Creatively Constructing Homes

Down an unassuming path from County Line through a subdivision that leads to Mary Ann Lane, a scene that's become less and less common in New Baltimore and surrounding areas occurs.

A worker climbs a ladder to brush paint onto an unfinished house. Another crew member saws wood on a makeshift table in an adjacent lot. A fellow employee lugs material outside a wide hole in the ground that will become a basement. All while the foreman supervises the home construction at a time when the trade—once commonplace in Macomb County's fastest-growing city from 2000-10—seems endangered.

But if the fledgling Andrew's Meadow subdivision construction is abnormal, the backstory of how the work came to fruition is deemed unorthodox.

Property doesn't sit idle

As a sign of the times, perhaps, the original developer lost the property after building three houses in the sub. It then defaulted to Sterling Bank and Trust in Southfield. Instead of sitting on the unused land, however, the bank hired MJC Companies of Macomb Township to build spec homes on the site. The idea is to put up one house at a time, drawing interest and not wasting money on mass construction for homes that may not immediately be purchased.

New Baltimore Building Official Greg Nikkel said the project is different because "the bank is actually the landowner."

Spec houses for sale

The three-bedroom brick ranches spanning about 1,800 square feet with three-car garages, Energy Star features, mud rooms, first-floor laundry, spacious master baths and a jack-and-jill bath between the smaller bedrooms, are listed for $192,900.

Already, two of them have been bought, one is framed out and basements are poured for a few others.

MJC Construction Manager Bryan Yeck said the same kind of houses would have sold for approximately $100,000 more when the market boomed around six years ago. Today's lower prices are aimed at buyers with broader options than before, such as foreclosed homes.

"We're just trying to give you a quality, affordable and energy-efficient home," Yeck said. "This is one way for (the bank) to make money."

Attracting home owners

The company, which builds houses and condos throughout the region, also is trying to lure owners with upgrades included in the price of the home, such as granite countertops, a gas fireplace and hardwood floors. Construction on one house takes an average of six months.

"If I was looking for a house, I'd probably buy here," said Sandy Gornicki whose daughter bought one of the two finished MJC homes on the street. "She's very pleased with it; she loves that house."

Gornicki, who was at the house recently, said she's impressed with the work taking place next door.

"I can't believe how fast this went up," she said.

Staying afloat

Receiving work from banks-turned-landowners is becoming more common for builders, Yeck said, adding that other projects in which he works with banks are taking place in neighboring communities such as Harrison Township.

For New Baltimore, that kind of partnership has brought the sole home building project to the community so far this year. And, at a time when foreclosures outweigh residential construction, that's a good sign for the city.

"It used to be a safe bet: You buy a house and you make money," Nikkel said. "Today, you buy a house and you live in it."

For more information on the spec homes, call 586-226-3745.