
Living in Minnesota offers access to tens of thousands of lakes that are perfect for fishing. If you think your angling ends in the autumn, think again! There are hundreds of opportunities for winter fishing around the state, especially on Lake Minnetonka. Located just a few miles west-southwest of Minneapolis, Lake Minnetonka is a gem of the Excelsior area and a perfect place to go ice fishing this winter.
If you've never been ice fishing before, there are a few things you should know before you go. First of all, Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources wants to remind fishers and spectators alike that no patch of ice is 100 percent safe. They do not measure the thickness of ice on any of the lakes in the state, so judging whether or not a lake is safe to fish in is the angler's responsibility. New ice is always stronger than old ice. Use this relative thickness guide for reference:

There's definitely a lot to do when you're looking to move into Excelsior homes for sale. Moving day is filled with details and you undoubtedly can't wait to start your new life in your new home. With so much to take care of, prioritizing is a must. So when you move into your new home you'll want to get these five tasks accomplished right away.

There's a lot to do when you decide to start looking at Excelsior homes for sale. And many of those things involve money—saving for the down payment, investigating your credit situation, and establishing a budget. Sometimes people are so focused on what they have to do to get into a home, they forget to plan adequately for the maintenance costs. Even if you're buying a newly built home, there will still be maintenance costs, so being prepared is essential.
It can be hard for first-time buyers to know what home maintenance really costs. You've likely lived in an apartment or rental home where you can call the building supervisor or landlord and get something fixed. And apartments are notorious for applying "quick fixes" so the same problem in your own home may require more work than you might think. Here are a few examples of things that can catch first-time homebuyers by surprise.

Finding the perfect home is about more than just the house itself. The community and nearby amenities will have a major impact on whether you'll truly enjoy living there. Easy access to great shopping and dining options ranks among one of the most important priorities for potential home buyers.
Luckily, those exploring Excelsior homes for sale have plenty of excellent choices. Here are a few of our favorites.
Martin's Boutique – 212 Water St.
Family-owned Martin's Boutique has been pleasing locals and visitors since 1972. They carry classic, trendy styles for women of all ages. Each piece is only sold in limited qualities, so anything you buy here will be unique and special. There are always new treasures popping up, so you'll want to stop by often.

If you've been exploring the area in search of your dream house, you've probably noticed some of the gorgeous Excelsior homes for sale on the Lake Minnetonka waterfront. This is one of our most popular residential areas, and as soon as the weather starts to warm up, you can expect to see an influx of people enjoying waterfront dining, shopping, and outdoor activities.
One of our most popular summertime events, the 39th annual Art on the Lake is always a big hit among both local residents and visitors. It draws in art enthusiasts from across the entire Minneapolis/St. Paul area and features unique art, food, and musical entertainment. Sound like something you might enjoy? Here are all the details!