Washington County Wonders: Exploring the Top Lakes in Eastern MinnesotaClick here for Washington County Lake homes for saleNestled in the scenic landscapes of eastern Minnesota, Washington County is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, boasting a collection of stunning lakes that offer a peaceful retreat amidst nature's splendor. Join us on a journey as we uncover the top lakes in Washington County, each offering a tranquil escape and a wealth of recreational opportunities.White Bear Lake:Embrace the beauty of White Bear Lake, a picturesque gem spanning 2,416 acres. Surrounded by lush forests and charming communities, White Bear Lake is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and lakeside recreation. Anglers can reel in walleye, muskie, and panfish, while boaters can explore the lake's ... 04/29/2024

Throwback Thursday: The Apple of my Eye  We had a wonderful package arrive in the mail today, a shipment of 20 Haralson Apples from Aamodt's Apple Farm in Stillwater, MN.  We lived in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area of MN for about 2 1/2 years, quite a few years ago, and often went to the charming town of Stillwater, on the St. Croix River between MN and WI. There were some neat shops and restaurants there and we also discovered the area orchards.  In particular we grew to love Haralson apples - they have been hard to find elsewhere, even when living in apple country in suburban Boston (while we can go pick apples in Julian CA in the mountains an hour from Carlsbad, they just don't compare) so every now and then we order a box as a treat. Aamodt's also has Honeycrisp apples which are also... 10/08/2020

End Unit Townhome!  7454 Hinton Park Av S, Cottage Grove MN 55016SOLD IN 4 DAYS   Convenient location just south of Woodbury, this end unit townhome is one level living at its finest! A Pulte built treasure with skylights, neutral decor and many updates and upgrades.  Well maintained 2BR/2BA/2 Car was built in 1995; a one level end-unit with an open floor plan, neutral decor and many updates throughout the home. Attractive Brick and Vinyl covered entry area. Well managed and affordable association.   Vaulted ceilings with drop down beams with recessed lighting to highlight the dining area. Marble surround , oak mantle and paneled detail accent the gas fireplace. Note the window into the kitchen area.  Alternative view of living room shows the French doors to the spacious sunroom with wa... 07/31/2018

A headline in a April 2018 St Paul Pioneer Press article reads, "White Bear Lake Man Believes Old Batteries Robbed him of Health and Home". The foundation of his 1939 built lake home and surrounding retaining walls around the property were constructed using emptied out battery casings filled with concrete.  White Bear is  a community where I have sold many homes, and this situation is highly toxic. While this issue was not apparent to him when he purchased decades ago, it was to a local home inspector who actually mentioned the very home in another article about why get a home inspection.  This is not only a very sad story and unbelievable situation, this is a reminder of why buying  a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) can be costly. The form for a home disclosure in Minnesota wasn't as comprehe... 05/12/2018

Here's a quick video update on real estate sales statistics in Oakdale, Minnesota for the year ending 2017; and what might be expected in the housing market as we head into the Spring 2018. If you have additional questions on selling or buying a home in Oakdale, Minnesota, please call or message me directly. I am always happy to assist.  Check out this recent review received from a past client:   "I enjoyed working with Teri. She is both professional and easy to work with. Her knowledge about home sales and purchases is great. If you are looking for a REALTOR with innovative ideas and someone to support you through a somewhat stressful time, then choose Teri." --Des T. Need more information on the Oakdale, Minnesota housing and real estate market?  Message Me on Facebook SEARCH for Oakd... 02/21/2018

The real estate market is strong in Oakdale, Minnesota, an eastern suburb of the Minneapolis/St Paul metro. Closed sales and new listings were down a bit but high demand for this Washington County community pushed the average sale price of a home to over $217K; an increase of 3.8% from 2016. The average price per square foot was also up over 6% to $127sq ft. Compare this to just 6 years ago when it was roughly $80/sq ft, and it is easy to see the strong recovery in the Oakdale housing market.Homes are still selling fast due to a strong demand with properties selling in an average of 43 days on the market. This is a bit faster than in 2016 when homes sold in 48 days. For those planning to buy in this eastern suburb plan to pay close to list price. Sellers received on average 98.8% of th... 02/17/2018

  The housing market in White Bear Lake, Minnesota is booming. This northeast suburb of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area had less homes list but almost an equal number of sold in the year over year statistic from 2016. The effect on average price was a solid 4.5% increase. While not as impressive as the 8.8% increase the previous year, this was none the less a sign that home sellers in  the White Bear Lake housing market is still remain in control when negotiating. In 2017, White Bear Lake homes sold for an average $245,347 and an average price per square foot $141/sq ft. Homes were selling at a faster pace in 2017 too, It took an average 43 days to sell in the city of White Bear Lake this past year. Sellers are in a strong negotiating position and offers are being accepted very clos... 01/20/2018

Buying a home is not an every day event. The average person purchases real estate once every eight years .Whether you are a first time buyer or someone who hasn’t purchased a home for several years, sometimes a refresher on real estate terms can be very helpful. I often notice my Minneapolis/St Paul buyers (and sellers) with a glazed look on their face when certain terms come up so I thought an online real estate glossary would be helpful. The real estate term for today is: Buyer’s Agent An individual contracted by the buyers to represent them in the purchase of their home.When buying a house, the home is listed by a broker or company. The REALTOR® that lists the home is the listing agent for the home and is under contract with fiduciary duties to the seller. When a buyer calls on a si... 01/08/2018

 You've decked the halls to the max but as a homeowner it is very important to make sure your home is safe year round. A few years ago, just after the holidays, I was in the office when a past client called to say their parents were looking for temporary housing. While removing the Christmas tree from the house, a wayward branch had brushed past a lit candle and woosh...there was barely time to get everyone out before the entire home was destroyed.  Yes holiday fires happen very quickly.  Whether it is an overloaded outlet, a frayed cord, a lit candle or a stocking hanging too low on the mantel, holiday fires are tragic and devastaing. The National Fire Safety Protection Agency has a ton of good information and fun to read tips to avoid fires.  To avoid being a statistic, we have upgrad... 12/23/2017

Buying your first home is a big deal until you do it.  Then it is like riding a bike.  I guess that is for me to say since I have owned 4 homes in 10 years and helped hundreds by and sell. Okay let's get back to you. 1. You need to come up with down payment.  You don't actually have to have the money yourself.  You can get a gift from a realtive or you can use downpayment assisstiance like the city offers.  Here is the link https://www.woodburymn.gov/docs/Housing/Woodbury-First-Time-Homeownership-Program-Guidelines-05-11-16.pdfThe amount you need for a first time home buyer loan is 3.5% of the purchase price. $100,000 house $3,500.  That is loan program is an FHA loan which is backed by the US governement.  It is like the go to loan if people have short sales or foreclosures or bankrupt... 08/30/2017

 What is Deeded Access to a Minnesota Lake?   For each deed, there is a different answer to this question. With over 12,000 lakes in Minnesota there are often lakeshore listings which will include access to a lake via the deed. So what does this mean?Deeded access is access to the lakeshore as specified in the deed to the home or property. As a Minnesota REALTOR® I have represented both buyers and sellers where there was some lake access even though the home was not directly on a lake shore. When a property is located on the shoreline, the riparian rights (right to use the lakeshore) will appear obvious; that the right to the shore belongs to the property owners. While this is usually the case, there are instances where even homes on the lake do not include the shoreline. Sometimes a pr... 07/08/2017

  Many people throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul area have fond memories of Forest Lake, Minnesota as a family 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 and the fishing tourney is but a memory. While there still is an agricultural presence, the farms, barns and silos are few and far between these days. 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 quickly in the five months of  2017 especially in the lower price points. A total of 133 properties sold in the Forest Lake Area since January 1. Roughly 75%... 06/18/2017

 It is a very hot real estate market with extremely low inventory. So a savvy buyer wants to impress, not insult the seller of their dream home. So what initial offer can insulting to a home seller? 10% less than asking? 5% less? A full priced offer with 3% of buyer's closing costs paid by the seller? When housing inventory is as tight as it right now across the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, what is considered a "lowball offer" might be less than you think. As a REALTOR® in the north and east Twin Cities metro, I have seen my share of sellers who were insulted by a buyer’s offer over the years. There are times when anything less than a full priced offer is insulting. But should a buyer be afraid to request a few thousand toward closing costs with a fear that the seller will balk and accept... 04/30/2017

   The name, Stillwater just sounds tranquil and inviting, doesn’t it? The city, Stillwater Minnesota was named for the still waters of the St. Croix River that separates the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. This vibrant area has roots deep in Minnesota history. In fact, Stillwater is often referred to as the birth place of Minnesota.  Those deep roots are just one of the things that drawn over 18,000 people to life in this historic community. Here is a top ten list of reasons why Stillwater is such a great place to live: #10-Eclectic Shopping. An afternoon stroll down Stillwater’s Main Street is full of eye candy! With dozens of shops with unique and antique wares, it is like visiting a museum or history center but with an opportunity to buy!  #9-Local Police and Fire. The city is p... 04/28/2017

  All real estate is locale and that is very evident in the 2017 Stillwater housing market. In the eastern Washington County community of Stillwater, MN there is an abundance of housing options available. This is quite a contrast to many parts of the metro where there are few homes available for sale. New listings are up a whopping 70% compared to January/February 2016. And the supply of inventory is also up considerably. The over 3 month supply of home is up nearly 39%.  The average sales price of a home sold is also up a bit, coming in at $312,963 compared to $295,331 in early 2016. Homes are currently bringing in an average price per square foot of $137 which is down quite a bit from the $147/sq ft that homes in Stillwater commanding last year at this time. Like most other north and... 03/20/2017

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