Buying a Home in Macomb County
Local guidance and personal service from your first showing to your keys, with Giovanna Special, REALTOR®.
Buying a home in Macomb County happens in ten steps: getting pre-approved, choosing your agent, searching, touring, making an offer, inspections, the appraisal, final loan approval, the final walkthrough and closing. Most buyers go from their first showing to their keys in about 8 to 12 weeks, and closing usually happens 30 to 45 days after an offer is accepted.
Giovanna Special is a Macomb County buyer's agent with 22 years of real estate experience, helping buyers in Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Washington Township and the surrounding areas. She works with first-time buyers, move-up buyers, downsizers and new construction buyers, and she specializes in representing buyers who purchase directly from a builder.
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you will make. You deserve someone who knows the neighborhoods, knows the builders, and will tell you the truth about a home, even when it is not what you want to hear.
Before you read anything else
- A buyer's agent works for you, not the seller and not the builder.
- Get pre-approved before you tour. Sellers take your offer more seriously, and you know your real budget.
- You will sign a written buyer agreement before touring homes. It spells out how your agent represents you and how they are paid.
- Your inspection contingency is your safety net. It often gives you 7 to 10 days to inspect the home and decide.
- Plan for 30 to 45 days from accepted offer to closing.
- Never wire money based on an email alone. Always call the title company at a number you already know to confirm wiring instructions.
- Buying new construction? Some builders require your agent to be registered or with you on your first visit. Contact Giovanna before your first model home visit.
On this page
Why work with Giovanna Special?
She knows Macomb County
Giovanna lives and works here. She knows the townships, school districts, subdivisions and builders, which streets back up to a busy road and which basements tend to take on water. That local knowledge helps you choose the right home and pay the right price for it.
She understands how homes are built
Because she grew up in a homebuilding family, Giovanna looks at a home differently. She notices the grading, the finish work, the age of the big systems and the small details that are easy to fix now and expensive to fix later.
You work with Giovanna directly
You won't be handed off to someone you have never met. Giovanna is with you at showings, during negotiations, at the inspection and at the closing table, with a transaction coordinator behind the scenes keeping every deadline on track.
She tells you the truth
If a home has problems, Giovanna will tell you. If an offer strategy is risky, she will explain why. Her job is to protect your money and your future home, and that means honest advice at every step.
Where does Giovanna help buyers find homes?
Giovanna's home base is Macomb County, with a focus on three townships:
- Macomb Township. One of the most active areas for new construction in the county, with colonials, ranches and condos across a wide range of prices.
- Shelby Township. Established neighborhoods, newer subdivisions and ranch villa communities, close to M-53 and Stony Creek Metropark.
- Washington Township. Larger homesites, a quieter setting and luxury estate communities, many in the Romeo school district.
She also helps buyers in the surrounding communities, including Ray Township, Chesterfield Township, Bruce Township and Romeo.
What are you looking for? Top-rated schools, a first-floor primary suite, a brand new build, room to spread out, a low-maintenance condo or a move-up home with space for a growing family. Giovanna helps you narrow down the right areas before you spend weekends touring the wrong ones. See the new construction communities in Macomb County.
Know your numbers
Estimate your monthly payment, including Michigan property taxes, insurance and HOA fees. Change any number and the total updates instantly.
Macomb County Mortgage Calculator
Estimate the monthly payment on a Macomb County home, including property tax, insurance, PMI and HOA dues. Change any number and the total updates instantly.
Estimated monthly payment
$2,022.62 /mo
PMI is added because your down payment is under 20%. It is estimated at 0.5% of the loan amount per year.
Estimates only, for general planning. This is not a loan offer or pre-approval. Actual rates, taxes, insurance and mortgage insurance vary; the property tax default is an estimate for a new owner with the Principal Residence Exemption and varies by township. Talk with a licensed lender for exact figures.
Good to know for Michigan buyers
- Property taxes reset after you buy. In Michigan, a home's taxable value resets the year after it sells, so the seller's current tax bill is not what you will pay. Giovanna can help you estimate taxes for a specific home.
- File your Principal Residence Exemption. Michigan's homestead exemption lowers taxes on the home you live in. The tax default in this calculator assumes you will file it.
- Budget for closing costs too. Buyers typically pay about 2% to 5% of the price at closing, on top of the down payment.
- Buying new construction? Your first tax bill may be based only on the land. Read Giovanna's new construction guide before you budget.
The 10 steps to buying a home in Macomb County
1. Get pre-approved before you start looking
Pre-approval sets your budget, makes your offer stronger and helps you close faster once the right home comes along. Lenders look at your income and employment, credit score and history, debt-to-income ratio, assets for your down payment and closing costs, and job stability.
| Loan type | The basics |
|---|---|
| Conventional | From 3% down, with credit scores generally 620 or higher |
| FHA | 3.5% down with credit scores of 580 or higher, helpful for buyers with a smaller down payment |
| VA | No down payment and no private mortgage insurance for eligible veterans and service members, with a funding fee unless exempt |
| USDA | No down payment for eligible homes in qualifying rural areas, with income limits. Some areas on the northern edge of Macomb County may qualify. |
| MSHDA | Michigan State Housing Development Authority loans and down payment assistance for eligible buyers, with income and price limits |
Giovanna connects her buyers with trusted local lenders who can look at your situation and recommend the right loan. Just ask for her list.
2. Choose your agent and define what you want
In Michigan, you sign a written buyer agreement with your agent before touring homes. It spells out how your agent works for you and how they are paid, and Giovanna walks through it with you line by line. Then she helps you sort what you want into three lists: must-haves (bedrooms, a first-floor primary suite, a school district, a garage), nice-to-haves (a finished basement, a bigger yard, a newer kitchen) and deal-breakers (a busy road, a backyard that floods, a commute that is too long). From there, Giovanna sets up a home search with instant alerts so you see new listings the moment they hit the market.
3. Tour homes
Photos can hide a lot. When Giovanna walks through a home with you, she looks past the staging at the things that actually cost you money: signs of water in the basement, the age of the roof, furnace, air conditioning and water heater, grading and drainage, windows, doors and foundation cracks, the quality of past updates, and how the layout fits your life now and later. She also asks the questions that matter: why the sellers are moving, how long the home has been on the market, whether there have been offers, what updates were done and when, HOA or condo fees, and current property taxes.
4. Make an offer
When you find the one, Giovanna prepares your offer on a Michigan purchase agreement. A strong offer is about more than price:
- Purchase price based on recent sales, condition and competition
- Earnest money deposit, often around 1% of the price, held by the title company or brokerage and credited to you at closing
- Financing terms and your pre-approval letter
- Inspection contingency: how many days you have to inspect and decide
- Appraisal terms: what happens if the appraisal comes in low
- Closing date and possession, meaning when you actually get the keys
- What stays with the home, like appliances, window treatments or a shed
Seller disclosures. Michigan sellers provide a Seller Disclosure Statement describing what they know about the home's condition. If you receive it after your offer is accepted, Michigan law gives you a short window to back out. Homes built before 1978 also come with a lead-based paint disclosure.
Multiple offers. When several buyers want the same home, Giovanna talks strategy with you: price, escalation clauses, flexible timing and clean terms. The goal is to win without overpaying or giving up the protections that matter.
5. Inspections
Once your offer is accepted, your inspection period starts. A licensed inspector spends a few hours going through the roof, foundation, basement, electrical, plumbing, furnace, air conditioning, water heater, windows, attic and more. Inspections worth adding in Macomb County include a radon test (radon is common in Michigan homes, and testing is inexpensive), a sewer scope for older homes with mature trees, and well and septic inspections, since some homes in Washington Township and the northern parts of the county are not on city water and sewer.
After the inspection you can move forward as is, ask the seller for repairs or a credit, or walk away within your contingency period. Giovanna's advice is to focus requests on safety, structure and the big systems, like the roof, furnace and foundation. Small cosmetic items rarely belong in a repair request, and a focused list helps keep the deal together.
6. Appraisal
If you are financing, your lender orders an appraisal to confirm the home is worth what you agreed to pay, usually within a couple of weeks of your accepted offer. If it comes in below the price, you have options: renegotiate with the seller, cover the difference, challenge the appraisal with better comparable sales, or cancel if your contract allows it.
7. Final loan approval and title work
While your lender finishes underwriting, the title company searches the property's history to make sure the seller can legally transfer it, with no surprise liens or ownership issues. In Michigan, the seller customarily pays for the owner's title insurance policy. Protect your approval until closing: don't open new credit or finance furniture or a car, don't change jobs without talking to your lender, don't move large sums of money without a paper trail, and answer your lender's requests quickly. Buying a condo? Read the association's master deed, bylaws and budget. They control things like pets, rentals and exterior changes. When everything checks out, you are clear to close.
8. Final walkthrough
Within a day or two of closing, you walk through the home one last time to confirm agreed repairs are done, everything that should stay is still there, and the systems work. Giovanna has every buyer run each faucet, flush every toilet, open the garage door and turn on the furnace and air conditioning. It takes about ten minutes, and it catches problems while the seller is still responsible for them.
9. Closing day
You sign your paperwork at a title company, usually in about an hour. Bring a government-issued photo ID, and have your funds ready by wire or certified check as the title company instructs. Then you get the best part: the keys.
Wire fraud warning
Scammers send fake emails that look like they come from your title company or agent, with "updated" wiring instructions. Before you send any money, call the title company at a phone number you already know, not the number in the email. A legitimate title company will never mind you checking.
10. Move in
- Change the locks and garage codes
- Set up utilities: electric, gas, water, internet and trash
- Update your address with the post office, banks and your employer
- File your Principal Residence Exemption with your township. Timing matters, so don't wait.
- Expect your taxes to change. Budget for the new amount, not the seller's old tax bill.
Even after closing, Giovanna is a call or text away for contractor recommendations, tax questions or anything else about your new home.
Want Giovanna in your corner for every step?
Book a consultation to talk through your budget, timeline and what you want in your next home.
What does it cost to buy a home in Michigan?
Every purchase is different, but here is a general idea of what to plan for:
| Cost | Typical range | When |
|---|---|---|
| Earnest money deposit | Often around 1% of the price (credited back to you at closing) | Shortly after your offer is accepted |
| Home inspection | Roughly $400 to $700, more with add-ons like radon or a sewer scope | During your inspection period |
| Appraisal | Roughly $500 to $700, usually paid by the buyer | Ordered by your lender |
| Down payment | 0% (VA) to 3% (conventional) to 3.5% (FHA) or more | At closing |
| Buyer closing costs | About 2% to 5% of the price, including lender fees, the lender's title policy and prepaid taxes and insurance | At closing |
In Michigan, sellers customarily pay the state and county transfer taxes and the owner's title policy. Everything is negotiable, and Giovanna makes sure you know your numbers before you write an offer.
How long does it take to buy a home in Macomb County?
- Weeks 1 to 4, the search: pre-approval, buyer agreement, touring homes
- Weeks 4 to 5, under contract: offer accepted, earnest money deposited
- Weeks 5 to 6, inspections and appraisal: inspection period, repair negotiations, appraisal ordered
- Weeks 6 to 9, loan processing and title: underwriting, title search, condo documents, clear to close
- Weeks 9 to 10, closing: final walkthrough, signing and keys
Typical total: about 8 to 12 weeks, depending on how quickly you find the right home. New construction homes built from the ground up typically take 6 to 10 months.
How does Giovanna help different types of buyers?
First-time buyers
- Every step explained in plain language
- Loan options, including MSHDA down payment assistance
- Knowing what is normal and what is a red flag
Move-up buyers
- Coordinating the sale of your current home with your purchase
- Timing, home sale contingencies and bridge financing options
- Comparing schools, neighborhoods and new builds
Downsizers
- Ranches, first-floor primary suites and low-maintenance condos
- Reviewing condo and HOA documents before you commit
- Planning your move at a pace that feels right
New construction buyers
- Reviewing the builder contract before you sign
- Negotiating incentives, upgrades and closing costs
- Design center guidance, inspections and warranties
Buying new construction? Bring your own agent.
The sales team at the model home works for the builder, not for you. That is not a knock on them; it is how the job works. In most Macomb County new construction purchases, the builder pays the buyer's agent fee, and compensation is always confirmed in writing before you tour. Some builders require your agent to be registered or with you on your first visit, so contact Giovanna before your first model home visit.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need a buyer's agent?
A buyer's agent works only for you. They help you find the right home, understand its true value, negotiate price and terms, manage inspections and deadlines, and protect your interests through closing. The seller's agent and the builder's sales team represent the other side.
Does it cost anything to work with Giovanna?
Buyer's agent compensation is set in a written buyer agreement before you tour homes, so you know exactly how it works up front. In many purchases, the seller or builder pays some or all of it, and in most Macomb County new construction purchases the builder pays the buyer's agent fee. Giovanna reviews the details with every buyer at the start.
How long does it take to buy a home in Macomb County?
Most buyers take about 8 to 12 weeks from their first showing to closing. Once an offer is accepted, closing usually happens in 30 to 45 days. New construction homes built from the ground up typically take 6 to 10 months.
Do I need to be pre-approved before looking at homes?
Yes. A pre-approval shows you what you can afford and tells sellers you are a serious buyer. Many listing agents expect to see one with every offer.
Can I back out after my offer is accepted in Michigan?
Yes, within the contingencies written into your purchase agreement. The most common is the inspection contingency, which often gives you 7 to 10 days to inspect the home and walk away if needed. Financing and appraisal contingencies can also protect you.
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on the loan. VA loans can be 0% down, conventional loans start at 3% for qualified buyers, and FHA loans require 3.5%. MSHDA programs may help eligible buyers with down payment assistance.
What are closing costs in Michigan and who pays them?
Buyers typically pay about 2% to 5% of the price in closing costs, including lender fees, the lender's title policy and prepaid taxes and insurance. Sellers customarily pay transfer taxes and the owner's title policy. Costs are negotiable.
Can I buy a home before I sell my current home?
Yes. Options include a home sale contingency, bridge financing, or timing both closings for the same day. The right choice depends on your finances and the market, and Giovanna plans the timing with you so you are never stuck between two homes.
When do I sign a buyer agreement?
Before touring homes. The written buyer agreement explains how your agent represents you and how they are paid. Giovanna reviews it with every buyer line by line, so everything is clear from the start.
What makes Giovanna different for new construction buyers?
Giovanna grew up in her family's homebuilding business and specializes in new construction buyer representation. She reviews builder contracts, negotiates incentives and upgrades, guides design center decisions, and knows the communities and builders across Macomb, Shelby and Washington Townships.
What areas does Giovanna serve?
Giovanna focuses on Macomb Township, Shelby Township and Washington Township, and also helps buyers in surrounding communities including Ray Township, Chesterfield Township, Bruce Township and Romeo.
Ready to find your Macomb County home?
- Book a consultation with Giovanna. Talk through your budget, timeline and must-haves. Book your consultation
- Get pre-approved. Ask Giovanna for her list of trusted local lenders.
- Start your home search. Giovanna sets up a custom search with instant alerts, and you start touring homes together.
Information on this page is general guidance, not legal, tax or lending advice. Costs and timelines vary. Confirm loan details with your lender and tax questions with your township assessor.