I was up in Garrison yesterday and happened to pick up a real estate pamphlet put out by Coldwell Banker in Minot, North Dakota.  Not surprisingly, some of the newer homes were a little pricier (and bigger) than older ones.  But some of them were pretty good deals, especially as starter homes for brilliant young families who bring their own work to the state.

Here are some of the things I saw:

An 1,800 square-foot, four-bedroom home in Garrison, North Dakota just sold for $40,000.  Another four-bedroom home in the same town is priced at $32,000.

Also in Garrison was a 15,000 square-foot corner lot for $40,000 that was detailed as a great spot for a service station or boat repair business.  The price includes two floor jacks and a compressor.  Another great Garrison business location is going for just $6,000 (almost a third of its appraise value).

In Bowbells, North Dakota an old bank building is selling for $15,000.  The building has been converted and now houses an office, a beauty shop and a 1-bedroom apartment with a garage.

What about a cafe’/ice cream parlor near a 24-hour Canadian border entry that provides lots of car and truck traffic?  The price is $75,000.    

There are higher-priced homes and opportunities out there.  I still think that people that dream of running their own business, of getting involved in family-oriented communities and of owning their own homes could do well in North Dakota.