Schools
Chelsea's housing spans subdivisions, the historic core, and lake-country: Families are served by the highly rated Chelsea School District (South Meadows, North Creek, Beach Middle School, and Chelsea High at 740 N.
Washtenaw County, Michigan
Mortgage Broker in Chelsea, MI
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Buying a home in Chelsea
Tucked into the rolling lake-country of western Washtenaw County, Chelsea is a small city of roughly 5,400 residents that punches well above its weight. The downtown is a nationally registered Victorian district anchored by the 1907 clock tower and the 1880 train depot, while the silos of the Chelsea Milling Company, maker of JIFFY mixes since 1930, still mark the skyline. Jobs cluster around Trinity Health Chelsea Hospital, JIFFY, and the 4,000-acre Stellantis Proving Grounds, and culture is led by Jeff Daniels' Purple Rose Theatre. With the 20,000-acre Waterloo Recreation Area at the back door and Ann Arbor only about 20 minutes east, demand here leans on schools, walkability, and lake access rather than commuter convenience to Detroit.
By the numbers
Chelsea housing and mortgage snapshot
Values move. Treat these as orientation and let us pull current figures for the address you are considering.
$370,000
Typical home value, from the market research on this page
+33%
Typical rise in taxable value the year after a home sells, 2026 Uncapping Study
1.44%
Effective property tax rate, as a share of value
1
Residential ZIP codes
What financing looks like in Chelsea
Buying near the ~$370K median realistically calls for about $110,000-$125,000 in household income with 20% down, where principal, interest, taxes, and insurance land around $2,700-$2,900 a month. Because Chelsea's median household income is roughly $72,000 (Data USA), many buyers lean on dual incomes, larger down payments, or move-up equity. Watch the homestead vs. non-homestead tax gap: owner-occupied millage runs ~37.7-39.5 mills versus ~55.7-57.5 for rentals (Washtenaw County records), so claiming your Principal Residence Exemption matters. First-time buyers should explore MSHDA down-payment assistance. Most homes here sit comfortably under the conforming loan limit, but Cavanaugh Lake waterfront can push into jumbo territory.
Nearly every Chelsea purchase fits well under the 2026 conforming limit of $832,750, so loan size is rarely the constraint.
The market
The Chelsea housing market
The typical Chelsea home value sits near $370,000 (Zillow lists $370,672; Redfin reported a $369,000 median sale price in March 2026), up about 2.5% year over year. Across the broader 48118 ZIP, which reaches into surrounding townships and Cavanaugh Lake's waterfront, median asking prices run higher, closer to $430,000. The market still moves quickly: Chelsea homes sold in roughly 30 days in March 2026, and the 48118 average of about 49 days is a sharp improvement from 77 days a year earlier. Demand is driven by the top-rated school district, the historic walkable core, and limited new-construction inventory.
Where to look
Chelsea neighborhoods
Chelsea Fairways
(~$350,000-$550,000), established colonials off N. Freer/McKinley Rd near the golf course.
Heritage / Heritage Farms
(~$400,000-$650,000), newer construction off Old US-12/Jackson Rd, one of the area's active new-build communities.
Chelsea Ridge
(~$350,000-$525,000), a mix of established and newer single-family homes off McKinley Rd.
Cavanaugh Lake area, Lyndon Township
(~$400,000-$900,000+), wooded and lakefront lots northwest of town.
Schools and commute
Commute
Downtown Ann Arbor is ~18 miles / 20-25 minutes; downtown Detroit is ~59 miles, about 55-65 minutes via I-94 E.
Michigan property taxes
Chelsea property taxes after you buy
The year after a Michigan home sells, its taxable value resets to half of the assessor's market value, so the seller's tax bill is not your tax bill.
In the City of Chelsea, our 2026 Uncapping Study found taxable value typically rises about 33% the year after a sale: roughly $1,740 more in first-year tax on a $300,000 home at the local homestead millage. We build your payment on that post-sale number.
In Samantha's words
In Michigan, don't just look at the current tax bill. Understand what could happen after ownership changes.
Local resources
Check Chelsea records yourself
The official offices behind the tax and school details on this page.
- City of Chelsea Tax and Assessing, for parcel records and current taxable value
- Chelsea School District, for district boundaries and enrollment
- Washtenaw County Equalization, for county property tax records
What our clients say
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Samantha is a rockstar. We had an unusual situation with our lending and she went above and beyond to help us get our mortgage approved. I truly feel that if we had worked with any other lender or broker, we would not have been able to close on time, or maybe at all. I am beyond happy with the work Samantha did for us and how she handled the entire process. I cannot say enough good things about the work she did for me and my husband. I will be recommending Align Lending and Samantha to anyone that needs a lender.
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Just bought my first home and Ryan Greiner made the mortgage process incredibly quick and easy to understand. He worked hand in hand with my realtor and made sure everything I needed was ready when it had to be. Definitely reccomend Align Lending and Ryan both!
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As first time homebuyers we made sure to do our research before choosing a mortgage broker. We decided to go with Align Lending and could not have made a better choice. We worked with Samantha and she made the entire process smooth and easy. The customer service was top notch! The professional, yet caring approach was just what we were looking. We highly recommend Align Lending!
★★★★★
Samantha was absolutely wonderful to work with when we purchased our new home last month. She made herself available day and night for us and was always able to quickly respond to our questions. She made the entire process so comfortable and easy. 10/10 would highly recommend!!
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Samantha and align lending are always a pleasure to work with. I recommend my clients here and they always are quick to help, knowledgeable and make the process as smooth as possible. We will definitely keep using them for our mortgage needs in the future.
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The pre-approval process for my home search in Bloomfield Hills was fast and organized. Samantha answered all my questions and helped me feel confident moving forward.
Individual experiences. Results vary.
Chelsea mortgage questions
If yours is not here, ask it on the call. There are no dumb questions.
What is the median home price in Chelsea, MI 48118?
As of early 2026, the typical Chelsea home value is around $370,000 (Zillow), with Redfin reporting a median sale price of about $369,000 in March 2026, up roughly 2.5% year over year. Active listings across the broader 48118 ZIP often carry a higher median asking price near $430,000, since the ZIP extends into surrounding townships and lake-country.
How long do homes stay on the market in Chelsea?
Chelsea remains a relatively quick market. Redfin shows homes selling in about 30 days as of March 2026, with the 48118 average around 49 days, a big improvement from roughly 77 days a year earlier. Well-priced homes in desirable subdivisions and the historic downtown often move faster.
What are property taxes like in Chelsea, MI?
Chelsea sits in Washtenaw County, where the median effective property tax rate (~1.44%) runs above Michigan’s ~1.05% statewide median. Homestead (owner-occupied) millage is roughly 37.7-39.5 mills versus ~55.7-57.5 mills for non-homestead/rental property, so owner-occupants pay meaningfully less. The median Chelsea tax bill is around $1,946, though higher-value homes pay considerably more.
What income do I need to buy a median-priced home in Chelsea?
Roughly $110,000-$125,000 in household income for a ~$370,000 home with 20% down at current rates, where principal, interest, taxes, and insurance run about $2,700-$2,900 per month. Because Chelsea’s median household income is about $72,000, many median-priced buyers rely on dual incomes, larger down payments, or equity from a previous home. First-time buyers may want to explore MSHDA down-payment assistance and Michigan first-time homebuyer programs to bridge the gap.
Which school district serves Chelsea, MI 48118?
Chelsea is served by the highly regarded Chelsea School District, which includes South Meadows and North Creek elementary schools, Beach Middle School, and Chelsea High School. Chelsea High consistently ranks among the top districts in Michigan, and strong schools are a major reason families pay a premium for homes here.
What makes Chelsea, MI a distinctive place to live?
Chelsea blends small-town charm with cultural and economic strength. It’s home to the JIFFY Mix factory (Chelsea Milling Company), Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theatre, a beautifully preserved Victorian downtown with a 1907 clock tower, and direct access to the 20,000-acre Waterloo Recreation Area. With Trinity Health Chelsea Hospital and the Stellantis Proving Grounds nearby, plus Ann Arbor only about 20 minutes away, it offers jobs, recreation, and a walkable historic core in one community.
Talk with a local mortgage expert
Tell Samantha what you are trying to do in Chelsea and she will tell you what actually matters for your situation, including whether the timing is right.
- 1
Tell us what you are trying to do
Not what product you want. What you are actually trying to accomplish.
- 2
We look at your situation
A licensed Align loan officer works out what matters most for you specifically.
- 3
You leave with a plan
Your options, the tradeoffs, and your next step. No obligation to go further.
Align Lending LLC, NMLS #2041154. Samantha Shelton, NMLS 1647301. Equal Housing Opportunity. Licensed in Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, Louisiana and Texas. Figures on this page are market research for orientation, not a quote. This page is for educational purposes only. It is not a credit decision, a preapproval, a commitment to lend, or an offer of credit.
