4031 Birch Drive, Honor, MI 49640 (MLS# 25025896)

4031 Birch Drive, Honor, MI 49640

$1,680,000

Property Type: Residential Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 2 Square Footage: 1,638 Lot Size (sq. ft.): 20,038 Status: Sold

Current Price: $1,680,000 List Date: 6/03/2025 Last Modified: 9/10/2025

Overview

Description

The Fern Hill Cottage, a historic Lake Michigan shoreline retreat built in 1919 by a Chicago inventor, offers a rare opportunity to own a well-preserved, relaxing lakefront property on Big Platte Lake, renowned for its pristine water, fishing, and river access to Lake Michigan. The current owners have maintained its vintage charm with cedar siding throughout, panoramic windows, and outdoor spaces, while updating key areas like the kitchen, baths, and mechanical systems. Additions to the cottage expanded the living space and have turned this quaint cottage into a sprawling rambler home usable year-round.

Supplements: Located near Sleepy Bear Dunes, Frankfort, and Point Betsie Lighthouse, the cottage provides convenient access to the region's wineries, charming towns, and outdoor attractions, making it an ideal blend of historic charm and modern comfort in Northwest Michigan. This unique investment will bring years of enjoyment and a lifetime of Northern Michiga ... (Read more)

Listing Details MLS# 25025896

Location Property Info

County: Benzie
Street #: 4031
Street Name: Birch
Suffix: Drive
State: MI
Zip Code: 49640
Zip (4): 9418

General Property Info

New Construction: No
Lot Measurement: Acres
Lot Acres: 0.46
Lot Square Footage: 20038
Lot Dimensions: 100 x 200 x 100 x 200
Year Built: 1919
Road Frontage: 100
Garage Y/N: Yes
Garage Spaces: 2
Fireplace: Yes
Total Fireplaces: Yes
Income Property: No
Total Rooms AG: 8
Total Fin SqFt All Levels: 1638
SqFt Above Grade: 1638
Total Beds Above Grade: 4
Total Bedrooms: 4
Full Baths: 2
Total Baths: 2
Main Level Primary: Yes
Stories: Yes
School District: Benzie
Waterfront: Yes
Body of Water: Big Platte Lake
Statewide Lakes & Rivers: Big Platte Lake
Basement: No

Tax Info

Tax ID #: 10-025-007-00
Taxable Value: 213133
SEV: 314900
For Tax Year: 2024
Seller's Annual Property Tax: 999
Tax Year: 2024
Spec Assessment & Type: None Known
Zoning: RES
Homestead %: 0

Remarks Misc

Directions: Platte Rd to Birch Pt. Birch Pt. to Birch Drive

Status Change Info

Under Contract Date: 2025-08-17
Sold Date: 2025-09-08
Sold Price/SqFt: 1025.64

More Information

Waterfront Options

Water Access Y/N: Yes
Water Frontage: 100

Access Feat

Accessibility Features: No

Upper Rooms

Total Baths Above Grade: 2

Main Rooms

Main Bedrooms: 4
Main Full Baths: 2
Main Level SQFT: 1638

Location & Property Info

Cross Streets: Birch Pt / Birch Dr.
Property Sub-Type: Single Family Residence
Area: Outside MichRIC Area - Z
Municipality: Benzonia Twp

Office/Contract Info

Auction or For Sale: For Sale
List Price/SqFt: 1037.79
Ownership Type: Private Owned

Remarks & Misc

Public Remarks: The Fern Hill Cottage, a historic Lake Michigan shoreline retreat built in 1919 by a Chicago inventor, offers a rare opportunity to own a well-preserved, relaxing lakefront property on Big Platte Lake, renowned for its pristine water, fishing, and river access to Lake Michigan. The current owners have maintained its vintage charm with cedar siding throughout, panoramic windows, and outdoor spaces, while updating key areas like the kitchen, baths, and mechanical systems. Additions to the cottage expanded the living space and have turned this quaint cottage into a sprawling rambler home usable year-round.
Legal: PAR OF LAND IN GOVT LOT 2 BET LOT 25 & LOT 27 PLAT OF BIRCH POINT SHORES ALSO DESC AS COMM AT MEA POST SE COR GL LOT 2 TH N 9 DEG 45' E 161.2 FT TH N 20 DEG W 100 FT TO POB TH N 33 DEG 45' W 25FT TH S 56 DEG 15' W 202 FT TH S 33 DEG 45' E 100 FT TN N 56 DE 15' E 185 FT TH N 20 DEG W TO POB SEC 34 T27N R15W .50 A M/L P.A.

Water Type

Lake: Yes

Water Fea. Amenities

All Sports: Yes
Private Frontage: Yes

Lot Description

Level: Yes
Rolling Hills: Yes

Street Type

Paved: Yes
Public: Yes

Utilities Attached

High Speed Internet: Yes

Sewer

Septic Tank: Yes

Water

Well: Yes

Terms Available

Cash: Yes
Conventional: Yes

Laundry Features

Laundry Closet: Yes

Exterior Material

Wood Siding: Yes

Roofing

Asphalt: Yes

Parking Features

Attached: Yes

Heat Source

Natural Gas: Yes

Sale Conditions

None: Yes

Heat Type

Forced Air: Yes

Air Conditioning

Central Air: Yes

Lower Rooms

Lower Finished SQFT: 0
Total Lower SQFT: 0

Driveway

Paved: Yes

Substructure

Crawl Space: Yes

Windows

Insulated Windows: Yes

Fireplace

Living Room: Yes
Wood Burning: Yes

Appliances

Dishwasher: Yes
Microwave: Yes

Water Heater

Natural Gas: Yes

Patio and Porch Features

Patio: Yes
Porch(es): Yes
Covered: Yes
Deck: Yes
Enclosed: Yes
Screened: Yes
Terrace: Yes

Flooring

Wood: Yes

Landscape

Decor Fence: Yes
Ground Cover: Yes

Architectural Style

Ranch: Yes

Possession

Close Plus 30 Days: Yes

Property Features

Water Type: Lake Laundry Features: Laundry Closet Exterior Material: Wood Siding Roofing: Asphalt Windows: Insulated Windows Substructure: Crawl Space Lot Description: Level; Rolling Hills Sewer: Septic Tank Water: Well Utilities Attached: High Speed Internet Fireplace: Living Room; Wood Burning Appliances: Dishwasher; Microwave Heat Source: Natural Gas Heat Type: Forced Air Air Conditioning: Central Air Water Heater: Natural Gas Flooring: Wood Patio and Porch Features: Covered; Deck; Enclosed; Patio; Porch(es); Screened; Terrace Landscape: Decor Fence; Ground Cover Parking Features: Attached Architectural Style: Ranch Driveway: Paved Street Type: Paved; Public Terms Available: Cash; Conventional Possession: Close Plus 30 Days Sale Conditions: None

Listing Office: EXP Realty LLC

Listing Agent: Thomas A Rumble

Last Updated: September - 10 - 2025

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