The dream of building a custom home on acreage property in Scott County—room to breathe, privacy from neighbors, space for auxiliary buildings, and a yard where kids can explore—is it still achievable? Or has the Twin Cities' growth pushed acreage living out of reach for average families?
As one of Scott County's largest acreage developers with three generations of experience, we're uniquely positioned to answer this question honestly. The short answer might surprise you: Yes, acreage living in Scott County is still affordable, but only if you understand the market and work with builders committed to making it happen.
Let's start with facts. According to recent LandSearch data, Scott County currently averages $142,551 per acre for land sales. However, this number tells only part of the story—and can be misleading if you don't understand what drives these variations.
What Actually Determines Acreage Costs:
Scott County isn't a monolithic market. Land prices vary dramatically based on:
Let's examine actual opportunities in our current developments to understand what acreage living truly costs:
Holman Addition - Credit River:
Scenic Bay Estates - Prior Lake:
Cardinal Pass - Prior Lake:
These aren't theoretical listings—these are real opportunities where Moderno is actively developing homesites. Our mission of "keeping the move-to-acreage dream alive" isn't just marketing language; it's how we price and position properties.
Many families assume suburban homes cost less than acreage properties. Let's test this assumption with real numbers:
Typical New Suburban Home (Lakeville, Prior Lake):
Custom Acreage Home (Holman Addition example):
When you factor in HOA fees, limited storage requiring rental units, and the quality-of-life differences, acreage living is remarkably competitive—sometimes even more affordable long-term.
Minnesota's land market varies wildly by region. According to Kris Lindahl Realty's analysis, urban land near Minneapolis-St. Paul sells for $250,000+ per acre, while suburban areas like Bloomington and Maple Grove see $80,000-$200,000 per acre.
Scott County benefits from its position: close enough to the Twin Cities for reasonable commutes (20-35 minutes from Prior Lake to downtown), but far enough that land costs haven't reached urban premiums. This "Goldilocks zone" makes Scott County ideal for acreage development.
Geographic Advantages:
While acreage can be affordable, hidden costs catch unprepared buyers off-guard. After helping 800+ families build custom homes, we've seen every possible complication. Here's what to budget for beyond land and construction:
Site Development Costs:
Regulatory and Permitting:
This is where Moderno's construction management approach delivers enormous value. We help you understand these costs upfront, connect you with trusted contractors who provide competitive pricing, and navigate the permitting process efficiently. Our transparent, open-book pricing means you see exactly where every dollar goes—typically saving clients 10-15% compared to traditional contractors.
Traditional general contractors add 20-30% markup on all aspects of your project. For a $500,000 custom home, that's $100,000-$150,000 in markup you're paying to protect their profit margins.
Moderno operates differently. Our construction management model works like this:
Transparent Pricing Structure:
Real Impact on Your Budget:
For a $500,000 acreage build, traditional contractors might charge $575,000-$650,000 for the same scope. Our construction management approach keeps costs at $550,000-$570,000, saving you $25,000-$80,000. That savings could fund:
This isn't hypothetical—it's what our clients experience project after project.
Acreage home construction requires different financing than buying existing homes. Understanding your options helps you plan accurately:
Land Purchase Financing:
Construction Loans:
At Moderno, we partner with Bell Bank and other lenders who understand acreage construction financing. Our detailed budgeting and proven track record help streamline the approval process. Having built 800+ homes, lenders trust our project management and cost estimates, which benefits you with better loan terms.
Let's talk about what you actually get for your investment—because acreage living delivers value beyond the financial spreadsheet.
Lifestyle Benefits:
Minnesota-Specific Advantages:
Several market factors currently benefit families pursuing acreage living in Scott County:
1. Remote Work Normalization: More employers accept hybrid and remote arrangements, reducing commute concerns. Living 30-40 minutes from the office matters less when you're only commuting 2-3 days weekly.
2. Urban Exodus Continuing: Post-pandemic, families increasingly prioritize space and privacy over proximity to entertainment districts. This shift strengthened demand for communities like Harvest Bluffs and Holman Addition.
3. Scott County Growth: New businesses, improved infrastructure, and expanding amenities make Scott County more attractive. As the county develops, early acreage buyers benefit from appreciation.
4. Limited Suburban Inventory: New suburban developments face increasing land constraints. Builders squeeze homes onto smaller lots, pushing quality-conscious buyers toward acreage alternatives.
Let's address common misconceptions that prevent families from exploring acreage living:
Myth: "We can't afford acreage on a middle-class income" Reality: With lots starting in the $200,000s and total projects in the $600,000-$700,000 range, acreage competes favorably with new suburban homes—especially when you consider lifetime HOA costs and quality-of-life value.
Myth: "Maintenance costs will kill our budget" Reality: While you have more land to maintain, actual costs are manageable. Many families maintain 2-3 acres easily with a riding mower and minimal landscaping. The rest can remain natural.
Myth: "We'll be isolated from everything" Reality: Scott County acreage developments offer the best of both worlds—privacy at home with Prior Lake and Lakeville amenities 5-15 minutes away. You're not isolated; you're strategically positioned.
Myth: "Building on acreage is too complicated" Reality: Partnering with an experienced construction management team familiar with Scott County regulations makes the process straightforward. We handle the complexity; you make the decisions.
Our family has been developing acreage properties in Scott County for three generations. "Keeping the move-to-acreage dream alive" isn't just our tagline—it's our business philosophy that guides every decision:
Community Development Approach:
Transparent Project Management:
Local Expertise:
Let's walk through a realistic scenario for a family considering acreage living:
The Johnson Family Situation:
Traditional Contractor Approach:
Moderno Construction Management Approach:
This $87,600 difference isn't hypothetical—it's the real impact of transparent construction management. For the Johnsons (and hundreds of families like them), this difference determines whether acreage living is possible.
Beyond lifestyle and affordability, acreage properties offer compelling long-term benefits:
Environmental Stewardship:
Investment Performance:
If you're seriously considering acreage living in Scott County, here's your roadmap:
Step 1: Get Pre-Qualified
Step 2: Explore Available Properties
Step 3: Understand True Costs
Step 4: Plan Your Custom Home
Yes, acreage living in Scott County remains affordable in 2025—but it requires partnering with builders who genuinely care about keeping that dream accessible. At Moderno Construction Management, we've spent three generations proving that transparent project management, competitive pricing, and local expertise can deliver exceptional custom homes on acreage without the inflated costs traditional contractors charge.
We've built 800+ custom homes across communities like Prior Lake, Lakeville, Credit River, and throughout Scott County. We've developed Scenic Bay Estates, Harvest Bluffs, Cardinal Pass, and many other communities specifically to provide families with acreage opportunities.
Ready to explore whether acreage living fits your family's dream and budget?
Contact Moderno Construction Management at 952-234-8879 today. Let's have an honest conversation about what acreage living truly costs, how our construction management approach saves you money, and whether one of our current developments might be perfect for your family.
Your dream of privacy, space, and custom acreage living is more achievable than you think—let us show you how we make it happen.
