Don't Delay in Searching for Great Properties

While I know it's tough to get excited about travelling North when the thermometer is not expected to reach ten degrees, but those that have been willing to make the trip are quickly gobbling up some of the best properties that will be on the market this year. A great example is a 29 acre parcel on The AuSable River that Homewaters, L.L.C. is representing. We've had a tremendous number of e-mail and telephone inquiries from buyers who say they'll come take a look in March when the weather breaks. Sorry to say that property is no longer available. The seller has accepted an offer to purchase and the transaction is very clean and should close by mid February. I had a chance to show the parcel this weekend to a great couple from Ann Arbor who strapped on the snow shoes and had a wonderful day in the woods. The parcel didn't meet their needs, but they gained some valuable information about the market and how this parcel may stack up against others that will hit the market this year. Many of the properties that will be on the market in 2009 come to market in the next month or two. The best of these will likely be snatched up by those willing to put in the extra effort and brave a little snow to make sure they are in a position to get a wonderful parcel.

Now Servicing Michigan's Inland Waterway

For those who have been on the site in recent days, you may have noticed that we now offer map searching for Cheboygan County and the major lakes and rivers of Michigan's Inland Waterway including Black, Burt and Mullett Lakes (photo of Mullett Lake to the left) and The Lower Black River, Cheboygan River and Indian River. This area of the state is a favorite among boaters and we're very excited for the opportunity to service it thanks to the addition of Associate Broker, Lance Weyeneth, who will be servicing the area. From it's beginning on Pickerel Lake, one can travel 45 miles through two locks, four major lakes and 3 beautiful rivers ending where The Cheboygan River flows into Lake Huron providing boat access to the rest of the globe theoretically. Tremendous snowmobiling, skiing, fishing, and golf are all available in the immediate area and provide more reasons to consider The Inland Lakes Area as a destination for your next property. Just click on the link above for each lake to view currently available properties or contact Lance via e-mail at lance@homewaters.net for more information on the area and the current real estate market in the area.

Discover Kalkaska County's Bear Lake

If you are looking for a more affordable option in Northwest Michigan for a lake with clean, clear water with sandy bottom and sandy beach, consider Bear Lake in Kalkaska County. This water is among the cleanest in the State of Michigan. On the right day, you can see the bottom in 30' of water! It is a 320 acre all-sports lake just north of M-72 between Kalkaska and Grayling. The Blue Bear Snowmobile Trail and thousands of acres of state land surround the water. Bear Lake is an all-sport lake with limited hours for high speed boating allowing for quiet fishing times in the early morning and late evening hours. Relative to pricing on similar lakes like Torch Lake, Elk Lake or Higgins Lake, Bear Lake is a true bargain. Here are some good examples.

Two bedroom lakefront chalet

Tremendous opportunity to get on an all-sports lake at a very affordable price. This chalet has had recent remodeling in the lower level finished in knotty pine, recessed lighting and updated bath. Walk out basement with enclosed patio which could be converted to additional living space. Walk out on the main level to a deck overlooking the lake and sunset views. All this plus a garage to store all the toys. All this for only $214,900. Click the photo on the left for more detailed information on this cabin.

Sunset Views from This Fabulous Home

This spectacular home has it all. 3200 square feet of living space and a three stall garage to store your toys - boats, snowmobiles, cars, etc. This home has it all with two level full decking on the sunset side of the house, walk-out basement, master suite with Jacuzzi. Unbelievably priced at only $399,000. Click on the photo to get full detailed information on the home.

Winter Wonderland in Kalkaska County

Winter 2009 in Kalkaska County is here and better than it has been in many years. Since November over 100 inches of snow has fallen on our beautiful area and the Blue Bear Trail is groomed and in great shape for winter recreation. Hundreds of snowmobiles were on the trails over the week-end and Dingman's and the HideAway restaurants as well as the many other local businesses were happy for the winter business. Snowmobilers are not the only recreational sports in the area. Ice Fisherman are enjoying fine winter fishing on many of the over 90 lakes to say nothing about the fresh fish dinners - yummmmy. Cross country skiers and snowshoers were out and enjoying the beauty and serenity on the thousands of acres of state land in the county. If downhill skiing is your thing, you have a plethora of ski resorts all very drivable from Kalkaska county - Boyne Mountain, Shanty Creek, Crystal Mountain as well as the shorter runs at Holiday Hills in Traverse City. So much family fun and recreation - I cannot imagine being anywhere else.

Indianapolis Fly Show

We braved horrific driving conditions Friday to travel to Indianapolis for the second annual Indiana On The Fly Show put on by Reel Women - Reel Men of Indiana. Propelled by the success of the first annual show in 2008, thr group moved to a new building and added quite a few new vendors and a large casting pond. The weather kept attendance lower than expected, but we had a terrific show and there was a tremendous amount of interest from Indianapolis buyers looking for Northern Michigan Real Estate. These shows are a terrific way to introduce ourselves and our clients' properties that just can't be done through any other media source. Thanks to those past, current, and future clients who stopped by to say, "hello". We look forward to seeing many of you throughout 2009! For those of you in the Southeastern portion of Michigan, you'll be able to see us at The Midwest Fly Fishing Exposition the first weekend of March. This is by far the largest and most well run Fly Fishing show in The Midwest. We'll also be in Grand Rapids for The Cottage and Lakefront Living Show at DeVos Place the third weekend in March. Thanks to Reel Women - Reel Men of Indiana for being such terrific hosts this weekend. We look forward to seeing you for the third annual show next January.

Amazing Deal on AuSable Log Cabin

A recent reduction from $166,000 to $157,500 has made this already terrific buy on The AuSable River's Holy Water section into a true steal. When most buyers begin their search for riverfront, they don't consider shared access and I can completely understand. This development, however, is truly unique. Developed in 2002, this spectacular 46 acre tract was held by the same family since 1934 and was operated as a rental operation for fly anglers looking to enjoy The AuSable River and it's remarkable fishing. The buyer was a gentleman who spent a lot of time renting one of the cabins on the site, but did not have a need for the entire 46 acres and the 5 cabins that were on the property at that time. We helped him develop the parcel into just 11 private parcels in addition to a 5 acre "preserve" that encompassed the heart of the property, a wonderful trout pond that requires no stocking and a classic AuSable Riverboat house (which was recently converted into a screened river house for the residents). Each property gains deeded ownership of their individual tract and a 1/12 undivided interest in the 5 acre preserve with over 700' of river frontage. Because a number of the property owners have now acquired multiple parcels, there are only 7 property owners on the entire 46 acres and only one of those is a year round resident. It's just about impossible to find a cabin of any sort on this quality of water in this price range, let alone a full log cabin with ownership of 8 acres of land and over 700' of frontage, a trout pond, screened river house and an additional pedestrian easement at the upstream end of the development that provides access to more than 1/4 mile of river in total!!!! Click here for the nuts and bolts about the property. Someone is going to get a tremendous deal on a property that their family is sure to enjoy for many years to come, it might as well be you!!! E-mail Chad with any questions or to set up a showing.

Indiana Fly Fishing Show

This coming weekend will be the second annual Indiana On The Fly Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and we'll be there to advertise our terrific inventory of Northern Michigan Riverfront Properties. Reel Women - Reel Men of Indianapolis did a terrific job of pulling off a very successful first show last year and have really stepped up once again to improve this year's venue. The premier speaker at this year's show will be famous angler and fly tyer, Bob Clouser. It's a great place to learn more about the sport of fly fishing if your new and to hone your skills if you're a veteran. There will be a ton of local and out of the area fly shops offering tremendous deals, so it's a great place to get geared up. If you make your way to the show, make sure to stop by our booth and say hello!