There is an alterative concept for vacation property ownership in Northern Minnesota.  Common-interest/planned communities are a great way to buy that special “place at the lake.”  You pay only for your own home and building lot, not acreage and shoreline, which would drive ownership costs and taxes sky-high.  You will be a shareholder in the common buildings, grounds and other facilities. 

Common-interest community living is a unique style of home ownership, blending the many benefits of home ownership with the benefits of a planned community. However, with that blending, homeowners face certain restrictions that are not generally applicable in traditional single-family subdivisions. These restrictions were felt necessary to assure the continued attractiveness and uniform appearance of the community.

Development and construction are governed by a set of design standards and land use restrictions known as covenants that provide the community with stability, control and predictability. Your investment is secured by these architectural guidelines and protective covenants.  These covenants will also protect property values for all property owners and will provide for investment potential in the case of increasing property values, especially waterfront properties.  

As a shareholder in all or a portion of the development, you are a mandatory, dues-paying member of the development's homeowners association - the organization responsible for the upkeep and care of buildings and grounds. The decisions about running the development and the budget are based on rules, regulations and other operating guidelines not unlike those used to regulate a business.

BENEFITS OF THE PLANNED/COMMON-INTEREST COMMUNITY

MONEY – pay less, enjoy more!  Since you only own your home and lot and a percentage of the total development, you don’t have a huge investment in the extra acreage or shoreline. 

TAXES are much lower as you only “own” your home and lot but you still have all the perks of having your own lakeshore retreat…solitude, beautiful views, access to hundreds of miles of waterways and year ‘round living to relish all the wonderful northern Minnesota seasons. 

INSURANCE is lower – you only insure YOUR home, lot and personal property.  The association insures all common areas, community buildings and docks.

LOW MAINTENANCE – the association does ALL the maintenance of the common areas, buildings and docks.  You need only maintain your home and lot.  And if you don’t want to do that, we can suggest professionals to do that!  Mowing, gardening, home repair, interior cleaning…someone will even stock your kitchen, store and launch your boat, clean your garage…imagine coming to your lake home and RELAXING!  Anything’s possible!

PROTECTIVE COVENANTS regulate the integrity of the community – i.e. home design and exterior colors, landscaping, maintenance of personal property.  More importantly, development and construction are governed by these design standards and land use restrictions and provide the community with stability, control and predictability. And your investment is secured by these architectural guidelines and protective covenants.  

We offer lots and/or homes for sale in two distinct common interest communities.  There are varying covenants and bylaws for each.  Please research the documents that are available on-line for each community.

These communities are in an area that offers access to all of Voyageurs National Park as well as Rainy Lake to the north and Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park to the east.  Add these areas together and you have a four season recreational area that is that is second to none! This water-dominated landscape is a beautiful and rugged area.  Breath-taking scenery, world class fishing and unlimited access are an added bonus!

With this basic overview of the concept for these vacation properties, click on the properties below to see what is available in the woodlands and waters of northern Minnesota.  We hope that you join us in the enjoyment and usage of these areas.  

Year Around Common  Interest Community on Crane Lake	Year Around Common  Interest Community on the Ash River Trail

For more information on these and other properties, contact 

Dave Kepler; Realtor^® Broker/Owner, American Woods & Waters Realty
10339 Ash River Trail, Ash River, MN  55771
Ph: 218-374-3026    Cell: 218-240-4730       E-Mail

Jill Kiner; Realtor^® Sales Agent, American Woods & Waters Realty
9801 Gappa Rd., Kabetogama, MN  56669
Ph. 218-875-3063  Fax: 218-875-2036    E-Mail

Jamie Wendt; Realtor^® Sales Agent, American Woods & Waters Realty
4709 CR 22, Littlefork, MN  56653
Ph: 218-278-6700  Fax: 218-278-6760  Cell: 218-244-6197    E-Mail