Lake Property

4 Local Minnesota Lakes with the Best Fishing

15 July 2021
Tommy Lindquist
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Categories: Blog, Cabin Life, Lake Life, Lake Property

Minnesota is home to an abundance of lakes, making it one of the best states for freshwater fishing! If you’re searching for some spots to catch some walleye up north this summer, check out our list of the top 4 lakes in the area: 

Leech Lake is the third largest lake that lies entirely within Minnesota’s borders. It has a number of different bays to explore and is a great lake for boating. You can expect to find plenty of species of fish here! 

Lake Winnibigoshish is connected to the Mississippi River along with two smaller lakes, Sugar Lake and Cut Foot Souix Lake. Surrounded by resorts and campgrounds, it is a prime place to catch fish. The largest muskie caught in Minnesota was from this very lake!

Cass Lake is another lake that is connected to the Mississippi River. Although it’s one of the smaller lakes on our list, some claim that it’s one of the best lakes for catching walleye in the state! 

Ten Mile Lake may be another small lake on our list, but it’s worth paying a visit to! It’s 208 feet at its deepest and features a large variety of fish, from black bullhead catfish to rainbow trout! 

Enjoy exploring these lakes this summer! If you’re looking for the perfect property up north, click here to view our latest listings.

Three Amazing Paddling Opportunities in Up North in Minnesota

28 June 2021
Tommy Lindquist
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Categories: Blog, Cabin Life, Lake Life, Lake Property

Canoeing is a peaceful way to enjoy the beauty of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes, and we are fortunate to have many fantastic paddling spots around the Walker area. Here are three locations to check out if you’re looking for a great place to canoe or kayak.

Sucker Bay on Leech Lake is a nice, protected bay to paddle in, and if you’re a fisherman, it’s an excellent crappie location, especially in the late spring and early summer months. Two particular areas to check out around Sucker Bay are Sugar Point and the eastern edge of Battle Point.

The Pike Bay Connection Loop has the look and feel of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness but is in Chippewa National Forest. This loop features eight gorgeous lakes and an opportunity to see wildlife like bald eagles, moose, and deer.

Cut Foot Sioux Lake is a 2,800-acre lake located in northern Minnesota’s Itasca County. The shores of the lake are heavily forested and beautiful. Paddling here offers peaceful seclusion, breathtaking beauty, and fishing.

Bill Hansen Realty is the market leader in Northern Minnesota. We sell and market lake homes, lake cabins, lake lots, hunting land, and other recreational properties. With offices in Longville, Hackensack, and Walker, we can assist you in finding the best properties in the state. Check out the latest listings on our website!

4 Tips for Getting Your Boat Ready for Summer Fun

26 April 2021
Tommy Lindquist
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Categories: Blog, Cabin Life, Lake Life, Lake Property, Northern Minnesota Things to Do

Spring is here, and now is a great time to prepare your boat for the upcoming summer fun! There are many different types and sizes of boats, so you will need to create your own spring de-winterizing checklist based on what you have.

But here are a few general tips to remember:

Double-check the drain plug

It’s such a simple thing that has caused many people a lot of angst. Don’t assume it’s there; double-check! 

Verify Registration and Permits

Ensure all your watercraft registrations, permits, and any necessary stickers are up to date before you launch in the water.

Inspect Safety  Equipment

Make sure lifejackets are in good condition, and you have the correct number of them on your boat. And, if you have kids, make sure they still fit and are the correct size. Check your fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and fresh batteries for any sound signaling devices or handheld radios.

Don’t forget the trailer

If you need to trailer your boat to launch, don’t forget to inspect the trailer first since lots can happen over the winter! Check the tire pressure, brake fluid level, tongue lock, and safety chains, and test the lights and electrical connections. 

If you’re not familiar with or need a refresh on Minnesota’s boating and water regulations, please click here for lots of great info.

Find your Up North property with Bill Hansen Realty, the market leader in Northern Minnesota!
Click here to contact us and get started today.

Foraging Season in Minnesota!

20 April 2021
Tommy Lindquist
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Categories: Blog, Cabin Life, Lake Life, Lake Property, Northern Minnesota Things to Do

Enjoy the Outdoors and Have Fun Foraging Up North in Minnesota

Spring is the start of foraging season Up North in Minnesota. Many people love foraging because it’s adventurous and gives them a chance to get out, hike around, and pick delicious, local, wild food. 

If there’s one critical thing to know when foraging, it’s to be 100% positive you know exactly what you’re harvesting! A misidentified food can make you sick or worse. The second important thing to keep in mind when foraging is to know the land you are harvesting from. Don’t trespass on private property! Rules are different for city and state parks, National Forest land, and BLM land, so do some research ahead of time to figure out where foraging is allowed.

The early foraging season in Minnesota is all about the greens and early mushrooms. Here are three early-season foods that foragers look for during the spring:

Ramps

Otherwise known as wild leeks, ramps are among the first plants to emerge from the ground in spring. Many people don’t know that Minnesota ramp flushes are dwindling due to the uptick in foraging, so please gather these sustainably!

Fiddlehead ferns

Look for fiddlehead ferns in low areas on the edges of marshes and other waterways. Cut the heads before they unfurl; the closer they are to the ground, the better. 

Mushrooms

Up North in Minnesota, morels can appear as late as mid-May when the ground temperature reaches at least 50 degrees. You will want to start foraging them when the air temperature gets to around 65-70, and there have been a few to several days of rain.

For more information on foraging in Minnesota, click here. Have fun and be safe!

Opening the Cabin

24 March 2021
Tommy Lindquist
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Categories: Blog, Cabin Life, Lake Life, Lake Property, Vacation Property

Opening the cabin is a rite of spring for many Minnesotans. Coming back to your home away from home Up North is something to look forward to!

Here are some tips to help you plan your first weekend back at the cabin:

Before you go

Check your boat registration and insurance status to see if anything needs to be renewed, and make sure you have copies to keep on the boat. It’s also a good idea to schedule any services you need, like dock installation. Waiting too long can put you on a waitlist, which is no fun when you’ve slogged through a long winter already! Also, remember to turn on any services that you had shut off for the winter.

Do an opening inspection

A safety inspection should be at the top of your list; upon arriving, test your smoke detector and C02 batteries, turn on water/heating, and inspect for any external damage that may have happened over the winter.

Check for critter damage

Be on the lookout for holes in your screens, siding, gnawed wires, or rodent droppings. Any of these can signal that critters found their way into your home and made themselves cozy over the winter.

Restock necessities

Toss any expired canned food or staples leftover from last year and do an inventory on basics you might need to shop for. Things like sunscreen, batteries, bug spray, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and paper towels are some of the main items to check for.

Thinking about buying a lake home Up North this year?  With offices in Longville, Hackensack, and Walker, we can help you find the best properties in the state. Our area offers over 130 clear water lakes within thirty minutes, including the Woman Lake Chain, Ten Mile Lake, and Leech Lake. Contact us today!

Four Ways to Finance Your Minnesota Dream Cabin

23 February 2021
Tommy Lindquist
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Categories: Blog, Cabin Life, Lake Life, Lake Property, Minnesota Cabin Real Estate, Minnesota Real Estate, Northern Minnesota Real Estate, Vacation Property

If you dream of owning a cabin in Northern Minnesota, now is a great time to pursue that dream! One question potential cabin buyers always have is how to pay for it. When it comes to financing a cabin, you have multiple options:

Second-Home Loan

If you’ve already paid off your first mortgage or would like a conventional loan for your cabin up north in Minnesota, getting a vacation home loan is your first option. We recommend using a mortgage lender who specializes in second homes in the local area. These lenders will have ready financing sources and understand the required rules and specifics of the place you’re buying in.

Cash-Out Refinance

If you have equity in your home and it makes financial sense, you might be able to refinance at the current rate and get the cash to buy your vacation home by doing a cash-out refinance. A cash-out refinance allows you to replace your current loan with a new mortgage loan for a larger amount than the existing mortgage and keep the difference between the two loans in cash. 

Home Equity Loan 

Home equity loans are a very popular way of financing a cabin. They allow you to borrow money against the equity you’ve built up in your home. This type of loan is a lump-sum payout with a fixed interest rate and is paid off in equal monthly payments, like the mortgage on your primary home. 

Go in with Friends or Family

Sometimes buying your Minnesota dream cabin might feel out of reach. One option you could consider is going in on a vacation property with friends or family. Two checkbooks are larger than one and could make buying a vacation home achievable. 

Need help finding your dream cabin in Northern Minnesota? We would love to help! Bill Hansen Realty is the market leader in Northern Minnesota. Please click here to contact us.

Spring is a Fantastic Time to Buy a Cabin

11 February 2021
Tommy Lindquist
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Categories: Blog, Lake Property, Northern Minnesota Real Estate, Vacation Property

If you ask me (or any realtor, really) when the best time is to buy a lake property, I’ll happily tell you, “it’s always a good time to buy a lake property!” It actually is true; there are pros and cons to buying in both the peak and off-peak season, but here is why spring is a great time to buy a cabin:

  • Because of the expected influx of potential buyers just before and during the summer months, there are usually a larger number of cabins posted for sale in spring and early summer markets than any other time of year.
  • Not only is there a larger number of cabins to choose from, but there is also a wider price range; thus, you have a better chance of finding the RIGHT lake home or cabin.
  • Buying a cabin in the spring means you get to enjoy a full summer season of making unforgettable memories at your new lake home.

Questions about buying a cabin up north in Minnesota? Please feel free to reach out and contact me.

Interesting Minnesota Deer Hunting Facts

1 December 2020
Andrew Hofstetter
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Categories: Blog, Cabin Life, Lake Life, Lake Property, Northern Minnesota Things to Do

Deer hunting season was reportedly off to a slow start this year. Nevertheless, in general, hunters should have more opportunities to harvest deer because deer populations have increased in much of the state. 

Here are some interesting facts about deer hunting in Minnesota:

  • About half the deer shot during the season are shot opening weekend. This year that was most like somewhere around 100,000 deer, depending on the weather.
  • About 70% of the season harvest occurs in the first four days of the season.
  • A whitetail’s home range is about 1 square mile.
  • Last year, 36% of all Minnesota hunters successfully harvested a deer (including archery and muzzleloader)
  • The average hunter spends five days afield during Minnesota’s firearms deer season.
  • The biggest white-tailed deer recorded in Minnesota was a 500-pound buck.

For more statistics, the latest state rules, and safety tips, click here. Have a great hunting season, and above all, remember to stay safe!

Readying Your Minnesota Cabin for Winter

8 October 2020
Andrew Hofstetter
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Categories: Blog, Cabin Life, Lake Property

Haven’t we had a gorgeous fall?! Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and winter will be approaching soon.

Here are some essential steps to take to ensure your Minnesota cabin is ready for the winter:

  • Turn off the water. If you don’t use your cabin in the winter, make sure you turn the water off at the supply point. Nobody wants the headaches that frozen pipes bring. Don’t forget to clear your dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators of water. 
  • Turn down your thermostat. But not all the way! If you have a furnace, lower the temperature but keep it above freezing.
  • Unplug appliances. It’s best to unplug all of your appliances when you’re preparing your cabin for winter. Doing so reduces your electricity bill and reduces fire risk due to old or faulty wiring or nibbling rodents.
  • Seal your foundation. Check your foundation for cracks and seal up any you find with steel wool and spray foam to ensure no critters find their way in when it’s cold.
  • Secure the property. When you leave for the last time, close the blinds and curtains and double-check that all doors and windows are locked. Consider installing outside security/motion detector lights that could deter would-be burglars. 

Properly preparing your cabin for winter protects your investment and helps ensure you don’t return to a mess when spring rolls around. Enjoy these remaining gorgeous fall days!

How to Ensure Your Dock is Ready for Winter

15 September 2020
Andrew Hofstetter
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Categories: Blog, Cabin Life, Lake Life, Lake Property, Minnesota Cabin Real Estate, Minnesota Real Estate, Vacation Property

It’s hard to believe summer is over, and we’re already talking about closing up your lakeshore cabins for the winter. Here’s hoping we have several weeks left to enjoy comfortable but cooler weather and no mosquitos!

But, when it comes time to winterize your Minnesota lakeshore cabin, here are a few tips:

  • Remove your floating dock, so it doesn’t get damaged if the lake freezes. Secure it once out of the water, and don’t forget to bring in the anchors!
  • Clean your dock’s surface. Whether you can see it or not, you may have algae and fungus on your dock. Cleaning it thoroughly ensures it will be in good shape next spring/summer when you’re ready to put it back in the water
  • Inspect your boat lift if you have one. Check to make sure all parts look good and are working properly.
  • Verify insurance coverage. If you haven’t insured your dock, you might want to consider doing that. Docks are expensive, and insuring them can save you a lot of pain down the road if something happens!

When warm weather rolls back around, your dock will be ready to use and enjoy.