Buying a MN Lakehome? How Safe is the Water?

A lakeshore home is the ideal of many a Minnesotan! And why not? When you live in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, one would be hard pressed not to drive by a lake, pond or river on a daily basis. Whether you are in Anoka, Ramsey, Chisago, Washington, Hennepin or any other county in our great state lakeshore is a plentiful and beautiful.

On an almost daily basis there is a news report regarding one of our wonderfully wet natural resources. Unfortunately, some of the news is not always so great: Eurasian milfoil, mercury in the fish and polluted waters are just a few of the concerns. Even those who live in the city are being asked to prevent grass clippings from going into the street and sewer systems as the chemicals that make our lawns so beautifully green, go through the storm drains and into our lakes. So how do you know if the sparkling pristine blue water of that Minnesota lakehome you want to buy is as clean as it looks?

As a REALTOR® working in the north and east Twin Cities metro, I do get asked questions regarding the quality of our lakes. After buyers are dazzled by the view of a lakeshore sunset, they want to know about water quality before they sign a purchase agreement. Lakeshore owners want to be able to fish, boat and swim in the water. So questions arise.

*Is the lake polluted?

*Are the fish safe to eat?

*Is there milfoil present?

*Is the water safe to swim in?

Finding these answers is simple. I direct my lakehome buyers to http://www.checkmylake.org/, a wonderful website devoted to MN lakeshore and recreation published by Conservation Minnesota. The site gives information great information on all of Minnesota’s lakes that have been tested for water quality.

A potential lakeshore buyer can find out whether the lake water is safe to swim in and whether the fish are safe to eat on a case by case basis. The lake search is very simple to use. Just put in the name and or county of the lake you are interested in and hit GO. I found that when I was looking for a big lake that overlaps into more than one county, like White Bear Lake, entering the lake name alone can be best because each lake is listed in only one county. (In the case of White Bear Lake, it listed as Washington County not Ramsey County.)

Pollution status is not the only feature of checkmylake.org. The website is updated daily with water facts, lake news and beach reports. You can also sign a petition to protect our lakes, volunteer to monitor lake quality, or submit a story about your favorite lake.

Now if you are looking for a great place to fish on a Ramsey County Lake, check out these links:

Fishing Piers in Ramsey County:

• Bald Eagle Lake
• Beaver Lake
• Lake Gervais
• Island Lake
• Lake Josephine
• Keller Regional Park (Round Lake)
• Long Lake
• Lake McCarrons

Ready to buy a Minnesota Lakehome and need help from a professional REALTOR®?

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 , 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.

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

Foreclosures on Lakeshore, Acreage and New Construction in Anoka County that Buyers WANT to Call Home!

Looking for a foreclosure, bank-owned or short sale but need to be able to live in the home immediately after closing?

Good news is that foreclosures are no longer always trashed, fixer-uppers. Today's foreclosures can be simply AWESOME! This economy has forced builders and responsible homeowners alike to let amazing properties go back to the bank. Many are still in very good condition. Some still may require a bit of cleanup or a few cosmetic changes but there are many homes that you can move right into too!


Here are a few of the treasures I noted on the Twin Cities MLS in Anoka County this weekend:

• New Construction Foreclosure on Coon Lake! 60ft of shoreline and brandnew 4BR/2BA on north side of Coon Lake in East Bethel. Builder listed at $600K;bank priced ½ off at $299K.


• East Bethel Acreage with underground sprinklers, master suite and 4BR on one level. 4BR/3BA with 3 car built in 2001 and EXTRA garage sold for $393K just listed this weekend by bank for $222K!


• Bank-owned New Construction 5BR/4BA Rambler in Ham Lake. Executive home with 5 car attached garage. Tax valued at $589K bank asking $499K includes heated garage, wet bar, landscaping!


• 3BR/2BA/3Car 2004 built splitlevel on 3 acres in Burns Township. Just listed this weekend for $139K. Originally sold in 2004 for $265K.


• Modified 2 story 3BR/2BA/3 Car on 1/4 ac in St. Francis. Just listed this weekend for $169,900 by bank. Anoka County tax value $219K--$50,000 higher than asking!


• Brand NEW Andover One-Story Twin Home! 2BR/2BA/3Car with master suite. Builder priced at $265K...Bank asking $150,000!

If you are in the market for a great deal on a foreclosed home, time to get organized because the rules to buy are a bit different than when working with a traditional seller.
Seven Tips for homebuyers considering a foreclosed home:

1. Banks LOVE clean offers. Buyers MUST be preapproved with credit checked and employment and funds verified. Documentation must accompany the offer or it won't be considered.


2. Banks reject lowball offers...often with no negotiation. They are a business and know the value of the asset they are selling.


3. Well priced foreclosed homes get multiple offers. Serious buyers put in their best bid first.


4. Banks sell homes AS-IS. What you see is what you get. Buyers must be prepared to make all necessary repairs out of their own pocket after closing.


5. Banks will not pay for inspections in most cases. This includes the septic system and/or well. Be prepared as all inspections could end up being the buyer's responsibility. If you chose to inspect the septic or the county requires a septic compliance test, expect to pay $400-$500 for this inspection. A well test will run around $150. A whole house inspection is $350-$500.


6. Personal property is not included as part of the sale. So if the appliances are at the home when you close, they are a bonus. The bank will not remove. But they don't guarantee will remain at the home or that they are in working order. This means if someone breaks in the home prior to the closing and takes them, the bank will not replace.


7. Having your own REALTOR® to represent your interests is essential. The listing agent is under contract to represent the bank. In many cases, the bank will not allow a dual agency so if a buyer contacts the listing agent to write the offer, the buyer does not have representation. This means all of your information goes to the bank...the listing agent is required to tell the bank everything that you say about your financing and the amount you are able or willing to pay. But the agent is not required to tell you anything in return. The agent works only for the bank.

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm 

Understand the Risk of Loss Clause--Know WHEN a Contract be Cancelled if Severe Weather Damages YOUR Dreamhome!

Imagine for a moment the following scenario: After months of searching for the perfect place to call home, you wrote an offer on a picture perfect lakeshore rambler in Ham Lake, Minnesota. After a little negotiation, the offer was accepted and with the inspection over, you are on schedule to close in 60 days.

Three weeks prior to the closing, straight-line winds blow through Anoka County. Concerned, you drive up to your dream home and see that the picturesque oak trees that had given the home character have been uprooted. Worse yet, one of the huge trees fell onto the house severely damaging the roofline. You are devastated as this was no longer the dream home you wrote an offer on a few weeks ago. So, what happens now?
Risk of Loss is one of those "boiler plate" clauses on page four of the purchase agreement used most often in the State of Minnesota. Being preprinted, some agents and/or their clients will gloss over this clause but it is very important to understand, as is every other line in the document you sign to buy a home.


Line 147 clearly states that the risk of loss due to any reason whether an act of God or the acts of vandals will be the responsibility of the seller from the time the purchase agreement is signed until the date of closing. That means if there is a fire or accident the seller is required to bring the home into the condition that it was in at the time the contract was written and signed.

So if that temperamental decade old dishwasher goes out, the seller would replace it. If a neighbor backs over the mailbox at the end of your driveway, it is the seller who must repair the post and replace with a new one. Final walkthroughs are essential to ascertain the condition of the home prior to signing the closing documents. But what happens to those irreplaceable picturesque trees that have fallen on the roof?

Three weeks prior to a closing, there could be plenty of time for the seller to call their insurance company and have the home repaired. But is it the same house? And more importantly, does the buyer still have to buy the home? In a word, no.

The clause goes on to say that in the case where there is substantial damage to the home or property, it is the buyer's option to cancel or continue with the purchase agreement. In the situation outlined above, which was a real situation that occurred last summer, the landscaping was changed and could not be replaced. The damage to the home caused an insurance claim that would now be reflected in a CLUE insurance report that could affect the ability to insure the home. The buyers opted to cancel the contract as was their option in the clause with all earnest money refunded.

Risk of loss can come up when buying or selling a home during severe weather season in Minnesota. In most cases the repairs are made quickly to both the buyer's and seller's satisfaction and the contract will close on time. But when the property sustains significant damage, the buyer has the option of continuing to closing or walking away from the deal. Boilerplate or not, Risk of Loss is an important clause to understand when buying or selling a home.


Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm 

100% Financing IS AVAILABLE for Chisago County Buyers: The USDA Rural Development Program

Home buyers with limited funds for a down payment are in most cases required to scrimp and save for that first house again. Conventional mortgages can require 5, 10 or 20% for a down payment. Even government backed FHA loans will require that buyers have a minimum of 3.5% of their own funds to invest in their home. Our veterans have always had a wonderful zero down program available and the VA loan program is still a great option to those who have served our country. But for other buyers trying to come up with the minimum 3.5% down payment required by FHA or 5% down for a conventional loan is a road block to in their path to a new home.

There is good news for those considering buying a home in Chisago County. Most communities in Chisago County are designated rural areas and qualify for the zero down option, Rural Development Program through the USDA. Best of all this is NOT a program just for first time home buyers…Anyone can take advantage of the program if the home and your income meet the requirements.

Now when some people hear "rural", they immediately conjure up a picture in there head of an old-time farm in the middle of nowhere. Nothing could be further from the truth! According to the USDA Rural Development website, the program was created to "build stronger, more vibrant rural communities across the nation." This unique housing loan program does apply in many counties in the north and east metro that aren't so far from the cities and they don't have to be farmsteads either! Communities in Isanti and Chisago Counties including North Branch, Stacy, Chisago City, Lindstrom, Shafer, Taylors Falls and many others can possibly qualify for this program. If you are considering buying a home in any of these communities, it is a great program to look into. But very few loan officers really know the ins and outs that make a program like this work.

I do work in several of these communities and have shown homes in these areas of the past few weeks. The deals throughout Lindstrom and North Branch are nothing short of amazing. Homes that are 5-6 years old are being sold for $30-50K less than just a year ago! In Lindstrom this week I have seen a number of 5-6 year old homes with 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 3 car garages and ½ acre yards for well under $200K. Beautiful homes in move in condition…And with the USDA program they are available for ZERO DOWN!
My go-to Minnesota loan expert  knows I work with buyers and sellers all over Chisago County and the north and east metro so she gave me quick lesson on this unique CONVENTIONAL LOAN program. Some of the features and benefits include:

· NO down payment


· NO monthly PMI


· The seller is allowed to pay all reasonable closing cost and prepaids up to 6%


· NO hit to the interest rate for the zero down


· NOT just for first time home buyers


· No reserves needed
There are income limits to the program. These numbers have recently increased to allow more potential buyers to take advantage of this unique opportunity. For households in non-high cost areas, with up to four people, the income limit is $70,750. (Yes, your teenager’s income from a job at the local fastfood chain will be included as would be your retired mother’s social security payment if they are living in the home.) In households where 5-8 people reside, the income limitation is $93,400. These income limitations are guidelines and, in some cases, may be exceeded.

Understanding the restrictions is essential but the benefits to the program are enormous! If you are considering a home in Chisago County, plan on speaking with a qualified loan officer that understands the rural development loan program before starting your home search. You could be able to afford more home than you expect. Likewise, working with a REALTOR ® that knows understands the current market conditions of the communities within this program are just as critical to your dream home becoming a reality.



Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm 

With Harold's Purple Crayon My Dream Home Would be a Snap!

When I was in grade school, I loved reading the story of Harold and the Purple Crayon. It was a picture book written by Crockett Johnson. I wanted to be like that little bald kid who drew out his dreams in his footy pajamas. Though not fond of the color purple, I always wanted one of those special violet Crayola type sticks to draw what I was dreaming of! Imagine if life were only so simple…

Today many people are sitting on the fence dreaming about their perfect home but aren’t certain that they have the tools necessary to take advantage of this unprecedented $8000 tax credit for first time buyers and amazing affordability in the Twin Cities home market. Maybe they are looking for one of Harold’s purple crayons too so they can draw out a path to a perfect new home…

Draw YOUR perfect REALTOR® Grab that magic purple crayon and sketch out your ideal of a trusted professional REALTOR®. The first step in owning a dream home is to find the agent of your dreams to represent you throughout the process. Make certain to sign the buyer’s representation agreement for with a blue ink pen not a purple Crayola.

Draw Your Preapproval letter. Pre-approval is an important step before you begin looking for a home. It not only determines how much home you can afford to spend on a home, it guarantees that you are ready to write up the offer when you find your dream home. The letter will serve as notice to the sellers that the bank has committed to lend you a specified amount based on your financial history. This gives you significant buying power as a seller recognizes you are approved for a loan. Your professional REALTOR® can assist you in locating a qualified loan officer that will work with you to make your dream home a reality.

Draw YOUR perfect home! Draw YOUR perfect home! Here’s the drawing you have been waiting for...glide that purple crayon across the page and sketch out your dream home. Your perfectly depicted purple REALTOR® will set up an MLS search for homes that meet the needs and price you have drawn up. As perfect homes hit the market, showings will be set to view the homes in person.

Draw up a Purchase Agreement and happy seller! Draw up a Purchase Agreement and happy seller! Use that magic purple crayon to draw up a contract on your dream. Okay the contract will have to be completed in something other than that crayon, but here is where you draw up contract including all of the details such as what you want to pay for the home, what personal property is to be included as well as the date you want to close and move in.

Draw a Qualified Inspector. To be certain that you didn’t miss any important details when you sketched out the beautiful purple palace, draw a home inspector that is qualified to check out your new purchase.

Draw up a SOLD sign. A big purple "SOLD" sign will announce to the world that this is YOUR dream home! It will stay on the sign while the home is "pending" the closing. During this period prior to closing, your purple professionals work closely together to ensure that details such as the appraisal and updating the title are handled in a timely manner. It is your job to use your purple crayon to mark off the days until you get to the closing table!

Draw the Keys to your new front door! Draw the key to your new front door! One final purplish piece of art will complete the home buying process—Sketch up a set of house keys! When closing day arrives, be prepared to attend with your state issued picture identification, a 10 year address history, your checkbook, and all other information requested by the closer. At the end of this hour meeting, you will be handed the keys to your new home.


Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

Say Vern…How much Earnest Money Do You Need to Buy a House?

I don’t know if Ernest ever went buy a house in the series of comedies Jim Varney made in the 1980’s but it could have made a good story line. However when buying a home, understanding real estate terms is no laughing matter In fact, it is serious business as a misunderstanding can make or break an offer and but a buyer’s money at risk.

When buying a home, the words thrown around can often be as confusing for a home buyer as Ernest often seemed to be. Home buyers want to be focused on the esthetics and mechanics of the property (the color of the paint and nuts & bolts of the structure) while the structure of the offer is often left to their REALTOR®. So I am never surprised by the silence when I pose the question, "How much are you prepared to write the earnest money check for?”


Earnest money is different than a down payment. These are funds submitted with the offer to the sellers’ real estate broker while a down payment is paid at the time of closing to the bank or mortgage company. The amount of the earnest money is something that the buyer determines based on the property. The amount will vary with each purchase agreement. A buyer must first understand the purpose of the earnest money to determine the right amount to include with the offer.


Earnest money is a term used for the funds that a buyer puts down to demonstrate to the seller their seriousness about buying a home. It should be an amount sufficient enough to indicate to the seller that the buyer will not walk away from the deal without good reason. In Minnesota, 1% of the purchase price is customary. But a buyer can offer more and a seller can ask for a higher amount as well. A lower amount may be acceptable in some circumstances; however it is important to be realistic.


Only a couple of years ago, a potential buyer wanted to write up an offer on at an open house of a home I had on the market in Forest Lake. The acreage home was set up with stables and a newer home. It was priced in the $300,000 range. This wheeling and dealing buyer wanted to impress the sellers with a whopping $100 earnest money check. The seller was significantly less than impressed. They knew the deal would be on shaky ground as with this unreasonable amount, the buyer could easily walk away from the deal.


Generally the earnest money funds are in the form of a check. If the offer is accepted, the money will be deposited into the listing broker’s trust or escrow account. In Minnesota, the funds must be deposited within three days of an offer having been accepted in writing. Yes, there needs to be money in the bank because that the check WILL be cashed after the offer has been accepted in writing.


If the offer is accepted, the earnest money will be applied to the down payment and/or the closing fees when the closing takes place. If your offer is not accepted the check is not cashed and your original check will be returned to you.


However, if the offer is accepted and the check cashed and then for some reason all contingencies are not met or other situation arises where the sale does not proceed, the buyer does not automatically receive a refund of the earnest money. Nor, does the seller automatically keep the down payment. The funds are disbursed as outlined in the purchase agreement or in some cases; the Buyer and seller must reach an agreement for the cancellation of the agreement before the funds can be disbursed.


Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm

Home Buyers Can Make a Great DEAL in this Changed Real Estate Market!

Howie Mandle isn't the only one giving people the opportunity of a lifetime....You CAN Make a GREAT Deal if you buy a home now. For the past couple of years now, the term "Buyer's Market" has been synonymous with the real estate market. Obviously this is the opposite of the "Seller's Market" term that had been used for the prior decade. I also made a practice of tossing around these descriptions. Awhile back, I decided when I use these terms, I negatively affect half of my clients.
A buyer's market, defined as a market with many sellers and few buyers, gives the impression that all buyers are winners making the sellers the losers. Likewise, in a seller's market, with fewer sellers than buyers, there was an implication of the sellers getting the upper hand in every deal.
But here's the rub: In this market, not ALL sellers lose and not ALL buyers win.
A seller that purchased a home in the early 1990's, maintained it properly, diligently made payments and didn't refinance out all of their equity can sell a home today at a handsome profit. This seller is in no way a loser.
A buyer who purchases a foreclosed home from a bank without a disclosure for a price well below the value of neighboring properties then discovers toxic black mold in the walls costing, a failed septic system or cement in the plumbing with unexpected repairs in the tens of thousands is not a winner.
These situations are part of today's CHANGED real estate market. Yes, that is how I describe the market now. I avoid the phrases, "buyer's market" and "seller's market" and used "changed market" instead. Face it, the market has changed. But there can be winners on both sides of the transaction.
Here's a case in point: A savvy young couple, who wanted to take advantage of the glut of new construction models on the market last year in the Forest Lake area and sell the Anoka County starter home they had outgrown, were winners! They negotiated with a major builder on a perfect model and saved over $30,000 on the price. Then after making all necessary repairs, they listed their home at a rock bottom price equal to what they had paid for it four years earlier, and sold it in less than 60 days.
Did they lose money on the sale of their previous home? Some might think so, but this educated couple realized they were not losers. Their gain from the builder far outweighed the money they supposed “lost” on their sale. Had it been a hot "Seller's Market" they might have sold their starter home for a few thousand more but the builder would never have negotiated the drastic price reduction. All parties in this transaction were winners all the way around...The buyer of the starter home got a great deal. The move up couple sold quickly and got and awesome deal. The builder reduced their home inventory. Win. Win. Win.
This is just one example of the success stories I have witnessed this past year in this CHANGED real estate market. I know of dozens of examples of other individuals and families, both buyers and sellers, who are winners in this market.Is it your turn to be a winning home buyer? If you are thinking that now is the time to make a move but the constant gloom and doom of the media has you sitting on the fence about buying, contact a REALTOR® to help you assess your situation. Getting professional real estate assistance from the get-go is the best way to "MAKE A GREAT DEAL" in this changed market.
The young move-up couple in the previous story had contacted me months prior to finding their dream home to figure out a plan of action. I give sellers throughout the north and east Twin Cities metro area realistic facts about how to get their homes ready and where they need to be priced. They were prepared and ready to negotiate realistically with buyers when an offer came in on their property.
When I meet first time buyers, I give them a packet of information on how to buy a home so they are prepared for what to expect in the process. Before we start deciding whether to look at homes in Forest Lake, Ham Lake, Blaine or Hugo, I make certain my buyers are pre-approved for a loan with a reliable mortgage broker who will get the job done. Clients understand exactly what they can afford and what their payment will be. Then I discuss with my buyers the opportunities and pitfalls when looking at foreclosed homes, short sales, new construction and owner occupied homes. Prepared clients are then ready to jump on the perfect house and when the situation arises. With my expert assistance, buyers understand how to finesse a low offer as a starting point to negotiations so they can get their dream home at a price acceptable to both parties.
Are you ready to make a move? Team up with a great REALTOR® and get educated!
When buying a home in today's market, you can make a GREAT deal. Win-win sales are not only possible, they are my goal in every transaction!

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm 

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 

Dreaming of Life on Minnesota Acreage? Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Gives Must have INFO Before YOUR Move!

Just over a decade ago, my family came across a home being renovated on 3 acres in the country. It was a bit of a drive from North St. Paul and Maplewood, the quiet little suburbs where we had spent most of our lives. But there was something intriguing about the beautiful landscape with dozens of towering oaks and pines. We loved the idea that our two preschool boys could play hide and seek and ride their bikes right in our own yard. We made the leap without considering all of the differences that faces us switching from a city to a rural life.

As a REALTOR® in the north metro, I show homes to other families looking for the same escape from the city that we sought a decade ago. I notice that the same questions continue to come up whether considering a hobby farm in Columbus, an acreage lakeshore home in East Bethel, a horse property in Scandia or an executive estate in Ham Lake. Though the properties that are being considered are only 15-20 miles from the nightlife of downtown Minneapolis, there are significant differences in the way of life out in the country. Here are some important questions and considerations that face my clients as they make their move from the city to the acreage in Anoka and Chisago Counties.

**Does the home have a Septic or Private Sewer system?

Most rural homes have a private septic system. Not all systems are created equal. They are designed for the specific property and size of the home. Even a new septic system can fail if not properly maintained. How do you know if the septic system is working? Require the seller to supply a report of compliance from a certified septic inspector in your purchase agreement. If you have never lived on a home with a septic system, it is important to educate yourself on how to best maintain your system. Additional information on Septic Systems.

**Does the home have access to city water or a private well? Do I need a water softener or other water treatment system?

Families new to the concept of well water have many questions regarding its safety. Traditionally, well water is tested for bacteria and nitrates at the time of sale by the seller. A lead test for well water is required only for FHA loans. If you want the well test for your property to include other contaminants, it must be specified in the purchase agreement. Annual water testing is recommended for all home owners with wells. Additional information on Private Wells. Locate your MN Unique Well Number.

One question often asked by home buyers considering a property with a private well is about water treatment options available. Many homes with private wells have water softeners to treat the water in the home. Some will go one step further and have a reverse osmosis water treatment system in the kitchens as a drinking water supply. Additional information on Water Softeners and Reverse Osmosis Drinking Systems.

**Is there a natural gas supply to the home or will a propane tank be located on the property?

Often people looking at acreage will have questions about the huge propane fuel tank located near the home. These tanks are usually see only at gas stations where homeowners fill their small propane tanks for the weekend BBQ. In the country, the large tanks are in many backyards as the source of fuel to heat the home and run appliances. As a fuel source the differences are not noticeable. Propane is the least expensive cleanest fuel if a home does not have access to natural gas. Additional information on the differences between natural gas and propane.

**Does the home have access to cable or high speed internet or will a satellite connection be required? Can I get high speed internet through the phone line? Does the property have cable access? What are the alternatives if DSL is not available through the phone or cable lines? Will the new Digital Television come in or will I require an antenna?

A decade ago, these were not questions that few people cared about in the rural communities. Today our interconnected world brings these questions to the forefront. There are many homes in Lino Lakes, Ham Lake, Forest Lake and East Bethel that do not have cable lines or high speed internet available through the phone lines. If your family lives on the internet and could not live without a high-speed connection, it is essential to find out whether a home has access. Also, the new digital television can require additional antennas in areas too far from the signal or on a property with dense trees. Ask questions prior to writing an offer if being connected is important to you. The alternatives can be significantly more expensive.

**Is the road frontage paved? If the road is not paved, how often is it maintained by the city/county?
When our family first moved to our home to a rural area in MN, the road was not paved. We were nearly a mile down this soft, sandy dirt road. We moved in the late fall and had no idea of the extremely poor condition of the road in the April rain of spring. It was treacherous at times. The regrading was done by the city on a schedule so we would have a pot-holed road for days. Our road has been paved for years now but the memories still remain.

If you are considering acreage, remember many rural roads are not paved. Try to visit the property on several occasions and under differing conditions to determine the condition of any unpaved road. Talk to the city and county to understand the maintenance schedule for the road. Also be sure to ask if there are any plans to pave the road in the future and what would be assessed per property owner for the project.

**Is there wildlife?

Well maybe not lions and tigers, but we have had bears and cougars seen near our home in Anoka County. We also have pheasant, hawks, bald eagles, raccoons, foxes, several varieties of squirrels and deer. A flock of 18 wild turkeys have made their home in our neighborhood and continue to nest year after year. And an owl and a hawk both nest in trees in on our property. I rarely saw blue jays, cardinals or hummingbirds in the city, but in our rural home we see them on a daily basis. While exciting, the downside is sometimes the wildlife comes in. I don't know anyone that hasn’t had an occasional field mouse enter their home.

**Is hunting allowed?

In some rural areas hunting is still allowed depending on the amount of acreage, the development restrictions and city and county rules. It was a rude awakening for us to discover our neighbors were allowed to hunt. Imagine our shock that first deer opener when the hunters came out in blaze orange to hunt in the woods next to our home. The property owner, at our request, posted the land and the hunters left. The land has since been developed but it is something everyone moving should understand before buying any acreage home. Check with the city and county for all ordinances regarding firearms.

**Where are the schools?

The public school districts in rural communities can be vast. In the Forest Lake School District 831, students come from communities as far west as Ham Lake, as far south as Lino Lakes, as far east as Scandia and as far north as Stacy! It you drive from the western border to the eastern border of the district, it takes almost 45 minutes, one way! There is only one high school in the district, so your children's best friend from school could literally live almost an hour from your home. But the opportunities to get to know kids from all areas can outweigh any negatives. Bottomline, it pays to research the school district prior to any housing decisions.
Also school alternatives can be limited. Communities in the city have dozens of private and charter school options. These options are much lower in rural areas due to the smaller population. Additional information on Educational Alternatives in the North Metro.

**Can we have a bonfire and burn all this debris?

There are strict state and local restrictions regarding burning of construction debris and yard waste. There are restrictions on the size of the fire and what can be burned. Many construction materials cannot be burned because they release chemicals into the air that pose an environmental hazard. There are times of the year where burning is only allowed by permit and sometimes not at all. Before burning it is best to check the local restrictions as well as the DNR. More information on MN Fire Restrictions.

**Where do we shop? How far to the nearest corner store, gas station, shopping center and mall?

Depending on how often you like to shop, this may or may not be a big concern. But it is always nice to know how far you will have to go for a gallon of milk for breakfast or a gallon of gas for the lawn mower.

**How long does it take to cut the grass?

If your yard is over an acre with few trees, you might consider a lawn tractor. Many people on acreage only cut certain areas leaving the rest to grow to a natural prairie. Another consideration would be whether or not to install an irrigation system for the sod near the home.

**Wow! There are a lot of trees! Do I have to worry about oak wilt?

Oak wilt is a big concern in Anoka and Chisago counties. Many of the communities have information and programs to help protect and save the oak trees from this disease. 

**What about emergencies? How far to the nearest hospital? Where is the nearest fire station? Who provides police protection?

No one wants to think about these things when moving but accidents and illnesses do happen. It was a long hour drive to Children's Hospital in St. Paul when my 6 year old fell and needed stitches in his upper lip. If the nearest fire station is staffed with volunteers and over five miles away, it will seem like a lifetime during those 5-10 minutes while you wait for the fire truck to show up to YOUR home. Many rural communities do not have police officers but are patrolled by the county sheriff's department. Understand your options before an emergency occurs because it will likely take a bit longer if you are in a rural area.

With a little planning your move to a home on acreage can be a great one!

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm