minneapolis: Home Values: How the Media Gets Wrong and What You Should Know - 11/03/08 09:57 AM
Most real estate news today is bad, but rising sales volume is great news, and often seen skeptically in the media. While falling average prices is important, it's not nearly as accurate as it seems. Home owners would be well advised to understand the media's coverage of real estate is usually … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: St. Louis Park, Minnesota: Mid Century Modern|Alcoa Home FOR SALE - 09/12/08 09:08 AM
A Mid-century contemporary marvel for modern living. Designed by Charles M. Goodman and constructed in 1958 as a project for the Alcoa Aluminum Company to showcase the wonders of Aluminum. Built with post & beam construction and combines decorative and structural aluminum with beautiful woods such as oak, redwood and cypress.
… (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, MN Neighborhood Appreciation Rates Vary Widely - 09/03/08 04:12 PM
Just a quick "flash in the pan" for everyone interested in local real estate values. We always here about the wholesale decline of home values, when in fact that's simply not the case. In reality Buyers are able to be far more discriminating and while that leads to declining vales in some … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Tyrol Hills Real Estate Prices in 2008 - 08/21/08 08:17 AM
It's been a wild ride as of late, as home values rise in some areas and fall in many more, short sales and foreclosure complicate deals, financing challenges are everywhere and everyone is taking a careful look at their pocket book as the general economic news sours. But what's it all … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Golden Valley Minnesota: Tyrol Hills Neighborhood - 08/21/08 02:04 AM
Though it's located a mere ten minutes west of downtown Minneapolis, the prestigious neighborhood of Tyrol Hills looks like it could have been carved out from the alpine Austro-Italian region from which it gets its name. Hills, winding streets, wide lawns, ponds and old-growth trees characterize this Golden Valley community, as … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Remodeling Changes the Real Estate Market: Tear Downs, Historic Homes, and the Evolution of Values - 06/23/08 03:32 PM
I live in an area of Southwest Minneapolis called Linden Hills. Loved for its history and it's quaint small town feel, Linden Hills is also just 15-20 minutes from Downtown. People love this neighborhood, and as a result, the property values are pretty high. The homes are old, some go back … (1 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, Minnesota: Local Brokers Going out of Business - 06/23/08 03:18 PM
There are plenty of brokers closing their doors these days. Both large and small, brokers have been hit hard by the slowdown in the market. By some estimates as many as 50% or Realtors will leave the business by the end of the year. There were only a few less deals done … (2 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, Minneapolis: Local Brokers Going Out of Business - 06/23/08 03:14 PM
There are plenty of brokers closing their doors these days. Both large and small, brokers have been hit hard by the slowdown in the market. By some estimates as many as 50% or Realtors will leave the business by the end of the year. There were only XXX fewer deals done … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, Minnesota: Uptown's Condominium Market - 06/19/08 02:30 PM
I remember when Uptown was scary. When it felt dangerous. When "punk" kids hung out in front of Calhoun Square with safety pins in their eyebrows, and their faces painted white.
It's a lot less scary now. Maybe it's because and Victoria's Secret and Northface moved in, or because I've grown … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis & Edina over $2 million - 06/18/08 10:00 PM
During this period of market correction, media pundits talk of falling values, and lenders refer to "declining markets" but we all know, real estate is intensely local. Average market conditions rarely tell the real story of what is happening in any given neighborhood.
In this multi part series, close examination of … (1 comments)
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minneapolis: International Marketing and Professional Real Estate Photography - 06/07/08 02:18 PM
It's still a difficult time to be a seller. I believe it is starting to get better, but it's still hard. Many areas are still strong. In locations where demand is high, average sales prices continue to rise. The metro condo market seem to be doing well, values here remain relatively … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis Minnesota | Real Estate Market Update | Downtown Condo's Heat Up - 05/27/08 01:09 PM
I've been singing the praises of our Twin Cities Real Estate Market for the past month now. Sign of improvement are all around. Many areas are still depressed, and others are shining, but the trends are finally headed in the right direct.
The Downtown condo market is really showing signs of … (1 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, Minnesota Real Estate Market: Bottom in Sight! - 04/27/08 04:20 PM
Signs of the Bottom
They say you don't know the bottom until you reached it. Real Estate markets move slowly, however, and the bottom of this market won't come up and slap us across the face, rather it will slowly emerge and turn into recovery over a 2-3 months time.
I see the … (3 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, MN: Southwest is Good and Getting better - 04/19/08 10:52 PM
Location, location... yeah you konw the rest! But seriously, look at these stats for SW Mpls and tell me is a bad market.
In 2007 the average SW Home Seller was on the market 112 days, and received 95.3% of their asking price.
$310,000 was the Median Sale Price in 2007 ($200/sq. ft.)
Up … (1 comments)
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minneapolis: How to buy Short Sales and Foreclosures - 04/18/08 09:40 AM
Short Sales and Foreclosures Sales have stymied many a buyer in recent months. Banks are bad a selling homes in good times, and now they are overwhelmed. You might think that Buyers would be able, even encouraged, to scoop up these homes. Not the case, buying in a Short Sale, or Foreclosure … (1 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, MN | RE Market | Recovery Begins: But Who Will Admit It? - 04/17/08 09:18 AM
Good news in Minneapolis Real Estate world... inventory levels are falling! We've all been talking about Buyers being able to "cheery pick" the best of the homes ("best" = cheep and nice), leaving all sellers in a bind trying desperately to be the best. Well that's beginning to change...
In all price ranges above $190,000 … (1 comments)
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minneapolis: TJ Waconia Fraud Case: Charges - 04/17/08 08:31 AM
One of the poster children for real estate and mortgage fraud in the Twin Cities has been charged...
Earlyer this week TJ Waconia was charged with one count of mail fraud in connection with a bunch of bad real estate deals. The allegations basically accuse TJ Waconia of writing bogus appraisals and mortgages in … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, Minnesota, Linden Hills Neighborhood - 04/04/08 08:58 AM
Linden Hills Neighborhood Council Linden Hills Business Association
This quaint, and popular, neighborhood just south of Lake Calhoun and west of Lake Harriet is bordered to the south by West 47th Street, and to the west by France avenue. Named by a developer for the linden trees and rolling terrain, was developed … (2 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, MN Real Estate Market: Week of March 31st - 04/03/08 07:57 AM
New Listings Down!
Hot on the heals of last weeks rising sales comes the news we've all been hoping for...New Listings were down 26.3% compared to the same period last year, and down 14% from last week.
New Listings are homes for sale added to the market this week. Prolonged declines in New … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kenny Neighborhood - 03/28/08 08:33 AM
Kenny Neighborhood Association
Tucked safely into the corner of Lyndale Ave and the Crosstown (Hwy 62) Kenny Neighborhood is a quite residential area of Southwest Mpls. It is bordered by Highway 62, 54th Street, Lyndale Avenue, and the alley between Knox and Logan avenues south. Deviating slightly from the city's grid plan Kenny's … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, Minnesota, Fulton Neighborhood - 03/27/08 11:42 PM
Fulton Neighborhood Association
In the southwest corner of Minneapolis, Fulton's boundaries are West 47th Street to the north, Penn Avenue South to the east, West 54th Street to the south, and France Avenue South to the west. Nearby neighborhoods include Linden Hills to the north, Lynnhurst to the east and Armatage to … (2 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, Minnesota, East Harriet Farmstead Neighborhood - 03/27/08 11:06 PM
East Harriet Farmstead Neighborhood Association
East Harriet Farmstead Neighborhood takes its name from both Lake Harriet, and Farmstead Park. The neighborhood is bordered by 36th Street on the north and 46th Street to the south. Lyndale Avenue is the eastern boundary; Lake Harriet and Lakewood Cemetery largely make up the western border of … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, Minnesota, Armatage Neighborhood - 03/27/08 10:39 PM
Armatage Neighborhood Association
Minneapolis Neighborhood Profile: Armatage
Armatage holds down the southwest corner of the city. It is bounded on the north by 54th Street West, on the east by Logan Avenue South, and on the south and west by the city limits at Highway 62 and Xerxes Avenue South.
Originally … (2 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, MN: Real Estate Market Update March 25th - 03/25/08 03:33 PM
New Page 2
Get Out Your Sold Signs!
We saw a tremendously positive sign in the past weeks stats,
Pending Sales, or the number of new deals, are up 11% percent! Buyers are
taking advantage of this market, and are starting to buy homes. This
trend will continue as long … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: The Fixer-Upper Market in Southwest Minneapolis - 03/18/08 10:24 AM
Buying a fixer-upper in Southwest has been a popular and proven strategy for ages. But if you're not careful it can be also be a big mistake. There are new "rules" in play today that determine what will pay off and what won't.
Many are attracted to the "fixer-upper in the … (3 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, MN: Market Update March 17th - 03/17/08 11:19 PM
Buying activity this week remained about the same as last week. It's almost hard to imagine why buyers are not taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Until I think about the Bear Stearns news and all the doom and gloom dire predictions we heard this week.
Many buyers are trying to time … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Higher FHA Limits & Increased Affordability Good News for Minneapolis - 03/11/08 03:31 PM
Good News!
The department of Housing and Urban Development has raised the loan limits on FHA financing from $271,050 to $365,000. FHA loans continue to be a wonderful financing option, and in currently one of the best options available to many buyers.
Coupled with the improved affordability of homes, this is definitely … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, MN: Real Estate Market Update March 11th - 03/11/08 10:12 AM
Activity in the real estate market increased across the board this week. The number of new deals (pending sales) went from 635 last week to 680 this week. The number of new listings went up as well from 1832 last week to 2014 this week.
These increases add to the rise in activity … (1 comments)
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minneapolis: 10 Things Your Realtor Should Be Doing - 03/10/08 12:06 PM
Every client I’ve represented has had different needs. Some need a lot of time, others need a lot of advice, and most need a mixture of both.
Here is a short list of the things I find myself doing most often for my clients. I thought it would serve as a good benchmark for … (4 comments)
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minneapolis: Open House Farmington Townhome Sunday 3/9 from 1-3 - 03/05/08 05:55 PM
1117 Bristol Lane in Farmington, MN
Open Sunday March 9th from 1:00-3:00pm
High end beautiful town home! Lot's to love, with great sunny views, like new construction, and One Full Year of Association Dues PAID!
2 Bedroom, plus loft
3 Bath, 3/4 master bath
1376 Fin. Sq. Ft.
Patio, Fireplace, large 2 car attached garage
Virtual Tour
Offered … (2 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, MN: Market Update Week of March 3rd - 03/03/08 07:30 PM
New Page 1
Signs of Spring!
Deals are being done, fewer homes being listed, all spell good news for
the Real Estate Market.
Pending sales inched up this week making a strong case for
the market being prime for the picking. While sales volume remains
healthy, the type of deals … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Linden Hills Town Hall Meeting: The Effect of Forclosures - 03/03/08 06:54 PM
This Tuesday evening from 6-7 the Linden Hills Housing Committee will be hosting a town hall meeting to discuss the effect of Foreclosure on the community. There will be a Pot Luck dinner, kids are welcome. Following this presentation and discussion, the Linden Hill Neighborhood Council will have a Board meeting … (2 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis, Minneasota: Top 5 MLS Districts - 02/26/08 08:53 AM
Well the RREAR is out! That's the 2007 Residential Real Estate Activity Report
prepared by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors (MAAR). If you like to toss around real estate stats at parties this is your meal ticket! It is truly an awesome read for real estate buffs. MAAR continues to … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: How to Buy, Sell & WIN in this market - 02/05/08 12:08 PM
What is your Market Strategy?
Ben Kolkman, REALTOR
While the entire market looks one way, the market for each individual home is very different. Sometime hot, sometimes cold, the real estate market varies widely. The best way to get the most out of this transaction is to clearly define, and write out, your … (5 comments)
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minneapolis: Minneapolis Market Update - Jan. 30, 2008 - 01/30/08 09:22 AM
Minneapolis Real Estate - MARKET UPDATE
It's 14 degrees below zero - SPRING is HERE!
January 30th, 2008
by Ben Kolkman, REALTOR, Great Minneapolis Real Estate
In Minneapolis the spring season, in real estate at least, starts in January. Ironic, considering it's so cold right now, that keys sitting in frozen lock boxes on … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Market Update - Jan. 18, 2008 - 01/18/08 09:15 PM
And the listings come flooding back. The number of new listings in Minneapolis soared up this week to 1544. Doubling the number from the week before.
These new listings are just adding to the already flooded market. Many of these "new" listings have previously been on the market, and were just taking some time off. … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Linden Hills Housing Committee Meeting, Tuesday Jan. 15th - 01/15/08 09:33 PM
The Minnehaha Apartments project, previously selected to be the recipient of NRP funds from LHiNC has secured full funding and is no longer in need of LHiNC's funds. The Housing Committee will be seeking new projects for consideration.
Planning was discussed for the upcoming "Foreclosure Crisis & Neighborhood Home Values" Town Hall … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Market Update - Jan. 13, 2008 - 01/13/08 02:20 PM
As the winter sets in and the market reacts to more bad news about the real estate market and the "credit crunch" I wonder what could possibly be good in the world of real estate. Then I saw our weekly activity!
Pending sales dropped, as did new listings, and the total … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: What's the Linden Hills Housing Committee upto? - 12/21/07 08:28 AM
NOTE: Views and opinions expressed in this blog are not those of the LHiNC (Linden Hills Neighborhood Council), nor does LHiNC endorse or support the content posted here. This is the personal blog of Ben Kolkman. Ben is a Realtor in Minneapolis, Minnesota he is also the Chair of the Linden … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: How is the Condo Market in Southwest Minneapolis? - 12/09/07 09:04 AM
Real estate values in Southwest Minneapolis have traditionally been strong. Even during the slowest periods, values in Southwest have appreciated and demand has been high. Unfortunately, condo owners in Southwest may not fair so well this time.
There are very specific reasons the real estate markets has slowed. The number of properties … (2 comments)
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minneapolis: Giving thanks for a good real estate market - 11/27/07 12:17 PM
As I thought about what a great Thanksgiving my family had, I began thinking about the real estate market this year and all I have been blessed with professionally. Then I realized we are all lucky to have a housing market, offering a sound financial investment, even in the worst of … (1 comments)
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minneapolis: Is the Possibilty of a Lower Price, Worth Passing on the Perfect Home? - 11/20/07 04:41 PM
I had the privilege of providing an interview to Channel 5, KSTP today. Glen Barbour contacted my office asking for an opinion on an article he read in Smart Money Magazine.
The story essentially describes the falling housing market as a risky, but potentially good, investment. In particular it lists the Twin Cities … (1 comments)
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minneapolis: Kenny Neighborhood Profie, Minneapolis, MN - 07/03/07 11:29 AM
An established but quite, residential neighborhood, Home to Anthony Middle School and Kenny Elementary, the neighborhood is adored by is residents, but not as well know as many other Southwest Minneapolis neighborhoods. Its boundaries are West 54th St. to the north, Lyndale Ave. South and Highway 121 to the east, West 62nd St. … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Tangletown Neighborhood Profile, Minneapolis, MN - 07/03/07 11:07 AM
Tangletown is a neighborhood in the Southwest community of Minneapolis. Minnehaha Creek traverses the southern part of the neighborhood. The neighborhood boundaries are 46th St. to the north, Interstate 35W to the east, Diamond Lake Road to the south, and Lyndale Ave. South to the west. Tangletown is most well known … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Fulton Neighborhod Profile, Minnepeapolis, MN - 07/03/07 10:45 AM
In the southwest corner of Minneapolis, Fulton is most well known for Lake Harriet, Minnehaha Creek, Southwest High School and the 50th and France shopping district. Fulton's boundaries are W. 47th St. to the north, Penn Ave. S. to the east, W. 54th St. to the south, and France Ave. S. … (1 comments)
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minneapolis: Kingfield Neighborhood, Minneapolis, Minnesota - 07/01/07 04:06 PM
Kingfield is named after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. Located between Interstate 35W on the east and Lyndale Ave. on the west, the northern border is 36th St., and 46th St. on the south. Kingfield neighborhood became part of Minneapolis in 1887 when the city border was extended from 38th St. … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Tear Downs, In-Fill and Monster Houses Oh My! - 06/18/07 10:10 PM
Replacement Housing: The Changing Face of Historic Urban Neighborhoods
There is a trend occurring in my marketplace (Minneapolis), older homes in desirable areas are being torn down and rebuilt. A good portion of the ageing housing stock is literally being replaced before our eyes.
This change is both frightening and exciting, and it's … (0 comments)
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