Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Secord Lake Waterfront Chalet! Price Reduction at 3761 Jennings Court, Gladwin

Price Reduction at 3761 Jennings Court, Gladwin, MI
Secord Lake Waterfront
$114,900 
MLS #156162

Nestled amongst the trees overlooking Secord Lake! 80' of frontage on all sports Secord Lake. This buyer chose this lake and this cottage about 20 years ago for the great fishing...bass, walleye, crappie and bluegills. Perfect spot to catch these right in front of the cottage. Chalet style cottage with an updated kitchen with newer pergo floors and counter tops, renovated bathroom tastefully done with ceramic floors and bath surround. Open living room and dining area with new carpet and fresh paint that steps into the newer sun room. Main floor master bedroom and entire loft is currently one open space but could easily be 2 bedrooms! Deck overlooking the water, patio at waters edge, newer storage shed, sold furnished and includes a pontoon boat. Enjoy the lake today!! 

Click HERE to visit my website for more details on this Secord Lake Waterfront Chalet!!!

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Sugar Springs Lot Price Reduction

Price Reduction at 56 Fairfield Way, Gladwin
Vacant Sugar Springs Lot
$7,900
 
MLS #158024
Almost an acre lot in Sugar Springs adjoining a Commons Property to all sports Lake Lancer. Nice level lot perfect for building or camping. Municipal sewer available. Ownership of this lot provides all the amenities Sugar Springs has to offer...2 all sports lakes, championship golf course, indoor pool located in a beautiful new facility with banquet hall, a restaurant, airport landing strip and more.
 
Click HERE to visit my website for more details!!
 
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Friday, April 26, 2013

Cedar River Waterfront in Gladwin

New Listing at 4830 White Pine, Gladwin, MI
Cedar River Waterfront
$79,500
MLS #158824  

94' along the Cedar River! What a peaceful location for your new year round home or up north get away. Tucked away at the end of the road on a nicely treed lot with the river flowing by. Cedar River flows into all sports Wiggins Lake. Perfect location for tubing, canoeing, kayaking, nature watching and fishing! The 3 bedroom, 2 bath home built in 2000 offers 1,387 sq feet and has been so meticulously maintained it appears like new! Walk into the open living room with vaulted ceilings and beautiful gas log fireplace. Dining area has a slider door to the water side deck. Kitchen is light and bright and offers ample cupboards and counter space and has a breakfast nook. Master suite with walk in closets is located apart from the other 2 bedrooms which share a second full bath. 2 car garage with opener and 2 storage sheds! State land is accessed just steps away from your driveway for even more outdoor opportunities!

Click HERE to visit my website for more details!!

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Smallwood Lake Waterfront Home!

New Listing at 882 Rivers Terrace, Gladwin, MI

Smallwood Lake Waterfront Home

$124,900
 MLS #158825


Sprawling ranch along the banks of all sports Smallwood Lake! 133' of scenic water frontage on a lake known for its all sports activities as well as its great fishing! Catch bass, pan fish & more right from your dock. The paved driveway leads you to the attached 1.5 car garage. Step into the foyer & into the "bonus room" which has a slider door to the outside patio overlooking the lake. Kitchen and living room are open to each other and give you warm and cozy feel of up north living with the wood beams on the ceiling. Wood burning fireplace and brick surround add to the cottage feel. 2 spacious bedrooms and 2 baths provide space for everyone. 4 seasons sun room off the living room offers panoramic views of the yard and the lake and provides additional sleeping space if necessary. Enjoy the bon fire pit after a day on the lake! The easy winding steps to the water and newer boardwalk along the lake and suspended dock complete the package! 2 storage sheds too! Newer roof!

Click HERE to visit my website for more details!!




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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Wixom Lake Waterfront Lot on Ichabod Trail

New Listing on Ichabod Trail, Beaverton, MI
Wixom Lake Waterfront Lot
$49,000


MLS #158823
Wixom Lake (Tobacco River side) waterfront lot! 145' along the water in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Beaverton. Wooded lot offers a mix of trees such as oaks, maple and cedar. Rolling terrain seems perfect for a walk out basement! At nearly 7/10 of an acre there is plenty of room to build your dream home! With plans in the future for a paved road and natural gas this lot deserves your serious consideration.
Click HERE to visit my website for more details!!








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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Getting to know Gladwin County!!

 Gladwin County Michigan





Located in the Heart Of Michigan Gladwin County is home to the City of Gladwin and City of Beaverton and possibly best known for Wixom Lake, Sugar Springs and Secord Lake!!



 Gladwin County is your four seasons playground, with plenty of water, woods, and fun for everyone!

From relaxing in the sun on a beautiful waterfront or in our peaceful woods, to shopping at antique stores and gift shops, to leisurely exploring our beautiful rural area, Gladwin County has indoor and outdoor activities for everyone. Do you yearn to hear the rustle of leaves in a gentle breeze, or the gentle lapping of waves on a beach? For a year round home, a relaxing weekend getaway, or a longer stay at your home away from home, Gladwin County has it all!
 Gladwin County
Approximately 85,000 acres of state land are available for hiking, nature study, ORV adventures, snowmobiling, camping, hunting, fishing, and much more. With over 50 lakes and 473 miles of streams and rivers, it's no wonder that fishing, pleasure boating, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming are so popular. Natural resources are here in abundance!
 Gladwin County
Shopping

Gladwin CountyGladwin County



Recreation/Things To Do

Gladwin County
Lakes
All Sports

Fishing

Dining

Great Ice Cream Shops

Gladwin County
Schools, Library and Hospital

Lawn Maintenance

Gladwin CountyGladwin CountyGladwin County

 Festivals

Major Industry

Gladwin County...A Hunter's Paradise
 Gladwin County
If you plan to buy or sell a Gladwin County home or property contact Sonya by email at sonya@homewaters.net or call or text her at 989-429-2600.  Put her record of excellent customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you!


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Monday, April 22, 2013

Gladwin County Lakes! See what April has to offer!!

Wixom Lake, Secord Lake, Sugar Springs (Lake Lancer & Lake Lancelot) and Smallwood Lake!
 
 
 
 
See some of what we have to offer!!
 
 
 
 
 
Wixom Lake
 
There are currently 98 active listings on Wixom Lake ranging in price from $9,900-$572,000

Wixom Lake is an approximately 2,000 acre all sports lake, inside Gladwin County and located in Beaverton, Michigan. The lake takes in Billings and Tobacco Township and is formed by the Tittabawassee River system and is also fed by the Cedar and Tobacco Rivers.
It would take many hours of boat travel to see the entire lake! Many people enjoy Wixom Lake with pontoons, ski boats, jet ski's, fishing boats and it's not uncommon to see a canoe or kayak during the quieter times. Be sure to check out "Pontoon Alley", a local and very popular area to spend the afternoon on Wixom Lake! Pontoon Alley boasts a shallow, sandy bottom swimming area with a very festive atmosphere! 

Below are featured listings on Wixom Lake. Click on the address to learn more about them.

 
Sugar Springs ~ Lake Lancer & Lake Lancelot

There are currently 197 active listings on Lake Lancer and Lake Lancelot ranging in price from $1,000-$439,000

Lake Lancer & Lancelot offer 1,000 acres of water fun with Lake Lancer at 780 acres and Lancelot at 230 acres. These two lakes are private and are for residents of Sugar Springs, a planned community with over 3,200 platted acres. There are 15 private beach clubs along the shores of the lakes for association members only. Some of the beach clubs offer restrooms, showers, swimming, picnic areas and boat launches. Fisherman enjoy the tranquility of the lakes and the Northern Pike, Walleye, Bass and Panfish that can readily be caught from both Lake Lancer & Lake Lancelot. Lake waters are tested annually and treated several times per year to control weeds and infestation allowing boaters, skiers, jet skiers and swimmers to enjoy the waters!
 
Below are listings featured in Sugar Springs: 

 
 
 Secord Lake
 
 There are currently 46 active listings for Secord Lake ranging from $12,500-$325,000

Secord Lake is an approximately 2,000 acre serene and picturesque all sports lake. The lake takes in Secord Township and is formed by the Tittabawassee River system. It would take many hours of boat travel to see the entire lake! You will find miles of shoreline and much sandy swimming!  Many people enjoy Secord Lake with pontoons, ski boats, jet ski's, fishing boats and it's not uncommon to see a canoe or kayak during the quieter times.
Below are featured listings for Secord Lake:
3729 West Branch Drive, Gladwin, Michigan $249,900
110 Fawn Lane, Gladwin, Michigan $157,000
110a Fawn Lane, Gladwin, Michigan $145,000
110b Fawn Lane, Gladwin, Michigan $15,000
3848 Thendara, Gladwin, Michigan $229,900
4426 Lakeview, Alger Michigan $99,000
3761 Jennings Court, Gladwin, MI  $119,900

Click Here to search more available listings for Secord Lake

Smallwood Lake
 
There are currently 29 active listings for near by Smallwood Lake ranging from $25,000-$219,900

Below are featured listing for Smallwood Lake:
894 Rivers Terrace, Gladwin, Michigan  $114,900
1540 Moose Drive, Gladwin, Michigan $72,900
671 Rivers Terrace, Gladwin, Michigan $54,000

Click here to search more available listings for Smallwood Lake!!

Gladwin County has many lakes that offer boating, fishing, swimming and so much more!  Year round fun! 
Click on the links below to see the listing on those specific lakes:
 
 
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Sunday, April 21, 2013

Wixom Lake...April or November???

The sun is trying to shine today, the water is murky and churned up from the storms and endless rain and it is 33 degrees at 1pm!  It seems lake a late November day when really it is April 20th.  Mother Nature isn't being to kind to us is she?  Let's hope she makes up for this with a beautiful, HOT summer.  I am daydreaming of warm lake breezes, ice cold drinks on the pontoon and meeting up with friends at "the alley".  Just finished showing several lake cottages and I know I am not the only one anxious for better weather!  Where will you spend your summer?  Consider Wixom Lake where there is something for every budget and no price can be placed on the memories you will make!

My Sunday Drive

What a day!  My husband Jason and I decided to take a drive in "my" jeep this afternoon.  The forecast of sun encouraged us to get out and enjoy the day.  So glad we did...we have had a great day, enjoyed some off roading and saw some beautiful sights.  Started in Gladwin on the seasonal roads, took in Elbow Lake in Clare County and found a sand pit in Roscommon County and are ending in Houghton Lake.  I LOVE living up north and I LOVE Sunday family time.  I am sure you want to be up here too...contact me for a house, cabin or cottage in your budget.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Rayburn Lodge on The AuSable River is back on the market!

We've had a lot of interest in this spectacular full log lodge on The AuSable River but we had an accepted offer in place.  Fortunately for some lucky buyer, it's now back on the market and ready for sale!  While the previous buyer loved the lodge, they were looking to change it into something it's not.  For buyers who want a year round residence with all the modern bells and whistles, we can help you find that in the area but Rayburn isn't likely a fit.  This is truly one of the most spectacular historic lodges remaining on the river.  Like a vintage Chris Craft boat, it's next owner will be someone who appreciates the character and sense of history that this wonderful property invokes in all who visit.  Whether the next owner decides to take advantage of The Bed and Breakfast special use permit that's in place or enjoy it as a wonderful family retreat, they'll be carrying on a great tradition of other sporting families past who have had the honor of enjoying their life at Rayburn Lodge.  For more details on the property or to arrange a time for a private tour of the property, contact Chad Brown, Broker/Owner, Homewaters, L.L.C. 


Friday, April 19, 2013

Wixom Lake Waterfront Canal




New Listing at 
4800 Maxson Drive, Hope, MI
Wixom Lake Waterfront Canal
$69,900
 
MLS #158744







Affordable Wixom Lake living! 70' of canal frontage and just a short boat ride to the main lake. Enjoy this 1200 sq ft ranch as your year round home or up north get away. Enter into the large laundry room which offers ample space for the shoes and coats. Large eat in kitchen with patio door to the side yard. Spacious living room that offers plenty of natural light and patio door to the deck overlooking the canal and yard. Master bedroom offers 2 full closets a vanity area and separate, private half bathroom. 2 additional bedrooms offer plenty of room for the family. Main full bathroom offers 2 entrances for convenience. Exterior offers a large storage shed with electricity. Canal is wide enough for your pontoon boat!
Click HERE to visit our website for more details!!



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Thursday, April 18, 2013

Cedar River Rising!

With the heavy rains the Cedar River in Gladwin has flooded its banks and spilled into the outdoor events area at Riverwalk!

Kalkaska 77th Annual National Trout Festival

Welcome Spring!!! Kalkaska's 77th Annual National Trout Festival will run from April 24th through April 28th and celebrates opening day of Trout Fishing on April 27th.  Kalkaska has always been a destination for outdoor enthusiasts and anglers.  The entire community embraces our good fortune of having nature in abundance and welcomes all our visitors to this friendly Village.  A fun-packed week-end is planned with events for the entire family.  The theme for this year's Festival is "Catch Me If You Can" and will be featured prominently in the Grand Royale Parade starting at 2:00 p.m. in downtown Kalkaska on Saturday, April 27, 2013.  An entire group of volunteer citizens works very hard on preserving this tradition year over year and they make us very proud.  Visit the National Trout Festival website for a full schedule of events!! Hope to see you here.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The AuSable River Trophy Water. Worth considering for your next angling adventure!

For generations, The AuSable River has been synonymous with spectacular trout fishing in The Midwest.  It's difficult to find a book about great waters to fish or an article about famous U.S. rivers without find a section on The AuSable River.  Usually, however, it features The Holy Water section (The mainstream between Burton's Landing and Wakeley Bridge) or The Mason Tract (A pristine section of The South Branch donated by automotive titan and conservationist, George Mason). 
The Trophy Water (The section downstream of Mio Pond) was only mentioned infrequently and more as an aside.  This big water has been managed for a long time to produce truly giant trout but many still overlook this as a top fishery.  A number of efforts in recent years are changing that and it may be time for you to consider hitting the bit water next time you go fishing.  The AuSable Big Water Preservation Association has been very active in this area by promoting "Artificials Only" regulations, encouraging anglers to take extra care when water temperatures warm above 70 degrees (A dangerous number for trout), encouraging catch and release and advocating for consistency in water flows below the dams.  All this has added up to some truly world class fishing, especially for trophy trout.
Make your way down there next time you hit the water or contact Guide Kelly Neuman at Streamside Custom Rod and Guide Service.  Their site is also a great spot to see some photos and video of the monster trout The Trophy Water holds!
As a REALTOR, I'd be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to promote a spectacular lodge we just brought back to the market on The Trophy Water! Surrounded by National Forest and situated on 12 acres of towering pines and hardwoods, the 4,700 square foot lodge is truly exceptional in every way.  Take a quick video tour below or click HERE to view the full details on the property. Give me a ring if you want to set up a private showing or learn more about this great stretch of water.


Monday, April 15, 2013

Gladwin & Clare County Real Estate Market Snapshot

March Real Estate Market Snapshot for the Clare and Gladwin County Area Homes

 3537 Lakeview Drive, Beaverton, MI
Wixom Lake Waterfront  $110,000
MLS #158484
Active Listings: 820 (68 new listings came on the market in February)
Average Asking Price: $102,513
Average Days on Market : 296
Range of Asking Prices: $4,900-$950,000

Sold: 35 (34 sold in February)
Average Asking Price of Sold Listings: $69,708
Average Selling Price of Sold Listings: $63,225
Average Days on Market of Sold Listings: 260 (5 days less than February)
Sellers Received: 90.6% of their asking price
 
Total Residential Sales Volume: $3,016,690.00 (up from $2,574,000.00 in February)
Listings Sold by Price Range
0-99,999: 38 (down from 41 in February)
100,000-199,999: 6 (same as February)
200,000-299,999: 3 (up from 0 in February)
300,000-399,999: 0 (same as February)
400,000 and above: 0 (same as February)


 sonya looseSecord Lake Waterfront Sold in 34 Days!!!  $133,000 

**28 Homes Expired off the Market in February
Absorption Rate = 1.9 Years

*This information was provided by the Clare/Gladwin Board of Realtors. The report was generated from the Multiple Listing Service, where all CGBR members' transactions are recorded. The report covers all the members' residential transactions for the month of January. Although there are no geographical boundaries defining members' service areas, the majority of CGBR transactions take place in Clare and Gladwin County.

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Friday, April 12, 2013

Two Apps That Will Make You Want to Remodel

I've recently become obsessed with Houzz.  As many of you may already know, this is a website/app that allows you to collect ideas for your home.  Think Pinterest, but just for homes.  And I'm in love.  My "ideabook" (which is a collection of all the photo's that I've "liked" on the app) consists of hundreds of photo's of kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, home offices, and just about every other space imaginable.  I've discovered possibilities that I just hadn't considered before.

Which lead me to think about the possibilities for buyers. As anyone who has ever purchased a home knows, it can be really hard to find "the one."  Some people spend years searching, only to be disappointed time and again when potential properties just don't come together to offer the aesthetics that the buyer is looking for.  But what I love about this site is that it helps you imagine what could be.  With thousands of photo's to inspire you, you can turn that potential real estate opportunity into your dream haven. 

This is a great tool for home builders, too.  Eric Render, President/Owner of Render Construction (and my husband) often encourages his clients to create ideabooks of rooms and homes that appeal to them.  Here's a photo of one of his recent projects on Walloon Lake in northern Michigan where Houzz was utilized during the design process.


And while Houzz can offer ample inspiration, Homestyler is another great app that will help you to visualize your space.  With Homestyler, you can photograph any room in your house and apply furniture, colors, accessories and more - all in 3D. This is a beautiful tool for those that have a hard time imagining what could be. 

Both of these apps are free and can help even the most decorating-impaired individuals discover the look that expresses their unique tastes. 

Have you been using other apps that have inspired you?  Let me know what they are!

Contact Gina Render at gina@homewaters.net to learn more about real estate opportunities in northern Michigan.  To view Gina's listings, click here.  You can also follow Gina on Facebook



Thursday, April 11, 2013

How high's the water, Momma?

3 feet high and rising as Johnny Cash said in his famous song. I'm not sure how high The Cedar River is in Gladwin, but this is the view from The Riverwalk Grill!  April showers and heavy snow melt have many Northern Michigan rivers and streams out of their banks.   Be careful out there!

Winter is lingering...

It was a snow day for a lot of kids in northern Michigan yesterday. Today it's windy and cold but great conditions for breaking up the ice. Here's a shot from the west shore of Higgins lake. It won't be long now before I'll be out enjoying the water.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Rare and Unique Kalkaska County Property With 158 Acres and Your Own Private Lake!

A rare and spectacular parcel of rolling hardwoods with a pristine private spring fed fish filled lake. The 1960s era cottage is in mint condition, lined with warm knotty pine reminiscent of your grandfather's old hunting camp only updated and very comfortable. Soaring bald eagles nesting off the shore of the lake and signs of good size bucks on the property. 157 acres adjoins state land on the North and includes your own private approx. 20 acre deep lake. 1500 sq. ft. ranch style home with newer metal roof, resurfaced tennis/basketball court, 21' x 17' three season porch in addition to the finished square feet, 3 large Bedrooms, natural fireplace and attached garage. Located just West of all sports Big Twin Lake. Lake has Rainbow Trout planted two years ago, Blue Gill, Large Mouth Bass and Yellow Perch. It is truly an amazing piece of real estate and a spectacular spot full of wildlife and nature in abundance!

This is one of those unique opportunities which rarely become available.  Click HERE to view additional details on this property.  You can contact Mary Janik, Homewaters Recreational Real Estate at mary@homewaters.net or call 231/384-1207 to get more information or schedule a personal showing.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Why Now May Be the Best Time to Buy

 
Click here to learn more about this East Twin Lake waterfront home.


Have you been thinking more seriously about finally purchasing that home in northern Michigan?  Or maybe it's just time to move beyond the starter home into something that will meet the needs of your growing family? 

Well here are a few reasons why now might be the time to make that move.

1. Analysts expect mortgage rates to rise by the end of the year.  While rates are still low, many expect that as the housing market continues to recover, the mortgage rates will begin to rise.  This could start happening before the end of the year.  ABC News recently posted this article that explains why some economists think now is the best time to buy.

2. Home prices are increasing. While every market is different, folks across the nation are starting to see the values of their homes begin to increase.  According to an article posted on Housingwire, Morgan Stanley analysts estimate that home prices will appreciate roughly 7% in 2013, 5% in 2014, and 4% in 2015. 

 Why are prices starting to rise?  This can be attributed to a couple factors - improving consumer confidence and a lack of inventory (many are waiting to list their homes until the value fully returns). 

Gone are the days of the low hanging fruit.  You know what I mean - almost everyday I get calls from people looking to nab those foreclosure properties that were so prevalent a couple years ago, or find that "steal" on their favorite lake.  I'm not saying that they can't still be found, but they are definitely not as common as they once were.

Not long ago a potential buyer could take their time putting in an offer on their dream home and not expect any competition.  The reality of the situation is that in certain markets, multiple offers are becoming the norm again.  As competition increases, so do home values. 

So if you happen to find the perfect home that meets your criteria and is priced within your budget, you may want to consider making your move while the cards are still stacked in your favor.

For more information or to learn about real estate opportunities in northern Michigan, contact Gina Render at gina@homewaters.net.

Follow Gina on Facebook by clicking here.





 

Monday, April 1, 2013

Google Nose! That's right, smell online!!

If you haven't seen this yet, you have to check it out!  The brains at Google have gone way too far.  Simply click and item and select "smell".  It's remarkable!!  Click the image below to see for yourself.

Get onto a Stand Up Paddleboard this Spring!

It seemed like every time I was near the water last year I saw more and more people "standing" on the water!  Stand up paddle boards are becoming increasingly popular as a terrific way to enjoy your favorite lake and even some rivers.  They're surprisingly stable and just about every family member can enjoy the sport at some level.  They can be a bit expensive and choosing the right one for your purposes may seem daunting.  We found this great piece from REI on the basics of paddle boarding that is definitely worth a read.  It also includes some terrific video clips.  Just click the image above to view the article. I stopped in at The Wet Mitten Surf Shop in Traverse City last week and they have a great selection to choose from in a wide range of prices.  Check with your local kayak or paddle sports dealer and I'm sure they're carrying them now as well.  It's cold today in northern Michigan, but the snow is melting fast and it won't be long until we're able to get on the water!!