Homes for Sale in Forest Lake, MN
Forest Lake is a beloved Washington County destination defined by its stunning chain of three connected lakes. The city offers a true lakeside lifestyle with excellent boating, fishing, and year-round recreation. It balances a resort-town feel with modern suburban convenience, including easy I-35 commuter access.
Why Live in Forest Lake
Forest Lake Market Snapshot
Monthly figures from the NorthstarMLS Local Market Update.
Median Sales Price
% of Original List Price Received
Days on Market
Closed Sales
Homes for Sale
Months Supply
Supply vs. Demand Trends
Forest Lake Housing Market Today
Here is where the Forest Lake market stood in September 2026. The median sale price has increased by 10% from last year to $487,400. Homes are selling 30 days longer than last year, averaging 67 days on market, and sellers are receiving 98.9% of their original asking price. The area is currently a balanced market with 3.4 months of supply. Active inventory is up 18% from last year to 85 homes for sale.
In a balanced market, neither side has a steep advantage, making careful pricing for sellers and steady negotiation for buyers the key to success.
In Forest Lake, homes were most commonly built in 2000-2009, about 73% of occupied homes are owner-occupied, and the average commute is 24 minutes. Roughly 61% of homes are single-family detached, and the median home was built in 1988.
Homeowners with a mortgage typically spend $2,141 a month on housing costs, similar to the Twin Cities metro and the median property tax bill is $3,751 a year.
Data: NorthstarMLS Local Market Update via 10K Research, published October 12, 2026.
Forest Lake market questions
Is Forest Lake a buyer's or seller's market?
Forest Lake was a balanced market in September 2026, with 3.4 months of supply. Under about 3 months generally favors sellers, 3 to 6 months is considered balanced, and over 6 months favors buyers. There were 85 homes for sale.
How fast are homes selling in Forest Lake?
Homes that sold in September 2026 spent an average of 67 days on market, 30 days slower than a year earlier. Sellers received 98.9% of their original list price on average.
Are home prices going up in Forest Lake?
Yes. The median sale price rose 10.2% year over year to $487,400. Price per square foot moved in the same direction (from $214 to $216), which suggests a real change in values rather than a shift in the mix of homes sold.
Living in Forest Lake
Housing, cost of ownership and commuting, compared with the Twin Cities metro.
In Forest Lake, homes were most commonly built in 2000-2009, about 73% of occupied homes are owner-occupied, and the average commute is 24 minutes.
Data: ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
What does it cost to own a home in Forest Lake?
Homeowners with a mortgage typically pay $2,141 a month in housing costs and the median property tax bill is $3,751 a year.
Median home value
$393,500
Higher than the Twin Cities metro
The midpoint of estimated values for owner-occupied homes.
Median property taxes paid
$3,751/yr
Lower than the Twin Cities metro
The midpoint of annual property taxes paid by homeowners.
Typical monthly owner costs (with mortgage)
$2,141/mo
Similar to the Twin Cities metro
Median monthly housing costs for owners with a mortgage.
Typical monthly owner costs (no mortgage)
$791/mo
Similar to the Twin Cities metro
Median monthly housing costs for owners without a mortgage.
Median rent
$1,421/mo
Similar to the Twin Cities metro
The midpoint of monthly gross rent, including utilities.
What are homes like in Forest Lake?
About 73% of occupied homes are owner-occupied and the median home was built in 1988.
Owner-occupied homes
73%
Similar than Twin Cities metro overall
The share of occupied homes lived in by their owners.
Median year built
1988
Similar to the Twin Cities metro
The midpoint of years when homes in the area were built.
Home age by decade
The share of homes built during each period.
- 2020 or later2%
- 2010-201912%
- 2000-200921%
- 1990-199913%
- 1980-198911%
- 1970-197917%
- 1960-19697%
- 1950-19597%
- 1940-19492%
- 1939 or earlier7%
Types of homes
The share of housing units in each building type.
- Single-family detached61%
- Townhome / attached12%
- 2-4 units2%
- 5+ units23%
- Mobile home2%
How do people get around in Forest Lake?
The average one-way commute is 24 min and 93% of homes have broadband.
Average commute
24 min
Similar to the Twin Cities metro
The average one-way travel time to work for commuters.
How people get to work
The share of workers using each listed way to get to work.
- Drive alone72%
- Carpool7%
- Walk or bike3%
- Work from home18%
Homes with broadband
93%
Similar than Twin Cities metro overall
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
What's Nearby in Forest Lake
OpenStreetMap lists 19 parks, 4 trails, 3 beaches and boat launches, 1 library, 6 schools, and 3 grocery stores within the Forest Lake city boundary.
Parks
19
- Bayview Estates Park
- Beltz Park
- Bixby Park
- Bridle Pass Park
- Cedar Park
- Clear Lake Park
Show all 19 parksShow fewer
- Eagle Bluff Park
- Fenway Park
- Houle WMA
- Kulencamp Park
- Lakeside Park
- Manor Park
- Preserve Park
- Schilling Park
- Sherwood Park
- Shields Lake Park
- Southview Park
- Summerfield Park
- Tower Park
Official source: City of Forest Lake (opens in new tab)
Trails
4
2 named
- Hardwood Creek Trail
- Hardwood Creek Trail Access
Official source: City of Forest Lake (opens in new tab)
Beaches and boat launches
3
0 named
3 mapped beaches and boat launches, not named in OpenStreetMap.
Official source: City of Forest Lake (opens in new tab)
Libraries
1
- Forest Lake Library
Schools
6
5 named
- Forest Lake Area High School
- Forest Lake Area Middle School
- Lakes International Language Academy Annex
- Lakes International Language Academy Headwaters Campus
- St. Peter Catholic School
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