Real Estate and Mortgage Guide for Duluth, MN

Along the shores of Lake Superior sits the city of Duluth. Other than Thunder Bay, Ontario, Duluth is the largest city on Lake Superior.

Population and Number of Homes

The census of 2012 shows that Duluth has slightly more than 86,000 residents. With 38,000 housing units the population density is approximately 1,270 per square mile.

The breakdown of the population by age brackets is as follows:

Based on this breakdown 33 is the median age.

Local Economy

Duluth is a major hub for business services, health care, and higher learning for its own area as well as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the northwestern part of Wisconsin. Because the city also has access to the Atlantic Ocean through the Great Lakes Waterway, Duluth is a major shipping point for steel, coal, limestone, agriculture products, cement, and taconite.

Multi-national corporations focused on aviation have set up headquarters in Duluth. Cirrus Aircraft and Kestrel Aircraft have offices and manufacturing locations in Duluth.  Also, the 148^th Air National Guard has an Active Association on its base in Duluth.

With the growth of aviation companies has come an increase in engineering firms. Lake Superior Consulting, LHB, Barr Engineering, and Enbridge are all located in Duluth.

Average Weather

Due to its northern location, and the proximity of Lake Superior, Duluth has its fair share of cold weather and snowfall. The lowest temperatures occur in January when the average low is only 2 degrees. Over the winter months, it is common for the temperature to remain below 32 degrees for at least 100 days. Snowfall is common from late November into March with total accumulation over the winter reaching 85 inches.

Although the temps can reach 76 degrees in the summer, the town has been affectionately called “The Air Conditioned City” thanks to Lake Superior’s effect on cooling off the nights during the summer months.

Universities, Colleges and Junior Colleges

Duluth has several colleges and universities options. The following schools are within the limits of Duluth

• Lake Superior College
• University of Minnesota – Duluth campus
• Regency Beauty Institute
• The College of Saint Scholastica

There is also the University of Wisconsin-Superior campus located about 5 miles away in Superior, WI.

Public School System

The public schools are operated by Minnesota District 709. There are two high schools in the area

• Duluth East High School
• Duluth Denfeld High School

There are also 2 middle schools and 9 elementary schools

Private Schools

There are 4 Catholic schools in Duluth. These schools offer classes to varying levels but none have classes above the 8^th grade.

Lakeview Christian Academy is a private faith-based school that offers classes from kindergarten to the 12^th grade.

Important Stats for Level of Education

For the citizens over the age of 25, here are the relevant education statistics.

• 95% graduated from high school
• 35% earned a bachelor’s degree
• 12% earned a professional or graduate degree
• The unemployment rate is 10%

Transportation Options

Duluth Transit Authority offers public transportation among Duluth, MN Proctor, MN, Superior, WI and Hermantown, MN. Officials state that at any one point in time as many as 45 buses are carrying passengers along 27 different routes.

Duluth International Airport offers flights to the following cities

• Chicago
• Minneapolis
• Detroit
• Orlando
• Phoenix
• Las Vegas

Popular Restaurants and Other Hot Spots

There are lots of options in Duluth to try a range of different cuisines and satisfy almost any craving.

• Duluth Grill – serves American breakfast as well as brunch
• Pizza Luce – pizza and beer
• New Scenic Cafe – American dishes
• Amazing Grace Bakery and Cafe – bakery that also offers lunch and some live music
• Northern Waters Smokehaus – variety of sandwiches
• Va Bene Beraducci’s Cafe – Italian menu
• Little Angie’s Cantina and Grill – Tex Mex food

Travelers and residents alike can enjoy many destination spots throughout Duluth. The Great Lakes Aquarium is the country’s only aquarium featuring only freshwater species of animals. Minnesota Point is a baymouth bar and the longest freshwater baymouth in the world.

Hospitals

Outdoor Activities

Lots of opportunities to get outside and explore the world can be found in Duluth. People who like to observe and collect natural gems can search for a Lake Superior Agate along Duluth’s Park Point.

A 39-mile section of the Superior Hiking Trail passes through Jay Cooke State Park in Duluth.

The annual Grandma’s Marathon attracts contestants from around the world. Named after the original founder of the contest, Grandma’s Restaurant, the marathon runs a route along the north shore of Lake Superior.

Each January competitors travel to Duluth for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. This race covers 150 miles from Duluth to Tofte, Minnesota. Many people see this race as fertile training preparation for the Alaskan Iditarod.

Why Choose us as Your Duluth Mortgage Lender?

We are a Mortgage Lender specializing in mortgage loans since we first opened our doors. With licensed offices in 47 states, we have the staff and the experience to meet any home loan needs.

We were named to Mortgage Executive Magazine's list of Top 100 Mortgage Companies in America. In 2018 we were awarded as a Top Mortgage Lender in Top Dollar Volume by Scotsman Guide. We were also named a Top Workplace by the Houston Chronicle for the 5th year. Finally, we were named to Inc. 5000 list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America.

Besides these accolades, we are proud that President Ron Zach was named to National Mortgage Professional Magazine’s list of the 40 most influential mortgage professionals under 40.

How to Buy a Home in Duluth with Little or No Money Down

Of course you want to buy a home in Duluth with no down payment. Who doesn’t?

Here’s how you do it:

Many people never buy the home of their dreams simply because they don't think they have enough money for the down payment. They have been told through the years that they need 10% or 20% of the purchase price in order to buy a home. Well, this is true for the conventional/conforming loan programs but not for Duluth Government loans.

So why have so many Lenders told them this?

It’s because selling homes to people with 10% or 20% down is easier than selling homes to people who have little or no money for a down payment. Most mortgage loan officers would rather go after the "easy sale" than try to help people who would rather save the down payment money for a rainy day or for current and future repairs/upgrades.