This is Why You Buy a Log Cabin

An hour north of Duluth, twelve to fifteen minutes from the coast of Lake Superior in the heart of the Sawtooth Mountains, lies a parcel of land practically untouched by human hands.  It is utterly peaceful and serene, the kind of place one visits to clear their head, commune with nature, cocoon with family, or actively engage in year-round sporting activities.  It is utterly remote, yet within an hour's drive of a good restaurant or a brew-pub.  It is drop-dead gorgeous in the winter-the kind of place a kid dreams about; the kind of place adult memories are made of; the kind of place you will want to keep in your family for generations. 

This particular parcel of land is for sale for the first time in decades.  This is perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own 160-contiguous acres of pristine Minnesota Northwoods property at its most beautiful. 

The property is almost exactly square, bordered by Finland State Forest on three sides, 10 miles from Lake Superior.  A 4100 sq ft Swedish-scribed custom-built log home is situated at the southwest corner of the property, secluded at the end of a private road, on a ridge between two streams.   This is an impressive home built out of 16- to 26-inch diameter logs, full-length covered porches front and back, with elegant custom-built Douglas fir trusses spanning a lofted interior.

The land is spectacular: rolling hills, timbered with a maturing mix of coniferous and deciduous trees:  black and white spruce, cedar, white pine, aspen, balsam, birch and red maple.  At least a half-mile of prime trout stream meanders through the southern half of the property, while a state snowmobile/ATV trail skirts its northern boundary.  There is an interesting mix of wildlife, including moose, deer, wolf, bear, and many types of birds. This part of Northern Minnesota has been called by Field and Stream one of the top 12 places in the country to hunt true trophy whitetails.

The home is two-thirds complete.  The hard work is done.  Electrical service has been trenched to the site.  Septic has been installed and inspected.  A high-strength concrete foundation was poured and insulated. Drain tile were installed on both sides of oversized reinforced footings. 

Basement height was set at 8'-4".  A silent I-joist floor system is supported by heavy steel I-beams and square steel posts.  Huge red pine logs were hand-scribed and fitted in place.  Insulated roof panels give an R-40 rating.  Tongue & groove knotty pine was attached to the underside of the roof to finish the interior.

This is a truly uncommon and unique property, worthy of keeping in the family and passing down from generation to generation.  It is the kind of place that will evoke years of heartfelt memories.  It is truly serene, tranquil and private here.  The heavy snow of December and January seemingly purifies the land as it blankets trees and covers homes, while the calming sounds of the running Crown Creek soothe the soul through the spring, summer, and fall. 

This is a kid's fantasy playground and an active sportman's paradise-true wilderness hunting, fishing, snowshoeing, and dogsledding; boating from the Silver Bay marina only 12 miles away or canoeing the nearby Boundary Waters; skiing or mountain biking at Lutsen; and easy day-trips into Ely or Duluth.  Eight hours from downtown Chicago by car, the property is also accessible in approximately 90 minutes via private plane landing in Silver Bay.

Listed at $1.26 million, this property is offered at a price educated buyers will recognize as an outstanding value.  Lower interest rates, a maturing baby boomer market, tax law changes that make owning a second home easier, and the increasing desire just to "get away from it all" has fueled the vacation home market.  Combined with the fact that inventory is tight since only ten percent of the land in this part of Minnesota is privately owned, prices are going higher as demand outstrips supply.

For a builder or a group of buyers, the land is easily subdivided in to smaller parcels-each sharing river frontage and driveway access-but it would be a shame to subdivide such a unique and coherent piece of wilderness property.  Please call for more information about the property, about the surroundings, for more photos, or your own private showing. 

Contact Mark Ahlheim, Prudential Preferred Properties, 773-665-2027, or Tim Melby, Lake Superior Realty, 218-353-7623.

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While I do occasionally list an uncommon property, my business is almost solely focused on helping my clients search for their perfect home.  Often those homes are listed by my colleagues at Prudential. 

Please visit http://www.prupref.com to check more current inventory.