Hammond is a little river town of about 130 people, tucked into the Zumbro River Valley in Wabasha County. It's not where you'd expect a bidding situation. Hammond is in Wabasha County, about 30 minutes from Rochester and Mayo Clinic.
But when a seller came to us with a three-bedroom fixer-upper and the vacant lot right next door, we listed them side by side. Within twelve days, one buyer had agreed to buy both.
The short version: I listed a 3-bedroom, 1-bath fixer-upper and the adjacent build-ready residential lot in Hammond, MN on May 5, 2026, as two separate listings. We received several offers, and on May 17 the seller accepted one buyer's offer for the house and the lot together. It closed on August 14, 2026.
Key takeaways
- Listing a house and the lot next to it separately lets buyers choose one or both.
- "As-is" sales can still draw several offers when the price and the setting are right.
- Small river towns appeal to buyers who want recreation close to home.
- Drone photos show how a lot and house fit together better than any ground photo.
The properties at a glance
| The house | The lot | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | 3-bedroom, 1-bath fixer-upper, about 1,195 sq ft, with main-floor laundry | Level, mostly cleared residential lot (Class 201), with a 12' x 29' garage/shed sold as-is with contents |
| Utilities | City sewer, water and electric | City sewer, water and electric at the street |
| Terms | Sold as-is | Sold as-is |
| Listed | May 5, 2026 | |
| Under contract | May 17, 2026, one buyer for both (12 days) | |
| Closed | August 14, 2026 | |
| My role | Listing agent for the seller | |
What did the seller need?
The house needed work, and the seller wanted to sell it as-is. The lot was a separate parcel next door. A buyer looking for a fixer-upper isn't always looking for a building lot, and the other way around.
So the question was simple: sell them together, or let the market decide?
How did we market the house and the lot?
- Two listings, cross-referenced. Each listing pointed to the other, so a buyer for one learned about both.
- Selling the town, not just the house. Hammond sits next to the Hammond Village Park public water access on the Zumbro River State Water Trail, with paddling, tubing, fishing and bluff country trails close by, and Rochester is a short drive away.
- Drone photos and video, plus "coming soon" flyers and short social videos for each listing.
- Honest disclosures. Both were clearly marketed as-is, with the required disclosures and an as-is addendum.
Pro tip: If you own a lot next to your house, ask your agent about listing them separately. Some buyers want only one, and some will want both. Separate listings let you hear from both groups.
What was the outcome?
Several buyers made offers, and on May 17, 2026, just twelve days after listing, the seller accepted an offer for the house and the lot together. The buyer was thrilled to own a home like this, and it was perfect for her budget.
It's a good example of how I approach residential sales.
"I tell my sellers that about 95% of the time in residential sales, I have to find somebody just like them: the same taste, the same location needs, a lot of the same values and the same lifestyle. I'm really creating a match system between buyers and sellers, kind of like the game Match 'Em."
— Jen Busch
A quiet river-town home with room to grow, right next to the water trail, was exactly what this buyer was looking for.
The sale closed on August 14, 2026.
How does selling a house "as-is" work in Minnesota?
- Disclose what you know. "As-is" doesn't remove Minnesota's seller disclosure duty. You still disclose known material facts.
- Add the right forms. An as-is addendum, plus a lead-based paint disclosure for homes built before 1978.
- Let buyers inspect. Buyers can still inspect. As-is just means the seller isn't promising repairs.
- Price for the condition. Buyers will factor in the work the home needs.
If you're selling
A home that needs work can still be the perfect home for someone. With honest disclosures and good marketing, this as-is house drew several offers.
If you're buying
Fixer-uppers and lots in small towns can go fast. Know your budget, including repairs, and be ready to write a clean offer.
The bottom line
Two listings, one buyer, twelve days. Letting the market see the house and the lot separately led to a buyer who loved both.
Own a house, a lot or land in the Zumbro River Valley?
I'd be glad to talk about the best way to bring it to market. Request your free home or land valuation or call or text me at (507) 923-7657. You can also browse our current farm and land listings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling a House and Lot in a Small Town
Should I sell my house and the lot next door together or separately?
You can do either. In Hammond we listed them separately, and one buyer chose to buy both. Separate listings reach buyers who want only one of them.
Can an as-is house get multiple offers?
Yes. This 3-bedroom fixer-upper was sold as-is and received several offers within about twelve days.
Do I still need disclosures if I'm selling as-is?
Yes. Minnesota sellers must still disclose known material facts. An as-is addendum and, for older homes, a lead-based paint disclosure are also used.
How long did the Hammond sale take?
It was listed May 5, 2026, went under contract May 17, and closed August 14, 2026.
Why do buyers like Hammond, MN?
It's a quiet river town on the Zumbro River with a public water access, paddling, fishing and bluff country trails, and it's a short drive to Rochester.
Disclosure: Jen Busch represented the seller in this 2026 transaction as broker/owner of United Country Real Estate | Midwest Home & Farm Realty. Details come from Jen's transaction records. Client names, street addresses and sale prices are left out for privacy. This case study is general information, not legal or tax advice, and it does not guarantee any result. Every property and sale is different. Equal Housing Opportunity.