the casino has inded helped the market for those who are looking to invest and use property for rental units they are in HIGH demand. I have numerous people walking into my office looking for rentals ona daily basis.
I have told investors I could keep places full at the right price for rentals with the request for rental I get on a daily basis
you can contact me at akavanaugh@kw.com or my webste http://www.AllenKavanaugh.com

Yes, currently for the benefit of investors with rentals for the new employees. But I agree it is too soon to tell for the owners of homes catering to the second home buyers or seasonal weekly rentals. We bought a 2 flat there last year and had nothing but trouble. Now we have the pick of higher paying tenants which increases the value of the property. The bizarre situation we ran into was the local banks NOT wanting our money. They are afraid of outsiders coming to dilute their profit from the anticipated growth. So that gives you a little clue into the "insider information" but it also makes me think about Jamaica's economic problems because they didn't like the tourists even though that was their primary source of revenue.

Just some food for thought.

As a second home owner in the area for the past 5 years it certainly has not slowed the development nor the demand from my perspective. It is more then likely to soon to tell.

Yes, for the better. New Boston was nothing but farm land a few years back, now it is full of new subs.

A local Realtor can certainly provide better insight that I could, as I'm clear across the country in CA. One place to start is right here at Trulia:

http://www.trulia.com/home_prices/Michigan/New_Buffalo-heat_map/
and
http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/New_Buffalo-Michigan/

Here in CA, casinos are a double-edged sword with respect to real estate. On the one hand, they tend to provide new jobs in the area, which of course buoys the local economy. On the other hand, they tend to increase traffic on the local roads and put a strain on the infrastructure.

Hopefully a New Buffalo Trulian can step in and provide more specific insight for you.