Business & Entertaining

Is it a job or a lifestyle? Up North it can be one and the same. Presenting three ways to make a living from your dream lifestyle:

Northland Outfitters, Germfask

Work (and play) on the Upper Peninsula’s Fox River five months a year, then maybe, what, head for Tahiti? Your call. To help make it happen, know that this livery/campground/camp store is an established business that comes with 1,400 feet of river frontage, more than 14 acres, a two-bedroom home, and $65,000 of inventory. Folks come from all over the world to paddle and fish the Fox— Hemingway did, too.

$495,000 Rita Rathburn, Coldwell Banker, 231.409.3035, realtythatsells.com.

Willow Vineyard, Suttons Bay

You, traipsing round trellised vines bare of feet and dirndl-clad (or whatever).

Cabin Country

Wear what you like. It’s your winery. But know that winemaking at Willow Vineyard is serious business. These 11-plus acres bosomed in the heart of Leelanau Peninsula wine country produce award-winning pinot gris, pinot noir and chardonnay. When the winemaking day is done, relax on the deck of your European-esque villa and drink in one of the most stunning views in any wine country, anywhere. While sipping a glass of your own wine, of course.

$2 million. Shelly Brunette, Real Estate One. 231.642.6436, shelly@shellysells.com.

The Grand Victorian, Bellaire 

This stunning circa 1890’s Queen Annestyle B & B has appeared on calendars, magazine covers and cereal and cracker boxes all over the country. It’s also garnered a slew of accolades as a B & B since 1989, including American Historic Inns Nationwide 2006 “Top 10 Romantic Inn.” Now the innkeepers are ready to retire, and the Grand Victorian is ready for a new era.

Turnkey price: $675, 000. Bob Brick, ReMax Bayshore Properties, 231.941.5600 x 203, bobbrick.com.

Deals to make you pull on the buffalo plaid.

Peaceful on the Platte

Tether ol’ Pokey to the split rail fence while you have a set on the porch, then maybe mosey down to your 350 feet on the Platte River for some fishing. Pokey feeling frisky? Run him on 20 acres of meadows and woods. Sweet home à la Honor.

$339, 900. Christine Stapleton, Stapleton Realty, 231.326.4000, cdstapleton.com

Sweet on the Betsie

A sleepy 400 feet on the Betsie River tucked on the backside of Crystal Mountain Ski Resort and Spa. The property alone is enough to call this a deal. Throw in cathedral ceilings, skylights and other nicely appointed touches, and this is an Up North property a person can cozy into.

$275,000. Bill Hollenbeck, Sleeping Bear Realty.231.499.9003, c21sleeping bearrealty.com.

Old Timey on Lake Leelanau

Certainly the real value here is in the 100 feet of Lake Leelanau sandy beach. But Honest Abe, you gotta’ love the cabin that comes with. It even has a new roof.

$349,000. Judy Levin, Coldwell Banker, 888.568.2258, leelanaurealestate.com.

Movin’ On Up!

Average and median selling prices are on the rise in Northern Michigan between 2008 and 2011. Here are the numbers:

AVERAGE SELLING PRICE, January 2008: $136,027

AVERAGE SELLING PRICE, January 2011: $175,166

MEDIAN SELLING PRICE, January 2009: $90,000

MEDIAN SELLING PRICE, January 2011: $141,500

Source: Traverse Area Association of Realtors