ACROSS AMERICA — Whether for rustic ambiance or energy efficiency, log construction has special appeal for some homebuyers. They’re constructed of a renewable resource, are quiet and feature one-of-a-kind charm.
We’re spotlighting three log homes in Minnesota, New Hampshire and Wisconsin this week in How Much House. It’s not accurate to label these lavish properties “cabins,” so disabuse yourself of any impressions you may have formed watching “Little House on the Prairie” reruns on classic TV networks. The featured homes make a statement as large as the legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan, who hewed the biggest logs our imaginations can conjure, but are a whole lot fancier.
The estimated monthly cost to live in each of the featured properties is based on a 20 percent down payment and a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at current rates. It includes property taxes, insurance and associated fees.
W743 Utley Road, Markesan
Listed by: Eileen Vandervelde | Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Special Properties
Square feet: 9,000
Lot size: 5 acres
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 3 (all full)
Year built: 2013
Annual property tax estimate: $17,390
Estimated monthly cost to live here: $13,460
“Little House” author Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family lived in a house made of logs in Wisconsin. This house isn’t it.
It’s more in keeping with the spirit of Paul Bunyan, whose legend looms large in Wisconsin. The giant lumberjack and folk hero who is said to have scooped the hole for Lake Superior and accidentally created the Mississippi River by overturning a water tank could have walked through this home without ducking.
Heck, he may have even wrestled a couple of black bears — stuffed, or perhaps replicated in sculpture — that appear to be walking along the rafters in this custom-built home.
The handsome cook’s kitchen has mosaic tile and a gorgeous range that becomes a centerpiece. There’s another complete kitchen on the lower level, where there’s a home theater and hot tub.
It’s as substantial as it is flashy.
Built to help its occupants withstand wicked Wisconsin winters, it has a heated three-stall attached garage, a heated driveway pad and two 40-foot-by-50-foot heated outbuildings with concrete floors. Peek inside for more photos.
18786 County 40, Park Rapids
Listed by: Jeremy J. Danielson | RE/MAX Results
Square feet: 5,436
Lot size: 8 acres
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 5
Year built: 2015
Annual property tax estimate: $12,950
Estimated monthly cost to live here: $10,056
The Ingalls family also lived in Minnesota. This isn’t their North Star State home, essentially a sod dugout, either. Paul Bunyan has a bit of a reputation around Minnesota, too. This log house is fancier than his legend suggests he would prefer, but it is easy to imagine him and his blue ox Babe tromping around the acreage.
The stunning, one-of-a-kind custom log home sits on 8 acres with 470 feet of shoreline on the crystal clear Big Sand Lake. It has all kinds of dandy features and offers gorgeous views year-round from the great room, which features a wall of windows stretching from the floor to log wood ceilings and a stunning stone fireplace.
The property comes with four outbuildings, including a hexagon gazebo with a wood-burning fireplace, a barn with a second-story event space, a large heated garage with a second-floor game room, and a more utilitarian storage shed.
The property can be used as a year-round home, getaway or can be rented out as a vacation rental, for parties and other events.
Big Sand Lake is known for its sandy beaches, swimming, boating, walleye fishing, wooded backdrop and pristine 35-feet clear waters. Peek inside for more photos.
134 Kerry Drive, Wakefield
Listed by: Bonnie Cyr | KW Coastal and Lakes & Mountains Realty/Wolfeboro
Click Here: harlequin rugby jerseySquare feet: 3,520
Lot size: 1.23 acres
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3 (2 full)
Year built: 1997
Annual property tax estimate: $9,583
Estimated monthly cost to live here: $7,475
New Hamsphire is neither Paul Bunyan nor Laura Ingalls Wilder territory. But it has a nice sampling of log homes, and this is among the great ones.
Nestled in the heart of the Granite State, the open-concept log home boasts three floors of custom craftsmanship with a forest theme. It’s a perfect place to play or live year-round.
There’s plenty to do here.
A second-story deck steps down to a large waterside deck, salt water hot tub and a landscaped fire pit that look down on a U-shaped aluminum boat dock with lakeside water and power offers fishing, boating and tubing.
A farmers porch on the back side provides shade on hot days and a place to swing and enjoy the natural surroundings. Also close by are hiking, dining, shopping, snowmobiling, skiing, snow shoeing, ice fishing and other pursuits for people who love the outdoors.
A complementary new log three-car garage with power provides a place to park or store the boats, side by sides, jet skis, snowmobiles and seasonal items.
Newer appliances and most of the furnishings, including the pool table, table tennis/air hockey table and bar stools, are included in the sale. Peek inside for more photos.
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