Surveys could be Your Best Friend - 04/30/07 10:17 PM
Unlike some real estate agents I have met, I am a big lobbyist for a seller to provide a survey any time they sell their single family residential property. Some think it is a waste of money. Others might not see the need. I mean, you can see how the lot … (8 comments)
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Summit Avenue Landmark hits Pay Dirt! - 04/30/07 02:48 PM
Minnesota Historical Society Sells Rare Gem at ChristiesWhen the railroad baron James J. Hill bought a diamond and sapphire necklace for his wife in 1886 for a recorded amount of $2200, he probably never thought about what the single sapphire would fetch in 2007. Well this week the rare sapphire from … (4 comments)
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Confessions of a Rehabber... - 04/27/07 10:49 AM
Take it from me, or anyone else you know for that matter, deciding to buy a fixer-upper and tackle the task of remodeling is no easy feat. Sure, all those infomercials out there claim you can make quick money flipping, but what they neglect to tell you about is all the … (31 comments)
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Minnesota Day Trip - Red Wing - 04/26/07 05:19 PM
I decided to start a series called "Day Trips" where I travel to local towns in MN and explore the area. It's a great way to get away and to also take the kids along for some excitement. I will probably do this every couple weeks, time permitting. There are so … (5 comments)
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Minnesota's Best Small Towns... - 04/25/07 10:08 AM
...well, at least according to the new issue of Midwest Living. Now some of you might think your small town should have been noted in the magazine. So I am giving you the opportunity to tell me about your town via comments. Those that nominate their town will see their town … (0 comments)
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St Paul Historic Home #5 - 04/25/07 09:16 AM
This weeks showcase Historic Home is 318 Summit Ave.I was going to post this home upon completion of its current renovation, but since the Pioneer Press did a fantastic article recently regarding the current owners, I decided to highlight the home early, and then come back in May for more comments when … (3 comments)
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Why I Love Wal-Mart... - 04/24/07 02:02 PM
...and any company for that matter that makes money.
It seems every time I turn on the TV, I hear about how some big corporation is being bashed by the media or sued by some unhappy people. I listen to what they have to say, then make my own judgement. See, that's … (11 comments)
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Stop Increasing Our Taxes! - 04/23/07 10:27 PM
Last week I wrote a post about Minnesota's transfer tax on the deed anytime a property sells. On Luxury Homes, this can be quite expensive. Well, if the Senate Finance Committee votes the wrong way, it could become more expensive for every home owner. This Wednesday, April 25th, the committee will … (3 comments)
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Minnesota Homes in Foreclosure, Part 2 - 04/23/07 10:07 PM
This weeks follow on to the Minnesota Homes in Foreclosure series explains the Methods of Foreclosure found in Minnesota. Not all states have the same methods, so check with your local agent for more information.Remember that the reason for a mortgage is to give the lender the right to foreclose, have … (0 comments)
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Little Tiny Trains Bring out the Kid in You - 04/22/07 10:06 PM
Visit Bandana Square in Saint PaulMy son loves trains. Loves them. Anytime he sees Thomas the Train, he gets really excited and just has to grab it. If we are driving and see a train, we must stop, roll the windows down, so he can see and hear it. Of … (7 comments)
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Death to the Phantom Tax - 04/20/07 12:47 PM
Well, it looks like we could be having a funeral very soon. Let's all cross our fingers and pray for it to die. I'll be the first to shovel some dirt over the coffin...and let's make sure we dig a really, really deep hole so it cannot resurrect itself in the … (5 comments)
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Will the real Ryan Swanberg please sit down... - 04/20/07 11:50 AM
Finally, a court is ruling in favor of a real estate company. Remember the guy who has been going around the country, calling brokerages and demanding to be taken off their internal Do Not Call list? If they didn't comply he threatened to take them to court, but if you paid … (15 comments)
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What are Groups for? - 04/20/07 08:28 AM
I like the fact we have the option of Groups. They offer specific areas to find information that is useful to me. For instance, I belong to the Historic Home group and the architecture group. I only add a post to those groups if it is relevant to the group.
Through my … (0 comments)
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You Never Know who's Reading - 04/18/07 02:31 PM
When you type on a blog it's easy to forget that this is just not posting to Active Rain. It is posting to the whole world. And you secretly hope you don't make anyone mad in the process.
I recently wrote a post about proactive property appraisers in which I discuss the county … (10 comments)
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New Minneapolis State Laws for 2007 - 04/18/07 08:34 AM
New laws went into effect on January 1, 2007, some of which are certain to affect local Minneapolis real estate. Twin Cities New Construction affected by New State LawInstallation of carbon monoxide detectors is required in all newly constructed homes and apartments. According to the law, operational detectors must be placed … (0 comments)
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St Paul Historic Home 4 - 04/18/07 08:18 AM
This weeks featured Historic Home in St Paul is 649 Summit Ave.Built in 1874 by A G Manson, the home is a fantastic representation of Second Empire architectural design. Out of the four Second Empire homes built on Summit Avenue between 1867-1883, this is the only one still standing. Major features … (10 comments)
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Minneapolis Median Sales Prices - 04/17/07 07:17 PM
The Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors recently released 2006 data for Median Sales Prices in various areas of the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Below is a breakdown of Minneapolis specific neighborhoods according to the Multiple Listing Service, including the percentage increase in sales price since 2000.
Calhoun - Isles : the … (0 comments)
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Help....my Brain Hurts! - 04/16/07 02:46 PM
I try to update my blogs at least 4-5 times a week with new posts. Sometimes life just comes first and I have to tell the blog "Sorry, but I cannot write to you today". I know my blogs' feelings are hurt, as are the "millions" of readers I have,(LOL) but … (7 comments)
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An Unconventional Truth - 04/16/07 02:25 PM
The truth is, there are more mortgage options available to buyers than just the typical 30-year fixed loan. Known as "unconventional mortgages", buyers should know the additional options available. Please remember,they may not work for you, and to check with your lender about personal pros and cons.40-Year Fixed - these … (0 comments)
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Minnesota Historic Homes Need Your Help - 04/16/07 12:08 PM
Historic Home Preservation Update
I don't always post articles from other sites, but this one is an important update concerning a proposed tax credit for rehabilitating historic homes. With so many local homes deteriorating, it is extremely important to offer some way for homes owners to save these homes from further … (5 comments)
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Be Prepared to Open up Your Wallet - 04/15/07 10:31 AM
More Expensive Homes Mean More Expensive Closing CostsLike many states, Minnesota has a state deed tax or transfer tax, that is paid to the county treasurer every time a home sells. On top of this, if a buyer is obtaining a loan, a mortgage registry tax is also due to the … (3 comments)
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Will You be Reading this Somewhere Else? - 04/13/07 10:19 PM
I found an interesting article today on yahoo news. Apparently the people who invented the Internet want to scrap the one we have and build a brand new one. Hmmmm....I wonder if this blog will be somewhere else?They say it will be a new platform that will run parallel to the current … (8 comments)
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St Paul Historic Home #3 - 04/11/07 10:19 AM
This weeks showcase historic home is 295 Summit Avenue.The home was built in 1885 by Albert H. Lindeke for a cost of $13,000 and designed by architect A.F. Gauger. The home was recently listed for sale at $1,275,000 and has been off and on the market for the last six years, … (3 comments)
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Is This Your Money Pit? - 04/10/07 02:01 PM
It could be if you purchase a historic home without doing your homework first.Remember Tom Hanks in the "Money Pit"? It was funny, right? Well, it is, until it happens to you. Here's some advice on what to look for should you be thinking of buying an older home. Oh, and … (12 comments)
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How Many Licenses Does it Take to Make an Agent Happy? - 04/09/07 10:43 PM
I love to learn. Always have, always will. I have already taken about 100 credit hours this year, earned my ePRO and RSPS certifications, and looking to get my CRS this year as well.
So since we are looking for a home to purchase, we haven't ruled out the possibility of buying … (5 comments)
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How Much is a Photo Worth? - 04/07/07 09:45 PM
Well, in my case, about $300,000.
See, I am in the process of buying a home and now find myself in the shoes of my buyers and all the buyers out there. Seeing as there are so many homes on the market here in Minneapolis, I have to find a way to narrow … (2 comments)
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How Online Sites can be Dangerous - 04/06/07 09:19 AM
I have been reading on Active Rain various opinions on those sites we love to hate like Zillow, Craiglist, etc, and how they can be dangerous to the public. For instance, the last few I have read about Zillow speak about mass email harvesting and the ability for anyone to claim … (6 comments)
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Top 10 Qualities Consumers Look for in a Realtor - 04/05/07 03:46 PM
I am once again taking another real estate class to further my education. This weeks class covers business planning and will help me implement better systems to use in my everyday real estate life. We discussed some great topics, including a 2005 survey on what Minneapolis real estate consumers are looking … (7 comments)
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Flashing Lights are Trying to Tell You Something - 04/05/07 10:53 AM
If you are new to Minnesota, it might be important to know a state law that concerns your driving. Many states also have enacted similar laws and it should be common sense to observe it anyway.
When driving down any road with two lanes or more and you see flashing emergency lights … (2 comments)
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Historical Homes of St Paul #2 - 04/04/07 12:54 PM
Here is my second favorite home on Summit Avenue in St Paul, Minnesota, photo taken fall of 2006. You can only imagine how grand the home appeared on a dirt street with carriage houses in the rear and servants coming and going in the late 1800's. These homes sit high up on … (5 comments)
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Proactive Property Assessors? It couldn't Be! - 04/03/07 09:32 PM
If only Minnesota County Property Assessors Would Care This MuchNot only am I licensed in Minnesota, but also in Florida. I specialize in the Northwest Panhandle, including Pensacola. I have just learned that the Escambia County Property Appraiser is asking for local Realtor help. With property taxes at their highest ever, … (0 comments)
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Why my toilet is more Important than a Client - 04/03/07 02:02 PM
No, this photo is not of my boy, but it does help to show why he is getting more attention than my clients this week. My son officially turns 2 this Friday so what better way to usher in the celebration than starting the potty training phase all us parents and … (13 comments)
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Have you Read the Bill of Rights yet? - 04/02/07 01:30 PM
I am always checking out different news reels for stories, one because I like to read, and the other because I am constantly looking to learn something new.
So when I checked out the Inman Blog a few minutes ago, I was drawn to their story on Redfin's release of a Consumer's Bill of … (2 comments)
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Minnesota Homes in Foreclosure, Part 1 - 04/01/07 03:43 PM
If you have not heard about the recent increase in Minneapolis foreclosures, then you probably live under a rock. I think there is an article every day about the foreclosure "problem", unethical lenders, and the government stepping in to conduct hearings on proper lending practices. To help some of you understand … (2 comments)
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Lake Minnetonka Market Update - March 2007 - 04/01/07 02:19 PM
If you are thinking about living on Lake Minnetonka, make sure you bring your checkbook, trust accounts, inheritance, and anything else you can think of to finance the homesite. But sometimes price just doesn't matter once you've see the sunrise over the crystal blue waters, or heard the birds chirping and … (0 comments)
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