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30
Brave the Ice: Winter Fishing Around Lake Minnetonka
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.
Lake Minnetonka Ice Fishing Destinations
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:
- 4" or Thinner: Dangerous to stand on.
- 4": Suitable for the weight of people on foot.
- 5"-7": Strong enough for ATVs or snowmobiles.
- 8"-12": Strong enough for a car or small pickup truck.
- 12"-15": Strong enough for a medium-sized truck.
2
Buyers: Put a New Home on Your Holiday Wish List
The holidays are a busy time of year, with many people spending time attending parties, buying gifts, and decorating. Not as many are thinking about looking at Excelsior homes for sale this time of year, but it's actually an excellent time to buy a home. This is especially true if you live in a colder climate like Minnesota.
The following are some reasons why it's a great time to put a new home on your holiday wish list:
- Motivated sellers
Since there are fewer potential buyers looking for homes over the holidays, sellers are often more motivated. They know that it's not necessarily the best season for selling their home, so it may have been on the market for a while. The seller may also be motivated by a job change or another time-sensitive event. This means they may be willing to lower the purchase price or make other concessions like paying for a home warranty.
25
Should You Throw Your Hat into the Airbnb Ring?
Creating an Airbnb rental can be a fabulous income-generating opportunity, but it's not a fit for everyone. Airbnb rentals can vary greatly in your return on investment. Here's what you need to know when considering creating a nightly or weekly rental in and around Excelsior, MN.
Location, Location, Location
What kind of draw does your property have? Are you near any tourist hotspots in the area, such as a cabin near the waters of Lake Minnetonka? How close is your location to local public transport and can guests get a Lyft or Uber easily? Consider if you have parking or whether you're close to local grocery stores and restaurants. The location of your rental matters, as it can greatly affect both demands for lodging and the price that you can ask. Additionally, consider the privacy of the listing, whether it's a room in your existing home or a separate dwelling.
The best cities for Airbnbs typically have a cost of around $100 per night and are occupied over 50% of the time.
11
Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt: Family Event of the Season
Whether you're already a resident or you're exploring the area's Excelsior homes for sale in anticipation of a move, the Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt is a great way to shop, have fun, and get to know and celebrate the community. You'll find everything from unique gifts to beer and brats to live reindeer you can pet.
In Excelsior, the Christkindlsmarkt is traditionally held in the three days following Thanksgiving and features activities for the entire family.
Here's what you need to know about this fun family event of the season (besides dressing warmly!):
History of the Christkindlsmarkt
The Christkindlsmarkt Festival has a long tradition, having started over 700 years ago in Dresden, Germany to celebrate the coming of the Christ child. It spread throughout Germany and moved to Austria and Switzerland before coming to the U.S. in Chicago. The Chicago festival is still celebrated today, and it also takes place in towns such as Excelsior. It's inspired by the traditional open-air events and celebrates German tradition in a fun, local event. Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt is the perfect chance to shop for the holidays, spend time with your family, and patronize local merchants.
28
New Homeowners: Before You're Finished Unpacking, Do These 5 Things
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.
- Change the locks. You don't want to leave your home without locking up, so this one is a high priority. There's just no way of knowing how many people previous owners may have given keys to and whether or not they still have them. A neighbor, the dog walker, an ex-spouse, kids, the list could potentially go on and on. It just makes sense from a safety standpoint to take care of this one immediately.