66788 Millet Road , Lakeville, IN 46536(St Joseph County)

Once you turn onto the tree-lined driveway, through the stately brick pillars and black border fencing and past the stocked pond with a lighted fountain up to the house, you will immediately know this is a special property. Arriving at the top of the paved driveway, you will find the two-story brick home with an attached three-car garage and an incredible, detached, two-story Carriage house, built in 2009. The high-quality, custom home was built by the original owner as his family's "forever" home, and now, in retirement age, he has decided to offer this beautiful home and land to a new owner to continue to love and enjoy. Completed in 1989, it features four bedrooms, three full and two half baths, plenty of closets, including three walk-ins, a functional eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room and a large, cathedral-ceiling family room with gas fireplace. The home's classic design and finishes provide an upscale but subtle elegance which could be further highlighted with some personalization and styling by the new owner. A few of the most remarkable rooms of the home have completely different but equally enjoyable benefits. Off the dining room, on the main floor is the impressive "trophy room," but it also serves as an impressive office, den or meeting room, with its high ceilings, detailed woodwork, hardwood floors, additional fireplace and tall, artisan, stained glass windows. When you think of a trophy room or den, there should be a picture of this room in the dictionary! This room is complimented by a big wood desk; classic leather wingback chairs perfectly placed to feel the warmth of the fire to admire the record-class fish and game animals adorning the room, with many of the Whitetail Deer and turkeys being harvested right on the property. Yes, there is a world record Golden Hammerhead Shark on display, but not to worry, it wasn't caught in the pond! If the trophy animals and built-in firearm display cabinets are not your style, this room is perfectly suited for many other purposes, including a living room, office, meeting room, library or perhaps a home theater. The other spaces you will really appreciate are the fully finished basement with a game/recreation area, family and fitness area, bar and soda/ice cream parlor, as well as a 20-yard indoor archery range. There is still plenty of storage space with a separate storage room perfect for seasonal items or clothing and a mechanical room housing the updated and high-efficiency HVAC and other utility systems. One of the most welcoming and refreshing rooms may be the screened-in porch right off the kitchen. It would be a great place to have some outdoor dining or entertaining experiences just to enjoy the cool breeze as you enjoy the peaceful and beautiful views of the magnificent forest or the flowers, plants, apple trees and other attractive landscaping features around your patio and back yard. When the owner said his property had a "carriage house," I really didn't understand the whole concept until I saw it, and you will want to see it too. The Carriage House is a very impressive, self-contained, 25' X 42', two-story building, finished on both levels. The upper level is a 3 to 4-car garage with a black and white checkerboard tiled floor, Heat and AC, nice windows, and great lighting. This is a place to proudly display your car or motorcycle collection or store your boat, jet skis, ATVs or other toys, vehicles, or collectibles you might have. The lower level is equally interesting and impressive. It is currently a beautifully finished Ballroom Dance Studio with wall-to-wall hardwood floors, 12' ceilings, full wall mirrors and a kitchenette area with a half bathroom. It is a dance studio, but its layout and design lend itself to so many other useful purposes. Of course, dance, yoga, training, or fitness area are obvious uses, but you are only limited by your imagination. The ample open space and French doors leading out to the elevated back deck overlooking a large grass courtyard surrounded by trees begs for someone to host meetings, grand parties or even weddings here. With some minor renovations, you may be able to create some additional guest quarters or living space. With so much this home and improvements have to offer, surprisingly, it may be the land itself that you are most impressed and inspired by. Walking on the miles of groomed trails, you will witness what is arguably the most unspoiled and naturally awesome forested land you will see anywhere. Part of this is due to the owner's commitment and stewardship to the land by choosing not to alter or develop it and enrolling in a Classified Forest Program. This program allows you to manage, use, enjoy or hunt the property and also offsets the property taxes. There is gently rolling terrain and beautiful ravine-like elevation changes all covered with an amazing variety of mature trees. A recent evaluation by a Consulting Forester cataloged the species present to include white oak, hickory, hard maple, sassafras, tulip, beech, red elm, white elm, soft maple, black gum, ironwood, black cherry, black oak, large tooth aspen, pin oak, scarlet oak, basswood, willow, white ash, and black walnut. To add to the diversity and habitat of the woods, there is a several-acre stand of pine trees, both previously existing and planted by the current owner many years ago. A future selective timber harvest would not only be part of good forest management but also provide some return on investment. The pines add a splash of year-round color to the forest as well as make a great roosting area for all the turkeys that use the woods. With unspoiled habitat like this property has, it's not surprising how much Deer, Turkey, small game, and other wildlife the property attracts and supports. In addition to the 75 acres or so of mature timber surrounding the home and pond, there are an additional 11 (plus) acres of previously farmed land. It is also the location of the 200-yard private shooting range, with the land around it being allowed to revert to a natural succession of small trees, brush, grasses, thickets and other bedding and security cover for deer, turkey and other wildlife. Regardless of if your plan on hunting, shooting, trail hiking, outdoor recreation or just enjoying watching the deer, turkey, birds and animals on your private, natural sanctuary, you will be overjoyed with the abundance of natural beauty and nature here. Although overused and Cliché at times, this property definitely fits in the category as "a must-see property" as this description does not capture how nice it really is. Whether you are looking for a family estate property, a weekend/vacation getaway or perhaps a corporate or business retreat for hosting private, professional, spiritual or wellness functions and events, you are going to want to check this place out. Due to the personal and financial investment the seller has in this property, showings are by appointment to well-qualified buyers only. Contact listing agent Rob Styka with Whitetail Properties Real Estate to learn more.

Property Features:

- Incredibly convenient location and approximately 14 miles to South Bend and Plymouth, IN, University of Notre Dame, and Highway 80/90

- Less than 90 miles to Chicago

- Quality construction includes over 5000 Sq Ft of living space with fully finished basement and impressive Carriage House

- Stocked pond with fountain

- Beautifully wooded acreage easily accessed with an established trail system

- Excellent deer, turkey, small game and mushroom hunting

- Quite and peaceful rural estate property

- Probable return on future timber harvest if new owner chooses to do so

- Shown to qualified buyers by Appointment only