Fern Area
Highly rated schools nearby
The quick answer
Fern Area is a neighborhood, part of Mason County Eastern Schools. Homes here typically sell for around $250,000.
2 homes for sale·Median $250K·Walkability 0.9/10·Schools 5.0/10
You might expect rural sprawl and isolation out here, but what you actually find is something quieter—real acreage and breathing room mixed with genuine waterfront access and forest proximity that most places have to choose between. Homes sit on substantial lots, often an acre or more, and the Manistee National Forest is right adjacent, so you've got hiking and snowmobiling practically at your door. Lake Michigan is essentially on your doorstep if you want beach time. The character here is low-key—sandy roads, natural forest edge, the kind of place where a man cave built into a converted barn with septic and half bath actually makes sense because you're genuinely set apart. Roads like these tend to attract people who want land first, neighbors second, and that shows in how homes sit—spaced out, with decks facing the trees, privacy baked in. It's the kind of stretch where "off the beaten path" isn't marketing; it's just geography working in your favor.
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Why people love it here
Mason County Eastern Junior HighHigh School
- High — 6.4 mi away
- Mason County Eastern Schools
- 1 rated school in district
$250K median
- 5 sales in last 12mo
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Fern Area
Estimated Monthly Payment
$1,697/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.
5 homes sold in Fern Area 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
Median Sale Price
$250K
5 sales in last 12mo
Parks Nearby
0
within 1 mile
Nearest Park
Pleiness Lake Boating Access Site
1.3 mi
Expected Rent
$925/mo
$850 – $1,000 · estimated range
Walkability
Car-dependent
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Clancy Lake
+1 more
Crime in Fern Area 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 Area home (around $250,000) at today's 6.65% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $45k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $1,684 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $1,684/mo | $44,905 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $1,938/mo | $51,685 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $2,024/mo | $53,963 |
Estimates use a 6.65% 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
4 parcels
Active / pending
Typical Land Value
$35K/acre
Median asking
Median Price
$45K
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 Area 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.
Flood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Pleiness Lake Boating Access Site
1.3 mi
Parks Nearby
0
within 1 mile
Atlas — Grand Rapids Real Estate
Local real estate specialists
Questions about Fern Area? Our team can help with availability, schools, and what it's really like to live here.
Living in Fern Area: the details
Is Fern Area a good place to live?
Here is a data-based look at what living in Fern Area is like. For getting around, it is mostly a drive-first area, so you will use a car for groceries, dining and errands. This neighborhood is part of Mason County Eastern Schools. Expect prices centered around $250,000.
What does it cost to live in Fern Area?
The typical home in Fern Area goes for around $250,000. There are 2 homes for sale here right now and 5 homes sold here in the past year.
Frequently asked about Fern Area
- What do homes cost in Fern Area?
- The median home value in Fern Area is about $250,000. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Fern Area housing market?
- there are 2 homes for sale in Fern Area right now, and 5 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Fern Area?
- Fern Area is served by Mason County Eastern Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is Mason County Eastern Junior HighHigh School (7/10).
- Is Fern Area walkable?
- Fern Area scores 0.9/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.