June’s Lonely Homes Tour

The Villages of Detroit’s Lonely Homes Tour (a realtor-guided free tour of bank-owned residential properties) went off like a rocket in the sun on Sunday, June 14. Tour goers started arriving at Detroit Waldorf School even before the registration time of 12:30 p.m.; 52 people registered for two tours (at 1 p.m. and at 3 p.m.); and the bus provided by Royal Transportation delivered all in comfort to each of five stops per tour. And, while tour-goers were registering, WDET-FM Public Radio reporter Rob St. Mary interviewed them for his web blog.

Participants, led by local realtor Joy Santiago and contractor Dennis Schade, toured three single-family homes in Indian Village and West Village, one West Village duplex and a Gold Coast apartment in different stages of repair. The Tour was designed as a “snapshot” of the available properties at all price levels in our Community.

The tours ended at Mike Tyson’s English Village Brownstones on Field Street for a view of wonderful new construction for those who might prefer a standard purchase in move-in condition.

The Tour has already received compliments like this one from Mike Bobbitt of Hazel Park who wrote “Thank you for doing the tour. It was really impressive. Hopefully one day we’ll be able to…become part of the beautiful community you all have.”

It couldn’t have happened without the help of all the local Neighbors who volunteered their time, energy and talents before, during and after the Tour: Kirsten Ussery, Doug Way, Robert Troutman, Aaron Wagner, Wanda Brock, Janet Wasko, Kathy Beltaire, Kristi Katsma, John Collins, Elke Burger, Judy Delusky, Eric Tabron, Bryce Billings, Keegan Mahoney, Katie TenBrink, Kay Hanson and Paul Trombley. More “thank yous” go to Melanie Reiser and Detroit Waldorf School, Dusing Security, Don Fitzsimmons of Royal Transportation, Royal bus driver Cynthia, realtor Emily Progar, the staff of Indian Village Manor, and Victor Semelsberger of English Village Brownstones. And “thanks” to all those residents, businesses and organizations that have already donated money to the ‘Living in the V’ efforts – you are integral to its success.

The next Lonely Homes Tour (we already have four people signed up!) will occur on Sunday, September 27th as part of the 3rd Annual ‘Living in the V’ Real Estate Open House sponsored by the Villages of Detroit CDC. Stay tuned for more info as plans finalize, and please visit the Villages’ website at www.thevillagesofdetroit.com. You too can become a part of the effort by volunteering your time and energy or by donating dollars. Call Janet at 313-300-7414 or Kathy at 823-3918 – we need your help!