Real Estate Services in Macomb County, Michigan
I've been helping people buy and sell homes for more than 22 years. Today, a big focus of my business is new construction in Macomb County, especially in Macomb Township, Shelby Township and Washington Township.
I work with buyers who are thinking about building or buying a brand-new home, but many of those conversations actually start somewhere else.
Maybe you've outgrown your current home. Maybe you're ready to downsize and want something with less maintenance. Maybe you're relocating to Macomb County and don't know where to start. Or maybe you have a home to sell before you can make your next move. That's where I can help.
New Construction Home Buying in Macomb County
Buying new construction is different from buying a resale home. There are builders to compare, communities to research, lots to choose from, and base prices, upgrades, structural options, design selections and incentives to understand.
And sometimes the builder with the lowest starting price isn't actually the least expensive once you compare the homes the way you would really want to build them. I help my buyers look at the whole picture, not just the number advertised on the sign.
Before You Visit a Model Home
One thing I always want buyers to know: contact your REALTOR® before you walk into a model home. The sales representative in the model represents the builder. If you visit or register without your REALTOR®, depending on the builder's policies, it may affect whether your own agent can represent you in that transaction.
I'd rather have the conversation with you before you walk through the door, so we can talk about what you're looking for, your budget, the communities you're considering and the questions you should be asking.
Comparing Builders, Communities & Homes
Two homes can look very similar on paper and have completely different pricing once you start looking at what's actually included.
I help my buyers compare the home itself, what's standard versus an upgrade, homesite options and premiums, structural choices, design selections, available incentives and the overall community. The goal isn't simply to find the builder with the lowest starting price. It's to understand what you're actually getting for your money.
Understanding the Real Cost of Building
Model homes are beautiful for a reason. They're designed to show you what's possible, and many of the features you see may be upgrades.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't fall in love with the model. You just need to know what is included in the base home and what isn't. We'll look at those numbers together so you can make decisions based on the home you actually want, not just the starting price.
From Homesite to Options
The home is only one part of new construction. The homesite can matter just as much: privacy, a deeper backyard, a pond view, a cul-de-sac, where the home sits within the community or how close you are to everyday things.
I help you think through those choices before you make a decision you can't easily change later.
Start with my guide to new construction communities in Macomb County, then go deeper by township or by builder:
Not sure where to begin? Download my Macomb County New Construction Playbook.
Get the PlaybookHelping You Make Your Next Move
Most of my clients aren't just buying a house. They're figuring out how to get from the home they're in now to the one that fits where life is going.
Move-Up Buyers
Maybe you need more space, a different layout, a larger yard, a home office or a newer home. I help move-up buyers compare new construction and resale options while also looking at what needs to happen with your current home.
New construction isn't automatically the right answer. Sometimes a newer resale home makes more sense once we compare pricing, upgrades, timing and what you're actually looking for.
Downsizing
Downsizing doesn't have to mean compromising. For some of my clients, it means leaving a larger home, yard or pool behind and moving into something that's simply easier to live in: a new construction ranch, a condo, first-floor living or a home with less exterior maintenance.
I can help you look at the options in Macomb County while planning for the sale of your current home.
Relocating to Macomb County
If you're moving into the area, choosing a home is only part of the decision. You also need to understand where you want to live.
I help relocation buyers compare communities, new construction developments and resale options throughout Macomb County. If you can't be here for every step, we'll talk through what you need and decide the best way to handle your search.
Have a Home to Sell First?
This is where buying and selling can become one big puzzle. If you're moving up or downsizing, there's a good chance you have a home that needs to be sold too.
I've worked with clients who needed to coordinate the sale of one home with the purchase of another, including situations involving occupancy periods, temporary housing and different closing or possession dates.
We'll look at your situation as one move, rather than treating the sale and purchase like two unrelated transactions.
- Timing the sale and the purchase together
- Preparing your current home for the market
- Pricing and marketing it
- Evaluating offers, including terms like occupancy
- Coordinating the details of your next purchase
Real-Life Moves Aren't Always Simple
Over the years, I've helped downsizers who needed to sell their home and coordinate a move into a condo, move-up buyers comparing new construction with newer resale homes, buyers relocating from another area, and clients who needed their sale and purchase timelines to work together.
Client story
Selling in Sterling Heights while buying new construction in Shelby Township
A Sterling Heights family wanted to move north of Hall Road into Shelby Township, within the Utica Community Schools district. They needed a large kitchen and a first-floor bedroom with a private bathroom for their mother-in-law. The colonial that fit was a spec home near 25 Mile and Van Dyke that was still under construction.
We made the Shelby Township offer contingent on selling their ranch within 60 days: about 30 days to sell and 30 days to close while construction continued. After painting and a deep clean, I priced the ranch at $450,000 to create competition. When we compared the offers, the buyer's ability to give 30 days of post-closing occupancy mattered as much as the price.
Both homes closed as planned, the new home was finished during the occupancy period, and the family moved straight from their Sterling Heights ranch into their Shelby Township colonial, with no temporary housing and no second move.
Sometimes the question isn't simply, "Which house should I buy?" It's: how do I get from where I am now to where I want to be next?
Other Ways I Can Help
While new construction is a major focus of my business, it's not the only type of real estate I handle. I also represent resale buyers, first-time buyers, condo and townhome buyers, and homeowners who are ready to sell.
If new construction isn't the best fit after we start looking at your options, that's okay. The goal isn't to put you into a new build. It's to help you understand your choices and find the home that makes the most sense for you.
Areas I Serve
My primary market is Macomb County, Michigan, with a particular focus on Macomb Township, Shelby Township and Washington Township. I also help buyers and sellers in Chesterfield Township, Clinton Township, Sterling Heights and throughout the rest of the county.
For prices and inventory, see the Macomb County housing market report, updated monthly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a REALTOR® when buying new construction?
You can buy directly from a builder, but remember that the sales representative at the model represents the builder. Having your own REALTOR® gives you someone representing you and helping you compare your options.
Should I contact you before visiting a model home?
Yes. I recommend contacting me before registering or touring a model because builder policies regarding REALTOR® representation can vary.
Is the builder's starting price what I'll actually pay?
Not necessarily. Your final price can change based on the homesite, elevation, structural choices, design selections, upgrades and other options.
Can you help me compare different builders in Macomb County?
Yes. This is an important part of how I work with new construction buyers. We can look beyond base prices and compare what's actually included and what matters to you.
Can you help me sell my current home and buy new construction?
Yes. This is especially relevant for move-up buyers and downsizers. We can look at the sale and purchase together and discuss timing before you make decisions on either side.
What if I don't know whether I want new construction or resale?
That's completely fine. I work with both. We can compare the options based on your budget, timing, preferred area and what you're looking for in the home.
Do you help people relocating to Macomb County?
Yes. I help relocation buyers understand Macomb County's communities and housing options, including new construction and resale, before they make their move.
Which areas do you specialize in for new construction?
My primary market is Macomb County, with a strong focus on Macomb Township, Shelby Township and Washington Township.
Thinking About New Construction in Macomb County?
Start with my Macomb County New Construction Playbook. It covers what you should know before visiting models, comparing builders or deciding whether building is right for you.
Already have questions or ready to start looking? Let's talk.
Giovanna Special, REALTOR® · Real Broker, LLC · Michigan License #6501324253 · (586) 709-5910