Al Jones | ajones5@mlive.comMillion-dollar homes: Here is a look at the highest-priced listing in Van Buren County, a 3,987-square-foot house that is under construction at 742 Monroe Boulevard in South Haven. It is listed for $2,685,000. --- Courtesy of Real Estate FirmVan Buren County Million-Dollar Home gallery (10 photos) – Chad Van Horn and his firm are so confident in the market for high-end, lake front homes that they recently broke ground on two houses that will be priced in excess of $2 million.
“What has happened in the world of luxury real estate is that the market has returned to days of the past," said Van Horn, whose company, Real Estate Firm, is involved in the development, rental and sale of homes in Southwest Michigan.
He said that although it has been difficult for many people to sell homes in much lower price ranges in recent years, it is not tough to sell homes priced over $1 million as long as it is in a great location and priced correctly.
He said location is of utmost importance and “There is plenty of demand in the marketplace for luxury real estate on Lake Michigan.”
There was a significant uptick in sales activity last year for low-bluff waterfront property on Lake Michigan and the only drop in prices for high-end homes that he said he has seen is for those that were inappropriately priced at the start.
“The typical sophisticated buyer likes to feel as though they are getting a good value,” he said. “If the product is priced right, the buyer will pay the price to get what they desire in premium luxury real estate.”
Van Horn represents
the highest priced residence among active listings in Van Buren County – a 3,987-square-foot house that is under construction on the Lake Michigan shore. It is listed for $2,685,000. That is according to data provided by in the
Southwest Michigan Regional Informational Center, which provides information on available real estate in South and West Michigan.
At 742 Monroe Boulevard in South Haven, the house will have five bedrooms and five bathrooms on just under 4 acres of land.
Designed by
Wayne Visbeen and built by
Mike Schaap Builders, the beach house is expected to be ready for occupancy by the spring. It will have a spacious kitchen with Viking appliances, custom cabinetry and built-ins throughout. A walkout level will feature a kitchenette and provides access to a private beach without the need for stairs.
The house will have decks, patios and a courtyard terrace, and is being built with an abundance of natural building materials, including American cherry floors, mahogany doors, copper roofing and custom millwork. The floorplan includes a vaulted Great Room, an exercise room with a sauna and dressing room, and a master suite with an office and a lake front deck.
A guest wing has three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a media room. Rooms on a lower level will include a recreation room.
The property is designed for leisure, comfort and function, making it a good investment as a rental income property during the fair-weather months.
What makes it worth $2.6 million?
“Location, location, location,” Van Horn said, as well as requiring no steps to the beach, “unobstructed views of the pier and lighthouse and the convenient short walk to the quintessential beach town of South Haven.”
He said it has high-end finishes and no detail is compromised.
Who does he expect will ultimately call the Monroe Blvd residence home?
“It likely will be a second home for someone coming in from a large metro area such as Chicago or Indy,” he said. “However we don't rule out the locals. There are plenty of those around that are very capable of falling in love and acquiring the best of Lake Michigan living.”
Van Horn may be contacted at 269-673-7133 or via
chad@erealestatefirm.com
