49005 Fox Trail

 

Not all the homes in Grand Beach are grand, nor is its entire beach.  The village’s tall, natural dunes tower above the lake in a rugged setting more evocative of Ireland or New England than broader stretches of Lake Michigan’s shore.  And the homes here range from old and rustic seasonal cottages to stately, multi-million-dollar mansions.  They mingle happily together on the village’s winding, tree-lined streets. 

 

This almost mythic community, a second home for renowned authors, professionals and a few famous politicians, is a year-round residence for others.  The village has a sense of “Brigadoon” about it, enjoying the peaceful aura of a hamlet suspended in time.  Its ambience is one in which all are considered equal by their having chosen to live and play here.

 

This cozy cottage at 49005 Fox Trail is at the end of a woodsy byway in the Fox Trail subdivision.  Unprepossessing in its façade, yet very commodious inside, not an inch has been wasted in its design.  If you, like Goldilocks, are looking for a house that is not too big and not too small, one that is “just right,” this could be the cottage for you.

 

The main level’s modest great room with wood-burning fireplace—reserving greater space for the kitchen and three bedrooms—is ideal for intimate entertaining and relaxation.  This room looks out on a huge back deck (12’ x 41’,) hot tub and deep rear lot.  Mature trees provide a privacy buffer between the home and an adjacent fairway of Grand Beach’s 9-hole golf course.  (It’s a two-minute golf cart ride to the first tee.)

 

Amenities are aplenty.  Noteworthy on the main level is the master bath with Ultra two-person jetted tub and separate shower stall with overhead rainfall shower head, hand-held spray and two body sprays: a virtual homage to cleanliness and sybaritic delights.  (There is even a buried video feed for a DVD monitor to be put on the wall facing the bathtub!)

 

Other features include an upscale kitchen with walk-in pantry, gas stove and double oven.  Granite countertops extend into a congenial breakfast bar.  An AIM-brand high-fidelity, stereo, in-ceiling speaker system is ready for your HDTV.  Throughout the home, controls are placed to regulate audio in individual areas.  The house also has a Dish 5000 satellite TV system with higher-speed Internet connection.  “Category 6” wiring in many parts allows for high-speed data transmission with 22 data jacks for easy accessibility.

 

Below the main living, dining and sleeping areas is a surprising bonus: a very large, lower level with enough space for an office, a study area and a recreation room, including a raised maple stage for concerts, a wet bar, and a third bathroom and sauna. Already installed here is a Klipsch Quintet II Home Theatre system. 

 

A handy walkout permits entrances and exits from this level without interrupting activities upstairs, a nice arrangement for a family with teenagers.  (The seller, a licensed Michigan state real estate agent, who has teens of his own, planned and supervised this home’s efficient design and above-grade construction.)

 

Another nice feature for four-season enjoyment of Grand Beach is the home’s two-car garage, also big enough to sheltger a golf cart, jet skis, snowmobiles and tennis racquets.