Real Estate Blog for the North & East Twin Cities

The City of Ham Lake has a rich history. Incorporated in 1974, Ham Lake became a city after over a hundred years of humble but steady growth. The area was first settled in 1855 by a group of Scottish men on the southwest side of Ham Lake. Though, I can only assume that the lake itself got its name due to its unusual “ham hock” shape, the community started out with a different name. The original name of the community was Glen Carey, which is the Scottish translation of “beautiful valley”. Following a prairie fire in 1857, the first settlers moved but the community was resettled again. The new Scandinavian settlers had a hard time with the pronunciation of Glen Carey and soon the fledging community was known as Ham Lake. Anoka County officially was recognized it as a township in 1871. In the early 1900’s Central Avenue (Highway 65) was a slow commute as it was a wagon trail through the sand and swampland. And we think going through stop light after stop light slows traffic. Though it was graveled and paved at some point, it 1954 before was expanded to four lanes.

Those four lanes are in full use now as more and more people look to buying acreage, executive, luxury and lakeshore homes in the Ham Lake area. The real estate market is not quite as sluggish in Ham Lake, MN as it was in early 2009. Homes are selling again. There are bright spots across the board with homes selling in all price categories. Even several higher priced homes moved off the MLS in the first half of 2010.

Inventory is moving at a pretty good pace for most price points in Ham Lake. There are currently 117 homes active on the market. Homes listed at higher prices are starting to sell again. With only 7 listed homes over $500,000 and 3 sold in the first half of 2010 and one in pending, the absorption rate is just over a year. Lower priced inventory has continued to sell well. With 35 actives and 35 sales in the first half of 2010, it seems that homes under $200K are selling twice as fast as the half million plus properties in Ham Lake. The only price point with an over abundance of listings seems to be $400,000-$500,000 range. With 14 actives and only 4 sales in 6 months, there is well over a years worth of inventory and the cumulative time on the market seems to reflect this as well. Homeowners considering selling a home in the Ham Lake area must consider the average time to sell a home in the Twin Cities north metro is again over 6 months but in some price points it could take a year or longer. Right now inventory levels indicate there is about 10 months of inventory in the Ham Lake area and homes are selling again in every price point. But since the tax credit for home buyers has now expired, having your home properly priced and prepared for showings will be essential to sell a home in this Anoka County community as we continue into the second half of 2010.

First Half 2010 Ham Lake residential real estate statistics for single family homes:

Under $200,000~ 35 Active Listings, 4 Pending Listings, 35 Sold Listings, CDOM 105 (New Construction Subgroup ~ 0 Active, 0 Pending, 1 Sold)

$200,000-300,000 ~ 39 Active Listings, 7 Pending Listings, 20 Sold Listings, CDOM 187 (New Construction Subgroup ~ 1 Active, 1 Pending, 1 Sold)

$300,000-400,000 ~ 22 Active Listings, 4 Pending Listings, 12 Sold Listings, CDOM 312 (New Construction Subgroup ~ 5 Active, 1 Pending, 2 Sold)

$400,000-$500,000 ~ 14 Active Listings, 2 Pending Listings, 4 Sold Listings, CDOM 333 (New Construction Subgroup ~ 1 Active, 1 Pending, 3 Sold)

$500,000 and Up~ 7 Active Listings, 2 Pending Listings, 3 Sold Listings, CDOM 220 (New Construction Subgroup ~ 2 Active, 2 Pending, 0 Sold)

Lakeshore available in the City of Ham Lake

11 Active Listings  Ham Lake lakeshore price range: $100,000-$774,900

• 6 Homes on Coon Lake
• 2 Homes on Ham Lake
• 1 Home on Lake Netta
• 2 Home on Little Coon 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.

 Click HERE to Search for Minnesota Lakeshore or Acreage Homes!

Articles on Ham Lake, Lakeshore and Minnesota that might be of interest:

1. Where's the Playground? A Key to Parks in Ham Lake Minnesota
2. Extremely Affordable Minnesota Lakeshore!
3. Buying a Home on Minnesota Wetland--Affordable Beauty and Privacy!
4. Dreaming of Life on Minnesota Acreage? Must have INFO Before YOUR Move! 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