2025 Leelanau County Real Estate Market Update: Prices Rise, Sales Volume Surges

2025 Leelanau County Real Estate Market Update:
Prices Rise, Sales Volume Surges

If you’ve been waiting for Leelanau County real estate to “cool off,” 2025 politely declined. Prices rose, sales volume surged, and more homes sold than the year before. Using figures from the Northern Great Lakes Realtors® MLS, here’s what actually happened in the Leelanau County residential real estate market in 2025 and what it means moving forward.

Total Residential Sales Volume Climbs Sharply

Total residential sales volume in Leelanau County reached $326,403,770 in 2025, a +15.83% increase over 2024.

That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident, especially in a higher-rate environment. It reflects strong demand, confident buyers, and sellers successfully closing at higher price points.

Bottom line: capital is still flowing into Leelanau County real estate.

Total Homes Sold Increased by Nearly 11%

This is the stat that cuts through the noise.

  • 2024 total homes sold: 338

  • 2025 total homes sold: 375

  • Year-over-year change: +10.95%

More homes sold and higher prices means demand isn’t just holding—it’s expanding.

Why this matters:

  • Buyers weren’t just browsing—they were committing.

  • Inventory that hit the market moved.

  • The increase in sales volume wasn’t driven only by luxury closings.

In short: this was real market activity, not statistical inflation.

Median Home Price Reaches $680,000

The median home sales price rose to $680,000 in 2025, an 11.57% increase year-over-year.

Median price tells us what the typical Leelanau County home is doing, and this confirms price strength across the market—not just at the high end.

What it signals:

  • Strong competition for well-priced homes

  • Continued upward pressure from limited inventory

  • Sellers rewarded for correct pricing and preparation

Leelanau County remains a supply-constrained market, and the data shows it.

Average Home Price Shows Healthy, Slower Growth

The average home sales price increased to $870,410, up 4.40% from 2024.

This slightly slower growth compared to the median price is actually good news.

Translation:

  • Fewer extreme outlier sales skewing the numbers

  • A more balanced mix of primary, second-home, and luxury transactions

  • A maturing, stabilizing market—not a declining one

Stability at elevated price levels is a sign of confidence, not weakness.

What This Meant for Buyers and Sellers in 2025

Sellers:

  • Demand is proven, not speculative.

  • Homes are selling—375 of them, to be exact.

  • Pricing strategy matters more than ever.

Overpricing will get noticed faster than it used to. Buyers are motivated, but they’re not reckless.

Buyers:

  • Waiting for a major pullback in Leelanau County has historically been a losing bet.

  • Negotiation opportunities exist, especially on stale or improperly priced listings.

  • Quality homes continue to attract competition.

The smartest buyers in 2025 weren’t timing the market—they were choosing the right property.

Why Leelanau County Continues to Outperform

Leelanau County’s long-term strength comes from fundamentals that don’t change quickly:

  • Limited supply and strict zoning

  • Persistent second-home and cash-buyer demand

  • Lifestyle-driven purchases, not short-term speculation

  • Buyers thinking in decades, not rate cycles

2025 reinforced what locals already know: this market plays the long game.

Thinking About Buying or Selling in Leelanau County?

Market stats are useful—but strategy is everything. Whether you’re preparing to sell, evaluating timing, or trying to buy without overpaying, local insight matters.

If you want a straightforward, data-driven read on your situation (no sugarcoating, no national-portal nonsense), feel free to reach out.

Data based on information from the Northern Great Lakes Realtors® MLS. Reliable but not guaranteed. Does not include fractional ownership.

Need Expert Real Estate Advice? Contact Jonathan Oltersdorf Today!

For personalized insights into Leelanau County real estate, reach out to Jonathan Oltersdorf at Oltersdorf Realty, LLC.

📞 Office Phone: 231-271-7777
📧 Email: jonathan@oltersdorf.com
🌐 Website: www.oltersdorf.com

7528 E Meadows Drive, Cedar - SOLD

SOLD ELMWOOD TOWNSHIP RANCH HOME

SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 6/26/2025
$565,000 – 7528 E Meadows Drive, Cedar, MI - Brand new 2025 construction 4-bedroom, 3-bath ranch home!

JUST SOLD by Jonathan Oltersdorf | $565,000 – 7528 E Meadows Drive, Cedar, MI - This brand new 2025 construction 4-bedroom, 3-bath ranch home offers 2,499 finished square feet (1,614 above grade, 885 lower level) with a spacious 2-car garage. The open-concept design connects the living, dining, and kitchen areas, all filled with natural light from large windows and enhanced by luxury vinyl plank flooring and elegant finishes. The kitchen is a showstopper with modern appliances, abundant counter space, and a large island perfect for gatherings. Located close to Downtown Traverse City in Elmwood Township!

4801 S Manor Drive, Cedar – SOLD

SOLD CEDAR, MI RANCH HOME

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 2/7/2024
4801 S Manor Drive, Cedar, MI – 3 Bedroom & 2 Bath Ranch Home with a Full Unfinished Basement
Asking Price: $425,000

Low-maintenance ranch home situated on a wooded 0.58 acre lot in central Leelanau County just minutes to Lake Michigan and Good Harbor Beach! This 3 bedroom, 2 bath move-in ready home features 1,417 sq ft of main floor living, an open great room with vaulted ceilings and a cozy wood burning stove, large main floor master bedroom suite with a private bath, oversized attached 2 car garage, and a partially finished lower level with framed walls, egress window for a future 4th bedroom, and a future 3rd bath location. New updates (2023) include: wood burning stove, all new kitchen appliances, new washer & dryer, new electrical for hot tub, new deck configuration & support, exterior and interior lighting, gutter guards, blinds, interior paint, landscaping and removal of overgrowth, fire pit with gravel walkway, new exterior and interior locks/hinges, and so much more in addition to a newer gas furnace (2017) and carpeting (2022)! County maintained roads and a private well keep extra costs down while the neighborhood offers a convenient community sewer system.  

4245 S Laskey Trail, Cedar – SOLD

SOLD LAKE LEELANAU WATERFRONT HOME

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 9/12/2023
4245 S Laskey Trail, Cedar, MI – Charming 3 Bedroom Year-Round Cottage with 70’ of Direct Private Frontage on South Lake Leelanau!
$914,245

The quintessential Leelanau County cottage that you’ve been looking for! This charming year-round home offers 70.5 feet of picture perfect direct sandy bottom walkout frontage on South Lake Leelanau ideal for swimming, boating, bonfires, relaxation, and so much more! Meticulously updated and cared for by the same family for 50 years, this 3 bedroom (3rd bedroom is non-conforming) home features a large waterside composite deck ideal for entertaining, a living room with a natural gas fireplace, 2008 kitchen remodel with newer appliances (2021-2022), new shingles in 2022, and significant crawl space improvements in 2023 including new insulation, full vapor barrier, and ventilation system. The low maintenance irrigated yard has been beautifully landscaped, natural gas and cable high speed cable internet/tv is connected. The 22x16 garage and 16x10 shed offer additional storage space. Quiet location on a private road yet centrally located within 15 minutes of Suttons Bay, Leland, Cedar, and less than 30 minutes to Downtown Traverse City!

11.20 Acres – S Rosinski Road, Cedar - SOLD

SOLD CEDAR VACANT ACREAGE PARCEL

LISTED & SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 5/25/2021
S Rosinski Road, Cedar, MI - Vacant 11.20 Acre Wooded Parcel

Asking Price: $120,000

Beautiful 11.20 acre vacant parcel offering gently rolling hardwoods and no restrictions (except for no mobile homes)! Located on a paved county road in central Leelanau County just 1.5 miles from a township waterfront park on South Lake Leelanau and 3.5 miles from downtown Cedar! Adjacent acreage parcels to the north and east both have conservation easements limiting future development on surrounding land. Directions to parcel: 0.8 miles N from Rosinski Road / S Lake Shore Dr (643) intersection.

4300 S Winged Foot Circle, Unit B-14, Cedar – SOLD

SOLD CEDAR WINGED FOOT CONDOMINIUM

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 10/2/2020
$88,900 - 4300 S Winged Foot Circle, Unit B-14, Cedar, MI – Affordable Studio Condominium

Asking Price: $88,900

Affordable ground level studio condominium located in central Leelanau County within an association that allows short term vacation rentals! Situated on the 17th green at the Sugar Loaf Old Course this quaint ~500 sq ft low-maintenance condo features a spacious step down living room with a 9’ ceiling and a newer Andersen patio door, stylish modular cabinetry in the living room and dining room, contemporary kitchen cabinets with glass shelves, full bath with jet tub, private deck, and limited steps entry! Association dues cover exterior maintenance, heat, water, septic, internet, basic cable, snow removal, trash, lawn maintenance, and more! Wonderful opportunity for a Leelanau County year-round home, vacation retreat, or short term rental investment property near 2 established golf courses and just 3 miles to Good Harbor Beach!

8351 S Solon Park Road, Cedar – SOLD

SOLD SOUTH LAKE LEELANAU WATERFRONT HOME

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 7/10/2020
8351 S Solon Park Road, Cedar, MI – 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath Ranch Home on S Lake Leelanau with Garage & 30’x40’ Pole Barn

Asking Price: $719,000

Delightful South Lake Leelanau direct waterfront home with walkout hard sandy bottom frontage ideal for swimming, boating and fishing! This meticulously maintained ranch home offers expansive water views, desirable one floor living, 1,800+ finished sq ft, 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, an open great room with an abundance of natural light, quality Pella windows and sliding glass doors, gas fireplace, island kitchen with lovely water views, 9’ ceilings, separate laundry room, a 4th non-conforming bedroom/office, and a heated 2 car attached garage! Step outside to a spacious waterside deck spanning the entire width of the home, a beautifully landscaped yard with irrigation and a custom stone fire pit, ~1.00 total acres, and a 30’x40’ pole barn all within a short drive to the National Lakeshore!

Lots 72 & 73, E Sugar Maple Drive, Cedar – SOLD

SOLD CEDAR VACANT LOT

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 10/9/2019
$26,000-$13,000 - Lots 72 & 73, E Sugar Maple Drive, Cedar, MI – 1 or 2 Affordable Vacant Lots for Sale
Asking Price: $26,000

Affordable wooded building site in “Sugar Loaf Chalets” only minutes to golf courses & Good Harbor Beach and centrally located within Leelanau County close to Leland, Lake Leelanau, Cedar, Maple City, and Glen Arbor. Neighborhood features underground electric, natural gas, cable, and county maintained roads. Health Department “perc test” / site survey on file for adjacent lot. Purchase lots 72 & 73 together for $26,000 or 1 lot for $15,000 or $13,000.

5500 E Hidden Beech Drive, Cedar – SOLD

SOLD CEDAR WATER VIEW HOUSE

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 6/28/2019
5500 E Hidden Beech Drive, Cedar, MI – Custom Post & Beam Construction + Water Views
Asking Price: $479,000

This custom Timber Post & Beam constructed home enjoys cathedral ceilings throughout, custom cherry kitchen and bath cabinetry with built-ins, granite countertops, white oak wood floors, cherry window trim and baseboards, solid cherry interior doors, 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, beautiful ceramic tile showers, 3 covered porches and a very private lower level patio, 3450 sq ft of finished living area, radiant heat and central a/c, 2.5 car attached garage, and cedar siding accented by stone! A very private location on a quiet drive offering Lake Leelanau water views and wonderful wooded and terraced landscaped grounds!

2340 E Sugar Maple Drive, Cedar - SOLD

SOLD CEDAR HOUSE

SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 6/7/2019
2340 E Sugar Maple Drive, Cedar, MI - House with golf course frontage & extra lot
Asking Price: $219,900

Affordable Sugar Loaf area chalet home featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, partially finished walkout lower level, golf course frontage, and an extra adjacent buildable parcel!

Lot 9 & 10 S Linden Ct, Cedar. - SOLD

SOLD CEDAR VACANT PARCELS

LISTED & SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 7/26/2018
Lot 9 & 10 S Linden Ct, Cedar, MI – Affordable Vacant Lots
Asking Price: $11,000 Each

Affordable wooded building site in “Sugar Loaf Chalets” only minutes to golf courses & Good Harbor Beach and centrally located within Leelanau County close to Leland, Lake Leelanau, Cedar, Maple City, and Glen Arbor. Neighborhood features underground electric, natural gas, cable, and county maintained roads. Health Department “perc test” / site survey on file. Purchase lots 9 & 10 together or just one lot for $11,000.

4041 S Whitehill Drive, Cedar - SOLD

SOLD CEDAR WATER VIEW HOUSE

 SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 5/7/2018
4041 S Whitehill Drive, Cedar, MI - Water View Home on 2.25 Acres
Asking Price: $499,900

Beautiful 3900+ sq ft 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath home centrally located in Leelanau County featuring a gourmet kitchen, hardwood floors, countryside and Lake Leelanau water views, and so much more on a private 2.25 acre parcel! *Photos provided by Northern Great Lakes Realtors MLS.

2016 Leelanau County Home Sales: January to September

The 2017 3rd quarter (January 1 – September 30) home sales data have been posted in the charts above. The home sales statistics compare real estate housing sold in Leelanau County from January 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017 to the same time period in 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011. This includes the townships of Bingham, Centerville, Cleveland, Elmwood, Empire, Glen Arbor, Kasson, Leelanau, Leland, Solon, Suttons Bay, and the City of Traverse City within the southeast corner of Leelanau County.

2017 Leelanau County Home Sales Volume has increased a +11.29% compared to this time last year and total houses sold has increased +7.04% over last year. Average sales price has increased +3.97% and Median Sales Price has increased +0.16%.

This report is based upon sales information obtained from the Northern Great Lakes Realtors MLS from 2011-2017. Undisclosed sales are not included in the data. This is for basic review purposes only. All attempts for accuracy have been made but cannot be guaranteed.

Jonathan Oltersdorf, Oltersdorf Realty, LLC
Phone: 231-271-7777
E-mail: jonathan@oltersdorf.com

7131 E Hoxie Road, Cedar - SOLD

SOLD CEDAR HOME WITH ACREAGE

 SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 9-29-17
7131 E Hoxie Road, Cedar, MI - Home & 6.00 Acres Near Downtown Traverse City
Asking Price: $163,900

Affordable acreage in Leelanau County! This charming 1200 sq ft, 2 bedroom, 2 bath chalet sits on 6.00 elevated wooded acres with extraordinary privacy! Fantastic value. *Photos provided by Northern Great Lakes Realtors MLS.

2017 Leelanau County Home Sales: January - June

The 2017 2nd quarter (January 1 – June 30) home sales data have been posted in the charts above. The home sales statistics compare real estate housing sold in Leelanau County from January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017 to the same time period in 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011. This includes the townships of Bingham, Centerville, Cleveland, Elmwood, Empire, Glen Arbor, Kasson, Leelanau, Leland, Solon, Suttons Bay, and the City of Traverse City within the southeast corner of Leelanau County.

2017 Leelanau County Home Sales Volume has increased a +14.96% compared to this time last year and total houses sold has increased +5.43% over last year. Average sales price has increased +9.03% and Median Sales Price has increased +0.72%.

This report is based upon sales information obtained from the Northern Great Lakes Realtors MLS from 2011-2017. Undisclosed sales are not included in the data. This is for basic review purposes only. All attempts for accuracy have been made but cannot be guaranteed.

Jonathan Oltersdorf, Oltersdorf Realty, LLC
Phone: 231-271-7777
E-mail: jonathan@oltersdorf.com

2017 Leelanau County Home Sales January-March

The 2017 first quarter (January 1 – March 31) home sales data have been posted in the charts above. The home sales statistics compare real estate housing sold in Leelanau County from January 1, 2017 through March 31, 2017 to the same time period in 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011. This includes the townships of Bingham, Centerville, Cleveland, Elmwood, Empire, Glen Arbor, Kasson, Leelanau, Leland, Solon, Suttons Bay, and the City of Traverse City within the southeast corner of Leelanau County.

2017 Leelanau County Home Sales Volume has increased a +22.41% compared to this time last year and total houses sold has increased +5.71% over last year. Average sales price has increased +15.79% and Median Sales Price has increased +2.98%. The first quarter is by far the slowest 3 months of real estate sales in Leelanau County, especially with upper price ranges and waterfront property on West Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan, Glen Lake, and Lake Leelanau.

This report is based upon sales information obtained from the Northern Great Lakes Realtors MLS from 2011-2017. Undisclosed sales are not included in the data. This is for basic review purposes only. All attempts for accuracy have been made but cannot be guaranteed.

Jonathan Oltersdorf, Oltersdorf Realty, LLC
Phone: 231-271-7777
E-mail: jonathan@oltersdorf.com

5675 E Hoxie Road, Cedar - SOLD

SOLD CEDAR HOME ON ACREAGE

SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 2/28/2017
5675 E Hoxie Road, Cedar, MI - 4800 Sq Ft Home + 76 Acres
Asking Price: Undisclosed

Spectacular one-of-a-kind high quality craftsman home nicely secluded on 76 acres of rolling, wooded, and open terrain. The home features 4800 sq ft of finished living space, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, open great room, exorbitant mechanical systems, and an attached 3 car heated garage. Package also includes an oversized 2+ car detached building and a large pole barn and fenced pasture. Truly an estate sized parcel!

2016 Leelanau County Year-End Home Sales

2016 Leelanau County Home Sales
Year-End Totals

The 2016 year end (January 1 – December 31) home sales data have been posted in the charts above. The home sales statistics compare real estate housing sold in Leelanau County from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 to the same time period in 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010. This includes the townships of Bingham, Centerville, Cleveland, Elmwood, Empire, Glen Arbor, Kasson, Leelanau, Leland, Solon, Suttons Bay, and the City of Traverse City within the southeast corner of Leelanau County.

2016 Leelanau County Home Sales Volume increased +24.16% over last year's numbers, Units Sold increased +16.01%, Average Sales Price increased +7.20%, and Median Sales Price increased +3.51%.

This report is based upon sales information obtained from the Traverse Area Multiple Listing Service from 2010-2016. Undisclosed sales are not included in the data. This is for basic review purposes only. All attempts for accuracy have been made but cannot be guaranteed.

Jonathan Oltersdorf, Oltersdorf Realty, LLC
Phone: 231-271-7777
E-mail: jonathan@oltersdorf.com

5000 S Townhouse Dr #J-7, Cedar – SOLD

SOLD CEDAR CONDOMINIUM

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 12/2/2016
5000 S Townhouse Dr # J-7, Cedar, MI – Affordable Move-In Ready Leelanau County Townhouse
Asking Price: $112,000

Beautifully renovated with high quality finishes throughout including wood accents, updated kitchen & baths with granite countertops, glass shower doors and tile flooring in all bathrooms, new carpet & doors, updated windows & lighting, new decking, and so much more! This affordable 3 bedroom, 3 bath move-in ready townhouse enjoys an open living room with cathedral ceilings and a fireplace, loft, master suite, built-ins, front and rear balconies, and is situated in a quiet central location close to Lake Michigan beaches, quality golf courses, and miles of paved bike trails! Best value in Leelanau County for a vacation or year-round home!