What You Should Know About Quiet Title Action

A quiet title action is a lawsuit that seeks to resolve, or “quiet,” a dispute over the ownership of a specific property. One may file a lawsuit against anyone who tries to claim ownership of a property that you believe is yours. For these cases, you may want to contact a real estate lawyer to… Read more »

Why Landlords Should Require Tenants to Have Renters’ Insurance

As a landlord, you have a lot to worry about during the course of any given month. The safety and security of your tenants’ possessions, however, shouldn’t be one of them. Many tenants mistakenly believe that a landlord’s insurance policy will cover any possible damage; this can lead to potential lawsuits and other complications. But… Read more »

New Report by JLL Highlights Difficulty of Finding Downtown Detroit Office Space

Downtown Detroit is on the rise. With recent developments and companies returning to the city, vacancy rates in prime office buildings have dropped. However, this also means that finding prime office space is now more difficult than ever. According to the annual Detroit Skyline report by the Royal Oak office of JLL, more than 92%… Read more »

How Can Landlords Protect Themselves Against Potential Lawsuits?

As a landlord, it’s only natural to worry about potential lawsuits. Keep in mind, however, that nobody (except for lawyers) wants to go to court, and most landlord-tenant and liability lawsuits can actually be avoided with good property management strategies. Here are a few tips that can help protect you from litigation: Screen Your Tenants… Read more »

Redfin Names Detroit Most Affordable City for Middle-Class Homebuyers

If you’re thinking about buying a home in the near future, you may want to stick around Motor City. In addition to the city’s rich history and vibrant cultural scene, brokerage firm Redfin has recently named Detroit the most affordable city for middle-class homebuyers. Redfin estimates that in order to afford a “typical” home in… Read more »

Study Finds Detroit Demolitions May Have Curbed Crime Rates

According to a new study conducted by the University of Michigan and Harvard University, Detroit’s demolition program may have curbed crime rates and decreased firearm violence. First, some background: Thousands of houses in Detroit sat vacant and abandoned for years after their owners moved out to the suburbs or had their homes foreclosed. Many of… Read more »

Detroit to Receive $6M in Tax Credits for Low-Income Housing

Good news for affordable housing advocates in our area: on July 22, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced that Detroit will receive over $6 million in tax credits for low-income housing. The credits will help finance more than $100 million in housing investments. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has… Read more »

Detroit City Council May Change Short-Term Rental Regulations

AirBnB hosts and renters take note: the Detroit City Council could make major changes to the city code to regulate short-term rentals. The council is considering a potential ordinance that would restrict the type and length of short-term rentals permitted in the city, as well is who is allowed to offer them. The ordinance is… Read more »

An Update on the City Planning Commission’s Rezoning Process

Zoning ordinances are important pieces of legislation that determine more than whether properties in different geographic zones can be used for residential or commercial purposes. They can also limit the size of lots or the heights of buildings and determine the density of districts or zones. In short, they can define the character of a… Read more »

Detroit May Require Landlords to Provide Annual Tenant Rosters

Are you a landlord in Detroit? Soon, you may be required to provide annual tenant rosters to help the city identify potential income-tax dodgers. The proposed regulation would apply to apartments and lofts with monthly rents of $750 or more. Last year, the city of Detroit filed a lawsuit against the owners of two properties… Read more »