Housing Information

Michigan's Great Southwest, thanks to the wonderful natural amenities we enjoy here, is experiencing exceptional growth. With this growth comes a correspondingly high demand for both new and existing homes. In this hot real estate market, houses in some parts of our region will sell within days of going on the market.

Average housing cost in Berrien County:

Average Sales Price: $89,348
Median Sales Price: $70,000
These figures reflect 1994 sales and were provided by the Southwest Michigan Board of Realtors.

Click here for more information on housing prices.

Comparison Data: Median Sales Prices Across the U.S. (in thousands of dollars)

AREA HOUSING COST
Michigan's Great Southwest $89,348
Chicago, IL 150.2
Colorado Springs, CO 109.1
Los Angeles, CA 189
Madison, WI 120
Milwaukee, WI 111.1
New York/New Jersey/Long Island/NY/NJ/CT 177.4
Orange County, CA 217
Orlando, FL 91.9
Philadelphia, PA 123.9
Phoenix, AZ 93.2
Portland, OR 118.7
San Francisco Bay Area, CA 250.2
Seattle, WA 158.4
Washington DC/MD/VA 160



Housing Availability: Michigan's Great Southwest

In 1994, the Southwest Michigan Board of Realtors reported the following availabilities within various price ranges:

Listed Sale Price # of Homes
Less than $75,000 641
$75-$100,000 250
$100-$150,000 279
$150-$200,000 154
$200-$300,000 127
over $300,000 102
Total: 1,553



Rental Rates and Availability

According to the fourth quarter 1994 ACCRA study, the average rent paid for an unfurnished, two-bedroom apartment in Benton Harbor/St. Joseph areas is $484.00 (excluding all utilities except water and sewer).

There are over 19 multi-unit apartment complexes available in the immediate area, in addition to a large supply of homes that have been renovated into apartments. A summary of size and rental ranges of area apartment follows:

Unit Type Range (sq. ft.) Range (monthly rent) Median (monthly rent)
Studios 390-600 $355-$520 $380
1 Bedroom 415-900 $305-$570 $450
2 Bedroom 470-1,100 $380-$690 $550
3 Bedroom 1,100-1,500 $500-$745 $645



Housing Construction Costs - Michigan's Great Southwest and Surrounding Areas

Average Price Per Square Foot, 1994
Excluding Water-Influenced Sales

AREA AVG. PRICE/Sq. Ft.
St. Joseph $66
Benton Harbor $40
Coloma/Watervliet $48
Berrien Springs/Eau Claire $56
River Valley, New Buffalo, Bridgman, Sawyer, Three Oaks $61
Niles, Brandywine, Buchanan, Galien $43
Dowagiac, Decatur, Marcellus $37



Residential Utility Rates

The Benton Harbor area is serviced by Indiana-Michigan Power, which provides the state's lowest utility rates. According to the fourth quarter 1994 ACCRA study, the average monthly electric bill for homes in the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area was $51.82. Using a multiplier of 12, this comes out to an average yearly rate of $621.84.

Area Home Sales in 2000

Area Units Sold Average Price Average Days on Market

 

  

2000

1999

  
Bridgman to New Buffalo 389

$230,840.00

$179,285.00

160

Galien to Niles

526

 $89,501.00 $91,025.00 87

St. Joseph/Lakeshore

205

 $172,686.00 $159,789.00

93

Coloma/Watervliet

205

 $118,814.00 $109,668.00

102

Berrien Springs/Eau Claire

98

 $131,250.00 $121,091.00

92

Dowagiac/Marcellus

170

 $89,799.00 $89,017.00

126
Benton Harbor 269 $75,252.00 $76,037.00

89
Edwardsburg to Cassopolis 168 $142,508.00 $126,661.00

144
South Haven/Bangor 328 $112,028.00 $123,566.00

108
Decatur/Hartford/Paw Paw 112 $94,664.00 $99,419.00

144
Outside Primary areas 21 $286,310.00 $226,941.00

166
Total/Average 2,825 $134,418.00 $128,703.00

110
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For more information
Cornerstone Alliance
P.O. Box 428, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
tel: (269) 925-6100
webmaster@michigansgreatsw.com