10852 California Road

It starts with the driveway. It runs under a canopy of trees, off of California Road, until the traffic noise is gone and the house comes into view. The home sits on just over four acres, about two of them wooded, with the property running back to the creek. Beyond the lawn, the woods are yours to explore: wander the trees, watch for deer at dusk, and follow the land back to the sound of the creek. All four bedrooms are together on the upper level, so everyone stays on the same floor. The primary suite is a large room with its own private bath. Three more bedrooms, one with a built-in headboard and shelving, share another full bath. The main level is easy to live in. There's wood flooring and natural wood trim in the living and dining rooms. The kitchen has a built-in corner banquette and a pantry. A slider in the dining room opens to the rear deck, with a beautiful wood gazebo with built-in benches all the way around. it's made for gathering: slow mornings with coffee, long conversations with friends, and evenings outside as the sun drops behind the trees. The lower level of the home walks out to the backyard. It has a large family room, a flex room that works as an office or drop zone, a bonus room plumbed for a hot tub, and a laundry room with built-in shelving. The big projects are already done. The roof, seamless gutters, furnace and A/C have all been updated within the last several years. A professionally installed drainage system now carries water to the creek. The house also has solar panels, a 200-amp panel with a generator hookup, and city water. The home sits in Lake Township, which has lower property taxes, and it's only minutes from the Lake Michigan shoreline. Spend summer days at Weko Beach or climbing the dunes at Warren Dunes State Park. Stop by the wineries and tasting rooms along the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail or grab dinner in downtown Bridgman. I-94 is close by for an easy drive to St. Joseph, South Bend or Chicago.