When leaving a new listing of a gorgeous 25 acre estate on the Betsie River yesterday, I came upon a traffic jam… of sorts.
It’s Friday?!
Just realized that Friday isn’t a big deal to me any more.
When I had a “regular” job I looked forward to this day and the end of the work week.
Why am I not as excited about Fridays? Â The answer is two sides to the same coin:
Because now my work week doesn’t end, meaning I don’t check out, disengage and take enough time away from work.
Because now my work week doesn’t end, meaning  I love and believe in the value of my work
Are there times when I long for the simpler days when I could walk away from my job at the end of the day? Â Of course. Â But each choice has trade offs, and so far I’m ahead in this bargain.
Here’s a little classic Friday music from The Cure
Living where you play
The beauty of living where many come to play, is that the playground is in your back yard. That’s life in Northwest Michigan.
I left my office just before six tonight for my usual 7 minute commute home. After a couple minutes visiting with my family I changed into snow gear and headed outside. Within 5 minutes I was on the snowmobile trails near Beulah.
Now I’m in Thompsonville at Geno’s Sports Bar and Grille, waiting on what are rumored to be the best ribs around. More on that later.
Sometimes it pays to brave the elements
Today was a cold, icy, nasty day. Like 15 degrees and 15 mph winds, yielding sub-zero wind chills. And I had several hilltop properties to look out. Since tomorrow is supposed to be worse than today, I added some layers and headed out into the elements. The first parcel sits on a north facing ridge, overlooking Long Lake, and when the snow isn’t flying, Sleeping Bear Dunes in the distance. A trot up the ridge and some photos showed me what I needed to know- a hike down to the waters (ices) edge will have to wait.
Next a stop at a wooded lot with shared access to Crystal Lake. Again here, snow obscured any possible distant lake views. On to the  last pair of lots, which sit on the bluff overlooking Crystal Lake. As I stepped out of my car, the wind slapped my face, and my eyes began watering almost instantly. By the time I walked down the lots, tears were streaming and being caught in the wind.  Those that ended up on my glasses quickly turned to little salty icicles.
I snapped a couple of quick photos, and was about to turn my back on the wind, when a quick tear in the clouds let a stream of sunlight through to the lakes surface. Thank God for small reminders of life’s beauty.
Breaking through heavy clouds, sunshine makes its way to the icy waters
Video regarding Northwest Michigan Real Estate
Featuring an interview with Ken Schmidt, CEO, Coldwell Banker Schmidt Family of Companies
Posted via email from Matt’s posterous
Perfect Day
Started out this beautiful day showing a 65 acre parcel near Benzonia. Toured my clients via snowmobile.
Then back to the office to write an offer on this parcel. Now I’m stopping at East Shore Market in Beulah for the worlds most perfect sandwich, the Judy. Then I’m on the way to Traverse City for a closing with a first time home buyer. Meanwhile we’ve got a mail out closing coming back on a luxury home in Crystal Downs, on Lake Michigan. Isn’t life grand?Posted via email from Matt’s posterous
Sounds of the Season
Last night I went to pick up my son from a Christmas pageant rehearsal. Walking across a parking lot in the dark, the snow softened the light and the sounds around me. Yet faintly, in the distance. I could hear a snowmobile running, and from across the square the sound of voices and of a puck hitting the goal on the public skating rink.
Just one of the joys of a small town in the North woods as Christmas approaches.
Posted via email from Matt’s posterous
Barn in snow
Saw this on the way back from a listing today, just thought it was pretty. No, it’s not for sale.
Posted via email from Matt’s posterous
Quick Tutorial on reading a legal description
Ever wish you could decipher a legal description? Well, if the parcel is based on a standard sectional description, it’s fairly straightforward…or straightbackward as it were. A legal description essentially is worked out from back to front. So for the following description: The West ½ of the NE ¼ of the NW ¼ of Section 19, Town 24 North, Range 12 West. We would break it down as follows:
Section 19, T24N R14W That’s 640 acres
NW ¼ of above                                Takes us down to 160 acres
NE ¼ of above                                  Takes us down to 40 acres
W ½ of above                                   Takes us to 20 acres.
Posted via email from Matt’s posterous
Good value in a great little resort town
7385 East Street Beulah MI 49617
This is, in my opinion, one heck of a deal. 3 BR cozy cottage style home in Beulah, creek in the back yard, fireplace, walk to Crystal Lake. Once was my Grandpa’s house, last I was in it was in good condition. At $65,000, it’s less than half the price of when it last sold in 2006.
7385 East Street Beulah MI 49617
Here’s a link to more details.
Listing courtesy Tim Reid, ReMax Bayshore Properties.
