Saint Paul Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog postshttps://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/Copyright Saint-Paul-Real-Estate.com2021-01-11T14:16:08-07:00tag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2692Minnesota is the #2 Happiest State in the U.S. <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/Downtown_St._Paul_.jpg" height="400" width="600" />
Did you know that you live in the second happiest state in the entire U.S.? A recent study done by the finance website, WalletHub, ranked Minnesota #2 in their analysis of the happiest states in our union.<br /><br />WalletHub compiled a list of factors that went into determinng the happiest states in our country. They considered job security, work environment, recreational activities, physical health, emotional well-being and much more. I'm not completely sure how they graded some of these factors, but you can always check out their site and read about the study for yourself. <br /><br />Minnesota was topped only by Utah, which ranked the highest in both work environment and recreational activities. With the outdoor recreation that Utah has, and the mountains, it's not difficult to understand why they got top marks. Our "rival" state across the St. Croix River, Wisconsin, ranked #18 of the "happiest" states.<br /><br />In terms of qualatative studies that rank the individual states in the U.S., Minnesota has fared very well lately. Money Magazine ranks the best cities to live in the U.S. each year, and Minnesota consistenly has cities in the top ten. Forbes recently named Minnesota in the top ten of bussiness climates for each state, and now WalletHub is saying our state is very happy.<br /><br />Not bad to hear if you're a Minnesotan. This is a great place to call home. <br /><br />
Photo courtesy of: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.MatthewDeery.com">Matthew Deery </a>
2015-09-17T09:34:00-07:002015-09-17T13:41:25-07:00Matthew Deerytag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2684Upscale St. Paul Apartment Project Approved <img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/siemens-lrt-old-new-metro-transit-front-view.jpg" height="308" width="400" />
Right alongside Metro Transit's Green Line corridor will be a new five-story, upscale apartment building. The building, called Raymond Avenue Flats, was just approved by the St. Paul City Council. <br /><br />The Exeter Realty proposal was opposed by St. Paul's Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) because the Raymond Avenue Flats would alter a protected commercial building in the University-Raymond Commercial Historic District. <br /><br />Despite the objection from the HPC, the proposal was approved to build this new complex. The new building will be built behind the protected, but vacant commercial building. The protected building, known as the General Motors Truck Co. building, will also attach to the new five-story apartment complex. <br /><br />The new building has every intention of keeping the protected building in tact and it will not in fact alter any of the area's existing structures.<br /><br />This new luxury building will be a nice addition to the neighborhood and will surely have plenty of tenants when it opens. Easy access to St. Paul and the Green Line is a huge plus for anyone looking for a upscale place to call home. <br /><br /><br /><br />2015-08-20T09:26:00-07:002015-08-20T10:15:45-07:00Matthew Deerytag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2662Pioneer Press to Leave Downtown St. Paul <img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/pioneerpress.jpg" height="172" width="592" />
The St. Paul Pioneer Press just sold off their downtown headquarters. The 162,000 square foot, 1950s era property was sold to an apartment developer, the Stencil Group, based out of Sioux Falls. They wil move their operation to the River Park Plaza across the Mississippi River. The sum was undisclosed, though reports say the sale was not far off the asking price was $4.2 million. <br /><br />The property will be refurbished into around 150 and 168 marketable apartments. The apartments will not be upscale or for only the wealthiest Twin City residents; the complex will be well-built, have nice interior designs and be moderately priced. <br /><br />The newspaper industry has undergone many changes in recent years as the paper information industry continues to wane. In 2013, Pioneer Press <a target="_blank" href="http://minnesotaconnected.com/news/newspaper-medium-continues-to-falter-star-tribune-will-now-print-pioneer-press_110620/">closed down</a> their St. Paul printing plant in favor of having their rival, the Star Tribune, print their papers. The Minneapolis plant now prints both papers. <br /><br />St. Paul just lost an icon in their city's newspaper's headquarters.
2015-06-16T13:59:00-07:002015-06-16T16:47:58-07:00Matthew Deerytag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2640State of Minnesota Cracking Down on Distracted Drivers <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/8598246170_64f269b292_o.jpg" width="582" height="436" />
Did you know that one quarter of crashes in Minnesota last year were caused by distracted driving? That seems way too high of a number and a statistic that needs to drop considerably.
The Minnesota Department of Safety is taking steps to work on taking drivers eyes off their phones and getting them back on the road. They have put together a plan to target distracted drivers -- city police, state troopers and county deputies are on the lookout for swerving cars, varying speeds and drivers with their eyes off the road.
Phone calls are still legal on Minnesota roads, but using the Internet or texting is not -- even while stopped in traffic.
Proving a driver is distracted with their phone texting is a tricky situation, but law enforcement officials can issue moving violations to anyone driving erratically. Distracted driving citations can range from $125 to $145 -- with that in mind, responding to that text while on the road or sending out that tweet is not worth the potential fine.
Considering how many accidents are caused by distracted drivers, it's time that Minnesota drivers be forced to fully invest into safe driving -- if they can't follow that notion, those drivers who want to text and drive need to be penalized.
Photo courtesy of: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/intelfreepress/8598246170/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_blank">IntelFreePress</a>
2015-04-11T09:06:00-07:002015-04-14T09:28:39-07:00Matthew Deerytag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2593Find the Best Gas Prices in the Twin Cities <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/Screen_Shot_2015-01-02_at_6.25.19_PM.png" width="586" height="257" />
In recent months, gas prices have been plummeting much to the delight of Minnesota drivers everywhere. But have you ever been filling up at the pump and wondered if you are getting the best deal? There are few things that annoy me more than filling up and driving down the road and seeing a gas station selling gas for three cents cheaper. Well, now those days of "living in the dark" are over -- <a href="http://www.gasbuddy.com/" target="_blank">GasBuddy.com</a> has created an interactive map that has all the best gas prices in the Twin Cities which will allow consumers to get the best deals at the pump every time.
The map is even spans across the country so you can check out what gas prices are like in other states. Checking out the coasts, the map will make you happy to be a Minnesotan (the coasts are well over $2.50 a gallon).
So any time you are complaining about freezing your butt off filling up, at least you are getting a great deal at the pump.
Check out the interactive map below.
<a href="http://www.TwinCitiesGasPrices.com" target="_blank">Twin Cities Gas Prices</a> provided by <a href="http://www.GasBuddy.com" target="_blank">GasBuddy.com</a>
<a href="http://www.TwinCitiesGasPrices.com/mediafeed.aspx" target="_blank" style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11px;">Click here to add this map to your website.</a>
2015-01-02T17:10:00-07:002015-01-02T17:39:24-07:00Matthew Deerytag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2518Two Minnesota Teens Honored For Rescuing Fishermen <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/Ice_fishing_on_Lake_Saimaa.jpg" width="585" height="409" />
Ice Fishing is a long-practiced and well-loved recreational activity in Minnesota -- though the sport is often very safe, every now and then you hear stories about fishermen breaking through thin ice into the freezing water.
This story has the nightmare of two fishermen falling through the ice, but also the <a href="http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_27154583/2-minnesota-teens-honored-rescuing-fishermen-who-fell">heroics</a> of two teens who saved their lives. Two Minnesota youth, Alex Stark and Cody Clements, both 16, saved the lives of Paul Monahan and Bruce Halvorson after the pair fell through the ice on Long Lake.
After hearing their cries for help, Stark and Clements raced to the spot of crisis and used a shovel and rope to help pull the struggling (and freezing no doubt) fishermen to safety.
On Tuesday, the two teens were presented with citizens' awards for bravery by James Van Elyll, the Long Lake Fire Chief. He commended the teens for their actions, stating how the sitiuation could have ended tragically if not for their efforts.
Photo courtesy of: <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Petritap">Petritap</a>
2014-12-17T11:55:00-07:002014-12-17T12:44:34-07:00Matthew Deerytag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2506Baby Gorilla Dies at Como Zoo <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/20141120__1-20141119__ComoZooGorillaBaby.jpg" width="399" height="234" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />
The Como Zoo community is dealing with a <a href="http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_27002749/como-zoos-newborn-gorilla-dies?source=hottopics">devastating loss</a> this week. The zoo lost a baby gorilla less than a week after it was born to its western-lowland gorilla mother, Alice. This was the first birth of a baby animal is the history of the Como Zoo -- but the zoo has been caring for gorillas for 55 years.
The baby was non-responsive and weak this past Sunday morning when zoo officials checked in on the gorilla and resuscitation efforts were fruitless.
Zoo officials suspect the infant was not feeding properly. They were careful to monitor the mother and baby from a distance in an effort to not interfere with the parent-child bonding experience. Alice was very protective of the baby and often turned her back from zoo officials when they tried to observe her caretaking abilities.
"The baby had appeared as if he was doing well through Saturday evening. He had a strong grip and was vocal," according to a statement from the Como Zoo. "Alice was showing positive signs of maternal instinct, had been observed nursing and cradling the baby."
A necropsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
This sad news comes abrubtly after the amazing news of the gorilla infant's birth.
2014-11-24T16:46:00-07:002014-11-24T17:20:44-07:00Matthew Deerytag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2456Grand Old DayWhat's better than an outdoor festival to start the summer? While there are tons of outdoor events throughout the Twin Cities during the Summer months, nothing compares to St. Paul's Grand Old Day parade and all-day event.
<img class="img_box_center" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/Grand_Old_Day_https_flic.kr_p_3BUgbD_Michael_Hicks.jpg" height="339" width="508" />
Image Credit: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://flic.kr/p/3BUgbD">Michael Hicks</a>
Touted as the largest single-day festival in the Midwest, this event takes place on the 1st Sunday of June each year on St. Paul's historic Grand Avenue. With a parade that begins around 9:30am and countless food vendors, concerts, and expos, this yearly gathering has something for everyone.2014-05-27T15:50:00-07:002014-05-27T16:01:55-07:00Brandon Hedgestag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2441Preferred Mortgage Program for DoctorsSpecial Loan Program for Doctors
Medical doctors, residents and interns...there is a great mortgage loan program specially designed for you! Those that qualify can purchase a home with as little as 5% down payment with a loan amount up to $1,000,000. But that isn't even the best part. This program does not require private mortgage insurance! Most traditional mortgage loans require expensive private mortgage insurance with less than a 20% down payment, but this special program for Doctors avoids that costly insurance. There are other criteria and restrictions, but it is definintely a program worth checking out.
Here is a great place to find more information about the <a title="Mortgage Loans for Doctors" href="http://www.minnesotafirsttimehomebuyer.com/mortgage-loans-for-doctors/">Preferred Doctor Program</a>.2014-03-25T09:26:00-07:002014-03-25T09:32:44-07:00Brandon Hedgestag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2435St. Paul to host President ObamaPresident Obama will visit St. Paul on Wednesday February 26, 2014. His visit will be two-fold: first a stop to tour the Metro transit facility that is responsible for light rail operations and then downtown to Union Depot to discuss new job creation measure.
The President's visit will spotlight the new Central Corridor rail line that will finally link the urban centers of Downtown Minneapolis and Downtown St. Paul. With stops at the University of Minnesota and along University Avenue the new lightrail, dubbed the "green line," will link the downtowns in the same way Streetcars did before they disappeared over 60 years ago.
The green line is currently being tested and is scheduled to open in June 2014 and I expect it will have a positive affect on the real estate market surrounding its route. While public transportation has existed between the downtowns since the streetcars left, the light rail will cause home buyers to take a new look at those communities that surround the green line because of the convenience it will bring to those who work and/or play in the downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. For many home buyers, they want to live where they can conveniently access the amenities that the downtown centers provide, but they don't want to live "in" those urban centers.
<img class="img_box_center" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/Central-Corridor-Light-Rail-in-Twin-Cities-Region-Map_mediumthumb.jpg" width="601" height="350" />2014-02-26T10:17:00-07:002021-01-11T14:16:08-07:00Dena Hodnetttag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2433The Lowry Condos - St. PaulThe historic Lower Professional Building was originally built in 1912 with 14 floors above ground and a total heigh of 192 feet. This architectural gem was renovated in 2005 with extensive remodeling to floors 3 through 12 which now house 131 condo units.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/Lowry.jpg" width="undefined" height="undefined" />
The Lower Condos are beautifully appointed in a loft style with concrete or terrazzo floors, large windows and exposed HVAC ductwork. The building is also home to office, retail and restaurant tenants led by Pazzaluna Restaurant - featuring some of St. Paul's finest Italian cuisine.2014-02-12T11:23:00-07:002014-02-12T11:44:09-07:00Brandon Hedgestag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:24215 Tips for Creating Autumn Curb Appeal and Home Staging<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/selling_your_house_in_autumn_curb_appeal_861.jpg" title="selling_your_house_in_autumn_curb_appeal_861" alt="selling_your_house_in_autumn_curb_appeal_861" align="left" height="215" width="333" />Fall can be a great time of year for selling a home - even in places with four seasons. We think of spring as home selling season, but really homes are moving all the time. People are back from their vacations and the holidays and inclement weather aren't yet here. Now is the time to be buying or selling a home.
Here are five tips for owners to keep in mind when <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/sellers/" target="_blank">selling a home</a> in autumn.
1. Tidy Up the Yard. You’ll be busy keeping the yard clean if your home is on the market in fall. Now is the time to cut away vines that grew in the summer to let more light inside the house and trim back branches to better reveal the exterior of your home. Wash your siding if it has accumulated dirt over the summer. Ensure your gutters debris-free and are draining well. If you get a lot of rain in the fall, have floor mats on hand and spots to place wet shoes and umbrellas. If snow will be falling soon, have the tools on-hand to shovel the sidewalk and de-ice the stairs.
2. Festive Fall Curb Appeal. Get your house into the spirit of the season. Buy potted flowers for the front of the home like marigolds and chrysanthemums. Decorate the outside of your house with a festive fall wreath on the door or traditional pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn on the patio. If Halloween is near, feel free to have a jack-o'-lantern. Keep your holiday display simple, though: Too much and you could distract home buyers and make them less interested in your home.
3. Dust It Up. Your home should be spotless when you put it up for sale on the market. Buff your bathrooms and kitchen until they shine. Thoroughly clean underneath furniture and behind it, in the corners and inside closets. Dust out the fireplace, even if you never use it – you’ll probably find some pretty wild dust bunnies in there. Don’t forget to scrub the windows. Make sure your furnace is both clean and working properly, with filters changed and any chance of musty smells during a tour eliminated. It’s best to discover problems with the furnace like this anyway, before your home buyer makes their purchase contingent on everything passing an inspection.
4. Bring Autumn Indoors. You decorated outside, now it’s time to decorate inside. A home stager could help you with the interior, but you could also try to make it look nice yourself. Accessorize with bright red and gold throw pillows. Toss a quilt over the back of the couch. Get an autumn-inspired centerpiece for the dining room table or put a cornucopia on the mantle. Simmer hot apple cider and cinnamon on the stove to make the house smell really good – you can even offer it to potential home buyers after their tours have ended. If you’re feeling really ambitious, bake banana bread or pumpkin muffins to give away to people who take tours.
5. Light It Up. The days are getting shorter and the sun is sitting lower on the horizon, resulting in longer shadows and more darkness inside homes. Open up the blinds pull back the curtains on every window. Turn on every light and even add extra lights to dark rooms, such as closets. Lights that can stand on the floor behind furniture or in corners are often a great solution for this. In addition to lighting up the house, kick the furnace up a notch when you expect home buyers. When the weather starts getting cooler, home buyers will want to come into a home that is warm and cozy. If it feels cold, they may not warm up to the positive qualities of your home.
The real estate market tends to slow down in autumn, but it doesn’t stop. Clean up your home and give it some festive, seasonal touches. Buyers will want to know more about the cute house with the red maple and pumpkins on the steps.
Planning on selling a home? The <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/contact/" target="_blank">Realtors at Homes of Minnesota</a> are ready to help you on your way to a successful sale.2013-09-25T23:54:00-07:002014-01-27T23:20:58-07:00Homes of Minnesota Teamtag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2420Chanhassen, Apple Valley & Savage Ranked 'Best Places to Live'Several <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/" target="_blank">Twin Cities suburbs</a> made Money Magazine’s 2013 list of the best small towns to live in. Apple Valley MN, Chanhassen MN and Savage MN were ranked in the top 50 of the most highly rated communities national.
Chanhassen jumped from 10th place in 2011 to fourth this year. Apple Valley ended up at 17 and Savage jumped to 21, all the way from 51st in 2011.
Money Magazine’s list covers cities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000. It takes into account of such ­factors as local incomes, crime rates and schools, as well as amenities such as Savage’s new sports dome and walkable downtown.
Topping the “<a href="http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/best-places/" target="_blank">Best Places to Live</a>” list was Sharon, Mass. Now for the information you’ve been waiting for!
Chanhassen, MN
Top 50 rank: 4<br />Population: 23,685
Chanhassen was affected by Minnesota's woes during the downturn, but the town is bouncing back and taking fresh steps to improve. The area school district recently provided $700,000 in grants for classroom tech projects and is now rolling out Wi-Fi on all school buses. The town also beefed up commuter options.<br />The housing market, which took a big hit, is surging back. Jobs have remained strong, and nearby Minneapolis offers big-name employers like Target and the Mayo Clinic.
One perk of Twin Cities-area living is access to the great outdoors. Chanhassen MN's highlights include 34 parks, 90 miles of trails, and the 1,137-acre Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. When below-zero wind chills set in, there's February Festival with ice-fishing contests, sledding, and cookouts.
Apple Valley, MN
Top 50 rank: 17<br />Population: 49,863
If you don't mind cold winters, there's plenty to recommend this family-friendly Twin Cities suburb. There's a wide range of affordable <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/apple-valley/" target="_blank">homes in Apple Valley MN</a>: The median sale price is around $200,000.
Cars are still the de facto transport here, but the city recently added a $112 million rapid-transit bus system that connects the downtown to area attractions like the Mall of America. Apple Valley is also home to the Minnesota Zoo and 53 parks.
Savage, MN
Top 50 rank: 21<br />Population: 27,711
Located southwest of Minneapolis, Savage is a commuter town. Many residents travel to jobs in the Twin Cities, about 20 minutes away. However, a couple of large manufacturing companies have moved to the area recently, creating more local jobs.
Savage invested nearly $5 million to create a new indoors sports center that allows families to stay active during Minnesota's snowy months. The town also has a quaint, walkable downtown.
These aren't the only cities to have ranked well in similar lists. Read more about <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/saint-paul-and-minneapolis-among-best-cities-for-families/" target="_blank">great Twin Cities places to live</a>.2013-08-19T23:05:00-07:002014-01-27T23:13:00-07:00Homes of Minnesota Teamtag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2419What $189,900 Buys in Woodbury MNHere is MLS # <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/idx/property/4393872/details.html" target="_blank">4393872</a>
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/home_for_sale_woodbury_mn_640.jpg" title="home_for_sale_woodbury_mn_640" alt="home_for_sale_woodbury_mn_640" height="327" width="500" />
This attractive townhome is located at 3316 Hazel Trail in Woodbury, Minnesota. It has 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 1,622-square-feet of space. It is a coveted end unit town home in Bailey’s Arbor.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/woodbury_mn_home_for_sale_kitchen_640.jpg" title="woodbury_mn_home_for_sale_kitchen_640" alt="woodbury_mn_home_for_sale_kitchen_640" height="328" width="500" />
This exceptional home features a cook's kitchen with stone floors, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/woodbury_mn_home_for_sale_living_room_640.jpg" title="woodbury_mn_home_for_sale_living_room_640" alt="woodbury_mn_home_for_sale_living_room_640" height="307" width="500" />
It also has private patio, cozy fireplace, large loft and private master bath. Enjoy summers at the neighborhood pool!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/woodbury_mn_home_for_sale_bedroom_640.jpg" title="woodbury_mn_home_for_sale_bedroom_640" alt="woodbury_mn_home_for_sale_bedroom_640" height="327" width="500" />
<br />First time home buyers may qualify for financing incentives. But first time home buyer or not, this Woodbury MN town house can be yours for $189,900!<br /><br />Browse more <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/woodbury/" target="_blank">Woodbury MN Real Estate</a><br />Browse other communities for <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/" target="_blank">Twin Cities Homes for Sale</a>2013-08-13T09:23:00-07:002014-01-27T23:00:15-07:00Homes of Minnesota Teamtag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:2418Golf Courses Finding a Second Life as New Home SubdivisionsAt the Parkview Golf Club in Eagan MN, the once busy verdent fairways have been abandoned. Little by little, the course is being liquidated into non-existence — from its clubhouse to every last golf ball.
<img alt="golf course turned into homes in eagan mn" title="golf_course_turned_into_homes_in_eagan_mn_400" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/golf_course_turned_into_homes_in_eagan_mn_400.jpg" align="left" height="225" hspace="10" vspace="10" width="300" />With home building on the rise and the sport of golf in decline, Twin Cities courses have become a potential “next frontier” for housing developers as owners look for ways to unload declining clubs. In the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/">Twin Cities suburbs</a> alone, four courses are undergoing conversion to upscale housing developments. That number is likely to climb.
“Any golf course that’s within a growing community could be worth more to the owner as a development prospect than as a golf operation,” said Tom Ryan, executive director of the Minnesota Golf Association. “It’s not a surprise in this market.”
Right now, the Parkview Golf Club in Eagan is being liquidated, piece by piece. Bulldozers and dump trucks will soon help transform the city’s last 18-hole golf course into Eagan’s newest subdivision, Hillcrest.
“The housing market is really hot right now, and the golf course market is extremely soft,” said Kurt Manley, the Twin Cities developer who recently sold Parkview Golf Club to D.R. Horton Homes. The company has already shuttered the course and will start installing roads and utilities this summer. By fall, D.R. Horton will start building 166 houses that will sell for $400,000 or more.
With more golfers per capita than any other state, Minnesotans truly love the game, but there simply aren’t enough of them to support the 500-plus privately owned courses located within the state. Many of them were built during the 1990s when interest in the sport was growing and land was cheap. Some were even built by housing developers as an amenity to help drive sales of houses on the periphery of the course. These days, there is a shortage of developable land and a surplus of courses, making the land increasingly attractive to builders.
Such conversions have been met with strong opposition in some communities, leading to delays for some projects. Neighboring homeowners don’t want to lose the open spaces and recreational opportunities that golf courses offer. In Eagan, for instance, the decision to convert the Parkview course into housing took more than a year because of complaints from residents.
With pressure on developers to procure land for future subdivisions, the hunt for developable land will continue. According to the National Golf Foundation, the number of rounds played per 18-hole course nationwide fell nearly 15 percent from 2000 to 2011, making the courses ripe for the picking. When a developer comes calling, it’s hard for some course owners to resist.
Whether it's derived from a golf course or not, Homes of Minnesota can help you find great <a target="_blank" href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/eagan/">homes for sale in Eagan MN</a>. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/contact/">Contact our real estate experts</a> to take the first step towards buying a home today.2013-07-24T09:10:00-07:002014-01-27T22:50:03-07:00Homes of Minnesota Teamtag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1875Young Flat Earth Brewery Expanding Into Old Hamm's BreweryThere’s a new story on the local Minnesota beer front and it isn’t <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/04/15/surly-brewing-builds-new-facility-in-minneapolis-prospect-park-area" target="_blank">the Surly Brewery going up</a> in Minneapolis. Flat Earth Brewing Co., part of the Twin Cities’ growing craft beer economy, plans to <a href="http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/211314011.html" target="_blank">expand into several abandoned buildings</a> at the old Hamm’s Brewery in the <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/greater-east-side/" target="_blank">East Side neighborhood of St. Paul</a>.The microbrewer has won initial approval from the city for a $375,000 loan to spur the move from its current quarters on Benson Avenue. If and when the City Council approves the loan, Flat Earth will move its brewing operation into Building 8, which is the former Hamm’s keg-washing operation. Flat Earth is also looking at Buildings 7 and 9 for future use as a public tap/tasting room and maybe a beer garden.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hamms2.JPG" target="_blank"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Hamms2.JPG" alt="East Side of Saint Paul Hamm's Brewer" height="356" width="500" /></a> The St. Paul-based microbrewer wants to increase production and expand its distribution network outside of Minnesota. Brews such as Angry Planet Pale Ale and Livid Planet Pale Ale and seasonal favorite Black Helicopter Coffee Stout are popular among Twin Cities beer-drinkers, but there hasn’t been room to produce more. Privately held Flat Earth produced 1,300 barrels of beer in 2012. Flat Earth will be renovating and retrofitting buildings that have been part of St. Paul’s East Side for about 150 years. Building 9, a former carpentry shop that dates back to 1864 and 1867, is in bad shape, especially after a fire that occurred in 2005. Buildings 7 and 8, erected in 1893 and 1901, respectively, are structurally sound, but need a lot of work after having been abandoned for many years.Flat Earth won’t be alone, as a new company called Urban Organics will also call the 8-acre brewery complex home. Urban Organics is currently repurposing the former Hamm’s stockhouse into an aquaponics operation. Ultimately, the group hopes to raise tilapia, lettuce and herbs.Back in the 1950s, Hamm’s was the nation’s fifth-largest beer company, at one time employing 2,000 people. However, a series of corporate ownership changes, and the company’s delayed entry into the light-beer market, doomed the brewery. It closed up shop in 1997.2013-06-17T22:38:00-07:002013-07-10T10:24:30-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1874Purchases of High End Lakehomes Increasing in MinnesotaAs home sales and prices rise in Minnesota, movement is beginning to be seen on the <a href="http://www.startribune.com/housing/208972401.html" target="_blank">long-dormant vacation home</a> market. But vacation homes still aren’t rebounding as fast as the rest of the market.The average price of homes in Cass, St. Louis, Otter Tail and Aitkin counties has increased 3 to 5 percent since last spring, with the high-end vacation home seeing the most increase in demand, according to Trulia. In many popular lakeside destinations in northern Minnesota, sales of $351,000 to $500,000 homes have surged by more than 100 percent over the past year. Many of the homes are being purchased for significantly less than they were worth at the height of the housing boom. <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/minnesota_lakeside_vacataion_real_estate_580.jpg" title="minnesota_lakeside_vacataion_real_estate_580" alt="minnesota_lakeside_vacataion_real_estate_580" height="287" width="500" />And some of the buyers with all this discretionary spending are not originating from Minnesota. Some buyers are employees on North Dakota’s booming oil fields and farmers of the Red River Valley.The volume of second-home buyers is much lower than before the housing crash and recession. This is partly due to tighter lending restrictions, as compared to primary homes. Further, second-home loans now require a 5- to 20-percent down payment, as underwriters remain cautious following the downturn.Further, an oversupply of upscale houses built during the housing boom is available. There is a 10-month supply of outstate Minnesota lakeshore listings compared with three months in the much tighter Twin Cities real estate market.We are specialists in the <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/" target="_blank">Twin Cities real estate</a> market. We can help you find lakefront property right here in the Twin Cities area, including on Lake Minnetonka, <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/white-bear-lake/" target="_blank">White Bear Lake</a> or <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/marine-on-st-croix/" target="_blank">Big Marine Lake</a>. You don’t have to go too far from home for incredible lakeside Twin Cities real estate.2013-05-28T07:18:00-07:002013-07-09T23:25:15-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1873What $125,000 Buys in Saint Paul's Greater East SideHere is MLS # <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/idx/property/4360646/details/" target="_blank">4360646</a><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/house_for_sale_twin_cities_640.jpg" title="house_for_sale_twin_cities_640" alt="house_for_sale_twin_cities_640" height="329" width="500" />This unassuming home located at 2018 Cottage Ave E in St. Paul, Minnesota. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,670-square-feet of space. The house is in the Greater East Side neighborhood of Saint Paul.<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/home_for_sale_st_paul_640.jpg" title="home_for_sale_st_paul_640" alt="home_for_sale_st_paul_640" height="320" width="500" />Built in 1921, this home has loads of character. Its features include a great front porch, hardwood floors, and an amusement room with a wet bar.<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/greater_east_side_st_paul_home_for_sale_640.jpg" title="greater_east_side_st_paul_home_for_sale_640" alt="greater_east_side_st_paul_home_for_sale_640" height="323" width="500" />It’s in a nice quiet neighborhood. It’s on a treed lot so it feels a bit private, but yet it is still conveniently in the city.. Priced to sell, this Greater East Side home can be yours for $125,000! <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/st_paul_home_for_sale_greater_east_side_640.jpg" title="st_paul_home_for_sale_greater_east_side_640" alt="st_paul_home_for_sale_greater_east_side_640" height="324" width="500" />
Browse more <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/greater-east-side/" target="_blank">Greater East Side St. Paul MN Real Estate</a><br />
Browse other <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/saint-paul-neighborhoods/" target="_blank">St. Paul MN neighborhoods with Homes for Sale</a><br />
Browse other <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/" target="_blank">Twin Cities homes for sale</a>2013-05-16T00:34:00-07:002013-07-10T03:49:07-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1872Twin Cities Real Estate Market Heating Up<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/twin_cities_real_estate_304.jpg" title="twin_cities_real_estate_304" alt="twin_cities_real_estate_304" align="left" height="304" hspace="10" vspace="10" width="304" />A burst of recent reports suggest that the <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/" target="_blank">Twin Cities real
estate</a> market recovery is outpacing the rest of the nation.
In March, buyers outnumbered sellers, triggering
<a href="http://www.startribune.com/housing/202444041.html" target="_blank">price increases and even bidding wars</a> in some of the Twin Cities metro’s
more popular communities and neighborhoods. According to the Minneapolis Area
Association of Realtors (MAAR), during March there were 3,632 closings with a
median price of $176,000 — a 17.4% increase over last year and the
13th-consecutive monthly increase in sale prices. Closing sales were flat
compared to 2012, but pending sales increased more than 6% despite a 31%
decline in inventory that’s causing somewhat of a shortage and holding back even
more potential for sales growth.
That shortage also is driving an increase in new home
construction, though. In April, housing construction in the Twin Cities has
been up more than 110%, making it one of the <a href="http://www.startribune.com/housing/205332191.html" target="_blank">best Aprils in nearly 10 years</a>.
According to the Builders Association of the Twin Cities, builders were issued 372
permits to build 817 apartments and single-family houses throughout the
13-county Twin Cities metro area – an increase in planned units of more than
100%. Though 60% of those units are attributed to luxury rentals in two new
downtown buildings, shortage of Twin Cities home listings helped boost permits
to build single-family houses by nearly 27%.
Foreclosure activity in the Twin Cities metro <a href="http://www.startribune.com/blogs/204932171.html" target="_blank">dipped in
February</a>, but mortgage concerns remain a serious issue. CoreLogic said that the
foreclosures rate in the metro was 1.15% for the month, compared to last year
when the rate was 1.97% and well below the national rate of 2.85%.
Delinquencies also declined, falling to 3.65% of all mortgages compared with
6.2% nationally.It’s a good idea to watch the inventory. A lack of inventory
could cause some house hunters to cool their jets a bit, depending on where
they plan to move and their home buying budget.
Otherwise, it seems a diverse economy and a
lower-than-average unemployment rate is helping accelerate the Twin Cities real
estate market recovery. 2013-04-29T23:40:00-07:002013-07-10T06:24:30-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:18717 Tips for Home Sellers to Increase Curb Appeal<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/curb_appeal_for_home_sellers_640.jpg" title="curb_appeal_for_home_sellers_640" alt="curb_appeal_for_home_sellers_640" align="left" height="230" hspace="10" vspace="10" width="350" />There have been a few headlines indicating that sellers listing <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/" target="_blank">homes for sale</a> are scarce in the Twin Cities metro, even as the real estate market recovers and home prices increase. But undoubtedly as the spring selling season approaches, sellers are taking the time to prepare their properties before putting their home for sale on the market.Increasing home sale prices and dwindling inventories are slowly shifting us away from a buyers’ market, offering <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/sellers/" target="_blank">home sellers</a> with new and rewarding opportunities. With prices on the rise, the number of people who are underwater on their mortgage is declining, and naturally, more people will be willing to put their home for sale on the market. For homeowners who have been stranded on the sidelines, now is the time to start thinking of <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/category/selling-a-home/" target="_blank">selling a home</a>.Before you put up your home for sale on the market, though, there are some things home sellers can do to maximize sales price. By taking some steps to increase your home’s <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/category/home-staging-curb-appeal/" target="_blank">curb appeal</a>, you can increase the chances your home sells for a price you can appreciate.To help increase your home’s curb appeal, here are seven tips for setting yourself up for success this spring selling season.Holiday Decorations. If you still have a light-up snowman or Santa Clause in your front yard or on the roof, now is the time to take it down. Holiday lawn ornaments that stick around into the spring detract from the newness of springtime. Before you do anything else, clean up your out-of-date seasonal décor.A Welcoming Front Door. Your front entrance is the face of your home. Making changes in this area to make it more welcoming can offer a high return on investment for home sellers. A fresh coat of paint and new hardware can make a huge difference. Be sure the doorbell is working and don’t forget to put out a really welcoming welcome mat.Light the Way Home. Good lighting can really put the beauty of a home on display in the evening. Consider adding lights to the outside of your home, such as solar lights along the sidewalk to light the path or spotlights to light up attractive exterior features of your home. If your front porch lighting is dated, consider updating it. Don’t forget to make sure that the fixtures are clean and that dead bulbs are replaced.Clean the Yard. As the snow starts to disappear, pick up garbage, dead leaves, fallen branches and dog doo that may have accumulated on the lawn. Prune trees and shrubs before the weather warms up. As soon as the weather permits, rake away the layer of dead grass, as this will aerate the soil and allow new growth to emerge more quickly. Seasonal Maintenance. Spring home maintenance is always vital, but it’s especially important when you’re planning to sell a home. Look over the roof for missing shingles and other repair needs, as this can diminish your home’s appearance and sale price. Clean windows until they shine and repair any ripped window screens.Give It a Bath. When the weather has warmed enough that the threat of freezing has mostly passed, use a power washer to spray away the dirt that winter has deposited on your home. A quick power wash to siding, patios, sidewalks, and garage doors is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to improve the curb appeal of your home. Spring Flowers. One of the best things about spring is the flowers. The splash of color and beauty is a welcome sight following the dreary monochrome of winter. When the weather is warm enough, put planters full of spring flowers near your door and along the path leading to your home. Plant a garden near the side of your home or add some ornamental shrubs.Curb appeal alone isn’t going to sell your home, but it can certainly make a huge difference in getting people through the front door to see what is inside. This is especially true when it comes to people who may be driving or walking around the neighborhood, searching for their next home. These are just some of the most basic ideas for increasing curb appeal, so don’t stop here. Think of other things you can do to improve the appearance of your home and carry it out.<br /><br />Do you have a suggestion for increasing curb appeal for selling a home? Let us know in the comments your idea for improving curb appeal.<br />2013-03-14T15:27:00-07:002013-07-10T05:05:23-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1870Twin Cities Real Estate Statistics for 2013 Looking Good<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/twin_cities_real_estate_statistics_480.jpg" title="twin_cities_real_estate_statistics_480" alt="twin_cities_real_estate_statistics_480" align="left" height="211" width="299" />The Twin Cities real estate market is off to a <a href="http://www.startribune.com/housing/190955401.html" target="_blank">promising start</a> in 2013, with area home sales up 11% over last year. While January is typically one of the sleepiest months of the year, unseasonably strong <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/buyers/">home buyer</a> activity suggests that the spring market will be robust.During January, there were 2,797 home sales in the 13-county <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/" target="_blank">Twin Cities metro area</a>. Buyers were out and about during the month hoping to strike a good deal on a home and take advantage of near record-low mortgage rates. Pending sales were up even stronger than closings, rising 13% during January.Sales of steeply discounted foreclosure homes fell slightly during January while sales of upper-bracket houses increase. As a result, the median price of all closings during the month rose 14% to $160,000.While there were plenty of house hunters, the same can’t be said of <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/sellers/" target="_blank">home sellers</a>. During January there were 4,798 new listings, a 6% decline from last year. Total listings in January stood at 12,000, a 32% decline from last year. At the current sales pace those listings would last less than three months.With inventory falling, some expect that the Twin Cities has become a seller’s market, but that’s not the case. Sellers still offered hefty discounts in January, getting only 93 percent of their original list price. Buyers are still having their say.Additionally, home sale prices are still being suppressed by high levels of foreclosures and short sales. During January, distressed sales represented 43% of all deals. Though that is a decline from last year, it is still a high rate.Demand for traditional listings has been strong and buyers in some areas are finding themselves bidding against other buyers for the same house. That’s especially true for houses in prime locations, like <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/real-estate/results/?city=Edina">Edina</a>, <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/real-estate/results/?city=Plymouth" target="_blank">Plymouth</a> and <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/woodbury/" target="_blank">Woodbury</a>.Many would-be sellers are holding back because they’re waiting for higher prices. Others owe more than their house is worth, so can’t sell unless they’re willing to bring cash to the closing table.January’s gains extend a series of monthly year-over-year increases in sales and prices that started in 2012. The trend is bolstering confidence that a slow, steady recovery will occur in the Twin Cities and beyond.Need help buying or selling your home? Contact the <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/contact/" target="_blank">Realtors at Homes of Minnesota</a> today. 2013-02-25T01:00:00-07:002013-07-08T12:17:26-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:18698 Tax Breaks and Credits for Home Owners & Home BuyersDo you own a home? Are you thinking of <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/buyers/" target="_blank">buying a home</a>? Were you one of the many that purchased a home last year? April 15th will be rolling around soon and it’s important for you to know what tax breaks and credits for which you qualify as a home owner. Here are a few of the tax breaks for which you may qualify:Mortgage interest paid at settlement. On mortgages of up to $1 million, home owners can deduct the interest paid at settlement if you itemize your deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040). This amount should be included in the mortgage interest statement provided by your lender.Points. If you pay points to obtain your home mortgage, these fees can be deducted as long as they are associated with the purchase of a home. If you refinanced your home, these points are still deductible, but it must be done over the life of the mortgage.Property taxes. You can deduct your state and local property taxes, as long as they are based on the assessed value of the real property. However, if your money is being held in escrow for the purpose of paying property taxes, you cannot claim this deduction until the money is actually taken out of escrow and paid. Selling costs. Did you <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/sellers/" target="_blank">sell a home</a> in the past year? You may be able to deduct the amount of your selling costs, such as repairs, title insurance and broker’s fees. The IRS only allows the deduction of repair costs if the repairs were made within 90 days of the sale. Selling costs are deducted from your gain on the sale.Home office. If you use a portion of your home exclusively for the purpose of an office for your small business, you may be able to claim a deduction on your taxes for some costs. You may also be able to take advantage of this deduction if part of your home is used for storing items for your business.Mortgage insurance premiums. You may be able to deduct the premiums paid for private mortgage insurance for your principal residence and for a non-rental second home. Generally, you are able to deduct the premiums paid for the current tax year only.Home improvement loan interest. If a loan is taken out to make improvements on your home, you may be able to deduct the interest on this loan on your taxes. Qualifying loans must make “capital improvements” to your home, meaning the improvement must increase your home’s value, adapt it to new uses or extend its life.Construction loan interest. If you take out a construction loan to build a home, you may qualify to deduct the interest. You can only use this deduction for the first 24 months of the loan, even if the actual construction takes longer.For most people to take advantages of such tax breaks, you will need to itemize your taxes to get the deductions. Tax codes can be confusing, so you may want to consult the IRS website for information concerning deductions and credits. Additionally, consider meeting with a professional to ensure you’re not missing any deductions for which you’re eligible. Though it makes the tax-filing process more detailed, the benefits are worth it.Need help selling your home? Need a representative to guard your interests when you buy a home? Contact the <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/about/" target="_blank">realtors at Homes of Minnesota</a> today and we can help you.<br />2013-02-18T22:34:00-07:002013-07-08T14:22:56-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1868Dakota County First Time Homebuyer Information
Dakota County Housing Market Update <br />I work with many First Time Homebuyers in the Dakota County area and many of them take advantage of the Dakota County bond program that helps with down payment and closing costs assistance for buyers who meet certain qualifications. For several months, I have noticed that there are not as many homes available for sale as there used to be. Many of my First Time Homebuyer clients search for single family homes under $150,0000, so I did some research to see what has been going on in Dakota County for the past few months in the under $150,000 price range.Since Dakota County is pretty large and my clients tend to search within 2 different parts of the County, I separated the County into 2 parts: Western Dakota County (Eagan, Lakeville, Apple Valley,
Burnsville, Rosemount & Farmington) and Eastern Dakota County (South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights,
Hastings etc.).Western Dakota County: <br />Since October 1, 2012, there have been 60 single family homes priced below $150,000 that
have sold in this portion of the County. 30 sold for more than the listing price.31 of the sales were 100% cash tranasction and 15 of them were for more than the listing price.13 were sold using Conventional financing with 6 of them selling for more than the listing price.14 were sold using FHA or DVA financing and 9 of those sales were sold for more than the listing price.2 of the sales used FHA 203K financing and both sold at the listing price. Eastern Dakota County: Since October 1, 2012, there have been 153 single family homes priced below $150,000 that have sold in this portion of the County.54 of them were 100% cash transactions.41 of them used Conventional financing51 of the sales used FHA or DVA financing7 of the sales used FHA 203K financing.Another segment that I looked at was the number of Twin Homes (townhomes with no association) that have sold since October 1, 2012 and here is the breakdown for all of Dakota County:There were 21 Twin Homes sold during this time and 9 of them sold for more than the asking price.11 of the sales were 100% cash7 of the sales used Conventional financing3 sales used FHA or DVA financing. If
you would like to learn more about housing options in Dakota County or
other parts of the Twin Cities Metro area, please feel free to <a href="mailto:dena@barkerhedges.com">contact me</a> anytime.2013-01-30T15:24:00-07:002013-07-08T05:31:31-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1867What $329,500 Buys in Saint Paul's Macalester-Groveland NeighborhoodHere is MLS # <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/idx/property/4314643/details/" target="_blank">4314643</a><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/st_paul_home_640.jpg" title="st_paul_home_640" alt="st_paul_home_640" height="320" width="500" />This stunning home is located at 555 Cretin Ave S in St. Paul, Minnesota. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,940-square-feet of space. The house is in the high-demand neighborhood of Macalester Groveland.<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/st_paul_kitchen_640.jpg" title="st_paul_kitchen_640" alt="st_paul_kitchen_640" height="323" width="500" />Built in 1950, it has been recently renovated, including a custom kitchen with slate and hardwood floors. It also has a new furnace/AC, roof, windows, garage and more.<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/st_paul_real_estate_640.jpg" title="st_paul_real_estate_640" alt="st_paul_real_estate_640" height="326" width="500" />Brr! Light a fire in the fireplace, wrap up in a blanket and cozy up against the cold in your new home. This Mac-Groveland home can be yours for $329,500!Browse more <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/macalester-groveland/" target="_blank">Macalester-Groveland Saint Paul MN Real Estate</a><br />Browse other <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/saint-paul-neighborhoods/" target="_blank">St. Paul MN neighborhoods with Homes for Sale</a><br />Browse other <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/" target="_blank">Twin Cities homes for sale</a>2013-01-15T02:27:00-07:002013-07-09T18:57:52-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1866Experience a 19th Century Victorian Christmas
The Alexander Ramesy House in downtown St. Paul will open to the public for the holiday season on November 14th and run until December 30th. What makes this house special and worth checking out?
The historic preserved pre-Victorian home will be decorated for the season, but a la 1875. The beautiful home will beam with Victorian Christmas decorations and dated Ramsey personal items. The house hosts its visitors to experience Christmas long before our time. The house circulates smells of cookies from a wood burning stove and sounds of Christmas music drifting from a classic Steinway piano. This is a great chance to experience Christmas in a new and historic way.
To learn more or for ticket information, visit the <a href="http://events.mnhs.org/calendar/Results.cfm?venueID=16&TopicID=12">Alexander Ramsey</a> site.
2012-11-06T01:48:00-07:002017-11-06T09:42:41-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:18653 Home Staging Tips for Selling a HomeIt is the selling season in Minnesota. When it comes to selling home, staging can make a world of difference.
“Home staging” is the practice of preparing a home for sale in the real estate marketplace by making it more visually appealing, while reducing clutter and removing personal items. Whether your house has been on the Twin Cities real estate market for a while or has just been put up for sale for the first time, it is always best to do some home staging for when potential buyers come around.
Here are some things to keep in mind when staging your home for the Twin Cities real estate market:
1. Do some research. Read staging blogs, look at photographs, and attend other open houses. Learn what a staged home looks like and get some ideas of what can be done with your own home.
2. Clean and depersonalize. Though you might be thinking you want your house to look like it’s in Better Homes and Gardens, that’s not really what staging is about. The goal of staging is to create a canvas the potential buyer can visually imagine what they would do with your home. That means clean and crisp, void of clutter and storing away personal knick-knacks and family photos.
3. Stage what you can. It is not a necessity to stage the whole house. Stage the main living areas, like the living room and kitchen, and then stage at least one bedroom. If there is a room that doesn’t really serve a specific purpose, it may be a good idea to stage it in a manner that shows potential home buyers how it can be used.
Though there are great people available to stage your home, sellers don’t necessarily have to home a professional around to make their space look good. Take some of the tips explored here and see what works for you and your home.
Good luck with your staging! And if you need help, don’t be shy about reaching out to a talented Minnesota home stager.
2012-10-31T23:37:00-07:002017-11-06T09:40:47-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:18645 Tips for Purchasing Foreclosure Homes
The foreclosure rate in the Twin Cities area and throughout the nation slowed down for a while following the robo-signing fiasco and subsequent investigation. Now that everything has been sorted out, re-evaluated and the processes have started again, there seems to be indications that the foreclosure rate is on the rise – including in the Twin Cities area. That means more foreclosure homes will be available for purchase.
Thinking of buying a <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/real-estate/results/?foreclosure=true">foreclosure home</a>? Here are some tips to keep in mind.
1. Get preapproved for a mortgage. Getting preapproved for a mortgage ensures that you can act immediately when you find a foreclosure home. Though having preapproval doesn't guarantee anything, not being preapproved could put you at a disadvantage if someone else happens to like the same property you're trying to buy.
2. Find an agent specializing in foreclosures. If you were a <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/first-time-buyers/">first time home buyer</a>, you'd want to work with a <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/about/">Twin Cities Realtor</a> that specialized in that. Just like if you wanted to buy a high-end home, you would probably find a real estate agent that is an expert in the field. The same idea applies to foreclosure homes.
3. Budget carefully. The typically low prices of foreclosure homes can tempt you to buy more house than you need. Resist the urge and budget carefully. The person who owned the home previously probably didn't do much or anything to maintain the home once the foreclosure process started, which can take 18 months or more.
4. See the house firsthand. When you buy a foreclosure home, you're buying it "as is." Because the house may not have been properly maintained for the months or years leading up to your interest in it, you need to view the house yourself before you even consider <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/buyers/">buying a home</a>. Consider the neighborhood. Look at the yard. Examine the interior. Just like any home you would buy, make sure its a home you'd like in a place you'd want to live.
5. Get it inspected. After you've decided that it passes your initial inspection, its important that you get it professionally evaluated. Most banks will require that your home pass an inspection anyway in order to officially approve your loan.
Remember the sale is for the home as is and that it's an investment. Purchase a foreclosure home like you would any other home, knowing that it might not be in the greatest shape. It may be tempting to try to buy more house than you need or even try to tackle a fix-up project. If that's you're choice, ensure you have the money for the project and you're positive that its a house worthy of the time and cost.
2012-10-31T21:46:00-07:002017-11-06T09:41:51-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1863Reggie Award goes to Norton HomesIn October 2012, our long time building partner, Norton Homes, was awarded a Reggie from the Builders Association of the Twin Cities.<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/reggie_award_image_204.jpg" alt="reggie_award_image_204" align="left" height="159" width="139" /> This coveted award has been given to <a href="http://www.twincitiesbuilder.com/" title="Minneapolis & St. Paul Home Builders">Top Minneapolis & St. Paul Builders</a> for more than 40 years and is awarded based on judging by peer-teams of Builders who determine the best examples of excellence in quality, design, value, and construction. Norton Homes competed in one of the ultra-competitive upper brackets and received the Reggie Award for its model home in Eden Prairie's prestigeous Enclave neighborhood. We are so proud of Chris Norton for his hard work and dedication to delivering homes of exceptional quality and design! From starter homes to luxury homes, <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/contact/">Contact Us</a> about building your new custom designed home with Norton Homes!2012-10-30T11:23:00-07:002013-07-09T16:55:32-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1862What $300,000 Buys in Shoreview MNHere is MLS # <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/idx/property/4146193/details/">4146193</a><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/house_640_13.jpg" style="width: 501px; height: 326px" title="house_640_13" alt="house_640_13" />This Multi-Split-Level home is in a prime Shoreview MN location at 4685 Chandler Road. It has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 2,188-square-feet of space. The three bathrooms have recently been remodeled.<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/kitchen_640_13.jpg" style="width: 499px; height: 322px" title="kitchen_640_13" alt="kitchen_640_13" />Beautifully updated and lovingly cared for, this home was built in 1978 and it has a spacious kitchen with updated appliances. It is situated in a place where you can walk to the Shoreview Community Center, parks, lakes, shopping and more.<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/four_season__porch_640.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 326px" title="four_season__porch_640" alt="four_season__porch_640" />Hang out in the cozy all-weather porch and watch the seasons change in the large, newly landscaped and entirely fenced-in backyard. This Shoreview MN home can be yours for $300,000!<br /><br />Browse more <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/shoreview/">Shoreview MN real estate</a>Browse other <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/">Twin Cities homes for sale</a>2012-04-29T23:42:00-07:002013-07-07T23:59:15-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:18615 Tips for Increasing Curb Appeal to Encourage Selling a HomeWhen it comes to selling a home, there are some tips and tricks people use to try to make it look as appealing as possible. Thinking about what the inside looks like is just as important as the outside. Though people will be likely making their decisions to buy or not to buy based on the interior of the home, if the exterior doesn't look good, potential buyers might not even make it past the front door. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/sellers/">Selling a home</a>? Trying to, at least? Take a look at the curb appeal tips below to enhance the outside appearance of your home.<br /><br />Clean Up Your Yard. Cleaning up the yard can make a huge difference in a home's appearance. Cover patchy lawns with new grass seed. Edge the driveway for a manicured look. Prune overgrown plants and trees. <br /><br />Add Landscaping. Beyond cleaning up what you have, you can enhance your yard with landscaping. Maybe those patchy areas have problems that keep them bare: A berm or raingarden could be an appropriate and attractive alternative. When planting shrubs around the house, choose varieties that won’t grow taller than three or four feet; plant taller bushes and trees at the edge of the house to frame it. Flowers add a great splash of color, especially for a home with a white or beige exterior.<br /><br />Integrate Window Boxes. Window boxes are also a great way to incorporate color and enhance or even change the look of a home. While it's a pricey endeavor to paint or replace siding, adding window boxes can increase the appeal of a home’s façade inexpensively by comparison. Wood boxes can be customized with paint or stain and synthetic boxes require no maintenance. Plant flowers with colors that contrast or complement the home's appearance.<br /><br />Paint the Front Door. Again, painting or residing a whole house is expensive, but sprucing up the door is relatively cheap. For less than a gallon of paint and some new hardware, one can give the curb appeal of a home a quick lift. Some compelling colors that may work could be high-gloss red, forest green, or black. A classically stained door can also look great. Don't forget to update the door knobs, locks and knockers.<br /><br />Update Outdoor Lighting. All of the tips shared thus far were great for enhancing a home's curb appeal during the day, but what sometimes people will be viewing your home for sale at night. The answer is exterior lighting. A light for the front door is a must for safety, but the right lighting can give a home a welcoming appearance, even in the dark. Trail solar lights along the sidewalk or driveway to invite people to your front door. Be sure to choose lights that are energy efficient and that don't require a lot of maintenance.<br /><br />Follow these tips for improve curb appeal and increase the likelihood that people will find your home to be attractive. Check out the archives of our blog to find more tips for <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/category/selling-a-home/">selling a home</a> or increasing <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/category/home-staging-curb-appeal/">curb appeal</a>. 2012-04-26T08:24:00-07:002013-07-10T04:38:24-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1860What $250,000 Buys in Hastings MNHere is MLS # <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/idx/property/4112648/details/">4112648</a><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/house_640_12.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 324px" title="house_640_12" alt="house_640_12" />This completely remodeled 2-story dwelling can be found at 15453 Ravenna Trail is in Hastings MN. It has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,425-square-feet of space. <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/kitchen_640_12.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 327px" title="kitchen_640_12" alt="kitchen_640_12" />This home was built in 1890 and situated on 10 acres of land overlooking the Vermillion River. Relax and enjoy the scenery from any of the 3 screened porches!<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/one_porch_640.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 324px" title="one_porch_640" alt="one_porch_640" /> <br />The home can also be split to include a main living area and a <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/in-law-units-granny-flats-and-accessory-dwelling-units/">Mother-in-law apartment</a>. All 10 acres of it can be yours for just $250,000!Browse more <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/hastings/">Hastings MN real estate</a>.Browse other <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/">Twin Cities homes for sale</a>.2012-04-16T08:21:00-07:002013-07-09T10:06:49-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1859Spring Remodelers Showcase – Twin Cities Parade of Homes 2012The <a href="http://newsroom.paradeofhomes.org/RSS12general" target="_blank">Spring Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase</a>® is this weekend, from March 30 - April 1. Now in its 25th year, homeowners will find inspired ideas for remodeling their own homes, while getting a chance to interview a range of professional remodelers about their skills.The tour has opened to the public 68 beautifully remodeled homes in 25 communities across the extended <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/" target="_blank">Twin Cities metropolitan area</a>. Virtually every type of remodeling is showcased on the tour, including:12 whole-house remodels39 kitchen renovations19 additions16 baths13 lower-level finishedOther projects include decks, porches and exteriors, owners’ suites, mud rooms, home offices, laundry rooms, and garages.The Remodeler’s Showcase Dream Home is a historic whole-house renovation located in the <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/southwest/">Southwest Minneapolis Community</a> near <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/east-harriet-minneapolis/">Lake Harriet</a>. It was remodeled by Feehan Design & Build, Inc. The <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/spring-parade-of-homes-2012-in-the-twin-cities/" target="_blank">Parade of Homes</a> Spring Remodelers Showcase is presented by Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) and sponsored by Marvin Windows and Doors. The tour homes are open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday March 30, and 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. on both Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, April 1. The <a href="http://newsroom.paradeofhomes.org/RSS12factsheet" target="_blank">Remodelers Showcase</a> Guidebooks are available free at all metropolitan area Holiday StationStores. Searching for Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase projects is easy at <a href="http://www.paradeofhomes.org" target="_blank">www.paradeofhomes.org</a>.Remodeling representatives from 52 firms that performed the work will be on hand at each home to answer questions about the projects. Visitors can also meet real families who recently remodeled their home or read about their experiences in the guidebook. Admission is free, with the exception of one Dream Remodeled Home. Here, visitors will be asked for a $5.00 donation to help fund the Builders Outreach Foundation, which help house families in need. 2012-03-31T19:30:00-07:002013-07-10T08:21:48-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1858Spring Parade of Homes 2012 in the Twin CitiesThe <a href="http://www.paradeofhomes.org/" target="_blank">Spring Parade of Homes</a> is in full swing again in the Twin Cities! And what great weather for it, too!As of March 3, 2012, 306 brand new homes are on display in <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/" target="_blank">Twin Cities communities</a> across the Metro. The Spring Parade of Homes is an excellent time for prospective home buyers to get ideas.This year’s selection features several "Green Path Homes" that showcase eco-friendly amenities. <a href="http://barkerhedges.com/blog/new-green-certification-program-for-homes-in-the-twin-cities.html" target="_blank">MN Green Pat</a>h certifies efficiency and performance in new home construction and remodeling projects. One of the Green Path homes featured on the tour is a simple looking farmhouse with <a href="http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/141219343.html" target="_blank">incredible energy efficiency</a> – and it belongs to none other than Don Shelby!This ongoing real estate event is also an opportunity for builders to display their talents and now is a great time for it. The Parade of Homes is occurring at a time when the housing market is trying to make a rally nationally and locally. Construction seems to be gaining momentum in the Twin Cities.The Spring Parade of Homes continues in the Twin Cities on weekends through April 1.2012-03-14T00:48:00-07:002013-07-09T21:48:40-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1857Home Buyer Advice: What Home Owners Love (and Loathe) About Their HomesEvery house hunter has a <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/todays-home-buyer-trends/" target="_blank">list of "must-haves"</a> when it comes to the house he or she plans to purchase. Which features and amenities stand the test of time?<a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/financialenlightenmentclub.com/2012/02/19/how-to-choose-the-right-house-for-the-right-reasons/" target="_blank">MSN asked readers</a> what they love most about their current home and what they used to love that "was clearly just a passing fancy."It's not a mansion. According to respondents, it was the small conveniences that have retained luster – like a laundry room near the bedrooms - but the one thing that appears to maintain the most satisfaction are open floor plans with plenty of space - regardless of the actual square footage. Let there be light. Large windows with a nice view can also make up for a home's shortcomings. Home owners love large windows that allow cheerful sunlight in at various times and spaces throughout the day. A great view outside those windows is an added bonus. Comfort-adding features. Home owners love their central air conditioning and modernized heating systems for the comfort and convenient maintenance. Of course, storage is a necessity, so plentiful kitchen cabinets and large closets ranked high as well. Mistake to avoid? One respondent said the <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/in-law-units-granny-flats-and-accessory-dwelling-units/" target="_blank">mother-in-law suite</a> she was determined to have has created strife for her family. Friends and family that know about the space think it is okay to stay there for extended periods of time. At the same time, when the space is not in use, it adds unnecessarily to heating and cooling bills.<a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/buying-a-home/" target="_blank">Buying a home</a> is likely the single biggest purchase decision anyone will make during a lifetime. Knowing what types of features people continue to love or grow to hate is probably a good idea. If you are a <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/first-time-buyers/">first time home buyer</a>, try asking your friends who already own a home what they like and don't like about their homes. If you are already a home owner, what features you still love or would do without if you had the chance to do it all over again? Lets us and other readers know in the comments! 2012-03-04T17:27:00-07:002013-07-07T10:27:55-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:18565 Mortgage Tips for Spring Real Estate BuyersThe spring real estate selling and buying season is ready to gear up. Many <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/" target="_blank">Twin Cities real estate </a>professionals believe that there will be an uptick in <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/buying-a-home/" target="_blank">home buying </a>activity this year due to the improved economy and reduced unemployment rate. Here are some mortgage tips for people who plan on <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/buyers/">buying a home</a> this year.1. Study your credit. Though the economy has improved, good credit is still the key to attaining a mortgage. Get a hold of copies of your credit scores and history from the three credit-reporting bureaus. Study the reports to ensure there are no errors. Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 680.2. Prepare your documents. Don't wait for your potential lender to request basic documents when you apply for a mortgage – get them ready now. The papers you will need are W-2s, income-tax returns, bank statements, and two of your most recent check stubs. Save these documents and any others in an electronic format.3. Know how much you can afford. You could end up paying too much if ou rely on a lender to tell you how much mortgage you qualify for - they'll often try to get you to borrow the maximum amount. Plan for a budget range and stick to it. There are several calculators available that can help you determine how much house you can afford.4. Shop around. Shopping around for a mortgage is more than simply comparing interest rates. Though interest rates are important, would-be borrowers should also consider points, closing costs and different types of loan products. Attain loan estimates from at least three banks and three mortgage brokers before deciding.5. Be persistent. Not all lenders are the same. Just because one rejects your mortgage application, doesn't mean all of them will. Additionally, many they have their own internal underwriting guidelines, making some of them stricter than others. Ask why your mortgage was denied - you may be able to correct the issue.Lender restrictions seem to get a little looser every day as the economy improves. Now is the time to make sure your ready for the moment it is time to talk to a lender. These tips will hopefully help you work towards a successful home purchase.2012-02-27T02:19:00-07:002013-07-04T04:11:47-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:18552012 Minneapolis Home and Garden ShowIt is February, so of course, Minnesotans are thinking about spring. And with spring comes home remodeling, decorating, gardening and landscaping. Start planning your projects by attending the <a href="http://homeandgardenshow.com/MHGS/EventsHome.aspx" target="_blank">Minneapolis Home & Garden Show</a>. This year’s show dates are February 29 – March 4, 2012 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This event displays the latest fresh ideas in home, gardening, remodeling and home decor. The Minneapolis Home & Garden Show will display stunning gardens, local celebrities and more! Guests will have the chance to meet more than 1,000 experts and view hundreds of booths. Partnering with this <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/minneapolis-neighborhoods/" target="_blank">Minneapolis </a>event will be Design Expert Ty Pennington, co-host of ABC’s “The Revolution.” He will be there to share his design expertise to create an environment for a better life. He will offer advice, encouragement and support to help individuals achieve their home-related goals.2012-02-14T08:20:00-07:002013-07-10T02:15:58-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1854What $225,000 Buys in Saint Paul's Macalester-Groveland NeighborhoodHere is MLS # <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/idx/property/4114871/details/" target="_blank">4114871</a><br /><br /><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/house_640_11.jpg" title="house_640_11" alt="house_640_11" height="325" width="500" /><br />This one-and-a-half story home located at 2110 Juliet Avenue is in the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood of St. Paul MN. This wonderful home in a premium location was built in 1922. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,100-square-feet of space.<br /><br /><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/kitchen_640_11.jpg" title="kitchen_640_11" alt="kitchen_640_11" height="325" width="500" /><br />This well-cared for home has an updated kitchen and a built-in buffet.<br /><br /><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/442/image/living_room_640_10.jpg" title="living_room_640_10" alt="living_room_640_10" height="325" width="500" /><br />For $225,00, you could be enjoying the large front porch, hardwood floors, and large fenced in backyard.<br /><br />Browse more <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/macalester-groveland/" target="_blank">Macalester-Groveland Saint Paul MN Real Estate</a>.<br /><br />Browse other <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/saint-paul-neighborhoods/" target="_blank">St. Paul MN neighborhoods with Homes for Sale</a>.2012-01-15T19:14:00-07:002013-07-08T21:22:04-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1853Top 10 Saint Paul Real Estate Blog Posts of 2011There is always something interesting happening in the world of <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/">Twin Cities real estate</a>. And we've written about many of those events and stories here at the Homes of Minnesota <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/">Saint Paul Real Estate Blog</a>! Read on to find out what our most popular posts were for 2011.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/saint-paul-minneapolis-residents-are-happier-than-most/" target="_blank">Saint Paul & Minneapolis Residents Happier Than Most<br /></a><br />In November, Men’s Health Magazine released a list of 100 American cities and the overall level of happiness of the citizens who live there. Both of the Twin Cities ranked in the top 20, with <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/saint-paul-neighborhoods/" target="_blank">St. Paul</a> receiving an A- for an overall grade and <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/minneapolis-neighborhoods/" target="_blank">Minneapolis </a>a B+.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/mid-century-modern-home-tour-in-the-twin-cities/" target="_blank">Mid-Century Modern Home Tour in the Twin Cities<br /></a><br />Minnesota and the <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/" target="_blank">Twin Cities metro area</a> have many home tours that occur between spring and fall. Seven mid-century modern homes around the metro were open for public viewing. The Mid-Century Modern Home Tour was self-guided through seven homes that ranged from a Frank Lloyd Wright home to a California modern house with courtyards.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/razing-houses-to-improve-housing-stock-in-the-twin-cities/" target="_blank">Razing Houses to Improve Housing Stock in the Twin Cities<br /></a><br />Too much of Minnesota's housing stock is old and outdated. When homes are beyond the scope of reasonable repair or rebabilitation, it can be more worthwhile to demolish them. South St. Paul's Housing and Redevelopment Authority buys and razes these types of properties as part of a program to clear old lots for new housing.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/vacant-buildings-decline-in-saint-paul/" target="_blank">Vacant Buildings Decline in Saint Paul<br /></a><br />Not all homes are worthy of demolition, however. The number of registered vacant houses in the city of St. Paul has steadily dropped since its peak in 2008 as more are being fixed up and put back on the tax rolls.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/minnesota-home-patio-show-2011/" target="_blank">Minnesota Home & Patio Show 2011<br /></a>The 32nd annual Minnesota Home & Patio Show occurred at the Saint Paul RiverCentre in February. Soon enough, the show will be returning, with more than 400 local and national manufacturers and retailers expected to be on site once again. Mark your calendar!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/in-law-units-granny-flats-and-accessory-dwelling-units/" target="_blank">In-Law Units, Granny Flats and Accessory Dwelling Units<br /></a><br />For years, homes in the United States have gotten larger, even as family sizes grew smaller. After the real estate market bust and economic downturn, more extended families have begun sharing space. With more extended families living under one roof, in-law units, granny flats and accessory dwelling units are becomming more popular.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/twin-cities-parade-of-homes-spring-preview-2011/" target="_blank">Twin Cities Parade of Homes Spring Preview ~ 2011<br /></a><br />In March, the Parade of Homes Spring Preview opened the doors to model homes and neighborhoods throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul and the surrounding Twin Cities. Tour participants had access to 342 new homes and communities. This tour will also be coming in the next few months, so watch for it.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/healthier-indoor-air-radon-mitigation-standards-pushed-for-new-homes-constructed-in-minnesota/" target="_blank">Healthier Indoor Air Radon Mitigation Standards Pushed for New Homes Constructed in Minnesota<br /></a><br />Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless gas that can be found in soil. Minnesota's rules for mitigating radon gas within homes are some of the strictest in the nation. In 2011, the state Department of Health requested builders do more.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/blog/minnesota-real-estate-market-showing-stability/" target="_blank">Minnesota Real Estate Market Showing Stability<br /></a><br />The housing market in Minnesota has been more stable than in other states. Though there have been some changes in the housing situation since the time this blog posts and its related articles were published. the Twin Cities real estate situation has been much better than in other major metro areas that have seen considerably worse decline. <br /><br />Those are the top 10 Homes of Minnesota Saint Paul Real Estate Blog posts for 2011. We hope that your year and winter holidays were great. Good luck to you in 2012! We look forward to servicing the Twin Cities real estate community in the coming year! 2011-12-27T15:26:00-07:002013-07-09T11:25:00-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1852Saint Paul & Minneapolis Residents Happier Than MostMen’s Health Magazine recently released a list of 100 American cities and the overall happiness level of their citizens. Would you be surprised to know the Twin Cities ranked in the top 20?<a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/saint-paul-neighborhoods/" target="_blank">Saint Paul </a>is listed as the eighth happiest city on the list. Its <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/minneapolis-neighborhoods/" target="_blank">Minneapolis </a>neighbor to the west ranked a less-cheerful-but-still-impressive 14th. St. Paul received an A- for an overall grade, while Minneapolis earned a B+.The results were calculated using an algorithm that took into account suicide rates, unemployment numbers, antidepressant usage and a measure of people who report feeling “blue”.The top 10 happiest cities are as follows:<br /><br />1. Honolulu, HI ~ A+<br />2. Manchester, NH ~ A<br />3. Fargo, ND ~ A<br />4. Omaha, NE ~ A<br />5. Boston, MA ~ A-<br />6. Madison, WI ~ A-<br />7. Sioux Falls, SD ~ A-<br />8. St. Paul, MN ~ A-<br />9. Burlington, VT ~ A-<br />10. Plano, TX ~ A-<br /><br />The 10 saddest cities, according to Men's Health, are:<br /><br />91. Las Vegas, NV ~ F<br />92. Reno, NV ~ F<br />93. Miami, FL ~ F<br />94. Birmingham, AL ~ F<br />95. St. Louis, MO ~ F<br />96. Louisville, KY ~ F<br />97. Tampa, FL ~ F<br />98. Memphis, TN ~ F<br />99. Detroit, MI ~ F<br />100. St. Petersburg, FL ~ F“Men’s Health” says it found that even locations with abundant sunshine and warmth were particularly susceptable to the blues. Researchers also discovered that bike paths and parks play a role in how happy residents are, allowing people to recover from stress and fatigue. Green space and bike paths, of course, are abundant in the Twin Cities.For the full list, visit <a href="http://www.menshealth.com/best-life/frown-towns" target="_blank">menshealth.com/best-life/frown-towns</a>. Source: <a href="http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/11/29/mens-health-st-paul-slightly-happier-than-minneapolis/" target="_blank">Men's Health: St. Paul Slightly Happier Than Minneapolis</a> 2011-12-04T21:24:00-07:002013-07-10T02:24:02-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1851Razing Houses to Improve Housing Stock in the Twin CitiesQuite a bit of Minnesota's housing stock is old and outdated. Though many are in decent condition, not all homes are worth saving and rehabilitating.South St. Paul's Housing and Redevelopment Authority buys and razes these types of properties as part of a program to clear old lots for new housing. Started in 1996, the Rediscover South St. Paul program logged its 100th new home built on lots cleared of dilapidated houses.South St. Paul went into the housing renewal business because it could not count on the private housing market to remove dilapidated homes, said Mayor Beth Baumann.<br /><br />Although renewal is happening on its own in cities like Edina, where developers regularly buy small older houses, raze them and build large new homes at a profit, in South St. Paul, where the lots can be as narrow as 40 to 60 feet, developers cannot build big enough homes to clear a profit if they have to buy, demolish and rebuild the houses on their own, said Branna Lindell, HRA executive director.Looking for a solution, <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/south-st-paul/">South St. Paul</a> followed the lead of Richfield. That city began a similar program in 1990 and has by this time built 120 new houses.The homes purchased by such programs are in really rough shape. The houses that can be saved should be, but this is a last resort for homes that would cost too much to bring up to code for it to be worth it. The HRA hears about homes that qualify for the program through city inspectors, neighbor complaints and Realtors.For the first time the HRA has an inventory of nine lots for sale. On a 40-foot lot, South St. Paul requires that the purchaser build a split-level, a two-story house or a rambler valued at between $222,000 and $267,000, with finished living area of at least 1,290 square feet. On 60-foot lots, the city requires construction ranging from a $241,000 split level to a $293,000 two-story home. The new houses must be owner-occupied.2011-10-31T23:57:00-07:002013-07-07T23:37:50-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1850Mid-Century Modern Home Tour in the Twin CitiesSeven mid-century modern <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/">homes in the Twin Cities</a> will be open for public view on Saturday. The self-guided tour will be followed by a reception, sponsored by the Minnesota chapter of Docomomo.These homes are actually significant buildings by respected architects. They range from a Frank Lloyd Wright home with Wright-designed furnishings to a California modern house with courtyards. Other highlights of the tour include a Close-designed home bin University Grove, homes designed by
University of Minnesota architects James Stageberg and Carl Graffunder,
and Birdwing, a Hopkins home designed by Wright's son, Lloyd Wright. The
tour ends with a reception at Sankaku, a house in rural Burnsville.All the houses on the tour are private homes, said Karen Rue, board member for the Minnesota chapter of Docomomo, the nonprofit that is hosting the tour. "We're opening them up so people can really appreciate the preservation that's gone on inside."Preserving modernist architecture is what Docomomo stands for - literally, the name is a condensation of the group's mission: "documentation and conservation of architecture from the modern movement." The international organization has been around since the late '80s, but the Minnesota chapter was first recognized in 2010. This is its first public tour of residences."People [are] interested," said Elizabeth Gales, board president. But with so many other eras to focus on, modernism wasn't a high priority. "That's one of the reasons to have a separate group. We've already lost a lot of interesting modern buildings."<br /><br />So far, the group has focused on building a registry of modernist properties in the state and raising awareness. "We've not stood in front of any bulldozers yet," Gales said.The tour takes place Saturday, October 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets cost $30 ($20 for members), $15 for students, payable at the homes on the day of the tour. Homes are located throughout Twin Cities metro area. For locations and tour times, visit www.docomomo-us-mn.org.2011-10-03T00:01:00-07:002013-07-10T02:13:22-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1849Healthier Indoor Air Radon Mitigation Standards Pushed for New Homes Constructed in MinnesotaRules for mitigating radon gas inside homes constructed in Minnesota are some of the strictest in the nation, but the state Department of Health, concerned the rules don't go far enough, has a new request for builders.Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless gas that can be found in soils throughout the United States, including Minnesota. Much like the name suggests, radon is also radioactive. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that as many as 800 Minnesotans die each year from radon-induced lung cancer.Though passive radon vents are already required by Minnesota law, the State Department of Health (MDH) is now asking builders to voluntarily install attic fans that can more actively draw out the toxic gas. So far, only a few builders have signed on to the MDH program. The agency even offers discounts on radon-venting fans to builders if they agree to install them in all of the new homes they build.Few prospective <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/buyers/">home buyers</a> are probably thinking about radon poisoning when touring their potential new home. They are more likely to be more concerned about details like hardwood floors and available kitchen storage space. However, a home's radon risk should be of concern, especially for families with children. And though Minnesota's building code is intended to remove some of the burden on homeowners for dealing with radon by requiring all new houses to have a radon-venting pipe, they may not exist in homes built before the code was passed in 2009.But James Kelly, supervisor of the indoor air program at the health department, says the vents aren't perfect because they rely on the passive movement of air.<br /><br />"It's like venting a chimney. In some cases your chimney works better than others. Some days, if the wind isn't quite right, you don't get enough draw," he said. "If you add the fan, you're creating a little bit of suction and actually getting pressure in that system to pull the radon from below the slab and vent it safely above the roof."Despite the health benefits, only eight Twin Cities builders have signed on to the health department's program. It's not an ideal start, but with time builders and consumers will view the extra expense of adding the radon fans as a small price to pay for improving the health of the state's housing stock - and its inhabitants!2011-09-20T02:00:00-07:002013-07-10T07:46:43-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1848August Twin Cities Real Estate Sales Activity Offers Mixed ResultsThere have been noteworthy shifts for <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/">Twin Cities real estate</a>. Buyer activity is increasing, while sellers are making fewer concessions to sell their homes. Falling supply and improving absorption rates in many communities also suggest that the market is regaining its balance.Aaccording to the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors, a few indicators posted improvement over August 2010. New Listings in the Twin Cities region decreased 10.7% to 6,144. Pending sales were up 46.4% to 4,358. Inventory levels shrank 21.4% to 23,502 units. The Median Sales Price decreased by 10.9% to $156,000. Days a property typically spent on the market increased 7.4% to 136 days. Absorption rates improved as supply of inventory was down 18.9% to 7.1 months.Two other recently released reports show mixed information. Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller composite index of 20 major metro markets dropped 4.5% in June from last year. Meanwhile, the U.S. national index released every three months by Case-Shiller, rose 3.6% in June from May but was down nearly 6% year-over-year.While no one knows exactly why the Twin Cities market is posting such heavy yearly declines, experts suspect foreclosures are the primary culprit. Minnesota, which don't require home foreclosures to go through the court system, may be getting homes back on the market and resold more quickly than other areas.However, home prices have been ticking up month-to month in the Twin Cities area recently. Spring buying helped increase home prices up for a third straight month in most major U.S. cities in June. The Twin Cities and Chicago led the month-to-month gains among the top 20 metro areas, both markets up 3.2% from May.2011-09-13T01:39:00-07:002013-07-10T01:26:14-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1847Summer Signs of Optimism in Twin Cities Real EstateDespite continuing economic uncertainty, the housing market in the Twin Cities area showed modest signs of improvement in July.At the end of the month, pending <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/">Twin Cities real estate</a> sales were up 42.7% over the same month of the previous year, when sales were dropping after the tax credit expired for first-time home buyers. It was the third consecutive month of double-digit, year-over-year gains in pending sales, according to data released by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.Home prices have not yet rebounded and a new report suggests that foreclosures will continue to dominate the market. In spite of this, market watchers see reasons to be optimistic.Declining inventory is the most promising sign. With sellers reluctant to brave the tough market, new listing activity was down 16% in July compared with last year, helping send total inventory down 19% from a year ago. About 24,000 homes are on the market today.Similar tentatively good news recently came from a report on the Twin Cities housing market from the University of St. Thomas. The University of St. Thomas’s Real Estate Index, which is based on nine market indicators, increased from 784 in June to 799 in July; the index was 847 in July 2010. While closed sales were up 34 percent compared with last year, the report showed that the median sale prices of all closed sales dropped three percent from June to July, from $165,000 to $160,000.Compared with 2010 prices were down 8.5 percent. Excluding foreclosures and short sales, prices were down only 1.5 percent from June to July and down 10.4 percent from July 2010 to 2011.The Minnesota Association of Realtors said that throughout the state the number of closed home sales during July was down 33.5% with the median sale price of those deals down 6.5%. These are comparisons to July 2010. Despite an uptick in sales activity this summer, the number of sales so far this year is down 4.1%, with prices down almost 9%. That's not the story for everyone. More reason to be optimistic is that some people are having great luck selling their houses. This year, real estate observers are seeing more of those bidding wars that haven't been seen since prices peaked in 2006. Many real estate observers believe today's prices are at or near bottom, motivating buyers to take advantage of the opportunity. Depending on the home, the location and its listing price, some properties have been receiving multiple offers. Home owners have even been selling above listing price. "We have a long way to go to stabilize, of course, but I'm hopeful that we've seen the bottom," said Jennifer Snyder, a Woodbury agent and president of the St. Paul Area Association of Realtors.That people are pricing better is demonstrated by these numbers from the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors: In June, the most recent month for which data are available, homes were selling for 91.4% of their original asking price. It had been about 89%. During the 2004 through 2006 boom years, it was normally above 95%.<a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/">Twin Cities eal estate agents</a> say they're seeing multiple offers on bargain foreclosure properties as well as traditional sales at historically low prices in desirable neighborhoods such as Highland, Macalester-Groveland and some South Minneapolis neighborhoods as well as in the suburbs.2011-08-28T20:32:00-07:002013-07-07T21:26:59-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1846In-Law Units, Granny Flats and Accessory Dwelling UnitsFor decades, American houses got bigger and bigger, even as family sizes got smaller and smaller. As the housing market collapsed, including the downturn of the <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/">Twin Cities real estate</a> market, and the economy soured, more extended families began sharing space, including unemployed young adults moving back with their parents and financially strapped senior citizens moving in with their grown children.Author Michael Litchfield thinks this trend will continue, as Americans increasingly question whether they're making the best use of their space. In his new book, "In-laws, Outlaws and Granny Flats" (Taunton Press, $24.95), he shows how to create secondary living spaces -- also called in-law units, granny flats and accessory dwelling units.Additionally, TATA, which brought a $2500 car to India, is now is taking orders for an entire house (without garage for the tiny car) for $720. That's $3.34 per square foot and perfect for use as a Granny Flat!Read this Star Tribune article and TreeHugger blog post to learn more about these options. <br /><br />Additionally, read about locally made Flat Pak houses, one of which is on display at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.2011-07-26T17:47:00-07:002013-07-09T09:08:30-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1845July National, State and Twin Cities Foreclosure NewsA recent report show that foreclosure filings have declined since last fall. However, this real estate snap shot isn't a completely pretty picture.RealtyTrack, an Irvine California firm, has reported foreclosure filings have slowed and are down 25% nationally during the first half of 2011 as compared to the first half of last year. The rate is 29% lower compared to the rate from the second half of 2010. Still, a depressing total of 1,170,402 <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/real-estate/results/?foreclosure=true">foreclosures </a>were filed through the end of June, 2011.The length of time from default to foreclosure to auction has grown. U.S. properties foreclosed in the second quarter were in the foreclosure process an average of 318 days from the initial notice to the completion, up from 277 days in the second quarter of 2010. New York leads the nation in the length of its foreclosure process at an astounding 944 days. Florida was next at 676 days. At the other end of the spectrum, Texas’ process took 92 days.The longer length of time for the foreclosure process could be a good or a bad sign. On the one hand, banks are still processing a high-number of defaults, which may be slowing the foreclosure process. On the other, many programs are being developed and offered to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. This is also true for Minnesota. On a completely related note!The Washington County Library and the Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority are offering free foreclosure counseling and information workshops on Thursdays in July, providing advice from trained foreclosure-prevention counselors. The events will include a 45-minute presentation summarizing the foreclosure process. Participants will also have an opportunity to meet individually with a foreclosure-prevention counselor. No pre-registration is required."The value in speaking to a county foreclosure-prevention counselor is identifying options," said Barbara Dacy, HRA executive director. "More than 60 percent of households that have worked with one of the prevention counselors have avoided foreclosure."The next two sessions are on July 21 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Oakdale Library, 1010 Heron Av. N. and July 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. at R.H. Stafford Library, Conference Rooms A&B, 8595 Central Park Place in Woodbury.Additionally, check out the limited time program to help 1,400 Minnesotans avoid foreclosure. The deadline for application is July 22. 2011! 2011-07-19T00:01:00-07:002013-07-09T21:56:12-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1844Federal Program to Help 1,400 Minnesotans Facing Foreclosure[UPDATE: The application deadline for this program has been extended through Wednesday, July 27, 2011]A new program offering money to catch up on delinquent loan payments is accepting applications in Minnesota. Qualified applicants should hurry, as the time frame for joining this program ends July 22.The Emergency Homeowners' Loan Program will provide up to $50,000 in interest-free, forgivable loans to qualified borrowers. The national program is designed to bring selected homeowners current on their loans, and to assist with future mortgage payments over two years. The loan is forgivable for homeowners who stay in their homes five years beyond the program's two-year duration.The loans are available to borrower(s) who:Had income declines of 15% or more due to unemployment, underemployment or illness.Have not made a mortgage payment in three months and who have received a foreclosure notice.Live in the mortgaged property.Meet income requirements: Applicants may make no more than $75,000, or 120% of area median income, whichever is greater. In the Twin Cities metro area, that's around $100,000 for a family of four.Time is short for applying. Applications will only be taken through July
22. An extensive application must be filled out, and eligible
participants will be selected via lottery.Julie Gugin, director of the Minnesota Homeownership Center, which coordinates a network of foreclosure prevention counselors around the state, said two-thirds of homeowners who seek counseling are behind due to income or medical issues. "This program will offer an important lifeline to a large segment of homeowners who otherwise struggle to find options to stay in their homes," she said.Minnesota is one of 32 states sharing a $1 billion pot to stem foreclosure. The state will receive $55.8 million for this program. It should reach 1,405 Minnesota home owners. Officials estimate the program will decrease the state's projected <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/real-estate/results/?foreclosure=true">foreclosure homes</a> this year by at least 5%.<br /><br />Source: 1,400 Minnesotans facing foreclosure could be helped by new federal program<br />Source: Franken announces emergency loans for homeowners facing foreclosure2011-07-11T23:09:00-07:002013-07-08T09:01:02-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1843Tips for Selling a Home in a Down MarketWarmer weather tends to spark movement in the real estate market. Moving is easier and people want to be settled in their new home by fall for school. Even so, <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/sellers/">selling a home</a> right now isn't exactly an easy proposition. It takes a little more work to sell a home than in previous years. Here are some top home selling strategies to keep in mind.Price it right. There are about seven homes on the market for every buyer right now. Pricing it right from the beginning increases chances of selling a home quicker and avoiding price reductions. This is especially true if it has more features than other homes nearby, which can place it at the head of the pack. Know the agent. Finding an agent with experience selling homes in the local market will help ensure correct pricing. When choosing a real estate agent, find out how long on average it usually takes him or her to sell a house. It's best to choose an agent whose properties sell in an average of three or four months, which generally indicates the agent understands how to price the market.Make the repairs. A few years ago, it might have been enough to just amp up the curb appeal a little. People selling in today's market will have to do more than that. With foreclosures and short-sales as they are, there are plenty of "fixer-uppers" available to buyers priced low. Fix the roof, tighten the leaky pipes, refinish the hardwood floors and replace the drafty windows among other modest repairs to clinch the deal.Spruce up the place. Appearance is still critical. Reduce the clutter in every room, especially when it comes to personal items or potentially offensive things. Update light fixtures and cabinet hardware in bathrooms and kitchens. Clean the carpets and polish the floors. Put a fresh coat of paint on the walls and on the front door. Trim the lawn, overgrown bushes and trees. It could be helpful to hire a professional stager.Make it comfortable. Keep the thermostat at a comfy 68 to 72 degrees. Turn on every light for an open house, particularly if the home or condo is small or dark. Make sure buyers are greeted with a clean, inoffensive scent, like citrus, pine or even freshly baked cookies for those feeling inspired (Bonus: Leave the cookies out with a note that says "Help Yourself"). Be flexible. Make sure the house is ready to show at all times. That means making the bed each morning, cleaning the dishes before leaving, making sure clothes and toys are put away. Homeowners should also be willing to disappear if potential buyers are free to see the property. This will make it easier for prospective buyers just in case someone wants to see it at the last minute.Look good online. Most buyers do their initial house hunting on the internet. Good photos and even video can entice people to come see the home in person. Consider hiring a professional photographer to shoot eye-catching photos and videos for online listings. Also, find out if the real estate agent engages in social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to promote the home.There are a lot of homes available on the market right now. It might take a little longer to sell than usual, but it can be done and in a timely manner, too. By following these steps, homeowners can increase the chances of selling their home as close to their original listing price as possible.2011-07-08T23:08:00-07:002013-07-08T03:15:04-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1842Mixed Results for Recent Twin Cities Residential SalesFor people with the money for a down payment and are able to get a mortgage loan, this summer is turning out to be an excellent time to purchase a <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/">Twin Cities home</a>.Prices plunged 11% in April compared with a year ago, with the Minneapolis – St. Paul Metro Area continuing to lead declines among major cities. The nation's housing market could be headed for a double-dip fall.The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index of 20 cities dropped 4% in April from a year ago, the steepest decline since late 2009. But no metro area prices sank like the Twin Cities, the only one posting a double-digit decline in prices. It was the third straight month the Twin Cities led declines among the country's largest cities, falling 10% in March and 8% in February. There's no clear reason for why Twin Cities home prices have tanked.[Thomas Musil, a real estate professor at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul] said "the most plausible explanation" was that the home buyer tax credit that expired at the end of April last year pushed activity higher, so that this year's numbers, without the benefit of the tax credit, are unusually low by comparison.<br /><br />Musil speculated that it's possible lenders are more efficient in selling off the foreclosure inventory in the Twin Cities market than other places.In related news, existing homes may get a boost from higher sales prices of new homes. Nationwide, the median sales price of new homes rose 2.6% from April to $222,600. That's more than 30% higher than the median sales of price of older, re-sale homes. Though there are many benefits to owning a brand new home, purchasing an existing home also has its benefits. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if it is the best time for you to be <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/buyers/">buying a home</a>. With new or existing homes priced low and interest rates at historic lows, it could be the right time for you to step into the role of homeowner.2011-07-01T15:58:00-07:002013-07-07T12:09:22-07:00Matt Barkertag:saint-paul-real-estate.com,2012-09-20:1841Woodbury MN retail center in the worksA new grocery store and shopping center is being built to accomodate <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/woodbury/">Woodbury MN</a> residents.The tentatively named Bielenberg Gardens project is the first part of a high-density "urban village" master plan the City is drafting for the southwest corner of Bailey Road and Radio Drive. Woodbury has determined that is the suburb's next area for residential growth in the future.One of the <a href="https://www.saint-paul-real-estate.com/twin-cities-suburbs/">Twin Cities</a> fastest-growing suburbs in the past decade, Woodbury experienced a wave of construction of malls, shopping centers and stores, but much of it was in the city's north near Interstate 94. The suburb's south has fewer basic services, and the new project's developers -- Bloomington-based United Properties and local residential land developer Tim Thone -- say the shopping center will fill the gap in necessities not just for southern Woodbury, but northern Cottage Grove.This Woodbury MN project is one of the few such neighborhood retail centers in the works around the Twin Cities. About half of the proposed 120,000-square-foot center will be the grocery store. Pending city approvals, there are plans to break ground on the 28-acre development next spring. It would open by the fall of 2012.The working name of Bielenberg Gardens is a reference to Woodbury's first mayor, Orville Bielenberg. His farm once stood nearby.2011-06-27T14:48:00-07:002013-07-09T04:16:03-07:00Matt Barker