Several cities in the twin cities metro area have found a way to make some additional income from the state of the economy recently.  It's called Vacant Building Registration Fees.  Each city has the power to input and enforce the rules on vacant buildings in their city.

These fees can run anywhere from $500 to $6.746.  Yes, that is over six thousand dollars.  That is the fee that the city of Minneapolis charges for a vacant building in their city.  It used to be $1,000 but when more foreclosures started to come up vacant, they decided to increase the fee over 600%.  (I would really like to know how they justify this)

Hopkins also charges a Vacant Building Registration Fee of $500 for the first year.  It can change by how long the property is vacant for.  There are two exceptions: if it is a rental property and the owner has a valid rental license and can show proof of an effort to rent the property and also if the home is for sale and you have proof of that.

If the home had been vacant for some time before it was up for sale, the fee may still apply.  Be sure to check with the city if you a buying a foreclosed home or one you think may have been vacant at all because if the seller does not pay for this before you purchase the home, it could become your responsibility.

You can read more about it on their website at http://www.hopkinsmn.com/home/vacant/index.php

Beautifully Remodeled home in Edina.  This home has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths with a 2 car attached garage.  There is new carpeting, tile, and re-finished hardwood floors.  There are also new kitchen cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

Brummer Realty has officially been opened!

Wonderful 3 bedroom 2 bath home in Money Magazines BEST PLACE TO LIVE!  Remodeled with new cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, new carpeting, and neutral paint.  This home has a nice deck overlooking a fenced back yard.  Just a short drive to Eden Prarie mall and 1/2 block to Homeward Hills Park with many activities including....baseball, soccer fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball, basketball court, off leash dog area, ice skating rink with warming house, bbq grills and picnic tables, and a swing/playground set.

Remodeled home in Plymouth for $125,000.  Yes I did say REMODELED HOME in PLYMOUTH FOR $125,000.

Home has a new roof, gutters, concrete patios, blacktop driveway, outside and inside has been painted, new carpet, tile, updated appliances, new water heater.

This home is MOVE IN READY and a MUST SEE!!!  Schedule a showing while the Home Buyer Tax Credit is still available.

Contract for Deed terms available.  Please contact me for details.

Great 2 bedroom 1 bath home for rent in Plymouth.  1 block from Medicine Lake.  New carpet, paint, tile. Attached garage.

I was recently in a situation where I was helping a buyer purchase a foreclosed home.  We found the house, wrote up the contract, both parties signed it and it was binding.  The listing agent was doing a horrible job and actually ended up getting fired from the bank selling the home.  The bank then hired a new listing agent and I got into contact with him right away and let him know we had a contract on the home and forwarded him all of the documents.

This was on a Thursday.  The listing agent (and the bank) completely ignored the fact that we had a binding contract on this house and put it back on the market that Friday.  Over the weekend they got a total of 10 more offers from prospective buyers who wanted to purchase the home and the listing agent was trying to manipulate me into getting my client to cancel their purchase agreement.

After hearing this, I got on the phone with my client and told them we need to hire an attorney.  I called my real Estate attorney, Greg Soule.  I told Greg what the bank was trying to do to my client.  He said "they can't do that".  I said "I know".  Within 24 hours of Greg contacting them the listing agent was calling me to say that they would honor my clients contract.  

In the end we did force the bank to live up to their responsibilities and sell the house to my client.  Overall, it was not a great real estate experience for the buyers or myself.  My client and I both felt like we were being bullied and the bank thought they could do what ever they wanted regardless of our state laws here in Minnesota.   

Twin West Chamber of Commerce welcomes Exit Lakes Realty's Real Estate Grand Opening today at the Minnetonka location.  It was a great celebration with lots of fun, food, and most importantly great people!  Thank you Twin West and the community for the warm welcome as we settle into our new location on 394 & 169 in Minnetonka