Last Updated: July 27, 2026 | By Robert Harrell — Realtor, Commerce Township, MI | Harrell Realty Team

If you're researching waterfront communities in Commerce Township, here's the answer up front: this township is built around two dozen-plus lakes, and no two of them offer the same lifestyle or price point. I'm Robert Harrell of the Harrell Realty Team, and after 30 years working these shorelines, I get asked to compare them constantly — so here's the full breakdown in one place.

Why "Waterfront" Means Something Different on Each Lake

Commerce Township's Walk Score sits at just 1 out of 100, which tells you everything about the character here — this is quiet, private, car-dependent lake living, not a walkable waterfront downtown. What changes lake to lake is size, depth, boat access, and how built-out the shoreline already is.

Union Lake

Union Lake is the township's flagship waterfront community — the largest lake, the deepest water, and consistently the strongest luxury demand. Homes here command the highest price per square foot in the township, and dock rights on Union Lake are documented and defended closely by buyers' attorneys during negotiation.

Commerce Lake

Commerce Lake sits closer to the township's historic village center and offers a mix of established lake cottages and newer builds. It's a common entry point for buyers who want lake access without Union Lake's price ceiling.

Lake Chemung

Lake Chemung runs along the Richardson Road corridor and tends to attract buyers who want a quieter, more residential waterfront feel — less boat traffic than Union Lake, with a tighter-knit community around the shoreline.

Proud Lake and the Proud Lake Recreation Area

Proud Lake borders the state recreation area, which means buyers here get lake access plus direct proximity to protected parkland, trails, and the Huron River corridor — a strong draw for buyers who want nature access built into daily life, not just a private dock.

Strawberry Lake and Bass Lake

Strawberry Lake and Bass Lake are smaller, quieter waterfront pockets that offer real lake living at a more accessible price point than Union or Commerce Lake, making them a common recommendation for buyers priced out of the bigger lakes but unwilling to give up water access entirely.

Wolverine Lake (Border Community)

Wolverine Lake technically borders Commerce Township rather than sitting inside it, but enough of the surrounding neighborhood falls close enough to the line that I include it in this conversation regularly — it's worth a look if you're open to the edge of the township.

Not sure which lake actually fits your budget and lifestyle? Reach out through the Harrell Realty Team contact page and I'll walk you through current inventory on each one specifically.

What Drives Price Differences Between Lakes

Size and depth matter for boat access, but so does how much of the shoreline is already built out versus available. Union Lake and Commerce Lake are largely built, so new listings there compete on renovation quality; Strawberry Lake and Bass Lake still have more variability in lot size and home age, which is where patient buyers can find real value.

Schools and Waterfront Living

According to GreatSchools' Commerce Township profile, the township is served primarily by the Walled Lake and Huron Valley school districts — both factor heavily into pricing on the family-oriented lakes like Commerce Lake and Strawberry Lake, where buyers are often weighing school zone as heavily as water access.

Buying or Selling on One of These Lakes

If you're selling, riparian rights and any existing dock permit need to be documented before your listing goes live — buyers' attorneys ask for this immediately on every lake in the township. If you're buying, know which lake fits your boat (or lack of one) before you start touring, because the difference between Union Lake and Bass Lake is a completely different day-to-day experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best lakes to live on in Commerce Township MI?

Union Lake and Commerce Lake carry the strongest overall demand, Proud Lake appeals to buyers who want recreation-area access, and Strawberry Lake and Bass Lake offer quieter, more affordable waterfront living without leaving the township.

What are the best neighborhoods in Commerce Township to buy a home?

Beyond the lakes themselves, the Richardson Road corridor along Lake Chemung and the areas bordering the Proud Lake Recreation Area are consistently strong picks for buyers who want a mix of privacy and proximity to water and trails.

What are the best schools in Commerce Township Michigan?

Commerce Township is served primarily by the Walled Lake and Huron Valley school districts, both of which carry strong regional reputations and directly support resale value in the family-oriented lake communities.

What is a buyer's agent and do I need one in Commerce Township?

A buyer's agent represents your interests exclusively during a purchase. On lake property specifically, that representation matters even more — riparian rights, dock permits, and shoreline condition all need to be verified before you're under contract, and a buyer's agent handles that for you.

Is it worth hiring a realtor in Commerce Township to buy a home?

Yes, especially for waterfront property — pricing and permitting vary so much lake to lake that a realtor without specific local experience can miss details on dock rights or shoreline access that materially affect what you're actually buying.

If Union Lake's price point is out of reach but you still want that lake lifestyle, my luxury realtor guide breaks down exactly how pricing shifts corridor by corridor, which is useful context even if you end up on a smaller lake.

Ready to Find Your Lake?

Connect with Robert Harrell today:

• Phone: (248) 830-1870
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: harrellrealtyteam.com