Buying a Home on Minnesota Wetland--Affordable Beauty and Privacy!

As I browsed through the Q&A section of the real estate website, Trulia one day, I ran across a question from a Twin Cities resident who was considering purchasing a home on a Minnesota wetland. This homebuyer was wondering whether buying a home with environmental lakeshore would be a huge mistake.

I found this question very interesting. As a Realtor who works mainly in the Anoka, Chisago and Washington County areas there is an abundance of wetland and lakeshore homes. From Hugo to Wyoming and throughout the communities of Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and Blaine, there are properties abutting wetlands and natural environmental lakeshore. Many Minnesotans find these properties extremely desirable but as with any home it is a personal preference.

So how do you decide if a wetland or natural environmental (NEDS) lake home is for you? Take time to consider some of the positives and negatives.

Positives:

Wildlife-White-tailed deer, raccoons, turtles, ducks, loons, eagles, and a host of other animals have been spotted living near Minnesota wetlands.

Privacy-Whether the wetland is 20 acres or 200, it cannot be built upon so a property with a wetland or NEDS lake shoreline will limit neighbors.

Affordable-NEDS lakeshore and wetland properties are significantly less costly than lakeshore on a full use recreational lake.

Activities-Though there could be some limits on the use, wetland ponds, environmental lakeshore and NEDS Lakes have been used winter skating, summer canoeing or kayaking and more depending on the water depth.

Negatives:

Mosquitoes-Yes, wetlands are known to attract the other Minnesota State bird too.

Drainage Issues-If the home is on a smaller lot, the owner must pay special consideration to the foundation. A drain tile system and sump pump could be required. Also homes on private septic systems would have special DNR (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) considerations if the system were to fail.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm