Wally Kidd Real Estate Blog

The Best Places to See Fall Colors in Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan welcomes nature enthusiasts, especially during the fall season when the landscape undergoes a breathtaking transformation. Northern Michigan's forests, lakes, and rolling hills are adorned with vibrant autumn colors during the month of October and sometimes November. If you're planning a trip to this picturesque part of the state, here are some of the best places to witness the fall foliage in Northern Michigan.


1. Tunnel of Trees, M-119

The M-119 highway, often referred to as the "Tunnel of Trees," is a must-visit destination during the fall season. This scenic drive takes you through a canopy of colorful hardwoods along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The winding road has…

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Best Lake Communities in Michigan

Northern Michigan has an abundance of lakes for people to enjoy during all 4 of Michigan's beautiful seasons. With crystal clear water formed by glaciers, there is no wonder why so many people call many of these lakes home. In this blog post, we'll go through some of the best lake communities that Northern Michigan has to offer.


1. Burt Lake

Located in Cheboygan and Emmet counties, Burt Lake is a true natural wonder. Surrounded by beautiful landscape, it stretches across 17,120 acres, making it the fourth largest inland lake in Michigan. Boasting crystal-clear waters, Burt Lake is a haven for boating, fishing, and swimming enthusiasts. Its shoreline provides ample opportunities for lakeside picnics, leisurely…

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How to Book a Vacation Rental in Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan offers some beautiful landscape and small towns for those looking to get away in summer. Whether you're planning a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or a fun-filled adventure with friends, booking a vacation rental is an excellent choice. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the steps to find and book the perfect vacation rental in Northern Michigan, ensuring a relaxing and smooth booking experience.


1. Determine Your Destination:

Northern Michigan is large and has many beautiful cities and lakes to vacation in, so the first step is to narrow down your desired location. Popular destinations include Walloon Lake, Traverse City, Petoskey and Bay Harbor. Each offers…

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The Walloon Fourth of July traditions continue!

Coming to your mailbox soon, "Preserving Walloon" shares the many traditions that keep our lake protected, as well as, an update regarding Walloon's red hot real estate market. Be safe and have a happy 4th!

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Located along the shores of Indian Garden Road, this unique find offers up 100 feet of prime, Walloon Lake frontage. Savor life on a protected cove, out of the wind and waves; all while appreciating a fantastic Walloon sunrise! The unique setting consists of a flat level lot just steps from the water's edge. The home while charming and ready to enjoy now, it is just waiting to be updated with your personal touches.

Inside, the main foyer welcomes you and draws you into the large family room with its towering glass windows. Enjoy views of the North’s favorite lake, its trees, and sky while sitting around the fireplace. The convenience of the main floor master bedroom and bath can’t be overlooked.
No stairs here at the end of your day on the…

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“My wife and I have known Wally Kidd for a number of years and have been working with him to find the perfect cottage for our multigenerational family on Walloon Lake. We received a call from Wally in early November letting us know that he thought he might have a cottage for us. We immediately made arrangements to fly to Northern Michigan to view the cottage. He was right, we made an offer that day. Wally, Lauren, and the rest of his team were beyond helpful in working through some of the challenges and various issues that presented themselves during Covid. Not least of which was that our principal residence is in the Kansas City metro area and everything had to been done virtually. We could not have been more pleased with Wally and his team…

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Along 600 plus feet of Beaver Island's western sandy shoreline sits this unique Northern Michigan retreat. The expansive property consists of the main house, guest house, 11 plus acres, and a sprawling sandy beach along Lake Michigan. All the makings for a legacy property that the entire family can enjoy. 

The main home features an open floor plan ideal for gathering around the wood-burning fireplace, a main floor master, elevator, and spacious kitchen. The guest house just steps away from the main home, offers two bedrooms and a full bath creating additional space for visitors. Gorgeous wood features throughout give this unique home a warm feel.

The mature trees surrounding the house and guest house offer plenty of privacy from neighbors making…

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7851 Indian Garden Rd. sold before listed on Walloon Lake, and it's no wonder why. Every once in a while a truly unique piece of real estate comes available that encompasses all the treasures Northern Michigan has to offer. That slice of Northern Michigan paradise can be found here on the prestigious stretch of Indian Garden South on Walloon Lake.

A picturesque, spring-fed brook runs the length of this parcel, and its 164 feet of sandy bottom Walloon Lake frontage adds to the serenity & privacy of this comfortable move-in ready home. An open floor plan greets you as you enter into the main living area and a classic fieldstone fireplace is at the center of it all. The dining room, recently updated kitchen, lakeside den, and main floor master suite…

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By Kandace Chapple on May 18, 2020, MyNorth.com

The Number one thought that comes to mind when you imagine that Northern Michigan summer home or retirement property? Water, of course!

Wally Kidd, owner of Kidd & Leavy Real Estate in Petoskey, is seeing a strong market for lakefront, but the demographics of those buyers are changing. “Baby Boomers are downsizing” he says. “They're selling the family lake home and moving closer to town. Generation X, those 40-to-55-year-olds, are now the mainstay of lakefront buyers. They're in the prime of their careers and the height of their earning years. It's time to start new traditions of their own.”

Wally says lakefront properties with a small, vintage cottage will start around $100,000 on Burt and…

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Greetings from Northern Michigan, 

As we navigate through this unusual disruption to our nation, I want you to know that my team and I are doing everything possible to address the new challenges the real estate business now faces head-on. 

First, we are making the necessary adjustments to adapt to our Governor’s mandated stay-in-place order. Fortunately, the technology needed to carry us forward is already in place. FaceTime, virtual showings, virtual tours, and a strong internet presence will be relied on now more than ever. My goal, as always, is to address any questions a Buyer may have in real-time without interruption, especially in this time of nation-wide disruption and social distancing.

Secondly, the inventory in Northern Michigan is low.…

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