Realtor in Union Lake, Commerce Township

I'm Robert Harrell, a Top Rated Agent on Zillow and 5-Star Agent with Real Estate One, and I've been helping buyers and sellers navigate the Union Lake area of Commerce Township for 30 years. Union Lake is one of the most sought-after pockets in all of Oakland County — a true lake-access community where homes on or near the water command significant premiums above the Commerce Township median. If you need a realtor in Union Lake, call me directly at (248) 830 1870.

Why work with a realtor in Union Lake?

Union Lake is not a generic Commerce Township subdivision — and it shouldn't be treated like one. Pricing here is driven by water access tier, lot orientation, and dock rights in ways that a generalist agent covering the whole township simply won't know how to navigate. A specialist realtor in Union Lake understands which streets sit within the lake's direct access district, which properties carry shared-dock rights versus private dock rights, and how those distinctions move the needle on price by tens of thousands of dollars.

There's a second reason neighborhood-level expertise matters here: buyer competition. Union Lake homes — especially those with frontage or direct lake access — rarely stay on the market long. Knowing the inventory before it hits Zillow, understanding which sellers are motivated, and moving quickly with a well-structured offer are all skills that come from working this specific market consistently for decades. I've done exactly that. "Union Lake has its own micro-market rhythm that rewards buyers and sellers who work with someone who truly knows it from the inside," is how I put it to clients when we first sit down.

About Union Lake

Union Lake sits in the northeastern quadrant of Commerce Township, organized around its namesake lake — a 640-acre all-sports lake that draws families, water enthusiasts, and buyers who want year-round recreation right outside their back door. The neighborhood is defined by its variety: you'll find modest ranch homes from the 1950s and '60s sitting a few blocks from the water alongside fully renovated walk-out colonials, newer custom builds with private docks, and everything in between.

Streets like Cooley Lake Road, Commerce Road, and Union Lake Road frame the community, while lakefront drives and smaller cul-de-sacs tucked between them offer a surprising mix of price points. Lot sizes vary considerably — some lakefront parcels are tight, others are expansive. That variation means buyers need to look past square footage and focus on lot width, riparian rights, and what kind of waterfront use each parcel actually allows.

The buyer pool here skews toward move-up families relocating from other parts of Oakland County, retirees downsizing from larger estates who still want lake living, and remote workers who want more lifestyle per dollar than they'd get in Birmingham or West Bloomfield. The community has a genuine neighborhood feel — people wave from their boats, gather at the public access area near Union Lake Road, and take pride in the water.

Compared to Commerce Township's broader median of roughly $634K (as of March 2026), Union Lake pricing spans a wide band. Non-lake homes in the area often trade in the high-$300s to mid-$400s, while lake-access and lakefront properties move well into the $700s, $800s, and beyond for renovated or custom builds. Understanding where a specific address falls on that spectrum is a critical part of what I bring to every transaction here.

Real estate in Union Lake — what to expect

Whether you're buying or selling, real estate in Union Lake follows a specific rhythm. Here are the key steps and what makes each one unique to this neighborhood:

• Defining your access tier. Not every home near Union Lake has the same rights. The first step is establishing whether a property is true lakefront, lake-access through a deeded association, or simply "lake area" without water rights — because each category has its own pricing band and its own buyer pool.
• Reviewing riparian and dock rights. Homes with private dock rights require deed and zoning review before you can assume anything. I walk buyers through the recorded documents so there are no surprises post-closing about what they can and cannot build or maintain at the water's edge.
• Pricing strategy calibrated to the water. For sellers, comparable sales in Union Lake require careful filtering. A lakefront comp two streets over may be irrelevant for a lake-access home without frontage. I pull the right comps and explain the adjustments so pricing is accurate, not optimistic — and not undervalued.
• Navigating HOA and association structures. Some Union Lake neighborhoods operate with lake associations that carry annual dues, boat registration requirements, and rules about dock length and watercraft. I identify these early and help buyers understand what they're signing up for.
• Inspection priorities specific to this area. Older homes near the lake often have well and septic systems, aging seawalls, or dock structures that need evaluation. I help buyers prioritize the right inspectors — including marine contractors when relevant — so the inspection phase is thorough, not generic.
• Timing the market. Union Lake inventory tends to peak in late spring and early summer when the lifestyle sells itself. Sellers who list in April and May consistently see stronger traffic and faster offers. I plan listing timelines around that seasonal curve to maximize exposure.
• Lender coordination. Waterfront and lake-access properties sometimes require specialized appraisers and lenders familiar with lake home valuations in Oakland County. I connect buyers and sellers with professionals who have experience closing these specific property types without valuation gaps.
• Closing and transfer. Dock permits, lake association memberships, and boat sticker transfers are part of closing in Union Lake in a way they aren't in a standard subdivision. I make sure every transfer item is on the closing checklist so nothing falls through the cracks on possession day.

Union Lake vs. Commerce Township — key differences

Union Lake differs from the broader Commerce Township market in three important ways.

Lifestyle premium. Commerce Township contains many traditional subdivisions with no water access at all. Union Lake commands a lifestyle premium that doesn't exist township-wide — buyers are paying for the lake, not just the house. That changes how you price, how you market, and who your buyer is.

Price ceiling. The top of the market in Union Lake runs higher than most of Commerce Township. Custom lakefront builds and renovated water's-edge homes trade well above the township median, pulling the neighborhood's ceiling up in a way that requires a different negotiating framework than a standard Commerce Township transaction.

Buyer urgency. Lake properties attract emotional buyers who decide quickly. In a standard subdivision, buyers often request multiple showings over several weeks. In Union Lake, serious buyers move fast — especially in spring and summer. Sellers here benefit from agents who can create urgency and manage multiple-offer situations, not just wait for offers to trickle in.

What clients say

Andrew Cone, Waterford, MI — handled both the sale of his home and a purchase:

"Very knowledgeable. Had an accepted offer on our home within the first week on market. Made selling and buying a breeze. Highly recommend!"

Waterford borders Union Lake territory directly, and Andrew's experience reflects exactly the kind of fast, coordinated transaction this market rewards.

D.P., Commerce Township, MI — listing:

"Rob was very knowledgeable about the market and he helped me to price my home at an appropriate, fair price that allowed my home to sell promptly."

Accurate pricing in Commerce Township — and particularly in Union Lake — is everything. This client's outcome speaks to the discipline of pricing right rather than chasing an inflated number.

Judith Zimmermann, Commerce, MI — listing:

"Rob is extremely professional. He knows the market and knows how to price your home realistically."

Realistic pricing in a lake community means understanding water access tiers, not just square footage — and that's exactly what separates a neighborhood specialist from a generalist.

Frequently asked questions

What does a realtor in Union Lake do differently than a general Commerce Township agent? 

A realtor in Union Lake who specializes in this neighborhood understands the water access hierarchy that drives pricing here — something a generalist simply won't have at their fingertips. I know which streets carry riparian rights, which lake associations have active dues and restrictions, and how dock availability affects resale value. That knowledge keeps buyers from overpaying for lake-area homes without real access rights, and keeps sellers from underpricing a property that the market would reward more aggressively.

What is the price range for homes in Union Lake right now? 

Union Lake covers a wide spectrum, which is part of what makes it such an interesting neighborhood to work in. Non-lake homes in the area often trade in the high-$300s to mid-$400s, while lake-access homes with association rights move higher, and true lakefront properties — especially renovated or newer custom builds — can trade well into the $700s, $800s, or above. The Commerce Township median is approximately $634K as of March 2026, but Union Lake homes at the water's edge regularly exceed that benchmark. Where your specific property or target home falls depends on lot position, dock rights, and condition.

How long does it typically take to sell a home in Union Lake? 

Homes in Union Lake that are priced correctly for their specific access tier tend to move quickly — particularly those listed in spring and early summer when buyer demand for lake properties peaks. I've seen well-priced lake-access homes generate accepted offers within the first week on market, as my client Andrew Cone's experience reflects. Overpriced listings, on the other hand, can sit and become stale even in a strong market. Pricing discipline and strategic timing are the two most important variables a seller controls.

Do I need a specialized lender to buy a lakefront home in Union Lake? 

Not necessarily, but working with a lender who has experience appraising and financing lake and waterfront properties in Oakland County is a real advantage. Standard lenders sometimes struggle with appraisals on lakefront homes because comparable sales are limited and adjustments for water access are complex. I connect my buyers with lenders who have closed lake property transactions in this area before, which reduces the risk of appraisal gaps or last-minute financing complications that can derail a 

deal.

What should buyers watch for during inspections on Union Lake homes? 

Older homes near the lake often have well and septic systems rather than municipal connections, and those systems require dedicated inspections beyond a standard home inspection. Seawalls, docks, and any existing dock structures should be evaluated by a marine contractor, not just visually noted by a general inspector. I also flag any permitted versus unpermitted dock additions — because unpermitted structures can create title and zoning complications at closing. Buyers who skip these steps often inherit expensive problems that a thorough inspection process would have surfaced.

Is Union Lake an all-sports lake, and does that affect property values? 

Yes — Union Lake is an all-sports lake, meaning powerboats, jet skis, and water skiing are permitted in addition to kayaking and fishing. That designation is a significant value driver because it expands the buyer pool considerably compared to lakes with motor restrictions. All-sports lakes attract families and recreational buyers who are willing to pay a premium specifically for that unrestricted use, which keeps demand strong and supports pricing at the upper end of the market.

How do lake association dues and rules affect buying a home in Union Lake? 

Some properties in the Union Lake area gain water access through a lake association rather than direct frontage, and those associations carry annual dues, rules about watercraft, and sometimes restrictions on dock construction or length. Before a buyer makes an offer on an association-access property, I make sure they review the association documents, understand the dues structure, and know exactly what their access includes. Surprises about association restrictions after closing are one of the most common sources of buyer regret in lake communities, and I work hard to prevent them.

What is the best time of year to list a home in Union Lake?

Late April through June is consistently the strongest window for listing lake and lake-access homes in Union Lake. Buyers are actively searching with spring energy, the lake lifestyle is visible and appealing, and longer daylight hours make properties show better. That said, well-priced homes in Union Lake can sell in any season — motivated buyers looking for this specific community don't disappear in the fall. I help sellers weigh their timeline against the seasonal demand curve so they're making an informed decision, not just following a generic rule.

Ready to work with me in Union Lake?

If you're buying or selling in Union Lake, you deserve a realtor who knows this neighborhood from the water's edge to the back streets — one who understands the difference between lake access and lakefront, knows how to price for the right buyer, and has 30 years of real transactions in Commerce Township behind them. I'm Robert Harrell with Real Estate One, and I'm ready to put that experience to work for you as your realtor in Union Lake.

Call me directly at (248) 830 1870 or view my Google profile here.