Explore the Birmingham real estate market here: bit.ly/BirminghamMichigan ✅I'll help you buy, sell, build, or invest in Metro Detroit Michigan: www.movingmi.com/INFO/UA-cam
They're not that bad. Southfield, Oak Park and bunch of other cities are worse. If you bought a 500k house in Southfield, you’d have to pay over 15k/year in taxes. That's the same amount you’d pay in Birmingham for a 800k house 🤯
I'd agree and a lot of new businesses are moving into the downtown area! Prices are going to skyrocket in Farmington & Farmington Hills in the next few years as more people figure that out 😀
Birmingham has always been Birmingham. It has never changed, and always looked like a bustling little suburb of metro Detroit. I grew up in Ferndale, 5 miles to the south on Woodward Ave. When I got my first job while in high school, I thought Birmingham would be a good choice to start. I began working at B. Siegel in the center of town. It was a specialty women’s clothing store. I worked Thursday, Friday evening and all day Saturday as a porter, restocking sales desks, emptying garbage, cleaning bathrooms and running errands. It was fun for a first job. I also met one of my best friends. We were the same age, and she worked part time after school as well. She worked in accessories. We met in the fall of 1979. When I was attending a local college in 1982, I ran into a bit of trouble, my folks found out I was gay and threw me out. I went to live with a boyfriend which didn’t work out well, I needed work right away. He suggested I apply at the many expensive restaurants in town. There was Mid Town Cafe’, Phonecia, 220 Merrill Street, Machus Sly Fox, but I was hired at Punchinello’s. It was a small bistro type restaurant open lunch and dinner. I got on friendly enough with the staff and ended up living with another waiter in his dumpy rental house on Stanley St. Now it’s one of those $1,000,000.00 homes. I found most of the clientele insufferable, but there were a handful of gems who made everthing entertaining. Speaking of entertaining, Punchinello’s was a block away from The Townsend Inn, an upscale hotel that catered to wealthy guests. Whenever a famous actor who was appearing at the Birmingham Theater was in town, or for an appearance they stayed at The Townsend. I had the pleasure of taking care of Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli, Mercedes McCambridge, Kenny Loggins, and Margaret Whiting. There were many more and they were all wonderful. I worked there for roughly 10 years. It was getting more difficult in the early 90’s. The owner was unpredictable at best, and the local clientele with new money were the finger snapping type, whatever you did for them, it was never enough. It was tough to leave, but my boyfriend told me to leave. He knew I wasn’t happy. I gave my 2 weeks notice and the owner said “let’s make it 1 week”. I said sure, thanks for nothing. Maybe a year later my boyfriend and I were at the Townsend for dinner. A couple who were old customers from Punchinello’s saw me and asked us to join them. We sat and talked over drinks. I asked if they still dined at the restaurant. They said not really. It was just too sad there anymore. The following spring brown paper was taped to all the windows. “CLOSED FOR REMODELING” the signs said. Several weeks later the restaurant equipment auction was announced. My boyfriend and I walked by and peeked through the windows. It looked depressing. I’m glad I left before the ship sank. Every so often when we’re in town from our home here in Atlanta, we’ll drive through Birmingham. Now it looks like any other city where the women have their noses in the air. At least we have our memories, and a drawer full of Punchinello’s match books.
I love everything about this comment! Hearing stories about how these cities were is one of my favorite things about this channel. Thank you for sharing!
It can't be more overpriced more than Trenton, Mi. taxes for a 1325 sq, ft. house is around four thousand four hundred dollars these homes are built in 1950's, they are taxing the seniors out of their homes, it's outrageous for Wayne County!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Taxes in Michigan are based on taxable value, not the sq/ft and Trenton is definitely not the worst. I made a video explaining how our taxes work: ua-cam.com/video/qrxEe-LVyIY/v-deo.htmlsi=q79iv0n5ZWf3fMlj
I'm a fan of Lehto's Law on YT and I recall he mentioned how he grew up in Birmingham MI, which sadly for me, such a beautiful affluent community with fantastic schools wasn’t part of my upbringing. $329K (cheapest on Zillow for Birmingham) for 922 sq ft and $3,376 property tax are numbers similar to the Ann Arbor area, which has Michigan Medicine and U of M going for it, whereas Birmingham offers the closeness of the dream cruise. I’d have to win the lottery before giving any serious consideration toward relocating to either area but your videos are keeping the dream alive. Thanks!
Thanks for watching! I was on Lehto's Law a while back. The taxes you see listed on sites like Zillow are incorrect. The real taxes on that 330k Birmingham house would be $6,379/year if you live in it or $8,502 if it's owned as a non-primary or rental. The same house in Ann Arbor would run you $8,542/$11,108 - (I made a whole video about Michigan property taxes: ua-cam.com/video/qrxEe-LVyIY/v-deo.html )
I work for a builder in Birmingham that was at the forefront of tearing down the old houses and building “bigfoot” houses in the ‘90s. I hated framing on those tiny lots but it paid well. Moved on to work for one of the best custom builders and building on some of the most prestigious homes in Birmingham and surrounding area. I however can’t agree about it being the most overpriced city in America. Many city far out due it, I was recently in Park City Utah and toured a condo that was asking just under $3500 a sf.
That's wild! What builder are you working for now? Would love to check out some of the work! Birmingham definitely isn't the most expensive city in America - the article just says our real estate is the most "overvalued/overpriced"
@@PaulWolfert Park City really is wild. I worked Thomas Sebold & Associates until I retired several years ago. I now spend time between Traverse city and Vero Beach. I’ve always believed it’s not overpriced if someone buys it.
Hey Paul, if they're concerned about you taking off your shoes then they are missing the point of your awesome videos brother. Keep doing what you do and I'll keep watching. Shoes or no shoes. 👍🏾
Paul, what is the fascination in Michigan with detached garages? It seems like most of the houses you show have a detached garage. I get why the older houses are like that, but even that newer one at 18:26 has that. Is it a fire code thing? Do people up there like to walk through snow , rain and sleet to crank a key in a lock to get to their car? Maybe you've explained it and I just missed that video.
People in Michigan actually prefer attached garages but most of the cities with small lots (also some of the most desirable areas) can't fit an attached 2+ car garage. No one here wants an attached 1 car garage because we all own two or more cars.
I agree--it IS way overpriced. I lived in Birmingham in late 70's-80's. Liked it much better then. Shops were a mix of expensive and affordable Shops--there was even a Kresge downtown. Shane park hosted a carnival every June. Fast-forward a couple decades and all the original smaller, affordable houses on the east side of Woodward near Lincoln were all getting bought up and replaced by much larger, modern houses and wrecked the look of the neighborhoods.
There really isn't a specific job industry IN Birmingham. Most residents work from home, are retired, own their own business, or work outside of the city. Most of my clients are in tech.
Birmingham is awesome. You pay for the city ambiance. The homes are overpriced, but as they say….. location, location, location. That master bedroom in the second home was sick.
This man is dislusional, this dump doesn't hold a candle to San Diego such as : Rancho Santa Fe ,Delmar, La Jolla, La Costa, in addition to Santa Barbara CA median price for a home 2.5 million, Montecito CA , Apperton Valley CA , this man needs to get off of the potent drugs
😂 I didn't say "it's better than San Diego" - I said the average price is higher. The video is just to help people decide if Birmingham is worth the price.
Interesting area that I’ve never heard about. Mostly solid architecture (I’m one) from the modest vintage homes to the new builds with more than a couple “aspirational” McMansion-leaning piles. The downtown looks great. It shows how a well designed and run community can prosper without geographic gems or substantial employment centers. I’m in a $2M vintage cottage on a 5k sf lot in San Diego so can commiserate with crazy RE values.
Explore the Birmingham real estate market here: bit.ly/BirminghamMichigan
✅I'll help you buy, sell, build, or invest in Metro Detroit Michigan: www.movingmi.com/INFO/UA-cam
Property taxes are insane as well.
They're not that bad. Southfield, Oak Park and bunch of other cities are worse. If you bought a 500k house in Southfield, you’d have to pay over 15k/year in taxes.
That's the same amount you’d pay in Birmingham for a 800k house 🤯
Great video! I learned a lot.
Grew up here in the 90’s and it was hella expensive then too! Looks picturesque ❤
Wow Unbelievable how nice Where are the homeless🤔Thank you for the tour😊
There's one guy in the video.
Love your content Paul! Downtown Farmington is still the best for the parks, downtown area, markets and people!!
I'd agree and a lot of new businesses are moving into the downtown area! Prices are going to skyrocket in Farmington & Farmington Hills in the next few years as more people figure that out 😀
Birmingham has always been Birmingham. It has never changed, and always looked like a bustling little suburb of metro Detroit. I grew up in Ferndale, 5 miles to the south on Woodward Ave. When I got my first job while in high school, I thought Birmingham would be a good choice to start. I began working at B. Siegel in the center of town. It was a specialty women’s clothing store. I worked Thursday, Friday evening and all day Saturday as a porter, restocking sales desks, emptying garbage, cleaning bathrooms and running errands. It was fun for a first job. I also met one of my best friends. We were the same age, and she worked part time after school as well. She worked in accessories. We met in the fall of 1979.
When I was attending a local college in 1982, I ran into a bit of trouble, my folks found out I was gay and threw me out. I went to live with a boyfriend which didn’t work out well, I needed work right away. He suggested I apply at the many expensive restaurants in town. There was Mid Town Cafe’, Phonecia, 220 Merrill Street, Machus Sly Fox, but I was hired at Punchinello’s. It was a small bistro type restaurant open lunch and dinner. I got on friendly enough with the staff and ended up living with another waiter in his dumpy rental house on Stanley St. Now it’s one of those $1,000,000.00 homes. I found most of the clientele insufferable, but there were a handful of gems who made everthing entertaining. Speaking of entertaining, Punchinello’s was a block away from The Townsend Inn, an upscale hotel that catered to wealthy guests. Whenever a famous actor who was appearing at the Birmingham Theater was in town, or for an appearance they stayed at The Townsend. I had the pleasure of taking care of Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli, Mercedes McCambridge, Kenny Loggins, and Margaret Whiting. There were many more and they were all wonderful. I worked there for roughly 10 years. It was getting more difficult in the early 90’s. The owner was unpredictable at best, and the local clientele with new money were the finger snapping type, whatever you did for them, it was never enough.
It was tough to leave, but my boyfriend told me to leave. He knew I wasn’t happy. I gave my 2 weeks notice and the owner said “let’s make it 1 week”. I said sure, thanks for nothing. Maybe a year later my boyfriend and I were at the Townsend for dinner. A couple who were old customers from Punchinello’s saw me and asked us to join them. We sat and talked over drinks. I asked if they still dined at the restaurant. They said not really. It was just too sad there anymore.
The following spring brown paper was taped to all the windows. “CLOSED FOR REMODELING” the signs said. Several weeks later the restaurant equipment auction was announced. My boyfriend and I walked by and peeked through the windows. It looked depressing. I’m glad I left before the ship sank.
Every so often when we’re in town from our home here in Atlanta, we’ll drive through Birmingham. Now it looks like any other city where the women have their noses in the air. At least we have our memories, and a drawer full of Punchinello’s match books.
I love everything about this comment! Hearing stories about how these cities were is one of my favorite things about this channel. Thank you for sharing!
It can't be more overpriced more than Trenton, Mi. taxes for a 1325 sq, ft. house is around four thousand four hundred dollars these homes are built in 1950's, they are taxing the seniors out of their homes, it's outrageous for Wayne County!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Taxes in Michigan are based on taxable value, not the sq/ft and Trenton is definitely not the worst. I made a video explaining how our taxes work: ua-cam.com/video/qrxEe-LVyIY/v-deo.htmlsi=q79iv0n5ZWf3fMlj
Birmingham is much worse lol
I'm a fan of Lehto's Law on YT and I recall he mentioned how he grew up in Birmingham MI, which sadly for me, such a beautiful affluent community with fantastic schools wasn’t part of my upbringing. $329K (cheapest on Zillow for Birmingham) for 922 sq ft and $3,376 property tax are numbers similar to the Ann Arbor area, which has Michigan Medicine and U of M going for it, whereas Birmingham offers the closeness of the dream cruise. I’d have to win the lottery before giving any serious consideration toward relocating to either area but your videos are keeping the dream alive. Thanks!
Thanks for watching! I was on Lehto's Law a while back. The taxes you see listed on sites like Zillow are incorrect. The real taxes on that 330k Birmingham house would be $6,379/year if you live in it or $8,502 if it's owned as a non-primary or rental. The same house in Ann Arbor would run you $8,542/$11,108 - (I made a whole video about Michigan property taxes: ua-cam.com/video/qrxEe-LVyIY/v-deo.html )
I work for a builder in Birmingham that was at the forefront of tearing down the old houses and building “bigfoot” houses in the ‘90s.
I hated framing on those tiny lots but it paid well. Moved on to work for one of the best custom builders and building on some of the most prestigious homes in Birmingham and surrounding area.
I however can’t agree about it being the most overpriced city in America. Many city far out due it, I was recently in Park City Utah and toured a condo that was asking just under $3500 a sf.
That's wild! What builder are you working for now? Would love to check out some of the work! Birmingham definitely isn't the most expensive city in America - the article just says our real estate is the most "overvalued/overpriced"
@@PaulWolfert Park City really is wild. I worked Thomas Sebold & Associates until I retired several years ago. I now spend time between Traverse city and Vero Beach.
I’ve always believed it’s not overpriced if someone buys it.
Hey Paul, if they're concerned about you taking off your shoes then they are missing the point of your awesome videos brother. Keep doing what you do and I'll keep watching. Shoes or no shoes. 👍🏾
Thank you!! Appreciate the support. Thanks for watching 😀
Paul, what is the fascination in Michigan with detached garages? It seems like most of the houses you show have a detached garage. I get why the older houses are like that, but even that newer one at 18:26 has that. Is it a fire code thing? Do people up there like to walk through snow , rain and sleet to crank a key in a lock to get to their car? Maybe you've explained it and I just missed that video.
People in Michigan actually prefer attached garages but most of the cities with small lots (also some of the most desirable areas) can't fit an attached 2+ car garage. No one here wants an attached 1 car garage because we all own two or more cars.
@@PaulWolfert Ok, makes sense. Thanks.
@@SpencerDidWhat you're welcome! Thanks for watching!
I agree--it IS way overpriced. I lived in Birmingham in late 70's-80's. Liked it much better then. Shops were a mix of expensive and affordable Shops--there was even a Kresge downtown. Shane park hosted a carnival every June. Fast-forward a couple decades and all the original smaller, affordable houses on the east side of Woodward near Lincoln were all getting bought up and replaced by much larger, modern houses and wrecked the look of the neighborhoods.
Lots of "snooty" people in Birmingham, and if they see you dont live there then you are looked down upon.
But why would someone want to buy where it is overpriced???
Because Birmingham is the "total package" - it has everything people want so it's "worth it"
I'm surprised! What's the major job industry in Birmingham???
There really isn't a specific job industry IN Birmingham. Most residents work from home, are retired, own their own business, or work outside of the city. Most of my clients are in tech.
The okder homes have much more character and charm
Sheesh!
It's pricey!
Birmingham is awesome. You pay for the city ambiance. The homes are overpriced, but as they say….. location, location, location. That master bedroom in the second home was sick.
Agreed! It's the perfect location and the city is amazing.
I'd much rather be in NYC.
NYC is awesome! Just not for everyone 😄
This man is dislusional, this dump doesn't hold a candle to San Diego such as : Rancho Santa Fe ,Delmar, La Jolla, La Costa, in addition to Santa Barbara CA median price for a home 2.5 million, Montecito CA , Apperton Valley CA , this man needs to get off of the potent drugs
😂 I didn't say "it's better than San Diego" - I said the average price is higher. The video is just to help people decide if Birmingham is worth the price.
Interesting area that I’ve never heard about. Mostly solid architecture (I’m one) from the modest vintage homes to the new builds with more than a couple “aspirational” McMansion-leaning piles. The downtown looks great. It shows how a well designed and run community can prosper without geographic gems or substantial employment centers. I’m in a $2M vintage cottage on a 5k sf lot in San Diego so can commiserate with crazy RE values.
Birmingham has an aura of pretentious sbobbery.
Hi Sir,
Do you need a professional youtube thumbnail designer,?😘😗
Nope.
Americas most expensive city is Paradise Nevada. I think everybody knows this.
Yep. Didn't say it was the most expensive 😅 - it's the most "overpriced".
@@PaulWolfert lol, ok fair enough, Vegas is the most overpriced city.
It's one our of very diverse communities of caucausians in Oakland County.