Northern Michigan lake at sunset

Hi Neighbor

The Story Behind
LakeHomeResource

Ron LaFaye with his granddaughter Lucy

Ron LaFaye

Founder, LakeHomeResource.com

With granddaughter Lucy, 2009

From a Personal List to a Community Resource

Since 2003, my wife and I have owned lake homes in the Traverse City area — two on Spider Lake and one on Island Lake. Like most lake homeowners, we've hired many service providers over the years to help with our homes, docks, and boats. And like most people, we had mixed results.

So we started keeping a list of our favorites. Over time, we'd share those recommendations with friends, neighbors, and business associates — and that list kept growing. What started as a simple personal spreadsheet eventually became LakeHomeResource.com.

If you're a lake homeowner, I hope you'll find the companies in this directory — along with the articles in our blog — genuinely helpful. Please feel free to use this resource as you wish.

Why Create a Free Account?

Build Your Own Favorites List

Compile your own private list of go-to vendors — the companies you trust and want to be able to find quickly, season after season.

Rate & Review Vendors

Your experience matters. Members can rate and review vendors, helping fellow lake homeowners make informed decisions. Only members can review — that's by design.

Tips, Insights & Occasional Deals

From time to time, we may share property or boating tips — and maybe pass along a discount from one of our vendors. We promise: no spam, no overwhelm, and you can opt out anytime.

Your Privacy is Sacred

We never share any member information with anyone. Period. And there are absolutely no fees — membership is completely free, now and always.

Community accountability and trust
The One-Word Answer

Why Have Accounts at All?

People occasionally ask: if membership is free and the directory is open to browse, why even create an account?

The answer is one word: Accountability.

It's not just the companies in our directory that are held accountable — our members must be accountable too. Without that, we could have bad actors spamming vendors with malicious reviews for the wrong reasons.

That's precisely why only verified members can rate vendors. Our goal is to create a business ecosystem that genuinely benefits both the homeowners and the companies that serve them.

Built by a Lake Homeowner, for Lake Homeowners

This directory grew from real-world experience on the lakes we love most — and we're proud to serve the entire northern Michigan lake community.

Spider LakeIsland LakeGrand Traverse BayTorch LakeCrystal LakeElk LakeLake LeelanauGlen LakeWalloon LakeHiggins Lake

Join as a Member

Create your free account to save favorites, rate vendors, and become part of our trusted lake homeowner community.

Sign Up — It's Free

List Your Business

Are you a business owner who provides top-notch service to lake homeowners? We'd love to hear from you. Let's grow together.

Apply to Be Listed