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 b... 02/24/2009

Ham Lake, Anoka County, MN 2008 2007 Δ Change # Homes Sold 119 116 +2.52% Average Price $288,795 $335,119 -16.04% Median Price $275,000 $315,000 -14.55% Total Volume $34,366,630 $38,873,873 -13.12%  Based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OF MINNESOTA, INC.  For the period of January 1, 2007 thru December 31, 2008   Buyers: Receive a CASH BONUS of 2% of the sale price up to a maximum of $10,000.00 after closing when you purchase a home through me.To find out more, call Patti Ann Kasper  at 763-548-1418 today!Sellers: Your home SOLD in 39 days or less GUARANTEED, or I'll pay you up to $10,000 after closing!*National Real Estate Stimulus Program* ParticipantTo view my interactive on-line real estate magazine with listings, select the banner below:Touch the banner ... 01/19/2009

Home sales did not fluctuate significantly in Ham Lake, Minnesota a community synonymous with acreage properties. In this eastern Anoka County city home sales were flat with only two additional homes sold this year than in 2007. There were only a handful more homes listed too and the average days on the market rose only by six days from 178 to 184, not significant. The average price of a home sold did drop quite a bit however. It is 11.7% lower than in 2007 as it fell to under $300,000. All in all, the home sales market in Ham Lake, Minnesota appears somewhat stable. 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 la... 01/18/2009

Home sales did not fluctuate significantly in Columbus, Minnesota which is well known for its acreage properties. In this Anoka County community, just west of Forest Lake, home sales were flat with only one additional home sold in 2008 over last year. There were only a few less homes listed so too and the average price of a home sold held relatively steady as well. Not all statistics were rosy for Columbus as it was taking significantly longer to sell a home in this community as compared to last year...over two months longer. All in all, the home sales market in Columbus, Minnesota appears relatively stable. 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 Succ... 01/18/2009

The City of Ham Lake has a rich history. Incorporated in 1974, Ham Lake became a city after over a hundred years of humble but steady growth. The area was first settled in 1855 by a group of Scottish men on the southwest side of Ham Lake. Though, I can only assume that the lake itself got its name due to its unusual "ham hock" shape, the community started out with a different name. The original name of the community was Glen Carey, which is the Scottish translation of "beautiful valley". Following a prairie fire in 1857, the first settlers moved but the community was resettled again. The new Scandinavian settlers had a hard time with the pronunciation of Glen Carey and soon the fledging community was known as Ham Lake. Anoka County officially was recognized it as a township in 1871. In ... 01/10/2009

It was the coldest night yet this season but that didn't keep Santa from making his holiday rounds in the firetruck throught the northern tier of Ham Lake last Saturday evening. Riding in the basket of the extention truck, Santa cheerfully greeted residents as he collected canned goods and donations for the local food shelf. A windchill of a few degrees below zero couldn't keep the jolly old elf and his Ham Lake helpers from their appointed rounds. Hopefully they collected a ton of food for their efforts. I know they brought more than a few smiles to faces...though they may have stayed frozen on for awhile. Happy Holidays! 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. ... 12/11/2008

You'd better watch out and better not cry-Santa Claus is coming to OUR Town! The big guy himself will be coming through a Ham Lake neighborhood on his annual firetruck/food drive. One of the most fun and unique experiences that our family looks forward to every December is when Santa rides through the city on a fire truck, passing out candy canes to the good little (and big) residents of Ham Lake. Santa's fireman helpers use this opportunity to collect non- perishable food items to stock the Ham Lake food shelf for the holidays. This trip to the end of the driveway or road is not just for the kiddies; Santa passes candy canes, donated by the Ham Lake Chamber of Commerce, out to the young and young at heart. As Ham Lake is a rather large area geographically and the fire truck is not as s... 12/03/2008

Four options on the ticket, two seats up for grabs, do you know enough about the candidates to make an educated decision on whom to vote for next Tuesday? To be honest with you, I did not until this past Saturday. A copy of Lakes and Loons arrived in our mailbox this week with information regarding our four choices. I know quite a bit about the incumbent, council member, Gary Kirkeide. He has never waivered in his dedication to maintaining the rural character in Ham Lake and keeping our taxes low while continuing to provide excellent services. It was a pleasure to have information on Tom Johnson published so that I knew more about him than previously. He outlined many of his policies in the paper. I personally like that he also wants to preserve our rural character.I found out less abou... 10/27/2008

Sunday was a perfect day for an autumn walk down our Ham Lake road. We are blessed to live on a quiet road with nature all around us. It is amazing that just a few minutes north of the bustle of city life in the communities of Blaine and Shoreview there is an Anoka County community with acreage lots that allow residents to escape every evening to a natural paradise. Ham Lake still has a farm or two. Horses are allowed and many families have riding rings in their yards. Another common sight are the huge fields of Kentucky Blue Grass that stretch across many acres throughout the area as Ham Lake is known for its lush green sod farms.We are fortunate to live in an area where it is common to see raccoons and fox; a family of deer romping through the yard is a daily sight! We can look out ou... 10/15/2008

As Ham Lake, Minnesota is a community without a hometown water tower, it could be easily overlooked by some traveling through Anoka County along Hwy 65. The approximately 13,000 residents of Ham Lake have always relied on private wells and septic systems, rather than city utilities. This is a plus to Ham Lakers as it helps to keep property taxes in check. Ham Lake is served by four school districts (Anoka Hennepin Dist 11, Forest Lake Dist 831, Centennial Dist 12 and St. Francis Dist 15). The suburb is a quick commute to either downtown via Lexington Avenue or Hwy 65 to 35W. Shopping is minutes away whether you head south to Blaine, East to Forest Lake and Lino Lakes, West to Andover or stay in town to shop at Soderquist's. Ham Lake residents enjoy Minnesota's many natural amenities wit... 10/03/2008

   Based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OF MINNESOTA, INCfor the period of July 1, 1007 through July 31, 2008. Participant in the *National Real Estate Stimulus Program* Buyers: Receive a CASH BONUS of 2% of the sale price up to a maximum of $10,000.00 after closing when you purchase a home with Patti Ann Kasper. Sellers: Your home SOLD in 39 days or less GUARANTEED, or I'll pay you up to $10,000 after closing!  That's right, a tax free cashiers check is mailed after closing, upon receipt of proof of purchase, and verification of identity.  Could you or someone you know do something with that? If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, call Patti Ann Kasper to find out howyou can receive your own National Real Estate Stimulus Program CASH BONUS!   For mo... 08/27/2008

Even though existing single family home sales in Ham Lake, Minnesota remained sluggish during the first half of 2008 the numbers show that homes are still selling. The Days on Market (DOM) statistic has stayed pretty consistent with 217 days as compared to 214 in the first quarter and 220 in the fourth quarter of 2007. However, homes in the higher price categories remain stalled.For the first six months of 2008, only one home is in pending and one sold in the over $500,000 price category. While that three days on the market for the high price point looks like a bright beacon, it is not reflective of the actual market. Since DOM is based on sold properties and only one property sold, the number is an anomaly. The very low DOM for this price point can be attributed to one very unique home... 07/02/2008

Fireworks are not limited to celebrations in July. The City of Ham Lake's Mayor was at the center of a hullabaloo due to a misused metaphor that was construed as bigoted. The spark of controversy was amplified by local media last week when Mayor, Paul Meuiner as voiced his frustration as the only one on the bandwagon for development proposal including a town center and city water and sewer. Read the full story of Mayor Meunier's controversial racial comment HERE.That situation aside, the real news is that city water and sewer and the town center appears to be off the table in Ham Lake's comprehensive plan that will be presented to the Met Council later this year. The Ham Lake Planning Task Force has completed its mission and the proposed comprehensive plan will be available for communit... 05/01/2008

Even though existing single family home sales in Ham Lake, Minnesota remained sluggish during the first quarter of 2008, there were some indications of better days ahead. The Days on Market (DOM) statistic was reduced slightly from 220 to 214. Conversely, homes in the higher price categories have been worse than stagnant. There is a complete lack of any sales at all! Only 2 in pending and one sold in the over $400,000 price category all quarter. With over 60 listings currently on the market, Ham Lake is over saturated with high end homes.Under $400,000 there is some good activity. Currently there is about 10 months of inventory in this price category which is similar to other communities in the north and east suburbs of the Twin Cities. And if you look just at the homes under $300,000 t... 04/12/2008

Last Monday, the Ham Lake Chamber of Commerce hosted a discussion on the proposed Ham Lake development. The discussion was lead by Ham Lake's Mayor Paul Meunier along with East Bethel's Mayor, Greg Hunter. Several commercial Realtors and developers were invited and on hand for the discussion. Though not widely publicized, several dozen members of the public were in attendance at the informal discussion as well.The two hour Q&A event on February 25 was held in the Ham Lake Senior Center just downstairs from City Hall. Mayor Meunier gave a brief introduction to East Bethel's Mayor Hunter and then proceeded with an overview of the five proposed plans from the task force. View the Five Visions of Ham Lake Development HERE.During the overview, Mayor Hunter did interrupt the discussion to cla... 03/02/2008

It was a full house at Ham Lake City Hall this past Tuesday night. People from all over the city came to view the five options for growth being considered by the Task Force. Most of the standing room only audience was there to hear about the potential for city water and sewer as Ham Lake is currently a community with 100% individual septic systems and wells. The cost estimates for assessments running into the tens of thousands, brought out many concerned residents.The Town Hall meeting regarding possible changes to the City of Ham Lake was brief but thorough. It was given by the two consultants with Bolton & Menk that were hired to set up and run the community development task force. Neither the Mayor nor any city officials, though present, addressed the public during the hour plus even... 02/15/2008

In a somewhat biased Lakes and Loons survey, Ham Lake residents were allowed the opportunity to log on and give their opinion on the proposed ideas for city water and sewer in Ham Lake, MN. What was their opinion? In a word, NO! The Lakes and Loons staff did what they could to verify one vote per resident so there is some legitimacy to the polling process. At this first chance for Ham Lake residents to voice their opinion on the subject, the response was overwhelmingly in favor of leaving things as they are. With 186 respondents, a whopping 183 said no to city water and sewer for the City of Ham Lake. I don't know what kind of margin for error would be considered in this survey but whatever it is; this survey needs to be seriously considered by the Task Force and Ham Lake City Council. ... 02/11/2008

Do you have an opinion on the vision for Ham Lake's future? Take time and attend the town hall meeting to see the five proposed plans that the task force has outlined. On Tuesday February 12 starting at 7:00PM, there will be an opportunity for all of Ham Lake's residents to see the five comprehensive plan proposals that are currently being considered by the task force appointed by the city council.According to the February 2008 issue of the Ham Laker newsletter, there will be a short presentation describing each of the five alternative visions for Ham Lake.Mixed-Use Village Center Develop 115 acres around the Crosstown/Hwy 65 intersection with industrial, commercial, park and residential with varying densities. Densities meaning single family or multi family (apartment and townhome) dev... 01/30/2008

City of Ham Lake - Anoka County - MN20072006Δ Change# Homes Sold116 147 -21.09%Average Price$335,119.00 $356,808.00 -6.08%Median Price$315,000.00 $345,000.00 -8.70%Total Volume$38,873,873.00 $52,450,893.00 -25.89%Based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OF MINNESOTA, INC.For the period of January 1, 2006 thru December 31, 2007 It is a great time to buy a home and there are great deals in all price ranges available.For more information about my services, guarantees or how I can help you find your next home,sell your home, buy a business or investment property - Just call me today at 763-548-1418!To view my interactive on-line real estate magazine with listings, click the button below:   Click the button below to send this information to your friends or family!Assoc... 01/18/2008

A day or two before Christmas, our copy of the January 2008 Ham Laker Newsletter arrived from the City of Ham Lake. I noticed it nestled between the holiday cards and did a quick glance over the headline, "Please Answer our Community Survey", before tearing into the envelopes that held the photos, wishes and good tidings from our family and friends. It wasn't until the Christmas gift wrap had been cleared that I had a chance to sit down and actually read it. Being a Realtor who likes to blog to keep residents informed on Ham Lake and Anoka County, I read every issue of The Ham Laker cover to cover to get the news from the city council meetings and community. Luckily even though the January issue was poorly timed, I did not make an exception.On closer examination of the story on the comm... 01/10/2008