October 11th, 2026, the end to (almost) the most perfect weekend I can remember, spent in the Houghton Lake area. Insert my wife Jennifer into the weekend, and it would have been the greatest weekend of all time. The weather was absolute perfection; 70°, brilliant sun without a speck of clouds, quiet, peaceful, vibrant colors, and Pure Michigan. I miss Tim Allen’s television and radio commercials so much, and friends in other states used to tell us we had the best commercials. Jennifer was visiting her family in Arkansas for 5 days, so I spent the weekend at our cottage to complete the “fall checklist,” spend some time in the woods, and smell the smells of fall.
There simply is not a better place on planet Earth in the fall, period. The explosion of orange, yellow, and red are truly one of God’s masterpieces. This was a day I did not want to stop looking at the leaves, because photos just do not replicate the visual images processed by our brains. I stalled for 3 hours on Sunday afternoon before begrudgingly packing up my vehicle to make the I-75 journey home. Sunday was one of those days that I just couldn’t leave the outside, so driving around the 2 tracks trimming overhanging branches felt like the most enjoyable task ever. I tried to figure out how to bottle what I felt that weekend, so I could reopen it any time the need was felt. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to be a native of such a special place.
Something you don’t hear that much about (yet), and I may have mentioned it once before in previous issues, is the growing interest in Michigan real estate because 1) its beauty is unparalleled, and real estate is a bargain compared to the western states. Astronomical property taxes continue to push homeowners in those states to sell, and their soaring values provide a healthy windfall for many. And 2), our freshwater supply of the Great Lakes states is attractive to the drought states where homeowners have battled rationing, costs, and the fear of both escalating in the coming years. Many Michiganders take our freshwater supply for granted, because it is all we have ever known, which is the natural mindset over time for most people for so many things.
Our real estate market has ticked up in October, as it historically does, but many homes are sitting longer than we have seen in several years. When this hits the mailboxes, the mid-term elections will be behind us, which could help a bit. Interest rates are keeping some buyers on the sidelines, but others are capitalizing on less competition, and we are getting many buyers under contract into some fantastic homes. While some homes are exercising price reductions, homes are still selling at or near listing price (when priced appropriately), when clean, well maintained, updated, and move in ready.
Pure Michigan. It sure is, and I miss your commercials Tim. The political campaign commercials, I will not. Make it a memorable November!
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