Many Metro Detroiters are just like the Elliotts, real estate agents say. Good city services and low crime rates are important. But other factors being equal, they want a home in a quality school district. A Detroit News analysis of all 127 Metro Detroit communities found that nonschool taxes in Northville and Novi are relatively high, compared to the number of services they provide. Overall, the cities rank 110th and 111th, respectively, when city services such as water, streetlights, fire protection and recreational facilities are balanced against the taxes each community levies to pay for them.
People see the value of schools going hand in hand with appreciation of the property.
Frick said many couples shopping for homes come armed with statistics about state test scores, dropout rates and other school-related data. It would help me sell a lot more homes if the school system was solid. Schools of choice programs that let parents send their children to public schools outside the neighborhood haven't had much impact on the housing market, real estate agents say. The Detroit News We welcome your comments .