My lady and I are at a point where we are down sizing and looking for a 4 season cabin. We've liquidated purchased a much smaller home and are very much wanting a place up north.

My first question is whom would be a recommend realtor in the Grand Marais area.?

With the limited amount of water front available we've realized water front space may not be budget wise. Thus were open to a simple cabin with a wooded setting. Beings I build homes for a living and we have certain wants my first thought is to build. We'd like to be as green as possible.

My second question is whom do I need to contact regarding codes and regulations? Are grey tanks allowable? Can I use a holding tank for sewage or do I need a full on septic? Square footage restrictions? Question of this nature.

Any information or thoughts that could be passed on would be greatly appreciated!!

I haven’t used a realtor in the Grand Marais area, but I do know that permits and land use rules such as those are handled by the county. Here is the Cook County website.

quote myceliaman: "My lady and I are at a point where we are down sizing and looking for a 4 season cabin. We've liquidated purchased a much smaller home and are very much wanting a place up north.

My first question is whom would be a recommend realtor in the Grand Marais area.?

With the limited amount of water front available we've realized water front space may not be budget wise. Thus were open to a simple cabin with a wooded setting. Beings I build homes for a living and we have certain wants my first thought is to build. We'd like to be as green as possible.

My second question is whom do I need to contact regarding codes and regulations? Are grey tanks allowable? Can I use a holding tank for sewage or do I need a full on septic? Square footage restrictions? Question of this nature.

Any information or thoughts that could be passed on would be greatly
appreciated!!

"

Suggest you search Lake Superior North Shore realtors. I have contacted several very knowledgeable realtors over the years. We began visiting this area in 1957. It was a big mistake not realizing The value of property back then. It is a very expensive proposition in this day and age. It is quite a difference if you are considering land on the Northshore, or want to build on the Gunflint Trail. I am sure there are some limited opportunities, if you have the bucks. The Gunflint Lodge is selling off properties, you might want to check into that.

Here are a couple websites of listings to get you started:

Coldwell Banker

Red Pine

sample listing

quote myceliaman: "My lady and I are at a point where we are down sizing and looking for a 4 season cabin. We've liquidated purchased a much smaller home and are very much wanting a place up north.

My first question is whom would be a recommend realtor in the Grand Marais area.?

With the limited amount of water front available we've realized water front space may not be budget wise. Thus were open to a simple cabin with a wooded setting. Beings I build homes for a living and we have certain wants my first thought is to build. We'd like to be as green as possible.

My second question is whom do I need to contact regarding codes and regulations? Are grey tanks allowable? Can I use a holding tank for sewage or do I need a full on septic? Square footage restrictions? Question of this nature.

Any information or thoughts that could be passed on would be greatly appreciated!!

"

Consider a Composting toilet and perhaps a holding tank for your grey water if permitted. I use Natures Head Composting Toilet in my OFF-Grid Cabin. It is the best thing since sliced Bread, and they are best suited for cabins and boats.
Natures Head Composting Toilet.


Since you are handy and mentioned going green consider Photovoltaic panels. Im totally off grid. Gas stove and fridge. LED lights.

Save yourself a ton of headaches and find something move in ready. Maybe it's just me but it seems that local officials want to make the building process as difficult as they can. Seem to want to change the rules all through the process.

I have had no problems at all working with Lake County Minnesota’s Planning and Zoning Department. It was nice to have read the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use document on line before beginning to develop my land there. It looks like you will need to contact Cook County for a copy of their comprehensive plan.

I would suggest getting pre approved for a mortgage loan. I've worked with Red Pine and they were helpful. The local banks are good for loans.

If you don't do this, most realtors will not give you the time of day. Remember, as a buyer, they don't get paid until you buy. They have seen lots of folks come, kick the tires, and leave, when they decided it wasn't for them. Good luck, enjoy the search.

quote myceliaman: "My lady and I are at a point where we are down sizing and looking for a 4 season cabin. We've liquidated purchased a much smaller home and are very much wanting a place up north.

My first question is whom would be a recommend realtor in the Grand Marais area.?

With the limited amount of water front available we've realized water front space may not be budget wise. Thus were open to a simple cabin with a wooded setting. Beings I build homes for a living and we have certain wants my first thought is to build. We'd like to be as green as possible.

My second question is whom do I need to contact regarding codes and regulations? Are grey tanks allowable? Can I use a holding tank for sewage or do I need a full on septic? Square footage restrictions? Question of this nature.

Any information or thoughts that could be passed on would be greatly appreciated!!

"

My suggestion is to watch Craigslist, especially if you are looking for land. The land realtors list tends to be priced pretty high. I bought 13 acres in central Lake County in 2010 for about 24 K, and built a simple though nicely detailed cabin on it. Loved every minute of building it (I'm a builder too)and love going there. Best thing I ever did.

In rural Lake (probably Cook county too, but I'm not sure), there are no building safety departments so building codes in general are not enforced. The state electrical inspector is the only building inspection you will have.

You do have to get a permit from zoning, which will look at setbacks from lake shore, wetlands, setbacks from property lines, minimum lot size, which varies per zoning district, etc. In Lake County, build able lots must have two sites suitable for a septic system. I may be wrong, but I don't think you can have indoor plumbing unless you have a septic system, so no holding tank or gray water system. Lake County does allow outdoor Privies, unlike neighboring St. Louis County which requires licensed septic installers to install privies.

Sadly, Minnesota is still in the dark ages when it comes to incredibly effective grey water treatment systems.
When you consider that septic systems are mostly designed to handle human waste - black water - if one was to use a composting toilet and one of the state of the art grey water systems, no septic system would be needed at all.
But since Minnesota has SO many lakes and lake homes, hunting cabins etc., we must admit, we're not like all the other states.
There's a lot at stake.
So, for now, if you have running water in the house that goes down a drain - you need a septic system.
But do some shopping around - septic system installation is one of the biggest rip-offs in the US. Those guys charge XXX times what it's really worth and will likely recommend systems and components far beyond your needs. And charge accordingly.
I, too, have built homes for a living, and have done so for more than 25 years.
I've seen some septic installations that should have put the contractor in jail.

You might want to consider Tofte/Sawbill area or Lutsen or the Caribou Trail

I have heard on this site too: "The best way to ruin your vacation spot is to move there."

But there's a part of me that's longing for a cabin up north so disregard my advice.

I'm not sure if Cook County and St. Louis County's regulations are the same, but in SLC you cannot use a gray water system if you have pressurized water on the property. You could have running water & sink drains if the water is gravity fed and comes from a holding tank filled from rain water or a hand pump.
The gray water system is not for sewage.

Thank everyone great information which will be put to gd use!!!

I found the Cook Co. land use and zoning ordinances page. Set back requirements are in Article 4. Septic ordinances are on the left side bar. It looks as if holding tanks are authorized on a case by case basis.

quote walllee: "Save yourself a ton of headaches and find something move in ready. Maybe it's just me but it seems that local officials want to make the building process as difficult as they can. Seem to want to change the rules all through the process."

Not to mention it's one less scar on the land.

LindenTree, very nice job on your place. That looks fantastic.

quote 2old4U: "

quote walllee: "Save yourself a ton of headaches and find something move in ready. Maybe it's just me but it seems that local officials want to make the building process as difficult as they can. Seem to want to change the rules all through the process."

Not to mention it's one less scar on the land. "

I've been looking at some existing cabins the asking prices certainly don't reflect the craftsmanship, prices for the structures are rediculous. 800$ per square foot for cabins that aren't finished yet is just wasteful spending. We just built a beauty of a 16x20x16 with a full loft and all new appliances, tile and hard wood. Material expense was under 15,000. Figured I could build a 600 sq ft cabin with all the amenities for 30,000. No need to pay someone else for there time/profits. Just need to find the land. Will most probably go the path of Marsonite..

quote SaganagaJoe: "I have heard on this site too: "The best way to ruin your vacation spot is to move there.""

Precisely why we haven't bought a place up there. Just this feeling I have, especially when I'm invited to other people's cabins.

I did think about renting a self-storage in Grand Marais or up the Gunflint, with a 4x4 and gear all ready to go. Would sure make it convenient.

Don't want the headaches of maintenance, taxes, access, neighbors, lake politics, etc.. Would absolutely ruin it for me.

There are quite a few spots available, waterfront or no, up the Arrowhead trail. If you don't mind the extra drive.

Personally, I am just looking to have a place that is closer to the bdub without being in it. If I had something in the 2/3 distance from where my home is (Chicago burbs) that made the drive more manageable, I would be happy. If the place were on the water, all the better.

Any pics of the cabin, Marsonite?

quote SaganagaJoe: "Any pics of the cabin, Marsonite? "

Here you go.





Basic footprint is 16 X 24. No indoor plumbing. For lights and charging devices I have a small solar panel, battery, and inverter. I have a sauna for bathing and of course a privy. I insulated the floor with dense-pack cellulose and I have a nice woodstove so it's definitely a four season place, though I have to snowshoe in.

I'm not on a lake, though there is one less than a half a mile away. We love the simplicity of the place. It's heaven to us!

Nice place!!!!

Wow, that's gorgeous. 2 questions: Is the floor pine? Also, what type of foundation?

Last year when I was in GM, I stopped at the Java Moose for some coffee and picked up a local freebie 'rag'. I didn't read it till I had returned to Ohio after my trip but did go online to follow leads (realtors/listings) and was surprised at the many listings. There was one small cabin, in particular, that caught my attention--just off the Gunflint Trail. Exact set up like masonite's posting. The one-roomer was a bit older and likely in need of reasonable TLC. Some were small tracts of land with no buildings--those being least expensive. Those near water were priced too high, IMHO.
Personally, if I invest in property up there I'd likely look at Duluth (-or just outside of-) which would still place me so very close but with all the amenities. Perhaps, even easier to unload once I advance to some ripe age of having to give up the canoeing/camping adventures.
Good hunting. Must be exciting for you to be dreaming and looking.

quote old_salt: "I would suggest getting pre approved for a mortgage loan. I've worked with Red Pine and they were helpful. The local banks are good for loans.


If you don't do this, most realtors will not give you the time of day. Remember, as a buyer, they don't get paid until you buy. They have seen lots of folks come, kick the tires, and leave, when they decided it wasn't for them. Good luck, enjoy the search."

This is a great point, and much more of an obstacle if you're looking off-grid. I have great credit and a long relationship with my bank, but they didn't want to touch it when I bought some land a couple of years ago. I went with North Shore Federal Credit Union in Grand Marais. They understand and work in this kind of financing.

quote SaganagaJoe: "Wow, that's gorgeous. 2 questions: Is the floor pine? Also, what type of foundation?"

Thanks! The floor is 9" white pine which I got from Lumber Liquidators. For the foundation, I just poured 16x16 concrete pads with block piers on top. The soil there is well drained gravel with a lot of rock in it so I didn't see the need to dig them below frost.

quote myceliaman: "My lady and I are at a point where we are down sizing and looking for a 4 season cabin. We've liquidated purchased a much smaller home and are very much wanting a place up north.

My first question is whom would be a recommend realtor in the Grand Marais area.?

With the limited amount of water front available we've realized water front space may not be budget wise. Thus were open to a simple cabin with a wooded setting. Beings I build homes for a living and we have certain wants my first thought is to build. We'd like to be as green as possible.

My second question is whom do I need to contact regarding codes and regulations? Are grey tanks allowable? Can I use a holding tank for sewage or do I need a full on septic? Square footage restrictions? Question of this nature.

Any information or thoughts that could be passed on would be greatly appreciated!!

"

Terry at Backlund Realty