Why you want to buy this waterfront resort instead of a cabin or cottage!!

Buying a Houghton Lake Cabin vs. Owning a Resort: Why North Bay Landing Stands Apart

Buyers searching cabins and camps for sale in Michigan often start with one goal: secure a place on the water. On Houghton Lake, that usually means paying $600,000+ for an older single cabin—often with limited rental flexibility and little room to grow.

North Bay Landing Resort offers a smarter alternative: control more waterfront, generate income immediately, and hold real estate that should appreciate over time.


More Than a Cabin—A Scalable Waterfront Asset

North Bay Landing Resort is a traditional lakefront resort that includes:

  • Seven waterfront rental cottages
  • A primary waterfront home
  • A second custom Northwoods-style home across the street
  • Three separate tax parcels

That parcel structure matters. It creates long-term flexibility—whether for continued operation, future repositioning, or value separation down the road.


Real Estate Value That Carries the Deal

A conservative way to view the numbers highlights why this property works.

Assign $350,000 to the primary residence and the effective price for the income-producing resort drops to approximately $845,000. That figure covers seven waterfront cottages—on Houghton Lake—something nearly impossible to recreate today.

Zooming out further:

  • Three parcels at roughly $500,000 each
  • Plus the $350,000 home
  • Implied real estate value approaches $1.85 million

That estimate excludes the operating business and rental income entirely, providing strong real estate downside protection.


Proven Income With Upside Potential

Under current operations, North Bay Landing can generate around $150,000 in annual gross income. For many buyers, that alone creates a comfortable ownership model.

But history shows that resorts like this often perform even better under new ownership. With improved marketing, refreshed amenities, and modern booking systems, gross revenues frequently increase by 40–50% within a few years.

That upside simply doesn’t exist with a single cabin.


Why Investors Are Re-Thinking Single-Cabin Purchases

Comparing options makes the decision clearer:

Single Houghton Lake Cabin

  • One structure
  • One income source
  • Limited tax benefits
  • $600,000+ purchase price

North Bay Landing Resort

  • Multiple waterfront rental units
  • Diversified income streams
  • Depreciation advantages
  • Real estate appreciation across several parcels
  • Lifestyle use plus business income

This is why more buyers looking for Michigan waterfront investment property are shifting from single cabins to small resorts.


Tax Benefits Add Another Layer of Value

Because North Bay Landing is an income-producing property, buyers can take advantage of depreciation and operational deductions—benefits that rarely apply to personal-use cabins. Over time, these tax advantages can materially improve overall returns.


A Rare Opportunity on Michigan’s Largest Inland Lake

North Bay Landing Resort combines:

  • Prime Houghton Lake frontage
  • Immediate rental income
  • Strong real estate fundamentals
  • Long-term appreciation potential

For buyers exploring cabins and camps for sale by Ken Weaver, this property represents the kind of opportunity that checks both boxes: sound investment logic and a true Northern Michigan lake lifestyle.

On Houghton Lake, you can buy one cabin—or you can own the waterfront, the income, and the upside.

Houghton Lake Resort for Sale
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Ken Weaver: Michigan’s Go-To Expert for Campground & Resort Valuations

If you own a campground, RV park, cabin resort, lodge, marina, or waterfront resort in Michigan, one question eventually comes up:

What is my property really worth in today’s market?

According to Ken Weaver of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan, the answer is rarely simple — and it’s almost never something an online calculator can determine accurately.

Recreational and hospitality properties are unlike traditional real estate. Their value is shaped by land, lifestyle, income, and long-term potential. That’s why owners across Northern Michigan and beyond turn to Ken Weaver for professional campground and resort valuations.


Why Campground & Resort Valuations Are Different

Most business valuations focus narrowly on income and expenses.
Ken Weaver takes a market-driven approach that reflects how real buyers actually think.

A true valuation looks beyond spreadsheets and considers the full picture of the property — both today and into the future.


How Ken Weaver Values Michigan Campgrounds & Resorts

Ken’s valuation process focuses on five core value drivers that consistently determine what buyers are willing to pay.

1. Land & Real Estate Value

In many Michigan campgrounds and resorts, the land itself represents a major portion of total value.

Key factors include:

  • Waterfront or river frontage
  • Acreage and privacy
  • Zoning or lack of zoning
  • Development and expansion potential

In high-demand Northern Michigan markets, land value alone can be substantial.

2. Business Performance

Ken analyzes real operating performance, including:

  • Actual income and expenses
  • Seasonality and occupancy trends
  • Long-term sustainability
  • Opportunities to improve revenue

This ensures valuations reflect reality — not inflated projections.

3. Location & Market Demand

Location plays a critical role in value. Ken evaluates:

  • Northern Michigan tourism demand
  • Proximity to lakes, rivers, trails, and recreation
  • Accessibility to major destinations
  • Regional buyer demand

Strong locations consistently command premium pricing.

4. Lifestyle Value

One of the most overlooked — yet powerful — components of value is lifestyle.

Buyers are not just purchasing a business. They’re buying:

  • A way of life
  • The ability to live where others vacation
  • Family legacy opportunities
  • Freedom and flexibility

Ken understands how to properly price this lifestyle appeal.

5. Future Upside & Appreciation

Ken also evaluates what the next owner could do with the property, including:

  • Expansion opportunities
  • Underutilized land
  • Rezoning potential
  • Modernization and repositioning
  • Long-term appreciation

Future upside often separates average properties from exceptional ones.


Why Online Campground Valuations Miss the Mark

Online valuation tools are not designed for Michigan campgrounds, RV parks, or resorts.

They fail to account for:

  • Waterfront and river value
  • Zoning flexibility
  • Expansion potential
  • Seasonal tourism demand
  • Lifestyle and legacy appeal
  • Local and regional buyer behavior

Accurate valuations require hands-on market knowledge, not algorithms.


Who Ken Weaver Works With

Ken Weaver specializes exclusively in recreational and hospitality real estate, including:

  • Campgrounds
  • RV parks
  • Cabin and cottage resorts
  • Waterfront resorts
  • Lodges
  • Marinas
  • Outdoor recreation businesses

He works throughout Northern Michigan and statewide, helping owners understand value and successfully position properties for sale.


About Ken Weaver

Ken Weaver is known for representing some of Michigan’s most unique and irreplaceable recreational properties.

He doesn’t just list properties —
he strategically positions them to attract buyers who understand:

✔ Land value
✔ Business fundamentals
✔ Lifestyle benefits
✔ Long-term appreciation

This approach consistently leads to stronger interest and better outcomes for sellers.


Thinking About Selling — or Just Planning Ahead?

Property owners contact Ken Weaver for many reasons, including:

  • Selling now or in the future
  • Estate planning
  • Partner buyouts
  • Expansion planning
  • Establishing a realistic market value

Every valuation is confidential and tailored to the property.

There’s no obligation — just clear, honest insight.


Request a Campground or Resort Valuation

To begin a valuation, Ken typically reviews:

  • Property location
  • Type of operation (campground, resort, RV park, etc.)
  • Approximate size
  • Waterfront or river access
  • Known income history

Whether you plan to sell soon or years from now, understanding your property’s true value is a powerful advantage.

Contact Ken Weaver directly to start the conversation.

Why Ken Weaver with Berkshire Hathaway Is the Best Choice to Sell Your Traverse City East Side Home

Why Ken Weaver with Berkshire Hathaway Is the Best Choice to Sell Your Traverse City East Side Home

Selling a home on the east side of Traverse City requires more than a general understanding of the local real estate market. This area has its own character, buyer expectations, and value drivers that directly affect pricing, marketing, and negotiation. Choosing the right listing agent—one who truly understands this part of Traverse City—can have a major impact on both the final sale price and the overall experience.

Ken Weaver of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and effective agents for selling homes on the east side of Traverse City. As a 35-year resident of the area and someone who has been actively involved in building and selling homes here since 2004, Ken brings a depth of experience that few agents can match.

A Longstanding Connection to the East Side of Traverse City

Ken Weaver has lived in the Traverse City area for over three decades and has spent most of his professional career working directly within the east side market. This is not an area he occasionally services—it is where he focuses the majority of his time, energy, and expertise. That focus allows him to understand subtle differences between neighborhoods, road corridors, school districts, zoning considerations, and buyer preferences that often go unnoticed by agents who cover a broader territory.

The east side of Traverse City offers a unique combination of natural beauty and convenience. With its lakes, access to state land, proximity to the VASA Trail system, and easy connection to downtown Traverse City, the area attracts buyers who value lifestyle as much as they value the home itself. Ken understands how to position these features in a way that resonates with buyers and supports strong pricing.

Deep Market Knowledge Built on Real Experience

Since 2004, Ken Weaver has been directly involved in the building, renovation, marketing, and sale of homes throughout Traverse City’s east side. This hands-on experience gives him an advantage when it comes to advising sellers on preparation, pricing strategy, and timing. He knows what improvements matter, what buyers notice, and how to avoid common issues that can delay or derail a sale.

Over the course of his career, Ken has sold more than $150 million in real estate on the east side of Traverse City. That volume is not the result of mass listings or high-pressure sales tactics. It is the result of consistent results, strong relationships, and a reputation for doing the work required to sell homes properly.

A Focused Approach That Benefits Sellers

Unlike agents who list properties across wide geographic areas, Ken intentionally concentrates on the east side of Traverse City. This focus allows him to give each listing the attention it deserves. He works with a limited number of sellers at any given time, ensuring that your home is not competing internally for attention or resources.

When you list your home with Ken Weaver, you can expect a hands-on approach that includes thoughtful preparation, strong initial market positioning, and ongoing communication throughout the process. His goal is not simply to list homes, but to sell them—and to do so on terms that work for his clients.

Marketing That Reflects the True Value of Your Home

Selling a home on the east side of Traverse City requires marketing that goes beyond basic photos and an MLS entry. Ken’s approach is built around showcasing both the home and the lifestyle that comes with it. He understands that many buyers are choosing the east side specifically for its trails, lakes, quiet setting, and proximity to downtown without the congestion.

Ken’s broader marketing philosophy and examples of his work can be seen at www.traversecitylistingagent.com. While those strategies apply to homes throughout the region, his deep understanding of the east side allows him to tailor messaging and exposure specifically to the buyers most likely to pay a premium for properties in this area.

Why Local Expertise Matters to Buyers

Buyers looking on the east side of Traverse City tend to be well informed. They research neighborhoods, schools, recreational access, and future development. Working with a listing agent who can answer questions confidently and provide real context builds trust and reduces friction during negotiations.

Ken’s long-standing presence in the community and his extensive transaction history on the east side give both buyers and cooperating agents confidence in the information presented. That credibility often translates into smoother transactions and stronger outcomes for sellers.

More Than a Transaction

For most sellers, their home represents a major financial asset and a significant chapter of their life. Ken Weaver understands that selling a home is not just a transaction—it is a transition. His role is to protect your interests, maximize your return, and guide you through the process with clarity and professionalism.

By focusing on the east side of Traverse City, maintaining deep local knowledge, and committing to a high level of service, Ken Weaver has positioned himself as one of the best options for homeowners looking to sell in this unique and highly desirable market.

Considering Selling Your East Side Traverse City Home?

If you are thinking about selling a home on the east side of Traverse City—whether now or in the future—working with an agent who truly understands the area can make all the difference. With over 35 years in the community, active experience since 2004, more than $150 million sold on the east side, and a focused, seller-first approach, Ken Weaver offers the expertise and commitment needed to achieve the best possible outcome.

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