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.

Buying a home is an exciting time in many people’s lives. It’s the point in your life when you stop paying rent and start building equity with a mortgage. While there are many practical benefits to owning a home, something many people don’t discuss is the tax breaks. (Click here to see all Northern Michigan Waterfront Lifestyle Homes for Sale)

As tax season is upon us, let’s take a look at some of the unique tax breaks that homeowners can take advantage of:

MORTGAGE INTEREST

For many first-time home buyers, one of the most pleasant surprises come tax season is the knowledge that your mortgage interest is tax-deductible. At the start of January, you should have received a notice from your lender letting you know how much mortgage interest…

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The purchase of your first home can be an exciting and exhilarating process. Homeownership is something that many people dream of. Owning your own home means not being held accountable to a landlord. It means the freedom to paint, remodel, and redecorate your space how you like. It means creating the perfect space for you and your family to build a life together and create memories that will last a lifetime. (Click here to see Northern Michigan's finest collection of vacation rentals)

For most people, the purchase of a home is also the largest transaction they will make. This can be daunting. Few buyers have the resources to buy a home outright, and this can make the buying process even more complicated because lenders are involved too. One of…

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In this post, you’ll learn how to do a 1031 exchange with real estate. Topics include 1031 exchange rules, types of exchanges, success stories, and more. Continue reading to learn how to use this powerful strategy!        

Introduction:

A 1031 Exchange, also called a Starker Exchange or Like-Kind Exchange is a powerful tax-deferment strategy used by some of the most financially successful investors. This is, perhaps, even more, true as we head into 2018. Why? Because in many U.S. cities' prices real estate has surpassed the “bubble levels” of a decade ago. Because of this, many investors think that today is the optimal time to exchange properties in expensive markets for cash-flowing properties across the country. (Click here to see all Lake…

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The fireworks have burst into the sky to welcome the New Year, and the Christmas decorations are coming down. Most of us are returning to work after a vacation.

As you return home from holiday travels or finish the last of that leftover turkey, it’s time to mull over what you hope to create in 2019. As a Michigander, your dreams can be as large as the state itself. (Click here to see Northern Michigan's finest collection of vacation rentals)

New Year’s resolutions are easiest to fulfill when your home fosters an environment that pushes you toward those goals. Here are some ways to prepare your home for making the most of 2019:

1. Robust kitchen = healthy family

Healthy eating begins in your home kitchen. As you prepare to live…

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Deer Lake is a moderately sized kettle lake located in south-central Charlevoix County. High hills stand between the lake and Boyne City to the north, Boyne Falls to the east, and East Jordan to the west. Deer Lake sits at the headwaters of Deer Creek, which is a major tributary of the Jordan River. Deer Creek begins as an outflow from the lake and flows nearly 10 miles west before its confluence with the Jordan River to the south of East Jordan. Deer Lake is, therefore, part of the Jordan River and larger Lake Charlevoix Watersheds. (Click here to see Northern Michigan's finest collection of Boyne Mountain vacation rentals)

Residents in the surrounding area value Deer Lake as an escape where one can go to enjoy a relaxing day on the water…

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Shredder with a gnarly reputation? Are you a novice rider? In the Mitten State, whatever your skill level, a wonderful glide awaits you. These are Michigan's top ski runs. (Click here to see all Northern Michigan Ski Lifestyle Homes for Sale)

Easy Cruisers

  1. LOIS LANE TO NORTH PEAK PASS // BOYNE HIGHLANDS
    The longest run in Michigan, at 1.25 miles, receives a firm green circle, indicating that anyone who can slide onto a chairlift and "build a pizza" with their skis should have no trouble going top to bottom. On a clear day, you can see the Mackinac Bridge from the top, but the pleasure of this race is the time spent on the hill. It's a no-frills look at the pure joy of being outside in Northern Michigan during the winter. There's ample ski time…

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Experience the thrill of zooming through the trees on a Zipline Tour, race your friends on the Twin Zip Ride, or explore the ambiance of Northern Michigan from the saddle! The only thing you need to bring is yourself and your sense of adventure, we'll provide the rest. (Click here to see all Northern Michigan Ski Lifestyle Homes for Sale)

Cross Country Skiing
Pack up the kids or rally your friends to sample everything they have to offer - from gentle trails through pine forests to technical terrain designed to test even the most dedicated Nordic skiers. Whatever your preference or your ability level, Boyne Mountain Resorts trails are ready for your tracks. (Click here to see Northern Michigan's finest collection of ski-in/ski out vacation…

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Conversations about credit shouldn’t make you cringe, even if you have a poor or below-average credit score. When used responsibly, credit is a financial asset that can simplify your life and improve your finances. There are actionable steps for rebuilding and maintaining a good credit score, and those steps begin with little more than a willingness to learn. (Click here to see all Northern Michigan Luxury Lifestyle Homes for Sale)

No one establishes a strong credit score passively or overnight. These achievers begin by forming intentional habits and learning the business of credit lending. They use their knowledge to seize the many benefits of credit without falling victim to its potential pitfalls.

This article aims to give you a head start on…

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Real estate investment in Northern Michigan can be a passive or active means of growing personal wealth. As housing costs appreciate, simply owning a home in the area is a great way to invest in the future. (Click here to see Northern Michigan's finest collection of vacation rentals)

But some people wish to be more involved in their investments. For those who love the fast turn around, manual labor, and problem-solving, house flipping is a popular and fulfilling form of real estate investment.

HGTV popularized the art of house flipping by portraying this DIY renovation business in a way that seems highly accessible. As a result, there’s been a surge of ambitious investors entering the market across the country. Competition to buy…

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What will change about buying and selling homes within the next year, two years, or five? Predicting the future of any industry isn’t easy. Fortunately, real estate generally offers more accessible and reliable data than other industries to use when making forecasts. That means making reasonable predictions about the not-so-distant future isn’t a complete shot in the dark. By taking what we know from the U.S. real estate industry's long history, we can factor old data against recent trends and technologies. We can use that information to give educated opinions about how the future of home buying and selling might soon unfold. (Click here to see Northern Michigan's finest collection of vacation rentals)

With that said, here are some of our…

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