Welcome to Walloon: 2026

Welcome to the latest edition of Welcome to Walloon by Wally Kidd. As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, we are proud to share stories, insights, and perspectives rooted in the Walloon Lake area in northern Michigan. This issue looks at the people, places, and traditions that shape life around the lake, from the Village of Walloon Lake to the surrounding shorelines and nearby communities. In the pages ahead, you will find local history, community voices and reflections on what it means to call Walloon Lake home, then and now.

Click here for the 2026 Welcome to Walloon

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Best Lake Vacation Spots in Michigan: A Northern Michigan Favorite List

Best Lake Vacation Spots in Michigan:

A Northern Michigan Favorite List

When you are planning a classic Midwest summer getaway, it is hard to beat Northern Michigan. Clear water, long sandy shores, unforgettable sunsets, and an easy up north pace. Here are some of the best lake vacation spots in Michigan, in a simple travel ready order, whether you are dreaming of swimming, boating, beach days, or a quiet lakefront week.

Walloon Lake

Walloon Lake is a standout for anyone who loves calm, crystal clear water and scenic shoreline views. It is a great pick for a relaxed family vacation with plenty of room for swimming, paddling, and slow cruises. If your ideal trip is peaceful mornings on the dock and evenings watching the sky…

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Tips & Trends for Northern Michigan Waterfront Real Estate

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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A Northern Michigan Real Estate Status Report

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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SOLD BEFORE LISTED ON WALLOON LAKE

This charming Walloon Lake home sits on 151 feet of frontage on the azure blue waters of the west arm. The wooded lot offers privacy, while the short level walk to the water's edge ends with a fantastic sandy lake bottom. A well thought out open floor plan with large windows and a main floor master make this home perfect for get-togethers. Recent updates include; furnace, range, water softener, water heater, and security system. Sit around the fireplace and catch up on the day’s adventures or enjoy the fresh Up North air on the lakeside deck.

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MI Dream Home: $7M log home ‘Up North Retreat’

By Charles E. Ramirez, The Detroit News | Posted January 18, 2019 at 11:24 PM | 

Perched on Lake Charlevoix and surrounded by 60 acres of woods, a six bedroom and five bathroom white cedar log home that's on the market is an “Up North Retreat.”

The 4,420-square-foot house is located at 02503 Mountain Road in East Jordan, which is about 260 miles north and west of Detroit and 15 miles south of Charlevoix. The house has a private, gated drive complete with a covered bridge.

Listed for $6.99 million, it has more than 3,000 feet of sandy beach on Lake Charlevoix and comes with a guest house and horse barn. 

Walter Kidd of Kidd & Leavy Real Estate Co. in Petoskey said what makes the home unique is the size of the property and its location on…

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Top 10 Michigan Lakes with the Most Expensive Homes | Wally Kidd Real Estate

By Emily Bingham | ebingham@mlive.com | Posted November 06, 2018 at 06:14 PM | 

Top 10 Michigan Lakes with the Most Expensive Homes

Ever wonder what the most expensive lakes to live on in Michigan are? With more than 11,000 inland lakes and its entire shape defined by the Great Lakes, Michigan is a hot spot for lakefront real estate.

A recent report from LakeHomes.com, a multi-state brokerage and real estate database, offers some insight into where the priciest lakefront real estate is found in Michigan.

To compile its quarterly Lake Market Report, LakeHomes.com pulled MLS data to find the average listing price for all for-sale homes in each market on Sept. 1, 2018.

The top 10 most expensive lakes for lakefront homes in Michigan are listed…

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The Influencers Up North: Who’s Making Business Happen In Emmet, Antrim, And Charlevoix

Excerpt from “The Influencers Up North: Who’s Making Business Happen In Emmet, Antrim, And Charlevoix” 

In Traverse City Business News
Emmet/Antrim/Char., Issue 2018 July By Ross Boissoneau

Wally Kidd, Petoskey Kidd & Leavy Real Estate (Petoskey, Walloon Lake, Boyne City) Since forming his own real estate company with partner Pat Leavy in 2003, the longtime Realtor has expanded operations to three offices, located in Petoskey, Walloon Lake, and Boyne City. “My business partner Pat Leavy and I were at Bay Harbor,” Kidd said. “We wanted more control over our personal time and to see more of our kids, and decided it was time to venture out on our own.”

After filling out the ranks with 16 agents and staff, Kidd & Leavy is now first in the region for sales…

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The Travel Channel announced its picks for top 10 small town Fourth of July celebrations!

These patriotic destinations are Travel Channel favorites and the perfect place to honor America's birthday in proper red, white, and blue style.

#2 Boyne City

The state known for its outstanding cherry pies (a traditional Independence Day treat) is home to Boyne City which offers one of the biggest and best celebrations around. Billed as "The Best 4th in the North," the party lasts for two whole days. It includes a rubber duck race, a special breakfast, multiple parades, and of course a spectacular fireworks show.

Read the article to find out who our Northern Michigan small town shares it's accolades with! 

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2017 Kidd & Leavy Property Guide is here!

  View the finest properties in Northern Michigan in our 2017 Property Guide. We represent a collection of the North’s most sought after real estate in Bay Harbor, Walloon Lake, Petoskey, Lake Charlevoix, Boyne City, and many more Up North destinations. 
You will also find that we highlight a selection of first-class professionals, retailers, and amenities; the advertisers represent the “best of the best” the north has to offer!

Stop by one of our local offices in Petoskey, Boyne City, or Walloon Lake Village to say hello and pick up your printed copy. We would love to put our experience to work for you!

 

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