$639,000

Step back in time without giving up a single modern comfort. This charming mid-century or older styled bungalow keeps its original layout and character, but it's a far better house today than the day it was built. Brand-new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, roof, downstairs bathroom, and appliances make it a new home in an old frame. A second bath upstairs adds convenience, and the oak and pine floors look freshly installed. Outside, a generous 132' x 132' corner lot is shaded by mature trees and sits across from a neighborhood of newer homes. A separate 30' x 50' foundation (see photos) is a blank canvas for a 20' x 40' in-ground pool, a pickleball court, a workshop, or a showcase for your car collection. Then there's the secret: a hidden grotto fed by an underground stream. It's a peaceful retreat where you can sit, watch the water drift by, and leave the outside world behind. Some visitors toured the property without ever finding it, so look closely at the photos. Lifehere is easy. Within a half mile, you'll find a full-service grocery, with a great beer, wine, and liquor inventory, many popular restaurants with creative menus, a cozy coffee and deli hangout, fun shops, a drugstore, and a welcoming library with WiFi. Your home also comes with a permit to park free at New Buffalo's beautiful Lake Michigan beach, a wide stretch of sand with public restrooms. Friends can visit by train, since the New Buffalo Amtrak station (see photo) connects Chicago and Detroit. Plan a rail trip to a University of Michigan game, or drive an hour to catch the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame. You'll also be at the heart of Harbor Country, a charming corner of Michigan stretching from the Indiana line north to Bridgman and south to Three Oaks. There, the Vickers Theatre screens art films year-round and the Acorn Theatre hosts live music every weekend