West Michigan Real Estate Blog | Luke Bouman Team

By Luke Bouman | Luke Bouman Real Estate Team | July 2026

Dunegrass, also known as The Preserve at the Lakeshore, is one of the most distinctive private lakeshore communities on the West Michigan coast. Set on the Lake Michigan shoreline near Saugatuck, it blends sandy beach, low bluff dunes, and wooded parcels with private lake access, nature trails, and strict dune and shoreline preservation. Owning here is a lifestyle decision as much as a real estate one, and the buyers who are happiest are the ones who understood the responsibilities going in. This guide covers what ownership actually costs and requires, the due diligence that protects you, and how Dunegrass compares to other Saugatuck-area lakeshore options. As an Accredited Luxury Home Specialist, a designation held by fewer than 1,000 agents nationally, I work this corridor closely.

What You Are Actually Buying

Dunegrass home styles range from seasonal cottages to full-time custom residences, but they share a focus on the lakeshore and the landscape. Expect open main levels framing water views, generous decks, mudroom entries for sandy gear, and split or multi-level designs that follow the dune topography. Lakeshore homes here contend with wind, moisture, and sand, so durable exteriors matter: stain-treated wood, fiber-cement siding, composite decking, corrosion-resistant fasteners, and metal or high-wind architectural shingle roofs. When you tour, ask specifically about the age and maintenance history of exterior finishes and any updates made for coastal conditions, because deferred maintenance on a lakeshore home compounds faster than inland.

The HOA Is the Heart of the Deal

In a preserve-style community, the homeowners association is central to the experience and to your costs. Before you write an offer, request and read these documents carefully: the annual assessment details and exactly what they cover, such as common-area insurance, trail and beach maintenance, private road snow removal, and reserves. A recent reserve study and the list of capital needs like dune stabilization, stair replacement, or road repairs. The history of special assessments and the timing of any large upcoming projects. And the rules on rentals and guest use, since some lake communities limit short-term rentals and others allow them with restrictions. The reserve study is the single most revealing document. A thin reserve fund with major capital needs ahead means special assessments are coming, and you want to price that in before you buy, not discover it after.

Flood, Dune Rules, and Architectural Review

Three things catch lakeshore buyers off guard. First, flood zone status: properties in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas may require flood insurance at meaningful annual cost, so check the flood zone and ask for any elevation certificates early. Second, dune preservation rules: Michigan regulates critical dune areas, and Dunegrass adds its own preservation focus, which can limit what you build, clear, or alter on your lot. Third, architectural review: private lakeshore communities typically have design controls to protect the dune and shoreline character, so any future addition or exterior change will go through approval. None of these are dealbreakers. They are simply the realities of owning in a protected lakeshore preserve, and knowing them upfront is what separates a confident purchase from a regretful one.

How Dunegrass Fits the Saugatuck Lakeshore

Dunegrass gives you private Lake Michigan access with the galleries, dining, and marinas of Saugatuck and Douglas a short drive away. If you want pure walkable downtown access, a downtown Saugatuck property may fit better. If you want a private beach-and-dune setting with preservation character and are comfortable with HOA-governed lakeshore ownership, Dunegrass is one of the best options on this stretch of coast. The Lakeshore's most reviewed real estate team. RSPS and ALHS certified. Call (616) 344-9923 for a private consultation on Dunegrass and the Saugatuck lakeshore.

Related: Saugatuck Michigan Real Estate | Luxury Homes Saugatuck | Lake Michigan Waterfront Homes West Michigan