By Anthony Zick
Ypsilanti is an historic, vibrant city with a down-home feel. The city proper, combined with its two townships (Ypsi and Superior), boasts a population of nearly 96,000, over 40 parks, and the thriving Eastern Michigan University with an enrollment of over 20,000 students. The area is socioeconomically diverse, friendly to artists, has a robust food and retail scene and is full of affordable housing. Though relatively affordable, the housing stock is aging, and there have been no new developments in 15 years. As housing prices in Ann Arbor have soared over the last few years, more middle-income families are choosing to live in the Ypsi area. According to the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors, the average list price for a single family home is $347,850 in Ann Arbor and $217,603 in Ypsilanti. For many working people, Ypsi prices are still hefty sums. But take heart, help is available!
Greene Farms: rolling hills and open spaces
Greene Farms is a gated community off of Whittaker Rd., between Textile and Willis. There are 776 homes scattered across open, gently rolling hills, retaining a country feel despite the large number of people living there. The price range for homes currently on the market is $225,000 to $290,000. The neighborhood, consisting of colonial ranch homes, was developed in seven phases. All homes belong to one of three homeownership associations, each with its own bylaws. All of the residents can enjoy a shared pool. Greene Farms, a friendly, diverse community, also hosts events such as an annual Easter Egg hunt and a subdivision-wide garage sale.
Nearby attractions within a 10-minute drive include Hewen’s Creek Park, Rolling Hills County Park, Wiard’s Orchards, Pine View golf course, Ford Lake, the Ypsilanti District Library and the Whittaker Rd. shopping plaza.
A five minute drive from either I-94 or US-23, Greene Farms is an easy commute to the Ann Arbor, Detroit, or Toledo areas. With sidewalks, street lights, and city water and sewer, homeowners pay Ypsilanti Township taxes and children attend Lincoln Consolidated schools. The township is responsible for street maintenance, snow removal, and trash pick-up.
Financing assistance for homebuyers in Washtenaw
POWER, INC.
Michigan $ave$ helps low and moderate income familie “maintain an asset-specific savings account, provides those families with comprehensive financial management and asset-specific training, as well as matching their savings — $2 for every dollar saved for small business development and post-secondary education/job training and $3 for every dollar saved for first time homeownership.”
US Dept of Agriculture
Fixed rate, low-interest rural development loans with no down payment for homebuyers in areas designated as rural by the USDA, including Greene Farms subdivision in Ypsilanti Charter Township, profiled below.
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Home loan programs provide down payment assistance up to $7,500. Eligibility requirements for these loan programs include a maximum sale price of $224,500, completion of a MSHDA-approved homebuyer education course, and a minimum credit score of 640 or 660.
Old National Bank
- Homeownership Opportunity Program (HOP) grant for homebuyers making 80% or less than the Area Median Income (AMI).
- “Home Manager” product for low-to-moderate-income first-time homebuyers, which allows for up to 97% financing with no PMI (mortgage insurance). Interest rate is 3.875% for 30 years. Minimum 600 credit score to qualify.
Level One Bank
- Homeownership Opportunity Program (HOP) grant for homebuyers making 80% or less than the Area Median Income (AMI).
- “Welcome Home” program for homebuyers at 50%-80% of the area’s AMI. Minimum 620 credit score to qualify. Minimum 3.5% down payment with no PMI and a maximum loan amount of $175,000. Interest rate percentage in the low-to-mid 4s for 30 years.
- “Community One” loan, specifically created “to give back to those who serve our community as first responders, medical professionals, government or non-profit employees and school educators.” This program has no income limits and allows for as little as a 3.5% down payment with no PMI. The maximum loan amount in this program is $300,000, and a 680 credit score is required.
Flagstar Bank
- “Destination Home” offers zero down payment, a maximum loan amount of $224,500, and no PMI. Interest rate percentage around the mid-4s for 30 years. Income limitations vary depending on the AMI of the area. Minimum credit score of 600.
Bang for the Buck
7186 Essex Dr.
List price: $235,000
Summer Taxes: $2,826.90
Winter Taxes: $2,072.52
Three bedroom 2.5 bathroom Contemporary home, vinyl siding and brick, 1,780 sq. ft., lot size 55’x120’. Built in 2005, great room with cathedral ceiling, tiled fireplace, open staircase to second floor, master suite with vaulted ceilings, kitchen with center island, full basement.
7254 Roxbury Dr.
List price: $280,000
Summer Taxes: $2,856.33
Winter Taxes: $2,114.69
Monthly taxes: $303.33
Four bedroom, two full bathrooms, St. James model home, 1,972 sq. ft. Lot size .17 acres. Built in 2001, view of large pond from back of home, hardwood flooring and newer carpet, family room with fireplace, vaulted ceilings in master bedroom and foyer, full basement.
Ryan Roosa
VP of Phase 6 Homeowners’ Association, Greene Farms
How long has your family lived in Greene Farms? What attracted you to the neighborhood? My wife and I moved into our home in Greene Farms in December 2012. We have two boys, now two and five years old. We chose to send our oldest to East Arbor Pre-K due to its strong reputation as a National Heritage Academy charter school and its association with Arbor Prep, which is the high school located adjacent to it. My wife and I appreciate the school’s strong moral focus and high academic standards. When comparing East Arbor solely to Lincoln Community elementary schools it was hard to decide as Lincoln’s elementary options have a very high reputation as well.
What are some family activities in or near your neighborhood? We have a few playgrounds near us. We also have access to the pool at Greene Farms. There are walking trails that go through the development and Rolling Hills Metro Park is very close to us and has things like nature trails and even a waterpark.
Have you had any experience with crime or feeling unsafe? Certain areas in Ypsilanti, including downtown, have more crime, simply because there are more people there. Also, there are some crimes of opportunity that happen in the summer months— something goes missing from a garage. But I’ve never lived in an area where that wasn’t the case. It’s definitely not atypical.
We have a neighborhood watch program for the surrounding area (not just Greene Farms) with a non-emergency line that connects with the sheriff’s office.
What’s your favorite part of living in Greene Farms? The location is the biggest thing. It’s not too bad of a drive to Ann Arbor, but it’s far enough away that we still get to live in a rural area. We’re also happy to live around a lot of different people from a lot of different backgrounds, and we think it’s great for our kids to get exposure to all different kinds of people.
