About

As a lifelong Detroiter and dedicated local resident, my goal is to enhance my neighborhood and city. I am particularly committed to creating amenities and enhancing walkability to keep individuals like myself rooted in Detroit.

About Me

I was born and raised in Detroit. Well before graduating from college, I planned to leave the state as soon as possible. After graduation, I began interviewing for jobs in Seattle and Brooklyn. I started asking myself why I truly wanted to escape Detroit, and realized that the reason was simple: I wanted to live in a place that had urban density, walkable amenities, and neighborhoods with identity. Before making my final decision, I immersed myself into Detroit’s history. I purchased multiple books and finished them one after another. I discovered the tight-knit urban fabric that once characterized the city when it was the 4th most populous in the country.

This realization sparked a newfound passion within me to stay and do my part to rebuild what the city had lost over the decades. Utilizing my savings, intended for renting an apartment on either coast, I took a leap of faith and purchased a home in the city, and over the years, I gradually acquired other nearby properties. Now, I am on the verge of revitalizing a much-needed commercial district in my community. My drive is the desire to help restore Detroit’s vibrancy and make a lasting impact on the city’s urban landscape, particularly in my neighborhood.

Juan Carlos Angeles

Oakland University, B.S. Information Systems
Building Community Value Detroit, Cohort 3
Downtown Tour Guide – Preservation Detroit
President – Oakman Blvd Community Assoc. (2021-2024)

My Primary Home

A couple years after my college graduation, I purchased a home in the Oakman Blvd Community. The property was not move-in ready, and it required significant repairs. Despite its condition, I saw the potential of the home and embarked on a comprehensive renovation project. The list of improvements included:

A brand new roof
A complete overhaul of the plumbing system and drain pipes
Replacing the broken gas lines
New furnace and water heater
New kitchen flooring, cabinets, and appliances
Original hardwood floors refinished
Fresh coats of paint applied throughout

Over the years, I continued to make updates, such as installing all new energy-efficient windows. My home recently appraised for well over the original purchase price, reaffirming the potential I first saw and rewarding the extensive renovations that were completed.

Detroit Land Bank House

One year after completing my home renovation, I decided to take on another challenge by purchasing an abandoned house from the Detroit Land Bank. My aim was to use my experience and the connections I created with tradesmen to renovate and stabilize another home in the neighborhood. The project involved extensive work, including:

New roof and cement front porch
New plumbing throughout, new kitchen cabinets and counters
New sewer service line and concrete garage apron

I also chose to refinish the original hardwood floors myself to learn a new skill
and save a couple thousand dollars. Although there were challenges, such as
break-ins and stolen items, the demand for the property was high. Numerous
people stopped to knock on the door while I was inside working, inquiring
about its availability for rent. Despite the setbacks, the renovation was
successfully completed, and the property stands clear and free from any vested interest from the Land Bank.

Boston-Edison Bedroom

My mother’s bedroom in my childhood home had remained unchanged since the early 1990s. After my father’s passing, it gradually became a space filled with clutter. When my mom retired in 2018 she took a month-long foreign vacation. While she was away, I took the opportunity to transform her neglected room into a sanctuary of comfort. Without her knowledge, I began a surprise renovation with a 30-day timeline. The project was a complete overhaul, including:

New ceiling, recessed lighting, and a ceiling fan
Refinished hardwood floors
Fresh paint
All new furniture

My mother was shocked with delight when she returned home to
discover her newly transformed personal space.

Mayville Manor

I purchased a historic farmhouse in the town of Mayville, MI in cash with the intention of fixing it and renting it out. The house required substantial repairs, including:

New roof
Updated plumbing
Drywall repairs
New triple-pane windows throughout

I invested the same amount in renovations as the purchase, and poured our efforts into getting the 140-year old farmhouse ready for occupancy. After two years of hard work, frequent travel to-and-from, and long-distance project management, I decided to list the house for sale rather than rent. Shortly after listing, I successfully sold the house for over 4x the initial purchase price, marking a substantial return on investment. This home flip proved to be a financially rewarding venture and also showcased an ability to identify undervalued properties and execute successful renovations.