Twin Cities Real Estate Blog

2010 could be the year to move to a new home for many Twin Cities families. But, not only are people getting new digs, Como Park will be opening its Polar Bear Odyssey on June 3, 2010. The polar bears’ new home is a definite move up from their starter-home caves of days gone by. I took this photo in for a college photography class in the early 1980’s. This was even before the cement cave with the attached pool where you could see the bears swim right up to the glass.

Looking for MORE photos of Como Park? Check out these posts:

• A Spring Walk in the Park in Pictures--A Como Zoo Tour!
• Photo Tour of Como Park Conservatory—Minnesotan’s Favorite Eye Candy!

Years ago, my sister and her husband built a new home in an Oakdale development. We lived in a mile away in North St. Paul at the time so we drove by often and watched as several homes were constructed in the neighborhood. This development didn’t have restrictive covenants so there were various styles of homes with differing colors and types of siding giving the area a very eclectic look. As one home we passed by often was starting to look more like a home than a construction project, we noticed the PURPLE door! The house itself, mind you, was a beautiful slate blue, but the door was a striking shade of purple. We were certain it was a mistake!
As it turned out, we had a mutual friend in common with the homeowner of the house with the purple door. So we asked about the very unusual color choice. We were told that it wasn’t a mistake, the owner LIKES purple…Okay we live in Minnesota and it was the 1980’s, Prince was big at time and then there is the Purple & Gold Viking colors so whatever floats someones boat is okay with me. But from that day on, whenever we drove by the house, we remarked, “It must have looked better on the paint chip”.

And over the years, this saying has become code between my husband and I when we visit a friend’s home who has a love for flamboyant or unusual colors.

As a REALTOR® I have to view many homes and from time to time when I am asked to do a market analysis, I come across a “better on the paint chip” room, door or house. When marketing your home, it is essential to make certain your own personality does not prevent the buyer from seeing the details of your home. If a bright orange kitchen counter, hot pink bathroom or lime green playroom is the way you have made your home your own, I do think that is an awesome way to personalize your space. But, you are going to be moving and your favorite colors choices are too wild, it could hamper your sale. Bold colors in internet photos could knock your home right off many potential buyers’ favorite homes lists. And in this slowly recovering real estate market, you don’t want to lose any potential buyers over something as simple to change as paint.

Stage your home with neutrals to bring out the details and style of your home. You want the buyers to feel welcome in your home. That can be difficult as people are quickly often turned off a home by colors they view as a mistake.

Not sure if your home has a “better on the paint chip” colored room? Let me help you get your home picture-perfect ready for a quick sale.

First Open House SUNDAY March 7th 1-3PM

2503 16th Avenue E

The beauty of this turn-of-the-century charmer has been lovingly restored & enhanced with many modern conveniences!

• Stained Glass window in foyer and original decorative glass in living room and dining room.
• Original wooden staircase and newel post.
• Maple hardwood floors restored through kitchen, baths, living room, dining room, hallways and three of four bedrooms.

• Maple hardwood floors restored throughout home...Gleaming original hardwood in kitchen, baths, living room, dining room, hallways and three of four bedrooms.
• Remodeled kitchen (2007) adds modern conveniences while remaining true to historical look.
• Note the new dishwasher, Silestone counter, pantry and cabinets, plumbing and light fixtures.

• Open floorplan and lots of windows with original detailing.
• Original woodwork and over-sized baseboard moldings.

• Gas Fireplace/stove added in 2007 to the living room provides alternate heat and ambiance.
• Newer roof (2000) and furnace (1996). Home does have central air conditioning.
• New high quality vinyl siding with transferrable warranty installed fall of 2009.

• Remodeled full bath (2007) with double vanity, mirrors & lighting that reflect the historical period.
• Spacious bedrooms! 3 upstairs and one on the main level.
• Storage Galore! Huge closets in every bedroom-some have two. Plus full basement and oversized single stall garage.

This updated home loaded with charm!

Just Reduced to $249.900!!

Directions: Hwy 36 to 120, North to 17th, West to Helen, South to 16th. Home is at the corner of 16th and Helen. (Between St Peter's Church and Richardson Elementary).

Need to know more information about how to make this historical North St. Paul treasure your own? Call me, Teri Eckholm/ReMax Specialists at 651-336-7073 or visit www.terieckholm.com and click featured homes to see additional photos.

Or check out the virtual tour/slideshow for a complete view of 2503 16^th Ave by CLICKING HERE!

Welcome to 4019 5th St NE, Columbia Heights MN!

Home FULL of Charm and Character...Beautifully Maintained inside & out!

Though constructed almost a century ago (built in 1922), the woodwork in this home has been maintained wonderfully. Only in a classic turn-of-the-century home will you see such historic wooden features including columns, beams, built-in buffets, knickknack shelving and window seats! To find all of these beautiful unique details all on the main floor of one home is rare and gives a home wonderful character that is hard to duplicate!

 •· Refinished hardwood floors in living room, dining room, upstairs hallway and stairs.  •· Original hardwood floors on classic 3 season front porch. •·Upstairs bedrooms, hallway, living room, dining room and kitchen recently repainted.

 •· Off street parking with one stall garage and additional space on cement drive. •· All appliances included. Washing machine was purchased **BRAND NEW** Fall 2009.•· Basement playroom with additional storage.

•· Beautifully maintained yard with many perennials New roof in approximately 2006. •· Quaint neighborhood with sidewalks. •· Close to shopping, parks and quick commute to Downtown Minneapolis or airport. •· 1 year AHS home warranty provided by sellers 

This updated home loaded with charm is PRICED TO SELL at $119,900!

NOTE:  This is NOT a foreclosure or short sale property! Buyers will get a quick answer on any submitted offer as this home is being by a traditional seller.

Need to know more information about how to make this beautiful Columbia Heights treasure your own?  Call me, Teri Eckholm/ReMax Specialists at 651-336-7073 or visit www.terieckholm.com and click featured homes to see additional photos.

• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Andover, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Blaine, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Centerville Market Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Chisago City, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Circle Pines, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Columbus, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Coon Rapids Market Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of East Bethel, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Forest Lake MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Ham Lake, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Hugo, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Lino Lakes, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Linwood, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Mahtomedi, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of North St. Paul, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Oakdale, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of White Bear Lake, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of White Bear Township, MN Home Sales Statistics
• 2009 Year End Snapshot of Wyoming, MN Home Sales Statistics

But as is said, the devil is in the details . I have another version of market reports for specific communities are not snapshots. In the communities that I work in on a daily basis, I want to really help people to understand the market so I take good hard look at the real estate sales on a quarterly basis and post a more detailed report. I also post a year end review several communities I work in and know well.

Detailed Statistic Reports

Blaine, MN Year End Real Estate Market Statistics 2009 Forest Lake, MN Year End Real Estate Market Statistics for 2009 Ham Lake, MN Year End Real Estate Market Statistics for 2009 Lino Lakes, MN Year End Real Estate Market Statistics 2009 White Bear Lake, MN Year End Real Estate Market Statistics 2009

When I take the time to pull statistics directly from the Twin Cities Multiple Listing Service (MLS) I look for specific details like cumulative days on the market (CDOM). This comes into play every time a home is relisted as a new listing in the MLS. The snapshots DOM do not take relisting into account so the time on the market appears to be much shorter than it really is in some area.

I also look at CDOM by price point. Homes in the lower price ranges are selling much more quickly that in the higher price points. A quick overview does not get that specific.

Since each community is so different, I will examine different things in different areas. Blaine has an abundance of townhomes. Since townhomes are lingering on the market in all price points, this does have an affect on the CDOM if the sales are looked as an aggregate. But if the townhomes and single family homes are looked at separately, the details give home buyers and sellers more useful information than a one-size-fits-all quick look at the market. Now in Forest Lake, lakeshore homes are a focus while in Ham Lake and Lino Lakes, acreage comes into play.

Knowing how to pull the right comparables and read the market comes from knowing a specific area and what makes the community different. Finding a REALTOR® that knows the details is imperative when buying or selling in this topsy-turvey, continually changing real estate market. There is no one-size-fits-all agent when buying or selling a home today. It is necessary to work with an expert.

Looking for Lakeshore Foreclosures? Check out this post!

Lakeshore Foreclosures Available in the North East Twin Cities Metro

In this northern Washington County community, just east of White Bear Lake, closed home sales were down in 2009 by over 21%. With few starter priced homes in Mahtomedi, the tax credit did not jumpstart sales as it had in many other metro suburbs. The average sales price of sold homes was down as the foreclosure and lender-mediated homes are everywhere. New listings are also down significantly in Mahtomedi so the market is starting to become more balanced. Sellers are still getting 92% of their asking price though the average sales price dropped significantly to $265,705. Time on the market to sell a home, has remained flat at just over four months. It appears that the Mahtomedi market is still working toward becoming balanced again but home buyers may still have an edge in this community.

In this northern Ramsey and Washington County community, just north of White Bear Lake, closed home sales were up an average of by nearly 43%. Unfortunately, the average sales price did continue to decline again during 2009; down nearly 17% to under $200,000! This is no doubt a reflection of the significant amount of first time home buyers in the market. With only a handful of additional new listings in the area, inventory is down considerably. Sellers are already starting to see sales prices come in closer to asking price. Time on the market to sell a home, has remained flat at just over four months. It appears that the Hugo market is starting to become more balanced which is great news for homeowners in this Washington County suburb.

As a REALTOR® who sells homes on acreage in Anoka, Chisago and northern Washington Counties, I am often asked whether the land is dry or wet. In this area, depending on what you plan to use the land for, this is a very important question. Many people think purchasing a home on a Minnesota wetland is ideal others wonder whether buying a home with environmental lakeshore would be a huge mistake.

I find this question very interesting. In the areas where I focus my business, there are areas with an abundance of wetland and lakeshore homes. From Hugo to Wyoming and throughout the communities of Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and Blaine, there are properties abutting ponds, wetlands and natural environmental lakeshore. Many Minnesotans find these properties extremely desirable but as with any home it is a personal preference.

So how do you decide if a wetland or natural environmental (NEDS) lake home is for you? Take time to consider some of the positives and negatives.

Positives

Wildlife-White-tailed deer, raccoons, turtles, ducks, eagles, hawks, loons (the Minnesota state bird) and a host of other animals have been spotted living near Minnesota wetlands.
Privacy-Whether the wetland is 20 acres or 200, it cannot be built upon so a property with a wetland or NEDS lake shoreline will limit neighbors.
Affordable-NEDS lakeshore and wetland properties are significantly less costly than lakeshore on a full use recreational lake.
Activities-Though there could be some limits on the use, wetland ponds, environmental lakeshore and NEDS Lakes have been used winter skating, summer canoeing or kayaking and more depending on the water depth.

Negatives

Mosquitoes-Yes, wetlands are known to attract that "OTHER" Minnesota State bird too.
Drainage Issues-If the home is on a smaller lot, the owner must pay special consideration to the foundation. A drain tile system and sump pump could be required. Also homes on private septic systems would have special DNR (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) considerations if the system were to fail.