25-002895.pdf

Christine Mack Swords, Petitioner V Township Of New Buffalo, Respondent · 25-002895-TT

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RECEIVED 

NOV 1 2 2025 

erred 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON 

I. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

Christine Mack Swords 

; 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

Petitioner(s) 

v 

MTT Docket No. 25002895 

Township of New Buffalo 

Respondent(s) 

MOTION TO SET ASIDE DEFAULT 

1. 

A default was entered against me on October 10, 2025 

and, if applicable, the default 

was extended on 

2. 

Good cause exists to set aside the default because: 

1 did not receive an email noticing me that this appeal had been filed. 

| have checked all 

email files and did not find an email for this appeal. 

3. 

| ask this Tribunal to set aside the default. 

hain DE 

Party/Reéprésentative (sigh here) 

Shalice Northrop 

[Print/type name of person signing] 

| certify that on this date 

| served a copy of this Motion, and any additional documentation, on the 

opposing party or their representative.

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

MARLON |. BROWN, DPA 

DIRECTOR 

PROPERTY TAX APPEAL ANSWER FORM 

VALUATION / EXEMPTION / CLASSIFICATION APPEAL 

MTT DOCKET NO, 25-002895 

Section 1: Respondent’s Contact Information 

First Name 

[EN 

Last Name 

Shalice 

R 

Northrop 

Maiting Address {No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route) 

17425 Red Arrow Highway 

City or Town 

State 

ZIP Code 

New Buffalo 

Mi 

49117 

Telephone Number 2695870208 

Email Address (do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via email) 

shalicen@gmail.com 

Section 2: Respondent’s Attorney/Authorized Representative’s Contact Information 

First Name 

M.E 

Last Name 

Firm Name (If any) 

Mailing Address (No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route) 

City or Town 

State 

ZIP Code 

Telephone Number 

Email Address (do not enter unless you want MTT to send ail correspondence via email) 

Section 3: Subject Property Information 

Does the subject property have a Principal Residence Exemption of 60% or more? 

Yes 

a No 

Are the parcels listed by Petitioner contiguous or adjoining? 

If not, list which parcels adjoin one another.

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

Section 4: Explain Your Answer to this Appeal 

This property is valued at market value. See enclosed ECF and Land Value analysis 

Section 5: Jurisdictional Issues 

iF PETITIONER IS APPEALING THE TRUE CASH AND/OR TAXABLE VALUES 

Did Petitioner protest the assessment at a Board of Review (BOR)? 

Yes 

[No 

If yes, check which 8OR Petitioner attended: 

March 

Od July 

[] Becember 

if no, was the Notice of Assessment properly sent to Petitioner prior to the March BOR? |) ves 

[No 

*Submit a copy of the Notice of Assessment with the Answer. 

If the July or December BOR revised the assessment(s) at issue, did it have authority? [ma] Yes 

[I] No 

If yes, cite the Board's authority. 

Was the assessment(s) at issue established as the result of 

a clerical error or mutual mistake of fact? [0] Yes 

O No 

If yes, expfain 

Is Petitioner appealing from a State Tax Commission Order? 

ves 

One 

if so, what Is the Issue date?

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

Did Petitioner request a Poverty Exemption at a BOR? [J Yes 

CI Ne 

If Yes, check which BOR Petitioner attended: [] March 

[] July 

O December 

List the date the BOR denied Petitioner's Poverty Exemption: 

IF PETITIONER IS APPEALING THE DENIAL OF AN EXEMPTION 

OTHER THAN POVERTY, PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE, OR QUALIFIED AGRICULTURAL EXEMPTIONS 

Did Petitioner request the exemption at a BOR? [Hm] Yes 

[Hm] No 

If Yes, check which BOR Petitioner attended: | March 

Od July 

O December 

Tax Year(s) denied: 

List the date the exemption was denied: 

What statutory section did Petitioner request the subject property be exempt? 

IF PETITIONER IS APPEALING THE CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTY 

What do you believe the classification should be: 

Real 

Personal 

(check one) 

a 

Agricultural 

Commercial 

Industrial 

Residential 

Timber-Cutover 

Developmental 

Utility 

(check one) 

Section 6: Valuation Information *use the multiple parcel form for additional, contiguous parcels. 

Parcel Identification Number: 

11-39-2501-0046-01-0 

Classification of Property: 

Real 

Personal 

(check one) 

Agricultural 

Commercial 

Industrial 

Rosier! 

Timber-Cutover 

Developmental 

Utility 

(check one) 

Current Assessed Value (also known as State Equaized Value) as established by the BOR: 

1339900 

Current Taxable Value as established by the BOR: 

1282746 

What do you believe is the fair market value (also known as True Cash Value)? 

2565492 

Multiply the True Cash Value by .6 and enter here. This is your contention of Assessed Value. 

1282746 

If you believe the Taxable Value differs from your contention of Assessed Value, enter your contention of Taxable Value.

parcel Number: 

39-2501-0046-01-0 

Jurisdiction: 

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP 

County: Berrien 

Printed on 

11/04/2025 

{Grantor 

Grantee 

Sate 

Sale 

Inst. 

Terms of sate 

Liber 

Verified 

[Prent. 

Price 

| 

Date 

Type 

[ 

‘& Page 

1:3% 

Trans. 

GOLFMORE ESTATES INC 

Swords MichaeT 

& Christin] 

146,005 

09/17/2020 

Wb 

‘03-ARM'S LENGTH 

1329171949 

DEED 

100 

{Property Address 

Class: RESIDENTIAU-IMPRO Zoning: NG] 

Building Permit(s) 

Date 

Number 

Status 

45304 PUTTERS LN 

SChoGTT NEW BUFFALO AREA SCHOOL DIST 

Other 

0972072025 2358 

‘open 

owner's Name/Address 

ST Far Te 

a Re 

P.R.E. 

100% 09/08/2024 

Poo] 

0471272023 

12322 

‘Open 

5304 Putters Lane 

MAP #: 

H 

| 

Tr 

| 

Pp 

Op 

and 

Beach 

2025 ESE TCV 2,679,880 TCV/TFAT 351.75 

; 

X Improved 

| 

Vacant 

Land value Estimates for Land Table VIL-G.VILLAGE OF GRAND BEACH 

Tax Description 

FUbTiC 

a 

FEACTOFS 

Comments /Influences 

Improvements 

Description 

Frontage 

Depth 

Front 

Depth 

Rate %¥Adj. Reason 

value 

4 

37,804.000 

sq 

Fr 

06.74 

100.000 

254,799 

Dirt Roa 

0.87 Total Acres 

Total Est. Land value = 

254,799 

Gravel 

Road 

Paved Road 

- 

Storm Sewer 

Land Improvement Cost estimates 

J 

{ 

dewalk 

Description 

Rate 

Size % Good 

cash value 

Sidewa 

D/W/P: 

Flagstone/Sand 

26.13 

176 

100 

4,599 

water 

| D/W/P: 

Flagstone/Sand 

26.13 

1695 

100 

44,290 

Sewer 

D/W/P: 

4in Concrete 

8.15 

1500 

100 

12,225 

‘Electric 

Pools: Gunite 

91.53 

540 

100 

49,426 

Gas 

; 

Total Estimated Land Improvements True Cash value 

= 

110,540 

curb 

Street Lights 

standard utilities 

underground utils. 

Topography of 

Site 

who 

When 

what 

Level 

Rolling 

Low 

‘High 

Landscaped 

‘Swamp 

‘wooded 

pond 

waterfront 

Ravine 

wetland 

: 

Flood Plain 

Year 

| 

Land 

Building 

Assessed’ 

Board of 

Tribunal/. 

Taxable 

: 

value 

value 

value 

: 

Review 

Other 

© 

value 

127,400 

1,212,500 

1,339,900 

11,282,746C 

JB 

1272772023 

INSPECTED 

13,6007 

[if 

13,600 

TTIT36008 

68,134 

J 

12/27/2023 

INSPECTED 

102,100 

0 

02,100 

"TEE, 890¢, 

[38 

12/15/2023 

INSPECTED 

5 

0 

0 

TT 

0

Residential Building 

1 of 

1 

Parcel 

Number: 

39-2501-0046-01-0 

Printed 

on 

11/04/2025 

Bui Tding Type 

(3) 

Roof (cont.) 

an Heating/Cooling 

(15) Built-ins 

X 

single Family 

‘Mobile Home 

Eavestrough 

Insulation 

‘Gas 

077 

wood 

| 

[Coal 

(35) Fireplaces 

(16) porches/Decks (17) Garage 

Elec.”| 

|steam 

| 

‘Town Home 

0 Front overhang 

‘Duplex 

0 other overhang 

|A-Frame 

(4) Interior 

None 

Drywall 

Flaster 

i 

|Paneled 

wood T&G 

| 

Building style: 

‘Trim & Decoration 

Forced Air w/o Ducts 

(Forced Air w/ Ducts 

Forced 

Hot water 

Electric Baseboard 

‘Elec. 

ceil. 

Radiant 

Radiant (in-floor) 

‘Appliance ATTow. | 

Cook Top 

Dishwasher 

‘Garbage Disposal 

Bath Heater 

vent Fan 

Hot Tub 

iunvented Hood 

Vented Hood 

Interior 

1 Story Area: Type 

{Interior 

2 story 

| 

2nd/same Stack 

Two Sided 

Exterior 

1 story 

{Exterior 

2 Story 

prefab 

1 Story 

prefab 

2 Story 

‘Heat Circulator 

"396 WGEP 

(1 Story) 

176 wood Balcony 

396: wood Balcony 

Year BuiTt: 

2024 

—Car Capracity: 

Class: 

BC 

Exterior: 

Siding 

Brick ven.: 

0 

Stone ven.: 

0 

Common Wall: 

1/2 wal 

Foundation: 

18 Inch 

‘Finished 

?: 

singleFamily 

TB 

Tord 

WAR 

Electric wall Heat 

Intercom 

. 

Raised Hearth 

Auto. Doors: 

0 

Yr Built 

Remodeled 

‘Space Heater 

Jacuzzi Tu 

Wood Stove 

Mech. Doors: 

0 

2024 

0 

[ize of Closets 

wall/Eloor Furnace 

Jacuzzi 

repl.Tub 

Di rectovented ca 

Area: 

1400 

a 

ho 

ord 

Small x Forced Heat & Cool 

oven 

Class: 5c 

% Good: 

0 

Condition: Average 

Sosa] 

SoTid] 

H.C. 

|Heat Pump 

Standard Range 

£ffec, 

Age: 

0 

Istorage Area: 

0 

o 

Room List 

- 

| 

i 

3 

: 

: 

“No Conc. 

Floor: 

FFT 

(5) Floors 

No Heating/Cooling 

Self clean Range 

|Floor Area: 7630 

tl 

1st Floor 

Kitchen: 

jcentral 

Air 

Sauna 

Total 

Base New: 

1,170,734 

E.C.F. 

Bsmnt Garage: 

2nd Floor 

other: 

Wood Furnace 

Trash Compactor 

[Total Depr Cost: 1,170,734 

~~ 

X 1.977 

‘Gro em io 

4 Bedroom: 

Other: 

(12) 

Electric 

Central vacuum 

Estimated T.C.V.: 

2,314,54 

. 

eeToon 

(6) 

ceili 

0 

amps Service 

security System 

Roof’: 

(1) Exterior 

(6) 

ceilings 

Ld 

Cost EST. 

for Res. 

B1dgT 

0 

Single Family 

~SingleFamily 

CTs 

BC 

B1t 2024 

Wood/Shingle 

No./qual. 

of Fixtures = 

(1D) Heating 

System: 

Forced Heat & Cool 

A 

H 

TE TB 

ea 

ystem: 

Forc 

Aluminum/vinyl 

Ex. 

Ord. 

TMI 

round Ares = S634 SF 

Floor area — 7630 

Brick 

55 

_ 

No oF Elec. outlets 

Phy/Ab.Phy/Func/Econ/Conb. 

% Gooda100,300/106/100/100 

Excavation 

Man: 

Ave. 

Few 

Insulation 

Basement: 

3624 S.F. 

Y 

Building Areas 

ETI 

‘Crawl: 

0 S.F. 

_ (13) Plumbing 

‘Stories 

Exterior 

Foundation 

Size 

Cost New 

Depr. Cost 

slab: 

0 s.F. 

; 

TAverage Fixture(s) 2 story 

Siding 

Basement 

2,606 

Large 

. 

5.3 Fixture Bath 

story 

siding 

Basement 

|Height to Joists: 

0.0 

wer 

Height 

2ruresan 

 15wy 

Sang 

sae 

zt 

Few 

small 

- 

asement 

Softner, Auto 

1 

story 

siding 

overhang 

1400 

Wood Sash 

‘Conc. Block 

‘Softner, Manual 

| 

Total: 

1,013,946 

1,013,946 

metal 

Sash 

Poured Conc. 

solar water Heat 

Other Additions/Adjustments 

ys 

Stone 

‘No Plumbing 

: 

. 

vinyl 

sash 

| 

: 

Plumbing 

‘Double Hung 

Treated wood 

Extra Toilet 

3 Fixture Bath 

4 

27,327 

27,327 

Horiz. 

Slide 

iConcrete Floor 

4 loxtra Sn 

Separate Shower 

1 

2,767 

2,767 

' 

N 

a 

‘Separate 

Shower 

Casement 

(9) Basement Finish 

‘ceramic Tile Floor ee 

stem 

I 

1 

5.636 

5.636 

pouble Glass 

Recreation 

SF 

‘Ceramic Tile wains 

= 

’ 

’ 

Patio Doors 

Living 

SF 

Ceramic Tub Alcove 

blac water 

1 

1,814 

1,914 

storms & Screens 

‘walkout poors 

(B) 

vent Fan 

Balcony 

— 

‘No Floor 

SF 

wood Balcony 

176 

8,754 

8,754 

(3) Roof 

(4) Water/Sewer 

wood Balcony 

396 

19,637 

19687 

~TEEBTe TT EaRbeT 

0 walkout Doors 

(A) "TTPubTic Water 

i 

jcanle 

Gamore 

10) 

Fl 

r 

‘Public Sewer 

Garages 

Hi 

M 

4 

(10) 

Floor Support 

; - 

vl So{stsT 

water well 

Class: 

BC Exterior: <1 

Siding Foundation: 

18 Inch (unfinished) 322 

1.322 

Flat 

She 

: 

| 

Common wa 

wall 

- 

ehohaT ERE 

‘Unsupported Len: 

1.1000 Gal. 

Septic 

Base Cost 

1408 

53. "316 

59.416 

(ASTIPN3 

109%¢ 

cats. sup: 

12000 Gal. septic 

; 

Chimney? 

! 

Porches 

[Lump Sum Items: 

i<<<<< Calculations too Tong. 

See valuation printout for complete pricing. 

>»>>>> 

*** Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed***

Village of Grand Beach ECF 

Parcel Number 

Street Address 

Sale Date 

Sale Price 

Instr. 

Terms of Sale 

Adj. Sale S 

39-2000-0026-00-8 

51218 E ARNOLD DR 

09/15/21 

$265,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$265,000 

39-2500-0013-00-5 

46301 FAIRWAY DR 

04/11/22 

$1,096,500 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$1,096,500 

39-2501-0047-00-5 

45302 PUTTERS LN 

08/26/21 

$877,500 

WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$877,500 

39-2501-0047-00-5 

45302 PUTTERS LN 

12/22/21 

$1,180,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$1,180,000 

39-2600-0045-01-9 

46201 ROYAL RD 

10/06/22 

$1,450,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$1,380,000 

39-2600-0046-00-7 

46202 Royal Avenue 

09/08/21 

$565,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$565,000 

39-2660-0010-00-6 

51322 ERICH LN 

09/14/21 

$1,450,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$1,450,000 

39-2660-0010-01-0 

51322 ERICH LN 

09/14/21 

$1,450,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$1,450,000 

39-4900-0003-00-6 

46318 STATION RD 

02/16/22 

$915,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$890,000 

39-7500-0008-00-9 

48305 REITZ PL 

11/12/21 

$730,000 

WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$730,000 

39-7500-0018-00-4 

48309 ANNA LIVIA WAY 

10/12/21 

$885,000 

WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$885,000 

Totals: 

$10,864,000 

$10,769,000 

Final Conclusion 1.977

Village of Grand Beach Land 

Parcel Number 

Street Address 

Sale Date 

Sale Price 

Instr. 

Terms of Sale 

Adj. s

39-2501-0030-00-5 

FAIRWAY DR 

10/19/2023 

$275,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$27

39-2501-0035-00-7 

FAIRWAY DR 

06/01/2022 

$228,974 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$2

39-2501-0037-00-0 

45327 FAIRWAY DR 

08/24/2022 

$147,575 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$14

39-2501-0052-00-9 

45310 FAIRWAY DR 

01/20/2023 

$180,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$1

39-2501-0053-00-5 

45312 FAIRWAY DR 

04/22/2022 

$190,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$1

39-2501-0053-00-5 

45312 FAIRWAY DR 

04/22/2022 

$190,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$1

39-2660-0015-00-8 

51305 GRAND BEACH BLVD 

09/14/2022 

$160,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$1

39-2660-0016-00-4 

51303 GRAND BEACH BLVD 

10/26/2022 

$145,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$1

39-2660-0017-00-1 

51301 GRAND BEACH BLVD 

10/26/2022 

$102,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$1

39-2701-0008-00-2 

50222 MARJEANETTE AVE 

07/19/2022 

$210,000 WD 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

$2

Totals: 

$1,828,549 

$1,8

Final Conclusion $6.74/Sq Ft

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

Christine Mack Swords 

, 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

Petitioner(s) 

v 

MTT Docket No. 25-002895 

Township of New Buffalo 

, 

Respondent(s) 

PROOF OF SERVICE 

Shalice Northrop 

states that on November 4, 2025 

he/she 

[Name of person serving/mailing petition] 

[date of service] 

served a copy of the Answer 

relative to the above-captioned matter upon: 

[Provide name and address of the party/people being served] 

Michigan Tax Tribunal/Christine Mack Swords 

P.O. Box 30232/45304 Putters Lane 

Lansing, Michigan 48909/Grand Beach, Michigan 49117 

p JB 

[Signatufe of person who is serving/mailing copy] 

Shalice Northrop 

[Print/type name of person serving/mailing copy]

: 

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

Christine Mack Swords 

; 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

Petitioner(s) 

v 

MTT Docket No. 25-002895 

Township of New Buffalo 

, 

Respondent(s) 

PROOF OF SERVICE 

Shalice Northrop 

states that on November 4, 2025 

he/she 

[Name of person serving/mailing petition] 

[date of service] 

served a copy of the motion to set aside default 

_ relative to the above-captioned matter upon: 

[Provide name and address of the party/people being served] 

Michigan Tax Tribunal/Christine Mack Swords 

P.O. Box 30232/45304 Putters Lane 

Lansing, Michigan 48909/Grand Beach, Michigan 49117 

( 

Lu 

[Signatdre of.pérson who is servifig/mailing copy] 

Shalice Northrop 

[Print/type name of person serving/mailing copy]

‘NEW BUFFALO 

- New Buffalo Township 

117425 Red Arrow Highway 

~ New Buffalo, Ml 49117 

Received 

Michigan Tax Tribunal 

P.O. Box 30232 

Lansing, Michigan 48909

Retail 

U.S. 

PRIORITY® ELALDATE ENVELOPE 

, 

5 

SHER mA 

: 

EW 

M AlL 

APPLY PRIORITY MAIL POSTAGE HERE 

= 

pe 

NOV 

unIreD stares 

POSTAL SERVICE 

“% 

$11

RDC03 

0 Lb 2.30 Oz 

$2324

EXPECTED DELIVERY DAY: 

11/07/25 

USPS TRACKING® # 

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EP14H February 2024 O

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