Chain O Lakes #1
Solid value in a growing area
Median $161K·Schools 3.7/10
You wake up here and the first thing that hits you is water—not in the abstract "lakefront living" sense, but actual lakes in your backyard or a short walk away, Reed Lake and Lake Cecilia among them, good for fishing and swimming without the pretense. The homes are mostly cabins and cottages, some log, some updated, all of them built for year-round living or weekend escape, with the kind of wooded lots where you can add a garage or pole barn if the mood strikes. Private access to no-wake lakes means motors stay quiet and the water stays calm. The Manistee National Forest wraps around the edges, minutes on foot, which changes how you think about a Saturday afternoon. You're close enough to Baldwin for supplies but far enough out that the everyday clatter of anyplace else simply doesn't reach you.
Why people love it here
$161K median
- Based on 3yr sales
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Chain O Lakes #1
Estimated Monthly Payment
$1,091/mo
Property tax and insurance are estimates you can edit — not a quote. Tap either figure to enter your own.
The interest rate shown is not an annual percentage rate (APR). Rate displayed is the current average 30-year fixed rate from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey and is subject to change without notice. Your actual rate, payment, and costs may vary. Contact a loan officer for a personalized quote.
Guild Mortgage NMLS #3274. Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS Consumer Access. Not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to underwriter approval; terms and conditions may apply. Subject to change without notice. Always consult an accountant or tax advisor for full eligibility requirements on tax deduction.
Based on 3 rated schools nearby
Range: 3/10 to 4/10
School District: Baldwin Community Schools
Crime in Chain O Lakes #1 is reported at the city level, not the neighborhood level. The FBI doesn't publish reliable crime rates for individual neighborhoods, and within any community crime varies street to street. For an accurate, comparable picture, see the jurisdiction-wide figures for Lake County.
Lake County crime & safety stats →To buy a median-priced Chain O Lakes #1 home (around $160,750) at today's 6.49% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $29k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $1,069 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $1,069/mo | $28,512 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $1,231/mo | $32,826 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $1,285/mo | $34,269 |
Estimates use a 6.49% 30-year fixed rate (current Freddie Mac average), an aggressive ~45% housing-to-income ratio (roughly what FHA underwriting can allow for a buyer with no other monthly debts — your number depends on your debts and credit), this area's median sale price, plus estimated insurance and PMI below 20% down. Not a commitment to lend, and not an APR — your actual rate and payment will vary.
Land for sale
Listings
1 parcel
Active / pending
Median Price
$27K
Per listing
Flood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Reed Lake Boating Access Site
0.5 mi
Parks Nearby
5
within 1 mile
Frequently asked about Chain O Lakes #1
- What do homes cost in Chain O Lakes #1?
- The median home value in Chain O Lakes #1 is about $160,750. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Chain O Lakes #1 housing market?
- there are 2 homes for sale in Chain O Lakes #1 right now. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Chain O Lakes #1?
- Chain O Lakes #1 is served by Baldwin Community Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is Baldwin Elementary School (4/10).
Top contributors in Chain O Lakes #1
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