How Do I Sell My Home

The best real estate agents know how to market real estate. Here is an example of a blog post that helped us sell a listing we had in the Sanctuary of Minnetonka. We removed the photos, the address, the 3D virtual showing and the video of this home at the request of the new owners.

The Blog Post that helped us sell this Minnetonka Town House

Once upon a time in a cozy little nook in Minnetonka, there was a truly enchanting community of townhomes called The Sanctuary.  This is not a fairy tale but you will definitely be enchanted by the magic of this 2 bedroom, 3 bath, 2811 square foot residence. Keynotes of spacious elegance, gracious warmth, and peaceful serenity create the signature ambiance of this unique home, a theme that is evident both inside and out of doors. As I approached the main entrance, I felt vibes of Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie design in the light fixtures and the door and this was a theme that continued inside the home, but quietly noted in characteristic trademarks like sconces, black wrought iron, rich natural woods, architectural niches and an open flowing floorplan. It is striking how comfortably it fits into its surroundings and that it was designed and situated to take advantage of the available light and space thanks to carefully planned window placement, vaulted ceilings, and lighting. The use of upscale and tasteful materials and the meticulous attention to detail and customization make this home extraordinary. 

The uniqueness of this residence is striking, but as I walked from space to space I also couldn’t help but notice that although this home was touched by elegance in every corner, it also managed to impart a sense of cozy warmth, a tricky balance to be sure, and a very pleasant surprise. It is a comfortable space that reaches out and says, “sit down and stay awhile”, and the truth is when it was time to leave, I did so reluctantly.  But leave I did and so it will be some other lucky humans that get to own this incredible property.

We just love this home and here are 10 reasons we think you will too!

1. The Short List of Love

What are some of the characteristics that make me gush about this property? Wired for sound inside and out, customized recessed lighting, under-cabinet lighting in unexpected places, custom cabinets and built-ins, outstanding storage space, laundry room adjacent to the magnificent master bedroom closet, large rooms, a kitchen to die for, the décor of the hall bath, the claw foot soaking tub, the luscious African Gumwood floors, the skylight tubes, the screened in porch.

2.  Sweet Location

This suburban oasis is a two-mile walk to Grays Bay Dam and the Minnehaha Creek headwaters, a two and a half mile stroll to downtown Wayzata and on the LRT Trail, you can take a four-mile hike to Excelsior.  It is a short jaunt to Lifetime Fitness, grocery stores, hardware store, hair & nail salons, restaurants, cleaners, banks, liquor store, Great Harvest and a car repair shop. Love to enjoy the urban options of downtown Minneapolis?  With easy access to 494, you can be downtown or uptown in about 25 minutes.  Shop till you drop at the Ridgeway Mall because it’s only 10 minutes away.

3. Open, Bright and Spacious Floorplan

Featuring two levels of living space, the floor plan is open and modern with an abundance of windows to let in the natural light.  When night falls, recessed lighting takes center stage.  The walls throughout this home are all custom painted with a soft neutral and very contemporary color palette. From the foyer into the kitchen, a lush African Gumwood floor creates some décor drama which gives way to the dense plush carpeting of the family room, perfect for bare toes and warmth in winter. Each room or living space is generously sized and well planned as is evident from the extensive use of built-in cabinetry and the thoughtful placement of lighting. It is perfect for everyday family living and converts seamlessly to a great venue for entertaining large groups.

4. The Kitchen and Dining

This kitchen has it all and will please the most discriminating family chefs.  The abundant cabinets are cherry, the counter tops are granite, the backsplash is a gorgeous stone tile and the floors are African Gum.  If you enjoy hosting large dinner parties, this kitchen can handle it. There are two ovens and a separate gas cooktop, a Subzero refrigerator and a wine cooler. The large island can accommodate 5 and well-lit by the overhead pendant lighting.  Did I mention the custom tile backsplash and African Gum floor? Off the kitchen is access to a deck so when summer arrives it is easy to dine al fresco and adjacent to the kitchen but more private is a formal dining room which features a tray ceiling and built-in custom buffet.

5. The Family Room and Screened Porch

This room was made for relaxing. It is the perfect space for watching a movie, listening to music on the surround sound, reading a good book or simply enjoying a glass of wine and good conversation in the warmth of the gas fireplace on a cold winter night. When summer arrives, you will love the screened porch. The surrounding trees make it a secret and tranquil place, a sanctuary within a sanctuary, and I fantasize that tiny woodland creatures may have lived discretely among the greenery for years. It’s a wonderful venue for birdsong with morning coffee or a casual supper in the quiet of the evening.

6. The Master Suite

The master bedroom is serene and well-appointed. A stylish rattan bladed fan nestles nicely into the tray ceiling and the bay of windows is perfect for a seating area. The master bath is a pure luxury from the heated ceramic floors to the elegant claw foot tub where you can soak away the cares of the day, with or without bubbles. There is a large separate shower, and his and her sinks sit upon a granite counter and a unique customized vanity. The walk-in closet speaks for itself. I simply love the location of the laundry room on the far side of the closet. So convenient for putting away the laundry and set apart from the main living space.  Thanks to four strategically placed solar tubes this area is filled with natural light. Again, the cabinetry here carries out the theme of customized storage which is a trademark of this wonderful home.

7. The Lower Level

The floor below is perfectly designed to serve as additional living and entertaining space but also a guest retreat for visiting family or friends. The second bedroom is located here with its own private outside seating area. There is a casual dining area which includes a wine cooler, entertainment room, and bath. Customized cabinetry, another gas fireplace, a ¾ bath and a home office complete the area. Lots of windows let in the light and this space is very flexible and could also accommodate a workout room, or craft area. You decide. It should also be noted that hidden behind a couple of doors are bonus storage spaces and the utility area. There is a second refrigerator, a freezer, and an abundance of storage shelving that all remain with the home as do the 48-inch and 60-inch TVs.

8.  The Home Office

Tucked quietly away into one side of the lower level family room we find a generously sized home office with amazing built-ins, overhead and under cabinet lighting, and 3 separate work surfaces. There is abundant space here to run a home business and accommodate a craft area which works well for the current owners. You will note the embroidery supplies.

9. Luxury in Each Detail

Often it is the little and not so little extras that make one home stand apart from another. This home is a treasure chest of features that will enhance your everyday living experience and should be noted. They include:  heated garage with epoxy floors and additional storage options • customized lighting designed for displaying art throughout the home • surround sound controlled in every room as well as on the deck and screened porch • a state of the art security system because feeling safe is important • an abundance of customized storage throughout the home • an irrigation system • an option to convert the gas cooktop to electric • custom Hunter Douglas coverings on all windows • four solar tubes • three heavy metal outside storm doors with key locks.

10. Improvements of the Last Six Years

The current owners bought this home in 2011 and have since done some substantial updates and improvements. In 2011: Kinetico water softener • radon test • added additional insulation • garage heater • 2012: new deck flooring • 2013: Garage floor epoxy • Douglas shades • 2014: new dehumidifier • new gas cook top • new air conditioner • 2015: new hot water heater • 2016: new roof • new exterior paint • new interior paint entire home • 2017: new garbage disposal.

What the Current Owners Have to Say

We really enjoy our neighborhood. It is tucked away, safe and quiet yet within walking distance of convenient shopping options. With access to highway 494 just down the road, the entire metro is opened to us. The home has proved solid and worry-free. We enjoy the abundance of natural light and air, the amazing custom cabinetry, as well as the abundant storage options. The deck space is great for hosting summer get-togethers with neighbors and friends. The screened in porch is a wonderful place to start and end the day. Last but not least, the neighbors are friendly and we have forged relationships here we shall miss as we begin our next life adventure.