Wayne. Oakland. Macomb.

The home county. Dearborn is where the day starts, so central and western Wayne is where there is the most room in the schedule.

• DearbornHome base. Pre-war brick and hard-working kitchens.
• Dearborn HeightsPost-war ranches, tri-levels, one-floor cleans.
• DetroitTudors, bungalows, new-build infill and lofts.
• LivoniaConsistent mid-century stock, finished basements.
• CantonNewer subdivisions, open plans, two-story entries.
• WestlandSmaller homes, more turnover, move-out work.
• Grosse PointeThe largest, oldest houses — and the most under-quoted.
• PlymouthOld homes by downtown, family colonials around it.
• NorthvilleVictorian homes downtown, big newer houses outside.
• Garden CityCompact post-war ranches, basements and big yards.

North and west. It runs from the small pre-war bungalow streets of Ferndale and Royal Oak up to the largest and highest-specification houses on this list.

• Royal OakSmall pre-war lots, well-renovated interiors.
• BirminghamHigh-specification finishes: stone, glass, gloss.
• TroyFamily colonials, home offices, occupied houses.
• FerndaleThe smallest houses, the busiest bathrooms.
• SouthfieldHalf houses, half buildings. Access needs planning.
• Farmington HillsBig houses on wooded lots, high glazing.
• NoviNew build and near-new, including construction dust.
• Bloomfield HillsEstate-scale houses with rooms nobody uses daily.
• West BloomfieldLake lots, contemporaries, skylights and walkouts.
• Rochester HillsFamily colonials, bonus rooms, busy mudrooms.
• Auburn HillsApartments, townhouses and lease-end move-outs.
• Madison HeightsSmall brick ranches, one bath, basement laundry.
• BerkleyBungalows with finished upstairs and steep stairs.
• Oak ParkMid-century brick ranches, some kosher kitchens.
• Huntington WoodsTudors and colonials with built-ins and fireplaces.
• ClawsonSmall bungalows next to brand-new infill builds.
• FarmingtonOlder homes near downtown, condos, downsizers.
• Commerce TownshipLake houses and newer subdivisions on well water.
• WixomNewer townhouses, three levels, carpeted stairs.

East and north-east. Post-war ranches built at speed, big brick subdivisions, managed condo communities, and the lake.

• WarrenPost-war ranches, original kitchens and baths.
• Sterling HeightsBrick subdivisions and basements that count.
• St. Clair ShoresLake humidity, window film, sand from the dock.
• Clinton TownshipCondo and townhouse communities with their own rules.
• Shelby TownshipLarge newer colonials, big kitchens, big baths.
• Macomb TownshipNew subdivisions, young families, lots of floor.
• RosevilleSmall post-war bungalows, rentals, quick cleans.
• EastpointeOlder brick homes with original vintage tile.
• FraserTri-levels and ranches with long-time owners.
• Mount ClemensHistoric homes, tall ceilings, original woodwork.
• Chesterfield TownshipNewer subdivisions and Anchor Bay waterfront.
• Harrison TownshipLakefront, canals, and military move-outs.
• UticaSmall historic city, older homes and condos.
• Center LineTiny city, small bungalows, quick visits.