About Ham Lake's Columbus

Home sales are up in Columbus, Minnesota which is well known for its acreage properties but like most neighboring communities, prices are not. In this Anoka County community, just west of Forest Lake, home sales rose over 37% from 2008 to 2009. The average price of a home dropped nearly 11% and fewer homes were listed on the market. Decreased inventory helped sellers to keep more dollars in their pockets during negotiations than in some neighboring communities although the ratio of percentage of list to sale price did go down. With average days on the market also down considerably for the first time in two years, it appears that buyers are making decisions quickly on acreage homes in Columbus, Minnesota.

Monday was a beautiful, almost spring weather day. Strong winds were blowing the cold air out and there was a promise of spring weather around the corner for later in the week. Those of use who live in Anoka County near wetlands and prairies realize the windy spring weather has some drawbacks. The winter has left grass dry and dormant. One lit cigarette or untended bonfire can spark a huge wildfire. The Minnesota DNR always has spring fire restrictions and we are always aware of them until that first spring rain. DNR Spring Fire Restrictions.

In the morning we were concerned to hear that a few fires had broken out along Lexington Avenue from Blaine to Ham Lake. Usually along the road the fires are started by carelessly tossed cigarettes but several within an hour along the same stretch of road was suspicious. The fires were contained but when they mention Carlos Avery and fire, I am concerned. We live near the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Center. The preserve is a huge wetland and wildlife refuge that stretches from Lino Lakes to Wyoming.  As a REALTOR and resident of Anoka County, I know of several homes that abut the preserve and so fires in the area are very scary....Especially on a windy day.

As I headed down my road a few miles away late Monday afternoon, imagine my concern as I saw smoke across the sod field in the Carlos Avery area. My commute takes me on Broadway Avenue, a main thoroughfare that bisects the wildlife preserve in Columbus. As I travelled east, I knew the danger had not past. The south side was ablaze.

It was frightening. I snapped a few pictures as I approached but figured the Anoka County deputy directing traffic would frown upon my distracted driving so didn't take any as I was directed by the area where the fire was so close I could feel it heat up the inside of my car. I also resisted the impulse to pull over for additional pictures as so many others had.

Wildfires are dangerous and unpredictable; winds change.
It was a scary afternoon. We were diverted on our way home about 10 miles south to Lino Lakes on our return trip. The fire spread. 1500 total acres burned. Friends we know were being evacuated. The smoke filled the air. Fortunately the wildfire was contained without losses of homes or lives. But the scars will remain.

As I commuted down Broadway Tuesday morning, the scorched land was still smoldering. A Forest Lake firefighter had already been arrested in connection with starting the blaze in the early afternoon on Monday. A witness saw a person shoot fireworks from the car window into the roadside ditch along Broadway. The dry grass immediately burst into flames. The witness had noted the license plate and called in the fire immediately. But the high winds and dry grass were a vicious combination and the fire quickly went wild. The story becomes even stranger when it is revealed that the owner of the vehicle spotted was a former business owner, award winning volunteer fire fighter and coach. It makes no sense that someone would put so many others at risk. Full story of arrest here.

Spring fire restrictions in place for a reason. Heed the warnings.

Fire Facts

• 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.

If you are buying 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.

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

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

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Okay the wolves never were in Hollywood as the television show was filmed on location in Minnesota but on a frigidly cold Saturday afternoon, a week or so before Christmas, my family and I took an opportunity and dropped by the Wildlife Science Center(WSC) to meet Truck and Growly Pants, stars of the Animal Planet special. We are fortunate to live quite close to this animal sanctuary and drive past its entrance just east of Lexington on Broadway daily. We made the stop after hearing that the center was struggling to make ends meet in the poor economy. They were having an open house to educate the public on their work as well as their plight.

According to the center's website, they currently have quite menagerie of animals that call the Wildlife Science Center home. These Minnesota Wild animals include:

• 43 gray wolves
  
  
• 10 red wolves
  
  
• 5 hybrids
  
  
• 2 Lynx
  
  
• 1 red fox
  
  
• 1 skunk
  
  
• 1 porcupine
  
  
• 7 birds of prey
  
  
• 3 bears
  
  
• 2 gray fox
  
  
• 3 raccoons
  
  
• 2 New Guinea Highland Dogs

On our visit we were told that the dogs had the job of running around the yard in an effort to provide exercise for the wolves.

We took bit of a self guided tour but also stopped and talked for awhile to one of the volunteers. She pointed out to us the wolves, Truck and Growly Pants, that were the stars of the Animal Planet special, "Growing Up Wolf". Another notorious wolf resident was relocated from up north to the WSC after attacking Minnesota Explorer, Will Steger's dogs. If not for the sanctuary, the wolf would have been most likely put down. We asked about the dogs and were told that they were resident to keep run around the outsides of the cages and exercise the wolves as they would chase them.

As we continued to walk around the center, we marveled at the differences in the wolf packs. Suddenly, we don't know what started it but all heck broke loose and all of the wolves started racing around their enclosures and howling. It went on for several minutes and was hilarious! I have heard this sound many times before in my front yard about 3-4 miles away but never was at the center of it all.

Every weekend there is an opportunity to stop by and tour the Wildlife Science Center and see the animals. About once a month there is a special event with fun names like the Canine Carnival and Howl-O-Ween. From school field trips to the summer Wolf Camp, the center serves as a wonderful scientific resource within our community. If you would like to learn more about the WSC and how you can help the wolves, visit the WSC website and donation wish list.

CLICK HERE to read an update on Truck and Growly Pants

If you are buying 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.

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

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

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LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email

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

******************************************************************************************************

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email