Prior Lake

Ornell Group Real Estate — Twin Cities Suburbs Luxury & Waterfront Specialists

Prior Lake is one of the strongest and most recognizable waterfront communities in the Twin Cities. With more than 1,300 acres of water across Upper and Lower Prior Lake, strong clarity, deep recreational use, and vibrant lake neighborhoods, Prior Lake offers one of the most complete lake lifestyles in Minnesota.

While my primary market is the northern suburbs, I work with high-end buyers and sellers who value shoreline quality, clarity trends, and long-term appreciation. Those principles apply equally well on Prior Lake. Many relocation families and executives compare northern suburb lakes to Prior Lake, and I help clients understand which waterfront lifestyle fits them best.

Prior Lake Overview
Prior Lake is divided into Upper and Lower Prior, each with its own feel, water character, and pricing patterns. The lake supports everything from quiet residential pockets to high-energy boating areas, shoreline restaurants, marinas, trails, and active water sports.

For buyers seeking a true full-service lake community near both downtown Minneapolis and major employers in the southwest metro, Prior Lake consistently ranks near the top.

Upper Prior Lake
Upper Prior is quieter, narrower in areas, and more residential. Buyers who want privacy, calmer water, paddleboarding, kayaking, and scenic shoreline often gravitate toward Upper Prior.

Shoreline tends to feel more established, with a mix of remodeled homes, newer builds, and legacy properties. Inventory turns over slowly, which supports long-term value.

Lower Prior Lake
Lower Prior is the larger and more active basin. With wider water, deeper sections, and a more expansive boating environment, it attracts buyers who want full recreation:

wake surfing
boating
fishing
jet skiing
water skiing

Lower Prior also offers several shoreline restaurants, marinas, and bays that appeal to buyers seeking a social, active lake lifestyle.

Bays of Prior Lake
While not as segmented as Lake Minnetonka, Prior Lake does have distinct bays and shoreline pockets that attract different types of buyers:

Mud Bay
Quiet water, excellent for paddle sports, strong long-term demand.

Wagon Bridge Bay
Highly desired for its protected feel and proximity to open water.

Lower Prior East Shore
Big-water views, deep lots, and newer luxury builds.

Northwest & Southwest Shores
Larger lots, modern rebuilds, and privacy-focused neighborhoods.

Prior Lake Market Overview
Prior Lake is a consistently competitive market with a wide range of pricing:

Entry-level shoreline
$850K to $1.4M depending on lot depth, frontage, and home age.

Mid-range waterfront
$1.5M to $3M for updated homes, larger lakeshore, strong views, and modern layouts.

Luxury and new construction
$3M to $6M for custom builds, wide frontage, and architect-designed homes.

Ultra-premium
$6M+ for rare estate parcels, point lots, and design-forward modern homes.

Demand is driven by a mix of local buyers, executives, professional athletes, and relocation families.

Relocation Appeal
Prior Lake is one of the top lake destinations for relocation buyers moving into the southwest metro. Reasons include:

access to Shakopee and Eden Prairie corporate campuses
proximity to MSP Airport
strong recreational amenities
high-performing schools
luxury new construction options
restaurants, marinas, and social lake culture

Executives often compare Minnetonka and Prior Lake — but Prior offers more affordability at similar lot sizes, with strong long-term appreciation.

Lakeside Lifestyle
Prior Lake offers a complete waterfront community experience. Residents enjoy:

marina access
lakeside restaurants
farmer’s markets
local events
walking paths
water sports culture
community festivals
full four-season recreation

It feels like a lake town with suburban convenience, which is a major draw for families and professionals.

How Ornell Group Real Estate Supports Prior Lake Clients
My expertise is lakefront real estate: the shoreline quality, water patterns, clarity trends, architectural eras, and long-term value indicators. Whether it’s Minnetonka, the northern suburbs, or Prior Lake, buyers need clarity on:

what drives value
which shoreline segments matter
where long-term appreciation is strongest
what architectural styles command premiums

For sellers, we focus on positioning — the experience, the light, the views, and the unique strengths of the shoreline. This helps attract stronger offers and better outcomes.

Ready to Explore Prior Lake
If you’re considering buying or selling on Prior Lake — or comparing it to the northern suburb lakes — I’d be happy to guide you with clarity and honesty.

ORNELL GROUP REAL ESTATE | TIM ORNELL
Northern Suburbs Luxury & Waterfront Specialist
Real Brokerage | Luxury Division
Institute for Luxury Home Marketing – GUILD Certified
$200M+ Sold | 200+ Transactions
[email protected]
ornellgroup.com