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... 01/08/2010

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! 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. Check it Out at the Public Library... 01/05/2010

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... 01/02/2010

    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! 12/13/2009

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 fro... 10/01/2009

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. Unfortunately, just a day after I snapped this shot, the program ended with a bang! The "hook" gave way and the whole RV landed on the ground...and it had such potential as a fixer-upper too! LOL! 09/23/2009

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... 08/14/2009

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 Cu... 07/02/2009

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 create... 06/01/2009

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. Real estate in Forest Lake, MN in north Washington County and east Anoka County has had a good first quarter for homes priced under $200,000. A total of 26 single family homes were sold in Forest Lake and Forest Lake Township during the first quarter of 2009. The Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM) Statistic ran at ... 04/02/2009

The current real estate market is depicted by a late March photograph of the shoreline along Forest Lake in Washington County, Minnesota.   overcast sky, unstable ice frigid water, rocky shore waiting; secure in the knowledge that this season too shall pass value always returns   If you are buying 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 HO... 03/30/2009

Spring has sprung according to the calendar but in Minnesota we all wait for the ice out on the lakes as a true sign of that the season of growth is upon us. As you can see in this photo essay of shots of Forest Lake, there is still some work for the sun to do.   About a week ago, an early ice out was anticipated. We experienced several days with unseasonable 60 and 70 degree temperatures. The snow melted quickly but it takes longer for three to four feet sheets of ice to drop to the bottom of the lake.  This past week the slightly below average temperatures have slowed the progress. So while the few feet of open water laps the shore, the giant ice sheet prevents use of these Minnesota treasures. We are left waiting for more signs of spring to come to Forest Lake. As I drove along North... 03/28/2009

Winding around Forest Lake along North Shore Trail, it is always a good idea to keep your eyes on the road. Along this twisty-turny trail, there is a good view of the eclectic mix of lakeshore homes with the huge mansions abutting the property with quaint lakeshore cabins. Just off 97 and before the turn on Keather, if you look up you can catch a glimpse of this wonderfully unique distracting piece of carved and painted art perched up on an overhanging limb. The woodpecker is about three feet long; just a bit bigger than the real Pileated woodpeckers that inhabit this area. Other Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions: Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Hometown Version: The North St. Paul Snowman Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Homeowner Version: Grrrr....Black Bear in Colum... 03/27/2009

It seems like only yesterday when Forest Lake was full of cars, trucks and ice houses all attempting to catch a fish or two on a beautiful winter day. This photo was taken in February when the ice was four feet thick. Ice houses had to be removed a couple of weeks ago but with our below zero temperatures just last week, people were still venturing out on the lakes in their cars thinking the ice was safe. Since spring has almost sprung in the last few days, the 60 degree weather has made the ice very unstable. A car sunk into the slush on Rush Lake yesterday in northern Chisago County. It's probably time to stay off the ice and take a break from fishing until the ice out. Use the time to get the boat ready for the fishing opener in May. Fishing fanatic? Why not live on the lake? There ar... 03/17/2009

Most Minnesotans have no idea how large the Forest Lake Independent School District #831 is. There are many communities and neighborhoods that make up this north metro Twin Cities school district with the motto: Inspire the Learner...Ignite the Potential! Located 35 minutes northeast of the downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, the Forest Lake School district is geographically huge. Covering one of the largest areas in the state with over 240 square miles of area, Forest Lake schools are the educational home of 12 communities in 3 different counties. Students come from Columbus, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Linwood in Anoka County. Other attendees are from Wyoming and Stacy in Chisago County. Many children are from homes in New Scandia Township, Forest Lake, Hugo, Marine on the St. Croix ... 02/26/2009

Throughout Minnesota there are homes in foreclosure so with tens of thousands of lakes, lake homes cannot be immune from the mortgage and foreclosure crisis can it? In a word, no. I did a search today* for lakeshore homes that are currently bank-owned or listed as a foreclosure and found six current listings for Washington County lakeshore properties. There are 3 listings on Forest Lake. The first two are priced very reasonably in the low $200's. This is amazing for anyone who knows the area. Only a couple of years back, a lake lot would have sold for the same amount on Forest Lakes' first lake. For those developers looking for a bargain, there is a 2 million dollar 46 acre parcel of prime Forest Lake shoreline that can be developed into 23 lots with deeded access for up to 10 boat slip... 02/17/2009

It is not just your imagination; it is taking longer to sell a home in Forest Lake Minnesota. Compare year end figures from last year, it homes are taking an average of 30 days longer to sell in the community of Forest Lake. The average sales price for a home is down just over 9% but on a positive note, this means affordability for home buyers is up as well. If you are a home buyer looking for the right time to buy, the time is now. !   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 or Homebuyers Success Packet. 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... 01/18/2009

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. Though housing sales have slowed down considerably in many northern suburbs during the past few years due to continued concern of increased gas prices, Forest Lake is holding its own. Real estate in Forest Lake, MN in north Washington County and east Anoka County continues to sell. A total of 125 single family ho... 01/08/2009

Music is a known eclectic force in throughout the Midwest. Notably, Minnesota is the home to Prince, Jonny Lang and Soul Asylum to name just a few. There always seems to be a new band on the horizon just waiting to be discovered in the undercurrent of talent in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area. In the area where I live and sell real estate, few would consider looking in Forest Lake or Taylors Falls for an upcoming Jazz/Blues/Rock sound but thanks to a musical profile on local cable access programming, I found one that deserves to be heard.Many who move to the Forest Lake area will eventually stop into Music Connection to rent an instrument for school band or to sign up for music lessons. On a Saturday morning, I have run into more than one past homebuyer and friend stopping in to perus... 12/28/2008

It continues to be a tumultuous real estate market out there. For a first time buyer this can be quite intimidating. More than ever before buyers need to be educated as short sales, foreclosures and bank owned homes continue to be an increasing part of the real estate landscape throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul's northern suburbs. From Forest Lake to Blaine to Ham Lake, there are homes in all shapes, sizes, price ranges and conditions. Though there is a wealth of information on the web, when buyers get to looking at actual homes in person, they can be overwhelmed not knowing what to do next. Is it really priced right? Will I be happy with my decision if I buy on price alone? It may be a great deal but is it the home of YOUR dreams?I love assisting first time home buyers! The opportuni... 10/24/2008