Spring valley

City Lakes Multiple Choice

Test your knowledge of the Twin Cities, and answer the following multiple choice question:

“Which of the following city lakes is ringed by upper bracket homes, has gorgeous nature and wildlife views, and is less than four miles from Downtown Minneapolis?”

A.  Cedar Lake.
B.  Lake Calhoun.
C.  Lake of the Isles.
D.  Sweeney Lake.

Answer:  all of the above.

The sleeper on the above list?

Unquestionably, Golden Valley’s Sweeney Lake.

Water Skiing Out Your Backdoor

Unlike Minneapolis’ better-known lakes, Sweeney Lake has no public access.

spring valley2Translation:  lakefront homeowners have it all to themselves.

Even better:  placid waters** perfect for waterskiing (try doing THAT on Lake Calhoun); miles of hiking and biking trails just to the east in Theodore Wirth Park; more house and land for the money (added bonus:  lower Golden Valley property taxes relative to neighboring Minneapolis); and an easy 6 minute(!), highway-free commute to downtown.

Can you say, “quality of life?”

1326 Spring Valley Road

The home pictured above is located at 1326 Spring Valley Road on the lake’s west shore, and is listed by Edina Realty – City Lakes’ Jacqueline Day.

Highlights include gorgeous, panoramic lake views from both floors, including the walkout lower level; over 5,700 finished square feet backing up to 120′ of sandy shoreline on a 1.3 acre lot; and the home’s updated, immaculate condition (I just toured it this am with another two dozen or so Edina agents, at this week’s Exceptional Properties meeting hosted by Jacqui).

List price is $1.475 million.

Golden Valley’s First $3 Million (and $2 Million) Home

Jacqui is also the listing agent for Golden Valley’s first $3 million home, 1465 Island Drive, just across the lake (photo below).

The city has previously never even had a $2 million sale.

GetMedia.ashxThe home is currently “Pending” on MLS, and scheduled to close next week.

Congrats to Jacqui (and her clients!).

P.S.:  If you’re puzzled why Lake Harriet isn’t on the multiple choice list . . . it’s because it’s further from downtown (about 5 miles southwest).

And while there’s much to love about that part of town (Linden Hills, Lake Harriet Bandshell, nearby Minnehaha Creek, etc.), easy access to downtown Minneapolis isn’t on the list.

**One drawback:  windsurfers will be disappointed by the sheltered lake’s calm surface.

About the author

Ross Kaplan has 19+ years experience selling real estate all over the Twin Cities. He is also a 12-time consecutive "Super Real Estate Agent," as determined by Mpls. - St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Magazine. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Ross was an attorney (corporate law), CPA, and entrepreneur. He holds an economics degree from Stanford.

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