Your Clarkston Michigan Oasis is Here!

A fully reimagined contemporary ranch with a backyard waterfall, hilltop privacy, and Van Norman Lake privileges in Clarkston, Michigan.

At a glance: 3 bedrooms | 2.1 bathrooms | 1,717 sq ft main level | 950+ sq ft finished lower level | .62-acre private hilltop | Full lake privileges to all-sports Van Norman Lake | Waterford Community Schools

A Home That Feels Like a Deep Exhale

In a world that will not stop demanding your attention, 6692 Balmoral Terrace is the rare home that gives some of it back. Perched on a private .62-acre hilltop inside a wooded, established Clarkston neighborhood, this fully reimagined contemporary ranch carries the calm, intentional soul of mid-century design and the kind of finishes that make daily life feel a little softer.

From the moment the grand vaulted entry welcomes you in, the world outside gets quieter.

The Setting: Wooded Living with Lake Privileges in Clarkston

Clarkston sits in northern Oakland County, roughly 40 miles northwest of downtown Detroit and just minutes from I-75. The area is known for its wooded neighborhoods, rolling terrain, lake culture, and small-town atmosphere that still feels connected to Metro Detroit.

6692 Balmoral Terrace is located inside Waterford Hill Manor, a long-established wooded subdivision with shared lake privileges to nearby Van Norman Lake. The home itself is tucked uphill on a private rise overlooking the neighborhood below.

Mid-Century Soul, Modern Comfort

Step inside and the home opens up beautifully. Vaulted ceilings climb overhead, skylights pour natural light across 1,717 square feet of open main-level living, and the living room flows effortlessly into the dining area and remodeled kitchen anchored by a custom bar.

It is the kind of layout that hosts a holiday gathering and a quiet Tuesday night with equal ease.

The Kitchen

The reimagined kitchen blends warmth and functionality with updated cabinetry, refreshed countertops, and a custom bar built for slow Sunday mornings and Saturday-night gatherings.

The kitchen connects seamlessly to the dining and living spaces, creating a layout that feels open, welcoming, and naturally designed for entertaining.

The Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Three generous bedrooms, including a serene primary suite that feels more like a private retreat, share the main level alongside two full bathrooms and a convenient half bath off the laundry area.

Warm ceramic tile underfoot adds quiet luxury throughout the space, while the single-level layout creates flexibility and comfort for a variety of lifestyles.

The Finished Lower Level

Downstairs, more than 950 square feet of finished lower-level living gives everyone their own corner of the home. Whether you need a media room, home office, gym, game room, or additional entertaining space, the flexibility is already here.

Another 700+ square feet of dedicated storage means everything finally has a place that is not your garage or spare bedroom.

The Backyard Sanctuary

Most homes have a yard. This one has a sanctuary.

The tiered backyard climbs the hill in layers of custom brickwork, stone gardens, and seasonal landscaping, with a custom waterfall serving as the centerpiece.

The sound alone does for your nervous system what a weekend away usually has to do. An oversized covered patio anchors the lower terrace, creating the perfect place for morning coffee, long dinners, or quiet evenings listening to the rain roll off the eaves.

Stone steps climb to a panoramic perch with elevated views, while a fire pit waits for those Michigan evenings where the sky turns gold and time somehow slows down.

A shed provides overflow storage and space for firewood for both the indoor wood-burning fireplace and the outdoor fire pit.

In a world full of stress, this is the backyard you come home to.

Lake Privileges to All-Sports Van Norman Lake

When the water calls, this home includes full lake privileges to Van Norman Lake, an all-sports lake located just down the road.

Walk it or drive it. The small voluntary HOA includes the access, giving residents the ability to swim, ski, boat, fish, paddle, or simply enjoy the lake lifestyle without paying lakefront pricing.

It is the kind of “lake life without the lakefront price tag” that makes this area so desirable throughout Metro Detroit.

Why Clarkston, Michigan?

Clarkston offers a rare blend that is difficult to find elsewhere in Metro Detroit.

• Lake culture: More than 30 lakes throughout the surrounding townships, with active boating, fishing, and swimming communities.
• Outdoor recreation: Minutes from Independence Oaks County Park with more than 1,200 acres of trails and woodland, plus nearby Pine Knob Music Theatre and Pine Knob Ski Resort.
• Connectivity: Convenient I-75 access puts Auburn Hills, Troy, and downtown Detroit within commuting distance.
• Small-town charm: Historic downtown Clarkston offers a preserved main street, locally owned restaurants, and a slower pace that people genuinely appreciate.
• Schools: The home is served by Waterford School District, which serves more than 6,700 students across 17 schools from preschool through 12th grade, with school-of-choice flexibility available throughout Oakland County.

This is one of those Michigan pockets where weekday convenience and weekend escape exist in the same zip code.

Property Highlights

• Address: 6692 Balmoral Terrace, Clarkston, MI 48346
• Municipality: Independence Township, Oakland County
• Subdivision: Waterford Hill Manor
• Style: Contemporary ranch with mid-century influence, fully remodeled
• Year Built: 1978
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 2 full, 1 half
• Main Level: 1,717 square feet
• Lower Level: 950+ finished square feet plus 700+ square feet of storage
• Lot: .62-acre private hilltop setting
• Lake Access: Lake privileges to Van Norman Lake (all-sports lake)
• School District: Waterford School District
• HOA: Voluntary HOA, approximately $90/year
• Features: Vaulted ceilings, skylights, custom bar, indoor wood-burning fireplace, covered patio, fire pit, custom waterfall, tiered landscaping, two irrigation zones, and shed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 6692 Balmoral Terrace in Clarkston or Independence Township?

Both. The mailing address is Clarkston, MI 48346, while the governmental municipality is Independence Township in Oakland County.

What kind of lake access does this home have?

The home includes full lake privileges to Van Norman Lake, an all-sports lake nearby. Access is included through a small voluntary HOA.

What school district serves the property?

6692 Balmoral Terrace is served by Waterford Community Schools.

How big is the lot?

The home sits on a private .62-acre hilltop lot with tiered landscaping, custom brickwork, stone gardens, and a custom waterfall feature.

Has the home been updated?

Yes. The home has been fully remodeled, including the kitchen, bathrooms, paint, lighting, front porch, skylight refresh, and major landscape redesign with two irrigation zones.

How far is this home from downtown Detroit?

Clarkston is roughly 40 miles northwest of downtown Detroit, with access to I-75 for commuting toward Auburn Hills, Troy, and Detroit.

Is Van Norman Lake an all-sports lake?

Yes. Van Norman Lake is an all-sports lake, offering opportunities for boating, swimming, fishing, paddling, and other lake activities.

Is this home good for someone looking for single-level living?

Yes. The main living spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry are all located on the main level, making the ranch layout very functional.

Schedule Your Private Showing

A home like this, with true single-level living, design-forward finishes, a backyard sanctuary, and lake privileges, does not come along often.

If you are searching for homes for sale in Clarkston MI or thinking about moving to Michigan, I would be happy to help you take a closer look.