About Berrien County, MI

Michael Kuhn Passes Away

This morning started off with a telephone call informing me that Michael passed away while at his home in Niles, Michigan. This is a tragic loss of both a good friend and a true professional. Michael was sincerely interested in the well being of others, including his many 4 legged friends. Our 12 year old Golden Retriever was just one of many dogs that Michael raised or bred.

Michael would always greet you with a smile and in all the times I had the pleasure to work with him, I never witnessed him express anger or hate. I you had the opportunity to deal with Michael on a real estate related matter, I'm sure you will agree that he was both, likable and professional.

Posted with Permission by Paul Zubrys

I knew Mike personally for just a short time. He was a very good friend of a friend of mine. He was a guest and contributer many times on the Jim and Dave Show with "The Southwest Michigan Report". He had a great love for his pets and other animals. I know that he will be sorely missed in SW Michigan, NW Indiana and beyond.

I have no other information at this time about funeral proceedings. I will repost when that becomes known

I am Dave Woodson

There are subtle differences among beach communities that have a large impact on your ability to enjoy your property. So how do you find your perfect vacation home?

You are ready to buy that Michigan Cottage by the Lake. You've seen some beautiful ads in the magazines and you probably have already spent time looking at real estate while driving around on a Saturday afternoon, but just thinking about all the steps between seeking and finding might make you anxious, if not down-right terrified. That's a normal response. In fact, anyone who tells you he or she cruised through the process fearlessly is probably either trying to impress you, is suffering from a bad case of denial, or has worked with Lake Realty Group :)

The Truth Is
As you've seen, no two homes for sale in Southwest Michigan are identical, and neither are any two buyers. So it stands to reason that no real estate transaction is going to be a generic, cookie-cutter deal. The truth is a lot of things have the potential to go wrong. And considering what's at stake—your money, your home, your peace of mind—consulting a real estate broker who is familiar with the legal intricacies of homes for sale in any specific locale is one of the smartest things you can do for yourself and your family.

Trust your spouse, your dog, your broker.
Your real estate broker is the only person who represents your interests and your interests only in the home-buying process. You are his or her main agenda. Primarily, your broker's job is to:

• promote your best interest
• fully disclosing to you all facts that might affect or influence your decision to tender an offer to purchase
• keep confidential your motivations for buying
• disclose to you all information known to the broker about the willingness of the seller to complete the sale or to accept a lower price.
• make sure that when the transaction is over, you get what you think you're agreeing to
• Ensure that you are buying a house from the right person—one who doesn't have "baggage" that could harm you down the road

And why should you listen to us?
We're glad you asked. Paul Zubrys, Founder and Principal Broker of Lake Realty Group, LLC, began his real estate career in 1986 while developing real estate in Union Pier Michigan. Over the years, Paul has earned a reputation for competence, integrity, and brutal honesty (Testimonials). We're not a public corporation. We're not owned by a conglomerate. We're here to support the Buyers of real estate in Southwest Michigan; lake front property, vacation homes, cottages, condos, farm land, and acreage. With over 20 years in the real estate profession, we have seen it all, and we'd like to share what we've learned with you.

What's next?
Contact us to schedule an interview. This can be completed on the telephone or in person, however, we encourage that everyone involved in the acquisition attend. Be prepared to convey a description of the ideal property such as it's location, style, size, amenities, and price.

Depending on your existing knowledge of the local real estate market, we will begin by giving you a tour of the area while pointing out the pros and cons of each town, village, community and beach. Your representative will be prepared with important insight about the market such as recent sales (comps) with selling statistics. The tour will focus on general locations more than specific property, all the while paying close attention to your comments and feedback. Only after suitable locations are determined, will the focus change towards specific property.

Contact a member of "The Group".

Keywords: Michigan Lakefront Property, new buffalo michigan real estate, union pier michigan, buyer's broker, real estate, realtor.

Hey Rainers,

The New Buffalo Ship and Shore Committee will be starting up this week. We have some new members on the team this year and we are looking forward to another successful year. 2007 was the first profitable festival in a while and we are going to add to last years template which generated a larger turnout. Anyone interested in joining the committee may contact me through active rain. The public is invited to an open forum to ask questions, voice concerns, encourage us, etc. at the Marina Grand in New Buffalo on 2-11-08 at 6:30PM. The New Buffalo Ship and Shore festival is a wonderful experience with something for everyone. Live music, plenty of food and beer, activities, the boat parade, fireworks, etc. If you prefer not to become an active participant in the planning, please make sure you come to the festival which is held in August every year. Dates and time to come later.

http://www.starevents.com/shipShore.html use this link from last years festival for more information.

Thanks, Mario

Three Oaks, Michigan

http://www.ask4mario.com/

What else can I say about Three Oaks, Michigan which has not been said, broadcast nor written? From the Chicago Tribune to several HGTV shows and even Chicago spotlights such as 190 North; Three Oaks, Michigan is the place to be if cultural highlights are your forte. Three Oaks, Michigan is my second Harbor Country home. I live in Lakeside, Michigan, but my heart and the majority of my friends are in Three Oaks. New Buffalo may have the marina and the other beach towns may have the sand and surf, but if you are looking for something to do Three Oaks delivers! Three Oaks, Michigan the place to find movies, live performance and something for everyone! Three Oaks, with fabulous restaurants, deli's and even a saloon! That's right, a good old fashioned saloon with free popcorn, great burgers and lively conversation. Just ask for Carrie at Nelson's Saloon, she'll set you up. Bailey's Cafe' is the place where people not only get a great meal, it's the place to see and be seen. Come see what Alberto's been cooking up, Tim will gladly save you a seat! Entertainment, Three Oaks style: Dave Fink and Kim Clark took a forlorn factory and made it into a world class performance venue. With choices such as rock, opera and folk music to jazz, disco and drama, you will always be left wanting more when you are entertained at the Acorn Theater. Why would you even bother to travel to Cannes or the Sundance film festivals when you can see the same films at the Vickers Movie House. John and Jennifer Vickers poured their hearts into creating a magical place where expression and art tantalize the mind. If your idea of entertainment is spending a lazy day in the park under the tall oaks reading, then you must wander into the big pink victorian house at the corner of Elm and Sycamore. Rick and Donna will sell you a book, then go to Froehlichs get a few items to nibble on and spend your day at Dewey Canon Park. Bring a portable radio and tune it to 106.7 FM because Three Oaks has it's very own radio station with programming as eclectic as the town. Shopping. If shopping is your sport there are more places to find unique items in Three Oaks than one can imagine. The Historic Featherbone Factory, (ask for Ken, tell him Mario sent you) offers treasures galore at unbeatable prices. Galleries such as Dawning and others are filled with original art & sculpture. Clothing, shoes and fashion abound in Three Oaks. Antiques, furniture and treasures can be found at the many stores and shops such as Springdale and Ipso Facto featuring mid-century and art-deco styles respectively. Community. Music in the park, movies in the park, the flag day parade & rodeo; are just a few of the events Three Oaks has to offer. The Apple Cider Century bicycle tour, the inside out weekend and the third Saturday Gallery walk are community offerings designed to entice even the most fervent homebody out into the fresh air. When is the last time you went to an authentic Farmer's Market? Guess what, Three Oaks has one! Locally grown produce, some organic, are offered for your enjoyment and your culinary genius. The winter holiday lights and the movie Prancer (filmed here in town) shown at the Vickers makes every holiday season something to look forward to in Three Oaks. Three Oaks, close to walking trails, cross-country ski trails and even snow-mobile trails offers year round activities. Come see what Three Oaks can do for the soul and become an "Oaker" whether you are full-time or part-time we want you. Three Oaks, Michigan the place to find homes built before the turn of the century, from grand mansions to garden cottages and everything in-between make up the eclectic housing stock. Post war ranches, 70's trilevels and architect designed mid-century homes offer everyone something to suite their needs, tastes and ideas of what makes a house a home. That's where I come in. Allow me to help you find your next home in Three Oaks, Michigan. My second Harbor Country Home.

Today, the communities of Michiana, Grand Beach, New Buffalo, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, Three Oaks (see page two) and Sawyer are collectively known as Harbor Country, named by the local Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce.

The number one reason Harbor Country exists today are the miles of pristine beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan and the lush surrounding countryside; however, it was not always this way. About 150 years ago, the area was a dense forest that was harvested to build much of the Midwest, especially Chicago after the great fire. Primeval forest gave way to neat and orderly rows of orchards and vineyards. The land cleared of it's trees became an agricultural powerhouse! Hot summer days with cool nights made the perfect recipe for some of the best fruit available at the time . Just after the turn of the 20th century, another bumper crop sprouted up...tourists. To meet the demand for a cool place to escape Chicago's brutal summers, landowners quickly built seasonal cottages and resorts with developers building entire communities. "Harbor Country" was born and it took nearly 100 years to name her!