What the Style of a Home You are Attracted to Says About Your Personality How to Maximize Your Life Through Finding the Perfect Home

Picture of Jefffrey Bucholtz

Jefffrey Bucholtz

Jeffrey is a Real Esate Broker,
blogger , big thinker

Get a Yourself a Realtor

My super basic theory is that buyers want to buy a home that is like the one they grew up in. We all have a concept of a home instilled in us in our childhood- If you grew up in a ranch you want to own a ranch style home, if you had a big backyard you may want a big backyard for your kiddos so they can grow up the way you did. Let’s strip all that very valid theory away for a minute, and embark on a quest for deeper understanding.

Beyond the Basics of Ranch Living

There are many many beautiful homes in Southwest Michgian, the quality and style speak for themselves, theres everything from MCM to Victorian to Brutalist here in this idealic area.  Names and locations have been changed out of respect for the buyers and sellers; many of these buyers turn into sellers. 

The Beautiful Lake House (NOT ON LAKE MICHIGAN)

Unlike the bigger brother, the Lake Michigan Lakehouse, where it’s all about the privacy, the Inland Lake House is all about visibility, status and fun. Most of these lakes are close to being 100% built out, so for the home owner there’s only one way to go up.


You may think its about boats, docks and fun but its really a lifestyle. Have you been to TJ Maxx and seen the little signs that say “Lake Life” or have a little teal blue anchor, that is for these lucky home owners.


Inland Lake Home owners live by the mantra, work hard play hard, they glove being on the water and hanging out with family and friends, they value time over money and watch the news closely.


Inland Lake Homes attract quiet, kind, and conscientious buyers who like to watch the seasons change.

The Rustic Farm House

You are a highly industrious person who values, family, sense of community and maybe you enjoy a slower pace of life.


There is a real attraction to the farm way of life, here in Southwest Michigan we have some of the finest soil in the world and we see many like older people who have moved away coming back to build a better life through unplugging.


There are so many things to grow here. Out soil if fecund and its my scientific analysis that the newer weather patters will make it even better, increasing our sunny days.


Luxury Listings

Property cover photo
3 Days on FRDMI
$1,980,000

76757 Wood Crest Court South Haven, MI 49090

Beds 5
Baths 2
Sqft 3,494
View Listing
Property cover photo
0 Days on FRDMI
$2,495,000

15337 Pardee Road Galien, MI 49113

Beds 6
Baths 5
Sqft 3,949
View Listing
Property cover photo
4 Days on FRDMI
$2,750,000

11160 Marquette Drive New Buffalo, MI 49117

Beds 6
Baths 4
Sqft 2,427
View Listing
Property cover photo
86 Days on FRDMI
$1,995,000

1053 Canterbury Street Birmingham, MI 48009

Beds 5
Baths 4
Sqft 4,954
View Listing
Property cover photo
16 Days on FRDMI
$2,350,000

78 Esplanade Place South Haven, MI 49090

Beds 3
Baths 3
Sqft 2,138
View Listing
Property cover photo
309 Days on FRDMI
$2,450,000

103 N Pier Street St. Joseph, MI 49085

Beds 6
Baths 4
Sqft 2,533
View Listing
Property cover photo
22 Days on FRDMI
$1,999,000

51323 Erich Lane New Buffalo, MI 49117

Beds 5
Baths 3
Sqft 3,382
View Listing
Property cover photo
155 Days on FRDMI
$3,650,000

198 Grand Boulevard Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Beds 4
Baths 3
Sqft 3,711
View Listing
Property cover photo
71 Days on FRDMI
$2,950,000

200 Lake Street St. Joseph, MI 49085

Beds 5
Baths 5
Sqft 4,680
View Listing
Property cover photo
8 Days on FRDMI
$3,995,000

4997 Oak Lane Bridgman, MI 49106

Beds 4
Baths 3
Sqft 3,767
View Listing

Hidden Valley Ranch

There is a brand new neighborhood in the area and one of the road is called Hidden Valley, on this road there are a number of ranch homes and I never get tired of ranch dressing, so shout out to Hacienda who has the absolute best ranch in the area.

If you are a person who likes the ranch home I’d say you are practical, you prioritize stability, family and comfort. You work hard and want to have a little extra space for your toys, and want to feel a sense of belonging.

The demand for these ranches is goin up as all the baby boomers knees are shot from working so hard and they don’t really want a ton of steps in the house.

The Cabin

You are a very independent nature lover who loves peace and quiet. You value warmth, coziness and authenticity over trends or social media. You need time and space to work on your manifesto.

If you are the cabin person too you probably like paneling, you won’t go for any drywall when you could have some sweet knotty pine. You probably have some new hobbies like whittling or birding.
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The Manufactured Home

Some call it the doublewide, others a mobile home, but the true name is the manufactured home, and many times they are quite viable options, provided it is not located in a trailer park and is permanently attached to a foundation.


If you are attracted to this style of home you like value, you like bang for you buck. You’ve been shopping for a home for a while and you find that a manufactured home can offer everything that you are looking for with a price you can afford.


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Tri-Curious?

Maybe you start out just Tri- Curious, maybe you find yourself a raised ranch and think , “I just doubled my square footage, and I didn’t even have to finish my basement”.


You’re not afraid of steps, you value innovation and efficiency over convenience. You have and in-law moving in with you, you see that basement space and think I can have a while floor of buffer from my in laws, but still have then 7 steps away,

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The Brutalist

Living in a Brutalist home is like inhabiting a sculpture—raw, unapologetic, and undeniably bold. With its imposing concrete walls, geometric lines, and fortress-like strength, a Brutalist home isn’t just a dwelling; it’s a statement. 

The minimalist aesthetic strips away the unnecessary, leaving a space that feels powerful, serene, and effortlessly cool. Natural light carves dramatic shadows across textured surfaces, while the sheer durability of the structure offers a sense of permanence in an ever-changing world. It’s architecture at its most honest—no frills, no disguises, just form following function with striking confidence. 

If you crave a home that stands out, embraces urban sophistication, and exudes a quiet, almost monastic grandeur, a Brutalist home is a masterpiece you can live in.

Jeff Bucholtz

Jeff Bucholtz is a Real Estate Broker based in Three Oaks MI.

He has sold more than 100 Million Dollars in Real Estate.

He is the Broker and owner of Freedom Realty. 

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