DIRECTIONS: 4145 W. Dodge Springs Tr. - From sharp curve at M-72/669 intersection, keep N for 1 mile (thru light) to left on Baatz to right on Fritz to left on Bow to left on W Dodge Springs
A delightful setting w/totally renovated shingle style ranch home. Pastoral southern meadow views, vaulted cedar beadboard ceilings in combined living/dining area w/one of a kind brick & stone wood F/P & monitor. Master suite w/covered porch, slate shower, 6' soaking tub, 2nd BR/office, cozy in-floor & baseboard heat, cedar shingle siding & cedar decks, island kitchen w/screen porch off pantry, garden shed, & 24x32 pole barn/shop. Small association w/7 sites & 2 other homes. Glen Lake access points nearby
Rob, the owner, says...
A client of mine purchased this house, along with the 40 acres that surrounded it, back in the day when the market was on the upswing. We both saw its potential and ended up creating a small development of 7 home sites on "the 40" with the existing home on one of the parcels. My wife Peggy and I, now "empty nesters," were attracted to one of the vacant sites. We purchased it with the idea to "downsize" and build a home that was quite a bit different than the farmhouse we had redone in south-central Kasson Township. My client asked what our plan might be, and not having a specific road map, suggested he'd be willing to give us favorable terms on this home until we sold our Kasson home. We bought this home and moved in while we waited for our "other" home to sell. We figured the prospect of immediate possession might be attractive to a buyer and this got us closer to the site we wanted to eventually build on.
We made the "new house" work, but all the while knew that it needed to be upgraded, all with the eventual goal of selling it when our contemplated new home was finished. Because it was of truss construction, the roof system didn't bear on any interior walls, just the exterior ones. We systematically pulled out some of the kitchen cabinets and interior partition walls to open things up a bit, and began to get an idea of some improvements that made sense in what was a pretty tight floor plan. A defining moment came about when we removed a single double hung window over the kitchen sink and replaced it with a triple double hung unit that was taller and wider. Suddenly, we had a wonderful pastoral view of the meadow to the south and trees beyond... and the light factor!!!
We solicited some kitchen layout advice from Dan Wiesen of the 'Glen Arbor Cabinet Shop' and ended up altering the course of the stairway going into the basement, installing wood floors, and moving the laundry to the lower level - all in the name of making "just a few changes" that took what we sometimes called "the stupid house" (because of the former layout, but recognized as solidly built), into something we really began to enjoy.
The Kasson Road home had sold and we liked the light and perspective of our new changes, so we decided to take it to the next level and hired local architect Bob Holdeman of 'AAI, Inc.' (and brother-in-law) to help us with a total redesign plan. After a couple of design concepts that the budget agreed to meet, we were ready to really transform things, so in the spring of 2003 we got underway. Dennis Bushong of 'Bushong Construction,' (a fellow I'd spent quite a few years "bending nails" for), and his capable crew were the chosen ones to carry out Bob's design. We lived in the house, more like "camped-out," during construction, and while it wasn't quite like Tom Hanks and Shelly Long's experience in 'The Money Pit', it had its moments... but after a year of construction, we received a totally transformed house. The list of changes is long, and we've put together a specification package of the improvements that have been made list-of-features: http://taar.fnismls.com/Paragon/AssociatedDocs/TAAR/0/TAAR_82606.pdf. From windows, siding, roof lines, porches, and roof, to a new master suite/wing, pantry, and three season porch, and a whole lot more. We take advantage of the wonderful southern meadow view, moonlight, wildlife and all kinds of weather through an arched top window in our living room that, thanks to Bob's insistence (even though it was an additional expense - it needed to be tempered glass because of its size) is an important part of the overall design element. He was oh so right, and I even called him up one night to thank him for his expertise and guidance.
We've got a little under five acres, but it doesn't feel that way, given the neighboring parcels haven't built yet. However, when they do, we are all required to maintain a "common flank" on our slight ridgeline overlooking the meadow that is designated to be a "no build" area that we can all enjoy. Our southern neighboring property is actually several hundred acres of CFA (Commercial Forest Act) lands, wherein the landowner has pledged to sustainable forestry practices in exchange for no development and advantageous property tax rates. CFA lands do not necessarily remain so forever, but for now, it makes for a great setting. We're 20 minutes from the intersection of M-22 and M-72 at Tom's Market's West Bay Store, 10 minutes to Glen Arbor or Empire, 5 minutes to Glen Lake School, and just a mile to one of several points of public access to Glen Lake in Burdickville - home to the fine cuisine of La Becasse, Funistrada, and eclectic offerings at Laker Shakes.
It's a fine spot to call home, with a lot more good to say about it, but I'll save it. Those looking will want to come see for themselves... then I can fill you in on the other details."
