Please Share in Support of Small Business        This is not a real estate related post.  It's not mortgage related.  It's an "I'm sick and tired of giant corporations having big enough wallets to force small businesses to suffer, whether they're right or wrong" blog.  And I want you to share it.  Because the more people see it, the more people can react, offer support, and go after the big guy where it counts - their wallet. Here's a link to the full story, which I'll give the gist of below: http://www.record-eagle.com/news/business/blue-caribou-cafe-owners-are-forced-to-rebrand/article_024d3b82-cf1f-5676-90ab-0243052b49a7.html       Basically, the Caribou coffee company (whose product I regularly purchase and enjoy...or at least, I did) has decided to strap a small business in Michiga... 05/24/2016

3 Bedroom 1432 sq.ft. near 2 large lakes $89,900 • 1,432 sq. ft., 1 bath, 3 bdrm 3-level split - MLS $89,900 - Near Lakes Lake Ann, Almira Township  -  3 Bedroom home set on large wooded & partly fenced lot near Lake Ann,Long Lake, & State Land only 15 minutes to Traverse City. Features galley style kitchen, open floor plan, natural gas, TC Schools, large family/rec. room in lower walkout level, and plumbed for 2nd bath, plenty of room to add garage. Bring your handy work and spruce this one up to your taste and build some equity. Sold AS IS....needs TLC. Property information 11/12/2014

3-4 BR/3Bath,3938 sq.ft, 180 ft. Lakefront, 2 wooded Acres, State Land, Pool , Sauna $350k State Land,2 Ac.,Pool,Sauna,2 Masters • 3,938 sq. ft., 4 bath, 4 bdrm 1 1/2 story - MLS $350,000 - 180 Ft Pvt. Lakefront Lake Ann, Almira Township  -  YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL! 180 ft. pvt. Lakefront, 2 hardwood covered acres (6 lots-could resell some if desired), & approx. 4000 sq.ft. of living space, park/playground/beach, boat launch, boat/RV/Snowmobile parking, 1600+ acres of State Land across street, & short drive to Traverse City, Benzie, Interlochen, Empire,& Sleeping Bear Dunes in heart of hunting/snowmobile country. Totally Remodeled home boasts quality finishes (Hardwood, tile & pebble tech floors, hickory cabinets, solid surface counters etc.) many energy eff. features(Low-E windows, thermal... 10/09/2014

2.65 acre level building site in the heart of tall northern Michigan has to offer.....near several lakes, state land, and short drive to Lake Ann, Traverse City, Empire, Glen Arbor, & Sleeping Bear Dunes. Live where you play....hunt, snowmobile, golf, fish, boat, hike and so much more. Set on quiet, low traffic dead end street. Only $10,000....taxes only $180 per year!    Property information   10/03/2014

Tons of State Land, Snowmobile Trails • 1,542 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story - MLS $160,000 - 3-4 BR 2-3 Bath, 14 acres Inland Township, Benzie County  -  Newer country home set on 14 acres with tons of State Land Across street & near lakes & snow mobile trails & short drive to Traverse City, Interlochen, Crystal Mountain. Home features 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths with large private master suite w/ huge walk in closet, shower & garden tub, French doors , den/ home office, solid wood interior doors, hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, formal front foyer, bright open floor plan, main floor laundry room, humidifier, finished garage & covered back deck. Basement is framed & rough plumbed & wiring run for family/rec. room, 3rd bath, and 4th bedroom with egress window. Great Value with pot... 03/21/2014

TC's Century 21 Northland is expanding its reach again. Less than three months after taking over the former Suttons Bay office of Century 21 McCoy (which closed after cutting ties with the Century 21 franchise in May), Northland has announced its acquisition of Century 21 Sleeping Bear Realty, which boasts 18 agents and offices in Frankfort, Beulah and Empire. Sleeping Bear Realty has been under the ownership of Suzy Voltz since 1976. Voltz will stay on as an agent in the Frankfort office, but says she is pleased to hand off the management of Sleeping Bear to "younger, active folks" so she can spend more time with her customers and clients, and slow down in her later years. "Century 21 Northland is on the cutting edge of new technology, which will assist our agents, and it has very high... 08/17/2010

$145,000.00 - Incredible Views of Crystal Lake from this 4BR Raised Ranch Home!Bedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 3Year Built: 1969Lot Size: 0.35 acresGarage Size: 2-carSchool District: Benzie CentralSquare Footage: 1232Agent Name: Chuck GollayBroker: Exit Realty ParamountMLS #: 1715462Basement Sq. footage: 1232Year Remodeled: 2009Price: $145,000.00Flexibility: NegotiableAdditional Pricing Information: Will qualify for all types of financing.8320 Orchard Hill Rd.Beulah, MI 49637View MapThis stick-built raised ranch home is perched on a hill, just a stone's throw from Crystal Lake Golf Course. From the living room and rear deck you'll have an incredible year 'round view of Crystal Lake. The home has been completely renovated, and features an expansive kitchen, spacious and bright living room, main f... 05/25/2010

$145,000 - Incredible Views of Crystal Lake from this 4BR Raised Ranch Home!Bedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 3Year Built: 1969Lot Size: 0.35 acresGarage Size: 2-carSchool District: Benzie CentralSquare Footage: 1232Agent Name: Chuck GollayBroker: Exit Realty ParamountMLS #: 1715462Basement Sq. footage: 1232Year Remodeled: 2009Price: $145,000Flexibility: NegotiableAdditional Pricing Information: Will qualify for all types of financing.8320 Orchard Hill Rd.Beulah, MI 49637View MapThis stick-built raised ranch home is perched on a hill, just a stone's throw from Crystal Lake Golf Course. From the living room and rear deck you'll have an incredible year 'round view of Crystal Lake. The home has been completely renovated, and features an expansive kitchen, spacious and bright living room, main floor ma... 05/04/2010

September proved to show a long anticipated increase in real estate activity in Northwest Michigan. Buyer activity has been trending upward after a lackluster summer season, and we're driving into the fall with a lot of offers being written and properties being put under contract. The number of residential sales for September we up 31% over 2008- actually they were the best they've been in the past 4 years. This has been driven by the downward adjustment in sale prices. Buyers flocked to those listings where the prices had dropped in concert with the regional market trend. Median price as compared to the prior year was down about 11%, which is on par with year to date figures as well. Overall, we've seen home prices decline just under 21% since their peak in 2005/2006. Home Sales Rebou... 10/14/2009

I somewhat regularly post the best deals I come across in my Unreal Deals Blog.  My latest find looked great on paper and I was excited to feature it: “My newest UnReal Deal is all about the acreage. 2 Bedrooms, 1 bath, 1232 square feet, plus a 58x 60 horse barn and 66.9 acres. That’s right SIXTY SIX acres. How much would you pay for all this? For a limited time, it’s yours for only $145,000. Average price per acre for parcels 5 acres or larger is $3261, indicating a land value alone well in excess of $200,000. This proprety was just listed, by (name withheld to protect the innocent for this post) and while I haven’t toured it yet, it hit my radar and caught my attention." Turns out on paper isn’t real life, and I should have toured it before I featured it.  Yep, it’s got all those acr... 08/15/2009

I handle REO (foreclosure) listings for several banks, including Bank of America and local banks, and the number of new listings incoming have dropped off dramatically recently. In conversation with others who handle these properties, and with local banks, this dip was often echoed. It’s likely that a foreclosure moratorium in place over the winter has delayed some properties coming onto the market. A little background research revealed that the number of bank owned listings as a percentage of all new listings did indeed peak last winter, and has since dropped dramatically. While this has occurred, demand for good values in real estate have not abated- I’ve got a list of ready buyers, actively seeking good values (OK, some are waiting for a great value). Driven by value, bank owned prop... 06/26/2009

LAKE ANN    527 Acres   Lake Ann is located in Benzie County in the village of Lake Ann.  Access to the lake is off of County Road 610.  This beautiful lake offers Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Perch, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Cisco, Rock Bass, Bullhead, SMelt and Sucker.  Bass fishing is great here.  Largemouths are dominant over smallmouth and average 14 to 16 inches.  Smallmouth run 12 to 14 inches.  Northern Pike fishing is also good with 20 to 22 inch fish.  Perch, Bluegills, Pumpkinseeds and Rock Bass average 6 to 8 inches.  Fishing is good all over the lake but you may begin in the shallows near the outlet to Platte River.     05/02/2009

It's been a darn good week here in Benzie County.  The sun finally found its way back to our little corner of the world and warmed things up some.  Most of the golf courses are now open (I even got out to play once!) and most of the snow is gone.  I've also heard that the steelhead fishing is great- Betty from Vacation Trailer Park on the Betsie River tipped me off this when I saw her at the Benzie Chamber Expo on Tuesday, and I noticed a similar report when I discovered a link toHonor Motel's Blog on Twitter.  I also saw that the folks from Honor Motel did a nice job of pointing out the good values in Benzie County lakefront real estate. I spotted smelt in Cold Creek, at tributary to Crystal Lake, last night.  You can't dip smelt from inland lakes in Michigan, but that's a good indica... 04/16/2009

 Features: You've played it in the past...but did you know you can call Mistwood Home? Voted one of the favorite golf courses of the Northern Michigan PGA members, Mistwood is truly a player's course, yet a delight to golfers of all levels.Mistwood Golf Course offers 3 different lifestyles; The Villas- 2 Bedroom Units, starting at $179,000.00 The Cottages- 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath homes with garages. Starting at $259,000.00 to $279,000.00 The Woodlands- 18 uniquely beautiful home sites starting at $44,900.00100 FREE ROUNDS OF GOLF WITH EVERY PURCHASE!FREE ROUND OF GOLF WITH MODEL TOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Why not stay and play? Call Mike St. Peter 231-947-8200 or mstpeter@greenridge.comSee All the Properties at www.greenridge.com/michael.st.peter or www.mistwoodgolf.com 10/12/2007

Good Morning All,The Weather here at the Sleeping Bear National Park is picture perfect.Lakes are warming up into the 70'sAnyone interested in Sleeping Bear Dunes real estate can visit www.LEELANAUandBENZIErealestate.comReferrals are given at 25 %.Michigan Real Estate is still a good buy.  Lake property is available with lots of choices!  Glen Lake rated in the top of the world inland lakes by National Geographic has several options.Search by Lake at my website.Michigan is the best water wonderland. info@LEELANAUandBENZIErealestate.com  231-357-3000 for info 06/13/2007

It took a leap of faith for us to make the move from our home of 14 years in Lake Ann, to the big city of Grand Rapids, so that we could be closer to our soon to be granddaughter. When we decided to put our home on the market, a good friend of ours Pete Torrey recommended Dewayne Kirkman as an agent. Dewayne helped make our transition flow smoothly. Even before our first meeting he had done a lot of research into our home and came up with a reasonable price, close to what we were thinking. All the time that our home was on the market, Dewayne kept in constant contact with us during the entire process. Even before we had a buyer Dewayne had already looked into the requirements that Benzie County required, which gave us time to prepare and take care of them before the sale, which in turn ... 04/23/2007