This
is the third installment in a six-part series showing the highest-priced homes
for sale in Southwest Michigan.

SOUTH HAVEN, MI – 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

Four others over $1 million:

-$1,875,000 – A 3,619-square-foot lake front residence at 12316 LakeBridge Lane in South Haven. It has seven bedrooms and five bathrooms. Designed and built in 2005 by award-winning Cottage Home, the spacious house offers views of Lake Michigan, as well as dune grass lined beach. The residence has an open family, dining and kitchen area and a fireplace. Its kitchen has a center island snack bar, access to a pantry and access to a mud room/laundry area with a sink and second refrigerator. The Great Room opens onto a lake side porch and a screened porch. The main floor also has a guest suite and additional full bath. An upper level has a lake-side master suite, five bedrooms (one is a unique bunk room), two additional bathrooms and an activity room. Some 949 square feet of porches offers many vantage points to see Lake Michigan and a nature preserve to the east. The house also has an full but unfinished basement. LakeBridge is a small gated community that has a wooded nature trail, a gazebo retreat along a creek, a play area, and a private sand and pebble beach. — The property is represented by agent Frank T. Conklin of Conklin Real Estate (269-227-3254 or 888-227-2320).

-$1,699,000 – A 3,001-square-foot beach house at 77501 Summers Gate in South Haven. It has six bedrooms and four bathrooms on a half-acre lot. Built by Cottage Home builders in 2005, the house has panoramic views of Lake Michigan from two levels and a private beach (with 93 feet of frontage along the lake, accessed vie private stairs). The property, located in a gated community, has a large patio and in-ground pool that overlooks the lake. Its features include granite countertops, hardwood floors, wainscoting, a nautical bunk room that sleeps up to 10 people, and two river-rock fireplaces. The house has multiple decks, a screened porch, a fire pit and children’s play equipment. The property is well landscaped and has an underground sprinkling system. — The property is represented by agent John R. Valenziano of Coldwell Banker Weber-Seller (269-214-6834 or 800-637-1141)

-$1,200,000 – A 3,392-square-foot lake front house at 14600 77th St. in South Haven. It was built in 1990 on about 2.2 acres of land. it has six bathrooms and five bedroom, most of which has views of Lake Michigan and stairs that lead to 102 feet of private beach frontage. There is a master bedroom on each level and the five full baths include two with steam rooms. The residence is heated by a geothermal system and has a guest area includes separate family and kitchen areas. — The property is represented by agent Theodore Weber, of Coldwell Banker Weber-Seiler (269-214-0135 or 800-637-1141, ext. 109).

-$1,190,000 — A three-story getaway at 36 Lake Shore Drive on South Haven’s North Beach. The 2,824-square-foot residence has four bedrooms and four bathrooms with the potential to be leased as an income property. The house has views of the beach, piers and Lake Michigan for most of its rooms. Each floor also has its own deck. The house has a gourmet kitchen, spacious living spaces and a large master bedroom with a bathroom that has a clawfoot tub and a large shower. Two other bedrooms complement the second floor along with a family room. The third level has a 600–square-foot loft bedroom with its own bathroom and deck. —The property is represented by agent John Burhans of Classic Real Estate (269-921-8816 and 269-982-4005).

This report does not include two blueberry farms that were listed at about $1.5 million and a 10-bedroom structure that is currently being used for commercial purposes.

Business writer Al Jones may be contacted at ajones5@mlive.com and 269-365-7187. Follow me on Twitter at ajones5_al.