November 2009 
There are 15 blog entries for November 2009.
Home Affordable Modification Program to Expand
Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 9:26am. 421 Views, 1 Comments.
The Obama administration plans to expand a program aimed at stemming foreclosures and helping more people to remain in their homes. Known as the Home Affordable Modification Program, its goal is to convert troubled home loans into new loans with lower monthly payments:
Under a $75 billion Treasury program, companies that agree to lower payments for troubled borrowers collect $1,000 initially from the government for each loan, followed by $1,000 annually for up to three years.
The government support, which is provided from the $700 billion financial bailout program, is aimed at providing cash incentives for mortgage providers to accept smaller mortgage payments rather than foreclosing on homes.
The renewed effort will increase pressure on mortgage companies…
Thanksgiving in Minnesota
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 2:34pm. 631 Views, 0 Comments.
It’s Thanksgiving again! Hope you have your turkey on hand for tomorrow! About 46 million turkeys were eaten last Thanksgiving.
Many Minnesota turkey farmers can be thanked for that! Minnesota hatches and raises more turkeys than any other state, producing about 45 million yearly. The rest of the top 5 states are North Carolina, Arkansas, Missouri, and Virginia.
One of the main reasons why Minnesota's approximately 600 turkey farms are as successful as they are is because of two other major exports for the state: corn and soybeans. Minnesota's turkey industry supports about 1,800 corn and soybean farmers.
What's more, over the years the University of Minnesota and the College of Agriculture and Animal Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine have…
National September & October 2009 Real Estate Figures
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 2:47pm. 389 Views, 0 Comments.
In addition to our post earlier this month about home statistics, more figures have recently been released regarding national home and real estate sales.
The National Association of Realtors report released on Monday showed that home sales surged for the second month in a row in October. Sales climbed to their highest level since July 2007 as first-time buyers rushed to take advantage of an expiring tax credit. Home sales nationwide are now up nearly 36% from their bottom in January,though they are still 16% below the peak in autumn 2005.
The National Association of Realtors said home resales rose 10.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.1 million in October, from a downwardly revised pace of 5.54 million in September. It was the biggest…
New Housing Proposed for Downtown Saint Paul
Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 7:19pm. 439 Views, 1 Comments.
Developer Aeon is waiting for St. Paul's Renaissance Box to be granted a historic certification by the federal government. Then, it will commence in gutting and transforming it into 70 affordable housing units.
The Renaissance Box project is aimed at offering affordable housing to people who have jobs at downtown Saint Paul restaurants, hospitals or other service. 56 units will be a mix of efficiency and one- and two-bedroom apartments targeted at buyers who make between $21,000 and $42,000. The remaining 14 units will be for people who earn between $10,000 and $17,000 and have been homeless.
Located at 509 Sibley Street in Saint Paul, the Renaissance Box was built in 1914 and used to house what was once one of the biggest footwear factories in Minnesota,…
Holiday Tours of the Governor's Home
Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 12:22pm. 522 Views, 1 Comments.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty and First Lady Mary Pawlenty have announced that the Governor’s Residence will again open to the public for holiday tours on three Tuesdays in December.
Governor’s Residence Holiday Open House schedule:
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1-3 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1-3 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1-3 p.m.
“The Governor’s Residence was graciously donated to the state by Olivia Irvine Dodge and Clotilde Irvine Moles and belongs to the people of Minnesota,” Governor Pawlenty said. “The First Lady and I invite all Minnesotans to visit this marvelous place.”
The mansion has been decorated for the holidays. Visitors not only get the chance to take a tour, they will have the opportunity to enjoy live music and view the beautiful holiday decorations.
The Governor’s Residence…
Emerald Ash Borer Found in Falcon Heights
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 2:55pm. 599 Views, 3 Comments.
The emerald ash borer has been discovered in a tree on the University of Minnesota campus in Falcon Heights MN. The location is about a mile from the insect's first confirmed appearance in Minnesota, in the Hampden Park neighborhood of Saint Paul. Emerald Ash Borer now threatens the state's 900 million ash trees.
In the days after the bug was confirmed in St. Paul, foresters removed 68 infested ash trees in and around the Hampden Park neighborhood. They also removed 46 other obviously declining ash in a ring outside "ground zero," and found only one infested.
Testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture has determined that the borers entered St. Paul trees in 2006. The tree in Falcon Heights appeared to be healthy, indicating it was a recent attack.
The…
Community Highlights ~ Arden Hills MN
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 10:27pm. 503 Views, 0 Comments.
A 15 minute drive north of Minneapolis and St. Paul, one can find the city of Arden Hills and its 10,000 residents. It is located close to the Twin Cities, but far enough away for peace and quiet. Could you be happy in Arden Hills MN? The signs point to yes! The City conducted a Quality of Life study recently and the results show that most residents are "very satisfied" living in the Arden Hills community.
Thanks to a solid commercial base, the employment outlook in Arden Hills is good. A range of businesses and services, from large corporations to unique smaller boutiques, call the city home. Bethel College and Northwestern College, based in Arden Hills MN, provide residents with higher education and career enhancing opportunities.
Like other Minnesota…
Home Ownership Programs in Woodbury MN
Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 11:42pm. 541 Views, 1 Comments.
There are several home buyer programs in Woodbury MN, both for first time home buyers and people who have owned homes in the past.
First, there is the Woodbury First-time Home Ownership Program. The aim of the program is to encourage home ownership in Woodbury MN by providing financing to low- and moderate-income first-time home buyers. Low-interest, deferred loans of up to $25,000 are available to qualified families who earn no more than 80% of area median income, currently $64,000 for a family of four. First-time home buyers are defined as a person or household that has never owned a home or has not owned a home in the last three years. The purchase price of the affected homes may not exceed $256,500. Single-family detached houses, townhomes or condo…
Twin Cities October 2009 Real Estate Figures
Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 10:32pm. 439 Views, 0 Comments.
The National Association of Realtors says home prices fell in 123 out of 153 U.S. metropolitan areas in the third quarter this year. Prices rose in the other 30 cities. The national median price was $177,900. Distressed sales, usually sold at a steep discount, made up 30%t of all sales.
At the same time, the number of home sales continued rise, with quarterly sales outpacing the second quarter and the previous year's figures. The federal tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time homebuyers helped boost sales in the third quarter. U.S. home sales grew in 45 states from the second quarter, with 28 states posting double-digit gains.
A real estate market full of foreclosure homes and the the $8,000 first-time home-buyer tax credit have had a significant impact…
What $169,900 Buys in Apple Valley MN
Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 12:21pm. 476 Views, 0 Comments.
Check out MLS # 33823206
Don't overlook the private master bath with Jacuzzi tub. Plus, the development has a heated pool!
This home can be yours for just $169,900!
Don't forget that the first time home buyer $8,000 federal tax credit has been extended and expanded! It applies to first time home buyers who meet financial requirements and now there is also a $6,500 credit for some prospective home buyers who already own homes!
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