Northern Michigan has a soft spot for stone houses, and this one has all the character you would hope for. At 3136 Marion Center Rd, Charlevoix, Michigan, an original stone house built in 1940 is listed for $214,000, sitting on 6.3 acres with mature trees, apple trees and two outbuildings, and, according to the listing, just 4 miles from Charlevoix.
It has clearly struck a nerve online. At the time of writing, Zillow showed 1,287 views and 149 saves within the first few days. The listing itself calls the property “a dream canvas for your vision” and speaks directly to “fixer-upper enthusiasts” and people “looking to craft your perfect retreat.” Here is everything the listing shares, what the photos show, how the price stacks up and what to check before you buy.
Quick Look: The Listing Details
| Address | 3136 Marion Center Rd, Charlevoix, MI 49720 |
| List price | $214,000 |
| Bedrooms / bathrooms | 3 bedrooms / 1 full bathroom |
| Living area | 1,440 sq ft (about $149 per sq ft) |
| Lot | 6.3 acres |
| Year built | 1940 |
| Home type | Single family residence |
| Highlights (Zillow tags) | Original stone house; mature trees; delightful apple trees; picturesque country setting |
| Outbuildings | Two, per the listing description |
| Parking (listing) | None; gravel |
| HOA | $0 / none |
| Location (listing) | “Just 4 miles from Charlevoix” |
Why an Original Stone House Gets People Excited
Stone is a building material with presence. It looks rooted in the landscape, it weathers rather than wears, and it gives a house the kind of texture that drywall and siding simply cannot copy. The photos show a house with a fieldstone wall, a large stone chimney and a metal roof, set among tall pines. Zillow highlights it simply as an “original stone house,” and that word “original” is what many old-house fans are looking for.
The Charlevoix area has a special connection to stone architecture. The city is famous for the stone homes designed by Earl Young (1889-1975), often nicknamed “mushroom houses,” built from limestone, fieldstone and boulders. Visitors can see them from the street, and the Charlevoix Historical Society offers tours. To be clear, the listing does not connect this property to Earl Young, but if you love the look of Charlevoix stonework, this home lets you own a stone house of your own with acreage.
6.3 Acres, Apple Trees and Two Outbuildings
The land is a big part of the appeal. The listing describes over 6 acres “adorned with mature trees and delightful apple trees” in a “picturesque country setting.” The photos show a yard and driveway framed by mature birch and pine trees, the classic Northern Michigan look.
Then there are the two outbuildings, which the listing says “provide extra space for creativity and storage.” Think workshop, studio, garden shed, storage for kayaks and bikes, or a place to set up a cider press when the apples come in. The listing does not give sizes or condition for the outbuildings, so that is a question for the showing.
Inside the Stone House: What the Photos Show
Zillow lists three bedrooms, one full bathroom and about 1,440 square feet. The listing does not include a detailed room-by-room breakdown, so here is what the photos themselves show.
The living room and fieldstone fireplace
The living room is all warmth: knotty-pine paneled walls, a beamed ceiling and a dark wood floor. The star is a fieldstone fireplace with a wood mantel, which ties the interior back to the stone exterior. Another wide view shows the fireplace with a wood-look plank tile floor and window trim. Note that Zillow’s structured data does not include a fireplace field for this home, so ask the agent about its condition and whether it is usable.
Kitchen, bath and bedroom
The kitchen photo shows knotty-pine cabinets, a gas range, a white microwave and a tile-look floor, very much in keeping with the cabin feel of the house. The bathroom has a shower with large gray tile, river-pebble tile accent bands and a niche. Upstairs, a bedroom has a navy accent wall, a sloped ceiling and carpet.
The listing openly frames the home as a canvas for your vision and mentions fixer-upper enthusiasts. Go in expecting to plan some projects, and budget for them.
Price Context: What $214,000 Gets You
At $214,000 for 1,440 square feet, the asking price works out to about $149 per square foot, and that includes 6.3 acres. Some numbers from the Zillow page:
- Zestimate: $210,900, so the asking price sits slightly above Zillow’s automated estimate. No estimated range was shown.
- Rent Zestimate: $1,961 per month.
- Estimated payment: Zillow’s calculator showed roughly $1,566 per month on one page load. Payment estimates depend heavily on down payment, rate, taxes and insurance, so run your own numbers with a lender.
- HOA: $0.
The page did not show price history, tax history or utility details at the time of writing, so ask the listing agent for property taxes, utility costs and any past sale information. Northern Michigan homes with acreage and character tend to attract attention, and 149 saves in a few days suggests plenty of people are watching this one.
Living Near Charlevoix, Michigan
Charlevoix is one of Northern Michigan’s best-known small cities, with a 2020 population of 2,348. It is the county seat of Charlevoix County, became a village in 1879 and a city in 1905. Its nickname, the “City on Three Lakes,” comes from its spot between Lake Michigan, Lake Charlevoix and Round Lake, linked by the Pine River channel.
A few local highlights that make the area so loved:
- The Charlevoix drawbridge: Completed in 1949, it carries US 31 over the Pine River channel and opens on the hour and half hour during the boating season, a summer ritual for locals and visitors alike.
- Gateway to Beaver Island: Charlevoix is the main access point for Beaver Island, the largest island in Lake Michigan.
- Earl Young’s stone houses: The famous “mushroom houses” are private homes you can admire from the street, and the Historical Society runs tours.
- Three lakes of recreation: Boating, beaches, fishing and sunsets over Lake Michigan are all part of daily life here.
Being about 4 miles from town, according to the listing, means you get the country setting and the trees while staying a short drive from Charlevoix’s harbor, restaurants and shops. Zillow did not show school data for this property, so contact the local district directly to confirm school assignments.
Who Is This Home Perfect For?
- Fixer-upper fans who want a house with real character and are ready to invest time and money to bring it to its best.
- Retreat seekers looking for a Northern Michigan getaway with acreage close to Lake Michigan.
- Gardeners and homesteaders who would love apple trees, open land and two outbuildings to work with.
- Makers and artists who need a studio or workshop space.
- Old-house lovers who would rather own an original stone house than a new build.
Smart Questions to Ask Before You Buy a 1940 Stone House
Stone houses are durable, but they have their own checklist. Bring these to the showing and to your inspector:
- Stonework and mortar: Are there cracks, loose stones or areas that need repointing?
- Chimney and fireplace: Has the chimney been inspected recently, is there a liner, and is the fireplace safe to use?
- Roof: How old is the metal roof, and how are the flashing and the chimney joint holding up?
- Heating and insulation: The listing does not state the heating type. Ask how the home is heated, how it is insulated and what winter utility bills look like.
- Water and septic: Utilities are not listed. Ask whether the home is on a well and septic, and get both tested and inspected.
- Electrical and plumbing: In a 1940 home, ask about the age of the wiring, the electrical panel and the plumbing lines.
- Moisture: Check the foundation and any lower level for moisture, a common issue with older masonry homes.
- Outbuildings: What are their sizes, condition and power supply?
- Lead paint: Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint; ask about testing.
- Access and parking: The listing shows parking as “None, Gravel,” so confirm driveway access and winter plowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the stone house at 3136 Marion Center Rd?
It is listed at $214,000, about $149 per square foot.
How big is the property?
The home has about 1,440 square feet of living space on a 6.3-acre lot, according to the listing.
How far is it from Charlevoix?
The listing describes it as just 4 miles from Charlevoix.
How many bedrooms and bathrooms does it have?
Three bedrooms and one full bathroom.
What is on the land?
The listing mentions mature trees, apple trees and two outbuildings for extra space and storage.
Is it move-in ready?
The listing describes the home as a canvas for your vision and mentions fixer-upper enthusiasts, so plan for some projects and get a thorough inspection.
Final Thoughts
An original 1940 stone house with a fieldstone fireplace, 6.3 acres, apple trees and two outbuildings, a few miles from one of Michigan’s most beautiful lake towns, for $214,000. It will not be for everyone, but for the right buyer this could be a once-in-a-lifetime Northern Michigan retreat. If it speaks to you, do your homework and move fast.
See the full listing, all photos and the latest status on Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3136-Marion-Center-Rd-Charlevoix-MI-49720/106296062_zpid/
Listing information as displayed on Zillow. The listing brokerage was not shown on the page available at the time of writing; see the Zillow listing for the current listing agent and brokerage.
Disclaimer: All property details, prices, measurements and photos in this article come from the public listing on Zillow at the time of writing and may change at any time. Observations about rooms and finishes come from the listing photos. This article is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the seller or listing agent. Verify all information with the listing agent and through your own inspection and research before making any decision.
