About Us

If you're buying or selling real estate you had better be working with someone who understands how it's marketed. Otherwise you may pay too much or spend more time and money than you should. Next, make sure the company behind that individual is a recognized leader with a range of tools proven to bring qualified buyers and willing sellers together.

"Up North" Bill Wheadon is no stranger to real estate or marketing. He joined the U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development in Detroit straight out of graduate school. There he received extensive training in all aspects of real estate sales, development and management. In 1976, he earned his real estate sales license in Michigan and soon thereafter transferred to HUD's Grand Rapids office.

Bill left the government in the late 70’s and joined a marketing firm. Within two years he had formed his own agency which he grew into the fifth largest in Grand Rapids/West Michigan. In the mid 90’s Bill and his wife Susan fell in love with northern Michigan, sold the agency and bought 5 acres overlooking the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore in Leelanau County.  Here they camped, spent weekends and eventually built a small carriage house.

In 1999  Bill Wheadon returned to the government.  He was awarded a competitive HUD Community Builder Fellowship which sent him to Harvard, Washington and eventually back to West Michigan to promote housing and related programs throughout Michigan. Working with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Bill authored an award-winning book on marketing for non-profit groups and was a featured speaker to 700 attendees at the Michigan Affordable Housing Conference.

In 2004 with the last kid in college, Bill and his wife permanently moved to Leelanau County. He has combined his two careers and love of the area by joining the Suttons Bay office of Century 21 Northland. Century 21 is the world's most recognized name in real estate; Century 21 Northland is one of the Grand Traverse region's most respected, fastest growing firms, and it's Suttons Bay office is among the most active in Leelanau county.  

"What I love" says Bill, "is helping others fulfill their Up North dreams -- a cottage, a farm, condo or small business; summer retreat or retirement residence. You can spot someone who is permanently struck with the absolute beauty of this place. As someone who has been down that road, I understand how they feel; I enjoy helping them find their piece of paradise."