Lakeside Properties Real Estate – Northern Michigan

Located at 101 Ames Street in Elk Rapids, Michigan, Lakeside Properties Real Estate presents a complex profile for potential clients. It operates primarily as a realestateagency, but its classification also as a travel agency points to a broader scope of services, likely centered around the vibrant Northern Michigan tourism and second-home market. This dual focus can be a significant advantage for certain clients, but a closer look at its operational history and client feedback reveals both considerable strengths and notable areas of concern.

A significant recent development is that Lakeside Properties of Elk Rapids has merged with and joined the Real Estate One Family of Companies, as of mid-2025. This merger combines Lakeside's established local presence with the extensive resources, technology, and network of Michigan's largest real estate brokerage. The owner, Dennis Irelan, and his team have now integrated with the local Real Estate One office, operating under the Real Estate One brand from the original Lakeside Properties location. This transition is a crucial piece of context for any potential client, as it suggests a future of enhanced capabilities while building on a decades-long local legacy.

Real Estate and Client Services: The Positive Outlook

For decades, Lakeside Properties has built a reputation as an experienced brokerage in the Elk Rapids area. Positive client testimonials highlight a pattern of professionalism and effectiveness. For instance, a recent review from Robin DeMann praises the team for being "very helpful" and ensuring a "seamless" transaction, leading to a high recommendation for real estate needs. An older review from Carol Nelden echoes this sentiment, describing the agency as "professional with a neighborly, friendly touch" and noting they achieved a successful sale within a couple of months due to their knowledge. Testimonials featured on the company's website further reinforce this image, with clients thanking the team for their patience, professionalism, and for going the "extra mile" to secure good prices and find the right properties. These accounts paint a picture of a firm deeply familiar with the Northern Michigan market, capable of guiding both buyers and sellers effectively.

The agency's physical office is open on weekdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and features wheelchair-accessible entry, indicating a standard, professional setup. Their website provides robust tools for clients, including property search functions by area (covering Elk Rapids, Torch Lake, Traverse City, and more), and offers free market analysis for sellers—a standard but essential service. This operational foundation, combined with its A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, suggests a business committed to trustworthy practices.

The Dual Role: Real Estate and Vacation Rentals

The listing of Lakeside Properties as a travel agency is best understood through the lens of Northern Michigan's economy, which is heavily reliant on tourism. Many real estate firms in such destinations also manage vacation rentals, effectively acting as a property management and tourism agency for homeowners and visitors. This synergy offers a one-stop solution for investors who wish to purchase a property and then generate rental income. It also benefits travelers seeking professionally managed homes for their stays. While their primary website focuses on sales, the business model is common in resort towns like Elk Rapids, where demand for short-term lodging is high. Clients interested in purchasing investment properties may find this dual expertise particularly valuable, as the agency would possess insights into not just property values but also rental market dynamics, occupancy rates, and desirable amenities for tourists. This integrated approach can streamline the process from purchase to profit for a property owner.

Points of Significant Concern

Despite the positive feedback, a glaring red flag appears in the form of a one-star review from four years ago by Ashley Noyce. This review contains serious allegations against specific realtors formerly or currently associated with the agency, claiming they allowed a buyer to "scam" the sellers, failed to return calls or answer questions about closing, and withheld documents. The review is a stark contrast to the others and describes a deeply negative and stressful experience. While it is crucial to note the age of this complaint—staff, management, and policies can change significantly in four years, especially now with the Real Estate One merger—the severity of the allegations cannot be dismissed lightly. It raises questions about agent oversight and client communication protocols at that time.

Another point of weakness is the remarkably small volume of public reviews. With only a handful of ratings available on major platforms, it is difficult for a prospective client to gauge a truly representative consensus. Each review, whether glowing or condemning, carries disproportionate weight. This lack of a broad base of feedback means that potential customers have less data to rely on and must place more emphasis on their direct interactions with the agency's staff. It suggests that while the firm has been operational for a long time, its online review presence is not as established as its market tenure might imply.

Conclusion for the Prospective Client

Choosing Lakeside Properties Real Estate, now operating as part of Real Estate One, requires a balanced consideration of its strengths and weaknesses. On the one hand, you have a long-standing local agency with a strong BBB rating and positive testimonials that speak to professionalism and successful outcomes. The recent merger with Real Estate One promises to enhance their technological and marketing capabilities, which is a significant plus for both buyers and sellers. Their implicit role in managing vacation packages and rentals makes them a potentially ideal partner for those investing in the area's tourism market.

On the other hand, the severe but dated negative review hangs in the background, serving as a reminder to perform thorough due diligence. The limited number of overall reviews means that clients should not rely solely on past feedback. The best approach would be to engage with them directly. Schedule a consultation, ask pointed questions about their communication practices and the agent you will be working with, and request recent references. The firm's professionalism and expertise are likely strong, but ensuring a good personal fit and clear communication from the outset will be key to a successful partnership, whether you are buying, selling, or seeking a holiday package in Northern Michigan.