Palmer Woods Home isn't Fisher Mansion, but it's Literally Pretty Close

Just three blocks down from the Fisher Mansion on Balmoral Drive, this 6-bed, 4.5-bath Dutch colonial listed at $549K has a greenhouse, a dramatic split-stair foyer and even a third-floor ballroom. The ornamental fence has remote opener for those frigid winter days when getting out of the car just isn't an option, although the house seems made for Michigan summers with its vast, tiled veranda and lush gardens.

The home's original hardwood floors contrast dramatically with dark-stained casework arches in the foyer, and the living spaces have large windows that flood them with natural light. All of this is nice and not unexpected for $500K. A few of the bathrooms seem to have suffered some charmless 50s remodeling in unfortunate sherbet colors (mint chocolate chip sink, anyone?). The kitchen, while probably kinda awesome for 1999, needs updating, despite its much-hyped granite and steel, and despite having what seems like all the electrical outlets in the world (you actually can have too many, if this house is any proof).

A greenhouse and a ballroom, though—not to mention room for an "au pair," per the listing advert—make this home stand out just a smidge from its Palmer Park neighbors. - Rebecca Golden

·1405 Balmoral Drive [Zillow]
·Fisher Mansion Back on the Market [Curbed Detroit]