If you have been searching sub $300,000 for something with beach rights, there have been very few options available. Yesterday two new listings came on that offer great proximity to the beach.

The first is located in the sought after Gordon Beach Association in Union Pier. This is a small home that needs some work, but it is priced accordingly and should sell quickly. The back yard borders a small park area. Click the picture below for more information.

The second home is a duplex in Lakeside with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on each side. Each side has a screened porch and deck, and there is a nice yard with privacy fence. Located on Shrago road this property is very close to the beach and listed at $229,000. Click the picture below for more information.

If one of this properties looks interesting to you, come and take a look this weekend. I will be surprised if these are available next week!

The continuing theme of 2014 is a shortage of inventory sub 500,000. This condition exits in the condo market as well. Most condo developments have very few listings available this spring, this represents a pretty dramatic change from this time last year. 

Marina Grand currently has 2 available listings, with the most affordable unit being a 2 bedroom unit that I have listed. Due to a shortage of hotel rooms in New Buffalo, rents are high, and thus rental revenues are substantial. This has drawn investors looking for the easy ownership and rental management of this condo/hotel. Click on the photo for a detailed listing.

Harbor Pointe currently has 1 unit available, and 1 unit that is under contract and moving towards closing. Click on the photo below for a detailed listing.

Bridgewater Place has a couple of available foreclosure units, but 1 is a double unit that is listed at $799,000. The other available unit is listed at $344,000. Click on the photo below for a detailed listing.

South Cove has a few nice units available, but of specific interest is a $30,000 price reduction on a top floor unit with great views. This is a 3 bedroom 3 bath. Click on the photo below for a detailed listing.

Warwick Shores has a few units available, but there is 1 lakefront unit that I feel will go under contract soon. This unit has been listed for some time and a recent $18,000 price reduction points to a motivated seller.  Click on the photo below for a detailed listing.

There are currently no units available in Dunewood or Dunescape. 

If you have been considering listing your condo for sale, please contact me for a market review. If you are in the market for a condo in New Buffalo, ask me for my comprehensive condo market price overview.

As things finally start to thaw out this spring, it is time for a quick update on current market conditions. The cold and snow this winter put a damper on the start to 2014. Units sold in March were down 41% over last year, and sales are down 16% year to date. Days on the market are up 24% to 199 average. Average sales price is up 34% year to date, this is due in part to low supply of inventory at the lower price points. Year to date dollar volume is up 13% as buyers move into the higher price points, including the luxury off lake segment.

With that said, activity has really started to pick up in the last 2 weeks, and I was out showing properties every day this week. You still have time to close before Memorial Day weekend if you move quickly. If you are looking in the luxury off lake segment, there continues to be many great options available. Please contact me if you need any additional information.

*All market data is sourced from SWMAR.ORG

I currently have 2 active listings in The Firefly Resort in Union Pier. This property has an outstanding location across the street from Lake Michigan, and private beach access. Enjoy the shared common areas with grills, gardens, and a fire pit. The resort was originally built in the 1920's, but was the target of a major overhaul in 2002. The units are very efficient and offer everything you need to enjoy summer in Harbor Country. This is a co-op so your quarterly assessments include property taxes, insurance, exterior maintenance, water and sewer. An easy way to own a second home, the majority of your expenses are clear in advance. In addition there is on-site property management if you choose to rent your unit. This is a great way to offset some of the costs of ownership. 

2 Bedroom Unit (Click for more information)

1 Bedroom Unit (Click for more information)

If you have any quesitons, or would like to schedule a time to see these wonderful units please contact me.

The large well protected harbor of New Buffalo offers many options for harbor front life. Condo's to single family homes are available, and offer a more approachable price point versus Lake Michigan frontage. The newest addition to the harbor is The Peninsula development. This project is 50% sold, but there are still some wonderful vacant lots available. Can be built to suit by developer, or you can bring your own builder. There are currently no spec homes available, but that may change, I will keep you posted.

Marina Grand offers condo/hotel ownership, with a great rental management program. There are currently very few units available, but these do come on the market from time to time. Due to a shortage of hotels in New Buffalo rents are high, and rental revenues are substantial.

South Cove offers a number of different options from small condos to multi-level town homes with attached boat slips. A much needed update to the exterior is close to completion, and the development is looking great. Some units are rather dated inside, the two following listings are spectacular.

South Cove also includes small (garage sized) cabanas that are great for the active boater. Please contact me if you would like additional information on any of these options.

An unusual time for a large price reduction may indicate a motivated seller. This wonderful 4 bedroom home has been on the market for an extended period of time, off and on since 2006, and is now priced at $849,000. This home is located in Forest Beach on a large lot of almost 1 Acre, one block to the private beach. A large price reduction just as the snow starts to melt? Seems this seller may be motivated, let me know if you would like to take a closer look.

Click here for more details!

A recent price reduction on this small cottage in New Buffalo Township, and it is now priced under $100,000. This home is on a quiet wooded street about 1 mile to the beach access at Townline Rd, and sits on a full acre. No question this cottage needs work, but it is priced accordingly. I will be surprised if this one is not under contract this weekend. If this sounds interesting, and you have been looking for a project contact me today.

Click here for more details!

As spring approaches it is time to take a closer look at some of the new listings available in and around New Buffalo. I do expect quite a few new listings (hopefully) in the next month or two, and I will try to focus attention to the best of the bunch.

This new listing is in Greenwood Cottages, and is set in the heart of Union Pier. This is an easy option for ownership near the lake, and is a free standing cottage. Sold tastefully furnished and with a good vacation rental history. This is a great low maintenance option.

If you are looking for an amazing estate sized parcel in Harbor Country, look no further. This 33 acre site is directly across the street from Robinson Woods, and is a wonderful fully wooded parcel. Public water and sewer are attached!

A new vintage cottage has been listed in the sought after Gowdy Shores association of Union Pier. On a quiet tree lined street sits this cozy 2 bedroom cottage, a throw back to a simpler time.

A rare foreclosure in New Buffalo's Harbor Dunes. This is a 4 bedroom 3 bath home, and can be purchased with as little as 5% down, it is a Fannie Mae HomePath property. This community is close to downtown New Buffalo, and offers a wonderful association swimming pool.

This last one is not new, but it was recently re-listed. This property is a dream lakefront building site in New Buffalo's Timberlane Estates. With 110 feet of frontage, and a depth of 316 feet, this is a rare opportunity for one of my favorite vacant parcels.

Please contact me if you have questions about any of these, or need additional information. Buyers activity has increased substantially in the last couple of weeks. Winter still has a firm grip on Harbor Country, but spring is near. 

While the boats and beach goers have gone, there is quite a bit happening this winter in New Buffalo. The new library is under roof, and the windows are going in. This beautiful new building combined with the new Stray Dog last year, make a great pair of bookends to this small town. Fountain square is on the market, and buyers have shown interest in this wonderful opportunity. If you are not familiar with Fountain Square, it is the large construction site in the center of New Buffalo. This project is crucial to the future of New Buffalo's downtown. 

Speaking of downtown, the DDA has finally been formed in New Buffalo. This project has been in the works for 10+ years, and marks a renewed focus on downtown development. There is an extensive list of projects that are desired, and the DDA will work toward that end. The timing of this certainly corresponds with the renewed life in the Fountain Square project. In addition to the DDA, New Buffalo has been selected by Michigan Main Street to the associate level. This is a voluntary effort by citizens of New Buffalo and greater Harbor Country. This is an independent non-political effort to enhance the unique main street in New Buffalo. There is currently a recall effort of 2 council members taking place, and the city is looking for a new assistant to the city manager.

There is a new health club in town, Equilibrium Fitness opened in the off season, and seems to be drawing a good crowd. The new riverfront park should be open this summer, and the township continues to aggressively pursue other park expansion options. Rumor of a new bakery opening in town, that sure would be nice! 

Please contact me if you have been considering real estate in the New Buffalo area.

Note the substantial price reduction on this home in the Highland Shores neighborhood of Sawyer. This home was originally listed at 2.6 million in 2009, and has now been reduced an additional $180,000 to $1,295,000. This is a contemporary home on a heavily wooded .55 acre lot. With 5 bedrooms, a walkout lower level, many improvements inside, this stands out as a unique value. Please contact me if you would like to take a closer look.

Click here for more information!