A new lake real estate report from the country’s largest lake-focused brokerage shows listing prices in Michigan are up over summer 2022. “The new Lake Real Estate Market Report from Lake Homes Realty shows Michigan’s total market at $2.19 billion, up from $2.02 billion in the summer of 2022,” said Stephanie Hall, a new agent with Lake Homes Realty, who focuses on Coldwater Lake, Palmer Lake, Baw Beese Lake, and more in Michigan. Lake Homes Realty operates in 34 states across the country.
“LakeHomes.com showcases properties that are lakefront, have a lake view, or have lake access, so we can help clients from across the country search for dream lake properties,” said Hall. As of August 16, 2023, Coldwater Lake has 11 lake area properties listed, ranging from a $224,900 home to a $1.1 million lake home. “The average home price for listings around Coldwater Lake is $519,327, according to the Lake Market Real Estate Report,” said Hall.
“Boating is extremely popular on Lake Hartwell, as are its related activities, waterskiing, tubing, and wakeboarding,” said Hall. “With just over 1,500 acres of pristine water, Coldwater Lake appeals to lake home searchers from across the country. Among the hundreds of people searching for lake homes and lots in Michigan in May 2023, the top metro area looking on LakeHomes.com was Chicago, followed by Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio,” said Hall. “The national reach offered by LakeHomes.com works really well with my local expertise along Coldwater Lake and the surrounding area,” said Hall. One in 37 American adults looks at LakeHomes.com each year.
“We believe our agents’ intimate knowledge about their lake real estate markets, nuances of the lakes themselves, and their involvement in local lake life is paramount to our continued growth,” said Glenn S. Phillips, CEO and Chief Economic Analyst for Lake Homes “Stephanie offers outstanding customer service in the Coldwater Lake area and is truly a specialist in that area,” he said.
About Stephanie Hall
Serving others is something Stephanie Hall is well-versed in. She has six years of experience as a real estate agent. She has an amazing reputation, unending respect, and recognition for her commitment to safeguarding your interests, equity, and well-being while realizing your dreams.
Hall has more than just real estate experience. She has worked in company management concurrently for the past five years, and she currently owns and runs a sizable self-storage facility, many rental homes, and an agricultural farm in her community.
Her hometown is in southern Michigan. She spent decades creating invaluable memories here, and she now makes it her goal to help others create priceless memories of their own. Among the many lakes she services are Devils Lake, Baw Beese Lake, Coldwater Lake, Klinger Lake, Duck Lake, and countless others.
Hall is ready to assist you, whether your interests are in property, nearby activities, or living by a lake. Her top goal is to fully comprehend the needs and lifestyle preferences of her clientele. Witnessing her clients realize their own potential and achieve their goals brings her great satisfaction.
Hall collaborates closely with her local Branch County man, James, her fiancé. They have consistently astounded clients with their knowledge, skill, and proven execution while working nonstop for them in their remarkable team approach.
Communication and organization are the foundations of her success as a real estate agent. She guarantees that when you work with her, she will respond to your emails, demands, and texts as soon as possible, all while acting professionally and with unrestrained excitement. If you’re looking to buy or sell in Jackson, St. Joseph, Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, or Calhoun Counties, she looks forward to speaking with you!
A new lake real estate report from the country’s largest lake-focused brokerage shows listing prices in Tennessee are up over summer 2022. “The new Lake Real Estate Market Report from Lake Homes Realty shows Tennessee’s total market at $2.3 billion, up from $1.8 billion in the summer of 2022,” said Heather Boldizsar, a new agent with Lake Homes Realty, who focuses on Tims Ford Lake in Tennessee. Lake Homes Realty operates in 34 states across the country.
“The new quarterly lake real estate report from Lakehomes.com shows Tims Ford Lake to be the seventh largest market in the state of Tennessee,” said Boldizsar. “The specialized website just showcases properties that are lakefront, have a lake view, or have lake access, so we can help clients from across the country search for dream lake properties.” As of August 9, 2023, Tims Ford Lake has 278 lake area properties listed, ranging from a $25,000 lot to a $5.4 million lake home. “Twenty-nine of the properties were listed for over $1 million,” said Boldizsar.
The average home price for listings around Tims Ford Lake is $687,068, according to the Lake Market Real Estate Report. The average lot price is $220,273 for the 97 lake area lots currently listed.
“Tims Ford Lake is located in Franklin County, Tennessee. It has a shoreline of almost 250 miles and occupies an area of 7,745 acres,” said Boldizsar. “With almost 7,800 acres of pristine water, it is a great place to come and fish, canoe, or take a slow boat ride. Tims Ford Lake appeals to lake home seekers from across the country. Among the hundreds of people searching for lake homes and lots in Tennessee in May 2023, the top metro area looking on LakeHomes.com was Chicago, followed by Atlanta, Georgia, Washington, D.C., Nashville, Tennessee, and Huntsville, Alabama,” said Boldizsar. “The national reach offered by LakeHomes.com works really well with my local expertise along Tims Ford Lake and the surrounding area,” said Boldizsar. One in 37 American adults looks at LakeHomes.com each year.
“We believe our agents’ intimate knowledge about their lake real estate markets, nuances of the lakes themselves, and their involvement in local lake life is paramount to our continued growth,” said Glenn S. Phillips, CEO and Chief Economic Analyst for Lake Homes “Heather offers outstanding customer service in the Tims Ford Lake areas and is truly a specialist in that area,” he said.
About Heather Boldizar
Heather Boldizsar‘s affinity for lakes began in her childhood, when she lived just a stone’s throw away from one. Today, she resides right by the serene shores of Tim’s Ford Lake, where she dedicates herself to assisting others in realizing their dreams of owning lakefront properties.
With more than nine years of boating experience on Tim’s Ford Lake, Heather possesses an intimate familiarity with the lake’s intricacies. Her firsthand experience in securing TVA dock permits, understanding shoreline setbacks, and mastering the unique details of Tim’s Ford equips her to guide her clients comprehensively through the process of selecting the perfect lake property.
Having previously worked as a medical device representative, Heather has shifted her focus to a new aspiration: helping other families achieve their goal of owning lakefront properties. “Lake homes bring so much joy to a family, and being a part of that milestone is truly an honor,” Heather says.
Perched on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, this sublime charred cedar-clad home on the northern end of the Leelanau Peninsula sits in an enviable position between the shoreline and an old cherry farm. The 17-acre property stretches across a forested swath believed to have been left in place by the original cherry farmers to buffer water spray and lake winds from the orchard grounds. But for a modern Detroit family of five who love to cook and enjoy time together—yet also appreciate quiet time alone—these storied grounds became the preferred site for their lakeside refuge and an homage to the wooded landscape.
Designed in collaboration with Desai Chia Architecture PC, based in New York City, and Environment Architects of Traverse City, MI, the dwelling forms a 4,800-square-foot assemblage of three offset structures that play off each other in the most organic fashion. “The gathering structure contains the living room, kitchen, and a covered ‘vista’ seating terrace,” says Katherine Chia, FAIA, a founding principal at Desai Chia Architecture, who, with fellow firm principal Arjun Desai partnered with an architectural team that included Ray Kendra, AIA, principal at Environment Architects. “The two ‘sleeping’ structures house the primary bedroom suite and three bedrooms for the couple’s grown children. A dining area breezeway connects all three structures for a seamless flow.”
Preserving the Past
By employing a technique called shou sugi ban—a traditional Japanese method of charring wood so it becomes rot-resistant and bug-resistant—the architectural team and homeowners clad the home’s exterior in charred cedar. The preferred material for charring, cedar is a resilient and porous softwood that can withstand the burning process that, in turn, produces incredible longevity.
“That level of durability and resiliency was very attractive to us and our clients,” notes Katherine. “At the time we were considering shou sugi ban, the technique had not been widely used in the U.S. En route to another project in Singapore, we traveled to Kyoto, Japan, to see historic tea houses with shou sugi ban facades that were still in great shape. We also realized the climate of Kyoto had similarities to that of the Leelanau Peninsula, so we could see that shou sugi ban holds up well in regions that are seasonally impacted by snow and driving rain.”
The material’s durability was a crucial characteristic, but the team also loved the appearance of the exposed charred surface. The texture and modulation enhance the shadows across the facade as the sun rises and sets.
Legacy of the Land
Years before the build, Northern Michigan had been afflicted with an infestation of Emerald ash borer beetles that killed off numerous ash trees in the region. The owners’ site was no exception, and there were many dying trees on the property that the beetles had infected.
“We wanted to think of a way to honor the legacy of these old-growth trees and imbue the new house with the memory of the historic forests that thrived around the peninsula,” says Katherine. “We reclaimed the dying ash trees from the site and milled them down for interior cabinetry, flooring, ceiling panels, trim work, and custom furniture throughout the house.”
A fireplace designed by Desai Chia anchors the living area, providing a stunning focal point for the wooded landscape beyond. The living space opens onto a kitchen fit for multiple chefs, where Basaltina countertops complement the natural woods applied throughout.
Undulating Roofscape
The roofscape has gentle undulations that follow the movement of the natural terrain and make a playful reference to the vernacular architecture of nearby fishing villages. “Those historic fishing villages are made up of a cluster of buildings, each with a function or purpose in the community related to retail and commercial industries that have evolved over time,” Katherine notes. “We considered these as a community of buildings that relate and talk to each other, with the spaces in between and their forms essential to shape the architectural features of the place.”
For this lakeside dwelling, the team took clues from the vernacular architecture and played with inverting the roof forms—a performative as well as aesthetic move. “The inverted roof forms allowed us to capture rainwater and divert it away from the erosion-prone bluff that leads to the lake,” she adds. “Scuppers on the roof collect rainwater, allow for drainage, and assist with erosion control around the site. We had seen the effects of erosion along the bluffs and cliffs of Lake Michigan during several walks around the shoreline, and we wanted this new house to be a steward of the environment and protect the bluffs from further degradation.”
The home’s undulating roof, composed of exposed wood beams and plywood sheathing, references the rolling terrain. An outdoor fireplace clad in Cor-Ten-Steel echoes the interior fireplace of the same material, as well as some of the window surrounds and cladding for the garage door and chimney. Sleek Finn Collection lounge chairs from Design Within Reach align with the home’s clean aesthetic.
Rhythmic Vaulting
The forms of the inverted roofs are revealed inside the house as well. The resulting rhythm of exposed wood beams provides layers of asymmetrical vaults throughout the interiors. At the southern end of the house, a 20-foot cantilevered roof extends over the “vista” terrace, providing a protected, unobstructed view of Lake Michigan and the surrounding woodlands.
Sheer Elegance
The dining room and its breathtaking view create a breezy flow-through transition space connecting the home’s separate structures. A raw-edge reclaimed ash table designed by Desai Chia and fabricated by local Leelanau craftsman Gary Cheadle of Woodbine Inc. was made from the property’s plagued ash trees. Jens Risom chairs, with his trademark webbing, introduce a pleasing textural element.
Patina Personality
The interiors of the house embody the indigenous landscape that once thrived with old-growth ash. The wood color varies from a medium blonde to a darker caramel color. Additionally, the striations in the wood bring personality to floors, ceilings, the dining table, the primary bedroom’s platform bed, and various side tables throughout the home.
Pristine & Passive Design
The home elegantly integrates geothermal heating into its design. Studies of the prevailing winds determined window placement to take advantage of natural ventilation. Thus, there is no need for air-conditioning in the home. In the primary bedroom, an ash platform bed was designed by Desai Chia and fabricated by Gary Cheadle of Woodbine Inc. Expansive windowpanes by Western Windows appear throughout the home.
Inspiring Vistas
Landscape design strategies were closely tied to the design of the house. A tight palette of native vegetation highlights views while also managing stormwater run-off. Locally sourced stone creates outdoor seating areas, pathways, and steps.
“This effortless flow of this house allows for moments of repose and contemplation as well as family gatherings for mealtime, fireside chats, social events, and entertaining with extended family and friends,” Katherine notes. “The family loves the outdoors, and an incredible open-air ‘vista terrace’ lets them experience the grandeur of the landscape. With the warmth of a fireplace, it’s an outdoor living space they can enjoy year-round.”
If you and your family dream of finding a scenic refuge on Lake Michigan—or any other lake—visit Lake Homes Realty and explore the listings for the lake of your choice.
Lake Homes Realty Celebrates 11th Annual National Agent Summit
October 10-12 marked the 11th annual National Agent Summit for Lake Homes Realty. Lake specialists from around the country traveled to Birmingham, Alabama for a week of learning and networking. Consistent marketing, advantages of building a team, industry news, and more were among the topics discussed in this year’s gathering. But the Summit, wasn’t all business, as many of the agents can attest to.
“Agents all across the country come together and not only collaborate with great ideas, but build a huge referral network … We have pretty fabulous fellowship at night, and we’re a group that likes to have a lot of fun and not take ourselves too seriously while we’re learning from each other,” agent Tiffany Hazelwood says about the National Agent Summit.
2023 also served as the first Summit with new sister brokerage, Beach Homes Realty. Lake Homes Realty welcomed the new agency, along with 6 of its 10 agents, to join in on the annual event. Together, Lake Homes Realty and Beach Homes Realty host the largest Summit to date, with over 200 agents in attendance. Additionally, over 80 awards were given out to agents during the event, including the agent of the year award.
Kristie Anderson From South Carolina Wins “Agent of the Year” at National Real Estate Summit
To determine the 2023 Splash Award winner, Lake Homes Realty agents were each ranked for performance in six key areas over a 12-month period, starting September 1, 2023, and ending August 31, 2023. Performance areas included the number of transaction sides closed, total transaction volume, net by side commission percentage of closed transactions, list side commission percentage of closed transactions, and percentage increase of year-over-year transaction volume.
“There was a minimum $3.5 million in transaction volume in order to be eligible for consideration for the Splash Award and Kristie far exceeded that amount,” Phillips explained, adding that the total volume represented the final sale price of a property, independent of agent splits or applicable commissions. “Our agents are the ‘special forces’ of the lake real estate niche. Their expertise and talents continue to impress us year after year, and this year’s Summit was the best yet because of all that they do.”
Kristie Anderson of South Carolina has been a finalist for Agent of the Year from Lake Homes Realty for multiple year and came home with the top prize – Splash Award. The Splash Award is given to the company’s overall top-performing agent/agent of the year. Anderson is a lake real estate specialist who was born and raised on Lake Marion, South Carolina, where she specializes in lake real estate. She also sells properties on Lake Moultrie, as well.
“We have wonderful lake real estate agents across the country and I am still in awe of the honor,” said Anderson. “I’m honored, surprised, and thankful for winning this year’s Splash Award because it recognizes my relationships I have with my clients,” she says. “My philosophy is to help guide clients through the process of selling or buy a lake property and offer them local lake expertise,” she says. “Life is a little sweeter waking up at the lake and I want to help clients find or sell wonderful lake homes. Living in the right lake home helps clients live a more relaxed and laidback lifestyle while enhancing their overall quality of life,” she added.
Other 2023 Nation Agent Summit Award Winners
To close out the 2023 National Agent Summit, a number of high-performing agents received awards for their success during 2022. Three categories of awards were given out, including the Aqua Award, Big Wave Award, and Splash Award.
Aqua Award Winners
Agents qualifying for the company’s Aqua Award have $3.5 million in revenue but not exceeding $10 million for the year include:
A new lake real estate report from the country’s largest lake-focused brokerage show listing prices in Oklahoma are up over summer 2022. “The new Lake Real Estate Market Report from Lake Homes Realty shows Oklahoma’s total market at $786 million, up from $592 million in the summer of 2022,” said Kim Hoog, a new agent with Lake Homes Realty, who focuses on Tenkiller Lake in Oklahoma. Lake Homes Realty operates in 34 states across the country.
“The new quarterly lake real estate report from Lakehomes.com shows Tenkiller Lake to be the ninth largest market in the state of Oklahoma,” said Hoog. “The specialized website just showcases properties that are lakefront, have a lake view or lake access so we can help clients from across the country search for dream lake properties.” As of July 3, 2023, Tenkiller Lake has 118 lake area properties listed, ranging from a $5,000 lot to a $659,000 lake home.
The average home price for listings around Tenkiller Lake is $285,128, according to the Lake Market Real Estate Report. The average lot price is $76,959 for the 76 lake area lots currently listed.
“Boating is extremely popular on Tenkiller Lake, as are its related activities, waterskiing, tubing, and wakeboarding,” said Hoog. “With almost 13,000 acres of pristine water, it ventures into the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Tenkiller Lake appeals to lake home searchers from across the country. Among the hundreds of people searching the lake homes and lots in Oklahoma in May 2023, the top Metro area looking on LakeHomes.com was Dallas, Texas, followed by Wichita, Kansas, and Chicago,” said Hoog. “ The national reach offered by LakeHomes.com works really well with my local expertise along Tenkiller Lake and the surrounding area,” said Hoog. One in 37 American adults look at LakeHomes.com each year.
“We believe our agents’ intimate knowledge about their lake real estate markets, nuances of the lakes themselves, and their involvement in local lake life is paramount to our continued growth,” said Glenn S. Phillips, CEO and Chief Economic Analyst for Lake Homes “Kim offers outstanding customer service in the Tenkiller Lake areas and is truly a specialist in that area,” he said.
About Kim Hoog
Kim Hoog is currently living her dream by selling properties on the lake where she spent her childhood. A resident of Gore, Oklahoma, for nearly three decades, she proudly calls it her home. Kim is deeply engaged in the community, having raised her children there, and her strong ties and experiences make her a true expert on Tenkiller Lake.
Having previously worked as a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy, Kim has transitioned her dedication to real estate. With thirty years of living near the lake, she possesses an intimate knowledge of the area. Kim wholeheartedly believes that Tenkiller Lake is one of Oklahoma’s most pristine gems, and she eagerly anticipates every opportunity to showcase its beauty.
“My number one passion is helping others, which is initially what attracted me the most to real estate,” Kim says. “I enjoy the relationships I get to cultivate with my clients. I love meeting new people and helping them along their journey to finding a new home.”
If you’re thinking of selling your lake home, you’ll have to broaden your marketing. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, gives reasons to market to a broader audience.
Out-of-State Buyers: Agents who have had the most success selling lake homes are the ones who market to out-of-state buyers. When choosing an agent, consider if they will be able to tell you how many buyers in other states are shopping your lake. With more realistic buyers, you have better opportunities for more return on investment when you sell.
Specific Lake Might Not Matter: While some buyers may be committed to one lake, there are many who look at several lakes in multiple states when buying a lake home. This should affect where you are marketing and how you are pricing houses. You should price competitively for multiple markets, not just your own.
Local Marketing = Limited Marketing: Most buyers come from the web, so you should have a broad market reach. Putting out signs and listing in a local MLS are beneficial to a point, but limit your pool of buyers.
Web Portals Are Crowded: Big web portals that list many types of property are crowded with people looking for all types of houses, not just lake houses. This causes buyers who want to specifically look for lake homes to sift through the other types of property. Listing on a niche website that specializes in lake property puts you ahead of the listings on big web portals.
Agents and sellers must think broadly when selling lake property. Utilizing these strategies, sellers can maximize their return on investment with their lake home. Connect with an agent at lakehomes.com if you’re looking to sell your lake home to a broad market.
Buying and selling a lake property is nothing like buying a primary residence when it comes to its schedule. People often experience urgency with a primary residence due to events such as moving to a new town for a job. Lake Homes Realty CEO, Glenn Phillips, explains why lake real estate is a long game.
Discretionary = Patience: Similar to a high-end restaurant, a lake home is a discretionary property. Buyers aren’t paying for shelter alone, but also a premium for the lifestyle and access to the water. With discretionary property, buyers can be more selective in what they purchase.
Mortgage Rates are NOT a Driver: Unlike other residential property, mortgage rates do not push people in and out of the lake real estate market. Many buyers complete transactions with cash, and buyers can often pay extra for their property.
Dream Homes are Different than Urban/Suburbs: Buyers can afford to wait until their dream home is available on the lake they want. They can also buy property on that lake and build their dream home themselves. Additionally, buyers often wait to see what the market does over time, especially in times of compressed inventory.
New Lake Buyers have a Learning Curve: New lake home buyers often enter the market with minimal knowledge of lake real estate, and need time to learn. Many of them don’t realize that the price of a house increases when it is on lake property. These new buyers need time to understand and adjust their mindset while in the lake homes market.
Don’t be surprised if the buying and selling process is taking a while. Successful lake home agents realize that the lake real estate market is a long game and work to compress it. Connect with an expert lake agent who understands the importance of playing the long game at lakehomes.com.
As you embark on the journey of finding your dream lakefront home, selecting a reputable realtor becomes paramount in the home-buying process. While searching for a realtor, it’s important to note that the quantity of listings a realtor manages may not always reflect their expertise. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, offers valuable insights into the realities of realtors with extensive listings.
Listings Do NOT Equal Selling: The number of listings a realtor has doesn’t necessarily translate to successful home sales. Certain listings may linger on the market for extended periods, potentially resulting in price reductions.
Using Listings for “Agent Marketing”: Maintaining an excessive number of listings is often employed as a marketing strategy by agents. The quantity of listings can serve as a sales tactic to generate more transactions in a specific area.
Commission Games: It’s essential to take note of the commission percentage that agents offer to the buyer’s side and ensure that it aligns with your financial expectations.
Days on Market: It’s crucial to pay attention to the number of days a home has been listed on the market. Some realtors may accumulate numerous listings without a sense of urgency to sell them. While this may boost their listing count, it doesn’t necessarily benefit either the seller or the buyer.
Sale Price vs. Original List Price: It’s essential to inquire whether your realtor can provide information about the actual selling price compared to the listing price. Engaging in a commission-focused strategy and keeping the property on the market for an extended duration may lead to an overpriced home. It’s crucial to set the right price for your home based on the current market conditions.
Choosing the right real estate agent to sell your lakefront property can be a daunting task, but a skilled realtor can guide you through the process and successfully sell your home. Don’t let the quantity of listings a realtor has to be the sole factor influencing your decision to become a homeowner. Instead, get in touch with a reputable realtor at lakehomes.com who has your best interests.
You’ve made the decision, you’re ready to sell. But how do you go about finding a real estate agent that will help sell your lake home? Good news, there are actually some great questions to consider when it comes to this decision. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, provides a series of questions you should be asking, as well as one you should try to avoid.
WRONG Questions to Ask: Which agents…
Have the most listings? Having a plethora of listings can sometimes be deceptive. Agents might have multiple listings due to them not being able to move the inventory. This could be because of overpricing or other reasons. That’s not to say having multiple listings is always a bad thing, but a good rule is to try and avoid this question.
Do I personally like the most? Picking out which agent you’ll work with does rely on some foundation and rapport, but that doesn’t mean they should act as close friend. Find an agent who will help you from a business standpoint is what you should be searching for. They’ll be the ones to help you sell after all.
Have an office nearby? Because buyers are strictly looking to buy, finding someone to sell your home is the main goal. A physical office can bring a sense of security. However, at the end of the day, if you’re buying or selling, the office shouldn’t matter.
Do I want to help? Knowing someone personally won’t always help them. Besides, if you’re truly wanting to sell your property, you’re going to be looking for a seasoned agent. The bottom line: you should want to help yourself.
CORRECT Questions to Ask:
Are all agents the same? Just like all of us aren’t the same, not all real estate agents are either. Determining the one who is best equipped and qualified for success in helping you sell is what you should be thinking about.
Most capable of helping me achieve my goal? Referring to the first question, the agent that has the capabilities to meet your goal is what you should keep in mind. Whether it’s selling your lake home quickly, maximizing the return, etc. Whatever it might be, this question is important to remember.
Focused on lake real estate? Being focused on the lake real estate market is more than likely going to have a better payout than an agent who isn’t. A lake expert will know the ins and outs of this market and ultimately ways to leverage it.
Have a proven pipeline of out-of-town buyers? A big thing to take into consideration is that many buyers are from all over the state and even across the country. Obtaining the maximum amount buyers increases the likelihood of getting the price you want.
While selecting a real estate agent to sell your lake home can come with challenges, at the end of the day the right one will help you sell your home. Following questions similar to the last set and trying to avoid the first should help you narrow down the search. However, if you still find yourself not sure, reach out to one of our lake experts at lakehomes.com. They’ll know exactly how to help you!
