Welcome to the sunny shores of Lower Eau Claire Lake. Beautiful, fully remodeled 2 bedroom lake home in a private 3+ acre wooded and landscaped setting with 175′ of lake frontage on this crystal clear lake. Includes restored mid-century guest cabin, boat house, 2-car garage with workshop. Sold. Full property details: 14088 E Sunny Shores, Drive, Gordon, WI
Curious about this NW Wisconsin lake home or other Gordon WI real estate? Call Jean Hedren, Edina Realty. 218-590-6634. Or, email: jeanhedren@edinarealty.com.
If you’re shopping for waterfront property, you should know about shoreland zoning and the rules that go with it. No one likes rules. But the first thing you should know is that these rules don’t just benefit fish, birds, and wildlife, they benefit you.
By preserving the up north qualities of our lakes and streams, these rules also preserve your property values. Even up here in NW Wisconsin, some lakes have a more urban feel. Other lakes, however, still have a relatively undeveloped feel – even though most of their shoreline is developed. Views are preserved, privacy is preserved, and so are property values.
Second, it’s important to know that certain minimum standards are in place in Wisconsin. In some counties, and even on certain lakes and streams, the rules are more strict. Existing homes, of course, are grandfathered in. But if you’re building on shoreland anywhere in Wisconsin, you’ll need to meet these minimum standards:
Lot size. Lots served by a public sanitary sewer must have a minimum average width of 65 feet and a minimum area of 10,000 square feet. “Unsewered” lots must have a minimum average width of 100 feet and minimum area of 20,000 square feet.
Buffer strip. Clear-cutting of trees and shrubs isn’t allowed in the strip of land from the ordinary high-water mark to 35′ inland. One exception is for a 30′ wide path, for every 100′ of shoreline, down to the water. That allows you to reach the water, have a great view from your living room, and still protect your privacy. (And also, by the way, preserve the view of whoever lives across the lake.)
Setbacks. All buildings and structures must be set back at least 75′ from the ordinary high-water mark. Exceptions include piers and boat-hoists. And, if an existing pattern of development exists, some counties may have a “setback averaging” system that allow homes to be built closer to the water. On certain bodies of water, though, setbacks are increased to 125′ – or, in rare cases, up to 300′.
This is just an overview; for details on these and other shoreland zoning provisions, contact the DNR or county officials. Keep in mind, too, that existing homes are grandfathered in. When you buy one, you obviously can’t do much to change the lot size or setback. You can, however, take steps to restore the buffer of natural vegetation along your home’s waterfront.
But don’t try shoreline restoration just because it’s good for the environment. Do it if you’d like to increase your privacy, see more birds and wildlife, and catch mroe fish. (And also, by the way, spend less time mowing your lawn.)
Buying or selling in NW Wisconsin? Call Jean Hedren, Edina Realty NW Wisconsin Realtor. 218-590-6634. Or visit www.JeanHedren.com.
This 4 bedroom log home beauty rests on a quiet point with 400′ of sandy lake frontage on the Minong Flowage. Quality built log home with all the charm, coziness, and character you would expect. 16667 S Erlanson Rd, Wascott, WI. $410,000. Closed 9/7/18.
Represented the sellers. Our services included professional real estate and drone photography by Al Cambronne.
Thinking of selling? Call Jean Hedren, Edina Realty NW Wisconsin, 218-590-6634. www.JeanHedren.com
8088 E Matthias Rd, Wascott, WI. Offered at $400,000. This 3 bedroom home boasts the best view of Bond Lake, one of NW Wisconsin’s clearest lakes. 20′ Secchi Disk clarity.
Spacious cedar home with master suite, amazing views from most rooms, sauna, plus bunk room over the garage. Recently the seller painted the deck and stairs to the lake. Yes, there is some elevation here. That’s why the view is so great. The stairs are sturdy and there are a couple of log benches to rest and soak in the view.
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And, if this isn’t enough, there is a navigable channel between Bond and Leader Lake. Although each has its own character, both of these deep, clear lakes are often mentioned together as one hyphenated name. There’s even a Bond Leader Lake Road in the neighborhood.
Leader Lake is a limited-access lake; its only public access is by canoe or kayak from a carry-in landing just off Bass Lake Road. Or, you can launch your boat on Bond Lake and follow the channel that connects the two lakes.
If you’d like to see this home on Bond Lake please don’t hesitate to give me a call. Jean Hedren, Edina Realty NW Wisconsin at 218-590-6634.
Interested in lake homes and cabins available on these lakes? Contact Jean Hedren, Edina Realty NW Wisconsin, 218-590-6634. Check out this Bond Lake home with amazing lake view: 8088 E Matthias Rd, Wascott, WI
My Two Favorite Words in Every Real Estate Property Description
Sittin on the dock of the bay… Which reminds me of my two favorite words in almost every property description from these parts. They’re usually the final two words: “dock included.”
This lake home on the Lower Eau Claire Lake comes with the dock you see here. The rest of the place isn’t bad, either. To learn more, please visit Jean Hedren Edina Realty website.
Here we’ll examine the lake or water type that best suits your lifestyle.
Every buyer approaches the search process differently. I’ve worked with some people, for example, who were very particular about the features they wanted in their new lake home; they were less concerned about where it was located.
I’ve also worked with buyers who prefer to start by choosing a lake—or at least by narrowing down their search to a very short list of lakes. Only then do they begin looking for the place that’s right for them. Choosing the right lake is their #1 priority; for them, this step comes first.
That’s a very good idea; every lake has its own distinct character. Do you want a home on a large recreational lake or a small quiet lake? Would riverfront property work best for you?
Large lakes, often the most desirable because they offer a greater variety of recreational activities, typically have homes and cabins with the highest price tags.
If you are willing to settle for a smaller lake, the same home may come with a smaller price tag. Chances are the lake is going to be quieter. Lakes below a certain size (about 200 acres) just aren’t very interesting for jet skis and water skiers; they tend to see more pontoons, fishing boats, or canoes.
You’ll have fewer neighbors and you’ll probably get to know them better. Depending on the lake, fishing pressure may be lighter.
Would riverfront property work for you? The same cabin or home will sell for less on a river than it would if it were on a lake. People tend to prefer lakes; maybe it’s because you can usually get out and do more on them than you could on a river.
Most rivers, especially smaller ones, just won’t offer the same boating or recreational opportunities as a lake would. In some cases, you may be able to travel upstream or downstream in a boat – or at least in a canoe or kayak. You may even have what’s essentially your own private fishing hole.
With some riverfront properties, the river may be too small or the current too swift. You’ll mainly just be able to sit and enjoy the river view. Still, if your waterfront is a small creek that you can see from your livingroom window, there’s something special about being near the water. It can also attract a lot of wildlife that you’ll be able to watch.
As you are thinking about your ideal lake home or cabin, you’ll want to consider the type of water that works best for your lifesyle and budget. Check out the NW WI Lakes and Rivers tab above to learn more about the area lakes.
Curious to learn more about cabins and lake homes for sale in NW Wisconsin? Give me a call at 218-590-6634. Or, you can email me at jeanhedren@edinarealty.com. Start your NW Wisconsin lake property search at www.JeanHedren.com
This charming northwest Wisconsin lake home is located on a quiet corner of Lower Eau Claire Lake, not far from where the Eau Claire River exits the lake and flows westward to join the Saint Croix River at Gordon. It includes a guest cabin, boathouse, and large detached garage.
To see exactly where 14088 E Sunny Shores Drive is located, and to enjoy brief but spectacular drone footage of the home and its setting on the Eau Claire Chain of Lakes, just click on the video.
For more drone videos, home tours, and video tours of the boating channels between the Eau Claire Lakes, check out my YouTube channel: YourNWWisconsinRealtor.
The Secret Passageway Between Bond Lake and Leader Lake, Wascott, WI
Here’s another in an occasional series of posts answering the question: “Can I really get there from here?”
Here in Northwest Wisconsin, maps often show a connection between two lakes, and fising guidebooks may mention a “navigable channel.” But can you really get there from here? The answer, of course, is “it depends.” First, it depends on the size of your boat. How much water does it draw, how wide is it, and how tall is it? If your boat has an awning or visor, can it be folded down? In some cases, the weather and the time of year can even make a difference. If the water is too low, there won’t be enough to float your boat. Too high, and you may not have quite enough headroom under a bridge. So your mileage, as they say, may vary. Keep your speed down, and proceed with caution.
So… Just how navigable is that channel? Here’s the answer for Bond Lake and Leader Lake, a pair of lakes in southern Douglas County. Although each has its own character, both of these deep, clear lakes are often mentioned together as one hyphenated name. There’s even a Bond Leader Lake Road in the neighborhood.
Leader Lake is a limited-access lake; its only public access is by canoe or kayak from a carry-in landing just off Bass Lake Road. Or, you can launch your boat on Bond Lake and follow the channel that connects the two lakes.
So here it is… The no-longer-secret passageway from Bond Lake to Leader Lake, complete with a few photos showing what you can expect. If you’re starting from Bond Lake, you’ll find the channel at the far northern end of the lake. If you’re starting from Leader Lake, the channel begins at the western basin’s southwestern corner—just south of the canoe landing. At normal water levels it’s navigable by canoe, kayak, fishing boat, and even pontoon. One or two spots are quite shallow, so proceed with caution.
And by the way… If you’d like to see a home on either of these two lakes, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. Jean Hedren, Edina Realty NW Wisconsin at 218-590-6634.
