Sand Lake, Lake County
As I have mentioned before, there are many Michigan Lakes named Sand Lake. Today’s Sand Lake is located in Elk Township in northwestern Lake County. The lake is a respectable fifty acres in size, 1.1 miles of shoreline with depths of up to fifty feet. The northern most tip of the lake stretches into southern Manistee County, just south of the village of Dublin. I would love to take credit for this beautiful shot of the lake, but it was sent to me by Ed Hawks. Thank you Ed for sharing it. This picture proves that every season is the perfect ...
White Fish Lake, Howard City
There are a lot of reasons Howard City is blessed. The city is blessed with good fishing, interesting buildings, eating places and close proximity to several Michigan lakes including Whitefish Lake, Little Whitefish Lake and the Little Muskegon River. I’m not sure what Howard City looked like in 1908 when this postcard was written, but I am sure when visiting Whitefish Lake today, you would notice a big change in boating attire for women! “Dear Carrie, Came Thursday Sept 10, was sick in bed not going to school. Make up your mind to come over. Will try to show you a good ...
Decisions, Decisions
Every once and awhile I run across something that makes me wonder, “What were they thinking??” One of those times came when I saw this sign near a closed down restaurant at the corner of 115 and 31, south of Beulah in Benzie County. Now, my thought on this sign, which makes it look like you have to go one way for hamburgers and another way for french fries, was that one should never have to decide between a hamburger and french fries. The two should always go together. Choosing between a hamburger and french fries is like choosing between sunshine ...
Holland’s Tunnel Park
I always enjoy paying a visit to the area of Holland, located along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Ottawa County. Originally settled by a group of Dutch immigrants under the leadership of rev Albertus Van Raalte in the mid1800’s, Holland is located on the shores of Lake Macatawa. After settling into Holland, the industrious Dutch dug a cannel in 1860 connecting Lake Macatawa to Lake Michigan. The landmark Big Red lighthouse is located along the south side of the channel, adjacent to the lakeside community of Macatawa. You can’t help but notice the Dutch culture; beginning with the Victorian Dutch architecture in ...
Racine Boat Manufacturing
Racine Boat Manufacturing Company was one of the many boat builders in Michigan’s rich history of boat manufacturing. Named after its original location in Racine Wisconsin, it relocated to Muskegon Michigan after experiencing a devastating plant fire in the Racine location. Much like what is often done today, Muskegon offered several financial incentives to entice the rapidly growing business to their city. This, combined with the fact there was no room to expand in their original location, helped the company make the decision in 1904 to move from their Wisconsin location to 59 E. Western Ave. in Muskegon. At the turn of ...
Uncategorized
The National Debt
The national debt, now that is a depressing thought. Our national debt is some eleven...
Lunch at the Grand Hotel
I have to confess that having lunch at Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel is not...
A Day on the Island
In Michigan, we call it simply, “The Bridge.” Everyone knows what you mean when...
Mackinac Sunrise
Bright days start with a pale glow. With clouds present to serve as tinder, the glow...
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Michigan Lakes
Sand Lake, Lake County
As I have mentioned before, there are many Michigan Lakes named Sand Lake. Today’s...
White Fish Lake, Howard City
There are a lot of reasons Howard City is blessed. The city is blessed with good...
Wamplers Lake
Wamplers Lake is well located along the Jackson County – Lenawee County lines....
Base Lake
“I am wearing my overalls. Please send card in return.” Sent from Augusta MI...
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About Real Estate
Survey
Do you really want to spend hard earned money on a survey? No, but you must. Recently a customer purchased a rural home and pole barn on some acreage. The price was attractive and the buildings were in relatively good condition. There were very few improvements required. The home was cleaned, painted in and out and new carpet was installed.... [Read more of this review]
House Numbers
When doing a major renovation on a home, cottage or even a commercial building, it is easy to overlook the small details. That was recently the case for us. We had just completed a large project, with everything from a new roof to new foundation walls and just about everything in between. But, we forgot to replace the house numbers after the painters... [Read more of this review]
More on Foreclosures
I have often written about different aspects of foreclosures, but as with the subject, there always seems to be a new quirk. As with intuitional sellers, during the offer/counter offer process, they will have an addendum to the buy/sell agreement that will consist of many pages of verbiage that will slant in favor of the seller. One of the typical... [Read more of this review]
Cash for Keys
With the large amount of foreclosures and load defaults today, many lenders have taken very aggressive action. One of the more innovative methods some lenders are using is known as “Cash for Keys”. The lender often faces a lengthy process to recover possession of the property. In attempt to expedite the process, the lender may offer a cash amount... [Read more of this review]
Homework
I had a call the other day from a buyer looking for a home. He had the address of the property from the ad I had placed in the local newspaper. I was impressed that he had done some of his homework on the property and was asking intelligent questions. He was also viewing the property from a Google aerial map. He was asking questions regarding things... [Read more of this review]
Fifteen Minutes
Over the years I have developed some business practices that I adhere to religiously. One of those is my 15 Minute Rule. If I am to meet a client or potential client to look at an apartment, view a home or inspect some dirt, I will wait for fifteen minutes and then I am gone. Fifteen minutes is not a long time, but it seems that way because it is... [Read more of this review]
Michigan Lake Front Property
On this site I try not to promote our business in a very overpowering way. But I have been asked many times about a new site we have launched a few months ago, so I thought I would make a few comments about it. As an introduction, it is entitled: Michigan Lakefront Property.com. I know the name is not real original. Perhaps I should have chosen... [Read more of this review]
Abandoned Structure
Whether you are building a new home, renovationing a lender foreclosure, or working on a lakefront cottage, or a cabin in the northern Michigan woods, you may encounter the local building inspection department. These men and women are not your enemy. They simply enforce a building code that was put into place to maintain safety, health and structural... [Read more of this review]
Incredible Buy
Over the years I have worked with many buyers and sellers. Buyers always are looking for an incredible buy, the buy of a lifetime. Who doesn’t want that? I remember many years ago attending an open house of a property that was being offered for sale by a lender. The property was held open only for a period of two hours and for only one particular... [Read more of this review]
Riparian Rights Made Simple
Sometime ago I posted on Riparian Rights and later posted More on Riparian Rights. I was asked recently out what you can and cannot do with your Michigan waterfront. Generally speaking, you may have sand brought in to place and spread along your shoreline. You may not place any sand or any other type of fill on or under the water of the lake. You... [Read more of this review]
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