Twin Cities Real Estate Blog

Home buyers often set themselves up for a stressful situation: Too loose of criteria equaling too many homes to see. With foreclosures, short sales and traditional sellers with houses on the market, there are hundreds of homes on the proverbial real estate shelves! As a REALTOR® in the Twin Cities north metro (Forest Lake, Ham Lake, Blaine and Lino Lakes areas), I have had a number of overwhelmed potential buyers approach me with some very loose home selection criteria. Our first conversation might sound a little like this: "Teri, I am willing to go anywhere for a single family home under $250,000. I just need a couple of bedrooms and a garage anywhere between Anoka and Lindstrom. Heck, I would even consider one of those townhomes, if the price was right."

The problem here is that with this type of open-mindedness, homebuyers could have literally dozens of homes available to choose from. While this might sound like a good thing, when faced with a plethora of choices, the amount of homes will be overwhelming to the buyer going it alone.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website, the average buyer sees 15 homes before writing an offer on a home. In my experience this is a fairly accurate estimate. Most buyers begin to tire of the whole process after seeing a dozen homes. All of the homes start to look alike and become a jumble in their mind.

As we start to enter a more balanced market, how do you narrow down the list and focus on the best homes for YOU?

1. Write down what you must have in a home. Need a 3 car garage? Want a gas fireplace and hardwood floors? Can't live without a full finished basement? Would die without central air conditioning? Write down those must haves and weed out the homes that don't fit.
2. Select a neighborhood, area or school district. If you must be within 10 miles of work or your kids want to be in the same school district, use this parameter to define your search area.
3. Work with a knowledgeable agent. By working with an experienced agent, my clients are able to get that list of homes down to a manageable level in short order. Although many internet searches have become very detailed, they are still not as detailed as the ones used by licensed agents. The closest public internet home search that will allow you to search like a REALTOR® is Listingbook. But in order to use the Twin Cities version of Listingbook, you must sign up through a licensed agent. This search allows you to set up your very own detailed searches that meet specific wants and needs.

It doesn't cost buyers anything to work with an agent. Our fees are traditionally paid for by the seller. But a REALTOR®'s service can be invaluable by saving the homebuyer time and frustration.

As a case in point, I had a client that was looking for homes in vast area of Anoka County. She originally told me that she wanted to be in Elk River but Wyoming and Stacy in Chisago County would also be considered. She was willing to spend up to $250,000 and do some work on the home. She was needed at least three bedrooms, two baths and a garage but getting a good deal was paramount.

When we set the initial search using a map search, price point and bedrooms alone, she had nearly a hundred homes to choose from. After a first day showing homes, I learned from this client that a master suite was a "must have" and any foreclosure home in severe disrepair was not to be considered. She really didn't want to be anywhere near Elk River or Anoka County. She wanted to be within minutes of Forest Lake and 35 and have a wooded backyard. After re-setting the search and reviewing the homes, I emailed my client 6 single family homes that met her needs. We saw all six for showings. After one day of viewing homes, she was ready to write an offer on one of the homes we saw. It met her needs perfectly!

Had this client chose to go it alone, she would have been overwhelmed, distracted and frustrated running to several homes that she really didn't want to buy. By setting specific criteria and using my expertise as an experienced agent, the number of homes quickly became a manageable amount. The buyer remained focused and was able to define her concept of an ideal home.

So what happens to the homebuyer that feels there are no homes that are meeting all of the required criteria? Remember, no home will ever be 100% perfect. If too many wants are specified, there may not be a home that will ever measure up. If the list of homes available is too short, see if any of the "must haves" are really necessary.

As we celebrate the beginning of 2010 many are asking, "How will I ever be able to afford a new home, new car or vacation?" I was taught by my grandmother, if you take care of the pennies, they will become dollars. The New Year is a perfect time to assess spending habits and make a few frugal resolutions. Here are few ideas of where waste could be occurring in everyday spending. By making a few small changes now, you could build a big down payment by 2011!

1. Brownbag It! The average American spends an average of $6 when they go out to lunch at work. I don't remember a lunch out with the girls to be less than $10 myself. But if you chose to brown-bag at lunchtime, the average cost drops to $2! That works out to $4 a day, $20 a week, or over $1,000 a year.
   


2. Check it Out at the Public Library People forget all of the publications that are available in the public library. A person can save on books, magazines, and DVD rentals. If your family buys an average of 2 books, 2 magazines and 3 DVD rentals a month, that can add up to nearly $500 a year. If you are like my family and like to OWN your books and DVD's, consider buying at a used book stores where prices are 50% off the list price.
   


3. Ask for Discounts Most people would never consider paying sticker price for a car but forget to ask about discounts and sales at other stores and restaurants. If you belong to AAA or employed by an organization offering a MERSC discount, this can save $3-5 and more on every day purchases like oil changes, haircuts and lift tickets at Wild Mountain. Many companies provide discounts but only for those customers who request them. The total annual savings can be significant depending on the number of offers that your family takes advantage of.
   


4. Declutter and Sell Don't wait to spring clean! Go through your closets, garage, basement and attic now and find the items you no longer use. In the spring have a garage sale. Or locate stores which buy and sell used merchandise for cash or will do consignment sales on EBay for you. My family has held periodic garage sales over the years and sold hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars of unwanted stuff during each sale. We pack up what hasn't sold and donate the rest to charity. A clean house, money in our pockets and a donation to boot...what more can you ask for?
   


5. Print and Clip Coupons Many store have coupons and discounts online that other shoppers are not aware of. By registering for emails from favorite stores and restaurants, we save hundreds of dollars a month at stores shop at regularly. SuperTarget has weekly coupons that you can select and print to take to the store for additional discounts. Sometimes the price is discounted so much it is nearly given away for FREE. A local Forest Lake and Ham Lake favorite, Mansetti's emails a new coupon to registered customers weekly to print out and bring in. My family is also registered with TGIFriday's in their Give Me More Stripes program which sends out coupon special s in a similar way. It may seem like only a few dollars here and there but when I tracked our savings for a few months, it was several hundred dollars EACH month!
   


6. Shut off the Lights...And Turn Down the Heat! If you haven't already switched over to lower energy, long lasting light bulbs, now is the time. By installing a programmable thermostat in your home, you can save gas by having the heat turned down automatically when you are not home. When we first had a programmable thermostat installed decades ago, we saw a 25% drop in our heating bill! Pretty significant money was kept in our budget.

Simple changes in your shopping patterns and daily life can mean huge money in your bank account over time. And then you can use the money for that trip to Hawaii, new car or as a down payment on your new home!

Forest Lake, Minnesota is well known throughout the Twin Cities area. Many people from the city remember the northeast St. Paul suburb fondly from years gone by as a summer vacation spot, an annual ice fishing tournament tradition or as a destination when going for a Sunday a drive in the country. Today, the lakeside cabins have been replaced with year round residences, the fishing tourney is but a memory and the farms are few and far between in this third ring St. Paul suburb. The northern Washington County and east Anoka County community of Forest Lake is now considered an integral part of the Twin Cities.

Real estate in Forest Lake, MN did sell well in 2009 especially in the lower price points. A total of 309 properties sold in the Forest Lake Area during 2009. Roughly two thirds of these sales, 201 properties, were single family homes while the other 108 were townhomes, condos or twin homes. This number is up from the 259 homes sold in the Forest Lake area in 2008.

The Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM) Statistic ran at 160 days for all homes sold during the year. This is a 12 % decline in market time from last year's CDOM stat of 181 for all properties sold in the Forest Lake area in 2008. Not as positive of news is that the average price of homes did see a significant drop from 2008 to 2009. The average price of a home sold in Forest Lake was $239,819 in 2008 but in 2009, that average was 26% lower with an average home price of $176,776.

Not surprisingly, the price category of under $200,000 is the high point with 210 properties sold during 2009 (107 Single family homes and 103 townhomes/condos). The $8000 tax credit really made an impact in the Forest Lake market as the first time buyer homes under $200,000 really moved quickly in 2009. Inventory is very manageable under $200,000 with just 3 months of currently listed homes available for sale. Though homes in the $200,000-300,000 category in are selling a bit slower, 8 months worth of inventory is very manageable. As is the 10 months of inventory in the $300,000-400,000 price range of homes. Even in the $400,000-500,000 priced homes have seen drop in inventory levels to where there is just over a year's worth of inventory.

However, as in 2008, the high end homes struggled for sales throughout 2009. Homes over $500,000 remain at a near standstill with only ONE home over half a million SOLD in the Forest Lake area in all of 2009. As most lakeshore homes fall into this category, there is an abundance of high valued lakeshore homes to select from in the Forest Lake area. With one sold in the past 12 months and 23 active listings over $500,000, it will two DECADES for all the homes to sell at this pace.

What does this mean for the home buyer? Homes were well priced in Forest Lake during 2009 so there was a dramatic reduction in the number of listings to choose from. Homebuyers in 2010 will have to make quick decisions on homes in Forest Lake that appear to be good values. Lakeshore and acreage properties priced under $500,000 are selling again, with an average market time of 5-6 months so it is important to be prepared to buy when the right property comes onto the market.

A buyer looking to purchase high-end lakeshore in the Forest Lake area, is in the driver's seat in 2010! With so much inventory, high-end lakeshore sellers will need to be flexible on pricing if they want a SOLD sign on their home any time soon. NOW might be the perfect time to negotiate a GREAT deal on a lakeshore home! The inventory is awesome...35 lakeshore homes are currently active; some are at attractive and affordable price points. Many have been on the market for several months. With the continued amazing low interest rates, the extended and expanded homebuyer's tax credit and few buyers willing to consider buying frozen lakeshore, it could be a great time to negotiate a deal on your piece of Minnesota shoreline! 

2009 Average Sales Price of all homes sold in Forest Lake:

• All Homes                            $176,776
• Single Family Homes       $209,778
• Townhomes/Condos       $122,799

2009 Average Cumulative Days on Market in Forest Lake:

• All Homes                            160
• Single Family Homes       157
• Townhomes/Condos       164

Year End 2009 Forest Lake real estate statistics for single family homes:

Under $200,000~ 27 Active Listings, 12 Pending Listings, 107 Sold Listings, 136 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 0 Active, 0 Pending, 6 Sold

$200,000-$300,000 ~ 33 Active Listings, 1 Pending Listings, 60 Sold Listings, 169 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 4 Active, 1 Pending, 5 Sold)

$300,000-$400,000 ~ 17 Active Listings, 2 Pending Listings, 25 Sold Listings, 209 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 3 Active, 0 Pending, 8 Sold)

$400,000-$500,000 ~ 10 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 8 Sold Listing, 188 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 7 Active, 0 Pending, 3 Sold)

$500,000 and Up~ 23 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 1 Sold Listings 306 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 18 Active, 0 Pending, 1 Sold) 

Year End 2009 Forest Lake residential real estate statistics for townhomes and condos:

Under $200,000~ 30 Active Listings, 11 Pending Listings, 103 Sold Listings, 163 CDOM

$200,000-300,000~ 8 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 4 Sold Listings, 78 CDOM

$300,000-$400,000~ 4 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 1 Sold Listings, 79 CDOM

For additional information on any current Forest Lake real estate listing or for additional information on buying a home in Forest Lake contact Teri Eckholm directly at 651-336-7073.

35 Active Lakeshore available in the Forest Lake area:

Price range: $189,900-$2,600,000

• 32 Homes on Forest Lake
• 1 Homes on Clear Lake
• 2 Home on Comfort Lake

**All Statistical information based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE of MINNESOTA, INC. for the period of 1 /1/09 through 12/31/09.

Articles on Forest Lake, Lakeshore and Real Estate that might be of interest:

• Dreaming of Life on MN Acreage?--What YOU Need to Know Before YOUR Move!
• Foreclosure Inventory Down; House Prices Up-Are there Still Good Deals on Acreage and Lakeshore in Anoka County?
• Extremely Affordable Minnesota Lakeshore!
• Relocating to Forest Lake MN? The Schools are Full of Ranger Pride!
• Could it be the WINTER to Move Up to a Bigger House? YES!!

• It Passed! Details on the Extended and Expanded Tax Credit for Homebuyers

Sock Monkeys have a special place in my heart around the holidays. I have a niece who carried one around from the time she could walk. His name was Mr. Monkey and he was of traditional design. Well meaning people thought Mr. Monkey needed a friend but my niece hated the imposters. Flashforward many a decade or two to today where my teenager who has always loved Goldfish Crackers, refers to the rainbow colored variety as Hippie Goldfish. Hence, these purple, pink and blue holiday sock monkeys found in a Forest Lake department store are now dubbed HIPPIE Monkeys. Happy Holidays!

Forest Lake, Minnesota is well known throughout the Twin Cities area. It was a favorite summer vacation spot, an annual ice fishing tournament tradition or as a destination when going for a Sunday a drive in the country in days gone by. Today, the lakeside cabins have been replaced with year round residences, the fishing tourney is but a memory and the farms are few and far between in this third ring St. Paul suburb.

Real estate in Forest Lake, MN in north Washington County and east Anoka County has seen homes priced under $200,000 continue to sell in the 3rd quarter which is consistent with most of the Twin Cities area. A total of 24 single family homes priced under $200K were sold in Forest Lake and Forest Lake Township during this time period. This is a 50% increase in unit sales from the previous quarter. The Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM) Statistic was again slightly lower than the previous quarter with 126 CDOM compared to 129 CDOM in the 2nd quarter. This is quite a bit better than what was seen in the first half of 2008 when the CDOM ranged from 211-286. This surge in home sales in the lower price points is almost certainly a result of the $8000 first time homebuyer tax credit.

It appears the high end homes will continue to struggle into 2009 with only 2 homes sold over $400,000. Obviously, there weren't too many first time buyers looking at homes in THIS price range. And as most of the homes sold in the lower price points were foreclosures or vacant homes, there wasn't the "move-up" activity seen in a normal market. When the lower value home sold in the past, a family generally moved to a larger more valuable home. Not the case in this market...and the statistics in Forest Lake back this scenario up. Forest Lake continues to have about 5-6 YEARS of lakeshore and executive home inventory...much of it on the very desirable Forest Lake's picturesque First Lake.

With this abundance of inventory, some sellers have aggressively priced their home to sell. Facing another winter with an empty home is not an option many home sellers want to consider so it is now a great time for buyers to get deals. There are a few beautiful homes are currently on the market in Forest Lake at amazing prices; many are lakeshore and acreage properties. With this much inventory, motivated sellers will need to be flexible on pricing.

There are 45 active lakeshore homes for sale in the Forest Lake area and some are at attractive and affordable price points. Many have been on the market for several months; some over a year. With the amazing low interest rates and few high-end buyers, it could be a great time to negotiate a deal on your piece of Forest Lake Minnesota shoreline!

3rd Quarter 2009 Forest Lake real estate statistics for single family homes:

Under $200,000~ 34 Active Listings, 10 Pending Listings, 24 Sold Listings, 126 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 0 Active, 1 Pending, 2 Sold)

$200,000-$300,000 ~ 56 Active Listings, 8 Pending Listings, 9 Sold Listings, 207 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 7 Active, 1 Pending, 0 Sold)

$300,000-$400,000 ~ 32 Active Listings, 4 Pending Listings, 4 Sold Listings, 87 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 4 Active, 2 Pending, 0 Sold)

$400,000-$500,000 ~ 13 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 3 Sold Listing, 306 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 8 Active, 0 Pending, 1 Sold)

$500,000 and Up~ 38 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 1 Sold Listings, 306 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 26 Active, 0 Pending, 1 Sold)

Lakeshore available in the Forest Lake area:

45 Active Listings, 4 Pending Listings, 4 Sold Listings

Forest Lake lakeshore price range:

$259,000-$2,600,000

41 Homes on Forest Lake
1 Homes on Clear Lake
2 Home on Comfort Lake
1 Home on Shields Lake

**All Statistical information based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE of MINNESOTA, INC. for the period of 7 /1/09 through 9/30/09.

Click HERE to Search for Minnesota Lakeshore Home!

Articles on Forest Lake, Lakeshore and Minnesota Real Estate that might be of interest:

• Lakeshore, Acreage and New Construction Foreclosures that are Move-In Ready for Washington County Homebuyers!
  
• Extremely Affordable Minnesota Lakeshore!
  
• Relocating to Forest Lake MN? The Schools are Full of Ranger Pride!
  
• Think Now is a GREAT Time to Make a DEAL on a MN Lakeshore Home? You Are SO Right!
  
• September 2009 Twin Cities Real Estate Market Video Update-Real Estate Statistical Crystal Ball Fuzzy after Tax Credit Expires
  
• Minnesota Lakeshore and Wetland Homesellers--What Should be on the Disclosure?

Home Sales Statistics for other communities in the north metro:
· Forest Lake, MN Real Estate Market Statistics First Quarter 2009
· Forest Lake MN Real Estate Market Statistics 2nd Quarter 2009
· Forest Lake, MN Real Estate Market Statistics 2008 Year End Report
· Blaine, MN Real Estate Market Statistics for Second Quarter 2009
· Lino Lakes MN Real Estate Market Statistics 2nd Quarter 2009
· Ham Lake Real Estate Market Statistics 2nd Quarter 2009

Ever wonder what merging the first time homebuyer credit and the cash for clunkers programs marketing plan might look like?

This "sign" attracts a lot of attention in the Forest Lake/Columbus/Lino Lakes area just north of the 35 E/W split.

Are Minnesota lakeshore owners hoping the real estate market has turned a corner? Maybe. Or is it just a mid-summer night's dream for lakeshore owners?

I noticed an interesting phenomenon in early July that is continuing into August. Lakeshore homes that traditionally list as soon as the ice drops in April were being listed after Independence Day in July. And it was not just the usual handful of slowpokes that added a late summer listing...several lake properties listed in Washington County after July 1st. These are not relisted homes either...You know the ones that are cancelled so they "look new on the market" with a different MLS number every 3-6 months. About a dozen new lakeshore listings hit the market as bona fide new listings in the past six weeks.

Now there are a few newly listed homes where are still dreaming of yesteryear's pricing. But a good number of the new listings were priced competitively...And these are not foreclosures either.
Here are some Washington County "priced-to-sell" Lakeshore Listings that just hit the market:

• Lake Sylvan 1BR/2BA/2car rambler under $155K
  
• 70's built Split-level 4BR/3BA/2Car on Forest Lake for $199,900 ($50K below tax value!)
  
• 2 Heated Cottages on huge lot on Forest Lake's 3rd Lake. Adorable and priced at $320K.
  
• Stunning executive home on 100 ft of Forest Lake's 2nd Lake shoreline. 3400 sq ft 2 story priced in the $770's
  
• Affordable 3BR rambler with 132 ft of lakeshore on Lily Lake in Stillwater listed for under $225K.

So those who have lakeshore dreams, this may be the year to take a look at what has listed at the end of the season. There is still time to enjoy a fall campfire on your own piece of shoreline. And, that ice fishing excursion could be much closer to home this winter...right out your own backdoor!

Need to learn more about the size, depth and water quality of Washington County lakes? Check out these links to a few of the most popular lakes in Washington County. For other lakes in the Twin Cities, check the Minnesota DNR Lake Finder.
· Big Carnelian
· Big Marine
· Bone
· Forest
· Jane
· Lily
· White Bear Lake

More Articles on Buying a Minnesota Lakeshore property that might be of interest:

• Buying a Minnesota Lake Home? MN Lakeshore is Affordable; But is the Water Safe?
• Extremely Affordable Minnesota Lakeshore!

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

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LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email

Forest Lake, Minnesota is well known throughout the Twin Cities area. It was a favorite summer vacation spot, an annual ice fishing tournament tradition and a destination when going for a Sunday a drive in the country in days gone by. Today, the lakeside cabins have been replaced with year round residences, the fishing tourney is but a memory and the farms are few and far between in this third ring St. Paul suburb.

Real estate in Forest Lake, MN in north Washington County and east Anoka County has seen homes priced under $200,000 selling significantly faster in the 2nd quarter than in the last year, though there has not be a significant increase in the number of homes sold A total of 16 single family homes were sold in Forest Lake and Forest Lake Township during this time period. The Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM) Statistic is down considerably in the 2nd quarter from 165 days to129 days for homes under $200,000 in Forest Lake. This is quite a bit better than what was seen in the first half of 2008 when the CDOM ranged from 211-286. Homes are selling much better in the lower price points...no doubt that the $8000 first time homebuyer tax credit had something to due with the picked up rate of sales in this price range.

It appears the high end homes will continue to struggle into 2009 with virtually no sales for homes priced over $500,000. All of these properties are lakeshore and many are beautiful executive residences on Forest Lake's picturesque First Lake. Currently, the Forest Lake community sits with nearly 5 years of inventory in the highend price range and with no homes sold in the second quarter...long after the ice has melted...it appears this end of the market is at a standstill.

With all this inventory, some sellers are getting aggressive with pricing. There are a few beautiful homes are currently on the market in Forest Lake at amazing prices; many are lakeshore and acreage properties. With this much inventory, motivated sellers will need to be flexible on pricing. It might be the perfect time to negotiate a GREAT deal on a lakeshore or acreage home! There are 46 active lakeshore homes for sale in the Forest Lake area and some are at attractive and affordable price points. Many lakehomes have been on the market for several months; some over a year. With the amazing low interest rates and few highend buyers, it could be a great time to negotiate a deal on your piece of Forest Lake Minnesota shoreline!

2nd Quarter 2009 Forest Lake real estate statistics for single family homes:

Under $200,000~ 34 Active Listings, 11 Pending Listings, 16 Sold Listings, 129 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 1 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

$200,000-$300,000 ~ 51 Active Listings, 10 Pending Listings, 8 Sold Listings, 180 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 5 Active, 1 Pending, 1 Sold)

$300,000-$400,000 ~ 29 Active Listings, 5 Pending Listings, 2 Sold Listings, 190 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 6 Active, 2 Pending, 1 Sold)

$400,000-$500,000 ~ 11 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listing, (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 6 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

$500,000 and Up~ 28 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 28 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

Lakeshore available in the Forest Lake area: 46 Active Listings, 3 Pending Listings, 2 Sold

ListingsForest Lake lakeshore price range: $189,900-$2,600,000

42 Homes on Forest Lake
1 Homes on Clear Lake
2 Home on Comfort Lake
1 Home on Heims Lake (Environmental Lakeshore)

**All Statistical information based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE of MINNESOTA, INC. for the period of 4 /1/09 through 6/30/09.

Click HERE to Search for Minnesota Lakeshore Home!


Articles on Forest Lake, Lakeshore and Minnesota Real Estate that might be of interest:

• Dreaming of Life on Affordable Minnesota Acreage? Acreage Foreclosures in Anoka, Chisago, Washington and Ramsey Counties
• Extremely Affordable Minnesota Lakeshore!
• Relocating to Forest Lake MN? The Schools are Full of Ranger Pride!
• Think Now is a GREAT Time to Make a DEAL on a MN Lakeshore Home? You Are SO Right!
• Seven Simple Steps to a VA Home Loan-Are YOU a Veteran?
• Minnesota Lakeshore and Wetland Homesellers--What Should be on the Disclosure?
• First Time Homebuyers ARE Getting Deals on Foreclosures in MN!
• Forest Lake, MN Real Estate Market Statistics First Quarter 2009
• Forest Lake, MN Real Estate Market Statistics 2008 Year End Report
• Blaine, MN Real Estate Market Statistics for Second Quarter 2009

Is a Home on Forest Lake Your Dream Come True? If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

******************************************************************************************************

LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email

When considering a relocation to a smaller suburb of the Twin Cities some will wonder, what is there to do for entertainment? Is there a cultural side to a community like Forest Lake, MN? Absolutely, YES!

While the community of Forest Lake is well known for water adventures on its lakes, there is shore side element of fun too. There is a strong tradition of theater in the schools, churches and community that has several productions keeping residents entertained year round. Musical options are also part of the mix with a in-the-park concert series. Arts in the Park, is a tradition that keeps Forest Lake families and visitors entertained all summer long. While perusing YouTube, I came across a video produced by a group of young film makers from the Forest Lake High School. This was created a while back but as it was shot in the Forest Lake community it showcases much of the town (and some great area talent too)! Take a look…It is a very good short film.

This summer, Masquers Theatre Company, a community dinner theater located in Forest Lake, will be presenting Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in July. Tickets for the show are on sale now. Click here to check out Masquers website for all of the details. Don’t miss any of the concerts in the great summer tradition of Arts in the Park! The much loved event will kickoff in 2009 with The Rockin’ Hollywoods on a special Friday night concert June 19th.

2009 Tuesday Night Schedule at the Lakeside Park Gazebo:

• June 9 The Contenders
• June 16 The Wonderful World of Woody - 6:00 p.m./Root 66 - 7:00 p.m.
• June 23 North Star Concertina ClubJune 30 Brio Brass
• July 7 Teddy Bear Band - 6:00 p.m./Rich and the Resisters - 7:00 p.m.
• July 14 Riverside Swing Band - 7:00 p.m.July 21 Savannah Blue - 7:00 p.m.
• July 28 Lehto & Wright - 7:00 p.m.
• August 4 Alphabits - 6:00 p.m./Gallactic Cowboy Orchestra - 7:00 p.m.
• August 11 Bavarian Musikmeisters - 7:00 p.m.
• August 18 Jeff Brooks - 7:00 p.m.
• August 25 Fresh Squeezed Country - 7:00 p.m.