Lakeshore awash in sales of pricey homes

Sunday, July 23, 2006
By Myron Kukla
The Grand Rapids Press

If you're still dreaming about buying a $1 million home overlooking Lake Michigan, it's time for a reality check.

Beginning prices these days for Lake Michigan waterfront homes in Allegan and Ottawa counties start well above that.

"The $1 million homes aren't out there any more and, if any come on the market, they sell quickly," said Summit Properties Associate Broker Beth Foley, whose company specializes in waterfront properties.

Between Saugatuck and Grand Haven recently, eight waterfront homes were listed at $2 million and above, said Foley, a 20-year veteran of lakefront real estate sales.

Two other small cottages on small lots were listed at $750,000 each. Farther north, in Muskegon County, just two Big Lake properties are listed below the million-dollar mark.

"People put big prices on them, and the buyers are paying the asking price," said Foley noting many old cottages being bought are torn down and replaced with $2 million to $3 million year-round homes. It's called land recycling.

Lake Michigan property has been climbing by 12 to 15 percent annually since 2000, and Foley said the majority of buyers are coming from Chicago and as far away as California, where houses miles from the water often sell for $1 million or more.

"It makes Lake Michigan property look like a bargain," Foley said.

Holland's Greenridge Realty broker Graham Duryee said prices rise the farther south you go.

"It's Chicago buyers," said Duryee, who like Foley and Gleason are members of the West Michigan Lakeshore Association of Realtors, which covers the coast from Glenn to Whitehall.

Realtors, home builders and buyers agree on one thing when it comes to lakefront property. God isn't making any more of it.

"I specialize in building waterfront homes. It's the only place I feel confident in building and knowing I'll have a buyer," said Tony Zahn, president of Zahn Builders Inc.

He said that while home sales on the water have been soaring, the rest of the residential market around the Holland area has been flat, primarily because of corporate layoffs.

Inland lakefront properties such as those on Holland's Lake Macatawa, still can be bought for $500,000 to $800,000.

"Muskegon is also very attractive for waterfront buyers at Vida Nova, which offers 40 new residential units on Lake Muskegon, priced from $300,000 to $400,000," Zahn said. The $15 million development overlooks the lake, a channel and a private boardwalk.

Spring Lake Realtor Mark Gleason said condo properties with water views still can be found in Grand Haven and Muskegon at affordable prices.

"There's some very good deals out there right now on Muskegon Lake for three-bedroom (condominium units) for $300,000 to $400,000 overlooking the lake," Gleason said.

That used to be the price of lakefront cottages a dozen years ago. Not any more.

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773-496-4111 main 773-252-4111 fax

Join us this weekend! Wicker Park/Bucktown Summer Fest

You're invited to join Saffron Realty Group this weekend at the Wicker Park/Bucktown Summer Fest. We're sponsoring a booth this year and would love you to stop by. Tons of great give-aways and a great chance for you meet the Saffron team.

Wicker Park/Bucktown Summer Fest is going on this weekend 7/22 & 7/23

The festival is held on Damen Avenue between North Avenue and Schiller Street. Event hours are 11:30 am -10:00 pm each day and the gate donation is $5. Proceeds benefit the Wicker Park & Bucktown Chamber of Commerce.

Saffron Realty Group
2538 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago Il 60622

way, way beyond

Wicker Park/Bucktown Summer Fest

Courtesy of http://www.silverwrapper.com/html/wpf2006.html

Saturday, July 22nd & Sunday, July 23rd, 2006 - Chicago, IL

The Wicker Park Summer Fest is a two-day, all-day event featuring music presented by Silver Wrapper. We will be putting on 2 days of music on the South Stage at the Milwaukee/North/Damen intersection and 2 late night events at venues close-by. The festival will span the entire weekend beginning Saturday the 22nd of July at 12 noon and ending Sunday the 23rd of July concluding at 2 AM. This year, we've even put together a pre-party, just to warm up for the weekend; it takes place on Wednesday the 19th of July.

Ticket Information

There are no passes needed for the day events. That's right, the day events are FREE. A $5 donation is suggested, benefiting the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, who was nice enough to let us put the talent for the South Stage together. We will be selling late night tickets for the two concerts individually. Online ticket sales begin Saturday, June 10th at 12 noon CST.

Event Information

Wicker Park Summer Fest Day One
Robert Walter's Super Heavy Organ featuring Karl Denson and New Orleans Great Johnny Vidacovich,
Youngblood Brass Band, Brothers Past, Future Rock, Telefon Tel Aviv, Andreas Kapsalis Trio
Saturday 07.22.05 - South Stage, Chicago, IL

Wicker Park Summer Fest Day Two
MOFRO, Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove, Oh My God, Apollo Sunshine, Deaborn,
Chris Berry & Panjea, Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band
Sunday 07.23.05 - South Stage, Chicago, IL

Saturay, July 22nd
South Stage
8:30 pm Robert Walter's Super Heavy Organ featuring Karl Denson & Johnny Vidacovich
6:45 pm Youngblood Brass Band
5:00 pm Brothers Past
3:15 pm Future Rock
1:45 pm Telefon Tel Aviv
12:30 pm Andreas Kapsalis Trio

North Stage
9:00 pm DeVotchka
7:55 pm The Coup
6:50 pm The Hidden Cameras
5:45 pm Slumber Party
4:40 pm Walter Meego
3:50 pm The Record Low
3:00 pm Moxie Motive

Sunday, July 23rd
South Stage
8:30 pm MOFRO
6:30 pm Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove
5:00 pm Oh My God
3:30 pm Chris Berry & Panjea
2:00 pm Apollo Sunshine
12:30 pm Dearborn
11:30 am Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

North Stage
9:00 pm The Gris Gris
7:55 pm Dead Meadow
6:50 pm Make/Believe
5:45 pm Starlight Mints
4:40 pm Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
2:50 pm The Living Blue
2:00 pm The Saps

Pre-Party & Late Night Event Information

The Pre-Party
the New Deal w/ Orchard Lounge
Wednesday 07.19.06 - Logan Square Auditorium, Chicago, IL

Evolution Revolution
The Headhunters featuring Mike Clark, Bill Summers, George Porter Jr, Fred Wesley, Karl Denson & Robert Walter
Saturday 07.22.06 LATE NIGHT - Double Door, Chicago, IL

Funk N Jazz Nite
Fully-Loaded & Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
Sunday 07.23.05 LATE NIGHT - Subterranean, Chicago, IL

Directions

General notes for all locations: If your taking a cab, you'll need to have the exact address and in some cases, the main cross streets. If your driving, keep a close watch on street signs for parking restrictions.

WICKER PARK SUMMER FEST: W North Ave at N Milwaukee Ave
CTA Blue Line - Damen Exit, walk north on Milwaukee and take a left on North.

From North Expressways - 90/94E to Exit #47A/Fullerton Ave/2400 N onto Fullerton Ave. Turn right on Damen Ave. Turn right on North. Venue is on the left just after Milwaukee/North/Damen intersection.

From South Expressways - 90/94W to Exit #48B/IL-64 toward North Ave/1600 N Exit. Head west on North Ave. Venue is on left just after Milwaukee/North/Damen intersection.

Travel Notes: Coming soon.

LOGAN SQUARE AUDITORIUM: 2539 N Kedzie Blvd
773.252.6179
CTA Blue Line - Logan Square Exit, walk south on Milwaukee and take a right at the Circle following it around to Kedzie.

From North Expressways - 90/94E to Exit #46A/California Ave onto California Ave. Turn right on California Ave. Turn right at Fullerton Ave. Turn right on Kedzie. Venue is on the right just before the Logan Square circle.

From South Expressways - 90/94W to Exit #47A/Fullerton Ave/2400 N onto Fullerton Ave. Turn left on Fullerton Ave. Turn right on Kedzie. Venue is on the right just before the Logan Square circle.

Travel Notes: Coming soon.

DOUBLE DOOR: 1572 N Milwaukee Ave
773.489.3160
CTA Blue Line - Damen Exit, walk north on Milwaukee and take a left on North.

From North Expressways - 90/94E to Exit #47A/Fullerton Ave/2400 N onto Fullerton Ave. Turn right on Damen Ave. Turn right on North. Venue is on the left just after Milwaukee/North/Damen intersection.

From South Expressways - 90/94W to Exit #48B/IL-64 toward North Ave/1600 N Exit. Head west on North Ave. Hang a left onto Damen at the Milwaukee/North/Damen intersection. Don't be decieved, the address is on Milwaukee Ave, but the entrance is on Damen, just after the EL tracks.

Travel Notes: You may get lucky and find a spot in the area. There are various valet (self park) lots in the area. Double Door shows are no re-entry.

SUBTERRANEAN: 2011 W North Ave
773.278.6600
CTA Blue Line - Damen Exit, walk north on Milwaukee and take a left on North.

From North Expressways - 90/94E to Exit #47A/Fullerton Ave/2400 N onto Fullerton Ave. Turn right on Damen Ave. Turn right on North. Venue is on the left just after Milwaukee/North/Damen intersection.

From South Expressways - 90/94W to Exit #48B/IL-64 toward North Ave/1600 N Exit. Head west on North Ave. Venue is on left just after Milwaukee/North/Damen intersection.

Travel Notes: You may get lucky and find a spot in the area. There are various valet (self park) lots in the area.

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Saffron Realty Group