By the time I was born in Grand Rapids in the 70’s, both sides of the family tree had been spending their leisure time on Lake Michigan for decades.  My dad’s parents had been sharing a cottage with another relative, just a little more than 30 miles from downtown GR, and I was lucky to spend many weekends of my childhood on that beach in West Olive.  Back then, middle class families could manage to get a slice of Lake Michigan shoreline and build a modest cottage.

Lakefront homes in West Michigan

Times have changed, and the demand for lakefront property is extremely high, by Michiganders as well as residents of other states wanting a second home in a beautiful setting.   It’s a rare opportunity to land a great Lake Michigan property.

The state of Michigan loves its Great Lakes, and the pleasant peninsula features an unbelievable 3,126 miles of shoreline.  But here in Grand Rapids, we hold Lake Michigan closest to our hearts.   In some places, the “Big Lake” is hardly more than a half hour’s drive, and allows for a commute to downtown.   But other Lake Michigan destinations are worthy of our admiration as well.   Southwest Michigan towns such as New Buffalo, St Joseph, and South Haven are associated with serving the Chicago tourist crowds, but still have great proximity and attraction for year-round residents and second homeowners from the Grand Rapids area.  Holland, Grand Haven, and the Muskegon area have a lot to offer and are within an hour of Grand Rapids.   Heading north to the towns of Pentwater, Hart, Ludington, and Manistee, miles and miles of Lake Michigan shore wait for you to find your slice of sandy heaven and create great memories for future generations of your family.

Having the opportunity to secure your place on Lake Michigan’s shore requires the right strategy, and the ability to take action when needed.   Call me to discuss your dream of getting a home on Lake Michigan, and we will put together the right plan for you.   I can be reached at 616-439-1190 or mike@grar.com