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.

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.

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.