8485 S W Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City – NEW LISTING

Picturesque panoramic views of Power Island are enjoyed from this year-round waterfront residence offering 3,125 finished sq ft and 62’ of direct sandy beach frontage on desirable West Grand Traverse Bay! Home features include an open great room with cathedral ceilings and breathtaking water views throughout, gas fireplace, separate living & family rooms, office/den, a cozy wood burning stove, new natural gas zoned hot water boiler (2024), and an attached 2+ car garage. Step outside to enjoy an incredible one of a kind in-ground waterside pool with spectacular views and a private sandy shoreline ideal for bonfires, swimming, and boating! Situated in a fantastic location just 6 miles north of Downtown Traverse City, a perfect setting for a year-round primary home, vacation retreat, or rental investment property!

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS NEW LISTING!

2024 Current Lake Michigan Water Levels

2024 Current Lake Michigan Water Levels

Lake Michigan Water Levels Up +1 Inch in 12 Months

For the 4th year in a row the good news continues for many waterfront property owners on Lake Michigan as the most recent readings indicate that water levels are now holding steady and just +1 inches higher compared to this time in 2023 and -32 inches lower than this time in 2020! January 2020 - July 2020 saw record high water levels on Lake Michigan which caused massive investment in shoreline protection throughout Leelanau County and the region.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers collects and publishes current / past Lake Michigan water level data which is very important to many property owners in Leelanau County & Grand Traverse County who own real estate on Lake Michigan or Grand Traverse Bay. Their last reading took place on January 12, 2024.  

January 12, 2024                   578.90 feet

Difference from January 12, 2023: +1 inch

Difference from long term average: +5 inches

Difference from highest monthly average (2020): -32 inches

Difference from lowest monthly average (2013): +35 inches

Projected change in levels by Feb 12, 2024:  -1 inches

For more information on current & past historic records regarding the Great Lakes Water Levels please visit: http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/Water-Level-Forecast/Weekly-Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/

15383 Dunn Drive, Traverse City - SOLD

JUST SOLD on Old Mission Peninsula! 😍 Buyer's Agents --> Vicky Oltersdorf & Jonathan Oltersdorf. Asking Price: $3,400,000 | 15383 Dunn Drive, Traverse City, MI - 5 Bedroom, 5 Bath, 5,572 sq ft new custom home built in 2023 with 102' of western facing frontage on West Grand Traverse Bay! Listing photos courtesy of listing agent Ann Porter.

8054 S W Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City – SOLD

SOLD TRAVERSE CITY WATERFRONT HOME

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 10/10/2023
8054 S W Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City, MI – Home with 100’ of Sandy Frontage on West Grand Traverse Bay!
$661,000

100 feet of private West Grand Traverse Bay sandy water frontage! Conveniently located just 6 miles north of Traverse City this attractive 3 bedroom, 1.75 bath home features wonderful unobstructed West Bay views, ~1,867 sq ft of finished living area, a large living room with a brick gas fireplace, main floor laundry, 562 sq ft lower level family room with large windows, additional 700 sq ft of unfinished basement/storage space, 2 car finished attached garage, storage shed, sprinkler system, low maintenance vinyl and brick exterior, and a Generac Generator.  The oversized 0.54 acre parcel not only offers private water frontage but also a spacious fenced rear yard with generous privacy and a 365 sq ft composite deck perfect for outdoor gatherings!

5532 S West Bay Shore Drive, Suttons Bay – SOLD

SOLD SUTTONS BAY WATERFRONT HOME

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 4/18/2023
5532 S West Bay Shore Drive, Suttons Bay, MI – Ranch Home with 135’ on West Grand Traverse Bay!
Asking Price: $553,000

This charming 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath ranch home offers 135 feet of private West Grand Traverse Bay water frontage and is conveniently located just 9 miles north of Traverse City!   Enjoy wonderful unobstructed West Bay views, ~1,447 sq ft of desirable one floor living, an open living room with a brick gas fireplace (converted from wood), family room with large windows, spacious kitchen with breakfast bar, main floor laundry, a large unfinished basement with ample storage space, and 2 car attached garage.   Attractive roof copper eyebrows, new Kolbe windows in 2003, and new pressure tank in 2023. The oversized ~1.07 acre parcel not only offers private water frontage but also a spacious rear yard with generous privacy perfect for outdoor gatherings backing to adjacent subdivision common area! Convenient access to the year-round Village of Suttons Bay and other local amenities. Short term rentals are allowed in Bingham Township with a township permit!

245 S Nanagosa Trail, Suttons Bay – SOLD

SOLD SUTTONS BAY WATERFRONT HOME

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 4/14/2023
245 S Nanagosa Trail, Suttons Bay, MI – 2,705 Sq Ft Home with 100’ on West Grand Traverse Bay!
Asking Price: $945,000

Experience the beauty of 100’ of West Grand Traverse Bay water frontage from the comfort of your own home on popular Stony Point Peninsula! This wonderful year-round house offers 2,700 + sq feet of spacious finished living area, open waterside living room with a brick wood burning fireplace and 3 large glass sliding doors, 3+ generously-sized bedrooms, 4 baths, an additional family room and den with egress windows and large closets, main floor bedroom, main floor laundry, 9 skylights, 1.5 car attached oversize garage with pull down storage, 6 private decks and/or balcony’s, and walkout to a large waterside deck offering wonderful bay views and a private beach! This low traffic neighborhood features county maintained roads, underground utilities including natural gas & high speed cable, and is situated within a 5 minute drive to the year-round Village of Suttons Bay and just 20 minutes to Traverse City! Note that the current septic system has been approved for a 3 bedroom house but with septic modifications the home could potentially be converted to a 4 or 5 bedroom house.  Enjoy beautiful sunrise views over Old Mission Peninsula and indulge in outdoor activities such as bonfires, boating, kayaking, and so many unforgettable memories!

2022 Leelanau County Waterfront Home Sales

2022 Leelanau County Year-End Waterfront Home Sales Data

Leelanau County Private Waterfront Home Sales data 2005-2022 for houses with direct private water frontage on Lake Michigan, West Bay, West Grand Traverse Bay, Grand Traverse Bay, Suttons Bay, Omena Bay, Northport Bay, Big Glen Lake, Little Glen Lake, Glen Lake, North Lake Leelanau, South Lake Leelanau, Lake Leelanau, Little Traverse Lake, and Lime Lake. This includes Traverse City, Suttons Bay, Omena, Northport, Leland, Lake Leelanau, Cedar, Maple City, Glen Arbor, and Empire. The data includes only homes with private direct water frontage. This excludes condominiums and homes with shared access, creek frontage, river frontage, and pond frontage, and also excludes fractional ownership.

This report is based upon sales information obtained from the Northern Great Lakes Realtors MLS. 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

2023 Current Lake Michigan Water Levels

2023 Current Lake Michigan Water Levels

Lake Michigan Water Levels Down -7 Inches in 12 Months

For the 3rd year in a row the good news continues for many waterfront property owners on Lake Michigan as the most recent readings indicate that water levels are now -7 inches lower compared to this time in 2022 and -32 inches lower than this time in 2020! January 2020 - July 2020 saw record high water levels on Lake Michigan.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers collects and publishes current / past Lake Michigan water level data which is very important to many property owners in Leelanau County & Grand Traverse County who own real estate on Lake Michigan or Grand Traverse Bay. Their last reading took place on January 14, 2022.  

January 13, 2023                   578.87 feet

Difference from January 13, 2022: -7 inches

Difference from long term average: +5 inches

Difference from highest monthly average (2020): -32 inches

Difference from lowest monthly average (2013): +34 inches

Projected change in levels by Feb 13, 2023:  -1 inches

For more information on current & past historic records regarding the Great Lakes Water Levels please visit: http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/Water-Level-Forecast/Weekly-Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/

Lot 24 – S Bay Valley Drive, Suttons Bay – SOLD

SOLD SUTTONS BAY WATER VIEW PARCEL

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 1/6/2023
Lot 24 – S Bay Valley Drive, Suttons Bay, MI – 2.77 Acre Water View Lot + 800' of Shared West Bay Water Frontage!
Asking Price: $175,000

Rare opportunity to own nearly 3 acres with year-round West Grand Traverse Bay views and water access within a quick 15 minute drive to Downtown Traverse City!  This beautiful 2.77 acre property features gently sloping topography ideal for a walkout basement and is situated within a short walk of the 800 feet of shared waterfrontage on West Grand Traverse Bay (boat dockage allowed)! Association amenities include shared beachfront, paved private roads, and underground utilities including natural gas & cable internet/tv. Located just 5 miles south of Suttons Bay within a wonderful private neighborhood of large acreage building sites and premier quality homes! Minimum 1,650 sq ft finished above grade, and 1,200 minimum sq ft on the main floor for a multi-story home. Outbuildings allowed with approval. WHAT A VIEW!

12175 E Old Orchard Trail, Suttons Bay – SOLD

SOLD SUTTONS BAY WALKOUT RANCH HOME

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 10/3/2022
2175 E Old Orchard Trail, Suttons Bay, MI – Ranch Walkout Home on 2.35 Acres + Shared West Bay Frontage!
Asking Price: $795,000

Location, privacy, shared West Bay access, and seasonal water views are enjoyed from this cedar sided ranch home with a fully exposed finished walk out lower level nestled within a park like 2.35 acre parcel on Stony Point Peninsula! This energy efficient one owner home built in 1994 features over 3,725+ sq ft of finished living area which includes an open floor plan, spacious living room with a gas fireplace, oversized windows and glass doors offering wonderful natural light and direct access to the 30’x12’ covered porch, 10’ main level ceilings throughout, open kitchen with 2 informal dining areas, Corian countertops, and stainless steel appliances!  Additional main level features include a spacious master bedroom suite with walk-in closet and private bath, a 2nd large main floor bedroom with a full hall bath, and a wonderful main floor laundry/mud room. The roomy and bright walk-out lower level features large windows, 8.5’ ceilings throughout, and an open family room which steps out to a big cement patio, 2nd gas fireplace, office area, and a 3rd bedroom with direct access to the 3rd bathroom. Step outside to the 3.5 car finished & heated attached garage with plumbing!  For those Buyers who want additional buildings for all their toys this parcel offers flexibility to build additional stick built outbuildings! Package includes a 2nd buildable lot which is part of Nabawnaga Shores development which gives you shared waterfront access on West Grand Traverse Bay for beach and boat access.  A wonderful low-traffic and quiet neighborhood within an easy drive to both Sutotns Bay & Traverse City!

Lot 14 – S Cherry Tree Lane, Suttons Bay – SOLD

SOLD SUTTONS BAY WATER VIEW LOT

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 8/23/2022
Lot 14 – S Cherry Tree Lane, Suttons Bay, MI – Ridgetop Water View Building Site with 116’ of Private Frontage on West Grand Traverse Bay!

Asking Price: $399,000

Picture-perfect ridge top building site offering incredible panoramic bay views and 116’ of private direct water frontage on West Grand Traverse Bay! This stunning water view parcel features a level building site and potentially the ability to build a staircase down to your private beach on West Bay. The bluff height is estimated at 60-75 feet and has no visible signs of erosion, even after the record high water levels of the past few years. Natural gas & high speed cable internet/tv is available at the road. Wonderful quiet location on a dead-end private road within minutes to the year-round Village of Suttons Bay and just 20 minutes to Downtown Traverse City! Ideal spot to build your Leelanau County dream home! WHAT A VIEW!!!

3711 S Lee Point Road, Suttons Bay - SOLD

SOLD SUTTONS BAY WATERFRONT HOME

LISTED & SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 2/22/2022
3711 S Lee Point Road, Suttons Bay, MI – 3 Bedroom & 2 Bath Home with 110’ of Sandy Southern Facing Direct Frontage on West Grand Traverse Bay!

110’ of private direct sandy bottom frontage on one of the finest stretches of pristine beach in all of Northern Michigan! This charming vacation property or year-round home features 3 bedrooms & 1.75 baths, 1,597+ finished sq ft of living area, 2 car attached garage, and newer updates inside and out including flooring, baths, mechanicals, roof, wood decks, stone aggregate patios, and an engineered drain field.  The property offers a rarely available and a highly desirable southern facing protected location on West Grand Traverse Bay with picturesque views of Power Island and distant nighttime views of the downtown Traverse City lights! Picture-perfect sandy frontage ideal for swimming, boating, and recreation! Located just minutes from Suttons Bay and 15 minutes from Downtown Traverse City! Current Bingham Township zoning allows for short term vacation rentals (township rental permit required)! 

2021 Leelanau County Waterfront Home Sales Data

2021 Leelanau County Year-End Waterfront Home Sales Data

Average Sales Price: +35.24%
Median Sales Price: +23.47%

Leelanau County Private Waterfront Home Sales data 2004-2021 for houses with private water frontage on Lake Michigan, West Bay, West Grand Traverse Bay, Grand Traverse Bay, Suttons Bay, Omena Bay, Northport Bay, Big Glen Lake, Little Glen Lake, Glen Lake, North Lake Leelanau, South Lake Leelanau, Lake Leelanau, Little Traverse Lake, and Lime Lake. This includes Traverse City, Suttons Bay, Omena, Northport, Leland, Lake Leelanau, Cedar, Maple City, Glen Arbor, and Empire. The data includes homes with private direct water frontage and "across the road" private waterfront. This excludes condominiums and homes with shared access, creek frontage, river frontage, and pond frontage, and also excludes fractional ownership.

This report is based upon sales information obtained from the Northern Great Lakes Realtors MLS. 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

2022 Current Lake Michigan Water Levels

2022 Current Lake Michigan Water Levels

Lake Michigan Water Levels Down -26 Inches in 24 Months

For the 2nd year in a row the good news continues for many waterfront property owners on Lake Michigan as the most recent readings indicate that water levels are now -18 inches lower compared to this time in 2021 and -26 inches lower than this time in 2020! January 2020 - July 2020 saw record high water levels on Lake Michigan.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers collects and publishes current / past Lake Michigan water level data which is very important to many property owners in Leelanau County & Grand Traverse County who own real estate on Lake Michigan or Grand Traverse Bay. Their last reading took place on January 14, 2022.  

January 14, 2022                   579.43 feet

Difference from January 14, 2021: -18 inches

Difference from long term average: +12 inches

Difference from highest monthly average (2020): -26 inches

Difference from lowest monthly average (2013): +41 inches

Projected change in levels by Feb 14, 2022:  -1 inches

Click here to open/download the full report for the current month:
http://lre-wm.usace.army.mil/reports/GreatLakes/GLWL-CurrentMonth-Feet.pdf

For more information on current & past historic records regarding the Great Lakes Water Levels please visit: http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/Water-Level-Forecast/Weekly-Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/

9110 S West Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City – SOLD

SOLD TRAVERSE CITY WATERFRONT HOME

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 7/1/2021
9110 S West Bay Shore Dr, Traverse City, MI – Ranch Home with 99’ on West Ba
y
Asking Price: $499,000

99 feet of private West Grand Traverse Bay water frontage! Conveniently located just 5 miles north of Traverse City this 3 bedroom, 1.75 bath, ranch home features wonderful unobstructed West Bay views, ~1,850 sq ft of desirable one floor living, a large open family room addition with a gas fireplace, main floor laundry, rear screened porch and outdoor patio, 2 car heated attached garage, and a partially finished basement with ample storage space. The oversized 0.75 acre parcel not only offers water frontage but also a spacious rear yard with generous privacy perfect for outdoor gatherings!

667 S Nanagosa Trail, Suttons Bay – SOLD

SOLD SUTTONS BAY WATERFRONT HOME

LISTED & SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 6/9/2021
667 S Nanagosa Trail, Suttons Bay, MI – 5 Bedrooms & 3.5 Baths with 104’ on West Bay

Asking Price: $1,195,000

Enjoy the tranquility of Stony Point Peninsula’s quiet low traffic roads from this impeccably maintained direct waterfront walkout ranch home offering over 3,300+ sq ft of finished living area, a wonderful great room accented by cathedral ceilings, floor to ceiling stone fireplace, cherry hardwood and ceramic tile flooring, and stunning expansive water views of West Grand Traverse Bay throughout! Additional features include an open island kitchen with generous storage, spacious main floor master bedroom with tray ceilings, master bath with a soaking tub and shower, 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, large family and game room with a wet bar, fully exposed finished walkout lower level, plentiful storage space, waterside screened porch & deck, all on a very private lot with beautiful mature landscaping! Wonderful neighborhood with county maintained roads, underground utilities including natural gas & cable, and a convenient location situated 5 minutes from the Village of Suttons Bay and just 20 minutes to Traverse City!

3736 S Lee Point Road, Suttons Bay - SOLD

SOLD SUTTONS BAY WATERFRONT VACANT PARCEL

SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 5/10/2021
3736 S Lee Point Road, Suttons Bay, MI - 3.00 Acre Parcel with 150’ on West Bay

Asking Price: $595,000

Incredible 3.00 acre parcel on desirable Lee Point featuring a private “park like” setting and 150’ of sandy southern facing frontage on West Grand Traverse Bay!

2021 Current Lake Michigan Water Levels

2021 Current Lake Michigan Water Levels

Some good news for many waterfront property owners on Lake Michigan as the most recent readings indicate that water levels are now -7 inches lower compared to this time last year. January 2020 - July 2020 saw record high water levels on Lake Michigan.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers collects and publishes current / past Lake Michigan water level data which is very important to many property owners in Leelanau County & Grand Traverse County who own real estate on Lake Michigan or Grand Traverse Bay. Their last reading took place on January 15, 2021.  

January 15, 2021                   580.97 feet

Difference from January 15, 2020: -7 inches
Difference from long term average: +31 inches
Difference from highest monthly average (1987): -4 inches
Difference from lowest monthly average (2013): +59 inches
Projected change in levels by Feb 15, 2021: -1 inches

Click here to open/download the full report for the current month:
http://lre-wm.usace.army.mil/reports/GreatLakes/GLWL-CurrentMonth-Feet.pdf

For more information on current & past historic records regarding the Great Lakes Water Levels please visit: http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/Water-Level-Forecast/Weekly-Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/

3173 S Lee Point Road, Suttons Bay – SOLD

SOLD SUTTONS BAY WATERFRONT HOME

LISTING SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 11/23/2020
3173 S Lee Point Road, Suttons Bay, MI – 3,600 Sq Ft Ranch with 150’ on West Bay

Asking Price: $994,900

This quality built year-round 3,600 sq ft ranch home located on desirable Lee Point Peninsula offers wonderful sunrise views over Old Mission Peninsula from nearly every room of the home and is situated on a beautifully landscaped partially wooded lot with 150’ of private direct West Grand Traverse Bay frontage! Features include large living, dining, family rooms and kitchen areas, 4 main floor bedrooms, 3.5 recently remodeled baths, hardwood and ceramic tile flooring, vaulted ceilings, 9 skylights, 2 fireplaces, large waterside windows and patio doors providing expansive views, waterside studio/sunroom, a partial unfinished basement, Trex maintenance free decking, a 334+ sq ft covered front porch, 4+ car attached garage, back-up gas generator, security system, and much more!  Exceptional low maintenance year-round or vacation home in a tranquil quiet location set far back from the county roadway on a shared private drive!

10811 E Hilltop Road, Suttons Bay - SOLD

SOLD SUTTONS BAY WATERFRONT & WATERVIEW HOME

SOLD by Oltersdorf Realty LLC on 10/22/2020
10811 E Hilltop Road, Suttons Bay, MI - 7,500+ sq ft Log Home on 5 Acres with 217’ on West Bay

Asking Price: $1,800,000

The Hilltop Log Lodge is located on a ridge overlooking West Grand Traverse Bay high above the iconic coastal road M-22 in the heart of Leelanau’s wine country! The Hilltop Log Lodge living space is cozy yet spacious with 7,500 sq ft, 5 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. This beautiful property includes 5+ acres and offers private West Bay water frontage! NOW AVAILABLE FOR YOUR VACATION RENTAL!