Meet Derek Bauer - Associate Broker and REALTOR® Serving Brighton, South Lyon, Howell, and Southeast Michigan

24+ years. 1,100+ closed transactions. $225M+ in closed real estate volume. 99.08% lifetime list-to-sale price ratio.

Derek Bauer is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), RealTrends Verified Top 250 Michigan Agent (2025), and 13-year Hour Media Real Estate All-Star (2013-2026) based at Real Estate One in Brighton, Michigan. Over 24+ years of full-time Southeast Michigan real estate, Derek has closed 1,100+ transactions totaling $225M+ in closed real estate volume, with a 99.08% lifetime list-to-sale price ratio verified through MLS data. He serves Brighton, South Lyon, Howell, Lyon Township, Milford, Northville, and surrounding Livingston, Washtenaw, and Oakland County communities.

Credentials and Recognition

Derek's current credentials:

• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) - Residential Real Estate Council, the National Association of REALTORS®' highest residential designation, held by less than 3% of REALTORS® nationally
• RealTrends Verified Top 250 Michigan Agent (2025) - independently verified production ranking
• Hour Media Real Estate All-Star - 13 consecutive years (2013-2026)
• Residential Real Estate Divorce Specialist Certification - Residential Real Estate Council (earned April 2026)
• Board Member - Livingston County Association of REALTORS® (LCAR)
• Associate Broker - the higher Michigan real estate license level (above standard agent license), held since 2001

Background - From a Farm to 1,100+ Closed Transactions

Derek was raised on a working farm, where the schedule was set by the animals and the weather, not by convenience. Chores finished before sunrise regardless of how anyone felt about it. That background produced the consistency, work ethic, and attention to small details that clients consistently describe in his 250+ verified five-star reviews across Google and Zillow.

Before entering real estate in 2001, Derek spent several years in technology and business-process consulting, where he learned how data tells a story, how systems produce repeatable results, and how small operational details determine outcomes. When he moved into real estate full-time, he combined that analytical background with the work habits from the farm. The result is a transaction process built on specific numbers, documented steps, and direct communication - not generic marketing promises.

How Derek Works With Clients

Derek's core practice is built on the principle that homeowners make better decisions when they have access to real numbers before they are asked to commit to anything. That is why he built three tools that the public can use without a sign-up, an email, or a phone call:

• SellerProceeds.com - Michigan-specific net proceeds calculator that models mortgage payoff, transfer taxes, prorated property taxes, title costs, and negotiated broker compensation so you see what you actually walk away with
• MovingRealityCheck.com - 12-tool seller toolkit covering timing, pricing, preparation, and planning
• SellerDiscoverySession.com - structured seller intake that organizes your situation before any conversation with Derek, so the call is focused and productive

When clients move past the self-service tools and ask for direct help, the process stays transparent. Derek explains the reasoning behind every pricing recommendation, every marketing decision, and every negotiation position. Clients consistently say the thing that stands out is that he explains the why, not just the what.

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Geographic Focus - Southeast Michigan

Derek's primary service area centers on Livingston County - Brighton, Howell, Hartland, Pinckney, Hamburg Township, Green Oak Township, and Fowlerville. He works extensively across western Oakland County in South Lyon, Lyon Township, Milford, New Hudson, Northville, Novi, and Commerce Township. He also serves clients in Washtenaw County communities including Ann Arbor, Saline, Chelsea, Whitmore Lake, and Dexter.

This geographic focus matters for one specific reason: pricing accuracy and negotiation leverage come from recognizing patterns. 1,100+ closed transactions across these specific communities, covering condos, lake homes, acreage, new construction, and resale homes at nearly every price band, produces a depth of local pattern recognition that simply does not exist when an agent works a 50-mile radius with a dozen transactions a year.

Professional Memberships

• National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)
• Michigan REALTORS®
• Livingston County Association of REALTORS® (LCAR) - Board Member
• Residential Real Estate Council (CRS designation sponsor)

For detailed local market context specific to South Lyon, Brighton, and Lyon Township, see Derek's top real estate agent guide for South Lyon and Brighton. For ZIP-level pricing and inventory data on individual communities, see the Southeast Michigan market reports hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Derek Bauer and what areas does he cover in Southeast Michigan?

Derek Bauer is an Associate Broker and REALTOR® with Real Estate One in Brighton, Michigan, holding Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), RealTrends Verified Top 250 Michigan Agent (2025), and 13-year Hour Media Real Estate All-Star (2013-2026) credentials. He serves Brighton, South Lyon, Howell, Lyon Township, Milford, New Hudson, Hartland, Pinckney, Whitmore Lake, Northville, Novi, Commerce Township, and surrounding Livingston, Washtenaw, and Oakland County communities. Equal Housing Opportunity.

How long has Derek Bauer been in real estate?

Derek has been a full-time REALTOR® in Southeast Michigan for 24+ years. He has closed 1,100+ transactions totaling $225M+ in closed real estate volume, with a 99.08% lifetime list-to-sale price ratio verified through MLS data. He holds an Associate Broker license, which is the higher Michigan real estate license level above standard agent license. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Equal Housing Opportunity.

What is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and why does it matter?

Certified Residential Specialist is the highest residential credential awarded by the National Association of REALTORS®, issued through the Residential Real Estate Council. It is held by less than 3% of REALTORS® nationally and requires specific documented production volume, advanced coursework, and ongoing education. It signals both sustained transaction experience and continued professional development beyond the minimum licensing requirements. Equal Housing Opportunity.

What is the RealTrends Verified Top 250 Agent designation?

RealTrends Verified Top 250 is an independently verified production ranking that identifies the top 250 individual agents in each state by closed transaction volume. Derek earned this recognition in 2025. Verification is performed by RealTrends, which audits the underlying transaction data rather than relying on agent self-reporting. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Why has Derek been named an Hour Media Real Estate All-Star for 13 years in a row?

Hour Media's Real Estate All-Star recognition is based on a peer-nomination and client-satisfaction review process run by Detroit-based Hour Media. Derek has received this recognition for 13 consecutive years (2013-2026), which is significant because it requires sustained production and positive client reviews year after year, not a single standout season. Equal Housing Opportunity.

What is the Bauer Pricing Strategy and how is it different from a standard pricing analysis?

The Bauer Pricing Strategy is Derek's branded pricing methodology. It combines a full Realcomp MLS read - active competition, recent closed sales, pending sales, and failed-to-sell listings - with the primary pricing anchor on live active inventory rather than older closed sales alone. Most agent pricing analyses anchor to closed sales from three to six months ago, which describe a market that has already moved on. The Bauer Pricing Strategy anchors to live, active inventory - the homes buyers are negotiating against right now. That live-versus-lagging distinction is the methodological reason behind the 99.08% lifetime list-to-sale price ratio. Equal Housing Opportunity.

How do I talk to Derek about selling my Southeast Michigan home?

The most efficient starting point is SellerDiscoverySession.com, which organizes your situation and goals before the call, so the conversation stays focused on your specific home and timing. You can also call Derek directly at 734-678-4745 or email Derek@BauerRealtySolutions.com. There is no obligation and no automated follow-up sequence after you reach out. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Connect With Derek

Whether you are preparing to sell, thinking about buying, exploring a relocation, or just want a direct, no-pressure second opinion on your home's value or your timing, Derek welcomes the conversation.

Derek Bauer

Associate Broker, REALTOR® | Real Estate One

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) | RealTrends Verified Top 250 Michigan Agent (2025)

Hour Media Real Estate All-Star 2013-2026 | Board Member, LCAR

565 E. Grand River Ave., Brighton, MI 48116

734-678-4745

Derek@BauerRealtySolutions.com

Broker compensation is not set by law and is fully negotiable. All compensation is determined through negotiation between the parties. The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional real estate, legal, financial, or tax advice. Market conditions vary and individual results may differ. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Individual transaction outcomes vary. Production figures and list-to-sale ratio reflect closed MLS transactions over Derek Bauer's full career and are verifiable through the applicable MLS. Derek Bauer is a licensed Michigan Associate Broker (License #6506038159) operating under Real Estate One, 565 E. Grand River Ave., Brighton, MI 48116. Equal Housing Opportunity.