Lakeshore Foreclosures Available in the North East Twin Cities Metro

In Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes…well 12,000 actually, there are bound to be one or two lakeshore owners who have had a tough time in this economic downturn right? I did a search today* for lakeshore homes that are currently bank-owned or listed as a foreclosure and found five current listings for lakehomes in either Anoka County, Ramsey County or Washington County. This number is down considerably from this time last year where there were nearly a half dozen bank-owned lakeshore properties in each of the three counties. Buyers wanting to snatch up a great deal need to act quickly.

Priced from $245,000 for a 1940 built home on Tanners Lake in Oakdale to $1,725,000 for 45 Acres that could be split into 23 lots; 10 with lakeshore on Forest Lake, there is a handful of lakeshore foreclosures to choose from. Looking for an opportunity on a full recreational lake? There is another home on Forest Lake listed for $274,900 with 3 bedrooms and 2000+ finished square feet. Or if you would prefer a home in Anoka County, there is an opportunity to buy lakeshore property on Centerville Lake in Lino Lakes. This 1970’s home is listed for just under $345,000.

For those who don’t mind a smaller lake there’s a great new listing on Goose Lake in White Bear. A home with 2700 finished square feet on almost an acre just listed for $279,900.

Note that this list does not include any homes currently in a short sale position or if the current homeowner did not list the home as in foreclosure. More opportunities will continue to come on to the market throughout Anoka. Ramsey and Washington Counties over the next few months.

And traditional sellers of lake homes have adjusted their pricing to compete with the distressed properties, so there are many affordable options for your piece of Minnesota shoreline.Many of these are not your average foreclosures but can be transformed from distressed to fabulous with a bit of elbow grease. As with any REO home some of these lakeshore foreclosures will need more work than others but with so much potential, maybe it is time to do more than just dream of living on a Minnesota lake!

Need to learn more about the size, depth and water quality of these lakes? Check out the links to the DNR site for each. Note: As Aspen is a small, man-made lake it is not listed in the Minnesota DNR Lake Finder.

*Search done using information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE of MINNESOTA, INC. on 2/27/2010. 

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 

Move-In Ready Foreclosures in Ramsey County! Deals for First Time Buyers & Lakeshore Buyers!

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 pristine condition. Some still may require a bit of cleanup or a few cosmetic changes but there are many in move in condition too.

Here are a few of the lakeshore and high-end treasures I noted on the Twin Cities MLS in Ramsey County this past week:

• Detached executive town home in White Bear Lake. Master suite, custom kitchen, 2005 blt., assessed value over $475K, bank asking $380K.
• Bald Eagle Lakeshore. Two story home with attached guest suite& 6 car garage. Assessed by county at over $750K now priced under $460K.
• Picture perfect North Oaks split level w/lots of windows. Originally listed for nearly $700K now short sale priced at $499K.

Now if you are a first time buyer, here are a few foreclosures you might want to consider. Remember, if you buy a home before December 1, you will qualify for an $8000 credit when you file your taxes. Learn more about the $8000 credit HERE or call me at 651-336-7073. If you need additional help with a down payment or fix up funds and want to live in St. Paul, check out Live MSP.

• One level town home in Battle Creek area of St. Paul. 2BR/2/BA and 2Car Built in 2002. Sold originally for over $170K. Now bank-owned and under $130K.
• Maplewood 2story 2002 townhome. Over 1800 ft sq ft. Orig owner asking price $234K, bank asking only $155K.
• 2006 Townhome near Mall and St. John’s Hospital. Beautiful, stylish. Sold for over $230K but bank priced at under $185K.
• Mpwd Townhome New Construction Short Sale. Previous asking $290K now priced at $219K.
• 2005 built rambler near Harvest Park in Maplewood. Sgl fam home on almost ½ acre. Sold for $384K bank asking less than $225K.
• Near Keller Golf Course’03blt multi-lvl home. 4BR/3BA/3Car with vaulted ceilings and fireplace. Assessed at $347K, bank asking $250K.
• Almost new single family on St Paul’s East side. Rambler blt in ’06 4BR/2BA.Bank priced under $100K.
• 3M area executive ’06 3BR THome. Granite counters, Master suite. Owner asked $234K. Bank wants $115K.
• 2005 blt 2story in Phalen. 3BR/2BA/2Car single fam home with deck. Sold for $205K 4 years ago, bank asking less than $145K.
• Mac/Grov 2004 built Condo. 2BR/2BA/1Car. Owner asked $334K originally. Bank offering at less than $190K.

Want more information on any of these great foreclosures? Give me a call at 651-336-7073.
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...Usually 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. Repairs will not be made.
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 http://www.terieckholm.com/