Can You Recognize a Super Real Estate Agent When You Meet One?  Take This Quiz!

You have finally made the big decision to buy a home, and you’re ready to dive headlong into the real estate market! Congratulations!  Given today’s market and the great opportunities that abound in the Twin Cities Metro for homeownership, I applaud your decision.  But, (and yes, there is always a “but,”) before you take the plunge, just like every great athlete needs a coach, or every talented artist needs an agent, you need a Realtor© by your side, advocating for you.

“Why can’t I just advocate for myself?” you say.  Great question, and I am so glad you asked. An honest and ethical real estate agent will steer you in the right direction to not waste time spinning your wheels. He will offer expert advice when called for, even if it might not be what you want to hear, and will put your best interest at the forefront of any transaction.  Not only will he protect your interests, but he will also limit your liabilities and even save you money. 

“Wow,” you say, “having an agent will give me an edge!  I want one, but, with all those...

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...

New Construction vs Existing Home

When you bought your charming starter home, it was perfect.  As a newly married couple living in the Twin Cities, the 950 square feet with two bedrooms and one bath felt spacious after living in a one bedroom apartment. Now, two children later and you feel like your once spacious home more closely resembles a hobbit hutch and you know it’s time to move up to something larger. Like many young potential buyers in your position, you are facing the conundrum of should you buy another used home or opt for a shiny new one? Should I buy a new construction home or buy an existing home? According to a Zillow survey, 41% of buyers responded to having a preference for a newly constructed home, but as in every incidence when you are at a crossroad, there are pros and cons on both sides of the equation. When you purchase a home, there is never a one size fits all option and depending on lifestyle and priorities one choice, new vs. existing, may be clearly preferable to the other.

Pros of New Home Construction 

• Buy or build a new home and you get to make all the choices, every single one!...

Building A New Home In Minnesota

So you decided to take the plunge and buy a home - great!  One of the options you should consider if you haven't already done so is a brand new home!  When you consider new construction vs. previously owned certainly there are pros and cons on both sides of the equation.  Let's take a look at what I consider my top 8 reasons for buying a newly constructed home.

Building a Home in the Twin Cities

Buy or build a new home in the Twin Cities and you get to make all the choices, every single one! You choose the lot, the style of home, floor plan, builder, and all of the finishes touches that will make this house truly your home. Depending on the builder, development, real estate agent and price point you are comfortable with, you can have as little or as much input as you desire.

In the kitchen, you select the cabinets, countertops, appliances you have always wanted.  The bathroom fixtures will be up to you, and the style of the doors and windows.  And of course, you select all the flooring, light fixtures, and colors!  You can decide how you want to allocate your allowances.  Perhaps you want the top of the line...

Buying A Home In Minnetonka, MN 

Minnetonka is a dynamic city located on the eastern tip of Lake Minnetonka. The land mass is 26.93 square miles, water covers a 1.29 square mile area,  population according to the 2010 census is 49,734, median home price as of April 2015 is $306,100 and expected to rise 0.9% within the next year according to Zillow. It is a great place to live, work and raise a family. Here are my top 9 reasons to consider buying a home in Minnetonka.

Minnetonka Homes Have Great Metro Access

A location 8 miles west of Minneapolis makes commuting to the city for work or play a snap.  Whether your intent is to explore the uptown or downtown options, less than 20 minutes finds you there!  Families relocating to Minnesota often find themselves being encouraged by their Realtor, Co-Workers, and Relocation Director, to look at homes for sale in Minnetonka.

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Twin Cities Metro Housing Statistics September 2016

Summer is yesterday and we are immersed in the second best season for real estate, fall.  The theme of the story is pretty much the same: Ardent buyers with sellers still playing it coy. Let’s take a look at the numbers for September and see how they shook out here in the Twin Cities metro.

Market snapshot in one sentence: Job and wage growth coupled with rising rents and attractive interest rates are doing more to inspire buyers than rising property values and shorter time on the market seem to be doing to inspire sellers as the market continues to struggle with inadequate inventory.

Let’s take a deeper dive into the month of September 2016 real estate market statistics in comparison to the same time last year. *

Quick Twin Cities Housing Stats for September

Selling Homes in the Twin Cities Area of Minnesota

The spring and summer housing market is behind us, but as we look in the rearview mirror and wave good-bye, we should also look ahead and say hello to the second best season for home sales, fall. If you thought about putting your house on the market but somehow didn’t manage to pull it all together as yet, here is your second chance as a seller to take advantage of this market leaning so heavily in your favor here in the Twin Cities.  

Generally speaking under normal conditions the seasonal adjustment of the cooler months and inventory, prices and market activity seem to follow the downward trend of the temperatures. This may not be the case this year. While inventory levels, days on market, and pending sales are declining, median sale prices are continuing to rise.

Twin Cities Metro Market Data Still Strongly Favors Sellers

The Minneapolis Association of Realtors report for the week ending September ...

In case you haven’t heard, 2015 was a great year for real estate, and with home sales reaching a 10 year high, many industry leaders say the housing market has fully recovered. Now that we are several weeks into the New Year with the spring housing market hovering around the corner waiting to pounce on the Twin Cities, let’s take a look at January’s statistics and make some projections for what is ahead.

January Was Cold But the Twin Cities Housing Market Wasn't

The January real estate market in Minneapolis-St. Paul was strong with enthusiastic buyer activity, brisk sales, and rising home values setting the trend. Pending sales rose 3.5 percent, the median sale price rose 10.3 percent to $215,000, and the median list price climbed 6.1 percent to $259,900, a record high. However on the seller side we saw a less inspiring performance with the number of new listings declining 7.2 percent from last year which brought inventory levels down 22 percent and the lowest they have been since 2003.

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Sell Your Home with Remax Results and the Minnesota Property Group

The beginning of a new year is a beautiful thing! It is a perfect opportunity to review the past 12 months and compare it to the previous 12 and celebrate the success we have achieved. It is a time when we can continue to grow and to show you why you should sell your home with remax results and the Minnesota Property Group. Also, as we learn what worked well and what did not, we are in a better position to focus our energy in the coming year where we may have fallen short of our goals. For many of us it is the fresh start we need to clean the debris field of the old year and start with a clean slate for the new while for others it’s the beginning of another cycle of building on past achievements, adjusting priorities as well as setting new goals. To me it is like a pool of crystal clear still water waiting for me to stick my toes in and create some ripples, or maybe jump in with my whole being and create a huge splash!   

 How to Market Your Home for Sale in the Twin Cities

For The Minnesota Property Group, it was another outstanding year of showing the Twin Cities how to market your home for sale. We started some great new projects last year that we want to build on, improve and expand. The re-launch...

15 Curb Appeal Tips to get your Home Ready to Sell Fast 

Sell your home fast by starting with the first impression. Here are 15 fabulous and inexpensive ideas to boost the curb appeal of your home, he has curated some great information from some great sites like Better Homes and Gardens and also offered up some great DIY tips from bloggers like Bella Tucker and First Home Love as well. 

This information is must read for those of you are planning to sell your home fast this year. Even if you are planning to stay put, who doesn't want to improve the appearance of their home? Enough said. Let's read how we can give our homes a mini facelift! 

First Impressions will help sell your home fast

In life, you get one chance to make a first impression.  It can be the determining factor in getting the job, securing the client, or closing the deal.  When you are selling your home, the same holds true.  The first impression a potential buyer has of your house, be it online or in person can have a significant influence not only on an offer price but how quickly you receive one.  

When buyers are presented with a property that has great curb appeal, it draws them in with a smile. Reversely, if your home looks untidy and ill kept from the outside, buyers are going to have the impression that the property has not been well cared for, and it may even have them saying, “Next please”, without so much as an inside peek.

Now that you know how important curb appeal can be, here are 15 easy and inexpensive sure-fire ways to get the curb appeal of your home hitting the high notes!

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How To Be a Rock Star Home Seller in 5 Easy Steps

Selling your family home can be a stressful experience under the best of circumstances.  Listing your home creates a condition that interferes with the daily rhythm of your family life and invades the privacy of your personal space, not to mention the mixed emotions your family might be feeling about letting go of the old home and moving on to a new one. That being said, if you want or need to sell your home, you must realize and embrace the fact that things are going to change. 

On the other hand, change is not a bad thing.  Hopefully, you will be moving forward to a bigger home, preferred location, new job, or a new life adventure! Perhaps you are downsizing and looking forward to less responsibility, more time for leisure activities or a simpler, less complicated lifestyle. Whatever your particular situation, you want and need to get your home sold and you want the process to be as seamless and stress-free as possible.

You’re ready to sell and I want you to be a Rock Star Seller so here are 5 easy ways to make that happen!

1. Listen to Your Real Estate Agent 

One of the reasons you selected your real estate agent was because you trusted that he was the best professional...

These 5 Hot Tips Will Heat Up Your Winter Home Sale

Winter has arrived. In places like the Twin Cities, that means fewer daylight hours, frigid temperatures, snow, and ice. Winter definitely changes the dynamics of selling and showing your home at its best. However, we can also see these cold weather challenges as opportunities to showcase your home in ways not possible in the warmer seasons. Here are my 5 best tips for making your home shine more and sparkle brighter even though the days are shorter and the ground is covered in snow!

1. Strut Your Stuff Winter and Beyond

An absolute must is to keep the driveway and walkways clear and safe for walking. Maneuvering through snow and ice to get inside your home is not going to make a good first impression so be sure your property is totally accessible. Even though snow removal can be a challenge keep in mind you don’t have to worry about mowing and trimming the lawn every few days.  Another plus, if you don’t have the best landscaping on the block, the snow can provide a pristine charm you wouldn’t have in the warmer months. However, if you are an avid gardener and have...

Bloomington Minnesota Rocks! Here are 11 Reasons Why

The Minneapolis metro area boasts many suburbs that are outstanding places to live and Bloomington is one of them. Located ten miles south of downtown Minneapolis, Bloomington sits on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi. Land Mass is 34.68 square miles with water covering a 3.78 square area. The population according to the 2014 census is 86,314.

Bloomington become established as a Minneapolis suburb during the housing boom following WW II.  The Eastern end of city is comprised of modest housing on tree lined streets in tidy neighborhoods. West Bloomington development took off in the 70’s and is comprised of more upscale and expensive homes.  The median home price as of August 2015 as published on Zillow is $218,218 up 1.7% from the previous year with a prediction values in Bloomington will rise 1.5% over the next year.

 1. Bloomington Offers Great...

7 Great Tips for Fall Home Sellers

The Twin Cities real estate market has been strong throughout the spring and summer, and according to housing market analysts, we are experiencing one of the best housing markets of the last 15 years. So if you planned to sell your home this year but missed the spring and summer home-selling season, don’t despair or feel you need to wait until next spring to sell your home. Autumn happens to be the second best season for home sales.

Going into the cooler months always brings a seasonal adjustment in inventory levels. According to the weekly report from the Minneapolis Association of Realtors, for the week ending September 19^th, new listings decreased 0.4% to 1,613 and inventory 13.8% to 16,606. So fewer houses on the market, increase your chances of finding a buyer. Speaking of buyers…

While families with children tend to make their move in spring and be situated in their new homes for the start of the school year, job changes and relocations go on all year so there will be families out there looking for homes. Additionally, many millennials and empty nesters tend to wait until fall with hopes of being in their new home before the winter holidays arrive.  Easier mortgage approvals coupled with interest rates remaining low, sweeten the deal. Buyers are inspired.

To get you ready and help with that selling decision, here are 7 tips that will take turn your "home for sale" to "home sold" when you list your property this autumn.

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Hopkins

Located in Hennepin County, land area is 4.08 square miles and water covers a .03 square mile area. Population according to the 2010 census is 17,591, median home price as of August 2015 is $192,900 up 2.5% from the previous year according to Zillow. Hopkins is a small town with a large presence and a lot to offer in amenities.  Here are my 9 great reasons which make it a great place to call home.

1.  Hopkins is Affordable

Looking for a good deal? With the median home price at $192,900 for a single family home, and when you compare that to surrounding communities that is a pretty good deal for a Twin Cities suburb! We recently listed 2 home for sale in Hopkins and they were under contract in a matter of days! 

2.  Hopkins Enjoys Convenient Metro Access

A location 10 miles southwest of Minneapolis makes commuting to the city for work or play a piece of cake.  And trendy uptown is only 5 miles east!  So take in a Twins game at Target Field or listen to...

St. Louis Park

So you have made the decision to buy a home! Now what?  One of the very important questions you need to ask yourself is where do I want to live?  Perhaps many of you already know.  Great! But for those of you who are still undecided, St. Louis Park deserves serious consideration.

St. Louis Park, often referred to as simply “the Park”, is a first-ring suburb just west of Minneapolis. Land mass is 10.64 square miles, water covers a .22 square mile area,  population according to the 2010 census is 45,250, median home sale price as of June 2015 is $252,225 and expected to go up 1.1% next year according to Zillow.  The City motto is “Experience Life in the Park”.  Life in the park is pretty darn good as a matter of fact, and here are 7 reasons why.

1.  Location, Location 

The Park is a commuters dream if you work in the city. Whether your intent is to explore the uptown or downtown options you are ideally located.  With Highway 100 and 169 running north and south and 394 east and west, it has great interconnectedness to the entire Metro.

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Is Golden Valley, MN, an excellent place to buy a home?

Located 5 miles west of downtown Minneapolis lies the first-ring suburb of Golden Valley. The landmass is 10.19 square miles; water covers a .34 square mile area, population according to the 2010 census is 20,374, median home price as of October 2015 as published on Zillow is $254,300 with prediction values in Golden Valley will rise 1.4% over the next year.

9 Reasons why Golden Valley MN is an excellent place to buy a home

1. Easy Access to the Downtown Minneapolis

A location 5 miles west of downtown Minneapolis makes commuting to the city for work or play a snap. All the cultural and recreational attractions the city has to offer are a mere 10-minute drive!

2. Shop in and around Golden Valley

If you love to shop, you have great options! Why not explore the trendy Shops at the West End in nearby St. Louis Park. Need a mall fix? A mere 5 miles to the west lies the Ridgedale Center in Minnetonka, where you can browse through 2 levels featuring 140 retail stores.

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Spring has arrived in the Twin Cities Metro and the housing market is in full swing! The onset of warmer temperatures has caused buyers to shed their boots and mittens and start house hunting in earnest.  Traffic at Minnesota Property Group Open Houses has been brisk. We are seeing many more first time buyers, move up buyers, and buyers who are coming back after going through foreclosure or short sale experiences, (dubbed boomerang buyers) as well. 

According to data published by The Minneapolis Association of REALTORS©, March showed an increase in pending sales of 30% over last year and was the highest level for that month since 2005. Additionally new listings were up 21% over March 2014, but due to avid buyer activity the market advantage is still tipping towards sellers. So, it’s a strong market, an active market, and what I would describe as a “snooze and you lose market” with desirable properties often selling within days or even hours of being listed.

Incredibly low mortgage interest rates are holding steady at least for now, so this is really an awesome time to make your move.  However be aware that competition among buyers for desirable properties can be stiff, so as a buyer, to get the edge you need to be prepared to make your move when you find that dream property.  Here are my 3 best do’s and don’ts...

Top Realtors in Plymouth, MN 

Discuss the 10 Best Reasons to Live in Plymouth

Plymouth is the 7th largest city in Minnesota. The landmass is 32.68 square miles; water covers a 2.64 square mile area,  population according to the 2012 census is 72928, median home price as of July 2015 is $300,700, up 8% from the previous year according to Zillow. Prices are predicted to rise another 2% within the next year.

Why is Plymouth a great community? Let us count the ways!

1. Plymouth, MN is a Nationally Recognized Best Place to Live

Chosen by Money Magazine as the number 1 best place to live in 2008, featured in the top 12 for 2011.

2. The City of Plymouth has easy access to the Twin Cities Metro

Whether traveling to downtown Minneapolis for work or play, hop on Interstate 394 and head west 12 miles to reach your destination. Should you want to enjoy the shopping and dining experience of Uptown or enjoy a free concert at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, you can be there in about 22 minutes.

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