4031 Birch Drive, Honor, MI 49640 (MLS# 25025896)
4031 Birch Drive, Honor, MI 49640
$1,680,000
Property Type:
Residential
Bedrooms:
4
Baths:
2
Square Footage:
1,638
Lot Size (sq. ft.):
20,038
Status:
Sold
Current Price:
$1,699,900
List Date:
6/03/2025
Last Modified:
9/10/2025
Description
The Fern Hill Cottage, a historic Lake Michigan shoreline retreat built in 1919 by a Chicago inventor, offers a rare opportunity to own a well-preserved, relaxing lakefront property on Big Platte Lake, renowned for its pristine water, fishing, and river access to Lake Michigan. The current owners have maintained its vintage charm with cedar siding throughout, panoramic windows, and outdoor spaces, while updating key areas like the kitchen, baths, and mechanical systems. Additions to the cottage expanded the living space and have turned this quaint cottage into a sprawling rambler home usable year-round.
Supplements: Located near Sleepy Bear Dunes, Frankfort, and Point Betsie Lighthouse, the cottage provides convenient access to the region's wineries, charming towns, and outdoor attractions, making it an ideal blend of historic charm and modern comfort in Northwest Michigan. This unique investment will bring years of enjoyment and a lifetime of Northern Michigan memories.
More Information MLS# 25025896
Location & Property Info
Cross Streets: Birch Pt / Birch Dr.
Property Sub-Type: Single Family Residence
Municipality: Benzonia Twp
Office/Contract Info
Auction or For Sale: For Sale
List Price/SqFt: 1037.79
Ownership Type: Private Owned
General Property Info
New Construction: No
Lot Dimensions: 100 x 200 x 100 x 200
Road Frontage: 100
Garage Y/N: Yes
Garage Spaces: 2
Fireplace: Yes
Total Fireplaces: 1
Waterfront: Yes
Body of Water: Big Platte Lake
Income Property: No
Basement: No
Total Rooms AG: 8
Total Fin SqFt All Levels: 1638
SqFt Above Grade: 1638
Total Beds Above Grade: 4
Statewide Lakes & Rivers: Big Platte Lake
Main Level Primary: Yes
Stories: 1
School District: Benzie
Lot Measurement: Acres
Lot Acres: 0.46
Lot Square Footage: 20038
Year Built: 1919
Total Bedrooms: 4
Full Baths: 2
Total Baths: 2
Tax Info
Taxable Value: 213133
SEV: 314900
For Tax Year: 2024
Seller's Annual Property Tax: 999
Tax Year: 2024
Homestead %: 0
Spec Assessment & Type: None Known
Zoning: RES
Tax ID #: 10-025-007-00
Remarks & Misc
Public Remarks: The Fern Hill Cottage, a historic Lake Michigan shoreline retreat built in 1919 by a Chicago inventor, offers a rare opportunity to own a well-preserved, relaxing lakefront property on Big Platte Lake, renowned for its pristine water, fishing, and river access to Lake Michigan. The current owners have maintained its vintage charm with cedar siding throughout, panoramic windows, and outdoor spaces, while updating key areas like the kitchen, baths, and mechanical systems. Additions to the cottage expanded the living space and have turned this quaint cottage into a sprawling rambler home usable year-round.
Legal: PAR OF LAND IN GOVT LOT 2 BET LOT 25 & LOT 27 PLAT OF BIRCH POINT SHORES ALSO DESC AS COMM AT MEA POST SE COR GL LOT 2 TH N 9 DEG 45' E 161.2 FT TH N 20 DEG W 100 FT TO POB TH N 33 DEG 45' W 25FT TH S 56 DEG 15' W 202 FT TH S 33 DEG 45' E 100 FT TN N 56 DE 15' E 185 FT TH N 20 DEG W TO POB SEC 34 T27N R15W .50 A M/L P.A.
Status Change Info
Sold Price/SqFt: 1025.64
Under Contract Date: 2025-08-17
Sold Date: 2025-09-08
Sold Price: $1,680,000
Waterfront Options
Water Access Y/N: Yes
Water Frontage: 100
Water Type
Lake: 1
Water Fea. Amenities
All Sports: 1
Private Frontage: 1
Lot Description
Level: 1
Rolling Hills: 1
Street Type
Paved: 1
Public: 1
Utilities Attached
High Speed Internet: 1
Sewer
Septic Tank: 1
Water
Well: 1
Terms Available
Cash: 1
Conventional: 1
Laundry Features
Laundry Closet: 1
Exterior Material
Wood Siding: 1
Roofing
Asphalt: 1
Parking Features
Attached: 1
Heat Source
Natural Gas: 1
Sale Conditions
None: 1
Heat Type
Forced Air: 1
Air Conditioning
Central Air: 1
Access Feat
Accessibility Features: No
Upper Rooms
Total Baths Above Grade: 2
Main Rooms
Main Bedrooms: 4
Main Full Baths: 2
Main Level SQFT: 1638
Lower Rooms
Lower Finished SQFT: 0
Total Lower SQFT: 0
Driveway
Paved: 1
Substructure
Crawl Space: 1
Windows
Insulated Windows: 1
Fireplace
Living Room: 1
Wood Burning: 1
Appliances
Dishwasher: 1
Microwave: 1
Water Heater
Natural Gas: 1
Patio and Porch Features
Patio: 1
Porch(es): 1
Covered: 1
Deck: 1
Enclosed: 1
Screened: 1
Terrace: 1
Flooring
Wood: 1
Landscape
Decor Fence: 1
Ground Cover: 1
Architectural Style
Ranch: 1
Possession
Close Plus 30 Days: 1
Location Property Info
County: Benzie
Street #: 4031
Street Name: Birch
Suffix: Drive
State: MI
Zip Code: 49640
Zip (4): 9418
Area: Outside MichRIC Area - Z
OfficeContract Info
Status: Sold
List Price: $1,699,900
Current Price: $1,680,000
Listing Date: 2025-06-02
Remarks Misc
Directions: Platte Rd to Birch Pt. Birch Pt. to Birch Drive
Property Features
Water Type: Lake
Laundry Features: Laundry Closet
Exterior Material: Wood Siding
Roofing: Asphalt
Windows: Insulated Windows
Substructure: Crawl Space
Lot Description: Level; Rolling Hills
Sewer: Septic Tank
Water: Well
Utilities Attached: High Speed Internet
Fireplace: Living Room; Wood Burning
Appliances: Dishwasher; Microwave
Heat Source: Natural Gas
Heat Type: Forced Air
Air Conditioning: Central Air
Water Heater: Natural Gas
Flooring: Wood
Patio and Porch Features: Covered; Deck; Enclosed; Patio; Porch(es); Screened; Terrace
Landscape: Decor Fence; Ground Cover
Parking Features: Attached
Architectural Style: Ranch
Driveway: Paved
Street Type: Paved; Public
Terms Available: Cash; Conventional
Possession: Close Plus 30 Days
Sale Conditions: None
Listing Office:
EXP Realty LLC
Listing Agent:
Thomas A Rumble
Last Updated: September - 10 - 2025
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