At 14931 Bachelor Island, the appeal is not simply owning a cottage on the St. Joseph River. It is being able to arrive, step off the boat, and start using the place without first turning your getaway into a furnishing project.
This two-bedroom, one-bath cottage is offered at $239,914 and includes furnishings, according to the current FlexMLS listing. The 1,032-square-foot ranch sits on roughly 0.28 acre with about 100 feet of river frontage. It also has a 60-foot dock, a fully screened porch, a wood-burning fireplace, an outdoor shower, a rustic sauna, and storage buildings. The property is boat-access only, which is an important part of both the experience and the due diligence.
14931 Bachelor Island offers a private river setting reached by boat. MLS photo.
The short answer: more time enjoying the cottage, less time setting it up
A furnished cottage can shorten the distance between closing day and the first relaxed weekend. At this property, the current listing says the furnishings are included, down to many of the practical items people often have to collect over time. That matters more on an island because every table, chair, kitchen item, towel, and tool otherwise has to make a boat trip.
Buyers should still ask for a written inventory of what remains with the sale. “Fully furnished” should never be treated as a substitute for a clear purchase agreement. The pontoon shown at the dock is described in the listing as negotiable, not automatically included.
Why the screened porch may become the real living room
The cottage has 1,032 finished square feet, but the screened porch changes how that space can feel in summer. It creates a place for coffee, meals, reading, and conversation while keeping the river in view. On a wooded waterfront site, screening can also make evenings more comfortable when insects are active.
That is a buyer benefit you can understand quickly during a showing: the porch is not just an architectural extra. It is a transition between the compact interior and the full river setting.
The screened porch expands the ways the cottage can be used during warm-weather stays. MLS photo.
A simple interior can support a simple rhythm
The ranch layout keeps the essentials on one level: two bedrooms, one full bath, a kitchen and eating area, and a living room with a wood-burning fireplace. This is not a property built around formal rooms. It is built around being outside, coming back in, sharing a meal, and ending the day near the fire.
The outdoor shower and rustic sauna add another layer to that rhythm. After time on the water, those features can be part of the experience rather than amenities you use only occasionally.
What boat access changes for a buyer
Boat-only access is what creates much of the privacy, but it also changes the ownership plan. Before writing an offer, buyers should understand where they will park on the mainland, how they will move groceries and guests, what happens in poor weather, and how contractors, fuel, septic service, and emergency access are handled.
A useful due-diligence conversation should cover:
the exact mainland parking and launch arrangements;
dock condition, seasonal installation or removal, and any applicable permits;
the septic system’s location, age, service history, and access;
insurance availability, including any flood-related requirements;
electrical service, water source, winterization, and seasonal use expectations;
what furnishings, tools, and watercraft are specifically included.
Those questions are not reasons to avoid an island cottage. They are how a buyer decides whether this particular kind of ownership matches the way they actually want to spend their weekends.
The river frontage is the central amenity
With approximately 100 feet of frontage and a 60-foot dock, the property is organized around the St. Joseph River. The listing describes opportunities for boating, fishing, personal watercraft, and quiet river views. The photos also show why the furnished angle matters: the cottage is already arranged as a place to sit down, cook, gather, and look out at the water.
The dock and river frontage are the center of daily life at the property. MLS photo.
Who might be the right fit?
This cottage may fit a buyer who wants a seasonal retreat with real separation from ordinary routines, does not mind planning around a boat, and values character over a polished resort experience. It may be especially appealing to someone who wants to avoid spending the first summer shopping for furniture and hauling household basics across the water.
It is less likely to fit someone who needs dependable drive-up access, expects a conventional year-round home, or wants maintenance to function exactly as it would in a subdivision. The right decision comes from being honest about both sides.
See the current listing details
View photos, price, and current details for 14931 Bachelor Island. MLS information can change, so confirm availability and included items before relying on them.
If you would like to see whether this property fits the kind of river retreat you have in mind, call the Veenstra Team at 269-350-5514 or email sold@veenstrateam.com. We are a family-run real estate team with eXp Realty, and we will help you look at both the fun parts and the practical ones.
Frequently asked questions
Is 14931 Bachelor Island accessible by car?
No. The current listing describes the cottage as boat-access only. Buyers should verify mainland parking, launch, guest access, and seasonal logistics during due diligence.
Is the pontoon included?
The FlexMLS photo caption identifies the pontoon as negotiable. It should not be assumed to be included unless the purchase agreement says so.
What is included with the cottage?
The listing states that the cottage is offered fully furnished. Buyers should request a written inclusion and exclusion list so everyone agrees on what remains at closing.
Listing information verified in FlexMLS on September 14, 2026. Property is MLS #25035795 and was Active at the time of writing. Equal Housing Opportunity.
