Thursday, March 29, 2012

House for Sale!


No, Heaven's Walk isn't for sale.
Not quite yet, anyway.
We've got a few more years here before we downsize -
God willing.

But we do have our lake house up for sale now.


Water frontage


Private cul-de-sac

We've been busily cleaning and waxing and Murphy's Oil Soaping to make it look all spiffy for the new owners...
whoever that may be ~
whenever that may be.

We pray sooner rather than later.
Please, Lord...?

Would you like to take a little tour?

Before we start, here are the specs:
  • Ranch style home with vinyl siding and Anderson windows
  • Three bedrooms & two bathrooms
  • Living space:  approximately 1600 square feet
  • Lot size:  75 x 115 (1.5 lots) with additional lot next door available for purchase
  • Delton school district
  • Located on Gun Lake in Shelbyville, Michigan 

We truly loved living in this house for almost 25 years.  We cared for it like it was our baby.  We loved the lake life.  Waking up to warm, sunshiny mornings, spending the entire day boating around the lake and meeting friends for water volleyball, or just kicking back and laying in the sun - floating on our boat til the sun went down. I never grew tired of cruising across the sparkling water and hearing the waves splashing against the sides of the boat...

But when we decided we wanted to spread our wings a little more, to have a bit more acreage for a nice big, organic vegetable garden where Hubby could ride his beloved vintage FarmAll tractor and I could can and freeze our own food, we left our lake life behind
and moved to Heaven's Walk.

That was six years ago.
We tried to sell the lake house for the first three years - to no avail.
It was unfortunate timing when the economy took a downward turn 
and houses weren't selling.

We were scrimping and saving every penny ~ barely getting by with making double house/utility payments. I was tending both houses and both yards. It was a lot of work. We buckled and decided that we needed to rent it out, which is what we did for the past three years.

But now it's time to sell it.
We never really wanted to be landlords.
We didn't like being landlords.
We just wanted some sweet family to come along and fall in love with our house
and want to buy it.

 ~ ♥ ~

Our lake house has a bright, open floor plan on 75 feet of a clean, private channel on beautiful Gun Lake.  It is located on a private cul-de-sac.




The house has just the right amount of space for a young family, growing family, empty nesters, or retirees.  The open floor plan is airy and very spacious. It has central AC, thermal-pane windows, and a fabulous four-season sun room overlooking the water - which is where we spent the majority of our time. I always loved sitting out there and watching the sparkling water outside the big windows, or seeing the snowflakes swirling across the ice laden channel.


Bright and airy living room with oak floors, painted planked walls, and Roman shades. (Looking from entry)

Looking into the living room from dining area

We had 3/4" oak hardwood flooring professionally installed throughout the house as well as new, neutral colored berber carpeting installed in the three bedrooms.


Master bedroom with new carpeting, large mirrored closet, cozy shutters, and a water garden outside the windows.

Guest bedroom #1 with new carpeting and Roman shades,

Guest bedroom #2 with new carpeting and Roman shades.

The master bath was remodeled with a fresh, new look.

Completely remodeled master bath with Allure flooring.

Completely remodeled guest bath with beadboard walls and ceiling, and Pergo flooring. Front load washer & dryer is across from shower.

The kitchen cabinetry is beautiful oak and there is a unique butcher block snack bar that wraps around the kitchen area creating the perfect place to entertain while cooking. We brought that solid, heavy piece of wood home from the school where we both worked.  They were updating the kitchen and were going to throw it out. We nabbed it and after having it remilled, designing some butcher block corbels to support it, had it installed in our kitchen. Hubby loved that kitchen because our guests could gather at the counter and watch him play Master Chef!
It was perfect for entertaining.

The refrigerator (a newer stainless one now), stove, dishwasher, and microwave are included in the house. There is also a large, custom built pantry opposite the sink.




We added on this four season sunroom many years ago and it quickly became our favorite room in the house.  We installed Anderson windows and a pair of French doors that lead out to the garden and dock.
We watched the world go by from this peaceful room...


Looking into the four season sunroom from the dining room.


View into the extra lot next door from the sunroom.

Looking back into the dining/living room from the sunroom.

Outside, there is a wonderful three-stall heated garage, attic stairs, and a heated workroom. Hubby repaired many a small engine or boat motor in that workroom.  The paved drive outside the garage easily holds 6-8 parked cars.



I landscaped the property myself - spending many summers adding perennial flowerbeds, a New York blue stone path, crab apple, lilac, and pine trees, and flowering shrubs.  My neighbors told me many times how the yard looked like something out of a magazine. It was nice to hear that it could give so much enjoyment to others. I dug two small water gardens which created an even more restful haven for us.  One is along the garden path and the other beneath the master bedroom window, where you can go to sleep to the sound of trickling water. There is computerized underground sprinkling throughout the property.


Walking up to the front door.





Blue stone path leading to backyard and dock.

Water garden along path.



Along the water, we built a big boardwalk/patio that connects to the boat dock and canopy, where we always docked our pontoon boat. It was a great place for a patio table and deck chairs, and to lay in the sun and hear the waterfall from the water garden nearby.

The six-foot deep channel is very clean and swimmable. It is treated a few times during the summer to keep the weeds down and the quality of the water sparkling.

I always called this side of the yard my "woodland garden" because of it's cool, shady feel from the maple tree.

We had plans of connecting the dock to a new deck extending out from the sunroom (thus the little jog in the boardwalk). We moved before we could do that, but it would be a wonderful addition to the backyard.


Canopy was not put on yet in this photo, but it covers the boat slip.

Waterfall beneath the master bedroom window, opposite the dock.



Do you want more room to play?

Well, there is an additional 50 foot lot next door that you can purchase
which includes more flowerbeds, underground sprinkling, a campfire pit, a large shed, and a wonderful old gazebo overlooking the water.  It does have water, electric, and sewer hooked up to the shed in case you would ever want to remodel it into a guest house. The extra lot is where I did a lot of gardening, and we entertained out there around the campfire quite frequently.

Owning 2.5 lots on Gun Lake was such a blessing, and hard to come by. It gave us a feeling of having a little more elbow room, yet being close to friends, shops, the grocery store, banks, various restaurants, and a beautiful recreational area.


Standing in the extra lot by the gazebo.




Looking toward gazebo and water from the extra lot.

Gazebo and campfire pit in extra lot.

We hold very many fond and happy memories of the years spent in our sweet lake house.

We pray that there is a couple or a family out there
who will love it and cherish it as much as we did.




So, if you'd like to look at it in person,
or maybe you know of someone who is looking for a house on a beautiful lake in
southwest lower Michigan,
contact our realtor, Denny Moore, at Keller-Williams Realty.
His number is 616-942-2431.
(The house is not listed quite yet on the MLS, 
but will be within two weeks.)


We are very motivated and will certainly consider all offers.


[ Blessings & thank you for passing on the word! ]





Pssssst!!!!  Be sure to stop in for a visit with Maria at Rusty Hinge on Monday morning! I'll be guest posting over there with a completed project you won't want to miss!  :)


Linking to the parties on the lower right of my sidebar.
Just click on the buttons.

I'd love for you to become a Linky Follower!  






 


70 comments:

  1. Oh my word that all looks sooo familiar!! When we lived on Valley Drive we would go up and down the water ways!! Love that lake and I would love your home:) Are you still renting it out??

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  2. Laurie, you landscaping is very impressive. What a beautiful setting, and such a light filled space. I'm sure someone will fall in love. Hopefully soon.

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  3. Laurie- What a beautiful place. I can't imagine that it didn't sell. Someone is going to come along and fall in love with this place. I'll bet it was hard to give this up. I can see your touches in the house and the yard and landscaping is absolutely phenomenal. You did a marvelous job. Now...what you need to do...is set out a big old jug of FlippingCat/FancyDog wine that you brew and ply someone with a few drinks until they KNOW they can't live without the place!;>) Saying a prayer for you that it sells quickly! xo Diana

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  4. Hi Laurie...Love this cute place...I know this will sell fast...way tooo cute!! Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures!! xok

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  5. Gorgeous lake house and you can see that it has been lovingly decorated and kept. I couldn't help but envy all the things you can do there, like adding on, landscaping, putting in a fire-pit, etc., without going through a huge battle and long ordeal with the city. Here in San Diego, especially in the coastal cities it's like a police state when you go to do anything to your house. I may need to move to Michigan, never mind the weather. Good luck on selling the house. I think it will be swooped up in no time!

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  6. Laurie, what a gorgeous place you have for sell! I wish you the best of luck. It took us 3 years to sell our house, but I think houses are beginning to move now that people are feeling more optimistic about the economy. I am very impressed with your landscaping.

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  7. Your lake house is gorgeous. I am surprised that you are not considering retiring there when you need to down size, but I guessing maybe it is because you really want to relocate to your beloved Sanibul. Did I spell that right? Or is it Sanibal? Good luck Laurie. ox

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  8. Very pretty house Laurie!
    Wish it were closer...
    Thanks for sharing and good luck with the listing!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

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  9. Being an accidental landlord myself, I know how much you would like to sell your extra property. In one more week, my three months of hell with a tenant is over and I can put mine up for sale. I'm calling on all my angels to help us both this time! ~ Maureen

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  10. I WAN'T IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  11. Oh Laurie, what a charming, lovely home. It is perfection. The landscaping could win a prize. I wish you the best of luck and hope it sells soon. xo

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  12. Laurie, your lake house is heavenly! Hope you find new owners who will love it as much as you did!
    Blessings, Julie

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  13. So Gorgeous! Your landscaping has grown in so beautifully...& with your staging & marketing, this could be it! Good luck & God Speed! Much love, Joni

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  14. OK....I WAN'T IT!!!! (Allie Cat is my Allie's google account) But she wants it too! ;)

    xoxoxo,
    Shellagh

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  15. ps: Happy Birthday Rog (still 9:30 p.m. on the west coast!), & belated to you Laurie Dear on the 26th - what did you do? xoxo

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  16. What a great house !!!.....lovely weekend....and good luck with the sell.....xxx....

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  17. The lake house is a living dream. It is so lovely. I can see why you loved it there. I will say a pray that it sells for you. Thanks for the tour.

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  18. What a sweet house. Love the four seasons room and can't imagine that someone won't fall in love with it and buy it soon.
    Laura

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  19. It's a beautiful property, Laurie! I love the outside as well as the inside. I would love to have that view! I'm sure someone will snap it up, even if they just use it as a vacation home.

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  20. What a beautiful house. I just love it. Have a nice weekend.

    Hugs
    Elna

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  21. I showed it to my hubby and said, wouldn't it be nice to live on a lake? Yes, but will she trade for an old victorian in town? It won't last long on the market, it's wonderful! t.xoxo

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  22. Wow, what a stunning place. Who wouldn't want to live there is my question. Stunning gardens as well. My husband and I love the water and it has always been our dream to have a lake front home but sadly we are not from Michigan. We wish you good luck in selling. I know the buyer will be getting a real treasure.

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  23. Laurie,
    The house is indeed lovely. What a wonderful job you did with the gardens! A well loved and well maintained home, indeed. I will pray for a quick and great sale. I am always so glad when I see a Sold sign on a house, because it can be a stressful wait!
    I think Heaven's Walk is wonderful, and I would probably make the same move!

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  24. it's a gem, laurie. you can feel the love and care right through the images. the season is just right for selling a lakehouse!

    best to you.

    michele

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  25. I'm hoping real estate has picked up there for you.That is a lovely sweet home.
    You should have no problem selling it.

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  26. Laurie,
    I hope you will be able to sell.I know how stressful it is when you really need to sell.It is a beautiful home.
    Anne

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  27. How absolutely beautiful Laurie!! I am sure the right person will come along very soon! Your description and photos are great. I am envious of your green thumb ~ I'm sure I've asked before but want to come visit and help me out with my yard?! There will be wine included. Hee hee...

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  28. Oh Laurie!!!!

    What a lovely home - you have created magic there with years of labor and love!

    Oh how I wish I could live there - it is so beautiful!

    It must be tough to let go - surely- but owning two houses, wow, that would be so difficult to do - can't blame you for choosing...and having enough land for produce gardens is a nice choice.

    But seeing this beauty, oh what loveliness.

    I hope you sell it fast. Go bury a St. Joseph statue upside down in the front yard - works like a charm. Well, it would be a charm, haha, but you know what I mean.

    Blessings to you.

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  29. i adore it... love love... If I lived in your city I would buy it... but it is aways from the lone star state!! wishing you the best ...

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  30. Well if the house doesn't sell it the garden will. If I was in the market and lives closer I would buy it. I should sell in a heart beat...Spring is a great time.
    Hugs and enjoy the magazine!!!!
    x
    Carole

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  31. The garden of this house is quite special. Thanks for sharing!

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  32. Oh, how I wish I could buy it! I'd write a check without even going out to see it first!!!!! I spent many a hot summer day swimming out at Gun Lake. Those gardens! Perfection!!!

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  33. This is truly lovely! The lake and grounds are gorgeous too! I wish I lived closer! It's just perfect!

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  34. Hi Laurie!

    A very lovely home! I hope you are able to sell in a timely manner. Sweet blog too. So nice stopping by to visit with you!

    Kindly, Lorraine

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  35. Okay, I just love and love and love again your lake home! It's a perfect place for a family to call their own. Your lake home decor is perfect!

    I wish you the best of luck with finding a buyer ...

    :)

    Linda

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  36. Oh, my, your lake home is gorgeous! Praying you find the perfect family to buy your home. Wish it could be me! :)

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  37. Votre maison me plaît énormément... Je suis à la recherche d'une maison particulièrement pleine de charme pour les vacances... Cependant dommage que la vôtre soit un peu loin pour moi...
    gros bisous à vous.

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  38. Good luck with finding a buyer...it looks absolutely lovely ! I especially like the amount of windows letting maximum light in...Gail x

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  39. So many pictures in my mind. Lovely Christmas decor with twinkly lights in the sunroom....reflecting off the windows and wood floors.
    Wonderful shabby furniture, and white pillows everywhere.
    Gorgeous gardens. Water features.
    Beloved pets.
    Running to the mailbox to retrieve a letter from my sister in Christ.
    Tears falling down my cheeks as I type. Where did the time go?
    I miss this place you used to call home.
    Love you.
    xxoo

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  40. a beautiful home!! good luck with the sale. everybody would love to live there!

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  41. A Gorgeous home you have made there. These times are so tough aren't they. All the very best with the sale of your lovely home.
    Carolyn

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  42. Oh, my! Too lovely. If I wasn't on the lake, I would be in that sunroom reading. I can't imagine selling it, but I fully understand not wanting to be landlords. Best of luck in a quick sale.

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  43. So very charming. Good luck selling, Laurie.

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  44. I can tell you put your heart and soul into the property... I can only imagine it will be somewhat "bittersweet" to see it sell... LoVeLy Fresh & White!*!*! The right person will come along at the right time...
    Jeanine Burkhardt

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  45. Heaven's walk is a wonderful post.I'm enjoy it very much.Thank you a lot.sell my house

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  46. I precisely wanted to thank you very much once again. I am not sure the things that I might have tried in the absence of those hints provided by you over such field. It absolutely was a intimidating condition for me personally, but seeing the very well-written technique you dealt with that made me to weep over joy. Now i am happy for the support and then have high hopes you really know what a great job you happen to be putting in educating men and women using your web blog. Most likely you’ve never got to know all of us.

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  47. I cannot see why this lovely home won't sell right away! It's move-in ready and so gorgeous! I love, love the gardens too! I'll send a prayer just the right family comes your way soon!
    xo
    clare

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  48. So cute...good luck, (although I don't believe in luck, but I do believe in God's blessings...so good blessings!) with the sale. Maybe we should come visit it...we always go to Maine and from WI it's a LONG drive :) Little Bit

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  49. p.s. I'm now following you on LF...hope you'll come visit me too! Little Bit

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  50. I sure wish I lived in Michigan. What a gorgeous little lake house, Laurie. Thanks for taking me on a tour. I LOVE it! I can't imagine you having trouble selling it! You can't touch lake property here anymore. I absolutely adore your garden. I wish I had a green thumb. I really want to pretty up the outside this year...you may get an email for some design work!

    xo,
    Jami

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  51. The lake house is so gorgeous. Each and every room is beautifully decorated I really appreciate your sharing. All the best for your new house sale. Palm Springs Real Estate Agent

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  52. I would take it {if I could} :)

    Such a charming cottage - love the open floor plan & all that gorgeous window light!! You have made it look so pretty. Best of luck with the sale of it.

    Happy Easter Laurie!

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  53. What a charming little home. I so wish I could afford it since I'm IL it sure wouldn't be that far to drive to. Wishing you luck on selling it. So incredibly cute. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration Sunday's Best

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  54. Oh Laurie! What a beautiful house. Who wouldn't want it? I love that room with all the windows and your landscaping is incredible! It's just a little too far away for me :). Best of luck selling.

    Happy Easter.

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  55. This lake house reminds me of the house that we used to live in when I was a child! I love everything about it, especially the lake and the backyard. The backyard is just huge and pretty. I'm sure that the new owners would have a wonderful time making their own precious memories ina it. Good luck!

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  56. Thanks for giving us this tour!! Looks lovely. I always love looking out onto water. :)

    Thanks for linking up to Romance on a Dime!

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  57. just couldn’t leave your website before telling you that we really enjoyed the quality information you offer to your visitors… Will be back often to check up on new posts.

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  58. Based on the pictures you posted, it seems to be a pretty big house, Laurie! And it seems to have a welcoming and warm environment! I agree with them, your home has such a nice landscape. It certainly added to that homey charm your home has. Too bad you're done renting it out. I wish all the best for you and your family. :)

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  59. What a beautiful home! It is my dream for my husband and I to live lakeside in a beautiful home such as the one you are selling. I can see why you have so many sweet memories. I'll pray it sells to a wonderful family that will treasure it as much as you both did. And that it sells FAST!. Blessings, Aimee

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  61. I simply love this house and for me it looks precious because of its color and features. I wish to have this kind of haven in the future and spending time with my love ones. Thanks.


    Braxton |condo units for sale

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  62. Wow! This property looks so relaxing and calm. How I wish to experience living in this wonderful haven and spending time with your love one :). I really love the place.

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  63. Hello, good post yeah I like your post and very much like your pic because this will give me new idea about that how can I decorate my home very well. Well your post pics feel that this place is very amazing and relaxing.
    Homes for rent Pocatello

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  70. Hi Laurie,
    Your lake home is beautiful.
    Where is it located? ( We are in south east Michigan)
    Is it still for sale?
    We are looking for a summer cottage someplace not too far from home.

    Thank you,Smiles,
    Mrs Cherry Heart

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Bless you and thank you for visiting! I read each of your comments and treasure them all. So, please make sure your settings will accept emails, or leave your email address so that I can reply! ♥ Laurie