When is the Spring Waterfront Market?

Throughout the years I have noticed a fairly steady pattern of activity in different parts of the state as we get closer to spring. It doesn't seem to have a whole lot to do with temperatures or snow cover...although it is definitely easier to see closed up cabins and lots once some melting begins to take place. Instead, I think it has more to do with the beginning of a new year, and the fact that once the holidays are over it's time for a new outlook on life for many people. And as we get a little more daylight each day, it makes it somewhat easier to view a property or two after work instead of tying up valuable weekends.

We always notice our web traffic increasing right after Christmas, so we know that we are starting to attract a new crop of potential buyers to the site. Many years ago (like maybe ten), we would judge that new activity based on the amount of calls we would get off an ad, but the Internet makes it much easier for buyers to shop in secret.

Generally, around the beginning of February, we start to get a lot more emails and calls coming in from those people who have just been looking online, so we can tell they are beginning to get excited about the prospect of owning a lake place. However, actual showings tend to pick up much more quickly closer to the Twin Cities since that is where most of the buyers are coming from. As you move out into the two hour radius from Minneapolis - in areas like Alexandria, Brainerd, or Siren - it may take another month or so to get a large increase in showings...and Grand Rapids, Bemidji or International Falls can be a little later yet.

The one thing I hear over and over from sellers is that they want to wait until their yard is cleaned up and the flowers are blooming to put their place on the market. Cleaning up the beach and having the dock in can make an attractive setting, but there is often a major flaw in this thinking. Sellers don't realize that many buyers want that beautiful setting for themselves when the ice goes off the lake, so they are looking for the right waterfront property long before that. And, those are generally the most motivated buyers!

So, when you think about the best time to get your property listed for the spring market, remember that spring starts early in the mind of a lakeshore buyer, and that Minnesota and Wisconsin have short selling seasons. If you wait until it feels like spring, you might be too late!