Why Live in Lanesboro?
Lanesboro, nestled in Minnesota's beautiful bluff country, is a progressive community with a small-town heart.
Lanesboro Resources
- City of Lanesboro Economic Development Authority – EDA
- City of Lanesboro Planning and Zoning Department – PZD
- Fillmore County Housing Study 2019 – Download
- Fillmore County Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and SEMCAC
- How to transition from a Contractor to a Developer – Learn More
- Small Cities Development Program
- NEED FIBER OPTICS & FAST INTERNET
- Lanesboro has high speed Fiber Optics – AcenTec will get you started for your home or business.
- Mienergy Rebates
Purchase a Home
Remember to use more than one tool to assist you in the home buying process.
Make your dream of homeownership a reality with help from Minnesota Housing and the Bluff Country HRA! Whether you’re a first-time buyer, repeat buyer, or want to refinance, an affordable Minnesota Housing program is available.
Local City of Lanesboro Housing Incentives
The Lanesboro Economic Development Authority (EDA) is developing a City Housing Incentive to promote new construction. The incentive may include energy savings, waived or reduced permit fees, utility hookups, free golf club memberships, and more.
Local HRA
There are several housing programs that the SEMCAC Community Development department administers and operates. There are programs for the redevelopment of homes/areas and financing.
Click on any of the programs below for more information.
Find A Realtor
Local Lanesboro Realtors
Alton Erickson & Associates
Real Estate Agency
205 Parkway Ave N.
(507)467-3783
Jeff Brogle
Real Estate Agency
Bluff Country Properties Real Estate
Email: jeff@bluffcountryproperties.com
(507)-577-1121
Want To Build
Talk about building sites with: Geoff Griffin at
And Rick Lamon at ricklamon@hotmail.com
Why choose a Minnesota Housing loan?
- Low, fixed interest rates for the life of the loan
- Purchase and refinance options for first-time and repeat homebuyers
- Down-payment and closing cost loans up to $17,000 for qualified borrowers
- Exclusive 3% down conventional products with low-cost or no mortgage insurance
- Works with industry-standard products, including FHA, VA, Conventional and Rural Development
Do you qualify?
Requirements vary based on the program, and all borrowers must meet minimum credit score requirements. Visit the Minnesota Housing website for current information, including:
- Income limits
- Home cost limits
- Homebuyer education requirements
Get Started: Visit www.mnhousing.gov to find approved lenders and more information.
- To find a participating lender, please see the lender list through MN Housing.
- Another great resource is: MN Homeownership Center
Rural Development Single-Family Housing Program
Minnesota Housing Programs – Minnesota Housing is a trusted state agency that works with local lenders to ensure all Minnesotans have access to safe and affordable housing. In 2018, we helped more than 4,600 families across the state purchase and refinance homes.
Start-Up for First-Time Home Buyers
Ready to purchase your first home? The Minnesota Housing Start-Up loan program can make homeownership fit your budget.
Start-Up is our statewide mortgage program for eligible first-time homebuyers, available through participating lenders.
Start-Up offers:
- Affordable interest rates
- Three downpayment and closing cost assistance loan options for eligible borrowers
- Income limits change annually
- Acquisition costs must fall under the following limits:
- 11-County Metro: change annually
- Balance of State: change annually
- Contact an approved lender partner to get started.
Step Up for Repeat Home Buyers or Refinancing
You don’t need to be a first-time homebuyer to take advantage of our affordable loans. The Step Up program has a purchase loan if you’re a current homeowner (or owned within the last three years) and want to buy a different home.
- Affordable interest rates
- Downpayment and closing cost assistance loan for eligible borrowers
- Income limits change annually
- The purchase price/refinance loan amount must fall under the following limits:
Contact an approved lender partner to get started
Down Payment and Closing Cost Loans
Don’t let a down payment stand in your way of buying a home.
- For eligibility requirements, click on the Downpayment and Closing Cost Loan Comparison Chart.
- Monthly Payment Loan:
- Available with Start or Step Up
- Up to $17,000
- Fully amortized over 10 years
- Interest rate equal to the first mortgage rate
- Additional eligibility requirements apply.
- Monthly Payment Loan:
- Deferred Payment Loans:
- Available with Start-Up only
- Up to $11,000 with Deferred Payment Loan or $15,000 with Deferred Payment Loan Plus
- Interest-free deferred loan for the length of the first mortgage term
- Repayment of the full loan balance is required (a balloon payment) when:
- The borrower moves
- The home is sold
- The first mortgage loan is refinanced (unless refinancing with our Step Up Program)
- The first mortgage loan is paid off (prior to or at the end of the loan term)
- Additional eligibility requirements apply.
Contact an approved lender partner to get started.
Home Repair Loan Programs
CEDA, Bluff Country HRA, and SEMCAC can partner with local governments to administer Small Cities Development Program projects in Fillmore and Houston counties.
This program offers no interest, and deferred loans for eligible homeowners to make necessary home repairs. A homeowner could use the loan funds for general improvements including the foundation, siding, gutters, electrical system, plumbing, or heating system. Lead assessment and abatement are also a special focus, especially for households with young children.
Other state and local funds are leveraged to help with additional Customized City financing tools to bring down the upfront cost for local housing development, contact the City of Lanesboro EDA for more details.
Hassle-free home improvement loans from the Minnesota Housing Fix Up Loan Program
- Affordable, fixed interest rates with a lower interest rate for energy conservation and accessibility improvements
- Secured and unsecured loan options
- The higher loan-to-value ratio on secured loans than on traditional loan products
- Longer repayment terms for lower monthly payments
- Hire a contractor or do the work yourself
- No prepayment penalty
What projects are eligible?
These projects are eligible.
- Single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and four-plexes are eligible. You must own and occupy the property to be improved.
- Repair, remodel and make energy-saving improvements including:
- Porches and decks
- Remodel a bathroom or kitchen
- Add a bathroom or finish a basement
- Furnace or boiler and air conditioning*
- Windows* and doors
- Insulation,* attic air sealing*
- Water heater*
- Siding and roofing
- Septic system upgrades
- Mold and radon mitigation
- Accessibility improvements*
- Basic garage, if none exists
- See full lists of eligible projects for secured and unsecured Fix-Up loans and for energy and accessibility improvements.
- *Choose Energy Star windows, furnace, air conditioner, and/or water heater; insulation and air sealing; and/or basic accessibility improvements and you may be eligible for a lower interest rate.
Housing Rehab Programs
These programs assist homeowners, and rental property owners improve their homes or property. Projects include Small Cities Development and Loan Programs for Homeowners, such as Rehab Loans.
How do I get started?
- Find a participating lender near you
- Obtain contractor bids or detailed materials estimate from a building supplier for work you will perform
- Your lender will work with you to complete the loan application, loan closing and funding
*This project was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
USDA Housing Programs - Repair loans and grants
Single-Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants provide funds to elderly and very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards, perform necessary repairs, improve or modernize a home, make homes accessible for people with disabilities, or make homes more energy efficient so these very-low-income families use less of their income on utility bills.
- Age 62 or above grant program
- Purchasing a home
- Home rehabilitation, income-qualified
Single-Family Housing USDA Links
Lanesboro Rental Information
Rental Units:
- Short Term rentals for the week or weekends
- Find, Long Term Here – Pending
- Camping rentals in Lanesboro Minnesota learn more
- Need financial renters assistance? County Financial Assistance may be able to help.
- Lanesboro offers two Low to moderate-income housing apartment buildings:
- Sylvan Manor Apartments 503 Parkway Ave S · (507) 467-2222
- Kenilworth Apartments 607 Kenilworth Ave S · (507) 467-2222
Senior Living Resources
- Traditions of Preston – Assisted living facility
515 Washington St NW
507-765-3837
www.traditionsliving.com - Park Lane Estates Assisted Living – Assisted living facility
410 Park Ln St
507-765-9986
Goldenhorizons.org - State Veterans Home – Preston
Follow the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affair at mn.gov/mdva. This skilled nursing facility is set to open in mid-2023. Follow the progress by video here
- Good Samaritan Society – Home Care (Southeast Minnesota) – Home health care service
200 St Paul St SW
507-765-2700
www.good-sam.com - SEMCAC Contact Center – Social services organization
515 Washington St NW
507-765-2761
www.semcac.org
(Preston is the County Seat/ Preston is located 11 miles west of Lanesboro
