, with cash purchases representing a growing percentage of transactions

The analysis also revealed that despite national affordability challenges, Ann Arbor’s strong employment fundamentals and limited housing supply continue to support price stability even amid high interest rates.

“Understanding these neighborhood-level dynamics is crucial for anyone looking to make informed real estate decisions in today’s market,” Matthews added. “While headlines focus on national averages, the reality is that real estate remains intensely local, and the opportunities in Ann Arbor vary dramatically block by block.”

The Arbor Move Team’s findings come as the spring buying season begins in earnest, traditionally the most active period for local real estate transactions.

About The Arbor Move Team: Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, The Arbor Move Team is a woman-run real estate company specializing in residential transactions, investment properties, and market analysis. Led by Middy Matthews, a certified negotiation and marketing specialist, the company has built its reputation on combining deep local expertise with educational resources that empower clients to make informed real estate decisions.

Media Contact:
Middy Matthews
The Arbor Move Team
4750 Venture Dr #400
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
[email protected]
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