Ann Arbor · Buying a Home
Buying a house in Ann Arbor, block by block
A search built around what you need, a clear read on every home, and a checklist from first showing to closing.
Buying a house in Ann Arbor means choosing a street
When you're buying a house in Ann Arbor, you're choosing more than square footage. You're choosing whether you'll walk to dinner or drive, whether you'll bike to campus, and how close you want to be to the energy of downtown on a football Saturday.
Ann Arbor changes from one part of town to the next. Near downtown, many homes are around 100 years old. A short drive out, there are neighborhoods of 1950s ranches. Near the hospital, you'll find larger homes on bigger lots. Each one comes with its own trade-offs.
My job is to help you understand those differences before you fall for a house, so the home you buy fits the way you actually want to live.
Why buyers work with me in Ann Arbor
I've worked the Ann Arbor market for 13 years and lived in Washtenaw County since 1997. I know which streets are a true walk to downtown, which neighborhoods sit close to the hospital, and which homes come with a steep hill or no garage.
I teach first, and I don't rush anyone. You'll see the market for yourself before you make a decision, and when we look at a home together, I'll tell you clearly what I see.
How buying in Ann Arbor works with me
We start with a conversation in my office, or by phone or Zoom if you're out of town, so I understand your situation. Then you talk with a lender and get pre-approved, and I set you up on a home search at the same time.
While you get ready, I'll ask you to watch that search. In Ann Arbor, you'll quickly see how fast homes go under contract in the neighborhoods you like, and what your budget buys in each one. I'll show you recent sales so the numbers make sense.
When it's time to look, we narrow the list together. If you find a home on your own, send it to me and I'll get answers to your questions before we decide whether to see it. Before we tour homes together, we sign a written buyer agreement. I'll walk you through it first so nothing in it surprises you.
When you're ready to make an offer, I pull the recent sales nearby and call the listing agent to learn about competition and what matters to the seller. That helps us shape your terms, not just your price. Read the full plan in how I help you buy, from offer to keys.
Matching Ann Arbor neighborhoods to what you want
If walking downtown matters most, look at the Old West Side and Water Hill. Their homes are about a century old, often smaller, and not every one has a garage.
If you'll work at the University of Michigan hospital, Ann Arbor Hills and Geddes Heights put you very close. Ann Arbor Hills has larger homes and mostly no sidewalks. Geddes Heights has trees, privacy, and some very steep streets.
If you want one-floor living, there are 1950s ranch neighborhoods close to downtown, and Orchard Hills has ranch homes from the 1960s and 1970s alongside two-story colonials.
Every older Ann Arbor home deserves a careful inspection. Before it happens, I'll explain what to focus on: safety, structural issues, and foundation issues.
Start your Ann Arbor home search
If you're ready to start, call me or send a note. If you'd like more room for the money, compare buying in Ypsilanti or buying in Dexter. You can also read how I help with buying a home across the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast do homes sell in Ann Arbor?
It depends on the neighborhood and the price. That's why I ask buyers to watch their home search for a while, so they can see how quickly homes go under contract in the areas they like.
Which parts of Ann Arbor are closest to the hospital?
Ann Arbor Hills and Geddes Heights are both very close to the University of Michigan hospital and campus.
Do I need to be pre-approved before looking at Ann Arbor homes?
Yes. Pre-approval comes first, so you know what you can spend and you're ready to act when the right home appears.
Ann Arbor
What buying a home looks like in Ann Arbor
A university city on the Huron River, with century-old homes near downtown, 1950s ranch neighborhoods, mid-century modern homes in Ann Arbor Hills, and culture all year.
- The homes
- Older homes within walking reach of downtown, plus neighborhoods of 1950s ranches that are also close in.
- Why people choose it
- A city built around the University of Michigan, where town and campus flow into each other. Ann Arbor is known as Tree Town, and it's a very environmentally conscious place.
- Getting around
- A very bike-friendly city, with many dedicated bike lanes. On University of Michigan football Saturdays, plan to avoid driving near Michigan Stadium from about two hours before kickoff until about two hours after the game ends.
- Nearby
- Downtown theaters and music venues, including the State Theatre, the Michigan Theater, The Ark, the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, and Hill Auditorium, plus the University of Michigan Museum of Art. The original Zingerman's Deli on Detroit Street, the Huron River, and the trails and peony garden at Nichols Arboretum.
- The trade-off
- Downtown can be busy, especially near campus on State Street, and football Saturdays take over the city.
Buying a Home: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Nancy Arnold?