Serving All 83 Michigan Counties
|
Open 7 Days - Mon-Fri 8AM-8PM - Weekends 9AM-8PM
|
All Loan Types: FHA - VA - USDA - Conventional - Jumbo - Refinancing

Higgins Lake Michigan Mortgage Broker — 25+ Years of Trusted Lending

Edward Kalavitz | NMLS #138424 | Serving Higgins Lake, Roscommon County & All 83 Michigan Counties

Edward Kalavitz · MLO NMLS #138424 · Private Mortgage Guarantee LLC · Serving Higgins Lake, Roscommon County & all 83 Michigan counties

Today's Rates

Mortgage Rates in Higgins Lake

Competitive pricing personalized to your scenario. Rates shown reflect 740+ credit, 30-year fixed terms unless noted.

Live pricing
Updated Oct 10, 2026 at 5:58 PM ET

Purchase Loans

30-Yr FixedCONV

Conventional Purchase

7.250%
APR7.375%
Most popular
Est. Monthly Payment$2,047/mo on $300K
Get My Rate
★ Best Rate
15-Yr FixedCONV

15-Year Conventional

6.500%
APR6.500%
Faster payoff
Est. Monthly Payment$2,613/mo on $300K
Get My Rate
30-Yr FixedFHA

FHA 30-Year Purchase

6.750%
APR7.150%
Low 3.5% down
Est. Monthly Payment$1,946/mo on $300K
Get My Rate
30-Yr FixedVA

VA 30-Year Purchase

6.875%
APR7.175%
Zero down for vets
Est. Monthly Payment$1,971/mo on $300K
Get My Rate

USDA Purchase & Refinance

30-Yr FixedUSDA

USDA 30-Year Purchase

6.750%
APR7.125%
Zero down payment
Est. Monthly Payment$1,946/mo on $300K
Get My Rate
★ Best Refi
30-Yr FixedFHA

FHA Streamline Refi

6.625%
APR6.975%
No appraisal required
Est. Monthly Payment$1,921/mo on $300K
Get My Rate
30-Yr FixedCONV

Conventional Refinance

7.250%
APR7.375%
Cash-out available
Est. Monthly Payment$2,047/mo on $300K
Get My Rate

Jumbo & High-Balance

30-Yr FixedJUMBO

Jumbo / High-Balance

7.625%
APR7.925%
Above the $832,750 limit
Est. Monthly Payment$7,078/mo on $1M
Get My Rate
Rates shown are illustrative and subject to change based on credit score, loan amount, property type, occupancy, and other underwriting factors. APR reflects estimated cost of credit including applicable fees. Estimated payments are illustrative, principal & interest only on the loan amount noted on each card — taxes, insurance, and PMI not included. Jumbo pricing in particular varies significantly by loan amount, LTV, and scenario. NMLS #138424. Equal Housing Opportunity. Not a commitment to lend.

Get Your Higgins Lake Rate in Writing

The rates above are today’s pricing at a 740 score. Your broker will quote your actual scenario — your credit, your down payment, your address — usually the same business day.

No obligation and no credit pull to get a quote. Edward Kalavitz · Michigan Mortgage Lender & Broker · MLO NMLS #138424 · Private Mortgage Guarantee LLC · Equal Housing Opportunity.

Not Sure Which Loan You Qualify For?

See the rates. Not sure which loan fits your situation? The Michigan Mortgage Advisor answers that in 60 seconds — analyzing your credit, down payment, and goals to recommend the best loan program and show you your real monthly payment on Higgins Lake Michigan real estate.

  • Instant loan-type recommendation — FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional
  • Live rate and APR for your exact scenario
  • Michigan-specific closing cost estimate
  • No credit check required to start
Try the Mortgage Advisor →
Example Output

Best loan for you: FHA

3.5% down

~$1,830/mo principal + interest

Your actual recommendation is calculated live based on your inputs.

Your Broker

Meet Your mortgage expert

When Roscommon County buyers want expert lending guidance and a responsive professional who truly understands Michigan’s residential market, they turn to Edward Kalavitz with over 25 years of mortgage and real estate expertise. Higgins Lake, Michigan is a Roscommon County community where average home prices of about $275,000 sit 22.4% below the Michigan statewide average — creating a compelling opportunity for buyers across a wide range of financial profiles.

As both a licensed mortgage broker and Michigan realtor, your local loan expert delivers a seamless dual-service advantage — one professional handles both your financing strategy and your real estate guidance from pre-approval through closing day.

Conventional financing is the featured primary program at Higgins Lake’s average of about $275,000 — down payments starting at 3-5% (about $8,250–$13,750) and the most flexible long-term structure for buyers with solid credit. FHA provides the credit-accessible alternative with just 3.5% down (about $9,625) for buyers earlier in their financial journey.

USDA rural development zero-down financing may also be available for some Higgins Lake-area addresses verifies USDA eligibility for any address at no cost during the initial consultation.

With 45 homes sold in six months and a 35-day average market time, Higgins Lake gives buyers meaningful time to evaluate properties carefully. Edward typically has pre-approval letters ready within 24 hours.

Your loan officer is available seven days a week including every holiday — weekdays 8 AM–8 PM and weekends 9 AM–8 PM. Call (616) 633-3692 anytime.

Edward Kalavitz holds both a mortgage broker license (NMLS #138424) and Michigan realtor license (#6501386956). As your local mortgage expert, Edward delivers Conventional + FHA lending expertise alongside dual financing and real estate guidance. 25+ years of Roscommon County market knowledge and 7-day availability including all holidays.

Higgins Lake Michigan Mortgage Broker — First-Time Homebuyer Guide

With conventional financing starting at 3% down and FHA requiring about $9,625 at Higgins Lake’s average of about $275,000 — 22.4% below the Michigan statewide average — Higgins Lake offers strong value for first-time buyers. Edward Kalavitz has guided hundreds of first-time buyers over 25+ years.

Your broker evaluates conventional and FHA side by side to identify the program delivering the best combination of upfront cost, monthly payment, and long-term structure. Michigan down payment assistance programs may further reduce upfront costs. Call Edward at (616) 633-3692 — pre-approval letters are typically ready within 24 hours.

Financing note: Your mortgage expert lends across every one of these neighbourhoods, and as your local mortgage expert, Edward can pre-approve you before you start touring.

The City

About Higgins Lake, Michigan

Higgins Lake is an unincorporated community in Roscommon County, located within Lyon Township along the western shore of the lake that gives it its name. Because it is unincorporated, the community has no legally defined boundaries or independent population statistics. The ZIP 48627 post office primarily handles box service for the immediate neighborhood, while the broader surrounding area is served by the Roscommon 48653 ZIP. US-127 runs to the west and Interstate 75 lies to the east across the water. Ask your local loan expert to review this alongside your credit profile.

The community received its first post office in 1902 — a summer-only operation that ran briefly from June through August of that year. A permanent post office opened in May 1909, was discontinued in 1910, then reestablished later that same year under the name Lyon Manor. That name remained in use until January 1, 1960, when it was changed back to Higgins Lake.

The current post office sits at 6311 West Higgins Lake Drive. Regional popularity took root during the logging era, when the lake served as a working water source. Resort-era recreation gradually layered on top of that working history through the 20th century.

Today the local economy reflects an unincorporated lakeside community: seasonal lake recreation, vacation-rental activity, two flanking state parks, and through-traffic from the parallel I-75 and US-127 freeway corridors. Roscommon Area Public Schools serves as a year-round employer alongside the small commercial footprint clustered near the post office and the lake-access roads.

Property taxation and most administrative functions flow through Lyon Township and Roscommon County rather than a separate municipal government. Construction, hospitality, and trades businesses serving second-home owners round out the working economy.

Neighborhood Guide · Higgins Lake, MI

Higgins Lake Neighborhoods

The local housing pattern follows the lake’s western shoreline and the corridors leading toward the two flanking state parks. Because the community is unincorporated, neighborhoods here are defined more by lake frontage, park proximity, and freeway access than by platted subdivisions. Inventory mixes year-round homes with seasonal cottages and rental properties.

Higgins Lake Shoreline

№ 01
Price Range:$520K – $1.5M+

Direct-frontage properties along the western shore of the lake — the stretch Wikipedia identifies as the community’s geographic core. The lake itself is spring-fed and was carved by glacial activity roughly 12,000 years ago, with a mean depth of about 30 feet recorded in a 2020 county survey. Shoreline inventory tends toward lake-cottage and year-round-residence configurations on lots oriented to the water, with private docks and water access the central buyer draw. Pricing reflects frontage scarcity in a community defined by a single named lake. Edward can tell you how sellers here typically handle it.

Walkability: Drive-oriented shoreline lanes with private water access; sidewalk infrastructure is limited along most lake roads. This is where having a Higgins Lake Michigan mortgage broker who knows the area helps.

Buyer fit: Common among buyers prioritizing direct lake frontage, dock access, and the deepwater character of one of the larger spring-fed inland lakes in northern Lower Michigan. Often appeals to retirees, second-home buyers, and remote-work professionals. Your loan officer can confirm eligibility before you get attached to a house.

South Higgins Lake State Park Area

№ 02
Price Range:$420K – $750K

Residential parcels clustered near the southern flank of the lake, adjacent to South Higgins Lake State Park. The park sits on the southern shore and includes the dam that helps control lake level — managed by the Roscommon County Board of Commissioners and flowing outward at roughly 44 cubic feet per second. Inventory in this area combines near-park homes with backshore parcels that trade direct frontage for proximity to camping, day-use beach, and trail amenities. Lots tend to be wooded, with watershed land cover in the broader area running about 38% forest. Ask Edward Kalavitz whether a different programme suits you better.

Walkability: Walkable to state park gates from nearest streets; otherwise drive-oriented along the surrounding rural-lake road grid. Your broker can talk this through in plain language.

Buyer fit: Common among buyers prioritizing state-park access, day-use beach proximity, and a lower entry point than direct lakefront. Often appeals to active retirees, outdoor-focused families, and seasonal-rental owners. As your local mortgage expert, Edward would want to see your figures first.

North Higgins Lake State Park Area

№ 03
Price Range:$400K – $720K

Residential parcels near North Higgins Lake State Park on the northern side of the lake. Wikipedia notes that some of the natural springs feeding the lake surface from the sand on the east side of the North State Park area — a feature that defines the unusual water clarity and consistent lake level. Park land here mixes forest, beach frontage, and trail systems. Housing leans toward wooded lots with seasonal cottages mixed alongside year-round homes; inventory pace tracks the broader spring-to-fall buying window common across northern lake markets. Your mortgage expert can tell you what changes and what does not.

Walkability: Walkable to the state park from nearest streets; otherwise drive-oriented with no sidewalk grid. Worth raising with your local loan expert while you are still comparing homes.

Buyer fit: Common among buyers prioritizing state-park access on the northern shore, wooded-lot character, and proximity to the spring-fed beach areas. Often appeals to retirees and second-home buyers. Edward can map this against what you want your payment to be.

Higgins Lake Heights

№ 04
Price Range:$380K – $700K

Residential blocks set back from direct waterfront in the broader Higgins Lake Heights area. These parcels trade lake frontage for larger lots, more level building sites, and generally lower property tax exposure than shoreline inventory. Watershed surroundings here are heavily wooded, reflecting the area’s 38% forest land cover. Year-round residents are more common in these blocks than along the shoreline itself, where seasonal cottage use is more frequent. Lots vary widely in size depending on original platting and subsequent splits. Ask your loan officer to show you the trade-offs before you decide.

Walkability: Drive-oriented residential blocks; limited or no sidewalks across most of the area. Edward Kalavitz can verify this rather than leaving you to guess.

Buyer fit: Common among year-round residents, first-time buyers entering the lake market, and families prioritizing a school-district address without paying for direct frontage. Often appeals to working households and retirees on fixed budgets. As your local mortgage expert, Edward can coordinate this with the purchase side.

I-75 / US-127 Corridor

№ 05
Price Range:$380K – $680K

Residential parcels along the I-75 corridor east of the lake and the US-127 corridor on the western side — the two north-south freeways Wikipedia identifies as flanking the community. This dual-freeway geography is unusual for an inland-lake community and gives residents two independent routes to Grayling, Roscommon, Houghton Lake, and points south. Inventory along the corridor leans toward year-round homes with quicker freeway access, sometimes at the expense of direct lake views or frontage. Highway noise considerations vary by individual parcel orientation. Your broker can tell you where this sits relative to your goals.

Walkability: Drive-oriented with direct freeway access; rural-lake road infrastructure with no sidewalk system. Your mortgage expert can walk you through how this lands on your file.

Buyer fit: Common among commuters traveling toward Grand Rapids, Lansing, or Bay City regions, and among buyers who weight travel time and freeway access more heavily than direct lake frontage. As your local mortgage expert, Edward reviews this line by line with you.

Greater Roscommon County Lake Area

№ 06
Price Range:$380K – $700K

The broad stock of single-family residential parcels across the surrounding Lyon Township and adjacent Roscommon County lake-country geography. Because the community is unincorporated, this outer ring captures parcels that share the same school district, freeway access, and lake-recreation pattern without falling inside the immediate 48627 ZIP delivery area — most of which is served by the Roscommon 48653 ZIP. Inventory mixes older lake-area homes with newer rural-lake builds on wooded parcels. Ask your local loan expert what this changes about your qualifying number.

Walkability: Drive-oriented rural-lake character; sidewalk infrastructure is essentially absent across the outer parcels. A Higgins Lake Michigan mortgage broker who also holds a real estate licence sees the whole transaction.

Buyer fit: Common among year-round residents, buyers seeking acreage, and households trading direct lake frontage for larger lots, lower price points, or quieter rural surroundings. Edward can show you where this sits in your budget.

Six neighborhoods shown · Greater Higgins Lake, MI
GR · 2026

Financing note: Value varies block by block here, and your loan officer prices the specific address rather than the postcode. Ask Edward Kalavitz which pockets appraise most consistently.

Property Types in Higgins Lake

Single-Family Homes

Single-family housing is the dominant inventory category, spanning backshore year-round residences in the $380K range through direct-frontage homes that exceed $1.2M. Lot characteristics vary widely, with the watershed running roughly 38% forest land cover — heavily wooded parcels are common across the area. Year-round homes and seasonal cottages share the same building stock, often differentiated only by insulation and well-system depth. Bring this up with your broker before you write an offer.

Condos & Townhouses

Condominium and townhouse inventory is limited compared with most metro markets, reflecting the unincorporated character of the community. The units that do exist are often designed with vacation-rental or low-maintenance second-home use in mind, with shared amenities and exterior maintenance handled by an association. Pricing sits below most direct-frontage single-family options. Your mortgage expert works from current figures, not last quarter’s.

New Construction

New-construction activity exists at a modest scale, typically on wooded backshore parcels or infill lots within established blocks. Builders working in the area generally handle the well-and-septic, road-access, and winterization details that come with rural-lake construction. Build timelines and lot availability vary considerably year to year, and inventory rarely sits long once complete. As your local mortgage expert, Edward can put this in writing for a seller.

Investment Properties

The vacation-rental segment supports an investment-property niche, with seasonal-use cottages and small lake-area homes operating on a summer-weighted rental calendar. Returns depend heavily on direct or near-lake access, condition of the property, and how aggressively the unit is marketed. Investors should plan for distinct summer and shoulder-season management cycles plus winterization costs. Your local loan expert can tell you quickly whether this is a factor for you.

Waterfront Homes

Direct-frontage waterfront properties are the signature inventory category. The lake’s spring-fed clarity, glacial origin, and 30-foot mean depth make it one of the more distinctive inland-lake settings in Lower Michigan. Frontage parcels typically include private dock rights and varying degrees of beach character depending on which segment of shoreline they occupy. This is the kind of detail Edward should raise before you commit.

Luxury Homes

Higher-end inventory concentrates along premium frontage segments of the lake, where larger square footages combine with extended water frontage and improved dock and shoreline features. Some properties include multiple-parcel assemblages or guest-house structures. Turnover in this segment is slower than mid-market inventory, and listings often transact off-market or through targeted referral networks. Your loan officer can run this against your actual income and debts.

Financing note: Programme fit depends on build type and condition. Edward Kalavitz matches the loan to the property, and as your local mortgage expert, Edward flags repair-escrow risk before the appraisal, not after.

Education

Higgins Lake Schools & Education

Higgins Lake is unincorporated, so school enrollment flows through the surrounding district rather than a community-specific system. Roscommon Area Public Schools is the primary public anchor, with private and parochial options scattered across the broader Roscommon County area and higher-education access through a nearby community college.

Roscommon Area Public Schools

Roscommon Area Public Schools is the public district serving the Higgins Lake area, operating Roscommon High School plus the lower-grade buildings that feed it. Because the community is unincorporated and parcels are distributed across Lyon Township and adjacent Roscommon County areas, building assignment within the district depends on parcel address — including school of record at the elementary and middle-school levels. Roscommon-area students draw from a wide geographic catchment that spans both shorelines of the lake plus the surrounding wooded backshore parcels. Parents evaluating specific properties should confirm building assignment directly with the district office before committing to an offer. Ask your broker to compare a couple of structures side by side.

Private & Parochial Options

The broader Roscommon County area offers private and parochial school choices for families seeking alternatives to the public district. Because the community has no incorporated municipal footprint of its own, families typically commute to schools in Roscommon, Grayling, or other nearby communities depending on grade level and program. Religious-affiliated schools and independent private schools across the region vary in tuition structure, transportation availability, and admission timing. Families weighing the private route should plan for longer drive times than the in-district public option, particularly during winter weather when northern Lower Michigan road conditions can extend commutes considerably. Your mortgage expert can flag this early rather than at underwriting.

Higher Education — Kirtland Community College

Kirtland Community College, located in the broader Grayling area to the north, provides the closest community-college access for Higgins Lake residents. Kirtland serves the surrounding multi-county region with associate degree programs, occupational certificate tracks, transfer pathways to four-year universities, and continuing-education offerings. The college is a common first step for area high-school graduates pursuing nursing, trades, business, or general transfer credits before moving on to one of the larger Michigan universities downstate. The college’s regional positioning also supports adult learners and dual-enrollment students from the surrounding districts. As your local mortgage expert, Edward handles this in the pre-approval, not after.

School district boundaries cross municipal lines and assignments shift periodically. Confirm exact district assignment for any specific property with Edward — he verifies district and enrollment options as part of the buyer consultation.

Financing note: District lines move value street by street, and your local loan expert prices from the appraised address rather than the mailing town. Ask Edward to confirm the district before you write the offer.

Cost of Living & Property Taxes in Higgins Lake

One of the biggest advantages of Higgins Lake Michigan real estate is affordability relative to comparable metro areas. Here’s what it costs to live in Higgins Lake.

🏠

18 mills

Removed by PRE

💰

$58,000

Median Household Income

📈

~50%

Taxable Value of Market

Property Taxes

Higgins Lake property taxes are calculated on a home’s taxable value — roughly 50% of market value in Michigan — multiplied by the local total millage rate (city or township + county + school + intermediate school district). Your exact tax depends on the specific property and jurisdiction within the Higgins Lake area; Edward provides a precise estimate for any home you’re considering.

If the home is your primary residence, file the Michigan Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) — it removes 18 mills (the local school operating millage) from your tax bill. On an average-priced Higgins Lake home, the PRE saves roughly $2,500 per year, typically 30–40% of total property taxes. The PRE is filed once at closing and stays in effect as long as you live in the home. Your loan officer can confirm whether your file clears this comfortably.

Cost Comparison

Michigan offers among the lowest costs of living in the Great Lakes region. Housing, property taxes, and — since the 2020 no-fault auto insurance reform — vehicle insurance all run below national averages, and Michigan has no local income tax in most jurisdictions. For buyers relocating from higher-cost metros, that combination means a given budget reaches noticeably further in Higgins Lake than in comparable out-of-state markets. Worth a conversation with Edward Kalavitz before you tour homes.

Within Higgins Lake, the real cost variable is neighborhood and property type rather than the city overall. Edward walks buyers through total monthly cost — mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities — for any specific Higgins Lake home so the comparison is grounded in real numbers, not averages.

Financing note: Taxes and insurance are escrowed into the monthly payment and counted in your ratios, so your broker builds them in from the start rather than surprising you at closing.

Higgins Lake Michigan Mortgage Broker Loan Programs

Edward offers the full range of Michigan mortgage programs for Roscommon County buyers. Edward compares all programs across multiple wholesale lenders to find your best fit.

🏠 Conventional Loans Featured

№ 01
  • As low as 3-5% down — about $8,250–$13,750 at Higgins Lake’s average
  • PMI drops automatically at 20% equity
  • Best long-term structure for buyers with 620+ credit
  • Wholesale rates from dozens of lenders compared simultaneously

🏡 FHA Loans Featured

№ 02
  • 3.5% down — approximately $9,625 at Higgins Lake’s average of about $275,000
  • Credit scores as low as 580 accepted
  • Seller can contribute up to 6% toward closing costs
  • Flexible income and debt-to-income guidelines

🌾 USDA Loans Option

№ 03
  • Zero down payment for qualifying Higgins Lake-area rural addresses
  • Below-market interest rates for income-eligible buyers
  • Your loan officer verifies eligibility at no cost
  • Income limits apply — Edward reviews Roscommon County limits at consultation

💎 Jumbo Loans Option

№ 04
  • Available for Higgins Lake properties exceeding the conforming loan limit
  • Competitive wholesale jumbo rates from multiple lenders
  • Typically requires 700+ credit and 10-20% down
  • Ideal for premium Roscommon County properties

🎖️ VA Loans — Zero Down for Higgins Lake Veterans

№ 05
  • 0% down payment — no PMI ever required
  • Available to veterans, active duty, and eligible surviving spouses
  • Competitive rates that routinely outperform conventional options
  • Edward is experienced with VA loan processing statewide

🔄 Refinance Options

№ 06
  • Rate-and-term refinance to reduce your monthly payment
  • Cash-out refinance to access accumulated home equity
  • Conventional, FHA Streamline, and VA IRRRL options available
  • Edward calculates your break-even before recommending any refinance

📄 Bank Statement Loans

№ 07
  • 12-24 months of bank statements in place of tax returns
  • Ideal for self-employed Higgins Lake residents and business owners
  • Available for purchase and refinance transactions

📊 DSCR Loans

№ 08
  • Qualify based on rental income — not personal income
  • Ideal for Roscommon County investment property purchases
  • No employment verification or tax returns required

🔧 Renovation Loans

№ 09
  • Finance purchase plus renovation costs in one loan
  • FHA 203(k) and conventional renovation options available
  • Ideal for older Higgins Lake-area residential properties

🏦 MSHDA Down Payment Assistance

№ 10
  • Up to $10,000 in down payment help from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority
  • Income limits apply and vary by household size and county
  • Can be combined with FHA or Conventional financing on an eligible purchase
  • Edward checks your eligibility at the consultation — before you shop, not after

🔄 FHA Streamline Refinance

№ 11
  • For homeowners who already hold an FHA loan — refinance without a new appraisal in most cases
  • No income documentation and no new credit underwriting on the standard non-credit-qualifying path
  • Requires a net tangible benefit — the refinance has to measurably improve your position
  • Edward reviews whether your current FHA loan qualifies at no cost

Higgins Lake Michigan Mortgage Broker — Your 5-Step Process

Edward Kalavitz has refined a clear, efficient process over 25+ years of Michigan lending.

1

Step 1: Free Consultation & Pre-Approval

Call your broker at (616) 633-3692 or apply online. Edward compares all programs simultaneously and identifies the best fit. Pre-approval letters are typically ready within 24 hours.

2

Step 2: House Hunting in Higgins Lake

Pre-approval in hand, you evaluate Higgins Lake properties with confidence. Your mortgage expert can also serve as your licensed realtor — running live payment scenarios as you compare properties across Roscommon County.

3

Step 3: Loan Application & Rate Lock

Once your offer is accepted, your local loan expert completes the formal loan application and locks your rate — comparing pricing across all wholesale lenders for your best available terms.

4

Step 4: Processing & Underwriting

Edward manages the complete pipeline — appraisal, title, underwriting submission, and clearance — keeping your Higgins Lake transaction on track through every approval step.

5

Step 5: Closing Day — Welcome Home to Higgins Lake

On closing day, Edward ensures every document is accurate and all fees are verified. You sign final documents and officially become a Higgins Lake homeowner.

For Sellers

Edward’s Selling Advantage

25+ years of Higgins Lake market experience — accurate pricing from day one Your loan officer can tell you what a lender will actually count here.
Professional marketing — MLS listing, photography, digital advertising, open houses Ask Edward Kalavitz how this reads on a real loan estimate.
Dual-license advantage — Edward can also pre-approve your buyers, speeding up closings A Higgins Lake Michigan mortgage broker who is also a Realtor can line this up with your offer.
Net sheet transparency — you’ll know exactly what you’ll walk away with before listing Your broker can price two or three options so you can compare.
Selling + buying? Edward handles both sides — sell your current home and finance your next one As your local mortgage expert, Edward would rather find this now than at closing.
Use the Seller Net Sheet Calculator to see your estimated proceeds, or call Edward at (616) 633-3692 to discuss your options.
Free Home Valuation

What’s Your Higgins Lake Home Worth?

Get a free, expert-reviewed estimate using current Higgins Lake comps — not just an algorithm. See what your home could sell for in today’s market.

Get Your Free Estimate No obligation · Replies same business day

Selling Your Home in Higgins Lake

Selling a home in Higgins Lake in 2026 rewards preparation. Accurate pricing from day one, professional presentation, and strategic timing are what separate listings that attract strong offers from those that linger on the market. Edward’s dual-license perspective — licensed Realtor and Mortgage Loan Originator — means he prices with both sides of the transaction in view, and can pre-qualify incoming buyers to keep your closing on track. Your mortgage expert can tell you whether this moves your number much.

As your listing agent, Edward Kalavitz handles every step of the local selling process — comparative market analysis using current Higgins Lake comps in your specific neighborhood, professional pricing strategy informed by 25+ years of Michigan real estate experience, MLS listing on the Edward’s statewide MLS network (Water Wonderland Association, Realcomp II Limited, Northern Great Lakes MLS, MiRealSource, MichRIC, and Greater Regional Alliance of REALTORS (GRAR)), professional photography and digital marketing, open house scheduling, offer negotiation, and full coordination through inspection, appraisal, and closing. This is worth checking with your local loan expert before you commit to a payment.

Most Higgins Lake sellers find that listing in April through August captures the strongest buyer activity — but well-priced homes sell year-round in this market.

Edward’s dual license as both a Michigan Realtor (#6501386956) and Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS #138424) gives sellers a meaningful advantage that single-licensed agents simply can’t match.

When offers come in, Edward immediately vets each buyer’s financing strength with a lender’s eye — flagging weak pre-approvals before you accept an offer that might fall through, identifying buyers whose lock periods are about to expire, and reducing the risk of a deal collapsing in underwriting two weeks before close. In a fast market like Higgins Lake, fewer fall-throughs means faster, more certain closings.

Before you list, run the numbers. Edward’s Seller Net Sheet Calculator shows your estimated proceeds after agent commissions, title fees, transfer taxes, and remaining mortgage payoff — so you know exactly what you’ll walk away with before you sign a listing agreement. For a free home valuation and listing strategy consultation, call Edward at (616) 633-3692.

Financing note: Most Higgins Lake sellers are buying again, and Edward can time the sale against the purchase. As your local mortgage expert, Edward runs both sides together so you see one number. You are never required to use your loan officer for the sale as well.

Why Choose This Higgins Lake Michigan Mortgage Broker

Higgins Lake Michigan mortgage broker Edward Kalavitz, MLO NMLS #138424

Edward Kalavitz brings over a quarter century of lending and real estate expertise to every Roscommon County transaction.

Edward compares Conventional + FHA across dozens of wholesale lenders simultaneously — ensuring every Higgins Lake buyer gets the best available rate and program structure.

Dual licence — one professional, both sides
Edward holds both a mortgage broker license (NMLS #138424) and Michigan realtor license (#6501386956) — financing expertise and real estate guidance from one professional. As your local mortgage expert, I price this street the way lenders do.
Available when you need answers
Your broker works weekdays 8 AM–8 PM and weekends 9 AM–8 PM including every holiday — always available when you need answers or a pre-approval letter.
Wholesale lender access
Edward accesses wholesale rates from dozens of lenders simultaneously. At Higgins Lake’s average of about $275,000, meaningful rate savings compound significantly over a 30-year loan term. As your local mortgage expert, I see these appraise consistently.
Statewide, same service
Your mortgage expert serves every county in Michigan — the same expertise, lending knowledge, and personal service to every transaction statewide.

Edward Kalavitz

Licensed Michigan Realtor #6501386956 · NMLS #138424 · 25+ Years Experience

Edward’s Local Take on Higgins Lake

Higgins Lake Michigan mortgage broker Edward Kalavitz, dual-licensed Realtor and Mortgage Loan Originator

Higgins Lake is one of the more distinctive markets I work in across Roscommon County — an unincorporated community defined entirely by a spring-fed deepwater lake, two flanking state parks, and two parallel freeways. Buyers here aren’t really shopping a neighborhood the way they would in Grand Rapids or Detroit. They’re shopping a relationship with the water. Twenty-five years working across Michigan markets, here’s how I help buyers think through Higgins Lake by priority. Your local loan expert can explain how underwriting treats this.

If direct lake frontage is the goal:
Higgins Lake Shoreline
Shoreline inventory is finite — the lake has a fixed perimeter and only so many original lots. I tell first-time lake buyers to expect bidding pressure on well-priced frontage during spring and early summer, and to underwrite the purchase on year-round terms even if the plan is seasonal use. Frontage commands a premium; that premium is durable across cycles. Get pre-approved early so you can move when the right listing surfaces — frontage doesn’t wait. Ask Edward what documentation this will require.
If state-park access matters more than frontage:
South Higgins Lake State Park Area, North Higgins Lake State Park Area
Park-adjacent inventory is my usual recommendation for buyers who want the lake experience without the frontage premium. You get public beach access, trail systems, and camping a short walk or short drive away, often on a wooded lot at a meaningful discount to direct frontage. I walk park-adjacent buyers through which side of the lake fits their use pattern — north and south parks have different beach characters and different drive times to Grayling. Your loan officer can tell you if this affects your timeline at all.
If school district and year-round living lead the priority list:
Higgins Lake Heights, Greater Roscommon County Lake Area
Year-round families typically land in the backshore blocks or the broader Roscommon County lake area. You trade direct water access for larger lots, lower property-tax exposure, and a more residential daily rhythm. I always confirm the specific school building assignment with the district before we write an offer — district maps in unincorporated areas can shift, and the property listing isn’t the source of truth. Bring a school question and I’ll get it verified. As your local mortgage expert, Edward keeps the lending and the buying on one schedule.
If freeway access drives the decision:
I-75 / US-127 Corridor
The dual-freeway geography here is genuinely unusual. I steer commuters and frequent-travel buyers toward the corridor blocks because two independent routes south is a meaningful weather-resilience advantage when one freeway closes. I do walk buyers through highway-noise considerations on a parcel-by-parcel basis — distance and orientation matter, and a five-minute drive between two listings can mean a meaningful difference in road sound. Edward Kalavitz can confirm the current figure rather than an estimate.
If acreage and rural character outweigh lake proximity:
Greater Roscommon County Lake Area
Some buyers want the lake on weekends but not on weekdays — they want acreage, woods, and quiet. The outer ring across the broader township and county geography gives you that, often at the lowest entry point in the local market. I help these buyers weigh well-and-septic considerations, road-access status, and winter-plowing realities — all of which matter more out here than within the immediate community footprint. Bring your questions on this to your broker early in the process.

Edward Kalavitz

Licensed Michigan Realtor #6501386956 · NMLS #138424 · 25+ Years Experience
Meet Your Dual-Licensed Pro

Watch: Meet Edward

Get to know Edward Kalavitz — learn how he helps Higgins Lake Michigan families buy, sell, and finance homes with dual-licensed real estate and mortgage expertise.

Nearby Cities

Exploring the Higgins Lake Michigan real estate market but open to nearby communities? These cities are all within a short drive and offer different price points and neighborhood character — explore each one’s listings below.

What Clients Say About Working with Edward

These are verified Google reviews from Edward’s Google Business Profile. Edward is dual-licensed — Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS #138424) and Michigan Realtor — so reviewers include both financing and real estate clients.

“Very Professional and Thorough”

“Edward’s is very professional and thorough. Had a great experience working with him. Everything went very smooth.”

Susan Parsley|Google Review

“Great to Have 2 in 1”

“Ed was very responsive, knowledgeable, and made our first home buying experience great! He’s a relator and lender, which was great to have “2 in1”. We were able to look at houses and run number the same day. He was very flexible with times we needed to set up showings, as well as very informative and organized with paperwork! I appreciate his expertise greatly!” Your mortgage expert can show you the difference in real dollars.

Mallory Anderson|First-Time Homebuyer|Google Review

“Works Hard 24/7”

“Ed is wonderful to work with! He is very thorough, experienced, and friendly. Ed works hard 24/7 to give you the best mortgage experience and is always able to help with whatever you need!”

Justin Schneider|Google Review

“Above and Beyond”

“Edward is a great relator and loan officer. He helped my fiance and I buy our first home. We called him back when we were ready to sell and buy our forever home. He again went above and beyond to make the process swift and easy. I recommend him to my friends and family who are looking into buying, selling or refinacing their home!” Ask your local loan expert which loan programs treat this most favourably.

Anthony Smolenski|Repeat Client|Google Review

“Closing Came Sooner Than Anticipated”

“Edward was up front, professional and most helpful in first determining if I was a good candidate for a mortgage re-Fi. My case was Probably not the easiest, however, he made my “homework” manageable. The closing came sooner than anticipated, thanks to his perseverance, knowledge and professionalism.”

Dennis Bowman|Refinance Client|Google Review

“Not Only My Realtor — My Friend”

“Edward was an excellent help in the most stressful time of my life. My son passed away in 2018 and I had to sell his home. Edward alleviated some stress by being patient, organized and communicated thoroughly the entire process. He not only was my realtor/loan officer but he was my friend! Highly recommend him for any home needs!” Edward can tell you what a seller is likely to accept here.

Paula Hilliard|Google Review
GETTING AROUND

Higgins Lake Commute & Transportation

Commute geography for Higgins Lake is defined by two parallel north-south freeways that flank the lake — Interstate 75 along the eastern side and US-127 along the western side — plus access to regional aviation. This dual-corridor pattern is documented directly in Wikipedia and is unusual for a small inland-lake community.

Interstate 75

Interstate 75 runs along the eastern side of the lake, opposite the main community footprint. It provides the primary north-south freeway connection to Bay City, Saginaw, Flint, and the Detroit metro area to the south, and to Grayling, Gaylord, and the Mackinac Bridge to the north. For residents on the eastern shore or near the southern park areas, I-75 is often the more direct option than backtracking to US-127. As your local mortgage expert, Edward can answer this without a referral.

US-127

US Route 127 runs along the western side of the community, directly adjacent to the community’s main residential and post-office footprint. It provides the primary north-south freeway connection south toward Lansing, the state capital region, and Michigan State University, and merges with I-75 north of Grayling. For most residents on the western shoreline and the main community area, US-127 is the default freeway access point.

Grayling Access

Grayling, approximately 18 minutes north, is the closest population center providing healthcare, retail, restaurant variety, and additional employer access beyond what the immediate Higgins Lake area supports. Most residents fold a Grayling stop into routine errands rather than relying solely on the smaller commercial footprint along the lake itself. The drive uses either I-75 or US-127 depending on starting point.

Regional Air Access

Roscommon County Airport provides general-aviation access locally for private and corporate aircraft. For commercial airline service, Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City to the northwest is the closest regional option with scheduled passenger flights. For broader hub connections, residents typically drive to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, although the distance makes it a planned trip rather than a routine option.

Financing note: Freeway access is a recognised location factor in the appraisal, and your loan officer sees it in the comparables. Edward Kalavitz will also fold the true cost of a longer commute into what you can carry.

Drive Times from Higgins Lake

Where Higgins Lake Sits on the Map

Approximate drive times to other markets buyers commonly compare to Higgins Lake. Times reflect typical non-rush conditions; commute hours add 15–30%.

Destination
Drive Time
Distance
Why It Matters
Grand Rapids, MI
~2h 10m
139.3 mi
Major regional employer + medical hub
Holland, MI
~2h 38m
167.3 mi
Lake Michigan beach + Hope College
Kalamazoo, MI
~2h 55m
189.9 mi
WMU + healthcare employer hub
Lansing, MI
~1h 53m
133.1 mi
State capital + MSU + state government
Ann Arbor, MI
~2h 39m
185.5 mi
University of Michigan + Detroit-metro proximity
Detroit, MI
~2h 49m
201.3 mi
DTW International airport + Detroit metro
Chicago, IL
~4h 52m
316.9 mi
Weekend travel + Amtrak service
WHAT YOU GET TO LIVE NEXT TO

Higgins Lake Lifestyle, Entertainment & Recreation

Lifestyle in Higgins Lake is built almost entirely around the lake itself — its spring-fed clarity, its glacial origin roughly 12,000 years ago, and the two flanking state parks that protect significant portions of the shoreline. Seasonal vacation rentals layer additional summer activity on top of the year-round resident base.

Higgins Lake (Spring-Fed Deepwater Lake)

The lake itself is the defining feature — formed by glacial activity around 12,000 years ago that carved bedrock and uncovered the natural springs that continue to feed it. Mean depth was recorded at 30.4 feet in a 2020 county survey, and the water column is unusually clear by Lower Michigan standards. Land cover across the watershed is 35.7% open water and 38.3% forest, framing the lake in heavily wooded surroundings. Your broker can check this against today’s guidelines.

Higgins Lake State Parks (North & South)

Two state parks anchor the community’s recreation identity. North Higgins Lake State Park sits to the north and includes the area where natural springs emerge from the sand into the water on the east side. South Higgins Lake State Park sits to the south and includes the dam that helps regulate lake level. Both parks support camping, beach access, swimming, and trail use across multiple seasons. This is a question for your mortgage expert before you start looking.

Vacation-Rental & Seasonal Use

The community functions as a vacation-rental destination during the warmer months, with seasonal cottage rentals layered alongside year-round residences. This seasonal pattern shapes inventory turnover, summer-versus-winter buying activity, and the kinds of properties that come to market — direct-frontage cottages tend to list and sell on a different seasonal rhythm than year-round backshore homes.

Year-Round Community Activity

Outside of the summer rental season, year-round residents anchor school activity through Roscommon Area Public Schools, township and county civic life through Lyon Township and Roscommon County, and the steady pace of post office, small commercial, and trades-business activity along the western shore corridor. Winter recreation including ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing extends outdoor activity through the cold months.

Financing note: Walkable amenities read as a resale strength, and your local loan expert counts that in the comparables.

HEALTHCARE

Higgins Lake Healthcare & Medical Facilities

Because the community is unincorporated and small in population footprint, residents rely on regional healthcare facilities in nearby cities rather than locally-based hospitals. The two primary anchors are Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital to the north and MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch to the east, supplemented by local outpatient access and tertiary referral systems further afield.

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital sits approximately 18 minutes north and serves as the closest full-service hospital. The facility operates as part of the broader Munson Healthcare regional network, providing emergency department coverage, inpatient services, and the core medical specialties typical of a community hospital serving a wide rural catchment. For most routine inpatient needs across the Higgins Lake area, this is the default destination.

MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch

MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch sits approximately 35 minutes east and provides an alternative full-service hospital option, particularly for residents on the eastern side of the lake who can reach it via I-75. The facility is part of the MyMichigan Health network and offers emergency, inpatient, and standard regional services. Some residents choose between Grayling and West Branch based on specific specialty availability or established physician relationships. Edward can tell you how much room this leaves you.

Local Outpatient & Primary Care

The Higgins Lake area is served by outpatient clinics, urgent-care offices, and primary-care practices scattered across the surrounding Roscommon, Grayling, and Houghton Lake communities. These locally-accessible offices handle routine primary care, basic urgent care, lab work, and routine diagnostics without requiring a hospital trip. For seasonal residents, establishing a local primary-care relationship in advance of a move is generally faster than waiting until needs arise.

Tertiary Referral — Major Academic Systems

For specialized tertiary and quaternary care, residents typically refer to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City to the northwest, or to the University of Michigan health system downstate near Ann Arbor. These larger academic and regional referral centers handle complex cardiac, oncology, neurological, and pediatric subspecialty cases that exceed the scope of a community hospital. Drive times to these facilities are meaningful and should factor into planning for any chronic-condition care decisions. Ask your loan officer to sanity-check the numbers you have been quoted.

Financing note: Premiums and out-of-pocket costs never appear in your debt-to-income ratio, so Edward Kalavitz will show the payment your file qualifies for and the payment your household actually feels.

Higgins Lake Michigan Mortgage Broker — Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat is the average home price in Higgins Lake, Michigan?

The average home price in Higgins Lake is about $275,000 — 22.4% below the Michigan statewide average. Your broker compares all programs to maximize your Roscommon County purchasing power.

QHow fast are homes selling in Higgins Lake, Michigan?

Higgins Lake averages 35 days on market — a balanced pace giving buyers meaningful evaluation time. Edward issues pre-approval letters within 24 hours. Your mortgage expert can confirm the current figure for your situation.

QHow much down payment do I need in Higgins Lake?

FHA requires about $9,625 (3.5%) at Higgins Lake’s average of about $275,000. Conventional starts at 3-5% down (about $8,250–$13,750). VA offers 0% down for qualifying veterans. Your local loan expert reviews every option before finalizing your strategy.

QWhat are closing costs in Higgins Lake?

Closing costs typically run 2-5% — approximately $5,200–$13,750 on a $275,000 Higgins Lake home. See the closing costs guide. Edward provides a detailed Loan Estimate upfront. As your local mortgage expert, Edward answers this the day you ask.

QWhat credit score do I need to buy in Higgins Lake?

FHA accepts scores as low as 580. Conventional requires 620+. USDA requires 640 minimum. Edward reviews your full credit profile and recommends the best-fit program.

QHow long does it take to close in Higgins Lake?

Conventional and FHA purchases typically close in 30-45 days from accepted offer. Edward manages the pipeline proactively to keep your Higgins Lake transaction on schedule. Ask your loan officer to price your exact scenario rather than an average.

QDoes Edward Kalavitz serve Higgins Lake, Michigan?

Yes. Edward Kalavitz is a licensed Michigan mortgage broker (NMLS #138424) serving Higgins Lake and all 83 Michigan counties through Private Mortgage Guarantee LLC (NMLS #2033317). Available Monday-Friday 8AM-8PM and Saturday-Sunday 9AM-8PM including every holiday. Edward Kalavitz will put this in writing on your Loan Estimate.

QIs Higgins Lake, Michigan a good place to buy?

Higgins Lake offers Roscommon County community character and a $275,000 average that is 22.4% below the Michigan statewide average — with Conventional + FHA financing accessible for a wide range of buyers. Your broker evaluates specific properties and programs for every buyer profile.

Ready to Get Started with Your mortgage expert?

Our free Michigan Mortgage Advisor compares FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional rates for Higgins Lake homebuyers instantly.

Always Reachable

Available When You Need Answers

Weekdays8 AM – 8 PM
Weekends9 AM – 8 PM
HolidaysAvailable Every Holiday

Real estate questions don’t wait for business hours — and neither does Edward Kalavitz.

Scroll to Top