With all the talk of what's going on in the market, I love to hear everyone's viewpoints as to where the Michigan Real Estate market really stands.  So I read a lot of articles and of course, have my own point of view.  I have to say that for once, I actually agreed with our local newspaper, the Grand Rapids Press about cottages and lakefront homes still remaining a steady market.

In the article titled, 'Vacation homes are growing market' on the great 4th of July, the article talked about cottages and vacation homes holding their own.  Jeanine Lemmon of Patriot Realty was quoted as saying, "In our practice, we're about 14 percent ahead over last year in terms of sales." (Grand Rapids Press, 7/04/07.)  Of course, like the normal Michigan real estate market, the number of vacation homes are more than the year before but baby boomers specifically seem to be ready to buy their second home which has helped keep the sales steady.

Our family has a cottage on a lake and we absolutely love it.  This is my absolute favorite time of the day (around 6:00 pm) when the sun hasn't set but makes the water glow.  It also contains one of my favorite things to do which is the jet ski.  There is nothing like going 60 mph on a jet ski and because I grew up on this lake, I still hold the title of "Queen of the Tube."  I had a friend pull me and as much as he tried, he couldn't throw me off of it!

 This lake holds some of the best memories from childhood until now.  In fact, when I'm not working... more than likely I'm up at the cottage and enjoying the summer sun.

So, I love to look at cottages mainly because I know what great memories are in store for the buyers that purchase one of these homes. 

  Personally, I can vouch for my activity with some new buyers that have come looking for those second homes.  Suprisingly, I've even found a few lakefront homes for under $100,000.00.  That totally blew me away.  What a fantastic time to buy!  Some great deals are to be had in the normal real estate Michigan market and with lakefront homes as well!

P.S. It is much more fun to watch fireworks at a lake than in town.  Everyone is lighting them off around the lake and it goes for hours!!!

References: Grand Rapids Press. Wednesday, July 4, 2007. Business. "Vacation homes are growing market."