THE CULINARY NORTH

A young couple dreams of a house with land. Which would you choose?

BY RACHEL SOULLIERE

PAUL MOQUIN AND MIRA WITKOWSKI

Paul Moquin and Mira Witkowski started their house hunt with a few things in mind. They knew they wanted land and to live in a location that felt remote but close enough to everything Northern Michigan has to offer. As first-time buyers, they wanted to make sure they found a spacious home, relatively turnkey ready and uniquely theirs.

An avid hiker, biker and fisher, Paul was born and raised in Traverse City; the result of his parents moving up from downstate before he was born. Between the easy access to recreational activities, gorgeous summers and owning Halloween Superstores in TC, Paul knew he wanted his first home close to his store, local trails and downtown.

“One of my favorite parts about living in Northern Michigan is the ability to go in any direction and eventually hit a body of water,” Paul says. “Another added bonus is being close to the breweries and restaurants downtown. I could eat somewhere different every day for a whole year if I really wanted to because there are just that many incredible options.”

With a budget between $280,000 and $300,000 in mind, the couple also knew they wanted at least three bedrooms, two bathrooms, around 3,000 sq. ft. and as close to an acre of land as possible in Traverse City. That’s where their real estate agent, Eric Levanduski from RE/MAX Bayshore, came in. With a driven and positive attitude, Eric was able to help Paul and Mira narrow down their choices to three options. >>

finalist no. 1

OWL VIEW | TRAVERSE CITY, CHUMS CORNER

Located close to town, this house was built in 2016 and features cathedral ceilings, an open layout, unfinished basement, granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. Coming in at 1,514 sq. ft. with an unfinished basement providing an additional 1,314 sq. ft., Owl View was at the top of the couple’s budget limit but didn’t require additional work except for eventually finishing the basement. It is on a .23-acre lot and backs up to a field with no surrounding neighbors.

> ASKING PRICE: $299,999

finalist no. 3

KYMBRA | TRAVERSE CITY, WESTFIELD ESTATES

Meticulously cared for and extremely close to town, the Kymbra home has an open concept and features a finished basement, gorgeous landscaping and an in-ground sprinkler system. The master suite has an attached bathroom, and there are high ceilings throughout the entire house. The total finished size is 2,380 sq. ft and it sits on just over half an acre.

finalist no. 2

JACK’S TRAIL | TRAVERSE CITY, MARKERS WOODS

Located in a highly desirable area of Traverse City, Jack’s Trail sits on a one-acre lot and is 1,772 sq. ft. There is a partially finished basement, a main floor master bedroom with a private en suite and a two-car garage. There are many tasteful updates throughout the house, however, there are a few more updates that could be made slowly over time. This house is the definition of secluded living while being extremely close to town.

> ASKING PRICE: $259,900

Bradley J. Butcher, AIA 989.705.8400 • sidockgroup.com Novi • Wyandotte • Lansing • Muskegon Gaylord • Sault Ste. Marie • Tampa • Wellsboro, PA

Photo by Maconochie Photography

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LIVE BETTER IN YOUR HOME A space where you can slow down. Relax in the warm sunlight. A space where you can slow down. Relax in the warm sunlight. A space where you can slow down. Relax in the warm sunlight. Recharge with a calming breeze. We believe that where we spend our time affects how we feel. That's why Marvin is committed to finding new ways to bring natural light and fresh air deeper into the home, refreshing those spaces most important to you. Visit your local Marvin dealer to experience windows A space where you can slow down. Relax in the warm sunlight. Recharge with a calming breeze. We believe that where we spend our time affects how we feel. That's why Marvin is committed to finding new ways to bring natural light and fresh air deeper into the home, refreshing those spaces most important to you. Visit your local Marvin dealer to experience windows and doors differently. A space where you can slow down. Relax in the warm sunlight. Recharge with a calming breeze. We believe that where we spend our time affects how we feel. That's why Marvin is committed to finding new ways to bring natural light and fresh air deeper into the home, refreshing those spaces most important to you. Visit your local Marvin dealer to experience windows and doors differently. Recharge with a calming breeze. We believe that where we spend our time affects how we feel. That's why Marvin is committed to finding new ways to bring natural light and fresh air deeper into the home, refreshing those spaces most important to you. Visit your local Marvin dealer to experience windows and doors differently. Recharge with a calming breeze. We believe that where we spend our time affects how we feel. That's why Marvin is committed to finding new ways to bring natural light and fresh air deeper into the home, refreshing those spaces most important to you. Visit your local Marvin dealer to experience windows and doors differently. A space where you can slow down. Relax in the warm sunlight. Recharge with a calming breeze. We believe that where we spend our time affects how we feel. That's why Marvin is committed to finding new ways to bring natural light and fresh air deeper into the home, refreshing those spaces most important to you. Visit your local Marvin dealer to experience windows and doors differently. and doors differently.

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8 TIPS FOR NAVIGATING THE NORTH’S HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET

Two Traverse City real estate agents share how to thrive when buying or selling Up North.

CONTRIBUTING TEXT BY ABBY SIERZPUTOWSKI AND MATT HODGES

Real estate agents Matt Hodges and Abby Sierzputowski and are 100 percent ready to make offers. With that being said, recently celebrated the opening of Kultura Group, a luxury real think of them as a part of your real estate team. The agent you estate boutique in Traverse City. Matt and Abby, who own and choose should have a standing relationship with your lender, as operate Kultura (Polish for “culture”), have spent nearly two pre-approvals can be specific to a property and time-sensitive decades combined in the business and are seeing the North in this cutthroat market we are approaching. emerge as an increasingly hot market. > Be creative with your offer. Cash is always king; however,

“Northern Michigan is currently a sellers’ market. With throwing in something of value just may give you the edge inventory at an all-time low and a flush of new buyers to our when sellers are reviewing offers. For example, if your real esregion from all over, we are seeing properties sell for well over tate agent has made a connection with the other agent and asking price in this already competitively priced market,” Abby finds out the seller loves a certain type of cuisine, go get them says. “New money is flowing into our region at a gift card to their favorite restaurant and gift it record speed. Since the pandemic, we are seeing at the closing table. Or if you find out the seller more and more out-of-state buyers from areas has never seen the Northern Michigan shoreline around the country who have the capital, can from a plane, give them that adventure they seek. work remotely and crave the lifestyle we all love > Be the back up offer. Don’t be afraid to here in Northern Michigan.” look at properties that are under contract. We

In Grand Traverse County, Matt says the have seen on numerous occasions back up offers volume of waterfront homes over $600,000 rose becoming the first offer. Some people may have 36 percent from 2019 to 2020, and those homes buyer’s remorse, so don’t give up if you think your spent an average of 97 days on the market with dream home is gone. an average sales price of $968,000. Based on current numbers for 2021, that average sales price is ABBY SIERZPUTOWSKI AND MATT HODGES FOR SELLERS up 9 percent to just over $1 million, and average > Don’t hesitate to list. You may be scared days on the market dropped by 20 percent to to list in this market and think you won’t find 2.5 months. your next home, but you, the seller, are in the

“Pacing is slightly lower on total sales, but driver’s seat! Statistics show it takes 30–45 days this gives those who want to sell in that luxury to close, and with that, you can ask for an admarket an advantage right now,” Matt says. “We ditional day’s possession after closing. Or make are seeing similar numbers in Leelanau and An- it contingent on yourself finding and closing on trim counties as well.” your new home.

Here, Matt and Abby offer tips for navigating > Talk scenarios with your agent. There are the current hot market in Northern Michigan. many unique ways to market your property that will fit your needs and get it sold on your timeFOR BUYERS line. Yes, it’s a seller’s market, but standing out can still make > Find the right real estate agent. It takes the right person the difference on how much you get in the end. to get you to the closing table and into your new home. Many > Strategic list date. Once you are ready to list your home, agents are not trained on how to get an offer accepted. Some be prepared for multiple showings and requests right off the real estate agents don’t reach out to see what the seller is look- bat. If you are priced well in the market, the first 72 hours are ing for or make those necessary connections with the other generally the heaviest. Take a mini-vacation over a weekend or agent; instead, they just send over an offer and cross their fin- look at your calendar for days you’re able to be gone. This will gers. If you’re not getting results, don’t hesitate to find someone create a less stressful atmosphere for you. new. In most cases, it’s not the buyer who pays for the real > Use a professional. You may be thinking, “I don’t need an estate agent’s service, it’s the seller. agent in this market!” But statistics show a “for sale by owner” > Have a local lender pre-approval ready. Most sellers in will get 20 percent less than if you utilize a professional. Talk to this competitive market won’t look at an offer if it’s not accom- some agents; if you’re still not convinced, try it yourself. panied by a pre-approval letter. Do your homework and create a relationship with a local lender before you view properties For more information on Kultura Group, visit kulturagroup.com.