This is an informative piece that appeared in the Detroit Free Press a few weeks ago. The broker quoted, Dan Brunell or RE/MAX Meadowbrook, is an outstanding agent. He and his wife Janet run one of the most sophisticated real estate operations in the country. If you're looking for a home in the greater Rochester area, I highly suggest that you give them a call. Learn more about them on their website at http://www.brunellteam.com/.
BRENDEL HIGHTOWER: Rochester/Oakland County
June 11, 2006
June 11, 2006
APPEAL: Rochester, a vibrant city with a small-town atmosphere, is surrounded on three sides by Rochester Hills. It has experienced a lot of growth. Projects recently completed or in the planning stages include the 143-room Royal Park Hotel that opened in 2004, mixed-used developments, new office buildings, a new pocket park and several residential developments.
The city's charming old-fashioned downtown along Main Street offers a variety of unique businesses, many of them housed in well-preserved buildings from the 19th Century, registered as historic sites. More than 20 buildings on Main Street are more than 50 years old. A broad range of upscale lofts and condominiums are being constructed in the downtown area.
A rebirth of the downtown housing market on infill lots is bringing larger homes, some enhanced with brick and stone exteriors, priced from $400,000 to more than $1 million, next to small ranches and bungalows, says Dan Brunell from RE/MAX Meadow Brook in Rochester. This building is taking place in well-kept, traditional neighborhoods surrounding downtown, taking you back in time with restored houses close to each other with alleys for access to most garages.
A broad range of subdivisions with houses priced from $300,000 to more than $1 million are also in Rochester's rolling terrain.
In 2005, the Rochester area was ranked 39th in a list of the Top 100 cities in which to live by Money Magazine and CNN-Money.
FACTS: This 3.8-square-mile community became a village in 1869 and a city in 1967. The City of Rochester, the City of Rochester Hills and Oakland Township make up the greater Rochester community. Rochester and Rochester Hills operate joint recreation programs and the Older Persons' Commission center. The public library is shared among Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township.
Rush-hour traffic can be very heavy on main roads like Rochester Road-Main Street and the many two-lane roads. In light traffic, Rochester is about 40 minutes from downtown Detroit.
To find out more, visit www.ci.rochester.mi.us.
PREVALENT ARCHITECTURE: Styles vary from restored Victorian- and Craftsman-era houses from the 19th and early 20th centuries to ranches and colonials from the 1960s and later. Large new houses that measure more than 3,000 square feet with three-car garages are being built. Rochester also has condominiums and apartments. In 2005, houses sold from $145,000 to more than $700,000, according to multiple listing services.
POPULATION: 10,467 in the 2000 U.S. Census; about 93% white, 4% Asian, 2% black, 2% Hispanic. The population increased 45% between 1990 and 2000.
EDUCATION: Math and reading MEAP scores for the Rochester Community School District run about 25% above state averages.
TAXES: $34.51 per $1,000 of a property's taxable value in the Rochester district. A $347,517 (average price) house with a taxable value of $173,758 would have annual property taxes of $5,996.
MAJOR EVENT: Christmas in July Sidewalk Sale -- 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 13 and 14 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 15. One hundred sixty-five merchants are expected to participate. There will be a kids' zone and strolling entertainment. Info: 248-656-0060.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Older Persons Transportation, 60 and older or disabled, 248-652-4780.
PUBLIC SAFETY: Rochester Police reported six burglaries, five motor vehicle thefts, no cases of criminal sexual conduct, two robberies and no homicides in 2005.
SHOPPING, DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT: Shopping and dining are available. Plenty more is available in neighboring Rochester Hills.
Six parks include walking paths, a tot lot, sand volleyball, a pond with skating allowed in the winter, lighted tennis courts, softball fields and a nature center.
MAJOR EMPLOYER: Parkdale Pharmaceuticals, Superior Plastic.
WHY I LIVE HERE: Shelley Johnston, said: "We enjoy living in the small town of Rochester because it has a nice Main Street with good places to eat and shop, combined with a small-town atmosphere where you know and care about your neighbors."
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