Milton M. Green, M.D. Daniel Schechter, M.D. Richard Krugel, M.D. Bruce D. Abrams, M.D. BIGGEST PURCHASE page 63 of BONE AND JOINT SURGICAL ASSOCIATES, P.C. Orthopaedic Surgery 4400 Town Center, Ste. 275 Southfield, MI 48075 are pleased to announce they have joined the staff of Providence Hospital. (248) 358-5520 The physicians will continue to serve patients at both Sinai and Grace Hospitals We Service Everything We Sell... and Everything Anybody else Sells! But Nobody Provides Services & Discounts Like Sugar Tree Plaza • Just North of Maple West Bloomfield EVERYTHING JUDAICA FOR THE JEWISH HOME (810) 932-3377 BOOKS Summer Hours Closed Mondays for June, July & August Open Tues. - Sat. 10-5 Weintraub, Bought and Sold WEINFRAUB JEWELERS In Store Specials Everyday Sunset Strip • 29536 Northwestern Hwy. Southfield • (810) 357-4000 LIBRARY BOOKSTORE 545-4300 Open 7 Days Books Bought In Your Home THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS LAFOUNTAIN TREE SPECIALISTS M. Stmpliner SAVE YOUR CHILD • CHILD-PROOF YOUR HOME Drawer, Cabinet & Potty Locks Closing Outlet Plates; LEXAN Stair Guards Padded Fireplace Guards Wide Mounted Stairgates RECOMMENDED BY PEDIATRICIANS Ti-15 C+Nri-ct SQ1Clatx C-z2, 11•800.851.3947 HOME EVALUATION & INSTALLATIONS PERFORMED BY A STATE LICENSED MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDER. (810) 354-5969 Get Results... Advertise in our new Entertainment Section! 1 • , , Cal The Sales Department (810) 354-7123 Ext. 209 THE JEWISH NEWS hot? "Novi is growing. The Lyon ed now in terms of their likes and townships and Fenton are grow- dislikes. They are using their ing. And more and more Jews heads more and putting their seem to want lakefronts," she emotions second," she said. said. "Buyers are looking in all kinds Bella Brookenthal of the West of counties. They want to see Bloomfield-based the Michigan everything there is, everyplace Group Realtors, Inc., has seen the there is. And they want to make market change in the eight years their own decisions on it." she's been active in it, and much She agrees that lakefront prop- of that change has been in the erty has become hot, if the price perception of condos. is right. "People are looking for a "Condos used to be like a pun- little cottage on a lake that they ishment," said Brookenthal. "If can tear down and then put a you were given a condo listing, very large home on, for millions. you wondered what you did And they want to build it to their wrong to deserve it. Now, they own taste, as opposed to buying are real popular and they sell real one that someone has built to fast." their taste. All those cottages we Brookenthal partially attrib- used to know years ago are all utes that - change to the mansions. emergence of 20- something buyers, whether married or single, who have "gone to college, got a job, and are not sure what to do about grass and lawns, so they are happy with condos." But not everyone agrees about the home buying power of the Generation X market. Susan Weinstock discusses a house with Robin "I think a lot of chil- Sternberg, holding her son, Matthew. dren that grew up in Oakland County and come back "But a lot of people still want and are making $20,000 to a little summer home where $25,000 a year as college gradu- they'll take a little cottage and fix ates don't have a prayer of buy- it up nicely for the summer. But ing a house in Oakland County," even those lakefront houses are said Sandy Norman. drying up, pardon the pun, be- "It is very challenging for cause there's only so many pieces young college graduates and for of property you can buy that's on all young people 21 to 25 years a lake. old to come back now and live as "The negative is that it keeps well as their baby boomer parents taking people fiirther and further have lived." out. If they're working in a down- But the other side of that coin town area they'll have a longer is older members of our society commute. And I think people are who are now looking to scale more family oriented today. They down are looking at condos, said want to spend time together Brookenthal. However, most peo- rather than commuting," she ple she represents are still look- said. But Marilyn Chicorel ing for houses rather than condos. Megdell believes "you do not buy "Royal Oak and Birmingham your home as an investment. You are real hot communities," she buy your home because it is the said, "but it is going to depend lifestyle that you want; whether upon the price range. Bernie you want a lake, whether you Glieberman (whose Novi-based want the mountains, whether Bernard Glieberman Companies you want the city, whether you is the area's largest new-home want rural. builder) built condos in Royal Oak "The fact of the matter is, since and one phase sold out before it 1492 land sales have gone up, so hit the market. New condos are you've made money back. You real hot almost anywhere. want an investment, I'll sell you "In Birmingham and Royal a shopping center. I'll sell you a Oak, if a house goes on the mar- building or an apartment build- ket and it is good, it is usually sold ing. within a week. It doesn't take "I get crazy from these people much more than that. If it is who only want to know, 'How priced right and in good condi- much money am I going to make tion, it is gone," said Brookenthal. next year?' If that's what you West Bloomfield, Farmington want, buy an investment piece of Hills, • Birmingham and the property. Bloomfield Hills schools area are "Your home is what you relate the top four on Brookenthal's to. It is your lifestyle, and you most-asked for list. She said the have to feel good about it. Is it school systems are important, es- money in the bank? Yes. But I pecially in areas like Troy. don't sell a home as an invest- "People are more sophisticat- ment." ❑ C-