Traverse City Realtor

Dereck Dykes REALTOR - 231.714.0627 www.dereckashley.com

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So it’s been a minute since I’ve been able to make a new post, I mean after all I do live in one of the most amazing cities in the US and it has been our prime season, SUMMER! To say I’ve been busy is an understatement, busy busy with work and play! So I’ll share a little bit of what I’ve been up to and how incredible this summer has been living in Traverse City.

  It’s been an abnormally warm summer, most days have been in the 80’s making for perfect beach weather and with all the lakes we have this has been great! I’ve been constantly exploring new beaches and with the addition of new paddle boards this summer I have been on those a fair amount as well. My new favorite beach would have to be North Bar Lake, man this place is cool! I know it’s not so secret and quite possibly one of the more popular destinations but it’s new to me! It’s an inland lake that has a shallow canal connecting it to the main body of lake Michigan. It’s great for paddle boards because of the inland lake although I have more fun paddling the rougher waters of Lake Michigan.

    This past weekend the wife and I took some friends from out of state up to Mackinac Island, this place never disappoints it’s always a good time! We took them biking around the Island, to the Grand Hotel, hung out and had some drinks downtown and then headed back to TC. It was perfect sunny warm weather for a day on the island!

  And of course we have been touring vineyards because when you have this many vineyards so close to home you have to stop by once in a while. Mari and Bowers Harbor have been our main stops.

    A few other highlights have been Elk Rapids Dam Beach, it’s a little hidden but worth a quick google search. We visited Manistee which I was pleasantly surprised with, what a great little town and beach! We ate at Bluefish downtown and the food was fantastic! The downtown area is very walkable but unfortunately a little underdeveloped, so much potential though! I’ve been out biking alot, I’ve really stuck locally just because I have been so busy selling homes but The Vasa Single Track is always fun and beautiful! Summer definitely doesn’t disappoint up here and there is no lack of things to do. I am looking forward to fall and the different things it will bring and of course winter because i’m getting a little antsy to get on my snowboard again! If you’re considering moving to the area checkout my Traverse City Real Estate website to look at homes or reach out to me.

  Summer Living In Traverse City So it's been a minute since I've been able to make a new post, I mean after all I do live in one of the most amazing cities in the US and it has been our prime season, SUMMER!

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So New! Beautiful custom home in Fabulous Wolverine Heights located on Wolverine Golf Course, part of Grand Traverse Resort. Soaring ceiling in Great Room with gas fireplace and stone surround. Restoration Hardware chandeliers makes formal dining room shine. Master bedroom has a plantation door, onto covered Trex deck. Master Bath with soaking tub. Two bedrooms located at other end share a full bath. Walnut floors, Granite, Tropical fans, Custom Shades, Trapazoid Windows. Powder room embellished with Swarovski Crystals. You will be awestruck with the architectural design. Professionally landscaped. Relax on the deck, pergola covered patio or head down to the pond to meet the wonderful neighbors.Click here to learn more about this home.

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Real Estate Photography

So I have a new listing at 228 Rosebud Ctand when we had the initial photos taken the interior came out GREAT. However it was suppose to be a sunny day and the exterior photos were good but just not quite where I wanted them to be. So I called up Blue Lava Media and had them go back out and take some new exterior photos and man was it worth it! It’s amazing what a little sunshine will do to help…

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Step inside this newly built Farmhouse Masterpiece and be prepared to have your breath taken away! From the panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands this home has everything the distinguished buyer is looking for! Located in the prestigious Crystal Downs Country Club in Frankfort Michigan, this 4 bedroom 5.5 bath home sits at 4,500 square feet of pure luxury. From the 2 1/2 inch quartzite counter tops throughout, custom paneled appliances, hand molded tile back splash that extends from counter top to ceiling to the main floor master bedroom with a marble bathroom, steam threshold shower and heated floors, a completely finished lower level with a study & den connected by a beautiful bathroom, covered patio, 16 inch hand split cedar shakes on the roof - you are sure to feel like you have found a little piece of Heaven on Earth! So many beautiful amenities to share, so be sure to ask your agent for all the details! P.S. Did someone say "shiplap"? Wait until you see it!! 

Click here to learn more about this property.

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The majestic ski homes of the Rocky Mountains were the inspiration for this 6-bedroom, 5-full and 2-half bathroom 4,825 square-foot home. The stunning home’s four fireplaces, warm and earthy elemental finishes and expansive windows complement its setting amongst the towering hardwoods of the popular MountainWoods residential neighborhood at Crystal Mountain. Highlights include a cook’s kitchen with luxury JennAir appliances, custom cabinetry and granite surfaces; an inviting living and dining area with a lofty, tongue-in-groove ceiling, wooden beams, a hand-crafted stone fireplace and generous windows; and a sun room with an additional stone fireplace, cathedral ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. The private, main-floor master suite has its own fireplace, plus built-in armoires, walk-in closet and bathroom with an oversized slate and stone shower, while the home’s lower level offers a recreation room with a bar and stone fireplace. The 3-car garage boasts an extra-large finished guest suite above, with its own bathroom and balcony. Outside, there’s a large porch on the home’s frontside, and a hardscaped patio with fire circle off the back. Located adjacent to the peaceful Michigan Legacy Art Park, this one-of-a-kind home is only a short walk or shuttle ride away from Crystal’s bustling base area with all of its amenities. You really can have it all in this stately, lodge-style home. Offered with a complimentary one-year FOUR SEASONS CLUB family membership to Crystal Mountain. Click here to learn more about this property.

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Stately living on OMP! The impressive main level with stunning views of East Bay features white wide pine floors, oversized windows and cathedral ceilings. The gourmet kitchen, open concept floor plan and luxurious porch are perfectly suited for entertaining family and friends. Fireplaces create cozy atmosphere in kitchen and master suite. With over 5,000 s.f., this Roger Widing built home includes 4 generous bedrooms, 4.5 baths, plus large bonus room. Enjoy the gorgeous outdoor living space including beautiful gardens, 500 ft. of shared frontage, and private manicured backyard space. This is the personal residence of a talented interior decorator; her passion and creative strength shines in every detail. Click here to learn more about this property.

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These views never get old. I love where I live #traversecity #michigan #puremichigan

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SO I decided to go out for happy hour the other day and was pleasantly suprised just how incredible the view is from the roof top bar at H&L Social at the Hotel Indigo. This bar sits on the fifth floor, all you have to do is take the elevator in the main lobby to the top and you’re there. Just a heads up, this place gets PACKED and I think you can see why. The food is great, the drinks are phenomenal and if you’re looking for a patio with a view there isn’t anything that even compares to this in Traverse City. However there are no happy hour specials but with this kind of view you can understand why.

Traverse City – What A View! SO I decided to go out for happy hour the other day and was pleasantly suprised just how incredible the view is from the roof top bar at…

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Traverse City Real Estate Market Update

Traverse City Real Estate Market Update

So here’s the most recent stats for the past week in Traverse City’s busy real estate market! I know it’s been a little while since I’ve posted an update but I hope the information below is helpful! Off Water Homes

168 New Listings

Values are up 10.4%

Market activity is statistically even

88 Average days on market

4.8 months inventory

Summary: Values are climbing pretty substantially at 10.4%…

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So this weekend my wife and I joined some friends on a trip up to Leland to attend the “Here comes the sun” event in Fishtown. The event was a blast as it’s always hard to go wrong visiting Leland or Fishtown for that matter. After we left there we decided to go hiking in Sleep Bear Dunes, I’ve hiked quite a few trails here but some friends suggested a trail we haven’t hiked before. I was surprised it was only one street up from the Empire Bluff Trail and I haven’t heard of it. It started off on a two track through the woods to what use to be an operating farm. This farm now belongs to the park and while the structures still stand no one lives in them. The story is that the home was built in 1880 and the owner was an engineer which explains some of the weird storage structures on the premises. After you pass the farm you can hike up a sandy trail that takes you to the top of a hill that over looks Lake Michigan. It’s a beautiful view but it is a fairly steep hike up as well as back down. If you keep hiking it continues through the woods giving way to some beautiful views over the top of a huge cliff looking down on the dune, beach, and lake michigan. I’ve attached some pictures from the hike, I highly recommend this one as it is absolutely beautiful! I hope you all had a chance to make it out and about over the weekend as it was absolutely perfect weather to be outside!

  Treat Farm Trail Hike – Empire So this weekend my wife and I joined some friends on a trip up to Leland…

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Absolutely stunning custom home perched on the shores of beautiful Long Lake. This home is masterfully constructed on one of the best beaches on the entire lake, beautiful wide open sand, perfect for swimming and recreating. The clean, modern look of the home is paired perfectly with the stunning views from virtually every room of the home. Oversized bedrooms, main floor office or could be a sixth bedroom, an expansive lower level walkout (complete with wet bar), two laundry rooms, great outdoor living space and a secondary garage perfect for water toys makes this home a must see for anyone looking for the best in waterfront living. Learn more about this property by clicking here

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Beautifully unique, rustic white oak timber frame home and guest house with over 120' of private Lake Michigan frontage. A Must See! No detail left untouched. Enjoy the secluded setting, covered decking, and walk out lower level. Built and owned by architect. Guest house includes 3 Bedrooms above garage, fantastic for guests or family overflow. Learn more about this property by clicking here

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Gorgeous Elk Lake Custom home in the exclusive Shores of Palaestra on 100 feet of private frontage. As you walk into the 2 story foyer of this stunning home the views of the lake surround you, the living room has a 2 story wall of windows taking in the beauty of the lake! Cooks kitchen has expansive granite counter space and high end stainless steel appliances including double ovens and a wine fridge. Open to the dining area which steps out onto the huge composite deck which runs the entire length of the home. The natural stone fireplace is two sided for cozy dinners and evenings watching movies in the living room. The custom entertainment system keeps all the components tucked out of the way yet provides a great viewing experience. Main floor master suite has 2 walk in closets and a spa like private bath. Upstairs there are 2 spacious bedrooms with private baths attached with a lofted sitting room that takes full advantage of the lake views plus a huge finished bonus room over the attached 3 car garage. Learn more about this home here

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Gorgeous, newly renovated Victorian with a modern layout and in a premier Central Neighborhood location! On a corner lot with an expansive front porch, this charming home features over 2600. of living space, an open floor plan, multiple living spaces on the main level, and a smartly updated kitchen with quartz counters. You'll love the convenient location, abundance of natural light, established landscaping, mudroom off the kitchen, hardwood floors, and the preserved historical details like the show-stopping staircase. There are 4 bedrooms plus a playroom/office on the second level and 1 bedroom on the main. The basement has great potential to be additional living space. Learn more about this property by clicking here

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Traverse City Real Estate Market Update

Traverse City Real Estate Market Update

We’ve made a little traction on our inventory finally, we’ve bounced back from a 3 month inventory to almost 4 months. This is good for both buyers and sellers. However it is still very much a sellers market but with interest rates on the rise, currently between 4% and 5%, it’s also a good time to buy. For every point that interest rates rise buyer affordability decreases about 11%. Take a look…

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If you can’t settle for just a mediocre view this is the home for you! Enjoy stunning, commanding, panoramic, West Bay views from this gorgeous, custom, home perched proudly on Majestic Ridge Drive in Bay Ridge Estates. This is a spacious, bright, and open 4,700 plus square foot home with 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, a main floor Master Suite and laundry, a large, 3-plus car garage, and large mudroom. There is a generous and thoughtfully-designed gourmet kitchen featuring an abundance of tasteful cabinetry, granite counter tops, breakfast nook, and only the finest appliances including a Wolfe 6-burner stove, Sub Zero fridge, Thermador range, Bosch dishwasher and more. Beautiful woodwork, large built-ins, and an expansive use of architectural grade windows are enjoyed throughout this open floor plan. The lower level features a partial kitchen, large family room with gas fireplace, full bed and bath, extra-large workshop, ample storage, and a full walk-out to more breathtaking views! A lower level that feels like main floor living and makes for a wonderful in-law suite or guest retreat. This is an exceptional property that's very well-cared for, beautifully and professionally landscaped and fully irrigated. Just 10 miles from downtown Traverse City you'll have to see it to fully appreciate it! Click here to learn more about this property

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The magic of northern MI lakeside living w/ the never ending beauty of West Bay & it’s blue waters is apparent from this top quality home. Perfectly located between the charming village of Suttons Bay & bustling Traverse City. Absolutely incredible views from nearly every rm. Wall of windows & stone gas f/p in living rm run floor to ceiling. Dramatic, open, functional floor plan. 4 separate BD/bath suites for privacy & comfort. Firepit area at the water’s edge w/ the sound of the waves lapping on shore. Water activities abound, sail, paddleboard, kayak, fish, water-ski, tube, swim. Sandy beach area, swim raft, state of the art dock w/ swim ladder. Trees for privacy yet awe inspiring views. Large upper deck, enclosed sunroom, covered front porch, lower patio. Click here to learn more about this property