Dawn Tomlinson - Realtor at REMAX by the Lake

09/22/2026

Closing day calls for a little celebration… and a 🔑 cookie cake! 🍪🏡❤️

Congratulations to my buyers on officially closing on their new home today! There’s nothing better than handing over the keys and getting to celebrate such an exciting new chapter with my clients.

Wishing you so many happy memories in your new home.

Shoutout to Three Bites Bakery for the cutest idea for a closing gift.

09/22/2026

We are now down to the final votes. I’m so incredibly grateful to once again be named a Top 3 finalist for Best Local Real Estate Agent! 🏡❤️ I didn’t even realize that the preliminary voting had started until the Herald Palladium reached out to let me know I was a finalist to see if I wanted to create an ad to stand out more for a better chance to win. 🤦🏽‍♀️😂. And, no, I didn’t pay for an ad for those of you wondering. 😅

After winning last year, this makes 9 years of either placing in the Top 3 or winning, and I truly never take that support for granted.

Real estate asks a lot: long days, late nights, weekends, missed plans, and plenty of sacrifices behind the scenes. But I give it everything I have because my clients deserve the very best I can give them.

To have this community recognize and support that year after year means more than I can say. ❤️

If you feel I’ve earned your vote again this year, I would be so thankful for your support for Best Local Real Estate Agent! 🗳️🏡

Thank you for trusting me, referring me, cheering me on, and supporting me year after year. I couldn’t do this without you.❤️🤍💙

Click the link below if you would to vote. You can vote 1 x every day through Oct 5th.

Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

09/18/2026

‼️ HUGE $15,000 Price Improvement‼️

🌿 2.43 ACRES + NEARLY 760 FT OF MILL CREEK FRONTAGE! 🌊

This cozy retreat delivers big living on a streamlined footprint, surrounded by space to relax, create, and enjoy the outdoors. 🏡✨

🌳 Expansive deck with power-ready enclosed gazebo
🔥 Covered patio for outdoor entertaining
🛠️ Multiple outbuildings for storage, workshop, studio, or livestock use
🐾 Tall privacy fence enclosing approx. 0.3 acre
🌱 Over 2 acres still open for gardens, pets, livestock, or future plans
🚗 Partially finished garage with flexible space for parking, storage, hobbies, or a workshop
🧹 Low-maintenance finishes to help simplify everyday living

And the location keeps you close to some of Southwest Michigan’s favorite destinations:
🏖️ Paw Paw Lake — about 10 minutes away
🌊 South Haven & Silver Beach — roughly 20 minutes away
🛣️ Easy access to I-94 for Kalamazoo and beyond

🚨 BONUS: SELLER WILL INSTALL A NEW ROOF PRIOR TO CLOSING FOR THE NEW OWNERS! 🚨

Creek frontage, acreage, usable outdoor space, and plenty of possibilities — this one offers a little bit of everything. 🌿🏡
Bordered by nearly 760 ft of Mill Creek, this cozy retreat delivers big living on a streamlined footprint. The 2.43-acre setting offers an expansive deck with power-ready enclosed gazebo, covered patio, multiple outbuildings for storage, workshop, studio or livestock use, and a tall privacy fence enclosing approx. 0.3 acre while leaving over 2 acres open for gardens, pets, livestock or future plans. The partially finished garage offers flexible space for parking, storage, hobbies or a workshop. Low-maintenance finishes help simplify daily living, while the outdoor space offers room to relax, create and explore. Paw Paw Lake is about 10 minutes away, South Haven and Silver Beach are roughly 20 minutes, and I-94 provides easy access to Kalamazoo and beyond. SELLER WILL INSTALL A NEW ROOF PRIOR TO CLOSING FOR THE NEW OWNERS.

Link below 👇

09/18/2026

Easy living with space where it counts! This 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home offers a practical layout with all main level living which means main-level laundry! spacious eat-in kitchen with abundant cabinet and storage space, and a separate formal dining room for meals or entertaining. The family room features a fireplace that adds warmth and character, while the primary bedroom includes its own attached half bath. A sliding glass door from the family room opens to the back deck/patio area, creating an easy extension of the living space for summer cookouts, evening relaxation, and enjoying the fireflies after sunset. A 2-car garage plus a 12x16 shed provide even more room for vehicles, tools, hobbies, and storage. Located near Eaton Park, Knauf Park, Maiden Lane Park, the YMCA, shopping, dining, and everyday conveniences, with quick access to I-94. Comfortable, functional, and designed for both everyday living and easy indoor-outdoor enjoyment.

09/17/2026

💥Hitting the market this Thursday!💥

Easy living with space where it counts! This 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath St. Joseph home offers a practical layout with main-level laundry, a spacious eat-in kitchen with abundant cabinet and storage space, and a separate formal dining room for meals or entertaining. The family room features a fireplace that adds warmth and character, while the primary bedroom includes its own attached half bath. A sliding glass door opens to the back deck and patio area, creating an easy extension of the living space for summer cookouts, evening relaxation, and watching the fireflies after sunset. A 2-car garage plus a 12x16 shed provide even more room for vehicles, tools, hobbies, and storage. Located near Eaton Park, Knauf Park, Maiden Lane Park, the YMCA, shopping, dining, and everyday conveniences, with quick access to I-94. Comfortable, functional, and designed for both everyday living and easy indoor-outdoor enjoyment.

Call or text @ 269.470.6962 to set up your private showing.

📍621 Manitou, St. Joseph, MI offered at $250,000

09/16/2026

New listing alert!!!

Space, potential, and a layout that works! This 4-bedroom, 2-bath home in the Lakeshore School District offers plenty of room to make it your own. The spacious kitchen opens to the dining area, creating a comfortable flow for meals, gatherings, and everyday living. Step out from the dining room onto the large back deck and enjoy even more space outdoors. Replacement windows and an attached 2-car garage add everyday convenience, while four bedrooms and two full baths provide flexibility for a variety of needs. The home is ready for cosmetic updates and fresh ideas, giving the next owner the opportunity to add their own style and make the space shine. Property being sold "as-is", seller will make no repairs. Sale of the property described herin is subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of The Salvation Army, Territorial Headquarters.

Link below for more details! 👇

09/07/2026

🇺🇸 **Happy Labor Day!** 🇺🇸

Apparently I took the “labor” part a little too seriously this year. 😂🏡

Friday was a BIG day heading into the holiday weekend — TWO of my listings went UNDER CONTRACT, after receiving multiple offers!** 🎉🔥🙌

I have to give my sellers credit — they took my recommendations on the prep work that needed to be done before hitting the market, whether it was paint, furniture arrangements, staging, etc. and trusted the pricing strategy, and it paid off. 3 of the 4 generated multiple offers and ended up right where I told them the market could support at or above list price. 💪🏡

That is exactly why the work we do **before** a listing ever goes live matters so much. PRESENTATION, condition, pricing and timing all work together to create that first impression and give us the best chance at strong activity right out of the gate.

And those two accepted offers came right on the heels of TWO other listings that closed within the last two weeks! 🔑🏡

So while Labor Day may be meant for kicking back, relaxing and enjoying one last unofficial summer weekend…apparently real estate had other plans for me. 😂

The market clearly didn’t get the Labor Day memo! 🏡🔥

But I wouldn't trade the craziness for anything. Behind every accepted offer and every closing are sellers who trusted me with one of their biggest assets, negotiations happening behind the scenes, problems being solved, and a whole lot of work to get everyone across the finish line. ❤️🏡

And the last two weeks have definitely given us something to celebrate…

🔑 Two sellers officially CLOSED and on to their next chapters!
🔥 Two more listings went UNDER CONTRACT on Friday!
🙌 Both launched strong and gave their sellers the outcomes they wanted.
💥 That’s FOUR big seller wins in just TWO weeks!

I'd say that's a pretty good way to head into September! 💪🍂

Happy Labor Day, everyone! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

09/02/2026

👀 🏡✨ **COMING SOON in St. Joseph!** ✨🏡👀

Located in the Hanley subdivision of Shoreham Village, this well-maintained, 3 bed/1 bath ranch offers easy one-level living, a spacious yard, and so many thoughtful updates. 🌳🌸

☀️ Large living room filled with beautiful morning light
🌅 Kitchen windows positioned to catch evening sunsets
🌷 Beautiful landscaping with flowering trees, colorful blooms & established shrubs
🥕 Raised garden beds
🛖 Newer shed
🚐 Newer concrete parking pad for an RV, trailer, or extra vehicle
👗 Spacious laundry room
🚪 Primary bedroom with multiple closets, including a walk-in with potential for a future ensuite bath

And the big-ticket updates are already handled! 🙌

🏠 50-year shingle roof — 2019
❄️ A/C — 2024
🔥 Water heater — 2026
🧊 Refrigerator — 2026
🍽️ Dishwasher — 2023
👩‍🍳 Range — 2022
🛏️ Bedroom carpet — 2025

📍 Just minutes from Lake Michigan, Silver Beach, downtown St. Joseph, the Silver Beach Carousel, Whirlpool Compass Fountain, shopping, dining & more! 🌊🎠

📍2813 E Hanley, St. Joseph, MI 49085
💲290,000
3 bed/1 bath

08/26/2026

🏡✨ Hitting the market tomorrow! ✨🏡

This super clean, solid 3 bed, 1 bath ranch offers comfortable living in a great location—less than a mile from Paw Paw Lake Public Access 🌊 and under 2 miles from the public launch at Little Paw Paw Lake! 🚤

Inside, you'll find fresh paint throughout, newer windows, all-new light fixtures, and some electrical updates. The newer roof (2023) adds peace of mind, and the attached garage adds everyday convenience. 🔑

The basement offers plenty of extra space for recreation, a game room, workout area, storage, or whatever fits your needs, plus an additional shower.

Out back, the fenced yard and spacious deck are ready for summer cookouts 🌭, pets 🐾, or entertaining before heading out for a day on the lakes 🚤☀️ or exploring the area's many nearby wineries. 🍷

Located in a municipality that currently allows short-term rentals, this is an opportunity for a turn-key vacation getaway, primary home, or investment property near two of the area's favorite lakes. 💰🏡 Sellers are willing to sell turn-key with all furnishings! 🛋️

💥 Priced at $260,000, you are hard-pressed to find a better value in Southwest Michigan for a home in this wonderful condition!

📍 6749 Deadwood Rd, Coloma, MI
💲260,000
🛏️ 3 Bedrooms
🛁 1 Bath
🌊 Near Big & Little Paw Paw Lakes
🍷 Nearby wineries
🔑 Turn-key furnishings available
🏠 Newer roof (2023)

08/22/2026

🎉 TWO ACCEPTED OFFERS THIS WEEKEND! 🎉

And both of these wins came with a little bit of a story. 😉

🏡 Buyers of house #1: A couple of weeks ago, they submitted an offer on a home with multiple offers…and unfortunately, they didn’t get it. When the winning buyers later backed out, mine initially decided they weren’t going to jump back in.

But a few weeks passed, they circled back, took another look at the opportunity and decided…
WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER! 🐔🏆😂

🏡 Buyers of house #2: They weren’t even the highest offer — and they were competing against multiple cash buyers. But price isn’t always the only thing that matters to a seller.

This is exactly why I believe so strongly in picking up the phone and having conversations with the other agent. Those conversations help me understand what matters most to the seller, give context to our offer, and sometimes uncover ways to make my buyers’ offer stand out without simply throwing more money at it.

Now they’re officially under contract too!

Real estate can have a funny way of working itself out. Sometimes the highest offer doesn’t win, and sometimes the house you thought got away finds its way right back to you.

Huge congratulations to BOTH sets of my buyers! 🥳🏡❤️