Real Estate Blog for the North & East Twin Cities

Sandwiched between the cities of White Bear Lake and Forest Lake along Hwy 61 is the community of Hugo, Minnesota. While many people cannot forget the recent tornadoes that devastated the area a few years ago, that event does not define the community. Hugo is a vibrant and growing area with a deep history. The town has had a few names, first Oneka, then Centerville Station before finally adopting Hugo just after the turn ot the century in 1906. The name Oneka is still present in the community as it is the name of the city’s largest lake, Lake Oneka. According to Wikipedia, the name is derived from a Dakota/Native American word, onakan, a word meaning to hit rice into a canoe. However the origin of the Hugo name is a bit trickier to pinpoint. Per Wikipedia, “The Washington County Historical Society suggests it was for French author Victor Hugo, or more likely named after Trevanion William Hugo, who was chief engineer of the Consolidated Elevator Company in Duluth and former Duluth mayor, who likely had ties to the railroad.” Hugo was a big station stop on the way to Duluth back in the railroad heyday so this does make sense.

In any event, today the Hugo community is a vibrant area that is continually growing into a well defined community in the north and east Twin Cities suburbs. While Oneka is the large lake in Hugo, there is also Egg, Horseshoe and Rice as well as acres of wetland and ponds throughout this Washington County community. Hugo residents are served primarily by the White Bear Lake School District #624 although several homes to the north a part of the Forest Lake School District #831. Real estate opportunities include both historic homes and more recently constructed residences. First time buyers, executive home buyers, retiring downsizers and luxury lakeshore buyers have a wide variety of options if the choose to call Hugo home.

In 2010 there were 273 homes sold in the community of Hugo. Sold prices ranged from $52.000 to $799,000 with an average sales price of $191,466. The cumulative days on the market for homes in Hugo during 2010 was 153.

2010 Average Sales Price of all homes sold in Hugo:

• All Homes $191,466
• Single Family Homes $273,448
• Townhomes/Condos $138,622

2010 Average Cumulative Days on Market in Hugo:

• All Homes 153
• Single Family Homes 172
• Townhomes/Condos 140

Year End Hugo residential real estate statistics for single family homes:

Under $200,000~ 8 Active Listings, 5 Pending Listings, 23 Sold Listings, 129 CDOM

$200,000-$300,000~29 Active Listings, 4 Pending Listings, 48 Sold Listings, 149 CDOM

$300,000-$400,000 ~ 7 Active Listings, 2 Pending Listings, 28 Sold Listings, 204 CDOM

$400,000-$500,000 ~ 6 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 3 Sold Listings, 434 CDOM

$500,000 and Up~ 6 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 5 Sold Listings, 326 CDOM

Year End Hugo residential real estate statistics for townhomes and condos:

Under $200,000~ 77 Active Listings, 11 Pending Listings, 153 Sold Listings, 136CDOM

$200,000-$300,000~ 6 Active Listings, 1 Pending Listings, 11 Sold Listings, 190 CDOM

$300,000-$500,000 ~ 2 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 2 Sold Listings, 269 CDOM

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

**All Statistical information based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE of MINNESOTA, INC. for the period of 1/1/10 through 12/31/10.

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

• Resolve to Save for a First Home in 2011!
• Dreaming of Life on MN Acreage?--What YOU Need to Know Before YOUR Move!
• Inspection, Pre-Inspection, Truth-In-Housing and Disclosures? What Does a Seller Need to Sell a Home?
• Does "Minnesota Nice" Affect the Real Estate Market? "Yah, You Betcha!"
• Foreclosure Priced BARGAINS on Minnesota Lakeshore Homes