Buying along the Lake Huron shore

Sanilac County runs for miles along the Lake Huron shore, and that coast — anchored by the resort villages of Lexington and Port Sanilac — is a big part of the county’s draw. Lakefront and lake-view property is wonderful, but a Great Lakes shoreline comes with a few things to understand.

The lake’s level rises and falls over the years. The record-high water around 2019 and 2020 ate away at beaches and low bluffs along the Thumb, and low-water years shift the shoreline too. If you’re buying on the water, ask about erosion history and how close the bank or high-water line is to the house. Keep in mind, too, that in Michigan you can own to the water’s edge, but the public has the right to walk the wet sand below the natural high-water mark. And building or rebuilding near the water — a seawall, a dock, dredging, or work in a high-erosion area — usually needs a state permit from EGLE on top of any local approval. None of this is a reason to shy away; it’s just the homework that comes with a lakefront address. Ask about past erosion, any shore-protection structures and their permits, and whether the lot is in a high-risk erosion area.