If you have been looking for a Southeast Minnesota property that combines a well-cared-for country home, productive ground, substantial outbuildings and direct access to additional public recreational land, this 48.5+/- acre Houston County property deserves a closer look. Located at 9516 County 4 near Houston, the property offers paved road access, rolling Driftless Region terrain, approximately 16.5+/- acres of tillable ground and an impressive collection of buildings that create plenty of options for farming, livestock, equipment storage, workshop space or an at-home business.
The 16.5+/- acres of tillable ground are currently fenced and offer flexibility for row crops or pasture. The cropland is open for the 2027 growing season, giving a new owner the opportunity to farm the ground themselves, establish additional pasture, lease it or manage it according to their own plans. For someone interested in a hobby farm or livestock operation, the combination of open ground, fencing, multiple buildings and paved access creates a setup that could work well for horses, cattle, sheep or other agricultural uses.
One of the biggest assets of this property is the amount of usable building space. The 30' x 36' insulated shop has a concrete floor and power, providing a ready-made space for equipment, projects, storage or a workshop. There is also a 30' x 60' pole shed with a gravel floor and power, along with a much larger 48' x 96' pole shed, also with a gravel floor and power. A 24' x 40' former hog building has been re-tinned and offers a combination of concrete floor and additional shop or storage space. A barn rounds out the collection of improvements. Whether you need room for tractors, trailers, recreational equipment, livestock or an at-home business, there is a considerable amount of functional space already in place.
The five-bedroom, two-bath home offers just over 2,000 finished square feet and approximately 2,600 total square feet. The home has been very well cared for and includes an updated kitchen, main-floor laundry and a main-floor bedroom. A one-car attached garage adds everyday convenience, while the steel roof is another valuable exterior improvement. The well was installed in 2000 and there is a separate sand point for water for animals. The home provides comfortable country living while keeping you close to everything happening outside on the acreage.
For the recreational buyer, one of the property's most interesting features is found directly along its northern boundary. The property adjoins the Oak Ridge/Wet Bark Recreation Area, providing direct access to a large block of public recreational land, well over 1,000 acres of public land. Wet Bark features miles of horseback riding and hiking trails through the surrounding wooded terrain. That means you can head out from your own property for a horseback ride, hike or day of hunting without first loading up a trailer and driving somewhere else.
The recreational possibilities are especially appealing for a hunting buyer. This area of Houston County offers the rolling terrain, agricultural ground and wooded cover associated with southeast Minnesota deer and turkey country. The property's own acreage provides excellent hunting and recreational opportunities, while the adjoining public land greatly increases the amount of surrounding ground available to explore and hunt. Being able to walk out the back door and access miles of public land and trails is a feature that is difficult to duplicate.
The location near Houston also puts you in an area known for outdoor recreation. Houston serves as the eastern trailhead for the Root River State Trail, while the surrounding Driftless Region offers fishing, hiking, biking, hunting and other recreational opportunities. At home, there is plenty of room to enjoy a quieter routine, whether that means checking livestock in the morning, working on a project in the shop, heading out for an evening trail ride
