What makes Tom Gilliam a trusted Farmington Hills Realtor?

Tom Gilliam brings decades of experience, deep community knowledge, and a client-first approach to buying and selling homes in Farmington Hills. His strong negotiation skills and understanding of local market trends help clients secure the best deals whether they’re first-time buyers or seasoned investors.

How do I start searching for homes for sale in Oakland County?

With Tom's personalized home search strategy, you gain access to the latest Oakland County real estate listings before they hit the public MLS. He listens to your goals, curates the best-fit properties, and offers expert guidance from showing to closing — all while educating you on market dynamics.

What should I know about homes for sale in Farmington Hills?

Farmington Hills offers a diverse housing market, from mid-century family homes to upscale estates. Tom Gilliam helps you understand school districts, property taxes, resale value, and neighborhood character — so you make confident, informed choices.

Why choose a real estate agent in Novi, MI like Tom Gilliam?

Novi is a fast-growing, desirable suburb with a competitive market. Tom’s local insights, from the best schools to upcoming developments, make him a strategic partner when buying or selling real estate in Novi, MI.

What is the market like for Royal Oak real estate?

Royal Oak remains one of the most sought-after areas for its walkability, downtown life, and investment potential. Tom Gilliam tracks inventory levels, pricing trends, and community growth to help you make smart moves in this high-demand market.

How can I find West Bloomfield Michigan homes for sale that fit my lifestyle?

Whether you're looking for lakefront homes, modern builds, or peaceful cul-de-sacs, Tom Gilliam uses detailed criteria and market analytics to match you with the right West Bloomfield property that aligns with your budget and vision.

Is Bloomfield Hills real estate a good long-term investment?

Absolutely — Bloomfield Hills is known for luxury properties, strong school districts, and long-term value. Tom Gilliam helps buyers evaluate opportunities and sellers position their homes effectively in this high-end market.

What are the key things to consider when buying a home in South Lyon, MI?

South Lyon offers a small-town feel with quick access to major highways and metro areas. Tom Gilliam guides you through hidden neighborhood gems, new construction opportunities, and long-term value in South Lyon real estate.

How can I narrow down houses for sale in Farmington Hills that meet my needs?

Tom Gilliam uses a custom approach — combining tech tools, local insights, and client conversations — to identify homes with the right floor plan, location, and features. He saves you time while ensuring you don’t miss the perfect fit.

Why is working with a local Oakland County real estate expert so important?

Real estate is hyper-local. Tom’s knowledge of Oakland County neighborhoods, zoning changes, school boundaries, and hidden market opportunities allows you to buy or sell with clarity and confidence.

Navigating the Farmington Hills Home Market in Spring 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

By Tom Gilliambuying a home, Farmington Hills Michigan, market reports, Oakland County Real Estate, Real Estate Tips, selling a home May 8, 2026

Real estate agent reviewing Farmington Hills Michigan home market listings and Spring 2026 data — Tom Gilliam RE/MAX Classic Farmington Hills Michigan 248-790-5594

🏡 Buying or Selling in Farmington Hills Michigan in Spring 2026?

Tom Gilliam at RE/MAX Classic has 24 years of experience helping buyers and sellers navigate the Farmington Hills real estate market. Free consultation. No pressure. Just honest local expertise from someone who knows every neighborhood intimately.

Talk to Tom Today →

TL;DR — Quick Summary

Farmington Hills is one of the most competitive real estate markets in all of Southeast Michigan in Spring 2026 — homes are averaging $385,085 and going pending in as few as 6 days.
Oakland County leads all of Southeast Michigan with an average home value of $386,000 — buyers need to be pre-approved and ready to move fast when the right home comes available.
For sellers this market is extraordinarily favorable — but pricing precision and professional marketing still separate homes that generate multiple offers from homes that sit.
New construction is active in Oakland County but builders rarely negotiate on base price — resale homes in Farmington Hills offer stronger negotiating flexibility for prepared buyers.
Redfin currently scores Farmington Hills at 86 out of 100 for competitiveness — one of the highest ratings in Oakland County.

After 24 years of helping buyers and sellers navigate the Farmington Hills real estate market I have seen all kinds of cycles — hot markets, cooling markets, and everything in between. What I can tell you about Spring 2026 is this — we are in one of the most active and competitive markets I have seen in years.

Homes are averaging $385,085. Well priced properties are going pending in as few as 6 days. Oakland County is leading all of Southeast Michigan with an average home value of $386,000. And communities like Novi and Bloomfield Hills are experiencing year over year appreciation that would have seemed extraordinary just a few years ago.

Whether you are buying your first home, upgrading, downsizing, or preparing to list — understanding exactly what is happening in this market right now can make the difference between winning and losing. Here is my honest breakdown of the Farmington Hills market in Spring 2026 and what you need to do about it.

Farmington Hills Home Market — Spring 2026 at a Glance

Average Home Value

$385,085

Farmington Hills Spring 2026

Days To Pending

6 Days

Well priced homes

Year Over Year

+2.3%

Farmington Hills appreciation

Sale to List Ratio

97.6%

Spring 2026

Key Takeaways — Farmington Hills Market Spring 2026

Point	Details
Fast moving market	Well priced Farmington Hills homes are going pending in as few as 6 days — buyers must be prepared and ready to act immediately.
Strong appreciation	Farmington Hills up 2.3% YoY — Oakland County average $386,000 leading all of Southeast Michigan.
Seller advantage	97.6% sale to list ratio — sellers who price correctly and present professionally are winning in this market.
Buyer preparation critical	Pre-approval is non-negotiable — sellers in this market will not accept offers without verified pre-approval in hand.
Oakland County comparison	Novi up 30.2% YoY — Bloomfield Hills up 47.2% YoY — Farmington Hills remains the strongest value in the county.

What Is Actually Happening in the Farmington Hills Market Right Now

The numbers tell a clear and compelling story. Farmington Hills is not just holding steady — it is outperforming most of the country. According to the National Association of Realtors the national median existing home price increased just 3.8% year over year — Farmington Hills is outpacing that benchmark while remaining one of the best value communities in all of Oakland County.

Farmington Hills homes appreciated 2.3% year over year bringing the average to $385,085. Redfin currently gives Farmington Hills a competitiveness score of 86 out of 100 — one of the highest ratings in all of Oakland County. And the communities surrounding Farmington Hills are posting numbers that are even more dramatic — Novi is up 30.2% year over year and Bloomfield Hills has seen a staggering 47.2% appreciation.

💬 Tom Gilliam | RE/MAX Classic | Farmington Hills MI

"Farmington Hills consistently delivers the best overall value in Oakland County. While Bloomfield Hills and Novi get the appreciation headlines Farmington Hills quietly delivers outstanding schools, exceptional safety, and a 30-minute commute to Detroit — all at a price point that still makes sense for families relocating from across the country."

Here is how Farmington Hills compares to the surrounding Oakland County communities right now:

Community	Average Value	YoY Change	Days to Pending
Farmington Hills	$385,085	+2.3%	6 days
Novi	$498,000	+30.2%	9 days
Bloomfield Hills	$1.3M+ median	+47.2%	Variable
Northville	$425K to $475K	Strong	Fast
Birmingham	$712,000 median	Strong	Fast
Oakland County Avg	$386,000	Leading SE Michigan	Fast

What Buyers Need to Know About the Farmington Hills Market Right Now

In a market where well priced homes go pending in 6 days hesitation is expensive. I have watched buyers lose the home they wanted because they needed an extra day to think about it — and in this market that extra day is often all it takes.

Here is exactly what every Farmington Hills buyer needs to have in place before starting their search in Spring 2026:

Step	Action	Why It Matters
Step 1	Get fully pre-approved by a Michigan lender	Sellers in this market will not consider offers without verified pre-approval — not a pre-qualification
Step 2	Set up MLS alerts for your target neighborhoods	New listings in Farmington Hills move fast — you need to know about them the moment they hit the market
Step 3	Know your non-negotiables before you start touring	In a fast market you cannot afford to discover your priorities while you are standing in someone's living room
Step 4	Understand Michigan Proposal A tax reset	Your first year tax bill will be significantly higher than the seller's current bill — always calculate the actual amount before budgeting
Step 5	Be ready to make a decision same day	With homes going pending in 6 days waiting until tomorrow is often waiting too long

⚠️ Michigan Proposal A — Critical for Every Farmington Hills Buyer!

Michigan's Proposal A caps annual property tax increases for long-term owners — but that protection resets completely when a property sells. Your first year tax bill as a new owner will be significantly higher than what the previous owner paid. Always calculate your actual post-purchase tax bill before finalizing your budget. Never use the seller's current tax bill as your baseline.

💡 Pro Tip for Buyers — Tom Gilliam RE/MAX Classic

In this market an escalation clause can be a powerful tool. It automatically increases your offer up to a predetermined maximum if competing offers come in above yours — without requiring you to resubmit. Ask me how to structure one effectively before your first offer goes in.

What Sellers Need to Know to Maximize Their Return in Spring 2026

Spring 2026 is one of the best seller markets Farmington Hills has seen in years. But here is what I tell every seller I work with — a strong market does not guarantee a strong result. The sellers who maximize their proceeds are the ones who approach this market with precision and professionalism.

Here is the difference between a seller who generates multiple offers and one who watches their listing sit:

Task	Basic Approach	Tom Gilliam Approach
Pricing	Price based on what you need or want	Price based on current 60-day sold comps in your specific neighborhood
Photography	Smartphone photos	Professional photography and virtual tour — non-negotiable in 2026
Marketing	MLS listing only	MLS, social media, targeted digital ads, open houses, 15+ platforms
Preparation	List as-is	Pre-listing inspection, targeted repairs, professional staging consultation
Open house timing	Whenever convenient	Cluster open house on launch weekend to create urgency and generate competing offers

💡 Pro Tip for Sellers — Tom Gilliam RE/MAX Classic

Even in a strong seller's market overpricing is the single most expensive mistake you can make. A home that sits accumulates days on market — and buyers interpret days on market as a signal that something is wrong. Price it right from day one and the market will do the rest.

Resale vs. New Construction in Farmington Hills — What You Need to Know

New construction is active in Oakland County and Farmington Hills buyers often ask me whether to pursue a new build or an established resale home. Here is my honest comparison:

Category	Resale Homes	New Construction
Price point	Typically lower entry price	Often priced at a premium per square foot
Negotiation flexibility	Higher — motivated sellers will negotiate price, repairs, and closing costs	Lower — builders rarely reduce base price but may offer incentive packages
Move-in timeline	Faster — typically 30 to 60 days	6 to 18 months depending on build stage
Condition	Varies — inspection critical	Brand new with builder warranty
Customization	Limited to what exists	Higher flexibility especially in early build stages

For most Farmington Hills buyers in Spring 2026 resale homes offer the strongest combination of value, speed, and negotiating flexibility. Explore current homes for sale in Farmington Hills to see what is available right now — and read my complete home buying process guide to prepare for every stage of your transaction.

My Take After 24 Years in the Farmington Hills Market

Here is what most market summaries miss. When people see strong appreciation numbers and fast days on market they sometimes assume the market works the same for every home. It does not.

Well maintained well priced homes in strong Farmington Hills school districts are still generating multiple offers and going pending in days. Homes that are overpriced, under-presented, or carrying deferred maintenance are sitting longer even in this market. The quality end of the market is very competitive. The bottom of the market has more breathing room.

💬 Tom Gilliam | RE/MAX Classic | Farmington Hills MI

"Do not let the strong market numbers lead you into overconfidence on either side. Buyers who show up without pre-approval lose homes. Sellers who overprice watch listings sit. The fundamentals of smart real estate never change regardless of how hot the market is."

There is also a layer that deserves more attention — the appraisal. In a fast appreciating market appraisers sometimes lag behind current values. That can create a gap between purchase price and appraised value that needs to be managed carefully. I help my buyers and sellers navigate this proactively so it does not derail a transaction at the last moment.

The candid advice is this — work with someone who knows which specific neighborhoods in Farmington Hills are still moving in days and which pockets have more room for negotiation. For local property records and community data visit the Oakland County Government website — a valuable resource for buyers researching specific neighborhoods and property histories. That local knowledge is the difference between winning and overpaying. Explore my complete Oakland County community guide for a full picture of how Farmington Hills compares to every surrounding community.