Anoka County Tax Forfeited Properties Available Online

Did you know that you can see the properties that have been forfeited to Anoka County and available for sale right on the Anoka County website?

Currently there are three properties available in communities spanning the county. One is to the north in Linwood, while another is located in the south community of Fridley and then to the west in Coon Rapids. The site features links to both plat maps and aerial views.

Homes are sold with a sealed bid system. Complete instructions on how to properly submit a bid are posted. 

Copyright 2009 terieckholm.com

More Bars in Ham Lake is a Good Thing—Cell Phone Bars that is!

A late holiday present arrived to those living in Ham Lake, Linwood and Columbus near Carlos Avery. It appears a new cell phone tower is being constructed just to the north of the intersection of Crosstown and Broadway. We noticed the amazingly huge pole being raised a few days after Christmas. My teenagers, with their new internet accessible phones thought that maybe it was a mirage. After pinching each other to make certain they weren’t dreaming, they cheered that our area of Ham Lake was finally going to be connected with the rest of the world!

Now to some in this rural area, this is an eyesore not a Godsend. But as a REALTOR who drives down Lexington (County 17) and Broadway (County 18) daily and has to use a mobile phone as part of my business, I know that the bars are few and far between. If you are lucky to have a connection, the conversation almost always breaks down to gibberish while traveling this stretch of road…And if you live anywhere in the vicinity of Coon Lake and Carlos Avery, you are often walking around your acreage to find that perfect spot where a signal will come through to make a call. Heaven forbid if you are one of those people, like me, that pace when conversing! Calls are dropped all of the time. So as nearby residents, my family has been watching the progress of the tower and patiently wait until the panels go live…Hopefully it is soon. The spot in my yard where my Blackberry comes in is not sheltered from the elements. And there are still a few weeks of winter cold ahead…and spring rain…etc.

Copyright 2009 terieckholm.com

Year End 2008 Snapshot of Linwood, MN Home Sales Statistics

The market of homes in Linwood, Minnesota took a hit in 2008. New listings were down. Closed Sales were down. And the average sales price was down. All significantly. The average sales price of a home dropped nearly 27%; from the around $250,000 to just over $185,000 compared to sales in 2007. This rural Anoka County community featuring acreage and lakeshore properties north of Columbus and south of Stacy, had a whopping increase in time on the market up nearly 24% from 2007 to 179 days on the market. Linwood is also experiencing one of the lowest ratios of sales price to list price meaning sellers in Linwood are negotiating to get their homes sold. With lower average sales prices, acreage and lakeshore homes are very affordable in Linwood right 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 School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2009 terieckholm.com

Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions—Hometown Version: GIANT Pizza Chef in Linwood, MN

Last week as I drove a car full of teenagers to go skiing at Trollhaugen through Lindstrom and Center City, my son mentioned our excursions to get photos of unique giant hometown art. We were passing the giant hotdog and miniature statue of liberty (small compared to NYC standards anyway) in Lindstrom, when the subject came up. As we drove past the Lindstrom teapot water tower, his friend mentioned how the giant chef outside of Linwood Pizza always cracks him up as they drive by. My son told his friend about my photo blogs and I said the pizza man was going uup as soon as I had time.

Okay…I have been keeping this guy in my camera since October and now it is time to share! Along County Road 22 about half way between I35 in Wyoming and Hwy 65 in East Bethel, stands this rotating pizza chef outside of Linwood Pizza. You can’t miss him and I’d bet he puts a smile on your face too!

Other Uniquely Minnesota Hometown Artful Distractions:

• Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Hometown Version: The North St. Paul Snowman


• Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Hometown Version: Giant Mouse and Buffalo in Center City


• Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Hometown Version: Lindstrom Teapot Watertower


• Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Hometown Version: Giant Polar Bear in White Bear Lake


• Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Hometown Version: East Bethel's New Resident Black Bear

Don't be distracted when making YOUR important real estate decisions! 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 School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!
Copyright 2008 terieckholm.com

Minnesota Fire Restrictions Blew In with the Wind!

Yesterday, spring blew into Anoka County quite literally. As I noticed the flags flying and trees bending, I also noted how dry last year’s grass is. This is normal every occurrence in Minnesota. Dry grass is a huge fire hazard until spring rains green up lawns. Take time to notice the Smokey Bear signs by the Carlos Avery Nature Preserve in Columbus and Linwood. The Minnesota DNR has replaced the winter “Drive Safely” sign to either a green, blue, yellow, orange and red fire danger warning signs too! Yesterday I noted the blue “moderate” fire danger warning as I drove down Broadway from Forest Lake. Grass fire season is here and 2008 has the potential to be very active. We are still in a bit of a drought.

With the brisk spring breezes here, spring burning restrictions are in effect in various counties throughout the state of Minnesota. The restrictions went into effect on April 14th and include Anoka County. After a very long winter with lower than average snow, they are necessary. CLICK HERE for DNR 4/14/08 press release.

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 the minds of many Anoka and Chisago County residents.

Fires start most often in this windy weather from sparks from trains, careless smokers and backyard fire pits. Be cautious and as Smokey says, “Only YOU can Prevent Forest Fires.” Acreage homes often butt up against the forests and wetlands. It is very important to be careful and aware of the fire danger in your community and your own back yard to protect your property.

Fire Facts from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

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


• Approximately 80 percent of all wildfires in Minnesota occur during this period.


• 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.

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

Goodbye Summer! As the MN State Fair Ends, Another School Year Begins in Forest Lake.

September always means one thing in the Forest Lake school district

: Back to School. Summer fun and events are over and a new school year begins. As soon as the final footlong hotdog is sold at the Minnesota State Fair and the final blue ribbon awarded, the school bells ring and new opportunities begin.

Memories of the fair have yet to fade. The corn dogs were great and the ride on the Space Needle was awesome. It is a once a year chance to see the entire Twin Cities from the top of the tower. Our chance sighting of a presidential hopeful before he officially threw his hat into the ring was exciting. Minnesota is a great place to stump even for a not yet official candidate like Fred Thompson. Catching a glimpse of a former Twin like Kent Hrbek at some place other than the Metrodome is just one reason to attend the fair. Learning about our great state from exhibits is another. It is amazing what has been fished out of Minnesota lakes and how it can be transformed into art.

Summer is officially over with the end of the state fair. Now a week into the school year district residents are anticipating Forest Lake Rangers football games, band concerts and the field trips. Approximately 7,500 students attend the 12 Forest Lake schools. The district encompasses one of the largest geographical areas in the state, 240 square miles and serves 12 communities. Towns and cities include Columbus, Linwood, Ham Lake, Hugo, Scandia, Lino Lakes, Marine, Stacy, May Township, Forest Lake and Wyoming. From preschool through adult continuing education

there is something for everyone in the Forest Lake area schools programs.

As summer ends we are no longer on top of the world but with our feet firmly on the ground. Students and their families become more deeply involved in school activities. It is time to visit a school, sign up for a class, attend a musical or cheer at a sporting event. It may be the end of summer in Minnesota but the fall is always the start of something special to residents in the Forest Lake School District.

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/

Linwood Minnesota Real Estate Marketing Statistics for First Half of 2007

The Linwood real estate market in southeast Anoka County has experienced a slowdown but homes are still selling. Per the St. Paul Area Association of Realtors, sales for the 13 county Twin Cities area are down 16% in the first half of 2007 compared with sales in the first half of 2006. The average home price fell 2%.

This mid-year update for Linwood real estate reflects the sluggish market with many existing home listings and a longer than average days on market (DOM). Though existing home inventory is high, homes are selling in the lower price ranges. There were very few homes sold in prices above $400,000 in Linwood. Linwood homes have an average cummulative DOM of 148 days. This statistic looks promising as it is lower than the overall average DOM in surrounding communities but almost all Linwood sales have been for lower valued homes which due tend to sell a bit more quickly. For reference to other areas in the northeast Twin Cities metro, Ham Lake has a cumulative days-on-market statistic of 208 days; Lino Lakes is173 DOM and Forest Lake is 168 DOM.



(Click here for complete Ham Lake Statistics.)
(Click here for complete Lino Lakes Statistics.)
(Click here for complete Forest Lake Statistics.)

The following are statistics of current single family residential market activity in the Linwood area for the first six months of 2007.

Under $300,000~ 36 Active Listings, 4 Pending Listings, 17 Sold Listings; Average Cumulative Days on Market for Sold Listings: 141
$300,000-400,000 ~ 11 Active Listings, 1 Pending Listings, 3 Sold Listings; Average Cumulative Days on Market for Sold Listings: 183
$400,000-$500,000 ~ 4 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings; Average Cumulative Days on Market for Sold Listings: N/A
$500,000 and Up~ 7 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings; Average Cumulative Days on Market for Sold Listings: N/A
Lakeshore available in Linwood:

16 Active Listings, 1 Pending Listings, 1 Sold Listings during first half of 2007.

Linwood lakeshore price range: $ 134,900-$1,149,900.

3 Homes on Fawn Lake Lake
7 Homes on Martin Lake
5 Homes on Linwood Lake
1 Home on Typo Lake

**All Statistical information based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE of MINNESOTA, INC. for the period of 1/1/07 through 6/30/07.

Featured Listings in Anoka County:

• 1517 128th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55449


• 15065 E Vermillion Circle NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304


• 1988 Robin Lane N, Centerville, MN 55038

Articles on Lakeshore and Minnesota that might be of interest:

• Relocating to Forest Lake MN? The Schools are Full of Ranger Pride!


• Does "Minnesota Nice" Affect the Real Estate Market? "Yah, You Betcha!"


• Dreaming of Life on MN Acreage?--What YOU Need to Know Before YOUR Move!


• Affordable Minnesota Lakeshore

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/

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