The "Northern Michigan Tip Book" category of our real estate blog provides a wealth of information and insider tips on living in the Northern Michigan area. From the best local restaurants to hidden gems for outdoor recreation, this category offers a comprehensive guide to the region.

If you are considering buying or selling a property in Northern Michigan, our "Tip Book" can provide you with valuable insights into the lifestyle and culture of this stunning area.

Holiday Rail Jam – December 29th, 2019

The Holiday Rail Jam presented by Under Armour is open to all skiers and snowboarders who want to "lay it on the line" and show us what you got.  This is a judged event and top finishers will walk away with some great prizes like Boyne gift cards and swag from the event sponsor.  The rail jam will be a fast-moving competition with music, announcer and various divisions based on the number of entrants.  Spectators are welcome so come on out and get ready for a great show.

Things to know:

  • Registration 2 - 3:30 pm in the West Civic Center Lobby at Boyne Mountain. 
  • Entry Fee is $5.00 
  • Rail Jam will begin at 4 pm at a location to be determined
  • Divisions are dependent upon who signs up but rest…

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Lake Charlevoix vacation homeIf you value lifestyle in combination with an appreciation profile, there just might be a place in your portfolio for a Northern Michigan vacation home that makes financial sense. Vacation home prices typically lag major market residential rates by 12-36 months.

But with asking prices for Northern Michigan waterfront and ski-proximate real estate up 10 percent to 20 percent this year (based on 24 months sold price per sq ft averages), discounting has not hit our market.

 While the obligations and negative cash flow aspects of ownership can sometimes be burdensome, the numbers still work as illustrated on our Investment Performance page. Now is the time to explore the pluses and minuses of buying a Northern Michigan vacation home property…

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Lake Charlevoix Condominium Investment Opportunities: Ultimate 10

Investing in Lake Charlevoix Condominium Investment Opportunities offers savvy investors the chance to capitalize on one of Michigan’s most picturesque and high-demand waterfront markets. In this guide, we’ll explore ten crucial steps—from understanding market dynamics to executing a profitable exit—so you can make informed decisions and maximize your returns.

1. Introduction to Lake Charlevoix Market

Introduction to Lake Charlevoix Market

Why Lake Charlevoix?

Lake Charlevoix is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, charming small towns, and robust tourism sector. With over 56 miles of shoreline, the lake draws visitors year-round, fueling demand for high-quality vacation rentals and long-term…

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For more than 90 years, the Belvedere Golf Club in Charlevoix has been a historic landmark in Northern Michigan, and this summer the club, members, and local officials paid tribute to that history with a re-dedication ceremony.

The event recognized the recent restoration work done to the William Watson-designed course, a project which made use of the original lost plans that were found last summer during the demolishment of an old building in Charlevoix. While aerial photos existed from the late 1930s, there was no actual documentation of the original parkland design with its classic flowing fairways, strategic bunkers, and subtle greens.

More than 125 members of the golf club and Belvedere Club gathered and celebrated the history…

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Blanket Mortgage 101: Unlocking the Secrets to Smarter Real Estate Financing

Introduction to Blanket Mortgages

Introduction to Blanket Mortgages

When it comes to real estate, financing multiple properties individually can be a real headache. Enter the blanket mortgage — a solution designed to simplify the process. A blanket mortgage is a single loan that covers multiple properties. Instead of juggling different loans, payments, and terms for each property, you bundle them under one neat agreement. This structure is particularly popular among investors, developers, and even growing businesses.

If you're exploring ways to manage several properties more efficiently, understanding how a blanket mortgage works could be a game-changer for you!

How a Blanket Mortgage Works

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When you invest in Northern Michigan real estate, there are several ways you can make money:

  1. Real Estate Appreciation
    It is when the property increases in value due to a change in the real estate market, the land around your property becoming scarcer or busier like when a major shopping center is built next door or upgrades you put into your real estate investment to make it more attractive to potential buyers or renters. Real estate appreciation is a tricky game. It is riskier than investing in cash flow income.

  2. Cash Flow Income
    This type of real estate investment focuses on buying a real estate property, such as an apartment building, and operating it, so you collect a stream of cash from rent, which is the money a…

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Drawing inspiration from majestic Lake Michigan, Bay Harbor Golf Club was designed to prepare you for an experience you'll never forget.  Fondly referred to as "The Pebble Beach of the Midwest" your first connection to Lake Michigan appears along the 1.7-mile journey down Coastal Ridge Drive.  Coastal Ridge Drive was named in honor of Pebble Beach's famed 17 Mile Drive.

Upon your arrival, you will notice many nautical-themed elements are brought in to play around the Clubhouse and golf courses.  
Rather than using traditional flags on The Links, Quarry, and Preserve course, the burgee (a triangular flag flown from the mast of a ship for identification) was chosen to represent Bay Harbor Golf Club along with the traditional nautical colors of red, blue,…

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When you buy a vacation home, you’re making one of the few investments that offer both personal and financial rewards. And you don’t have to be a real estate tycoon to pull it off.

Buy a vacation home to live on your terms

Buying a vacation home allows you to diversify your income, build wealth, plan for retirement, and, of course, take a vacation at no extra cost to you. Some investors weigh one benefit more heavily than the others, but once you’re clear on why you want to buy a vacation home, you can focus your search and match your investment with your priorities.

Diversify your income

When you buy a vacation home and choose to rent it out, it’s possible to create a new, short-term rental revenue stream. This income could supplement…

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Vacation rental homes are spiking in popularity and for good reason. A 2016 HomeAway survey showed that 70% of vacation rental homeowners could pay at least half the mortgage on their vacation home from the rental income it generates. For owners who work with professional property managers, the cash flow benefits may be even greater.

Investing in a vacation home that’s also a vacation rental can create a best-of-both-world scenario: You get to enjoy downtime in one of your favorite locations while getting an income-generating property that helps pay for itself. Full-service vacation rental management companies like Vacasa make life even easier by booking and communicating with guests while also managing the day-to-day responsibilities of the…

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Once you have a clear understanding of why to buy a vacation home, the next step is understanding the cost—whether you can afford it.

Budgeting for a vacation home is different than your primary residence, in part because mortgage lenders and the IRS will treat your purchase differently based on whether they categorize it as a second home or an investment property.

Mortgage lenders and the IRS look at different factors to categorize your home (and may define them differently), but generally speaking, an investment property is rented out to generate additional income while a second home is for your own personal use. Taking out a mortgage may be easier for a second home than an investment property, but there are trade-offs when it comes to how you…

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