Winterize Your Boat Dock in 5 Easy Steps

Summer is drawing to a close, which means it’s time to prepare for the cold weather and snow. Winterizing your boat dock is an important task for this time of year, and doing it properly will help everything stay in top shape. If you’re not sure where to start, here are 5 easy steps to winterizing your dock: 

1. First, remove all accessories you have attached to your dock. This includes things like kayaks and paddleboards that you may have tethered as well as anything else that may be attached.

2. Next, check and tighten all bolts and screws. Some of these may have come loose from wear over the summer, so it’s a good idea to make sure everything is secure before you use your dock again in the spring. 

3. It’s always a good idea to clean and seal the decking portion of your dock before the season is over. This way, it can avoid damage that might be caused by algae or other bacteria. 

4. If you have a fixed dock, you may want to use a bubbler or de-icer to reduce the amount of ice that is formed around your dock in the winter. 

5. Depending on what kind of dock you have, the last step is to either remove it from the water or attach a safety line to it and secure it on a fixed structure on shore, such as a tree. You will also want to detach it from shore the best you can by removing any ramps or steps. This can help avoid shoreline erosion. 

Are you ready to find the Up North lake home you’ve always wanted? Contact us today so that we can help you with your search! 

Top Real Estate Market Tips When Shopping for Your Dream Cabin

It’s a competitive market right now when it comes to purchasing a home of any kind. If you’re starting to shop around for a cabin or vacation home, keep some of these tips in mind as you navigate the real estate world:

Make a list of deal breakers. 

Before you even begin your search, make a list of some deal breakers you have when it comes to your future cabin. Identify a few things that you consider to be true “deal breakers” as well as things you may not like but can still live with. This will help narrow down your options.

Have a financial plan in place. 

From being preapproved on a mortgage to brainstorming ways to finance your cabin, it always helps to put together a plan early on so you don’t run into issues down the road during your search. 

Be flexible. 

Know going into your search that you will likely have to make some compromises. Your first choice may fall through. You may not find something that checks off every box on your wishlist while still falling within your price range. Have patience and set realistic expectations as you go into the searching process. 

Let’s work together to make your dream a reality!

If you’re looking for someone to help you with your vacation home search, contact us today so that we can help!

Best Local Festivals and Events in the Leech Lake Area

Are you looking for something fun to do near Leech Lake and the surrounding areas in northern Minnesota? Check out a few of these fun festivals and events coming up this next month!

Walker Farmers Market – every Thursday through September 16, 2021 

Take a break and spend some time browsing the Walker Farmers Market! With a wide selection of produce, food, crafts, jewelry, and more, you will not walk away empty-handed. Plus, there is live music to enjoy! 

Ethnic Fest – September 11, 2021

Watch Walker, Minnesota come to life during this celebration of cultures from around the world! From food and drinks to music and dancing, Ethnic Fest is a day to enjoy the arts and cuisine from different countries and learn something new.

Harvest Moon – September 18, 2021

Enjoy beer and wine-tasting along with live entertainment at Moondance in Walker! This is the 8th annual Harvest Moon event and is perfect for an evening out or a weekend getaway of kicking off the autumn season.


Head up north for your next vacation, and find a place that you can return to year-after-year! Contact us today to get started on your search for the perfect home away from home!

5 Best Tips for Financing Your Cabin

If you’ve recently decided that you’re going to finance your cabin, there are several things to keep in mind. Here are 5 tips that will hopefully help you out in the long run no matter how you’re going about financing your cabin.

1. Check your credit score early on. Your credit score will determine how high of an interest rate you may get charged from a mortgage lender, so check this early on to get an idea of how much you can expect to pay.

2. Do your research on loans. There are many options available. It may take a bit of time and research to find what will work best for you. Don’t be afraid to go slow and ask questions!

3. Don’t put too little money down. Do a little math and figure out how much money you can realistically put down up front. While you may feel a little hesitant to put too large of a chunk down, keep in mind that it will end up saving you money in the long run. 

4. Consider renting out your cabin. This can be a great way to earn a bit of extra cash which can help you out with your financing. 

5. Keep insurance in mind. You don’t want to be caught off guard by any expenses, especially insurance. This is another thing you’ll want to research as you’re going through the financing process.


Are you ready to find your Northern Minnesota getaway? Contact us today and let us help you out with your search!

6 Top Priorities for Remodeling Your Cabin

Are you thinking about remodeling your cabin? If this is something you’ve put thought into but are stuck on where to start, consider making some of these your top priorities as you begin your project.

1. Assess your current conditions.
Start by taking a critical look around your cabin and figure out which space is in most need of a little extra care and tackle that first.

2. Get specific.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew! Once you figure out which space in your cabin needs an update, start to narrow down exactly what needs to be fixed, upgraded, and what you want to change.

3. Find some inspiration.
Maybe you know you want to change something, but you’re unsure what you want the end result to be. Browse online and see how other people have remodeled their cabins to get some ideas.

4. Make a list of what you need.
Once you know what exactly needs to be fixed and remodeled, start making a list of the specific tools and items that you’ll be needing.

5. Settle on a budget.
This is an important one! Having a budget put in place before you start a project is important so that you know what you’re getting yourself into.

6. Find some help.
Don’t try to do this all by yourself! Whether you’re hiring professionals or having friends or family members help, it’s a good idea to work together with someone rather than do it alone. This will save you a lot of time and trouble.


Are you looking for a vacation property in beautiful northern Minnesota? View our latest listings here!

4 Local Minnesota Lakes with the Best Fishing

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

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!

Enjoy Loon Watching – A Favorite Up North Minnesota Pastime

June is a great time to watch for baby loons on the lake, and it’s a real treat to see a chick riding on a parent’s back! Loon chicks spend the first several days under the wing or on a parent’s back to retain body heat. After that, the chicks are totally dependent on their parents for food initially but start diving for longer and longer periods as they grow and provide about half of their own food by five weeks. They can’t fly, though, until about nine weeks.

Did you know that when the young loons fly south in October or November, they won’t be back up this way again for probably three years! While they’re gone, they usually stay on the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic until they once again return to Minnesota. 

What’s really cool is that when they return to Minnesota, they will supposedly return to the SAME LAKE that they were born on. If you’d like to learn more about loons, check out the National Loon Center website. Enjoy loon watching this summer!


Bill Hansen Realty is the Northern Minnesota lakeshore real estate leader. Click here to find your Up North property today!

Your Memorial Day Barbecue Must-Haves

It’s almost Memorial Day weekend, the official start of summer in Minnesota! We’ve got you covered with all the last-minute must-haves for your BBQs at the cabin this weekend.

Check out this list:

Grilling Tool Set

Over 2,200 people give this Cuisinart set a 5-star rating.

Patriotic Banners

Red and blue patriotic banners that you can re-use for the 4th of July as well.

Star-topped Straws

Sip in style with the festive straws that add a bit of fun to your drinks.

Inflatable Projector Screen

Enjoy your favorite films on the big screen anytime with your family and friends while grilling out. If you hurry, you grab this one for only around $118 while it’s on sale!

48 FT Outdoor String Lights 

Commercial Grade and weatherproof string lights to light up your BBQ into the wee hours of the night.

FREEZE™ Cooling Cups by HOST®

Choose from wine, beer, tumblers, or many other styles of glasses that keep your drinks cooler, longer.


Need some grilling ideas? Check out this list

Have a great, safe Memorial Day weekend from all of us at Bill Hansen Realty! Click here to see our latest listings.

Spring Fishing Up North in Minnesota

Minnesota is one of America’s premier walleye fishing destinations! It also happens to be our state fish. They’re as fun to fish for as they are good fighters. They taste excellent and are common throughout most of Minnesota.

Here are three handy tips for fishing for walleye this spring:

Think Shallow

Fish will be shallow in the spring; think no more than 12-13 feet deep

Switch Up Your Bait

Try jigs and minnows in the morning and slip bobber and a minnow in the evening. 

Slow is Key

Remember it’s spring and the water is still cold. Fish have just finished spawning and aren’t moving very fast yet, so neither should your bait.


Check out the Minnesota DNR website for more walleye fishing tips.

Have fun and I hope you have a great fishing season!