Mike
Larson can hear the sound of stress draining away from a person. It's not that
he's a psychic. It's just that,
after twenty years on Minnesota’s North Shore, he has a keen eye for the signs. "They walk up to the check-in desk, and it’s like I can see the world lifting
off their shoulders," says the Lutsen-based real estate broker. "They get here
and look around, and you can see the light come on. They know they can really decompress here."
"Here" could be any one of a number of different rental units near Lake Superior in Cook County, an area that is now being called "America's North Coast." Larson’s lodging company, Lutsen Lodging, manages various properties, ranging from privately-owned cabins to company-owned resort units. One of the unique things about Lutsen Lodging, however, is the check in.
"A lot of places leave a key in a lock box, or have some other remote check in procedure," says Larson. "But we feel it is important to greet people face to face, and give them a chance to ask questions. We give them the experience of ‘checking in’ to the entire area." Larson and his employees, like to find out what newcomers are looking for, and then to make recommendations based on their personal knowledge of the North Coast. So whether you are staying in Lutsen Lodging's own Mountain Inn, or in a remote rental cabin on an inland lake, you can expect a friendly welcome, and useful information suited to the purpose of your visit to the area. This is the way Larson does business: friendly, knowledgeable and personal; and this is the way he'll continue to do it.
Lutsen
Lodging is a win-win proposition for everyone involved. For owners who want to make a bit of
income when their private vacation homes are vacant, Larson and his associates
offer a turn key approach to property management. Lutsen Lodging handles check in/check out, cleaning,
payment and any other issues which might arise. They do the same thing for
several Homeowner Associations which have quite a number of properties to look
after. And of course, they do it for their own Mountain Inn at Lutsen. For the
person who wants to vacation on the North Coast, what could be simpler than
funneling dozens of possible lodging options through one personable broker? If
you are looking for a an inland lake or Lake Superior cabin, a resort town home
or a vacation rental right on the Superior National Golf Course at Lutsen, you
can begin your journey by checking in with Larson at the Mountain Inn.
Talking to Larson, you can tell he really enjoys helping people find just the right place to relax. "We have a few properties without televisions," he says. "These rent really well to families. They find having no TV helps them reconnect. It’s a different experience."
Minnesota’s
North Coast will never become what used to be called a “tourist trap.” Over the
past few months at Lakeshore Dreams, we have reviewed several different areas
that contain large amounts of publicly preserved land. But none can match Cook
County, which takes the grand prize. Ninety-two percent of the land in the
county belongs to the public. Only eight percent is available for development,
and of that, not all will be developed, for various reasons. Combine that with
its stunning setting on Lake Superior’s rugged coast, and Larson is right: this place is different.
Make no mistake, there is plenty to do on the North Coast. It’s just that they don’t need “manufactured” activities like water parks or go-cart tracks and things like that. “A lot folks come here and just sit, relax, decompress, reconnect with what is important in life, says Larson. For the more athletically inclined of course, there is hiking, kayaking, fishing, golfing, cross country skiing and the best downhill ski resort between the Rockies and the Appalachians.
Larson is
proud of the area’s slow and careful approach to development. In fact, he has been a part of it. Way
back in the 1880s, the family of George Nelson came to the Lutsen area and over
time acquired various land tracts. Although there were many more lucrative
options, subsequent generations of the family held on to it. In 1988, they
donated 350 acres of the land to the people of Cook County, expressly to
be developed into a first class golf course. The use of this acreage has become
known as the Heritage Development; serving as reference to his family’s
Heritage and legacy.
“The Nelsons recognized the special qualities of this area,” he says. “And so we developed it in harmony with the surroundings. In addition, we made the development complement the natural beauty here.” Nestled against the Sawtooth mountains with Lake Superior always in the background, the Superior National Golf course at Lutsen is indeed special. The course boasts three sets of nine holes, each reflecting the terrain it is built around. And so they have the River Nine, the Canyon Nine and the Mountain Nine.
Part of the development includes 39 home sites on the course. Although these sit on lots of less than an acre, careful planning – including a state-of-the-art community septic system – and the wise use of common areas, creates a spacious feel around each home. The parcels range from $130,000 on up. Seven homes are built and three new lot owners plan to build soon, with one new home currently under construction. Over half the development is sold in spite of a general real estate market that is slower than it used to be. “This speaks to the strength and integrity of this project” says Larson.
Larson and his partner Steve Surbaugh also own the Lutsen Real Estate Group. They are proud of their professional expertise in helping those who want to invest in the North Coast for the long term – either by moving there, or through a vacation home. One project Larson is excited about, is Heritage Town Homes – a small development of multi-family units located on a hillside within the Heritage Development. In addition, he is pleased about the two new single family homes within the development recently completed and available for sale.
The
Heritage Town homes are top of the line units, but they will not be overdone.
Tall Timber Partners, LLC (a Superior, Wisconsin based company) is constructing
just seven units in three different buildings. “The developers could have stacked them high,” says
Larson, “But they didn’t. Tall Timber Partners have done this tastefully, and in a way that complements our
beautiful area.”
The first building, containing three town homes, is already complete. The center unit is a large two bedroom home. At 2000+ square feet, it is slightly larger than its neighbors; and with two great-rooms, it is ideal for entertaining. The two flanking units are 1700+ square feet with three bedrooms each. All three units have decks with views of Lake Superior. In fact the view from all directions is fabulous. The Sawtooth mountains, Lutsen Ski area and Lake Superior can all be seen from the units.
All of the Heritage Town Homes are appointed with top of the line fittings and trim: stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, flat panel televisions, customized cabinetry, fireplaces, in-floor radiant heat, upscale bathrooms and so much more. They all come fully and tastefully furnished. Photos and virtual tours are accessible at www.lutsenrealestategroup.com.
Lutsen Real Estate Group is offering both full and quarter-share ownership in Heritage Town Homes. The quarter-share option should not be confused with typical time share scenarios. A quarter-share buyer actually owns a quarter of the property, and gets a deed, along with three other owners.
One of the things Lutsen Real Estate Group is most proud of, is their involvement with the community. “We aren’t here to make a quick buck and get out,” says Larson. If actions mean anything, he’s right. Both Surbaugh and Larson are raising their families on the North Coast. They both volunteer their time and serve on a number of community boards, as do some of the Realtors who work for them. They believe in the North Coast, and they put that belief into making their community a better place. And that is what drives their philosophy of both sales and development. As it says in the latest issue of their company newsletter, they are “in tune with and deeply vested in the broader social, political and economic landscape of Cook County.” In their view, when you invest in Cook County, you are investing in a timeless piece of heritage, and building the beginning of a legacy for your family. Lutsen Real Estate Group is uniquely positioned in their community to help people do just that, and they have decades of experience making it happen.
It is because of this commitment and experience, that when someone makes a purchase with the assistance of Lutsen Real Estate Group, they know it is right for all involved. If you, are one of those blessed to be in that group, maybe next time you check-in to your very own Heritage Town Home, you just might hear the sound of yourself decompressing as the weight of the world comes off your shoulders.
For more info on Lutsen Real Estate Group please call (218) 663-7750 or visit www.LutsenRealEstateGroup.com
