Looking for Affordable Houses in Muskegon, MI?

Good news! There are plenty of cost-effective ways for you to enjoy lake living along the Muskegon Lakeshore.

By Charlie Moss on April 26, 2023

Nathan Lambrecht

With 27 inland lakes, 400 miles of rivers and 26 miles of Lake Michigan waterfront, it’s not called the Muskegon Lakeshore region for nothing.

If you’re looking for a vibrant place with a lower cost of living and minimal traffic outside of the Grand Rapids metro area, the Muskegon Lakeshore region is the place for you.

Choose Your Community

Muskegon County is made up of a number of communities that are well worth your time to explore before deciding where to buy. They include North Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, Muskegon, Ravenna, Roosevelt Park, Whitehall, Norton Shores, Fruitport and Montague.

Each community varies in population, median home price and waterfront access, with plenty of housing and location options to fit your lifestyle.

“We have urban areas and rural areas,” says Marla Schneider, president and CEO of Greater Muskegon Economic Development. “We have downtown Muskegon, where there are a lot of apartment and condo options around the vibrant city center. And that’s within walking distance of the South Lakeshore of Muskegon Lake.”

Other communities in Muskegon County, such as Norton Shores and Whitehall, are driven by neighborhoods and single-family homes, Schneider says. Schneider, who recently relocated from Indiana, is impressed with the amount of shoreline housing options, and considers it a unique selling point for people moving from other cities.

Active Market in Muskegon

The housing market in Muskegon County is slowing down a bit from six months ago, says Schneider. But that doesn’t mean houses aren’t still selling quickly. According to her, homes are selling within 12 days or so on average.

“I do see, driving around, signs are staying up a little bit longer. So, I do think that we’re starting to see that it’s not as highly competitive as it used to be,” she says. “Still, 12 days is still pretty quick.”

Jay Kilgo, a Realtor with Pinnacle Realty West, says that if it’s a condo or a property on or near the waterfront, it goes very quickly. But these are the exceptions.

“Those are kind of outliers because they just fly off the shelf,” he says. “There is usually even a waiting list for some of the condos, which is why the Harbor 31 and Adelaide Pointe projects are going to be so popular because they’re going to be waterfront condos.”

Nathan Lambrecht

Stay Awhile

Schneider notes that there are a lot of apartments and condos in development due to high demand in the urban areas of the Muskegon Lakeshore region.

Kilgo says the majority of his clients are looking for turnkey properties. “A lot of investors have started to come into Muskegon, renovate some houses, and then put them on the market because those sell a lot quicker,” he says.

Kilgo recommends investigating the neighborhoods you’re interested in for yourself and asking residents questions about what it’s like to live there.

Schneider echoes a similar suggestion, saying that once you find your place and what feels like home to you, it’s not a huge challenge to find something that can fit within your price range.

“I think it’s just a matter of spending a little time getting to know the community,” she says.