New home communities in Byron, MN besides Somerby? (Minneapolis, Rochester: for sale, real estate market)

[Nicknet]

Hello!

We are looking to move to Rochester, MN area to retire in, after living in the metro NY area for the last 37 years. The whole reason we want to move there is, to be close to Mayo Clinic for the treatment of PAH, a rare heart lung disease, of genetic disorder.

Wondering if any one can give us tips and any other help on home buying within a driving distance of 15 minutes from Mayo clinic. We can easily afford $150,000 and can go up to 200,000. We want the master bedroom and 1 1/2 baths atleast on the main floor, along with kitchen, living room and a dining area, a total of around 1300 sq. ft. A second bedroom with a bath can be on any other floor or the same floor for guests.

We looked at Somerby ramblers on Shardlow also. Googled and found out, 1/2 the ownership of this community was by Wensmanns builders who just disappeared off the map. No idea what's happening with Somerby homes....prices of which are reduced. Did not get any straight answers from Somerby realtor. The Rambler we had looked at used to be 223950 is now down to 199,000 and is for short sale. One of our friends who live in the Byron area tell us Somerby is over priced.

Any other communities out there with new homes either in Kasson or other near by areas?

Is $143 of ass'n fee too much for lawn and ground maintenance? A fee of $65 per month for the use of Somerby social club too much with use of golf course 3 times a year ( will have to pay the golfing fees)? We do not play golf......nor do I care to live on a golf course.

I would rather be near the woods and lake, if we can find such a community with new homes or steady homes built in the last 5-9 yrs.

Any information would be appreciated. Any other area suggestions are also welcome.

Thanks in advance

[CO_Rider]

Originally Posted by Nicknet

Hello!

I would rather be near the woods and lake, if we can find such a community with new homes or steady homes built in the last 5-9 yrs.

Any information would be appreciated. Any other area suggestions are also welcome.

Take a look around Zumbrota or Zumbro Falls for Lake homes. We used to live in Rochester. Moved to Western Colorado upon retirement 16 yrs ago. I am not up to date on what is available in the area. There are other nice towns to the East of Rochester on Highway 14 and to the North on Hwy 52, like Pine Island. To the South is Stewartville.

[wiseguymn]

There are a lot of homes for sale in all of the area. The real estate market has not been real kind to several builders for a few years now. Somerby has not went over real big at all. This is a really nice area and affordable you should have no problem finding a home in that price range or even having one built to your liking theres alot of builders looking for work. There a lot of new home areas in Kasson and Byron that you dont have to pay golf fees and such. Kasson is a little less expensive its 5 miles further from Rochester. I drive 12 miles from Kasson to Rochester everyday for work.

[Nicknet]

Thanks very much for the information. Hope to get to know you better once we move to the area.

[Nicknet]

Please send me an e-mail in private. Thanks. We just arrived in Minneapolis, MN.