Land ho!

After more than a year of visiting potential lots, none of which quite fit the bill or were within our budget, our Realtor was showing us a lot which had just come on the market.

The property was not far off the county highway, so it was very accessible in the winter time and so more practical to our ideal of aging in place. It was large, mostly flat and buildable, with no steep driveways or obstacles. The flat ridge gently dropped away down to the lake, so no need for building large flights of stairs. While not one of the highly desirable sandy-bottom type lakes, this property was also priced lower than if it had been on one of those lakes. Consequently, this lake was less densely populated and the lots were generally larger with more frontage. This lake was really two lakes in one: a pristine river flowage-type lake with lots of wildlife, islands, and floating tamarack bogs and a deeper, open lake in front of the property. We had looked at several lots on that part before. But those lots had been more weedy, marshy or boggy—less attractive for swimming. But this lot was on the lower part of the lake, which is a good lake for kayaking with lots of channels and a few islands to explore, but also great for other boating activities and swimming.

The lot was larger than most that we had seen at just over two acres, and had 200+ feet of frontage and an unconventional polygon shape. There were some larger red pines, a few oaks and maples, and a bunch of poplars (or “topplers” as the Realtor called them). If you were to picture the two lakes as the two legs of an “L”, we were perfectly position where they meet, with gorgeous, expansive views up the long part of the both parts of the lake.

We made an offer that was quickly accepted. The soil passed the perk tests, etc., and we had our land!