Situated along Prickett Dam Road in Laird Township near Pelkie, Michigan (ZIP 49958, Baraga County), this 68.3-acre recreational property features a 1,040-square-foot 1.5-story cottage, a detached two-car garage, mature white pine forest canopy, established trail networks, and direct access to Upper Peninsula snowmobile and ATV corridors for $198,500.
Offered at $190.87 per square foot of residential living area and $2,906.30 per acre, this property provides a rare combination of substantial acreage, pre-existing utility infrastructure, and an adaptable 1944-built residential shell. Equipped with a remodeled full bathroom, radiant propane heating, private well water, a septic system, an unfinished second-story loft space, and high-speed fiber internet availability, the property functions as an off-grid-feeling retreat with modern connected utilities.
Property Overview and Specification Summary
Evaluating public listing disclosures, county tax records, and site parameters establishes the baseline for this Baraga County property.
| Property Parameter | Official Listing Data & Public Records |
| Street Address | 17463 Prickett Dam Road, Pelkie, MI 49958 |
| County / Region | Baraga County / Western Upper Peninsula Submarket |
| Parcel Identification Number | 00230301400 |
| Current Listing Price | $198,500 (Listed July 25, 2026) |
| Total Land Footprint | 68.30 Acres (2,975,148 Square Feet) |
| Price Per Acre | $2,906.30 per acre |
| Price Per Square Foot of Land | $0.0667 per sq. ft. (approx. 6.7 cents/sq. ft.) |
| Finished Living Area | 1,040 Sq. Ft. (Finished Above Ground) |
| Price Per Square Foot of House | $190.87 per sq. ft. ($191/sq. ft.) |
| Bedrooms / Bathrooms | 1 Bedroom / 1 Full Bathroom (Expandable Open Loft) |
| Year Built & Style | 1944 / 1.5-Story Cottage / Recreational Cabin |
| Exterior Envelope | Wood Siding Construction; Metal/Shingle Roofing |
| Heating & Cooling | Radiant Propane Heating; Wall/Window Unit AC |
| Water Supply & Wastewater | Private Groundwater Well; Private Septic System |
| Electrical & Telecom | Grid Electric Connected; Fiber Optic Internet Available |
| Outbuilding Infrastructure | Detached 2-Car Garage + Recently Improved Gravel Driveway |
| Annual Property Taxes (2025) | $3,186.00 per year ($265.50 per month) |
| Tax Assessed Value Basis | $78,607 (Implied Fair Market Value: $157,214) |
| Homeowners Association (HOA) | None ($0.00 / month) |
| Road Surface & Frontage | Gravel Road Surface; 1,330 Feet Road Frontage |
The Numbers and Detailed Price Analysis
Evaluating a 68.3-acre residential listing requires separating raw acreage value from building replacement costs while evaluating annual tax carrying overhead.
Per-Acre and Structural Valuation Breakdown
At an asking price of $198,500 across 68.30 acres and 1,040 square feet of finished cottage space, the primary mathematical metrics yield the following indicators:
- Price Per Acre: $198,500 ÷ 68.30 acres = $2,906.30 per acre
- Total Land Area in Square Feet: 68.30 acres × 43,560 sq. ft. = 2,975,148 square feet
- Price Per Square Foot of Land: $198,500 ÷ 2,975,148 sq. ft. = $0.0667 per sq. ft.
- Price Per Building Square Foot: $198,500 ÷ 1,040 sq. ft. = $190.87 per sq. ft.
In Baraga County, unimproved 40- to 80-acre recreational timberland parcels typically trade between $1,800 and $2,600 per acre depending on timber maturity and road access.
Assigning a conservative baseline land value of $2,200 per acre to the 68.3-acre footprint ($150,260 total land allocation) leaves the residual purchase price attributed to the 1,040 sq. ft. cottage, foundation, private well, septic tank, 2-car garage, gravel driveway, and fiber internet drop at just $48,240—or $46.38 per square foot for the building infrastructure.
Tax Assessment Mechanics and Holding Overhead
Public property tax records for Laird Township reflect a stable holding cost structure:
- State Equalized / Assessed Value (2025): $78,607
- Implied Tax Fair Market Value (2x SEV): $157,214
- Current Listing Price: $198,500
- Annual Property Tax Bill (2025): $3,186.00 per year
- Monthly Property Tax Burden: $3,186 ÷ 12 months = $265.50 per month
- Annual Per-Acre Tax Carrying Cost: $3,186 ÷ 68.3 acres = $46.65 per acre annually
- Homeowners Association Dues: $0.00 per month
Holding costs of $265.50 per month allow an owner, flipper, or outdoor enthusiast to hold title or finish the second-story loft without significant monthly cash drain.
Land, Acreage, and Trail Network Analysis
The 68.3-acre contiguous timberland footprint defines the property’s privacy, wildlife ecosystem, and outdoor recreational utility.
Forest Composition and Habitat Diversity
- Mature White Pine Canopy: The acreage features stands of large, mature white pine trees scattered across the terrain, creating high-value timber reserves and natural windbreaks.
- Wildlife Ecosystem: Dense forest cover combined with nearby water sources creates an active wildlife corridor for white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, black bear, and wild turkey.
- Internal Trail Network: Features established, wide trail systems traversing the 68 acres, providing access for ATVs, side-by-sides, snowmobiles, and foot hunting.
Access and Trail Corridor Proximity
- Prickett Dam Proximity: Located near Prickett Dam and the Sturgeon River corridor, offering regional access to cold-water fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
- Trail Connectivity: Sits directly adjacent to regional Upper Peninsula snowmobile and ATV trail networks, allowing riders to launch directly from the driveway without trailering equipment.
- Improved Driveway Access: Features a newly improved gravel driveway with fresh aggregate, ensuring clean passenger vehicle ingress and egress during spring snowmelt and autumn mud seasons.
Home Condition, Layout, and Expansion Potential
The residential structure is a 1,040-square-foot, 1.5-story cottage constructed in 1944.
First-Floor Layout and Living Space
- Living Room (204 Sq. Ft. / 12′ x 17′): Spacious central common room.
- Dining Room (140 Sq. Ft. / 10′ x 14′): Separate dining area adjoining the kitchen.
- Primary Bedroom (99 Sq. Ft. / 9′ x 11′): Main-level bedroom space.
- Remodeled Full Bathroom (30 Sq. Ft. / 5′ x 6′): Features updated plumbing fixtures, vanity, and shower surround.
Unfinished Second-Story Loft (Blank Slate Expansion)
A major value-add feature of the cottage is the open, unfinished second floor.
- Expansion Potential: The upper level offers a blank slate to frame out 1 to 2 additional bedrooms, a bunk room for hunting guests, or a primary suite.
- Cost Efficiency: Because the structural framing, subfloor, and roof envelope are already in place, converting the loft into finished living space requires only insulation, drywall, wiring, and flooring.
Outbuildings and Mechanicals
- Detached 2-Car Garage: Provides covered vehicle parking, snowmobile/ATV storage, and workshop space protected from winter weather.
- Radiant Propane Heating: Equipped with radiant heat fueled by an on-site propane tank, providing consistent winter heating.
Utilities & Infrastructure Audit
- Water Supply: Served by a private groundwater well providing domestic water on site.
- Wastewater Management: On-site septic tank system.
- Electrical Service: Grid electricity connected directly to the home and garage.
- High-Speed Fiber Optic Internet: Rare for rural Upper Peninsula acreage, fiber internet is available along Prickett Dam Road, supporting remote work, streaming, and smart-home security systems.
Comparative Value Analysis: Subject Property vs. Raw Land Buildout
Comparing 17463 Prickett Dam Road against purchasing a raw 68-acre parcel in Baraga County and constructing equivalent infrastructure from scratch illustrates the financial trade-offs:
| Development Component | Raw 68-Acre Land Buildout (Est.) | Subject Property (Actual) |
| 68.3-Acre Land Footprint | $150,000 ($2,200/acre) | Included ($198,500 total list price) |
| 1,040 Sq. Ft. Cottage Shell ($110/sq ft) | $114,400 | Included (1944 1.5-story cottage) |
| Detached 2-Car Garage Construction | $25,000 | Included (2-car garage on site) |
| Private Water Well Installation | $9,500 | Included (Active groundwater well) |
| Septic System Installation | $11,000 | Included (Installed septic tank) |
| Grid Power Drop & Fiber Internet Hookup | $5,500 | Included (Electricity & fiber on site) |
| Driveway Gravel & Trail Clearing | $8,500 | Included (Fresh gravel & trail system) |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT | $323,900 | $198,500 |
| IMPLIED CAPITAL SAVINGS | — | $125,400 (38.7% Savings) |
Acquiring 17463 Prickett Dam Road for $198,500 delivers established acreage, trail networks, utilities, a garage, and a 1,040 sq. ft. cottage shell at a ~$125,000 (38.7%) discount compared to developing raw land from scratch.
Key Advantages vs. Primary Drawbacks
Key Advantages
- Substantial Contiguous Acreage: 68.3 acres of timberland featuring mature white pine stands.
- High-Speed Fiber Internet: Connected fiber internet capability enables remote work in a rural setting.
- Unfinished Open Loft Value-Add: Second floor provides immediate expandable square footage for additional bedrooms.
- Pre-Existing Infrastructure: Installed septic tank, private well, electric grid connection, and radiant propane heat.
- Turnkey Recreational Setup: Established interior trail network with direct access to regional snowmobile/ATV trails.
- Detached 2-Car Garage: Secure storage for snowmobiles, side-by-sides, and tools.
Primary Risks and Limitations
- 1-Bedroom Main Floor Footprint: Current finished layout offers only 1 main-level bedroom until the loft is framed out.
- Compact Bathroom Size: Remodeled bathroom measures 5′ x 6′ (30 sq. ft.).
- Gravel Access Road: Requires 4WD vehicles and private snowplowing arrangements during heavy Upper Peninsula winter snowstorms.
Target Buyer Profiles
| Buyer Category | Profile Characteristics | Fit Assessment |
| Four-Season Outdoor Enthusiasts | Hunters, snowmobilers, and ATV riders seeking 68 acres with trail access and garage storage. | Ideal Fit |
| Remote Workers & Homesteaders | Buyers seeking rural acreage with high-speed fiber internet and expandable cabin living space. | Ideal Fit |
| Long-Term Timber & Land Speculators | Investors looking to bank 68+ acres in the Upper Peninsula at $2,906/acre with low holding costs. | Ideal Fit |
| Suburban Turnkey Homebuilders | Buyers requiring municipal sewer, city water, paved streets, and a 4-bedroom finished layout. | Unfavorable Fit |
Investment Perspective & Development Capital Modeling
To model the total cost basis for finishing 17463 Prickett Dam Road into a 3-bedroom, 1-bath year-round home, buyers can evaluate the following capital allocation model:
- Property Purchase Price: $198,500
- Framing, Insulating & Drywalling Upper Level Loft: $12,500
- Upper Level Electrical Branch Wiring & Flooring: $6,000
- Heating System Tune-Up & Fiber Connection Setup: $2,500
- Exterior Wood Siding Stain & Deck Refresh: $4,500
- ESTIMATED ALL-IN CAPITAL INVESTMENT:~$224,000
At an all-in cost basis around $224,000, acquiring 68.3 acres with a fully finished 3-bedroom cabin, fiber internet, detached garage, and trail network represents a competitive investment basis in Baraga County.
Essential Buyer Due Diligence Checklist
- Perform Septic System Inspection: Hire a licensed Michigan septic contractor to pump the tank, inspect baffles, and evaluate drain field absorption.
- Conduct Water Well Potability Test: Test well water samples for bacterial safety, nitrate levels, and mineral content.
- Inspect Upper Loft Framing & Roof Trusses: Retain a licensed builder to inspect collar ties, roof insulation depth, and floor joist span before framing the second level.
- Audit Radiant Propane Heating: Have a certified HVAC technician service the radiant heating system and pressure-test supply lines.
- Verify Boundary Pins & Trail Easements: Review county tax maps (Parcel #00230301400) and locate physical boundary pins across the 68.3-acre perimeter.
Final Verdict
17463 Prickett Dam Road in Pelkie, Michigan, represents a solid Upper Peninsula land opportunity. Offered at $198,500 ($2,906/acre / $191/sq. ft.) for 68.3 acres, its primary strengths include its mature white pine timber, unfinished expandable loft, high-speed fiber internet availability, detached 2-car garage, and direct trail connectivity.
The main trade-offs center on its current 1-bedroom finished footprint and the need to frame out the second floor. For hunters, remote workers, snowmobilers, or land investors seeking a 68-acre Michigan retreat with installed utilities, this listing is well worth an on-site walkthrough and thorough due diligence review.
Listed on Zillow