Best of the Twin Cities: the Shopping Experience. - 02/29/08 12:23 AM
         Southdale – the first shopping mall in the country.
            Minnesota has played an important role in history of shopping centers in United States for decades.  The very first fully enclosed, climate-controlled regional shopping center, Southdale, was built in Edina, MN.  The Dayton Company conceived the idea for the project in 1950 to meet the needs of many businesses moving from the city to the suburbs.
           The center opened on October 7, 1956 and became a benchmark for shopping, retail, and community development.  About 10 years ago, the mall underwent a significant remodeling and additions.  Today, it … (11 comments)

Richfield MN homes for sale - 02/26/08 11:58 PM
Are you looking for Richfield homes listed in mls?  If so, the time has never been better than right now to check out some of the great homes that are for sale here in Richfield MN!  Prices are LOW and interest rates are LOW!
For more information check out my website by visiting http://www.minneapolisstpaulrealestate.info/
… (2 comments)

Only in Minnesota?! - Perhaps... One or Two Other Places... - 02/21/08 10:09 AM
        The temperatures in the Twin Cities got down to 15 degrees below zero night before last, and that's air temp.  Wind chill was in the neighborhood of 35-40 below zero..  brrrrr..  Yeah, it's pretty cold.  Wait, whatever happened to global warming?! Can't find it here. 
Remember science experiments in grade school?  Did they teach you what happens to hot, almost boiling water when you throw it into the air when air temperatures are below zero?  Water mostly dissipates.  My daughter and I did this yesterday morning before I drove her to school.  Here's what happened:
                          
Here's another thing about … (28 comments)

Best of the Twin Cities: Taxation and Education in Minnesota. - 02/19/08 09:26 AM
 
        Our state continues to receive high rankings in national surveys.  In the 2007 Most Livable State Ranking, Minnesota came in second, right behind New Hampshire. This rating is based on 44 factors like crime rates, unemployment rates and per capita gross state product, with factors given equal weight. (http://www.morganquinto.com/sr07mlrnk.htm, accessed April, 2007)
        Twin Cities are the second best metro area for business location, according to Expansion Management. Rankings compared 362 metropolitan statistical areas in quality of life, public education, health care cost and availability, and metros reputation among prestigious corporate site location consultants. ( Where Are the Best … (6 comments)

Scam Alert: Protect Your Money! - 02/11/08 11:41 AM
News Media have been filled with reports on the Economic Stimulous Package and the tax rebate.  We are all waiting to hear the details regarding the money that is coming to us.  We are not the only ones making plans on ways to spend these dollars.   SCAMMERS are already thinking up ways to take the money out of our pocketS! The Department of Consumer Affairs reports scammers have been calling people up and pretending to be from the IRS. They're claiming you won't receive the rebate until they receive your social security number and confirm your checking account number. The IRS has … (17 comments)

Best of the Twin Cities: Minnesota's Economy Then and Now. - 02/09/08 11:37 PM
Furs, wheat, pine lumber, and high-grade iron ore were once the basis of Minnesota's economy. As these resources diminished, however, the state turned to wood pulp, dairy products, corn and soybeans, taconite, and manufacturing, often in such food-related industries as meat-packing, canning, and the processing of dairy products.
    Minnesota's economy has transformed in the last 200 years to emphasize finished products and services. Perhaps the most significant characteristic of the economy is its diversity; the relative outputs of its business sectors closely match the United States as a whole. The economy of Minnesota had a gross domestic product of $234 billion … (4 comments)

minneapolis properties listed in mls - 02/09/08 10:39 AM
Are you looking for minneapolis properties listed in mls?  If so, the time has never been better than right now to check out some of the great homes that are for sale here in Minneapolis!  Prices are LOW and interest rates are LOW!
For more information check out my website by visiting http://www.minneapolisstpaulrealestate.info/
… (2 comments)

Hot off the Press: Do You Have a Pending Contract?! - 02/08/08 01:39 PM
If you are in the process of buying or selling real estate in Minnesota, check with the lender who is processing the loan on the status of the file.  Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have declared many Minnesota zip codes as declining market.  So, effective now, no 100% financing on conventional financing anymore.  Depending on the price range and eligibility, you may be able to switch to FHA or VA.
What's most important here, check with the lender regarding your situation. 
Don't be surprised one day before closing.
 
 
… (7 comments)

Looking for a home in Edina MN? - 02/06/08 11:48 AM
Check out this classy twin home in west Edina. 
Visit our open house this Sunday, February 10 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, or get the details at
www.LivingInTwinCities.com/3492448
                          
Spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with  2,391 square feet finished space. Many spaces are updated.  Living area has hardwood floors under carpet. You can't beat this neighborhood and the current asking price.
   
 
 
… (6 comments)

real estate for sale in south saint paul mn - 02/05/08 02:30 PM
Are you looking for real estate for sale in south saint paul mn?  If so, the time has never been better than right now to check out some of the great homes that are for sale here in St Paul!  Prices are LOW and interest rates are LOW!
For more information check out my website by visiting http://www.minneapolisstpaulrealestate.info/
… (0 comments)

Hot off the Press - Richfield Market Update for Buyers and Sellers - 02/05/08 02:23 PM
 
 Numbers for January 2008
single family homes
Richfield real estate market is waking up from the slumber.  Many home owners whose homes are on the market are experiencing more showing activity this week.  Here is a summary of the MLS data for January 2008:
Homes currently on the market ( on 2/5/08):  166                                                    
Homes listed during January     -           50;  average list price -   $225,447    +1.10% from December 2007   
Pending transactions during January -     12:   average list price -   $209,717   - 1.10% from December 2007
Home sales closed in January -             20;   average sale price - $196,834    - 1.27% from December 2007
For a complimentary list … (0 comments)

Best of the Twin Cities: Introduction to the Twin Cities Real Estate Market - 02/02/08 08:56 AM

Minnesota, the North Star State,  was established through the Louisiana Land Purchase in 1803. Settlement was slow at first, the first wave came from New England to exploit the tree population in the 1820s. By the 1880s, settlers spread to all corners of the state. 
The areas that later became known as Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, were populated by Germans, Swedes and Finns. Minnesota offered the first troops to the Union side in the Civil War.
Prior to World War II farming was the major base of this state's economy. However, in recent decades, industry, commerce, and services have far surpassed … (4 comments)