Shoveling in September in Anoka County MN? It’s NUTS!

Literally! Nuts…Acorns to be specific. It’s a banner year for the oak trees in our yard! Unfortunately several of the branches that provide shade on our Ham Lake driveway in the summer, drop hundreds…no thousands of acorns onto our driveway. We thought that collecting them and bringing bushels of our red and bir acorns to the DNR was a novel idea, but a 3 hour drive to Bemidji for a possible $40 a bushel is not going to happen.

So we elected to shovel the nuts after they ping like hail stones onto our vehicles. We have blown them off the driveway in the past but it doesn’t get all the acorn-butter bits that our tires have ground in during the week. Believe me, shoveling is easier than sweeping. After they are dumped onto the edge of our property, the squirrel and white-tailed deer get a one-stop smorgasbord as usually we have a few crabapples in the mix.

What fun it is to live on Minnesota acreage!

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

Affordable Beauty and Privacy! Homes on Minnesota Wetlands

While browsing through the Q&A section of the real estate website, Trulia the other 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.

Need to know more about buying home on a Minnesota Wetland? If you are buying, selling or relocating and considering a home on a Minnesota wetland and would like the assistance of a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation 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 School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 terieckholm.com

Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Homeowner Version: Ham Lake Bald Eagle in Nest

As I headed to a listing appointment in Anoka County this summer, I rounded a corner and noticed a beautifully carved oak tree at a Ham Lake residence. The carving was not unusual as I have seen carved and painted bald eagles at craft fairs but this one was carved out of the tree about 15 feet in the air.

Bald eagles were removed from the endangered species list earlier this year. Due to their protected status for the past several years and efforts to bring back this beautiful bird, the amount of breeding pairs has grown from a low of 417 in 1963 to nearly 10,000 today. According to the Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 2005 Bald Eagle survey, Over 1,000, roughly 10% of bald eagles nest in the state of Minnesota. I have seen these huge majestic birds fly over my Ham Lake home, along the roadside in Columbus Township and soar over the 4th of July parade in Forest Lake.

At the Minnesota DNR building at the state fair this year, there was an example of an eagles’ nest on display. Their nests are built of interwoven sticks about ¾ to an inch in diameter. I have seen an actual nest where a pair of eagles built a few years back in Keller Park in Maplewood. My estimation is that it is the size of a child’s swimming pool woven up into the treetops. The DNR display was just about eye level and easy to view.

The week after we were at the fair, I was back to check on my listing. As I rounded that same corner, I noticed that the beautiful carved eagle now had a nest! What a Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distraction created by an innovative homeowner. This is one landscape decoration that will add to the property value of this lovely Ham Lake home.

Another Artful Distraction Post from Series:Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions—Hometown Version: The North St. Paul Snowman

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage properties! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 www.terieckholm.com

Moms Love Fishing in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!

Enjoying a Happy Mother’s Day and Fishing Opener would be a conflict in most states but not in Minnesota. In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) doesn’t want mom’s to feel neglected as families head out to fish for walleye and northern pike in the statewide opener on May 12th! The DNR wants families to bring mothers and grandmothers along in the “Take a Mom Fishing” weekend!


The Minnesota DNR is inviting mothers who are Minnesota residents to fish this weekend without a license. It is a fun outdoor activity the entire family can enjoy. Whether out on a pontoon on Coon Lake in Anoka County, fishing off the pier at Silver Lake in North St. Paul, or casting a line from the shore of White Bear Lake in Ramsey County, it is a great way to have a fun, family Mother’s Day!


If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage properties! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
Copyright 2007 terieckholm.com

Spring Fire Restrictions in Minnesota

Spring is in the air! The signs are all around us and not just the budding trees and spring tulips peeking out from the ground. The Smokey Bear sign at the Carlos Avery Nature Preserve has changed it’s winter “Drive Safely” sign to the blue, green, yellow, orange and red fire danger warning signs too! Grass fire season is here and 2007 has the potential to be very active. The drought predictions started in January when there was very little if any snow cover across the northern metro. Even with the two big March snow storms, we are at a major deficit for moisture in the area which leaves Minnesota vulnerable for grass fires.

Living near Carlos Avery Wildlife Management area, I won’t soon forget how quickly a small fire that was improperly extinguished turned into a major fire that burned for days and destroyed several homes in Linwood. The smoke in the air and blazing orange nighttime skyline is burned into many Anoka and Chisago County residents.

A few years back while my own house was under construction, the inattentive subcontractors lost control of a fire on what was soon to be my property. Thank goodness it was noticed and put out quickly with the assistance of several friends who were nearby.


Fire Facts According to a 3/21/2007 news release from the Minnesota DNR:

• April and May are months when agencies respond to the highest number of wildfires.


• Approximately 80 percent of all wildfires in MN occur during April and May.
• The burning of yard debris is a major cause of wildfires in Minnesota.

Open burning will be restricted in April and May, but even after the restrictions are removed remember to be vigilant when having that backyard bonfire. Also don’t discard cigarettes out of car windows.

It is no fun to watch the fire fighting water planes flying low over my home on their way to Coon Lake for another load, especially knowing that a friend or neighbor’s home could be in jeopardy. Help protect your home, neighborhood and community by being careful with fire.
If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
Copyright 2007 terieckholm.com