Conservation, The Sunrise Side, and the Ranch of Your Dreams

Our Mission Statement

Passionate professionals dedicated to the needs of the clients they service and the diverse natural resources throughout Northern Michigan that make this company possible. A specialty firm formed with a conscious mix of local knowledge, leading edge technology, traditional hard work, and an international marketing reach.

March 2018

It's Up To Us

As REALTORS® we find ourselves in a unique position as a prominent point of contact with many private land owners. We have the opportunity to introduce our clients to issues that may have wide ranging effects on their properties and those of their neighbors. With our emphasis on waterfront properties, this often means introducing our clients to local conservation organizations, lakefront or riverfront property owner groups, and other stake holders who work to ensure our waterways are as healthy as possible.

Today, more than maybe any time in recent history, there has been an effort to reduce public funding for many conservation projects. This makes it more important than ever for private individuals to put their time and resources toward those issues they hold as most important. It's basically time for "We The People" to put our money and our time where our mouths are.

As a long time member of Trout Unlimited, I have chosen to dedicate most of my volunteer time and funds to ensure that the cold water resources I, and my clients, enjoy are going to be here for future generations. It's been a terrific way to meet a ton of like-minded people, spend some quality time in the outdoors, and stay informed on issues that impact the exceptional cold water streams and lakes that we're blessed to have in northern Michigan.

I've been amazed at the generosity of our clients over the years as I've watched many of them dive head first into local conservation efforts and donate a tremendous amount of their hard earned dollars to support the causes most dear to them. If you have yet to get involved with a non-profit to this point or have not identified a cause you feel has been worthy of your donations, now would be a terrific time to start. There are a lot of very effective, passionate organizations that could really use talented volunteers and of course, money to make it all work.

Just something to keep in mind as you enjoy all that northern Michigan has to offer this season. These incredible resources need help and it's up to us, more than ever, to do our part. If you need any suggestions on which local group has the most impact in your area, ask your local Homewaters agent or broker. They can help point you in the right direction. Enjoy this final month of winter and let's hope for a nice early spring!!

Favorite Places and Spaces

Tawas Bay Area-The Sunrise Side

from Preston Bovee

An area of the state that I had not explored much before getting into real estate is now what I would consider one of Michigan's most overlooked gems. I'm talking about the Tawas area. I didn't realize until last summer what a hopping little town Tawas was and now I can see why. The aqua blue water and sandy beaches that stretch North toward Oscoda are as nice as any in the state. The fun is not over in the summer though. Tawas hosts an awesome winter festival, appropriately named Perchville USA. Snowmobile races, fishing tournament, chili cook off...just about every winter activity you can think of. So if you find yourself driving up the East shore, make sure to plan time to stop into Tawas for a while. I would recommend grabbing lunch at "G's" Pizzeria, you won't be sorry.

photo courtesy boa247.com

Purchasing recreational land as a group with friends or family allows everyone to share the financial burden while all benefit. Learn more in this article from Greenstone Farm Credit Services.

We love the outdoors.

Featured Property!

Full Log Home with Acreage

$685,000

STUNNING custom red pine full log home and 88 acres. This property is ideally situated in a rural setting offering close access to Kalkaska and Traverse City. Versatile parcel offers room to play, farm, graze, and ride with acres of Maple hardwoods, small orchard, 10 acres of fenced pasture & 15 wooded acres full of wildlife (deer, turkey, partridge). Beautiful home offers exposed beams, floor to vaulted ceiling stone fireplace, plus unique stamped concrete floors with radiant heat throughout. Open galley kitchen has lots of counter space, main floor master with walk-in closet, family room loft with 2nd bedroom suite, snow melt heated driveway and lots of windows incorporating your beautiful private countryside views in all directions.

There are an impressive 6 outbuildings/barns offering ample equipment/hay storage and livestock facilities. Equestrian delight with five stall horse stable plus farm-to-table opportunity for producing honey, maple syrup, grass fed beef and pork, and hay/alfalfa or other cash crops. Sleeps up to 12 easily. Do not miss out on this opportunity to purchase a well thought out ranch/farm.

This listing is offered by Homewaters agent

Mary Janik.

Contact her at [email protected]

or (231) 384-1207.

Click here to explore many other great properties by Homewaters.

Market Musings

What the heck is going on with the real estate market in Downtown Traverse City?! Things are very interesting, to say the least. With a lack of inventory, you'd think that downtown property owners would be jumping at the opportunity to sell their home for top dollar - right? Not quite. There seems to have been a quiet shift in thinking and motivation.

With values rising at a rapid rate, and the inventory that does become available selling very quickly, many downtown property owners have some question about their next stage in home ownership if they were to sell. We've heard from potential sellers who are worried that if their home sells quickly, they may not have a home! It's an understandable concern.

If you have the opportunity to list your home, and are willing to be a little flexible in the search for your new home, right now is the very best time. Interest rates should rise a bit over the next couple of years, values are great, demand is very high, and inventory will rise in the next couple of months, giving you more choices in your next purchase.

It's important to note here that a significant number of properties are being sold that haven't even made it to market and deals are being put together outside of the MLS or Zillow. We have more of these transactions happening in our office now than ever before!

If you have a best case scenario in mind for your next step in a home - whether it's downtown or not - please contact us. We may have already had conversations with sellers that haven't yet listed that have exactly what you're looking for! We hope we can work together soon, and thanks for reading.

Call Clare or Blake at 231-714-4787 for a free market analysis, whether you're ready to sell now or in the future - we're here to help.

Upcoming Events

Click the links for details.

Snowshoe in the Park, Northport, March 10

Birding Series: Early Spring Birds, Bellaire, March 17

Joshua Davis , Spring Lake, March 23

Turkey Hunting Clinic, Cadillac, March 31

Join Our Team

As we continue to grow, we're looking to add new sales people to our team in key locations. We've helped new agents find quick success and helped experienced agents reach their true potential. We'd like to do the same for a handful of others as we look to provide service throughout northern and western Michigan. Click HERE to learn more about our firm and how we can help agents and brokers achieve their financial and lifestyle goals. We've built a team of truly exceptional agents and brokers and are always looking for the next hard working, ethical individual to add to that group.

Our Team