Fern
Strong schools draw families here
Median $228K·Walkability 1.0/10·Schools 5.0/10
The daily routine out here revolves around spacious properties and genuine outdoor living. Homes perch on waterfront stretches of 60 to 120 feet, with ranch-style cottages and two-story walkouts designed so water views fill every room; on the back side of the area, properties sit on 2-plus acres of open land, the kind of space that makes a zero-step entrance and a wood-burning stove feel less like amenities and more like the baseline. This stretch is about 15 minutes southeast of Ludington, close enough for convenience but far enough that you're genuinely out—surrounded by country quiet and the kind of seclusion that keeps people rooted for decades.
Why people love it here
Mason County Eastern Junior HighHigh School
- High — 7.4 mi away
- Mason County Eastern Schools
- 1 rated school in district
$228K median
- 3 sales in last 12mo
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Fern
Estimated Monthly Payment
$1,551/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.
3 homes sold in Fern this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthBased on 3 rated schools nearby
Range: 3/10 to 7/10
School District: Mason County Eastern Schools
Walkability
Car-dependent
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Pleiness Lake Boating Access Site
Stewart Lake
Crime in Fern 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 Mason County.
Mason County crime & safety stats →To buy a median-priced Fern home (around $228,400) at today's 6.66% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $41k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $1,540 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $1,540/mo | $41,057 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $1,772/mo | $47,255 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $1,850/mo | $49,339 |
Estimates use a 6.66% 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
$34K
Per listing
Solar potential
~$883/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,177 kWh/yr · offsets ~59% of a typical home's use
Utility, solar, and service details for Fern are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and NREL / U.S. data.gov, and can change. Electric/gas can vary by address — confirm with the provider before relying on them.
Atlas — Grand Rapids Real Estate
Local real estate specialists
Questions about Fern? Our team can help with availability, schools, and what it's really like to live here.
Frequently asked about Fern
- What do homes cost in Fern?
- The median home value in Fern is about $228,400. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Fern housing market?
- there is 1 home for sale in Fern right now, and 3 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Fern?
- Fern is served by Mason County Eastern Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is Mason County Eastern Junior HighHigh School (7/10).
- Is Fern walkable?
- Fern scores 1.0/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.
Top contributors in Fern
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