5 Green Energy Home Trends for 2019

Posted by Brook Walsh on June 30th, 2019

Utilizing renewable energy is a great way to both lower your bills and reduce stress on the environment. Through some high and no-so-high-tech methods, there are more and more ways to efficiently save and even create energy.

Residential Solar Panels

As the efficiency of solar power technology increases and costs of installation decrease, more homeowners are adding electricity-producing panels to their roofs. Doing so often allows users to sell their surplus power back to their utility company and recoup their panel investment even faster.

With government entities sweetening the deal with tax credits and subsidized rebates, many homeowners are saying ‘yes’ to producing their power.

Smart Energy

Thanks to technologies like…

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Staging Tips to Get Your Northern Michigan On The Market

Posted by Brook Walsh on June 28th, 2019

Selling your home requires more than simply sticking a "For Sale" on the front curb and hoping for the best. With a little bit of work and some affordable enhancements, you could be saving yourself loads of time and money in the long run. The last thing any seller wants is for their home to linger in the market for too long and become stale, so here are a few easy ways to get your home in great shape and ready to please prospective buyers.

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF CURB APPEAL
Before a buyer sets foot in your door, they have to pass through the front yard first. As with many things in life, making a good first impression is the first barrier to successfully showing your home. That initial impression will be hard to change unless…

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Ironton Ferry

Posted by Brook Walsh on June 27th, 2019

Save Time with the Ironton Ferry

Ironton Ferry is a four-car cable ferry that crosses a narrow point on the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix in the U.S. state of Michigan in the unincorporated community of Ironton.  The Ferry connects Ironton, located about 5 miles from Charlevoix, Michigan, to Boyne City, Michigan.  The ferry crosses the lake about 100 times a day.  The current vessel went into service in 1925.  The ferry is 50 feet long, 30 feet wide, and weighs 43 tons. 

It's powered by a diesel engine with a hydraulic drive system that features propellers at both ends. Two different cables are guiding the ferry since it doesn't have any rudders.  The slack in the cables drops 25 feet below the surface to allow boats to pass. The ferry has the…

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Keys to Buying A Vacation Home

Posted by Brook Walsh on June 27th, 2019

There are lots to consider when buying a vacation home. Check out our three keys to help you in your search. Our team is ready to answer your questions. Give us a call at (231) 459-3179 or email Brook, brook@nmescapes.com.

 

1. Consider the cost—and whether you can afford it Unless you purchase your vacation property with cash, you'll need to apply for a mortgage—typically, a downpayment of 10-20% is required. You’ll also need to meet minimum credit and debt-to-income standards, and provide documents for asset and income verification.

2. Think: location, location, location Lakefront cottage? Beachside condo? Cabin in the woods? Know what you’re looking for, then get to know the area. …

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Vacation Rental Management - Northern Michigan Escapes

Posted by Brook Walsh on June 27th, 2019

We began with one home and one idea

Our Founder Brook Walsh and his wife, Rachel, realized they could provide better and more cost-effective services to homeowners than other property managers could, A LOT better. Brook used his background as a Chief Information Officer, and a customer-first approach to business, to make vacation rentals easier and better for both guests and homeowners - that’s how Northern Michigan Escapes was born. 

Elevating the Vacation Rental Experience

Earn More
On average, owners who switch to Northern Michigan Escapes earn 21% more in their first year.* We build your online profile, set the right price, and market your home better than anyone else Dynamic pricing gets you the highest nightly rate and strategic…

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Is A Homeowner Association (HOA) Good for Me?

Posted by Brook Walsh on June 7th, 2019

If you’re shopping for a new home to lease or purchase in Northern Michigan, you may wonder whether homeowner’s associations are worth your while.

It’s usually easy to educate yourself about what specific HOA communities provide and allow. Before taking the financial plunge, take some time to learn about what Northern Michigan HOA communities offer.

To some, the benefits of having a quality HOA far outweigh the fees and restrictions. Paying a simple, recurring fee can mean time saved from menial tasks, more fun activities to do around your community and no obscure-looking houses or fences that are a blight on the surrounding community, spoiling the immaculate beauty of the rest of the neighborhood.

On the other hand, some believe HOA…

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Sold: 246 E Main St Harbor Springs, MI 49740 - $249,000

Posted by Brook Walsh on June 7th, 2019

SOLD: 246 E Main St #1 Harbor Springs, MI 49740 - $249,000
MLS: 459224 - $249,000

Newer street-level retail condo, right downtown on Habor Springs Main Street with the new restaurants and new Lyric Theatre offering plenty of foot traffic. Great street frontage and windows give a great opportunity to display the wares. Historic ambiance with 10 ft ceilings, crown molding, ceiling fans, and white oak floors, but with elevator to 600 sq ft lower level storage with high ceilings. Fire suppression system. (Click here to see all Harbor Springs, Michigan Homes for Sale)

For help selling your Harbor Springs Commercial real estate or your Harbor Springs home contact Brook Walsh - brook@nmescapes.com, www.brookwalsh.com or (231) 459-3179 today!

All…

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SOLD: 02501 Disciples Court Boyne Falls, MI 49713 - $425,000

Posted by Brook Walsh on May 30th, 2019

SOLD: 02501 Disciples Court Boyne Falls, MI 49713 - $425,000
MLS: 458058- $425,000

If you’re looking to own a property on Boyne Mountain Resort, you need to see this condo in person! This ski-in/ski-out condo in Disciples Village is a one-of-a-kind unit and is perfect for anyone looking for a slope-side vacation home. The ski hills are so close that you can see the Disciples Ridge chairlift from the upper-level living room. It’s a turnkey condo with two adjoining units that can be used together or locked off and enjoyed separately. (Click here to see all Boyne Mountain Homes for Sale)

The upper-level unit is two stories and has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a kitchen and living area with views of the ski hills. The lower-level unit has its own…

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Bay Harbor Village Hotel

Posted by Brook Walsh on May 14th, 2019

The Bay Harbor Village Hotel & Conference Center is situated on the scenic shores of the Bay Harbor Marina on Lake Michigan. Dedicated to the highest level of hospitality, the hotel offers guests a boutique collection of rooms, suites, and penthouses. It’s the perfect location for travelers who love to be in the center of activity, just steps away from a variety of shops and cafes.

For more active pursuits, guests enjoy the privilege of access to golf at the Bay Harbor Golf Club, easy access to charter boating and fishing at the Bay Harbor Lake Marina, and the convenience of the hotel’s adjoining Swim & Fitness Club – all with extraordinary waterfront views. (Click here to see Northern Michigan's finest collection of vacation rentals)

Luxurious…

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Great Lakes Center for the Arts

Posted by Brook Walsh on May 7th, 2019

The Center

When the curtain rose for the first time at the Grand Opening on July 7, 2018, the Great Lakes Center for the Arts became a cultural and social hub in Northern Michigan offering year-round events across all genres—music, dance, theater, movies, and film, intellectual dialogue, education—making it a regional and national performing arts destination.

As an architectural landmark designed by renowned theater designers Fisher Dachs Associates and architects TowerPinkster, the Center is centrally located in Northern Michigan, just outside of Petoskey on US31, near Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, and Boyne City. The Center includes a beautifully crafted, intimate 527-seat theater housing a large stage with state-of-the-art features that meet…

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