Election Effect, Benzie County, & Road Construction: Home Waters Newsletter, June Edition

The June edition of our info-packed newsletter is out!

Read all about it here: https://conta.cc/2QUjINH

Living Large on the Little Betsie

Living large on the Little Betsie

Vacant river parcels are hard to find, especially larger parcels with expansive direct river frontage. If this is what you've been searching for, look no further as I’m representing 22 acres with over 1300’ of frontage on the Little Betsie River. I always say, in the real estate business it’s nice to have options, and with this Little Betsie River parcel you would have a blank slate on which to live your river dream, while fishing for Coho, chinook, lake-run browns, steelhead, and more.

"The Little Betsie River is a cold-water tributary to the main-stem of the Betsie River and is the largest tributary within the Betsie Watershed. The Little Betsie River provides spawning and escape cover for trout, and instream habitat for aquatic insects. The Little Betsie is approximately 12 miles long and a crossing project opens fish passage up to 4 miles of it. The Nessen road/stream crossing...was an aging concrete bottomless box structure approximately 7½ feet wide over the Little Betsie River. The extremely narrow width created an unnaturally large scour pool downstream and increased velocity flows at the outlet. In addition large amounts of gravel from the roadway were being inputted into the stream along with crumbling material from the structure itself. Through this project partners designed and completed the installation of a 14’ wide, 22’ span timber bridge that accommodates the natural stream channel and allows the natural movement of substrate, fish and wildlife. Paved approaches and spillways were incorporated to channel road runoff away from the stream as well." (www.rivercare.org) Projects like this improve the quality of the river for both fish and humans significantly.

"The Betsie River itself is located in Benzie/Manistee Counties, 30 miles south of Traverse City, and is most known for its steelhead and salmon fishing. The river itself has a mix of sand, gravel and clay bottoms, and the depths vary from long shallow flats to short, deep, cool holes for fish to hold in. The river is anywhere between 30 and 60 feet wide and is relatively easy to wade when using common sense... The Betsie River flows from Green Lake to Frankfort and offers anglers some of the finest salmon and steelhead fishing in the northern Michigan." (www.current-works.com)

Also within a mile of this property is one of the state's 19 GEMS, "Grouse Enhanced Management Sites, which are large blocks of land open to hunting and have lots of young forest. Young forests are great places to hunt and see wildlife due to thick cover and great food sources provided.  To get young forests, plans are made and timber is cut.  At GEMS, old logging trails are used as hunter walking trails to get you started. The hunter walking trails will provide an easier walk for those looking for it. Of course, you can always make your own adventure by taking off through the woods and walking through the brush and trees." (www.michigan.org) There is ample opportunity to hunt grouse on what could be your own 22 acre paradise, contiguous to state land.  Call soon for a guided tour of this property and the neighboring GEMS habitat.

Vince Edwards, REALTOR®

vince@homewaters.net

231-715-9037

Fall In Love with Lake Ann

Photo by Heather Higham

It's almost fall in our little village of Lake Ann, Michigan!

I think of Lake Ann as one of the best kept secrets, because lakefront and off water homes tend to be a bit more affordable than the surrounding lake communities. Taxes are definitely more palatable than our neighboring Grand Traverse County, and yes, we are centrally located and well positioned for accessing the surrounding area's greatest features. 

There are many hiking and biking trails, antique shops, art galleries, restaurants, beaches for swimming, fishing and boating, all at your fingertips within and around beautiful Lake Ann. Opportunities for fun don't end with the summer season. Hiking and biking trails are at their most spectacular in the autumn, when the trees put on their fireworks show to send us into winter. When the snow flies there are groomed snowmobile trails essentially in "the backyard" of the village, and Crystal Mountain Ski Resort is just a short drive down the road. There is four-season fishing for perch, lake trout, smelt, whitefish, and rainbows, and bass within reach of Lake Ann. And those rivers, the Betsie and Platte, they are beckoning you home.

So plan your next day trip to this welcoming community of Lake Ann. While you're here, check out this amazing home with sunrises lifting above the meadow spotlighting this home and a breathtaking sunset view across Lake View Lake. Not to mention the outstanding features of this custom built home.

Don't forget to stop by the Lake Ann Brewery or Stone Oven for a sip or nibble while you're in the area. Happy Trails!  ~Vince Edwards - 231.715.9037~

Platte River Relaxation

The Platte River flows gently with easy gradual meanders. As you head down the river at US Highway 31/County Road 669 you will pass through the village of Honor, and many other welcoming points enroute to your destination, which may be a sandy beach on Lake Michigan with a beautiful picnic area and modern facilities. This area of the Platte is considered the Lower Platte River, and once you enter the river, you will soon arrive at this cute little log home in the woods, upon a hill crest with an expansive 3.5 acres and 300' of river frontage.  The welcoming ambiance will make you feel at home with our Up North family-friendly lifestyle you have always envisioned.

More about the river though; on average, the river depth is between 2-3 feet with a few holes that are deeper. (This year the average is 3-5 ft with above average water levels in Lake Michigan.) This is a great river for day trips, fishing, or just relaxing as you take in all the amazing vistas.  I often say, from this point of entry, it's your gateway waters to Lake Michigan, without having to pay all the higher taxes that a typical home or property on the 'big lake' would entail.  The Platte River is truly for all ages and abilities. As always, life preservers are recommended with the mantra "safety first and always". Trip time from this sweet little cabin can take from an hour to several hours depending on your goal, but the time is definitely well-spent. You will get out of the river well before it empties into Lake Michigan. This is where your car is parked waiting for you.

So come on, what are you waiting for?? You just have to check out this river cabin and property, because at this reduced price, it won't last long, and your name belongs on the mailbox.

Link to listing: Deer Valley Lane

Lovely Lake Ann

Lovely Lake Ann

from Vince Edwards, REALTOR®

I have lived in the village of Lake Ann for almost three decades and have watched this little engine of a village grow and evolve into a pristine and stately place to call home.  We don’t have the big box stores, but we have much better things, such as:

The Lake Ann Brewery with expanded summer hours Tuesday-Saturday with live music on the outdoor patio coupled with a new outdoor bar to serve you better.  Live Music on the outdoor patio begins at 6:30pm Tuesday-Thursday, and 7pm on Friday and Saturday nights.  If you want a lawn experience, just bring your blanket and sit a spell as the entertainment allows you to escape the memories of a frightful day.  Bring the kids too, as this is a youngster-friendly atmosphere.  They will no doubt make new friends as they run through the sprinkler and play games with the other kiddos.

The The Stone Oven is just a stone's throw away next door, where you can place an order, and they will buzz you at the brewery when it's ready. All you do is walk up to the window and fetch your eats.  Their food is amazing, with daily specials, burgers, pizza, and so much more, all at affordable prices.

Corner Cone is right next door on the south side.  You will fall in love with their ice cream, or if you want some lighter supper fare, then try a hot dog or pulled pork, among other delicious options.

And, last but not least, the L.A. Grocery, where their motto is "If we don't have it, you don't need it".  Get the hint....? They have a little bit of everything, and it's like stepping into the past as you wander through the old fashioned general store.

Lake Ann has also blossomed into a satellite community for Traverse City, and while our inventory of homes is low, I believe we have one with your name on it.  The next time you’re in L.A. check out this beautiful custom home located just outside the village of Lake Ann with private frontage on spring-fed Lake View Lake. On two acres of land and situated on a hill, enjoy sunrises over an adjacent farmland meadow, and sunsets overlooking the lake. The craftsmanship and care that has gone into this home is evident; it shows like new. Loaded with gorgeous woodwork throughout and a tasteful color scheme, the open floor plan with bamboo floors, Corian kitchen surfaces, tons of counter space and cabinetry, and abundant natural light create a comfortable and inviting setting for entertaining or just relaxing with family. You'll have your own up north lake house ambiance with the finished walkout lower level family room with a wet bar for entertaining, a cozy fireplace to settle in next to with a favorite book, a library/den for board games with family and friends, and a craft/sewing room for a quiet spot to engage your creativity. Natural gas forced air heat and AC ensures your comfort year-round. Sizable bedrooms are on both the upper and lower level, coupled with a total of three large baths. Outdoors you'll find a deck spanning one full length of the home, with a hot tub for a relaxing soak. Underground irrigation keeps the lovely landscaping looking lush and green, and the flowering perennials blooming.

Come on out and find out what the rest of us have known for years: Lake Ann is a diamond in the rough.

The River Calls You Home

Photo by Howard Meyerson

Is the river calling you home?  Since I’ve been a REALTOR®, one thing that I’ve become accustomed to is how pristine and unique our northern Michigan rivers are.  The sounds of the flowing water, filtered by sand and gravel, loaded with amazing fish species, coupled with the ability to swim, fish, kayak or just sit a spell and watch the river meander by, makes river life second to none.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out some of our amazing rivers, like the Betsie River, located in Thompsonville, I encourage you give me a call and we'll take a drive and walk this amazing property that I have listed.  Any time I visit the beautiful vistas from the river’s edge, I always encounter some of mother nature’s best, like White Tailed Deer, a variety of birds, such as grouse, turkey, and the occasional Bald Eagle.

Location speaks volumes when searching for and purchasing vacant land, and the location of this parcel off Wallin Rd, is second to none, as you are close to Crystal Mountain, Lake Michigan, and the nearby communities of Thompsonville, Honor, Beulah, and within a 15 minute drive of Interlochen, plus Traverse City not too much beyond.  So don’t be shy, give this river life a try by experiencing the heart of Up North, right here in beautiful Benzie county, on the banks of the Betsie River.

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Vince Edwards~231-715-9037