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A pit stop at Michigan's oldest bar, the New Hudson Inn

The New Hudson Inn is believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Business

The divey New Hudson Inn in western Oakland County claims to be the oldest bar in the state, and it&#x27;s worth a visit for history buffs.The big picture: The neighborhood spot with a rich history dating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="back to 1831" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newhudsoninn1831.com/" data-vars-content-id="ffef79f5-efbe-4a09-9d0f-322c380ecbd4" data-vars-headline="A pit stop at Michigan&#x27;s oldest bar, the New Hudson Inn" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newhudsoninn1831.com/" target="_blank">back to 1831</a> is known for its burgers, jovial atmosphere and popularity with the biker crowd.

Michigan tops UConn to win NCAA title

The Wolverines used defense and transfers to secure their first title since 1989.

Sports

U-M survived a brawl with UConn Monday night, 69-63, to win the men&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="college basketball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/03/michigan-arizona-final-four-2026-matchup-preview" data-vars-content-id="9a7afb30-8742-4856-b3b6-ac1b296c4ed2" data-vars-headline="Michigan tops UConn to win NCAA title" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/03/michigan-arizona-final-four-2026-matchup-preview" target="_self">college basketball</a> national championship.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the first Wolverines title since 1989, snapping a four-game losing streak in the title game.

Metro Detroit small businesses weigh in on economy

Confidence is falling among small-business owners, per a recent national survey.

Some Metro Detroit business owners are echoing the economic stress felt by entrepreneurs across the country.Driving the news: Confidence among American small-business owners fell for a second consecutive quarter, according to the recently released <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uschamber.com/small-business/small-business-index-q1-2026" data-vars-content-id="3e70fab0-836b-47da-b649-189d083e546b" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit small businesses weigh in on economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uschamber.com/small-business/small-business-index-q1-2026" target="_blank">U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index</a>.

What Metro Detroit homeowners do for a living

STEM and skilled trades workers have higher homeownership rates here than nationally.

Real Estate

Management and business professionals are most likely to own a home in the Detroit area, according to a National Association of Realtors analysis of Census Bureau data.The big picture: Homeownership occupation trends in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area diverge from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national pattern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/30/homeownership-rate-job-occupation" data-vars-content-id="fb0d51db-90e9-49f1-92d4-c5396ae7790a" data-vars-headline="What Metro Detroit homeowners do for a living" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/30/homeownership-rate-job-occupation" target="_self">national pattern</a>, as we have higher overall rates of homeownership here among all the careers studied.

Detroit to get innovative in goal for new-build housing

City leaders are exploring avenues to make it easier and more affordable to build new homes.

Detroit hopes to attract innovative homebuilding companies like 3D printers as it seeks creative strategies to build housing on its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vacant land" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/11/12/vacant-land-bird-diversity" data-vars-content-id="a4e49265-0798-4b60-8c0a-fa4a9452ac19" data-vars-headline="Detroit to get innovative in goal for new-build housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/11/12/vacant-land-bird-diversity" target="_self">vacant land</a>.Why it matters: Homeownership is seen as a pathway to building generational wealth in a city where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="poverty is on the rise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/19/income-poverty-mayoral-race-election-economy" data-vars-content-id="a4e49265-0798-4b60-8c0a-fa4a9452ac19" data-vars-headline="Detroit to get innovative in goal for new-build housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/09/19/income-poverty-mayoral-race-election-economy" target="_self">poverty is on the rise</a>.

Hudson's Detroit condos now for sale

Presales have begun for 96 condos in Hudson's tower, priced from $600K.

News

Potential buyers for new high-rise condos at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hudson&#x27;s Detroit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/03/26/hudsons-detroit-development-update" data-vars-content-id="a450fafe-d58a-407e-8bcb-5ef4b1057929" data-vars-headline="Hudson&#x27;s Detroit condos now for sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/03/26/hudsons-detroit-development-update" target="_self">Hudson&#x27;s Detroit</a> can make their move.Why it matters: Tuesday&#x27;s presale launch was the first time condos at Hudson&#x27;s downtown development have been formally offered.

Detroit rents edge down, but housing still costly

Rents in Detroit dipped slightly, but many renters still face high housing costs.

Detroit&#x27;s median <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rent" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2023/02/08/rent-metro-detroit-still-rising" data-vars-content-id="83f4acdd-4e29-4a26-89f8-dff32a5ca384" data-vars-headline="Detroit rents edge down, but housing still costly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2023/02/08/rent-metro-detroit-still-rising" target="_self">rent</a> is down slightly in 2026 compared to last year, while other Midwestern cities aren&#x27;t so lucky.Why it matters: Housing remains unaffordable for many.

Black Leaders Detroit expands into home rehab

The group now offers zero-interest loans to support local housing developers.

A local organization known for assisting small Black-owned businesses is venturing into a new arena: home rehab.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Black Leaders Detroit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.blackleadersdetroit.org/" data-vars-content-id="7afe523f-14a2-4031-9664-e92b50864e27" data-vars-headline="Black Leaders Detroit expands into home rehab" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.blackleadersdetroit.org/" target="_blank">Black Leaders Detroit</a> (BLD) has provided grants and zero-interest loans worth more than $6 million to entrepreneurs since 2020.

It takes 8 years to save for a down payment in Metro Detroit

Homes are getting more expensive and down payment assistance demand is high.

It took the typical Metro Detroit household nearly eight years to save for a median home down payment as of 2025, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realtor.com analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/downpayment-savings-december-2025/" data-vars-content-id="607e8508-f65b-4472-ab4b-705ff6445908" data-vars-headline="It takes 8 years to save for a down payment in Metro Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/downpayment-savings-december-2025/" target="_blank">Realtor.com analysis</a>.Why it matters: Coming up with a down payment is one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biggest barriers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/04/homebuyers-are-struggling-to-make-bigger-down-payments.html" data-vars-content-id="607e8508-f65b-4472-ab4b-705ff6445908" data-vars-headline="It takes 8 years to save for a down payment in Metro Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/04/homebuyers-are-struggling-to-make-bigger-down-payments.html" target="_blank">biggest barriers</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeownership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/stocks-retirement-gen-z" data-vars-content-id="607e8508-f65b-4472-ab4b-705ff6445908" data-vars-headline="It takes 8 years to save for a down payment in Metro Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/stocks-retirement-gen-z" target="_self">homeownership</a>.

Tech CEO plans revival for Detroit's largest home

Calvin Gee bought the 68-room Bishop Mansion and wants to restore it.

The largest home in Detroit, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bishop Mansion" data-vars-click-url="https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/bishop-mansion" data-vars-content-id="d06790f4-7aa3-41b9-8e8f-9890df522dbb" data-vars-headline="Tech CEO plans revival for Detroit&#x27;s largest home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/bishop-mansion" target="_blank">Bishop Mansion</a>, has found a buyer: angel investor and AI exec Calvin Gee.Why it matters: It&#x27;s not just Gee moving in — the 35-year-old from West Bloomfield also plans to move his AI and robotics company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Engage" data-vars-click-url="https://engagework.com/" data-vars-content-id="d06790f4-7aa3-41b9-8e8f-9890df522dbb" data-vars-headline="Tech CEO plans revival for Detroit&#x27;s largest home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://engagework.com/" target="_blank">Engage</a> from Austin to Detroit, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Free Press reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2026/01/20/detroits-largest-private-residence-sells-for-a-fraction-of-its-price/88265917007/" data-vars-content-id="d06790f4-7aa3-41b9-8e8f-9890df522dbb" data-vars-headline="Tech CEO plans revival for Detroit&#x27;s largest home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2026/01/20/detroits-largest-private-residence-sells-for-a-fraction-of-its-price/88265917007/" target="_blank">Free Press reported</a>.

Homebuyers may get more leverage this year

Here's what 2026 might look like for Metro Detroit's housing market.

Metro Detroit&#x27;s housing market may regain a bit more of an even balance between buyers and sellers this year.Why it matters: Expect a 2026 housing market that&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="still unaffordable for many buyers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_saltlakecity&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="fd953071-be34-4c5b-8a1f-be53caa825e9" data-vars-headline="Homebuyers may get more leverage this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_saltlakecity&amp;stream=top" target="_self">still unaffordable for many buyers</a>, but also with some momentum toward better inventory and mortgage rates.

I want a lawn that doesn't make me cringe

After four years in Ferndale, I'm finally ready to tackle my neglected yard.

Things to Do

I bought my house in Ferndale almost four years ago, but I still feel like a new homeowner when it comes to yard care.Why it matters: I want to be proud of my lawn, but it&#x27;s been a patchy, weed-pocked mess under my stewardship.

Detroit mansion becomes Michigan's top Zillow listing

The $7M Fisher estate in Palmer Woods tops Zillow's most-viewed homes list in Michigan.

A historic mansion in the Palmer Woods neighborhood with a $7 million price tag was Michigan&#x27;s most popular Zillow listing this year.Why it matters: The property set a record in 2022 for Detroit&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most expensive home ever sold" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/03/10/stellantis-exec-purchases-historic-fisher-mansion/6989601001/" data-vars-content-id="082beb7a-9f85-4bb6-84c6-0cff49986d7d" data-vars-headline="Detroit mansion becomes Michigan&#x27;s top Zillow listing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/03/10/stellantis-exec-purchases-historic-fisher-mansion/6989601001/" target="_blank">most expensive home ever sold</a> when a former Stellantis executive, Mark Stewart, bought it for $4.9 million.

A table shows the Metro Detroit homeownership rate for various occupations in 2024 and 2014

Metro Detroit homeownership rate, by occupation

Data: National Association of Realtors analysis of Census Bureau data; Chart: Annalise Frank/Axios

A symbol map of 54 U.S. metro areas showing estimated change in median rent from February 2025 to February 2026. Rents decreased in 34 metros, mostly in the South, and increased in 20 metros, mostly in the Northeast and Midwest. Virginia Beach increased the most, by 5.3%, and Austin decreased the most, by 5.9%.

Change in median rent from February 2025 to February 2026

Homeowners are staying put longer

Detroit homeowners are staying put longer

A line chart showing average homeowner tenure in the Detroit metro area compared to the U.S. overall. Tenure is the time between the most recent and previous sale dates of a home. Nationally, average tenure has risen from 3.7 years in Q1 2005 to 8.6 years in Q4 2025. In Detroit, average tenure has risen from 2.6 years to 7.9 years over the same period.

Real Estate 🏠

Detroit to get innovative in goal for new-build housing

What Metro Detroit homeowners do for a living

Hudson's Detroit condos now for sale

Detroit rents edge down, but housing still costly

Detroit homeowners are staying put longer