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...

Top Wayzata Realtor Sold this Magical Wayzata MN House

 Wayzata MN Homes Like This Sell Quickly. 

Tucked away on an idyllic wooded lot in a cozy corner of Wayzata is our newest listing. If you are looking for a great family home that is close to all the city has to offer yet located in a community with a small town feel and a nationally recognized school system we have the perfect choice for you. Consider this gracious and elegant 5 bedroom 3 bath residence. This outstanding home offers 2360 square feet of living space with keynotes of elegant simplicity and peaceful serenity creating its signature ambiance....

The 5 Reasons Twin Cities Home Sellers Should List Now 

Even though March is still very much a winter month in the Twin Cities, we had a few days of spring-like weather in February.  Those days may have been a teaser but I will tell what is no joke  – the spring home buying season started in January! Buyers are eagerly snatching up properties with wild abandon. If you are planning to sell your house this year, the earlier in the year you get your house on the market, the better.  This phenomenal seller's market is not going to last forever but right now it’s all about you and the question on my mind today is, what are you waiting for? 

1. Tenacious Buyers Will Not Be Here Forever

To say there are many eager buyers in the market watching the posting of new listings with a keen eye is an understatement.  Many have not just been anticipating home ownership for weeks, a great number of buyers have been looking for months. With so much competition for so little inventory, a large number of these buyers have attempted to secure a deal on a home only to lose out to another eager buyer.  They are not giving up anytime soon but market conditions such as rising interest rates may force them out. This sense of urgency is inspiring them to make great offers, very often...

TopTwin Cities Real Estate Agents

Real estate in MN is the story about homes and about the people and the families that live and love in them. It is also about the real estate professional helping a family sell or buy a home and whether it is their first home or their last, the agent has a golden opportunity to become a hero in their narrative. Here at the Minnesota Property Group, we have a few heroes! Talking about them, even bragging a little bit, is the favorite part of my job as the content creator.

Five uniquely talented professionals came together as a team with one common goal; providing the best service by treating each client like a member of your family. (This paid off in July 2016 with being recognized as "America's Best Real Estate Agents" by Real Trends, a designation given to less than 1% of agents and teams nationally.) We already heard from Joe Houghton, the RE/MAX Results agent that leads this team. He is the one prominent reason this group is the best. It is his vision and plan that moves the team forward and inspires them to grow and reach their full potential not only as individual agents but as part of the team.  The four other reasons this team is extraordinary are members, Derek Irving, Mike Milne, Andrew Klinkner and Paul Mcquire who make up the strength of this great team. Here are their stories. 

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The Minnesota Property Group 

Real estate is about stories. Each seller, buyer, home, and Agent has a tale. Real estate is undoubtedly a challenging and competitive business, and it's also exciting and rewarding. The one thing most agents agree on is that it takes dedication, grit, and hard work to break into the business and to become successful. Being part of a robust and supportive team can often differentiate between a story with a happy ending and the other kind.

One of the critical elements to any successful group is a robust, supportive and talented leader, like veteran RE/MAX Results agent Joe Houghton. As the Minnesota Property Group leader, he brought together like-minded and talented agents and one content and marketing professional to form his team. As Marketing Director for the group, Joe has been an inspiration that led me to challenge myself and go where I had never gone before professionally. We connected three years ago when I had been booted from corporate America, and he wanted someone to create content for his blog and website.

That tentative story that began on a cold January afternoon in 2014 has become a successful narrative still unfolding. I have never regretted that decision even once. Joe has a talent for connecting with people to help them live up to their potential. If there is a harder worker than Joe, I haven't met him yet. If there is a leader more willing than Joe to try something new or make improvements, we have not crossed paths, and in a state known for the...

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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This Maple Grove Home Will be Sold Quickly

This chic contemporary home is light, bright and airy and brings to mind casual elegance. Coupled with the open floor plan is an abundance of warmth and charm, which promises years of comfort and enjoyment for the family who will live here. With 2013 square feet, three bedrooms and three baths on two levels of living space, this stylish home has most of the amenities you would expect to find in this price range, plus a couple of lovely surprises!

The home is well situated on a corner lot in the desirable Shadow Creek neighborhood of Maple Grove. Close to shopping, convenient to highways, and surrounded by lakes and recreation you will love the lifestyle available in this outstanding location. Did I mention great schools and a 30-minute commute to downtown Minneapolis? 

Let’s take a closer look as I show you the 7 characteristics I love about this house and I think you will too.

The Kitchen - Spacious and Open

Great layout with lots of cabinet space for all your appliances and cookware. I love the openness and space and that skylight lets in so much light!  You are going to cook up some memorable meals in this Kitchen....

Local RE/MAX Agents Named Among “America’s Best”

The Minnesota Property Group Earned Ranking for 2015 Home Sales

Plymouth, Minnesota July 26, 2016 – The Minnesota Property Group led by Joe Houghton with RE/MAX  is among the 2,691 RE/MAX agents and teams featured in the 2016 REAL Trends “America’s Best Real Estate Agents” survey. The agents included in the survey represent less than 1 percent of all real estate professionals in the United States.

On learning the news, team leader Joe Houghton said, “Our team focus is treating our clients like members of our own family to provide them with the best possible home selling or buying experience on the planet.  To have our team recognized alongside of so many hard working, dedicated real estate professionals is an accomplishment and we are honored to be named ‘America’s Best’. I’m so proud of my awesome team!

“America’s Best” is the industry’s largest ranking of agents based on homes sold in 2015. The survey is open to individual agents who closed at least 50 transaction sides or $20 million in sales volume and teams who had at least 75 sides or $30 million in volume.  The fourth annual ranking groups agents by state...

Why Early Spring is The Best Time Sell Your Twin Cities Home

Spring has officially arrived!  Birds singing, flowers blooming, temperatures rising and “Home for Sale” signs popping up on front lawns like mushrooms in the forest after a rain shower. Now I have not seen any robins yet at my bird feeder, no crocus popping their colorful little heads out of the dirt or forsythia in bloom. What I have witnessed is platoons of serious home buyers out in the market place. Sounds like we have an active market filled with buyers holding pre-approvals, down payments and closing costs in their eager ready-to-buy hands. Isn’t that great? Let’s take a closer look and see why the best time to sell your Twin Cities home is in the early spring.

Real Estate Supply and Demand in the Twin Cities

What we typically have in the Twin Cities real estate market is an imbalance. We don't usually see very many “Home for Sale” signs but we have many ready and eager buyers chasing down the ones that do pop up. What does that mean exactly to you as a potential seller? Good news! we generally have a market that strongly favors sellers with homes often getting multiple offers that may even exceed the asking price.

Sell Your Twin Cities Home When the Market Favors the Sellers

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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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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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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...

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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Buying a New Home in Medina, MN 

Medina is a small but charming community with a rural flavor.  It is located on the western edge of Hennepin County.  The area of the city is 27 square miles, 1.55 square miles of that area is water.  The population as of 2010 was 4,892 people.   As of July 2015, the median home value is $551,200, up 4% over the last year and predicted to rise another 1.2 % in 2016, according to Zillow. 

Top 7 Reasons to buy a new home in Medina

1.  New homes in Medina have easy access to Downtown Minneapolis

Want to hear the symphony, watch a play, visit a museum, or plan a special evening of dining? Downtown Minneapolis is an easy 20-mile drive heading east on the expressway. Hop on 494 in nearby Plymouth and access the entire Metro! 

2. New home developments in Medina are close to shopping & restaurants

Just 12 miles south, you find Ridgedale Center in Minnetonka, which offers endless options in fashion for yourself and your home in a mall setting.  Also to the south, a mere 7 miles, is the chic and charming Wayzata shopping district.  There you will find dozens of high-quality retail shops featuring fashions, art, and antiques.  Stop for lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking Lake Minnetonka for a leisurely meal and a stunning water view. 

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When the time comes to sell your home, you may be tempted to forego hiring a Realtor and do it alone.  After all, DIY is the hot trend these days and who doesn't like to save a few dollars? Being a great fan of saving money with DIY projects, I totally understand. But, before you pound a “For Sale” sign in your front yard and start counting the money you’ll save on a Realtor’s commission, there are a few facts you should consider because this may be a DIY project that ends up costing you money rather than saving you money over the long run.

To buy and sell a house is no simple task. In fact, national statistics show that only 9% of all “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) efforts are successful. Only one out of every twelve people who attempt to sell their own home actually end up with a closed deal and approximately 24% of those transactions involved a sale to a friend or relative, 15% involved a buyer directly contacting a seller, and 1% when the owner was a licensed agent.  

When DIY sellers were surveyed by The National Association of Realtors, the most difficult aspects of going FSBO were cited as follows:

1. Understanding and performing paperwork: 18%
2. Getting the right price: 13%
3. Preparing/fixing up home for sale: 12%
4. Helping buyer obtain financing: 3%
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