Johannesburg

Whether you're looking for wide-open spaces or in-town living, Johannesburg has it. Cabins and chalets on the lake, campgrounds, restaurants, and resorts – there's something for everyone in this cozy town. With a small-town population of just over 2,000, you'll enjoy the friendly atmosphere, but it has amenities you'd usually find in larger cities.

This page gives a very detailed overview of the homes, condominiums, land, and commercial property for sale in Johannesburg, Michigan.

Real Estate Statistics

Average Price $548K
Lowest Price $59.9K
Highest Price $3.2M
Total Listings 17
Avg. Days On Market 6
Avg. Price/SQFT $138

Property Types (active listings)


Browse Johannesburg Homes for Sale

Check out this video for a look at Big Bear Lake in Johannesburg, Michigan, or click here to learn more about life in Johannesburg


Johannesburg Homes for Sale

Located in Charlton Township in Otsego County, Johannesburg Michigan is directly off the M-32 State Highway in the lower peninsula of the state, and about 10 miles east of Gaylord. Johannesburg was named after Johanna Hanson, the wife of the founder of Johannesburg Manufacturing Co. Johannesburg began life in the late 1800s, and became recognized as a town in 1901 when it got its post office and became incorporated. 

Johannesburg was primarily a lumbering town, and the Johannesburg Manufacturing Company was responsible for the majority of the town's construction, including the railroad. At its peak in the early 1900s, the town had about 700 residents. When the area had exhausted the local timber supply, the mill closed, and many of its residents moved elsewhere. Although it has grown some since then, it's still a small town with a small-town atmosphere and friendly residents.

Whether you're looking for home sales prices in Johannesburg or you want to rent first, you'll have plenty of options available in ample locations. The abundance of lakes and other bodies of water in the area means you can have the waterfront property you've always wanted. If a cabin with acreage in the woods has always been your dream home, those are available also. Raw land is also available at affordable prices, so you can custom-build your home if that's always been your dream.

With a median listing price of just over $146,000, Johannesburg homes are affordable as well.

Home sales prices: Depending on your objectives, prices for land and homes generally range as follows:

  • Raw land can be purchased for as little as $5,000 per acre. Depending on the size and location of the lot, you can expect to pay more than $100,000 for a 0.38-acre lot downtown.
  • Homes with acreage in subdivisions range from less than $100,000 to upwards of $500,000.
  • You can usually expect to pay more than $200,000 for larger and more secluded homes.

Many of the homes are pre-fabricated construction and many borders a lake or body of water. Of course, there are homes listed for more than $1 million, too. Whatever you want in a home, you're sure to find it in Johannesburg Michigan.

Investments: If you value a lifestyle that invests in your local area, then northern Michigan real estate can be the ideal solution. Investing in real estate where you live causes vacation home prices to appreciate and provides you with easy access to your investments. The number of ski resorts in the northern Michigan area provides a stable base for vacationers year-round and provides a relatively stable base for investment prices.

There are many different housing options in Johannesburg including condominiums for saledowntown homes for saleland lover homes for saleluxury homes for sale, and waterfront homes for sale.

Johannesburg Community Highlights

Whether you're looking for wide-open spaces or in-town living, Johannesburg has it. Cabins and chalets on the lake, campgrounds, restaurants, and resorts – there's something for everyone in this cozy town.

With a small-town population of just over 2,000, you'll enjoy the friendly atmosphere, but it has amenities you'd usually find in larger cities. It also has easy access to major interstates and large towns when you need to get to one. So if you're looking for the best of both worlds, Johannesburg has it.

Demographics: The median age is around 50 years and it's about evenly divided between males and females. White-collar employment is about twice the level of blue-collar employment, with the average household income just under $63,000 annually, and the median annual income a few thousand under that. About one-fourth of the population has children at home, while about 75% of the households are childless or empty nesters.

Precipitation: Average annual rainfall in Johannesburg is just slightly under the national average of 38 inches, but their annual snowfall is about 130 inches, five times the national average. The area averages some form of precipitation of about 150 days per year. The national average for this statistic is about 150 days annually so it's no wetter or drier than average.

Temperature: High temperatures in July average about 78 degrees and winter lows are around 10 degrees. On average, there are only one or two days during the year when the temperature is higher than 90 degrees.

Recreational Activities

Entertainment: Located between two of the great lakes, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, Johannesburg has plenty of outdoor activities and recreation that includes fishing, hunting, cabin getaways, and campgrounds. Some of them include:

Due to the age demographic, there are many activities designed to appeal to the older crowd, such as:

Dining: Whether your preference is pizza, smokehouse fare, fish, burgers, or more sophisticated cuisine, you'll find it in Johannesburg or the nearby towns. Many of the restaurants are locally owned and operated, so the service is usually outstanding and the meals are consistently prepared with ingenuity and a love for good food. 

Shopping

Johannesburg encourages its residents to shop local with their “Shop downtown” card that supports both the local economy and the American Cancer Society's endeavors to save lives and eliminate cancer. Purchased for $10 from Shop Downtown or a participating merchant, cardholders get great savings while they participate in cancer support.

February of each year brings the annual Gaylord Boat Show while The Quiet Moose provides an upscale shopping experience throughout the year for those who want elegant homes and interiors. An abundance of antique and consignment stores can intrigue those who want to venture into yesteryear, and the many gift shops and the merchandise outlet provide more contemporary items for gift giving. 

Churches

No area search is complete without knowing which local churches are available. Johannesburg is home to:

A quick internet search will yield a variety of local churches that are also available depending on your denomination and your ability or desire to travel.

Call Johannesburg Home

Whether you want to transition to a less hectic lifestyle, you want a second home for vacations and getaways, you want to retire to a relaxed area, or for any other reason, if you want to buy a home, Johannesburg is an ideal location. The community is laid-back and friendly, the scenery is pristine and beautiful, it's close to nature and outdoor activities, and there are an abundance of shops and entertainment venues for everyone. If you choose to invest in northern Michigan, you can be close to your investment and year-round outdoor activities.

For More Information

If you'd like to buy a home or a second home in Johannesburg, MI, or if you'd like more information about relocating to this beautiful area, be sure to contact us today. We'd be more than happy to show you some of the incredible home values in this area and point out the many attractions it has to offer. Johannesburg, MI is truly one of the best-kept locations in the United States for both climate and community.

Schools Near Homes in Johannesburg, Michigan

As with any city, the schools in Johannesburg are a mixture of class size and educational opportunity. Ninety-five percent of teachers have more than three years of teaching experience, which is 4% higher than the state average. Ninety-eight percent of full-time teachers are certified, which is 1% lower than the state average.

There are 18 students per teacher, which is exactly the state average, and the average salary for teachers is about $3,000 less than the state average of $59,861. Part of these statistics may be due to the fact that only about one-fourth of the area residents have school-age children. Parents who become involved in their children's education may play a significant role in the quality of education that their children receive.

About one-third of the city's schools rank as above average compared to only 29% statewide. One-third rank in the middle compared to 37% statewide, and one-third in the lower classification compared to 35% statewide. The top-rated schools in the district are:

  • Lewiston Elementary School
  • Johannesburg-Lewiston ElementaryMiddle School
  • Johannesburg-Lewiston High School

As always, when researching a new area prior to moving there, researching the schools that are available and their reputation will provide the best educational experience for school-age children.

Focused on Northern Michigan Investment Real Estate

Brook is focused on lifestyle real estate investment properties as most people want a vacation home to make lifelong memories that endure for their entire family, leave a profound legacy for generations, and they want a solid financial investment at the same time.  While the area does have many good realtors, there aren’t many with the unique financial, vacation home investing, and technology marketing background. Brook uses his diverse skill set to help clients properly evaluate and determine whether a vacation home makes financial sense.

"I have significant experience buying and selling Northern Michigan Real Estate and I'd like to help you find the perfect Johannesburg, Michigan home"Send me a message or give me a call at 231.459.3179 to learn more today."

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