Real Estate Blog for the North & East Twin Cities

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 sold a bit faster during the second quarter compared to the first. A total of 110 properties sold in the Forest Lake Area between January and June compared to 45 being sold prior in the first three months of the year. Of these homes, 68 properties, were single family homes while the other 42 were townhomes, condos or twin homes.

Not surprisingly, the price category of under $200,000 is the high point the bulk of homes sold during the first half of 2010 (78 properties sold with 39 Single family homes and 39 townhomes/condos). The $8000 tax credit really made an impact in the Forest Lake market as the first time buyer homes under $200,000 are not staying on the market for very long. It will be interesting to see if this momentum continues, though it seems doubtful based on early pending sales results for May and June since the credit expired.

High end homes continue to struggle though the first half of 2010. Homes over $500,000 remain are at a complete standstill with zero homes sold in the over half a million price category in the Forest Lake area during this time period. Add that to the one home sold in all of 2009 and it will is difficult to calculate an absorption rate. 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 18 months and 24 active listings over $500,000, it will DECADES for all the homes to sell if sales continue at this rate.

What does this mean for the home buyer? Homebuyers in 2010 looking for homes under $200,000 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 seem to be attractive to buyers and selling quickly again, 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 at the wheel in the captain's chair in 2010! With so much inventory, high-end lakeshore sellers must to be flexible on pricing if they want to be the house with the SOLD sign on their yard this summer! NOW might be the perfect time to negotiate a GREAT deal on a lakeshore home! The inventory is awesome...Over 50 lakeshore homes with are currently active in the Forest Lake area; some are at very attractive and affordable price points. Many have been on the market for several months; some have been on the market for years. With the continued low interest rates may never be a better time to negotiate a deal on your piece of Minnesota shoreline!

Mid Year Average Sales Price of all homes sold in Forest Lake:

All Homes                $175,317

Single Family Homes $207,204

Townhomes/Condos  $125,208

Mid Year 2010 Average Cumulative Days on Market in Forest Lake:

All Homes                167

Single Family Homes 180

Townhomes/Condos  146

Mid Year Forest Lake real estate statistics for single family homes:

Under $200,000~ 48 Active Listings, 7 Pending Listings, 39 Sold Listings, 123 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 0 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

$200,000-$300,000 ~ 60 Active Listings, 7 Pending Listings, 19 Sold Listings, 200 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 9 Active, 1 Pending, 1 Sold, 50 CDOM)

$300,000-$400,000 ~ 24 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 4 Sold Listings, 210 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 8 Active, 2 Pending, 2 Sold, 86 CDOM)

$400,000-$500,000 ~ 15 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 6 Sold Listing, 408 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 5 Active, 0 Pending, 3 Sold, 493 CDOM)

$500,000-$1,000,000~ 19 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 19 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

$1,000,000 and Up~ 5 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 5 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

Mid Year 2010 Forest Lake residential real estate statistics for townhomes and condos:

Under $200,000~ 35 Active Listings, 11 Pending Listings, 39 Sold Listings, 121 CDOM

$200,000-300,000~9 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 3 Sold Listings, 200 CDOM

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

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.

54 Active Lakeshore Properties available in the Forest Lake area:

Price range $225,000-$4,995,000
44 Homes on Forest Lake
6 Home on Clear Lake
2 Homes on Comfort Lake
1 Home On Shields Lake
1 Home On Sylvan Lake

**All Statistical information based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE of MINNESOTA, INC. for the period of 1/1/10 through 6/30/10.

Home Sales Statistics for other communities in the north metro:

• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Andover, MN Home Sales Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Blaine, MN Home Sales Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Centerville Market Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Chisago City, MN Home Sales Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Circle Pines, MN Home Sales Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Columbus, MN Home Sales Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Coon Rapids Market Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of East Bethel, MN Home Sales Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Forest Lake MN Home Sales Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Ham Lake, MN Home Sales Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Hugo, MN Home Sales Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Lino Lakes, MN Home Sales Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Linwood, MN Home Sales Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of White Bear Lake, MN Home Sales Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of White Bear Township, MN Home Sales Statistics
  
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Wyoming, MN Home Sales Statistics

A lakeshore home is the ideal of many a Minnesotan! And why not? When you live in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, one would be hard pressed not to drive by a lake, pond or river on a daily basis. Whether you are in Anoka, Ramsey, Chisago, Washington, Hennepin or any other county in our great state lakeshore is a plentiful and beautiful.
On an almost daily basis there is a news report regarding one of our wonderfully wet natural resources. Unfortunately, some of the news is not always so great: Eurasian milfoil, mercury in the fish and polluted waters are just a few of the concerns. Even those who live in the city are being asked to prevent grass clippings from going into the street and sewer systems as the chemicals that make our lawns so beautifully green, go through the storm drains and into our lakes. So how do you know if the sparkling pristine blue water of that Minnesota lakehome you want to buy is as clean as it looks?

As a REALTOR® working in the north and east Twin Cities metro, I do get asked questions regarding the quality of our lakes. After buyers are dazzled by the view of a lakeshore sunset, they want to know about water quality before they sign a purchase agreement. Lakeshore owners want to be able to fish, boat and swim in the water. So questions arise.

*Is the lake polluted?

*Are the fish safe to eat?

*Is there milfoil present?

*Is the water safe to swim in?

Finding these answers is simple. I direct my lakehome buyers to http://www.checkmylake.org/, a wonderful website devoted to MN lakeshore and recreation published by Conservation Minnesota. The site gives information great information on all of Minnesota's lakes that have been tested for water quality.

A potential lakeshore buyer can find out whether the lake water is safe to swim in and whether the fish are safe to eat on a case by case basis. The lake search is very simple to use. Just put in the name and or county of the lake you are interested in and hit GO. I found that when I was looking for a big lake that overlaps into more than one county, like White Bear Lake, entering the lake name alone can be best because each lake is listed in only one county. (In the case of White Bear Lake, it listed as Washington County not Ramsey County.)

Pollution status is not the only feature of checkmylake.org. The website is updated daily with water facts, lake news and beach reports. You can also sign a petition to protect our lakes, volunteer to monitor lake quality, or submit a story about your favorite lake.

Now if you are looking for a great place to fish on a Ramsey County Lake, check out these links:
Fishing Piers in Ramsey County:

• Bald Eagle Lake
• Beaver Lake
• Lake Gervais
• Island Lake
• Lake Josephine
• Keller Regional Park (Round Lake)
• Long Lake
• Lake McCarrons

Ready to buy a Minnesota Lakehome and need help from a professional REALTOR®?

Living in the country in Anoka County Minnesota can be like a little slice of heaven especially in the springtime when everything is just starting to bloom again! This beautiful red polebarn photo is one of the pictures I took for my new listing in Columbus (just west of Forest Lake). 35 Acres to call your own near Carlos Avery Wildlife Management area. Want to see more photos? Take the tour by clicking HERE!

Over a decade ago out family came across a home being renovated on just under 3 acres in the country. It was a bit of a drive from North St. Paul and Maplewood, the quiet little suburbs where we had spent most of our lives. But there was something intriguing about the beautiful landscape with dozens of towering oaks and pines.

We loved the idea that our two boys who were just starting school at the time could play hide and seek and ride their bikes right in our own yard. We made the leap without considering all of the differences that faces us switching from a city to a rural life.

Now as a REALTOR® in the north metro, I show homes to other families looking for the same escape from the city that we sought years ago. I notice that the same questions continue to come up whether considering a hobby farm in Columbus, an acreage lakeshore home in East Bethel, a horse property in Scandia or an executive estate in Ham Lake. Though the properties that are being considered are only 15-20 miles from the nightlife of downtown Minneapolis, there are significant differences in the way of life out in the country. Here are some important questions and considerations that face my clients as they make their move from the city to the acreage in Anoka and Chisago Counties.

**Does the home have a Septic or Private Sewer system? Most rural homes have a private septic system. Not all systems are created equal. They are designed for the specific property and size of the home. Even a new septic system can fail if not properly maintained.

How do you know if the septic system is working? Is there a required inspection at the point of sale? Not all rural communities will require a septic inspection. Some like Wyoming and Columbus do for every sale, some like East Bethel only require if you are near a lake or river but others have no point of sale inspection requirement for the septic. To protect your interests when buying an acreage homes with a septic system, require the seller to supply a report of compliance from a certified septic inspector in your purchase agreement. If you have never lived on a home with a septic system, it is important to educate yourself on how to best maintain your system. Additional information on Septic Systems.

**Does the home have access to city water or a private well? Do I need a water softener or other water treatment system? Families new to the concept of well water have many questions regarding its safety. Traditionally, well water is tested for bacteria and nitrates at the time of sale by the seller. A lead test for well water is required only for FHA loans. If you want the well test for your property to include other contaminants, it must be specified in the purchase agreement. Annual water testing is recommended for all home owners with wells. Additional information on Private Wells and how to locate your MN Unique Well Number.

One question often asked by home buyers considering a property with a private well is about water treatment options available. Many homes with private wells have water softeners to treat the water in the home. Some will go one step further and have a reverse osmosis water treatment system in the kitchens as a drinking water supply. Additional information on Water Softeners and Reverse Osmosis Drinking Systems.

**Is there a natural gas supply to the home or will a propane tank be located on the property? Often people looking at acreage will have questions about the huge propane fuel tank located near the home. These tanks are usually see only at gas stations where homeowners fill their small propane tanks for the weekend BBQ. In the country, the large tanks are in many backyards as the source of fuel to heat the home and run appliances. As a fuel source the differences are not noticeable. Propane is the least expensive cleanest fuel if a home does not have access to natural gas. Additional information on the differences between natural gas and propane.

**Does the home have access to cable or high speed internet or will a satellite connection be required? Can I get high speed internet through the phone line? Does the property have cable access? What are the alternatives if DSL is not available through the phone or cable lines? A decade ago, these were not questions that few people cared about in the rural communities. Today our interconnected world brings these questions to the forefront. Believe it or not, there are still many homes in Lino Lakes, Ham Lake, Forest Lake and East Bethel that do not have cable lines or high speed internet available through the phone lines. If your family lives on the internet and could not live without a high-speed connection, it is essential to find out whether a home has access. The alternative of direct satellite high speed internet is significantly more expensive.

**Is the road frontage paved? If the road is not paved, how often is it maintained by the city/county? When our family first moved to our home to a rural area in MN, the road was not paved. We were nearly a mile down this soft, sandy dirt road. We moved in the late fall and had no idea of the extremely poor condition of the road in the April rain of spring. It was treacherous at times. The regrading was done by the city on a schedule so we would have a pot-holed road for days. Our road has been paved for years now but the memories of the rutted spring road still remain. If you are considering acreage, remember many rural roads are not paved.

Try to visit the property on several occasions and under differing conditions to determine the condition of any unpaved access roads. Talk to the city and county to understand the maintenance schedule for the road. Also be sure to ask if there are any plans to pave the road in the future and what would be assessed per property owner for the project.

**Is there wildlife? Well maybe not lions and tigers, but we have sited bears and foxes seen near our home. We also have pheasant, hawks, bald eagles, raccoons, several varieties of squirrels and deer. A flock of a couple dozen wild turkeys have made their home in our neighborhood too. And an owl and a hawk both nest in trees in near our property. I rarely saw blue jays, cardinals or hummingbirds in the city, but in our rural home we see them on a daily basis. While exciting, the downside is sometimes the wildlife comes in. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t have an occasional field mouse enter their home.

**Is hunting allowed? In some rural areas hunting is still allowed depending on the amount of acreage, the development restrictions and city and county rules. It was a rude awakening for us to discover our neighbors were allowed to hunt. Imagine our shock that first deer opener when the hunters came out in blaze orange to hunt in the woods next to our home. The property owner, at our request, posted the land and the hunters left. The land has since been developed but it is something everyone moving should understand before buying any acreage home. Check with the city and county for all ordinances regarding firearms.

**Where are the schools? The public school districts in rural communities can be vast. In Forest Lake District 831 in Minnesota for example, students come from communities as far west as Ham Lake, as far south as Lino Lakes, as far east as Scandia and as far north as Stacy! It you drive from the western border to the eastern border of the district, it takes almost 45 minutes, one way! This particular school district has only one high school so your children’s best friend from school could literally live almost an hour from your home. It pays to research the school district prior to any housing decisions. Also school alternatives can be limited. Communities in the city have dozens of private and charter school options. These options are much lower in rural areas due to the smaller population. Additional information on Educational Alternatives in the North Metro.

**Can we have a bonfire and burn all this debris? There are strict state and local restrictions regarding burning of construction debris and yard waste. There are restrictions on the size of the fire and what can be burned. Many construction materials cannot be burned because they release chemicals into the air that pose an environmental hazard. There are times of the year where burning is only allowed by permit and sometimes not at all. Before burning it is best to check the local restrictions as well as the DNR. More information on MN Fire Restrictions.

**Where do we shop? How far to the nearest corner store, gas station, shopping center and mall? Depending on how often you like to shop, this may or may not be a big concern. But it is always nice to know how far you will have to go for a gallon of milk for breakfast or a gallon of gas for the lawn mower.

**How long does it take to cut the grass? If your yard is over an acre with few trees, you might consider a lawn tractor. Many people on acreage only cut certain areas leaving the rest to grow to a natural prairie. Another consideration would be whether or not to install an irrigation system for the sod near the home.

**Wow! There are a lot of trees! Do I have to worry about oak wilt? Oak wilt is a big concern in Anoka and Chisago counties. Many of the communities have information and programs to help protect and save the oak trees from this disease. Additional information regarding oak wilt.

**What about emergencies? How far to the nearest hospital? Where is the nearest fire station? Who provides police protection? No one wants to think about these things when moving but accidents and illnesses do happen. It was a long hour drive to Children’s Hospital in St. Paul when son fell and needed stitches in his upper lip. If the nearest fire station is staffed with volunteers and over five miles away, it will seem like a lifetime during those 5-10 minutes while you wait for the fire truck to show up to YOUR home. Many rural communities do not have police officers but are patrolled by the county sheriff’s department. Understand your options before an emergency occurs because it will likely take a bit longer if you are in a rural area. With a little planning your move to a home on acreage can be a great one!

FEATURED ACREAGE LISTING! 6711 W Broadway Av NE, Columbus 55025 $374,900 Photos of the home are displayed above for this 3 BR Rambler with Polebarn on 35 ACRES in Anoka County! Huge Main floor family room and beautifully remodeled kitchen. Take the tour by clicking HERE!

Welcome to 6711 W Broadway Ave NE, Columbus MN 55025!

A private 35 Acre Sanctuary of natural beauty where you can hunt, garden and play in your own backyard!

Enjoy the beauty of your own private nature preserve minutes from downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul. Beautifully maintained and updated 3BR rambler on a 35 ACRES of wetland and woods.  Hear the call of loons, the sight of white-tailed deer and the cry of hawks literally in your own backyard. Built in 1982, this wonderful 3BR/2BA home features updates and enhancements throughout making it a true delight! And YES you can hunt your own land (in season of course).  This hidden treasure, just steps from the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area, is priced to sell at $374,900!

Here are some of the can't-miss features of this private country oasis:

*Setback and hidden down the winding driveway this is a turnkey treasure...Ready to move in and enjoy!

*Remodeled kitchen with new Stainless Steel appliances, gleaming granite counter tops, custom cabinetry with glass front doors and built-in roll top desk.

*Adjoining Dining Room with beautiful brick fireplace and a bank of windows to enjoy the awesome views!

*8X4 Butler's Pantry for all the basics and not so necessary appliances. Note; the stain glass window to let in natural light!

*One Level Living! All living facilities are on one level in this home. Bedrooms, Bathrooms, Kitchen, Laundry and Family Room on one level in this spacious rambler!

*Brick wood-burning fireplace with mantle and hearth opening to both formal living room and kitchen.

*Beautiful gleaming hardwood floors in dining room, formal living room, hallway and master bedroom!

*All bedrooms on one level! All three are sized to accommodate larger furniture and still feel spacious.

*Main floor family room is truly a space the entire family can enjoy! Media area, gaming area and still space for sitting and viewing the beautiful land just outside the door!

*Deck off living room through the new sliding glass doors is perfect for a family BBQ or as a place to read and enjoy a warm summer evening.

*A large grassy section of the yard is fenced so pets and young children won't wander too far from home.

*Off the side of the home is a large 3 Season screen porch for enjoying a summer evening mosquito-free!

*The pole barn is HUGE! There is plenty of room to park 4 cars and keep all the lawn/snow equipment too. Upstairs is a spacious loft that makes for wonderful storage.

*A good portion of the barn is dedicated to the heated workshop. This space is perfect for a woodworker or tinkerer of any kind.

*Like to garden? On the side of the pole barn, there is a perennial garden that includes several varieties of fruits including cherries, blueberries and grapevines.

*Thinking horses? This barn would be an awesome set up. There is plenty of pastureland behind the barn as well as a great riding trail through the property.

*NEW Pella Windows and sliding glass doorsinstalled throughtout the home in 2009. New roof in 2004.

*Convenient location! Quick commute down to 35E and Forest Lake for shopping, schools, parks and more.

* Seeing is appreciating! A trail for walking or riding winds through acreage and is marked for interested buyers to walk the land and see the property.

This unique country oasis is loaded with charm & opportunity! And it is PRICED TO SELL at $374,900! 

NOTE:  This is NOT a foreclosure or short sale property! Buyers will get a quick answer on any submitted offer as this home is being by a traditional seller.

Take the Tour! Ready to see more of this beautiful home? CLICK HERE for a viritual tour/slideshow!

Need to know more information about how to make these gorgeous 35 ACRES your own?  Call me, Teri Eckholm/ReMax Specialists at 651-336-7073.

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 was still selling close to pace with 2009 in first quarter of 2010 especially in the lower price points. A total of 45 properties sold in the Forest Lake Area between January and March. Of these homes, 28 properties, were single family homes while the other 17 were townhomes, condos or twin homes.

The Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM) Statistic ran at 160 days for all homes sold during the year so it was only slightly higher for first quarter 2010 at 161 CDOM. Once again, the average price of homes did see a significant drop from in the first quarter of 2010 The average price of a home sold in Forest Lake was $176,776 in 2009 but in the first quarter of 2010, that average is now $158,756 which is another 10% lower.

Not surprisingly, the price category of under $200,000 is the high point with 35 properties sold during the first quarter of 2010 (19 Single family homes and 16 townhomes/condos). The $8000 tax credit really made an impact in the Forest Lake market as the first time buyer homes under $200,000 are not staying on the market for very long. Inventory is manageable under $200,000 with about 6 months of currently listed homes available for sale. Inventory levels are rising in other price points as homes in the $200,000-400,000 categories have exploded again to over 3 year’s worth of inventory. In the $400,000-500,000 price range, homes have seen drop in inventory levels to where there is about 18 month’s worth of inventory.

However, as for the past few years, the high end homes continue to struggle into 2010. Homes over $500,000 remain are at a complete standstill with zero homes sold in the over half a million price category in the Forest Lake area during the first quarter of 2010. Add that to the one home sold in all of 2009 and it will is difficult to calculate an absorption rate. 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 15 months and 34 active listings over $500,000, it will over four DECADES for all the homes to sell if sales continue at this rate.

What does this mean for the home buyer? Homebuyers in 2010 looking for homes under $200,000 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 seem to be attractive to buyers and selling quickly again, 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 must to be flexible on pricing if they want to be the house with the SOLD sign on their yard this summer! NOW might be the perfect time to negotiate a GREAT deal on a lakeshore home! The inventory is awesome…34 homes with are currently active in the Forest Lake area; some are at attractive and affordable price points. Many have been on the market for several months; some have been on the market for years. With the continued low interest rates it could be a great time to negotiate a deal on your piece of Minnesota shoreline!

First Quarter Average Sales Price of all homes sold in Forest Lake:

• All Homes $158,756

• Single Family Homes $182,822

• Townhomes/Condos $119,118

First Quarter Average Cumulative Days on Market in Forest Lake:

• All Homes 161

• Single Family Homes 146

• Townhomes/Condos 186

First Quarter Forest Lake real estate statistics for single family homes:

Under $200,000~ 41 Active Listings, 11 Pending Listings, 19 Sold Listings, 105 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 0 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

$200,000-$300,000~ 67 Active Listings, 3 Pending Listings, 5 Sold Listings, 134 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 1 Active, 1 Pending, 0 Sold)

$300,000-$400,000 ~ 20 Active Listings, 2 Pending Listings, 2 Sold Listings, 174 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 7 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

$400,000-$500,000 ~ 13 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 2 Sold Listing, 535 CDOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 5 Active, 0 Pending, 2 Sold)

$500,000 and Up~ 32 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 34 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

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

Under $200,000~ 30 Active Listings, 11 Pending Listings, 16 Sold Listings, 187 CDOM

$200,000-300,000~8 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 1 Sold Listings, 1 CDOM

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

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/ REMAX Specialists directly at 651-336-7073.

35 Active Lakeshore available in the Forest Lake area:

Price range: $175,000-$2,300,000

CONGRATULATIONS to the Boys Basketball team who have qualified for the Minnesota State High School Basketball Tournament!  The Forest Lake Rangers are scheduled to play at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at the Target Center in Minneapolis.  

ARE YOU a RANGER Fan?

Ride the Fan Bus! Forest Lake Area Schools Community Education will be selling adult tickets for the game and providing bus service to Target Center in Minneapolis for the 10AM game. No need to mess with downtown parking or a rush hour commute! 

 
When:  Wednesday, March 24.  Board the bus starting at 8am. Bus
leaves at 8:15am.  Game starts at 10am. Bus will leave the Target Center
and return to Century Jr. High immediately following the game.
                                                           
Where:  Board the bus at Century Jr. High (21395 Goodview Ave N, Forest Lake). You may park in the parking lot. Bus will be in the front of the school.
 
How To Sign Up:  Complete the registration form and drop off with payment at the District Office, 6100 N 210th St, or register by phone with a credit/debit card at (651) 982-8110. Registration ends today at 4:30pm.
 
Cost:  $17.00 ($12.00 Adult Ticket and $5 bus)
GO RANGERS!         

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!