The Legacy Continues

by CHASE EDWARDS

Dane Englert was living in the Arizona desert, working for the U.S. Green Building Council—a third party certifying body for sustainable building design and construction—before he decided to move back to the lush forests of the Midwest where he would be closer to family. Looking to purchase a locally owned and reputable business, he found The Ferraro Group, an acclaimed Traverse City-based custom-home design and construction company.

Friends familar with the region assured Englert his outdoorsy personality was a great fit. As it turns out, Englert and The Ferraro Group founder and owner, Mike Ferraro, were an equally good match. The two, recalls Englert, gelled at their first meeting—both had formerly worked in the auto industry and shared similar values when it came to efficiency and production. Englert purchased The Ferraro Group in March 2023, and has worked closely with Ferraro to ensure a seamless transition. “I’m here to learn what’s been working and then apply it to continue the legacy,” Englert says.

Indeed, The Ferraro Group has built its reputation on a legacy of designing and building fine, timeless—often known as legacy—homes that will be cherished for generations to come. With in-house interior design and an experienced quality central management team, they manage the local skilled tradesmen and women from site prep to finished home to turn their clients’ dreams into reality. Their process includes these five elements that help define a Northern Michigan legacy home:

• Custom Woodwork: Beautifully crafted custom woodwork, says Englert, is one of the most important traditions of The Ferraro Group. “The millwork, trim and custom woodwork is what really sets a legacy home apart from the crowd,” says Englert. “It’s what people see and remember. It creates an impression.” The team has an interior designer who works closely with carpenters when designing custom woodwork such as built-in bookshelves, custom window seats and bunkbeds.

• Interior and Exterior Stonework: Stonework, including fireplaces and foundations, is a surefire way to bring a timeless feel to your Northern Michigan home. “We have some great masons working with us,” Englert says, adding that he encourages customers to incorporate stone because it creates a feeling of heftiness and quality. “We also have a lot of beautiful rocks in Michigan and we can bring that element inside the home,” he says.

• Energy-Efficient Products: Englert’s background in green buildings means he’s well-versed in energy efficient products, and can easily source them for his customers. He knows which products off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and can point clients toward the safest products—from rugs to cooking ranges. Englert recommends incorporating sustainable systems such as natural lighting designs, air sealing around the floor systems and HVAC systems with high-efficiency Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings.

• Low-Maintenance Products: Legacy homes are about enjoying—not choring. Englert and his colleagues often point clients to low-maintenance products like metal roofing, composite decking, and even metal siding products. “Metal siding products have come a long way,” says Englert. “They don’t fade like they used to and they’re really durable, longlasting and recyclable.”

• Connection to the Outdoors: “Most people choose to live in Northern Michigan because they love the outdoors,” says Englert—which is why he recommends screened-in porches and/or large decks. “You have more living space when you can open it up to the outside.”