Home inspection in Willernie.

What we see in Willernie homes.

Willernie is one of Minnesota's enclaved cities, completely surrounded by Mahtomedi. It covers just 0.13 square miles along County Road 12 in Washington County and had 515 residents in 2020, down from a 1970 peak of 697. The 2010 census counted 240 housing units, a density of about 2,000 per square mile. Mahtomedi, which platted in 1883 and borders White Bear Lake, is the neighbor on every side. The houses are small and older, on narrow lots, with a few newer rebuilds standing among them, in glacial-drift country dotted with lakes.

Small older houses on narrow lots make for close-quarters inspecting. Side yards are tight, so where roof water goes matters, along with whether grading and downspouts push it toward the neighbor or the foundation. Inside, original-era wiring and panels, older plumbing, heating equipment and insulation matter, as do foundations that may be stone or block. Small houses often gain additions and finished attics, so framing, stair and egress details, and ventilation are worth watching. In a newer rebuild among old homes, flashing, decks and construction details matter most.

Local facts checked September 2026 against: Wikipedia, Wikipedia, Minnesota Department of Health.