Mid-October 2026 New Construction Update: Tyrone Township Rezoning, 7.4% Rates, and What's Building in Fenton & Linden

New construction activity across Fenton, Linden, Tyrone Township, and Fenton Township picked up fresh momentum in the first half of October 2026. Two developments matter most right now: the 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 7.40 percent for the week ending October 8 per Freddie Mac, and Tyrone Township's Board approved a 44-acre farmland rezoning off North Old US-23 on September 15, opening the corridor's northern edge to a 50,000-square-foot warehouse with office space. This update walks through both, then checks in on the communities where new homes are actually being built, from Fairways of Spring Meadows and Oaks of Tyrone to West Winds, Cider Creek, and Fenton Acres.

The 30-Year Fixed Rate Climbs to 7.40 Percent

Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey put the national average 30-year fixed rate at 7.40 percent for the week ending October 8, 2026, up from 7.28 percent the prior week and 6.30 percent a year earlier; the 15-year fixed averaged 6.60 percent the same week. On a $350,000 loan with 20 percent down, principal and interest comes to roughly $2,423 a month at 7.40 percent, about $28 more than at 7.28 percent and about $256 more than a year ago. Those are planning numbers, not quotes: your actual rate depends on credit, loan program, down payment, and lock timing.

For Fenton and Linden new construction buyers, the practical response is to lock in when the numbers work. Michigan sellers can pay up to 3 percent of costs on a conventional loan and 6 percent on FHA toward points, closing costs, or a buydown, and several builders in this corridor pair those concessions with their own incentives on lots, finishes, or closing costs. A 60-day rate lock can protect terms through a mid-December close, and for a build finishing next summer, a longer builder-backed lock or a construction-to-permanent loan with a rate-lock option keeps the math predictable through the framing and finishing stages. Financing through Big Sky Development's partnership with Dart Bank, for example, offers construction-to-permanent loans with as little as 5 percent down and interest-only payments during construction. Our 2026 cost guide covers the full financing menu.

Tyrone Township Approves 44 Acres off North Old US-23

The Tyrone Township Board approved a 44-acre farmland rezoning on the west side of North Old US-23 near Center Road at its September 15, 2026 meeting, changing the parcel (4704-17-400-007) from Farming Residential to Light Manufacturing so developer Anthony Allor can build a 50,000-square-foot warehouse with office space. The Planning Commission had recommended approval on June 9, and the board's vote followed roughly an hour of public comment, with residents divided on the request.

For buyers watching new construction in the corridor, the approval is meaningful even though the building itself is commercial. It adds jobs and tax base at the northern gateway of the Fenton-Linden development corridor, it signals continued demand for land along the US-23 spine, and it comes as the township is preparing a newer Master Plan to replace the one adopted in 2012. That planning work will shape where the next residential approvals land, which is why serious buyers are securing homesites in established communities like Oaks of Tyrone rather than waiting for the next wave of zonings. Our Oaks of Tyrone feature and Tyrone Township area page have the community context.

Oaks of Tyrone: Big Sky's Luxury Community Builds On

Big Sky Development's luxury custom community off Runyan Lake Road continues its active build-out through the fall. The 34 homesites run approximately one acre each amid preserved mature oak and maple woods, within the Hartland Consolidated Schools district (graduation rate near 96 percent, with a Sinking Fund Replacement on the November 3, 2026 ballot). Construction began in March 2026, and active listings currently range from $615,900 to $899,900, with an average listing price near $780,000 and custom packages starting near $629,900. Every home carries Big Sky's in-house 10-year structural warranty, and buyers can finance construction-to-permanent through Dart Bank with as little as 5 percent down.

If you are weighing Tyrone Township against Fenton Township, our Fairways vs. Oaks comparison is a good starting point: it lays out the Hartland and Linden school district tradeoffs, the lot-size differences, and the price ranges side by side.

Fairways of Spring Meadows and West Winds in Fenton Township

In Fenton Township, Fairways of Spring Meadows (Big Sky Development, Linden Community Schools) still anchors the built-new market, with wooded rolling homesites of roughly 0.57 to 0.75 acres, active listings from about $529,900 to $699,900, and buildable homesites from roughly $69,900. The community borders Spring Meadows Country Club, which matters to buyers who want golf-course adjacency plus quick access to downtown Fenton.

Mitchell Building Co's West Winds subdivision off Lahring Road remains on track for its winter 2026 completion target. Buyers there choose finishes during the build, and the community's Linden Community Schools assignment pairs well with the affordability of a production builder with four decades of local experience. Our West Winds community spotlight covers the plans and timeline.

Cider Creek, Fenton Acres, Liberty Shores, and the Townhome Pipeline

The rest of the corridor's sales activity is spread across several communities delivering through 2026 and into 2027:

• Cider Creek by Lombardo Homes: The Artisan Series community on Rogan Drive in Fenton Township (Linden Community Schools) sells ranch and two-story plans from approximately $389,990 to $515,985, with ponds, walking trails, and quick move-in options. Our Cider Creek spotlight has the plan details.
• Fenton Acres by Allen Edwin Homes: Off Lahring Road near Linden, with quick move-in and to-be-built homes from approximately $395,900 within Linden Community Schools, from a 1,252-square-foot starter to plans over 2,400 square feet.
• Liberty Shores by Lombardo Homes: In Linden, from approximately $442,990, for buyers who want a Lombardo build inside the city.
• The Glades of Fenton: Lake & Land Custom Homes' detached-condominium community on Ivy Lane, craftsman-style homes from approximately $428,885, a lower-maintenance entry point into the corridor.
• The 187-unit townhome project: Redwood Living's project on Silver Lake Road (final site plan approved July 2026, units from 1,294 to 1,620 square feet) still depends on the water-line extension down Ripley Road expected to begin this fall, with construction about a year later, tied to Fenton Township's first municipal water system coming online in phases. Our townhome project explainer walks through what it means for buyers.

Around the Corridor: Trail, Water, and Market Context

A few corridor-wide updates round out the mid-October picture. The ChoiceOne Bank Trail connecting Fenton to Linden opened with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 and is now open for walking and cycling along the north shore of Silver Lake, which is a genuine lifestyle upgrade for new construction buyers in the communities along that corridor. Fenton Township's first municipal water system is coming online in phases, unlocking developable land and improving utility reliability for new neighborhoods. Our trail feature has the details on the new connection.

On the numbers: Genesee County's overall median sale price sits around $239,000 (up 6.3 percent year-over-year per Redfin for the three months ending August), while Livingston County's market shows a median near $411,000 (up 5.5 percent per Redfin). Fenton's 48430 median sale holds near $406,000 per Redfin's September reading with Zillow's average home value near $370,890, and Linden's median sale stays near $320,000. Framing lumber edged down to $505 per 1,000 board feet for the week ending October 2 (Madison's Index, down from $525 a month earlier), keeping winter material budgets workable. Meanwhile, Community Catalysts' attainable-home program, Bethel Homes powered by Lake Trust, started construction on its first income-qualifying homes in Howell Township in October 2026, a reminder that attainable supply is a growing priority across Livingston County. For the full county-level picture, see our fall 2026 market report.

What the Mid-October Picture Means for Buyers

Three practical moves stand out for anyone planning a new construction start in Fenton, Linden, or Tyrone Township:

• Lock a rate early in the contract. At 7.40 percent, locking protects against further drift, and a builder's negotiated buydown can shave the first year or two of payments meaningfully. Ask about both when you compare offers.
• Secure a homesite now if you want a 2027 delivery. Fairways of Spring Meadows and Oaks of Tyrone are both actively selling; the best lots in both communities go first, and winter is a quiet window to select a plan and lock materials pricing.
• Plan for a winter build start. Foundations, rough-ins, and framing continue through Michigan winters, and our winter building season guide explains the realistic 2026-2027 timeline so a spring or summer close lands without surprises.

Ready to talk through what this means for your build? I represent both the Fairways of Spring Meadows and Oaks of Tyrone communities for Big Sky Development, and I work with buyers across every builder in the corridor. Call me directly at (810) 691-0019 or send a message to schedule a consultation.