Traverse City

Traverse City has been called one of the best-kept secrets in Michigan – especially by folks who are looking for a place to live where they can stay active throughout all four seasons. Home to freshwater beaches, vineyards, lush forests, a thriving agricultural mecca (the largest producer of tart cherries in the U.S.), and a small population of year-round residents enhanced by winter and summer folks who come to town to indulge their love of skiing, swimming, and boating.

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

Real Estate Statistics

Average Price $632K
Lowest Price $65K
Highest Price $7M
Total Listings 380
Avg. Days On Market 117
Avg. Price/SQFT $392

Property Types (active listings)


Browse Traverse City Homes for Sale

Check out this video for a look at our Traverse City drone tour, or click here to learn more about Traverse City Homes for Sale

Traverse City Homes for Sale

Is it possible to find a town that is capable of being all things to all people? It is if you are fortunate to have included Traverse City on your shortlist of idyllic places to live. Traverse City is more than just a community filled with a diverse number of things to see, do, and experience. Living in Traverse City offers every bit of the lifestyle you’ve been seeking, including close proximity to the area airport, exceptional recreational options, and the friendliest homeowners on the planet.

Traverse City is filled with prime properties that deliver on value, say professionals at Brook Walsh Real Estate, a premier realtor in the region. Whether you’re looking to spend millions on a mansion or a cabin on a lake designed to host your short getaways is your objective, you won’t have to look elsewhere. Living in Traverse City can be all things to all people and we are excited to explain why we can make that statement.

What you should know about Traverse City
Traverse City has been called one of the best-kept secrets in Michigan – especially by folks who are looking for a place to live where they can stay active throughout all four seasons. “Real estate investing here was the best decision of our lives,” confides one resident who worries that the city will lose its charm if the population grows too much!

Home to freshwater beaches, vineyards, lush forests, a thriving agricultural mecca (the largest producer of tart cherries in the U.S.), and a small population of year-round residents enhanced by winter and summer folks who come to town to indulge their love of skiing, swimming, and boating.

Traverse City’s roots run deep. Home to Native American tribes that include Ojibwe, Ottawa, and Potawatomi people, French explorers settled on what is now city environs, giving the area its original name, la grande traverse or "the long crossing" due to the length of the bay that extends from the towns of Norwood to Northport. The French were displaced by the British, and by the time U.S. independence was declared in 1776, Traverse City was firmly rooted in American territory. Today, you couldn’t find a more all-American hometown if you tried.

Traverse City Real Estate
If the idea of owning property in an area that is filled with amenities and holds its value, you couldn’t find a better community in which to put down roots than Traverse City for myriad reasons. As of December 2020, the average home price was $324,950.
Disconnected from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities, Traverse City Land Lover homes for sale, and lots, offer a serene and quiet lifestyle.  With inviting properties nestled among rolling hills and fertile land, explore some of the best landscapes nature’s paintbrush has to offer

But homebuyers aren’t the only beneficiaries of this largesse. The area’s monthly vacancy rate is an impressive 0.4-percent, indicating a stable market that includes affordable average rents of $962 monthly. Despite the pandemic, Traverse City homes are fast returning to their per-virus numbers, even after a dip associated with the arrival of the virus brought property sales to a virtual standstill.

Having adapted to new restrictions associated with Covid, the tide began to turn as realtors and consumers saw healthy signs that 2020 was becoming a seller’s market, triggering bidding wars according to city property professionals, especially those at Brook Walsh Real Estate. In fact, while neighboring communities saw days-on-the-market averages of 108, Traverse City’s numbers were just 76, portending continued market health throughout 2021.

What is it like to live in Traverse City?
If the quality of life ranks first on your “must-have” list as you shop for a permanent or vacation home, you would be hard-pressed to find an equal to the city proclaimed Liveability's “2016 Best Small Town in America.” Not much has changed since Liveability posted that rave review.

Traverse City remains a jewel in terms of diversity in housing and neighborhoods, so no matter what lifestyle you seek, you will find it here. Friendly neighborhoods, historic buildings, golf course homes, lush parks, superior recreational and cultural choices abound as do the specific property choices profiled below.

Waterfront living


What can you expect from waterfront real estate in Traverse City? A wealth of benefits that include these:

  • Recreation opportunities that reduce stress hormones
  • You won't have to go far if you like casino play
  • Interaction with like-minded people as neighbors
  • The mood-boosting impact of living on the water
  • More opportunities to indulge in recreational activities
  • The feeling of being on vacation 24/7
  • Breathtaking views that soothe the senses
  • Direct water access for property owners’ boats and water toys
  • Waterfront property offers breathtaking sunrises and sunsets
  • Proximity to shops and eateries
  • The ultimate in privacy derived from lush landscaping
  • A vast array of waterfront home styles, from estates to condos
  • Enhanced property valuation over time
  • Mother Nature is your nearest neighbor when you own waterfront real estate.

Luxury living
How do you define luxury living? According to trendsetters and influencers, a home offering excellent design, high-quality construction, and customization is a good start, but so much depends upon the environment that you would be hard-pressed to justify a mansion situated in the midst of middle-class housing. Traverse City luxury properties abound and deliver on lifestyle perks expected by consumers who don’t settle for the ordinary, say realtors at Brook Walsh Real Estate who serve this market exclusively.

Whether your goal is finding a sumptuous log cabin filled with crystal chandeliers or a sleek, modern home silhouette worthy of an Architectural Digest centerfold, the number of single-family houses, Traverse City Condominiums for Sale, carriage houses, and townhomes available through Brook Walsh Real Estate, the leading luxury real estate authority in Traverse City, is nothing short of overwhelming – as it should be. Catering to small and large families whose priorities include a prestigious address in the right neighborhood, your desire to live the good life as a result of owning Traverse City Luxury Homes for Sale is the collective mission of everyone on the Brook Walsh Real Estate team!

Downtown living
Often referred to as one of “the most walkable, charming places in the U.S.,” Traverse City’s downtown is filled with dream digs along Traverse City’s most desirable stretch: on or off Front Street. The waterfront district is a hotbed of excitement and commerce because everything is literally steps from one’s front door for city center dwellers.

For folks who thrive best when they’re blocks away from the action, downtown Traverse City Homes for Sale delivers a plethora of boutiques, eateries, antique shops, breweries, and other amusements accessed conveniently by townies who love being able to pull on snow boots in winter and stroll the streets without having to worry about parking a car.

Quaint, picturesque, and fun, downtown living is an experience that can’t be duplicated elsewhere within the Traverse City limits and that’s exactly what draws residents in. Amid all of those fabulous retailers, Front Street is also the location of the Traverse City Film Festival, a long-awaited annual event that is a perk of downtown living and a benefit Brook Walsh professionals emphasize when showing downtown properties.

Shopping in Traverse City

Traverse City shopping experiences are so diverse, there’s something for everyone – minus the cold, impersonal environments of big box and department stores. Feast your eyes on architecture along Front, Cass, and Union Streets (Victorian-era exteriors define charm), grab lunch at a neighborhood cafe, and don’t miss the city’s wineries and breweries where hand-crafted beverages contribute to Michigan’s legacy of small brew houses and vintners.

For the full Traverse City shopping experience, say Brook Walsh Real Estate personnel who love to show off their hometown, visit Warehouse Market where one-stop shopping treats visitors to a trendy, offbeat location filled with boutiques stocking everything from plants and lighting fixtures to a pottery studio and fitness center. Located just off Grand View Parkway, this destination is as much a fun experience as it is the place to express yourself in myriad ways.

There’s more. The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a former 19th-century state psychiatric hospital, received the mother of all makeovers when developers morphed stunning Italianate-style buildings into upscale restaurants, boutiques, and galleries. The highlight of this Traverse City shopping experience is the Mercato in Building 50. Within this handsome, brick-walled building, find an eclectic shopping adventure that varies from shop to shop. Why go elsewhere when a shopping paradise exists nearby?

Traverse City Dining
Would it be an understatement to say that folks living in Traverse City love this city’s eateries? Expect a resounding yes from recreational foodies and fast food eaters to gourmands who insist that the Traverse City food scene is – well, delicious. Name a cuisine and you won't have to look far to find dining options.

Fancy potstickers and dim sum, savory burritos, servings of Greek gyros, or just the best steak and salmon in Michigan? Look no further. What’s the secret behind the city’s vast selection of eateries? Ingredient availability, of course. Chefs whipping up everything from breakfast eggs to prime rib and crème Brulee count on locally grown ingredients and access to the freshest seafood and meats to prepare dishes and menus that are award-winning.

Traverse City’s culinary scene has not been lost on myriad food reviewers and critics who make sure Traverse City maintains its reputation and image. Over the past few years, “Midwest Living” has listed Traverse City among 5 Top Food Towns, and “Bon Appetit” designated it one of America’s “Top Five Foodie Towns,” say folks at TraverseCity.com. Plenty of diners consider this “a culinary destination” where food is a passion for many of the city's residents. If fine dining is atop your new community's “must-have” list when considering a move, this city is Nirvana.

Traverse City schools

One visit to the Traverse City Area Public School’s (TCAPS) colorful website tells you all you need to know about how invested Traverse City schools are in both scholarly excellence and community involvement. In fact, plenty of families have moved to this area specifically for the schools. Despite restrictions imposed by the pandemic, area schools have played valuable roles in maintaining student interest despite changes in teaching protocols while also keeping them safe.

Home to 11 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 3 high schools (one elementary school is a Montessori academy), home shoppers meeting with Brook Walsh Real Estate associates are eager to know how their kids will fare when switching schools. Planning for the future is a high priority for the Traverse City school system, which is why capital improvement projects remain ongoing.

Board members prioritize projects on the 2018-thru-2028 master plan, but if your kids are as focused on athletics as they are on academics, they will be most impressed by the new Central High School Athletic Complex. Move to town and perhaps your children will play and compete there!

Traverse City recreation
Is Traverse City a year-round recreational wonderland? Name a season and the city’s parks and recreation network has you and your family members covered, Brook Walsh Real Estate staffers agree. This consortium of partners, dedicated to the health and well-being of Traverse City residents, regardless of ability, skill, and interests, serves as a hub from which every resident benefits – year-round dwellers and seasonal visitors.

Diversity is the name of the game within a consortium that offers more than the usual number of services, places, and spaces devoted to staying active 12 months a year. Your family can expect to enjoy these benefits:
  • Camps for kids and adults that promote outdoor stays in tents, cabins, and RVs
  • Recreation centers designed for community use and offer eclectic programming
  • Ice skating and swimming venues that delight fans of both activities
  • Conservancies overseeing underwater preservation and land allocation
  • Lakeshore monitoring devoted to the care and maintenance of both water and shore
  • Conservation efforts overseeing woods, forests, and undeveloped land for future generations
  • Organized sports groups that promote hiking, soccer, sailing, track, and other communal activities
  • Age-specific programs are just for kids, seniors, and active members of the community.

Traverse City is also home to some of the most outstanding resorts in the U.S. The list is long and includes Timber Ridge RV Resort Campground, Great Wolf Lodge, Crystal Mountain, Timberlee Hills, Hickory Hills, Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek, Caberfae Peaks Ski and Golf Resort, and more. Great Wolf Lodge is part of a national network of properties. These resorts are literally and figuratively the tip of the iceberg.

What happens when snow melts and the last ski addicts pack their gear and leave? Some properties switch their focus to maintaining outstanding golf courses where records are set, enthusiasts sneak in a mulligan or two and clubhouses guarantee awesome post-play get-togethers that are equally as important as 9 well-played holed for residents.

Does all of this sound too good to be true?
Don’t take Brook Walsh’s word for the claim that Traverse City is the most extraordinary place to live, play, and raise kids on the planet. These accolades were conferred upon the city in 2020 alone:

  • “Travel + Leisure” call Crystal Mountain one of America’s top 25 family-friendly resorts
  • “Race Raves” named Traverse City one of the nation’s Best Racing Cities
  • “Oprah” magazine includes Traverse City on its 15 Best Thanksgiving Getaways shortlist
  • Travel Pulse proclaimed the city one of the 25 best wine regions in the U.S.
  • Trip Savvy calls Traverse City one of Michigan’s 12 must-visit destinations
  • “Reader’s Digest” calls the city the best day trip center in the Midwest
  • SMU Data Arts conferred “Most Vibrant Arts City” designation on the city
  • Traverse City was shortlisted on MSN Travel’s Most Charming Main Streets in America
  • “Oprah” magazine proclaimed the area one of the nation’s 21 Best Winter Getaways
  • Fodor’s Travel included Traverse City on its 2020 Best Road Trips in America list
  • “Best Hikes in the U.S,” proclaimed a bevy of Conde Nast Traveler editors
  • USA Today calls the lakeshore one of the "most remarkable scenic drives in North America."

Families and couples shopping for new residences, second or vacation homes in the Traverse City area may be most impressed by this AFAR designation: editors dubbed Traverse City one of America’s sweetest small towns while “Woman’s Day" magazine proclaimed Traverse City the place to move for folks who won't settle for anything short of lake living.

Oh, and Golf Advisor profiled Cedar River at Shanty Creek Resorts golf course as having one of the top 25 course layouts in the nation. Dare we add that "U.S. News and World Report" designates Traverse City as one of just “10 Affordable Places to Retire on the Water”? At Brook Walsh Real Estate we tend to collect glowing accolades like these because our clients count on us to show them why they are relocating to no ordinary community.

Traverse City is as close to perfect as it gets!
For families considering relocation to Traverse City, here are additional facts and figures likely to cement your suspicion that this city is exactly what you’ve been looking for and more:

  • Home to 1,896 people per square mile, you won’t find a city that’s as easy to navigate at just 9 square miles
  • Crime rates are 24-percent lower than the national average
  • Traverse City is home to Northern Michigan’s Leading Healthcare System, Munson Healthcare. This non-profit system includes 9 hospitals staffed by 1,000 physicians whose 63 specialties cover cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments
  • Traverse City’s employment picture is rosy, energized by an unusually high number of residents working in the arts, design, entertainment, sport, and media fields, while community and social services are equally well represented
  • Compared to similar cities, Traverse City is home to an unusually high number of information technology professionals and an abundance of public administrators, scientists, and technicians.
  • Families with college-bound students find in Northwestern Michigan 74 degree majors including a degree program for registered nurses. In-state tuition for residents saves students over $2,000 annually than non-residents
  • Median property values are 1.05-times larger than the national average
  • The average commute time to and from work is just 14 minutes (the national average is 25.3 minutes). Live in the city center and this won't matter!

At Brook Walsh Real Estate, we consider it our privilege to make home shoppers' dreams come true and we prove it by offering the largest selection of property options in the Traverse City area. Our one-on-one client/agent relationships are the secret of our success. We would like to show you how easy, fast, and fun buying a home can be. Explore our website to see current homes on the market and give us a call. Having survived 2020, who deserves a great new start more than you and your family?

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 Traverse City, Michigan home." Send me a message or give me a call at 231.459.3179 to learn more today."

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