Harbor Country Open House Event open to the public

Mark Your Calendars!

Harbor Country Area REALTORS® are hosting an open house event on April 25th 2009 from 12 noon until 4PM (Michigan time)



Call your REALTOR® for a schedule, map and after party invite!

Thanks,

Mario Zarantenello

I wanna drive my roadster!

If you read my profile you'll see that I like cars, pictured above is one of my cars. I like roadsters, which tend to be 2-seat convertibles that are low, long and fast. My Clenet Series I Roadster is # 229 of 250 built from 1977 thru 1979. I've wanted one of these cars since I was 15, they were wildly popular among the 70's celebrities.

Mario Zarantenello

Snow, snow and more snow in Harbor Country today

It seems to me that the near 70 degree temps last week were a big ol' tease! Old man winter has returned with a vengeance! Brrrrrr. I'm supposed to be grilling steaks out tonight. Oh well, hope I don't scorch a mitten when lighting the grill!

Mario Zarantenello

Housing trends

It seems the mini-mansion is going away. Buyers are looking for smaller homes but with luxurious features and finishes. The latest trend in housing consumerism is high end finishes such as spa-like baths, professional kitchens and multi-purpose rooms. The large great-rooms which serve one purpose are becoming passe and the more intimate family room from the 50's is returning. Going green which is another blog subject is part of this trend.

I think this subject is relevant today and worth blogging about, I'd like to hear your comments.

What are Beach Rights?

The majority of my clients number one priority when searching here for a home is beach access; when I came here back in the 90's not one person could adequately define it for me, below is what I've learned over the years, I do not have a complete list of all the Harbor Country Beaches yet.


BEACH RIGHTS
Questions most commonly asked:

Does it have beach rights? Not all homes come with beach rights. Beach rights or "deeded beach access" is an attached deed to a home or property within an association. Much like a common element or shared element in a condominium association. Most of the beach associations were formed many years ago to help market the summertime properties.

Will beach rights affect the value of my home? To a degree, yes. Like any other amenity, beach rights may increase the value of a property. Try to remember that location, neighborhood amenities and different associations will affect values greatly.

Are all beaches the same? Not at all, other than sand and water being a commonality the different types of beach ownership or how the beach is defined legally makes a difference.

BEACH DEFINITIONS

Public Beach: A beach such as New Buffalo Beach or the Beaches at Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer. These beaches offer parking, vending and washroom/shower facilities, etc.

Road End Beach: Where a road that is owned by a municipality dead ends at the lake, the road easement continues to the water. This beach is governed and maintained by the municipality that owns it. Examples include the Chikaming Township beaches in Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert and Sawyer.

Association Beach: Private beach associations which generally serve a cluster of homes in an area defined within the deeds of the single homes. Most were formed 80 to 100 years ago, have specific rules & regulations and usually have maintenance costs levied to the homeowners. There are many types of these associations in Forest Beach, New Buffalo, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert and Sawyer.

Municipal Semi Private Beach: Michiana, Grand Beach and other incorporated villages maintain and govern the beach-front in the community much like a public park. All village residents typically have access points such as the Stops in Michiana and road easements in Grand Beach.

Private Beach: From stately mansions to the quaint cottages along the lake-shore, most beach-front is owned privately. This land is the most prized and sought after and has price tags to match!

Three Oaks, Michigan, Harbor Country

Three Oaks, Michigan

What else can I say about Three Oaks, Michigan which has not been said, broadcast nor written? From the Chicago Tribune to several HGTV shows and even Chicago spotlights such as 190 North; Three Oaks, Michigan is the place to be if cultural highlights are your forte. Three Oaks, Michigan is my second Harbor Country home. I live in Lakeside, Michigan, but my heart and the majority of my friends are in Three Oaks. New Buffalo may have the marina and the other beach towns may have the sand and surf, but if you are looking for something to do Three Oaks delivers!

Three Oaks, Michigan the place to find movies, live performance and really good meat! You have not lived until you've tried Drier's bacon, liverbest and bratwurst! Three Oaks, with fabulous restaurants, deli's and even a saloon! That's right, a good old fashioned saloon with free popcorn, great burgers and lively conversation. Just ask for Carrie at Nelson's Saloon, she'll set you up. Bailey's Cafe' is the place where people not only get a great meal, it's the place to see and be seen. Come see what Alberto's been cooking up, Tim will gladly save you a seat!

Entertainment, Three Oaks style: Dave Fink and Kim Clark took a forlorn factory and made it into a world class performance venue. With choices such as rock, opera and folk music to jazz, disco and drama, you will always be left wanting more when you are entertained at the Acorn Theater. Why would you even bother to travel to Cannes or the Sundance film festivals when you can see the same films at the Vickers Movie House. John and Jennifer Vickers poured their hearts into creating a magical place where expression and art tantalize the mind. If your idea of entertainment is spending a lazy day in the park under the tall oaks reading, then you must wander into the big pink victorian house at the corner of Elm and Sycamore. Rick and Donna will sell you a book, then go to Froehlichs get a few items to nibble on and spend your day at Dewey Canon Park. Bring a portable radio and tune it to 106.7 FM because Three Oaks has it's very own radio station with programming as eclectic as the town.

Shopping. If shopping is your sport there are more places to find unique items in Three Oaks than one can imagine. The Historic Featherbone Factory, (ask for Ken, tell him Mario sent you) offers treasures galore at unbeatable prices.
Galleries such as Dawning and others are filled with original art & sculpture. Clothing, shoes and fashion abound in Three Oaks. Antiques, furniture and treasures can be found at the many stores and shops such as Springdale and Ipso Facto featuring mid-century and art-deco styles respectively.

Community. Music in the park, movies in the park, the flag day parade & rodeo; are just a few of the events Three Oaks has to offer. The Apple Cider Century bicycle tour, the inside out weekend and the third Saturday Gallery walk are community offerings designed to entice even the most fervent homebody out into the fresh air. When is the last time you went to an authentic Farmer's Market? Guess what, Three Oaks has one! Locally grown produce, some organic, are offered for your enjoyment and your culinary genius. The winter holiday lights and the movie Prancer (filmed here in town) shown at the Vickers makes every holiday season something to look forward to in Three Oaks. Three Oaks, close to walking trails, cross-country ski trails and even snow-mobile trails offers year round activities. Come see what Three Oaks can do for the soul and become an "Oaker" whether you are full-time or part-time we want you.

Three Oaks, Michigan the place to find homes built before the turn of the century, from grand mansions to garden cottages and everything in-between make up the eclectic housing stock. Post war ranches, 70's trilevels and architect designed mid-century homes offer everyone something to suite their needs, tastes and ideas of what makes a house a home.

That's where I come in.

Allow me to help you find your next home in Three Oaks, Michigan. My second Harbor Country Home

What is Harbor Country

BRIEF HISTORY – Harbor Country
Today, the communities of Michiana, Grand Beach, New Buffalo, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, Three Oaks and Sawyer are collectively known as Harbor Country, named by the local Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce.

The number one reason Harbor Country exists today are the miles of pristine beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan and the lush surrounding countryside; however, it was not always this way. About 150 years ago, the area was a dense forest that was harvested to build much of the Midwest, especially Chicago after the great fire. Primeval forest gave way to neat and orderly rows of orchards and vineyards. The land cleared of it's trees became an agricultural powerhouse! Hot summer days with cool nights made the perfect recipe for some of the best fruit available at the time. Just after the turn of the 20th century, another bumper crop sprouted up...tourists. To meet the demand for a cool place to escape Chicago's brutal summers, landowners quickly built seasonal cottages and resorts with developers building entire communities. “Harbor Country” was born and it took nearly 100 years to name her!
The majority of my clients number one priority when searching here for a home is beach access; when I came here back in the 90's not one person could adequately define it for me, below is what I've learned over the years.

Finding my way to Harbor Country

My connection to Harbor Country began in the early 70's coming here with my folks during the warm summer season. As years passed and being well established in my career, I returned to Harbor Country in search of a retreat and more importantly, a new lifestyle. My goal was to find a place to escape the demands of my fast-paced career in the medical profession at RUSH Medical Center Outpatient Oncology, a position that I loved. During the late 90's I purchased a small cottage nestled under towering pines in Lakeside and immediately established myself as a Michigan resident, my home is just a short stroll to the beach and minutes to all of the Harbor Country attractions. I had attained something that was once a dream. The calm and relaxation I felt while relaxing at my retreat soon reinforced my decision to become a full-time Harbor Country resident. Commuting daily to the city was worth the time and expense, however in late 2004, I chose to leave my position and re-invent myself. I immediately ventured into my new profession in the Harbor Country real estate market utilizing my experience and skill by opening House Calls of Harbor Country LLC, a home improvement resource aimed at the 2nd home market. Twenty years prior to becoming a Realtor, I dabbled in the Chicago Real Estate market as a 2nd full-time job where I utilized my skills in home design, planning and project execution. Within a year of starting my career as a Harbor Country Realtor, I became a top-producing member of the Southwest Michigan MLS. My love and knowledge of the Southwest Michigan area coupled with my prior multi-faceted real estate experience can offer you the highest professionalism in the industry. I hold licensure in Michigan & Indiana and have earned the ABR real estate designation. I am an active participant in my local MLS where I serve as a committee chair and in my community, serving on commissions, boards and advisory panels. My market expertise extends from Beverly Shores, Indiana through Saugatuck, Michigan and beyond.Please contact me if you have questions that my website could not answer or explain. I look forward to assisting you with all your real estate needs.