Baldwin Michigan is neatly tucked away in wooded Lake County at the crossroads of US10 and M37, 72 miles North of Grand Rapids, 61 Miles South of Traverse City and14 Miles East of US 131.

Baldwin founded in the late 1870s during Michigan’s bustling lumber era, was named after Henry Baldwin, a Michigan governor at the time. As important at that time to many of Northern Michigan’s newly born villages and towns, the woods are still an attraction as Lake County is home to part of the Manistee National Forest, as well as the Pere Marquette State Forest.

Baldwin is home to some very popular events including the Blessing of the Bikes every spring as well as several favorite destinations including Troutama and the Shrine of the Pines, Today, Baldwin is considered to be a year around premier destination for sportsman. Fishing and hunting- the reminders everywhere. The Baldwin River flows into the Pere Marquette River just south of town. The PM, as some call the Pere Marquette River, is considered the best for trout, salmon and steelhead.

Evart Michigan: A town large enough for a McDonalds and a traffic light, but small enough not to lose its small town character and friendliness.

Birthed in the 1870's during the rise of Michigan's lumber years, Deloros A. Blodgett used the Muskegon River to float harvested logs down state. Over the years other industry moved into Evart, including Dean Foods, Evart Glass, Ventra and many other business.

Today Evart is a thriving community of some 1700 people. Conveniently located in central Osceola County, it is thirteen miles east of Exit # 153 on US 131, six miles west of M66. Evart is surrounded by many recreational opportunities which include the Osceola County fairgrounds, the popular Spring Hill Camp, the Pere Marquette State forest, the Pere Marquette Trail system, the Muskegon River and more than twenty lakes within ten miles.

A blend of year around residents, complemented by the seasonal migration of downstaters for the summer lakefront season, gives Evart the sense of Hometown USA. It is an unique blend of old and new. The frequent glimpses of the local Amish with their horse drawn buggies is a reminder of a life style past. On Evart's main street, some still leave their keys in the ignition while they run in to pick up goods from their local merchants.

Newaygo is well located at the crossroads of M37 and M82, 12 miles West off exit #118 of US 131, 37 miles North of Grand Rapids and 10 miles South of White Cloud.

Like many other Michigan towns, Newaygo got it’s start in Michigan’s lumber boom. With the surrounding forests and easy access to the Muskegon River for floating the logs down river, Newaygo was the ideal location for the lumber industry.

Today, Many consider Newaygo as the boundary line for crossing into the Northern Michigan vacationland as they head north to enjoy the Michigan lakes, rivers and streams. Everything travelers need before beginning their journey can be found in Newaygo. All the fast food stops, many unique sporting shops and interesting restaurants are conveniently located and parking is plentiful.

Newaygo is a favorite spot for fishing, rafting and tubing on the Muskegon River. Two nice parks worthy of mention: Riverside Park, a city park with plenty of picnic tables, grills and trails with lots of frontage on the Muskegon River. The park is located just off Main Street, in the downtown area. Just up river and across the M37 bridge is Henny County Park, a larger park with even more Muskegon River frontage to explore.

Fremont may be best known as home to Gerber Products, originally known as the Fremont Canning Company. Today Fremont is known worldwide as the baby food capital of the world. The third full week of July, Fremont celebrates this notoriety by hosting its annual National Baby Food Festival. Over 100,000 people visit Fremont to enjoy a week full of events for people of all ages and all interests.

Fremont is also proud of its four community parks, and rightly so. One of them, the Arboretum Park, is devoted to Michigan’s native trees. Over forty different species of trees are identified in this park. The park’s trails and its cobblestone bridge over the stream, make this park a popular place for outdoor summer weddings and photo sessions.

Another park, the Fremont Lake City Park, is located on the north side of Fremont Lake, a 790 acre all sport lake. This park has 17 acres of lakefront for the public to enjoy, along with a boat launch, sand beach, volley ball court, picnic tables, a covered pavilion and a full service RV park and campground. On the south side of the lake you will find the Sheridan Township Park, also with lake frontage to enjoy.

The Dutch moved into the area in the 1800’s from the Muskegon and Holland area. Today, a visit to the main street is a reminder of the Dutch heritage, as many of the buildings in the business district reflect Dutch architecture.

Fremont is close to many golf courses, Newaygo County’s many natural lakes rivers, streams and the Manistee National Forest.

Located on the southern Ionia County line lays a wonderful small Michigan town. Lake Odessa lies along the northern shore of Jordan Lake. Nearby are Tupper Lake and the popular Morrison Lake.

Founded in the 1800’s, Lake Odessa was named for the city of Odessa in the Ukraine by one of the town’s founders who had an interest in the Ukraine and the sincere desire to have a distinctive name for the village.  Lake Odessa is proud of their history, as displayed in the Lake Odessa museum located in the historic train depot.

The village’s slogan is “Welcome to our Friendly Port”. It is evidenced by a very friendly main street, featuring many sharp, and renovated store fronts. The  homes well kept homes lining the streets make this community an all Michigan community.

Lake Odessa is home to Cargill Kitchen Solutions, formerly Sunny Fresh Foods, a company making processed egg products. It is also home to Twin City foods, a processor of vegetables.

Lake Odessa is large enough to have a Mc Donald’s, but small enough not to lose the small town character. It is located only 6 miles south of exit 64 off I96.

Canadian Lakes is a residential community in west central Michigan. Located in Mecosta County, Morton Township, it is five miles southwest of Mecosta Michigan, and eight miles east of Stanwood (exit 131 on US 131).

Canadian Lakes consists of seven thousand wooded acres, several golf courses, sixteen lakes and two thousand acres of wooded common area. This private community is home to several shopping areas, banks, grocery stores, retirement homes but no fast food restaurants. It is served by it’s own 3800 foot airstrip.

Golf courses are the Royal, Pines and the Highland, all association courses. Canadian Lakes is also home to the championship courses, St. Ives and Tulleymore.

Canadian Lakes consists of several connected lakes; Canadian Lake (240 acres), East Canadian Lake (76 acres) West Canadian Lake (100 acres) and the Far West Canadian Lake (40 acres). Several smaller lakes of various sizes can also be found in the area; Rush Lake, Lake Laura, Range Lake, Fawn Lake, Sunset Lake, Spring Lake, Kitt Lake, Lost Swan Lake, Canyon Lake, Dukes and Kilkenny Lake. All of these are private lakes with no public access. The often overlooked beautiful Little Muskegon River also runs through the community.

The lakes (and ponds) and golf courses give this area a relaxed, resort type lifestyle and makes it an ideal retirement destination. Everything one needs can be found here.

One point of curious interest in the area is the castle. Yes, a castle, built in the early 1960’s by the developer of the community. Located on one of the highest points in Mecosta County overlooking Lake of the Clouds and the 8^th green and the 9^th tee of the Highland golf course. The 10,000 square foot first floor of has a stage and is used by community theater and for musical events. The second floor is a balcony and the rest used for storage. The third floor was the developer’s personal residence and is now vacant.

Fall and winter are beautiful times to visit Canadian Lakes, so don’t put off until spring what you can do today!

Six Lakes is located in Northern Montcalm County, Belvidere Township at the Intersection of M46 and M66. The village is named after the six lakes in the immediate area; First Lake, Second Lake, Third Lake, Fourth Lake, Fifth Lake and Sixth Lake. The out flow of these Michigan lakes form the beginning of the Flat River. Flat River is a short Michigan river which flows in the Grand River.

The top three things I like about Six Lakes are: the large summer flea market located on M66, the beautiful lakefront Belvedere Municipal Campground, and the great burgers at the Flat River Saloon.

The mystery to me regarding Six Lakes is why is it called Six Lakes when there are really seven lakes. If they had included Little Bass Lake, the village would have been named “Seven Lakes”.

Well, whatever the name, be sure to stop at see all 7 lakes on your tour of Michigan lakes.

Over the years I have worked with many buyers and sellers. Buyers always are looking for an incredible buy, the buy of a lifetime. Who doesn’t want that?

I remember many years ago attending an open house of a property that was being offered for sale by a lender. The property was held open only for a period of two hours and for only one particular day. There were cars parked along the street for several blocks with both the curious and the serious. At the asking price, this was an incredible deal.

I have no idea why there was such a limited inspection window of time and why the low asking price. But then, I have no idea why lenders do what they do when trying to sell property. Lenders make terrible sellers.

The next day, at 12 noon, was the deadline for all offers to be presented for the lender’s consideration. Needless to say, there were multiple offers, over three dozen. The highest offer was accepted and this house was sold.

When we were writing up our offer, I remember overhearing a prospective buyer telling his real estate agent. “If you come across a good deal, give me a call.” I could not help wonder if they had looked at the same property.

Whether you are buying Michigan real estate as an investment, or you are making an offer on your first home, do your homework on the market. Become an expert yourself. Then and only then you will recognize an incredible buy when you see it.

P.S. I saw this sign and was grateful to have my camera with me. I used Photoshop to remove the phone numbers.

I have had a favorite pair of shoes for a few years. They are comfortable, look good and don’t go out of style.  Unfortunately, they had another attribute that I was not aware of. They tasted good, so my dog chewed them up.

So, I went out in pursuit of a pair exactly like the ones I had. When I got to the store, I found they didn’t have what I wanted, but I found a good sale on another pair. They were nothing like what I was looking for, but I couldn’t pass up the great deal.

Now that I have the shoes, I really don’t like them. I haven’t worn them, and probably never will.

Not such a good deal after all! I should have waited, looked around a little more and bought the shoes I wanted.

Too many people make the same mistake in buying lake front or water front property. Most prospective buyers start their search knowing exactly what they are looking for; some want the quiet privacy of a fishing lake, others are looking for the action of an all sports lake. Some want their piece of paradise far from civilization, others want to be close to the action.

And then they go out shopping…. and they find a GREAT deal. No, it is not what they are looking for, but the price is right. So, they make the offer and settle in. And they are disappointed. They wanted quiet and seclusion and all they hear is speed boats and laughter. Or, they wanted to hear speed boats and laughter and all they hear is birds singing.

So, my advice to you is, take your time and look for the perfect piece of property for you. It may take longer and it may cost a bit more, but it will be well worth it in the long run. You and your family will be glad you did.

When buying a piece of Michigan real estate, a question that often arises is, “What about the well”? Or, “ What are the depths of the wells in the area?”

The State of Michigan has well records on line. Close to one million are listed and are available to search at no charge. The site is easy to use. You will be asked for the county, then the township and finally the section number.

In my due diligence, I have used the site many times and found the site to be very beneficial in uncovering lots of information. For an existing well, it tells of the depth of the well, the diameter of the well, the age of the well, the static water level, the installer and other technical information.

I have also used these reports to tell me about soil conditions in the area. The well driller, when drilling a new well, records the types of soil he encounters and at what depth he finds them. This information can be very useful when locating proper soil conditions needed for a septic system.

State of Michigan Well Records Listed by County