Map of Cottage
A few years ago we decided to build our retirement home in the Traverse area. We live in Grand Rapids, but really enjoy the extensive natural and cultural offerings of Northwest Michigan.
We found a great piece of property on Pearl Lake…a lake we had never heard of. It is quiet (we like that). It is full of wildlife (we especially like that). It is much larger than you can tell from any one angle because of the multiple coves. It is really a substantial wilderness lake with a high percentage of protected, undeveloped shoreline. Unique. Great for kayaking and pontooning. A good place to build.
Traverse is 17 miles away. Lake Ann is about 7 miles. Empire and Glen Arbor are about 12 miles. Crystal Mountain is about 20 miles. A heckuva location.
We worked with a highly respected architect, David Whiteford, to design a house that could be built in phases. The idea was to have an initial place as a cottage, and develop it into a full-blown retirement setting. Whiteford showed us that he deserves his reputation. He worked closely with us on the design, then built it with his own crew.
The first phase was a two story structure with a two car attached garage, laundry room, utility room and screened lakeside porch on the main level. Upstairs were two bedrooms, a full bath, a kitchen/dining area and a great room overlooking the lake.
The second phase was a two story wing with a huge workshop and half bath on the main floor, and a huge artist studio with an apron-front sink and a sketching alcove on the second level. One of us is a craftsman and the other is an artist. This place was designed to make us both very happy. We also added a second two stall garage for boat/toy storage.
One more phase could be added if we decided to proceed. It wouldn’t really be necessary. The structure is terrific and complete at this point, but we (you) could add a master wing. If that happens, the current living area would become guest quarters…pretty neat.
We put in good stuff. Top end. Door levers instead of knobs. Hot/cold water in the garage. Double doors in the workshop. Sky lights. Ceiling fans. Anderson insulated windows. Extra sound-dampening insulation between the bedrooms and kitchen. Year ‘round floating dock. (No more putting in and taking out docks…thank goodness.) Black vinyl clad cyclone fence around the side yard for dogs and kids.
The place is so well built that you really can’t hear most storms.
Sadly, our life has changed, and we must sell. Someone is going to find a great deal to enjoy at Pearl Lake. We hope it is you.
The price has been reduced from $529,000 to $325,000. It is now well below replacement cost.
Contact our realtor, Jules Yates:
Exit Realty Paramount
1-800-762-7193
1-231-946-4404 (Ext. 103)
http://www.pristinelake.com/beesleyhomec.html
Contact us at:
contact@mustsellourcottage.com