Caledonia Argus

Century 21 affiliate opens here

Posted: 9/9/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

Pete Peterson thinks that the quality of life in Caledonia will soon be drawing people who would like to make their homes here. In fact, heís counting on it. He and his business partner, Laurie Gavin , recently opened a Century 21 affiliate office on South Kingston Street to assist people in both buying and selling homes, acreages, and farms.

A social studies teacher in the Houston School District for 26 years, Peterson has been working in real estate for eight years, ever since he gave up his position as head football coach at HHS. He worked first for Coldwell Banker, and for the past five years has been with Century 21, working mainly out of his home between Caledonia and Houston. It became a little hairy trying to hold two full time jobs, so Peterson is now on a three year leave of absence from teaching, although he still coaches girls softball. Pete and his wife, Susan, have a son, Adam, 27, who works at Miken and plays softball for Team Miken; and two daughters, Amy, 23, and Stephanie, 20.

Laurie Gavin has lived most of her life in Caledonia, and is a 1981 graduate of Caledonia High School. She worked for 10 years for Dr. John Quanrud, D.V.M., and has worked for the past 10 years for chiropractor Dr. M.J. Schoeberl. She met Peterson when he was a patient there and after they began talking.She expressed an interest in learning more about the real estate business, and he encouraged her to go to school. She is now licensed in Minnesota and will soon be licensed in Wisconsin. She will continue to work part-time for Dr. Schoeberl while pursuing her real estate career. She and Tom Peter live in Green Acres with her children, Natasha, who is a freshman at Viterbo University and Cody, a freshman at Caledonia High School.

ìI always thought of having an office in Caledonia,î said Peterson. Caledonia has many opportunities and a lot of growth potential, especially with the new school and the housing developments to follow. People will move to the new homes, creating a market for the homes they are leaving. Taxes are low compared to places like La Crosse, and people get more for their money here in terms of the size and quality of house they can afford.

ìSoutheastern Minnesota has become very attractive,î said Peterson, adding that the exposure local properties have gotten through the internet has helped.

Peterson said his real estate niche is hobby farms and hunting land.

ìItís a dream of everyone to have a little hobby farm in the country,î he said.

The local office is one of 25 owned by Bill Kessler of Madison, Wisconsin, and is considered a satellite office. It offers the same benefits as other offices, including a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Within three days of listing, the property is listed with Realtors in La Crosse, Winona, and Rochesterómore than 1,000 in all.

Peterson has found the community to be a welcoming place.

ìCaledonia people have been friendly and nice,î he said. ìI encourage people to stop in .î

Office hours are from 1-5 p.m. daily, and an open house is planned for October 9.

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