In an era where acquiring multi-acre parcels with standing residential structures under $100,000 has become increasingly rare across the country, finding over 6 heavily wooded acres paired with a functional 1-bedroom home for just $50,000 stands out as an remarkable opportunity. Located at 6028 S State Road 35, Superior, WI 54880, this Douglas County property represents an ultra-low-cost entry point for outdoor enthusiasts, DIY flippers, recreational camp buyers, or long-term land investors.
Offering a compact 754-square-foot single-level home set on 6.07 heavily wooded acres, the property sits just minutes from Pattison State Park—home to Wisconsin’s highest waterfalls, pristine hiking trails, and year-round outdoor recreation. Featuring a recent $10,000 price drop on July 8, 2026 (reducing the asking price from $60,000 down to $50,000), this listing presents an intriguing mix of immediate utility and raw land potential.
However, when evaluating a 1940-built property offered at $66 per square foot, prospective buyers must look beyond the low price tag to evaluate the heating setup, water source status, and structural baseline. Let us dive deep into the property specifications, evaluate the unique pros and cons, break down the pricing metrics, and give you a definitive verdict on whether you should buy this property.
Property Specifications at a Glance
Before examining the lifestyle and structural details, let us review the raw data provided in the listing:
| Metric / Feature | Property Details |
| Listing Price | $50,000 (Reduced by $10,000 on July 8, 2026) |
| Location | 6028 S State Road 35, Superior, WI 54880 (Douglas County) |
| Total Lot Size | 6.07 Acres (Heavy Tree Coverage, 2640 x 100 Lot Dimensions) |
| Livable Footprint | 754 Sq. Ft. (Single-Level Ranch Architecture) |
| Bedrooms / Bathrooms | 1 Bedroom / 1 Three-Quarter Bath (3/4 Bath on Main Level) |
| Year Built | 1940 (Wood Frame Construction on Slab Foundation) |
| HVAC & Climate Control | Propane Space Heater / No Central Air Conditioning |
| Water / Sewer Utilities | Private Sewer System / Water: “None” Indicated on Listing Data |
| Electric Utility | Superior Water, Light & Power (SWL&P) Grid Connection |
| Included Appliances | Range and Refrigerator Included |
| Annual Property Taxes | $1,294 (Low, manageable annual carrying cost) |
The Pros: Why This Superior Parcel is a High-Value Catch
For buyers seeking immediate recreational utility, acreage near state parks, and minimal annual holding costs, this northern Wisconsin property offers compelling value drivers.
1. Exceptional Acreage Value Near Pattison State Park
The primary financial anchor of this listing rests in the quality and location of the accompanying 6.07 acres:
- The $8,237 Per-Acre Land Calculation: At a total purchase price of $50,000, you are acquiring 6.07 wooded acres along State Highway 35, a standing 754 sq. ft. home, power grid hookups, and a private sewer system for roughly $8,237 per acre. In today’s northern Wisconsin market, acquiring serviced land on a state highway near major parks under $10,000 per acre represents an attractive entry point.
- Proximity to Pattison State Park: The property is located just minutes from Pattison State Park, which features Big Manitou Falls (the highest waterfall in Wisconsin at 165 feet), Little Manitou Falls, Interfalls Lake, and miles of hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing trails.
- Heavy Tree Coverage & Privacy: The lot spans a long 2,640-foot depth with heavy mature tree cover, providing a natural buffer for establishing private trails, hunting blinds, ATV paths, or clearing an elevated secondary building site set back from the highway.
2. Standing 754 Sq. Ft. Home with Power & Sewer Drops
Developing raw land from scratch requires major capital outlays for driveway cutting, power drops, and septic installation. This property bypasses several initial hurdles:
- Existing Utility Connections: The site features grid electricity provided by Superior Water, Light & Power (SWL&P) alongside a functional private sewer system. Installing a new septic tank and running power lines to raw land today can easily cost upwards of $15,000 to $25,000.
- Functional Living Space: Spanning 754 square feet, the 1940 single-level home includes a large 19.5′ x 19.5′ living room, a 15′ x 6′ kitchen, a dining area, a bedroom, and a 3/4 bathroom. It comes with a range and refrigerator included, offering an immediate weatherproof shelter for weekend getaways or hunting base camps.
3. Extremely Low Holding Overhead
- Manageable Annual Tax Baseline: Annual property taxes sit at $1,294 per year (roughly $108 per month) based on Douglas County assessments. With zero Homeowners Association (HOA) fees or municipal dues, the ongoing cost to hold this asset as a long-term land investment or seasonal cabin is minimal.
The Cons: The Realities of a 1940 Fixer-Upper
A disciplined real estate analysis requires moving past the $50,000 price tag to evaluate the utility limitations, heating constraints, and structural parameters of this listing.
1. Water Source Listed as “None”
This is the most critical operational item for prospective buyers to verify:
- Unclear Water Infrastructure: The listing specifications explicitly list “Water: None”. This typically indicates that while a private sewer system exists, there may not be an active, functioning drilled well connected to the house. If a new water well needs to be drilled in Douglas County, buyers must budget between $6,000 and $12,000 depending on depth to bedrock and water table levels.
2. Space Heater Climate Control & Age-Related Wear
- Lack of Central HVAC: The home relies on a propane space heater for winter warmth and has no integrated central cooling system. Space heaters produce localized heat boundaries, meaning winter temperatures in northern Wisconsin (-20°F in deep winter) will require installing a modern propane forced-air furnace, a pellet stove, or ductless mini-split heat pumps for comfortable year-round living.
- 1940 Structural Age: Built in 1940 on a concrete slab foundation, the home is 86 years old. Buyers should budget capital to inspect the slab integrity, verify exterior wall insulation levels, check roof shingle condition (listed as “Age Over 8 Years”), and evaluate interior plumbing lines for winter freeze protection.
3. Highway Frontage & Irregular Lot Dimensions
- 2,640 x 100 Lot Geometry: The 6.07 acres feature a long, narrow “shotgun” lot layout measuring 100 feet of road frontage by 2,640 feet (half a mile) of depth. While the 100-foot width provides plenty of room for driveway access, future building sites or main structures must be set back carefully to maintain side-yard privacy from adjacent parcels.
Price Analysis and Market Valuation
Let us evaluate the baseline financial mathematics behind this $50,000 asking price.
At $50,000 for 754 square feet of finished living space, the property calculates to an exceptionally low $66 per square foot. In the Superior and Douglas County real estate market, standard single-family homes routinely trade between $130 and $180 per square foot.
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| MARKET TRANSACTION TIMELINE |
+--------------------------+---------------+------------------------------+
| Date Event | Price | Details / Source |
+--------------------------+---------------+------------------------------+
| Dec 22, 2025 Sold | $69,900 | Prior Public Transfer |
| June 19, 2026 Listed | $60,000 | MLS # 7093156 |
| July 8, 2026 Price Change| $50,000 | -$10,000 (-16.7% Cut) |
+--------------------------+---------------+------------------------------+
Key Financial Insights:
The property previously sold in late 2025 for $69,900. Entering the market in June 2026 at $60,000 and dropping to $50,000 on July 8, 2026, the current asking price sits $19,900 below its late-2025 sales figure.
Subtracting the estimated value of 6.07 wooded acres near Pattison State Park (conservatively valued at $30,000 to $35,000) leaves just $15,000 to $20,000 for the standing 754 sq. ft. home, private sewer, electric hookup, and outbuildings. Building a matching 754 sq. ft. cabin shell with septic and power drops today would easily exceed $60,000 to $80,000 in labor and materials, establishing a strong financial margin of safety.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy This Property?
The definitive answer is: Yes, this is an exceptional, low-risk value purchase, provided you verify the water well status and carry cash or specialty financing.
Who should WALK AWAY:
If you are looking for a move-in ready, fully modernized primary home with central forced-air heating, central AC, and low-down-payment FHA mortgage financing, pass on this property. Traditional mortgage underwriters will rarely approve conventional loans on a 1940 house with space-heater climate control and unverified water well status.
Who should BUY THIS:
If you are a handyperson, a DIY flipper, an outdoor enthusiast seeking an affordable weekend getaway near Pattison State Park, or a cash buyer looking to secure 6+ wooded acres with grid power and private sewer for $50,000, write an offer immediately. The recent $10,000 price drop, low $1,294 annual taxes, and strong land-to-price ratio make this one of the most accessible property plays in Douglas County.
Suggested Negotiation Strategy:
Because the seller has already shown strong motivation by reducing the price by $10,000 on July 8, they are seeking a clean, fast closing. Submit a clean cash offer between $42,000 and $46,000. Ensure your purchase contract includes a dedicated inspection clause allowing a professional to evaluate the private sewer system, verify the water well / water supply status, and check the slab foundation before final wire transfer.
Listed on Zillow