By GENE STOWE

Tribune Correspondent

Just a year ago, developer Paul DeLano and his family were the only residents of his 18-lot Baldwin Landing on nine acres along the south side of Baldwin Lake near Union, Mich.

Today, despite reports of a recession in the real estate market, the subdivision is nearly half sold. In the past year, Delano has sold six houses priced from $580,000 to $800,000.

That’s six of the eight lakefront properties sold in that price range among more than 45 listed in the area that includes Baldwin, Birch, Corey, Klinger, Long and Coverdale lakes.

DeLano says the home-style neighborliness of the development helps draw buyers from Michiana as well as the Chicago market. Two of the newest neighbors are families from South Bend and Bristol.

“A side benefit they come to love is the sense of community,” he says. “During the summer, when everybody’s up there, every night people are out we have a bonfire.

“The kids go out and play flashlight tag. People just love it. It’s one of those things. There’s a pavilion with a barbecue.”

Some buyers spend the weekend inspecting their homes’ construction while boating, grilling and hanging out with the people who live there.

“We liked the features, the joint ownership of the common areas – the beach, the pavilion, the sand volleyball court, the piers, the beach lockers and all that,” says John Mang, whose lives in Crown Point and finished his Baldwin Landing house in April.

“It’s very easy for somebody that just wants to come up for a few days and go home. It’s like going to a vacation home. It’s quiet. It seems to be out of the way of the hustle and bustle. You go 20 minutes and you’re in Mishawaka with good shopping good restaurants.”

DeLano’s approach to sales and support – and his upbeat relations with neighboring homeowners and businesses that welcome newcomers – also help bring customers.

Buyers select from predesigned floor plans with modest modifications as desired, and make a handful of choices about siding, flooring and colors.

“They want it simple,” he says. After the sale, a concierge service can keep the boat gassed up and clean the house when the owners are away.

At Baldwin and other lakes and rivers in Michiana, upscale homes are replacing more primitive cottages and fishing shacks, usually one lot at a time. Baldwin Landing offers a concentrated collection of such construction.

“If they wanted to buy a vacant piece of land – or typically people will buy a home and tear it down – they’ll spend an addition $75,000 to $100,000 to build the quality home we have, and when they’re finished they’ll have to take care of it,” DeLano says.

Some buyers use their homes mostly for weekends and summer vacations. Others are more full-time, although some, like the Mangs, winter in warmer climates.

“We considered making an offer on an existing home on Baldwin Lake last year but we felt there would be too much remodeling costs,” says Paul Gerweis of Bristol. “This year we looked at a few for sale on Baldwin Lake but they were in poor condition for the money.”

Paul and Mary instead chose Baldwin Landing, and their home is under construction. They expect to move next summer.

“At first we were not sure about sharing property with other neighbors, but when we thought about it most lake properties are very close to neighbors anyway and privacy is not too likely,” he says.

“Obviously we liked the idea on no outside maintenance.  We already have a house and grounds to maintain. It has a fire pit, volleyball, docks put in and out, and a pavilion to use.  While our new house was being planned we used the pavilion almost every weekend.”

The clock is ticking and there are only 2 premium homesites remaining.  Buy Now and instead of looking forward to the Winter, start planning your family activities at Baldwin Landing.

• Available Homes
• Customer Testimonials
• Summer on the Lake Photo Gallery
• Site Map & Price List
• Driving Directions

Tired of driving home after the game?  Just relax, because at Baldwin landing we have it all.  Join the other Notre Alumns that have chosen Baldwin Landing as thier home for Notre Dame Football weekends and endless hours of fun on 266 acres all sports Baldwin Lake.

There is only one problem.  Since Eric and Sprout hosted the show last fall at Baldwin Landing (View Episode) – Sales have taken off and we have just as many Purdue Flags flying on Game Day as Notre Dame flags.   You can make the difference.  Schedule a visit to Baldwin Landing next time you are in town and discover the area’s only New Home, Lakefront, Maintenace Free Community (20 minutes from Notre Dame).

Located minutes from the 80/90 Toll Road, 2 Hours from Chicago, and 20 mins from Notre Dame. Baldwin Landing is a lakefront, maintenance-free, new home construction community that offers a great weekend get-away to Notre Dame families.

• Notre Dame Alumn Testimonial – Baldwin Landing Homeowner
• Available Lake Homes
• Homes Photo Gallery
• Summer on the Lake Photo Gallery
• Aerial Photo Gallery

Restaurants: Be sure to visit Wicks Apple House, Restaurant, Bakery, Farm Market, Gift Shop and Cider Mill.  Homemade pies baked fresh daily, breads, donuts, coffee cakes etc. Come for breakfast and shop until lunch. Don’t forget our annual Cider Fest every Columbus Day Weekend. Horse drawn wagon rides, petting zoo, face painting, live country band and it’s all free!  Additional restaurants to visit are: The Wood Fire, Zeke’s Restaurant and the Round Oak Restaurant.

Shopping: Enjoy a variety of shopping experiences, unique specialty stores, antique malls and a 100-store discount mall are all just miles from Jones, MI.  Kalamazoo is also a place for great shopping.

Day Trips: The Newton House Museum is housed in a restored two-story Quaker home of the mid 1800s. It allows visitors to view the quality and style of life lived over 100 years ago. Other day trips include winery tours around Southwest Michigan, Warren Dunes State Park & Beach, Fernwood Botanical Gardens & Nature Preserve, Doe-Wah-Jack’s Canoe Rental and more!

To view available properties on Indian Lake here at www.michiganlakesandland.com

To view more information about the lakes in Southwest Michigan, please visit our website – www.SouthwestMichiganLake.com.

Restaurants: Baldwin Lake is in Union Michigan and there are several nice, small eateries right near the lake.  Lunkers is just 15 minutes away in Edwardsburg and it is recognized by outdoor enthusiasts around the world.  Angler’s Inn restaurant is located inside Lunkers and is one of a kind.  You will experience thunderstorms, a 1,000 gallon salt water tank, huge portions, premium food and great service.   For other places to eat please visit… Local restaurants.

Shopping: Take a 30 minute drive to Mishawaka, Indiana and visit the newly renovated University Park Mall.  The mall offers many wonderful stores and restaurants. Drive down Main or Grape and find a variety of other shopping and eating venues.

Day Trips: Take a drive to South Bend, Indiana where you can spend the day shopping, white water raft, watch the South Bend Silver Hawks play, visit the Potawatomi Zoo, College Football Hall of Fame and Studebaker Museum.   Also, don’t forget to stop by Notre Dame’s historical campus.

To view available properties on Baldwin Lake here at www.MichiganLakesandLand.com

To view more information about the lakes in Southwest Michigan, please visit our website – www.SouthwestMichiganLake.com.

Restaurants: There are a wide assortment of dining choices around Donnell Lake ranging from pizza to lobster dinners.  These restaurants include: Four Square Restaurant Inc., Natalie’s Restaurant, Bonnie and Clydes, Round Oak Restaurant and Zeke’s Restaurant as well as many others nearby.

Shopping: Shop with a mix of art, crafts, and antiques.  Find organic grocery items at: Roseland Organic Farms & Market and visit five stores under one roof at Wicks Apple House, Restaurant, Bakery, Farm Market, Gift Shop and Cider Mill.

Day Trips: Enjoy cider mills, u-pick farms, wineries, hiking trails and more throughout Southwest Michigan.  The Historic Walking Tour, Summer Concert Series and the Museum of Southwestern Michigan College are a few of the many activities that are offered in the City of Dowagiac near Donnell Lake.

To view available properties on Donnell Lake here at www.MichiganLakesandLand.com

To view more information about the lakes in Southwest Michigan, please visit our website – www.SouthwestMichiganLake.com.

Restaurants: There are many restaurants to enjoy near Birch Lake ranging from casual family dining to upscale Italian cuisines.  Restaurants to visit include: Gallagher’s Eatery & Pub, The Wood Fire, Bistro 120, La Cantina, and Paisano’s.

Shopping: Enjoy a variety of shopping experiences, unique specialty stores, antique malls and a 100-store discount mall are all just miles from Jones, MI.  Kalamazoo is also a place for great shopping.

Day Trips: There are a variety of locations you can visit that are not too far from Birch Lake.  The Air Zoo in Kalamazoo features amusement park-style rides, simulators, exhibits and educational activities.  The Air Zoo was voted the “Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners.”  There are also many other activities in Kalamazoo, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana that you can experience.

To view available properties at Birch Lake here at www.Michiganlakesandland.com

To view more information about the lakes in Southwest Michigan, please visit our website – www.SouthwestMichiganLake.com.

Restaurants: A few local Diamond Lake restaurants include: Marcello’s Pizzeria, Porky’s Party Place and Bonnie and Clyde’s Restaurant.  A few minutes away in Edwardsburg you can enjoy casual dining overlooking the golf course at Four Lakes Golf and Country Club and also stop by Lunkers for a unique dining experience.

Shopping: Shop with a mix of art, crafts, and antiques.  Find organic grocery items at: Roseland Organic Farms & Market and visit five stores under one roof at Wicks Apple House, Restaurant, Bakery, Farm Market, Gift Shop and Cider Mill.

Day Trips: Walk through 8 acres of beautiful gardens along St. Joseph River at the Fernwood Botanical Gardens & Nature Preserve, only a few miles from Cassopolis.   Horseback riding is available on 200 acres at the Diamond D Ranch.  Enjoy cider mills, u-pick farms, wineries, hiking trails and more throughout Southwest Michigan.

To view available properties on Diamond Lake at www.MichiganLakesandLand.com

To view more information about the lakes in Southwest Michigan, please visit our website – www.SouthwestMichiganLake.com.

Restaurants: Lunkers is just 15 minutes away in Edwardsburg and it is recognized by outdoor enthusiasts around the world.  Angler’s Inn restaurant is located inside Lunkers and is one of a kind.  You will experience thunderstorms, a 1,000 gallon salt water tank, huge portions, premium food and great service.  Stacy’s Food and Spirits, Legends Sports Bar and Grill, Papa’s Pizzeria and Spicy’s are all great places to eat around Eagle Lake.

Shopping: Take a 30 minute drive to Mishawaka, Indiana and visit the newly renovated University Park Mall.  The mall offers many wonderful stores and restaurants. Drive down Main or Grape and find a variety of other shopping and eating venues.

Day Trips: There are 21 lakes within 5 miles of Eagle Lake, 5 Whitewater paddling spots within 60 miles, and 3 ski resorts within 40 miles. If you go take the short trip to Indiana (5 minutes to the State line) you can spend the day shopping, white water raft, watch the South Bend Silver Hawks play, visit the Potawatomi Zoo, College Football Hall of Fame and Studebaker Museum.   Also, don’t forget to stop by Notre Dame’s historical campus.

To view available properties on Eagle Lake here at www.MichiganLakesandLand.com

To view more information about the lakes in Southwest Michigan, please visit our website – www.SouthwestMichiganLake.com.

Restaurants: Shavehead Lake has an assortment of restaurants to enjoy.  Jaywalker Restaurant offers a great dining experience at an affordable price.  Their menu provides a comprehensive menu that will be able to satisfy the whole family; they also offer daily specials throughout the week.  Other restaurants to try are: Hammerin Hank’s, Sauk Trail Bar and Grille and Jack’s Family Pizzeria Inc.

Shopping: Shop with a mix of art, crafts, and antiques.  Find organic grocery items at: Roseland Organic Farms & Market and visit five stores under one roof at Wicks Apple House, Restaurant, Bakery, Farm Market, Gift Shop and Cider Mill.

Day Trips: Walk through 8 acres of beautiful gardens along St. Joseph River at the Fernwood Botanical Gardens & Nature Preserve, only a few miles from Cassopolis.   Horseback riding is available on 200 acres at the Diamond D Ranch.  Enjoy cider mills, u-pick farms, wineries, hiking trails and more throughout Southwest Michigan.

To view available properties on Shavehead Lake here at www.MichiganLakesandLand.com

To view more information about the lakes in Southwest Michigan, please visit our website – www.SouthwestMichiganLake.com.