Incoming Fox Run Residents are Keeping Their Lifetime Treasures

NOVI, MI   – When Joan and Larry Horvath moved into Fox Run they had one issue to deal with: the delicate move of their amusement park carousel horse, from their former home in Milford, MI.

They are long-time members of the National Carousel Association and they had a collection of six carousel animals, one of which is their beloved beige horse, circa early 1900s, obtained from a carousel broker. "We just had to move it with us," said Joan, a former middle school teacher.

Joan and Larry turned to Erickson Realty & Moving Services, Fox Run's complimentary program that simplified their move from start to finish and made it possible to bring the carousel horse -- along with Larry's collection of 25 personally-restored antique radios -- to their new apartment home.  

Their move was coordinated by a personal moving consultant who leads a comprehensive resource network of specially-selected real estate professionals, downsizers, home stagers, contractors, and trusted movers. The Horvaths chose Professional Movers, a preferred moving services partner that actually has experience in moving amusement park carousel animals.

Fox Run's Personal Moving consultant Kristine Kluge met with the Horvaths prior to their move and developed a full-scale replica floor plan with them of their new Fox Run apartment to accommodate the carousel horse and antique radio collection.

Joan and her husband, who is a former television station cameraman and satellite truck operator, and their dog Maya moved from a 1,800-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath ranch house into a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment home at Fox Run. The Horvaths could not be more pleased.

"Everything with our move was handled smoothly," said Joan. "We didn't have to worry about anything."  

Nearly 94 percent of the 78 moves to Fox Run during the first half of this year was done with the help of Erickson Realty & Moving Services. That percentage held steady throughout Erickson Living's nationwide network of 19 communities where a total of 1,068 moves took place during the same period. And the results are defining industry-setting trends.

"I'm seeing an increase in people moving before selling, so floor planning is at the forefront," said Kluge. "I am also seeing the use of auctioneer services, as many people either don't have enough belongings for a full estate sale, or they'd rather not bother with an estate sale in their homes."

The average sale price of homes sold through Erickson Realty & Moving Services at Fox Run  is $287,000. The Horvaths' former home sold in just three days.

"I think people love to have a point person to help with the process, as if left to do it on their own may procrastinate forever," said Kluge. " "Also, having a list of preferred realtors, downsizing companies, etc.,  to choose from is very reassuring, instead of having to look in the 'Yellow Pages' or online. The future residents have built trusting relationships with us, so they can be confident that we will send tried, true and trustworthy partners to them." 

Fox Run and its sister communities nationwide are also seeing a trend towards embracing a simpler lifestyle. While some retirees still want to bring everything they own, many are ready to take this next step with less items that require care and space in their new homes. 

This year is projected to be a hot year for home sales nationwide. An increase in home buyers has resulted from millennials turning away from renting and being at a point where they can begin to buy. Moreover, home prices have steadily risen in the past 12 months and are anticipated to continue to rise. Consequently, home prices are now at near pre-recession marks.

"The economy has improved greatly, so there are many buyers ready and not enough homes available," said Kluge. "We have actually seen houses of new residents sell quickly, some in just one day.

"Our residents have done their homework and have prepared for their new lifestyles," she said. "They are appreciative of the assistance we can provide to them to make their moves as seamless and worry-free as possible."

Oakland County's population explosion is supporting Fox Run's future growth. Oakland County's population grew 41,020 residents from 2010 to 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The county today has more than 1.2 million people living in it. The City of Novi grew 3,938 residents for the period, a 7.12 percent increase. Novi today has more than 59,000 people living in it.