A bucket of water and a mop were the only tools used to create this masterpiece on cement in one of the most magical places on earth....The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. We had to snap the photo quickly before Mickey evaporated. Note the water artist also "swabbed" the likeness of Goofy and Donald off on the right. We were amazed!

Linwood real estate has a bit of a better outlook after 2009. New listings were down slightly but closed home sales were up significantly. And Linwood was one of the very few north metro communities where the average sales price actually increased; albeit only 4%. After the rough 2008, this is welcome news for Linwood homeowners. This rural Anoka County community featuring acreage and lakeshore properties is located just north of Columbus and south of Stacy, saw a bit of a decrease in time on the market down 8% from 179 days in 2008 to 164 days in 2009. Not all of Linwood's news is rosy however. The area is continuing to experience one of the lowest ratios of sales price to list price at just under 90%. This meaning sellers in Linwood are negotiating hard to get their homes sold.

With the number of closed sales dramatically up for the second year in a row and this year new listings dramatically down, there is significantly less real estate inventory to start off 2010 in the East Bethel. While this northern Anoka County community did see a drop in the average sales price in 2009 compared to statistics in 2008, lower inventory is a good indicator of a more balanced market on the horizon. The ratio comparing sold price to list price did see a bit of a comeback in 2009 but at just over 90% it is one of the lowest in the north and east metro communities I work in. The Days on the market statistic is also up again for the second year in a row; this is significant as many surrounding communities did see a bit of a drop in DOM in 2009.

The number of new listings in Circle Pines dropped again in 2009 compared to the previous year. In this small Anoka County community, just north of Shoreview, home sales more homes sold; up over 22% from last year. The average time on the market did drop in Circle Pines from 141 days to 127 days on the market. The average price also fell by over $35,000 which is over 14% lower, than in 2008 making this community that has an abundance of starter homes, even more affordable than last year. The ratio of percent received versus list price is also up for this year to 94%. All in all, the home sales market in Circle Pines, Minnesota appears to be weathering the changed market well.

There were just a few more closed sales in Chisago during 2009 over 2008 but the average sales price was down significantly for the second year in a row. New listings were down almost 21% over the previous year. Sellers are receiving just slightly less than they did in 2008 with as the accepted sales price ratio compared to list price ratio is down just a bit. At 89% it remains one of the lowest in the north and east metro communities I work in as many communities saw an improvement in this ratio this year. Market time is up significantly to well over 200 days. Buying a home in Chisago City could continue to be a very affordable option as there appears to be plenty of sellers still on the market and willing to negotiate on the list price of their properties.

Coon Rapids, Minnesota homes are sold faster in 2009 than 2008 and more homes were sold too! New listings were down by almost 15% which is a sign that this Anoka County Community is moving closer to a more balanced market. The average sales price did dropped again by over 16% so affordability was evident in Coon Rapids in 2009 but with the lower inventory levels, we could see the average sales price start to level off in 2010. The ratio of original price to received price is down is starting to edge up in Coon Rapids which is good news for those considering selling in 2010.

The number of new listings was down again for 2009 in Wyoming, Minnesota along with the average sales price of a home in this Southern Chisago County community. Since 2007, the average sales price of a home dropped by over 30%; over 15% last year alone. A high point to the year is that homes are selling at a faster pace with an average of 47 days less time on the market in Wyoming, Minnesota compared to last year. Sellers appear to be getting just over 91% of their asking price which is in line with several other north east metro communities. If you are considering selling your Wyoming home, this might be a good time to list with less inventory on the market to compete with.

Are you a homebuyer going it alone? A renegade who doesn't need the support and expertise of a real estate agent...at least not until you have found "THE" house. Is this the best plan to get the best deal on an Anoka County home in current real estate climate?

I read a great blog today that I wanted to share with home buyers (and sellers) in the north and east Twin Cities metro area. Will Nesbitt is a real estate agent in Fairfax, VA. As an arrogant east coast youth with Minnesota's own Fran Tarkenton as an idol, he challenged his entire neighborhood to a game of football and was CRUSHED! (Read his full posts...The day my neighborhood crushed me. ) Will learned that day the value of having a good team behind you.

Having a good real estate team behind you is a valuable lesson lesson for home buyers too. So...Who is on YOUR team?

• Do you have an expert REALTOR® to assist you through the home buying process?
  
• A good loan officer?
  
• An expert housing inspector?
  
• A title and closing expert?
  
• Septic and well inspector?
  
• Are you a skilled negotiator?
  
• Do you have neighborhood expertise and know the value of homes in different developments?

How many homes did you buy or sell last year? A good REALTOR® will have assisted in the purchase and/or sale of several. This is expertise that a home buyer going it alone will never achieve. As a REALTOR® I work everyday with buyers and sellers on the purchase and sale of homes throughout Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Blaine and other communities in the Forest Lake school district. It is my job to be a real estate neighborhood expert! And I have a number of great contacts to become a part of YOUR team so you don't have to go it alone.

Going it alone can seem like a no-pressure way to buy a home, but is flying solo in a home purchase cost effective? Maybe not...Did you know, it doesn't cost most homebuyers a single penny to have a real estate expert in their corner? But it can cost thousands to work without one. Team up with a REALTOR® who is a neighborhood expert and don't get crushed by the weight of going it alone.

More Homebuying Articles that might be of interest:

• Writing a Lowball Offer in this Changed Real Estate Market-How Low Does a Home Buyer Go?
• Decisions. Decisions....A Homebuyer's Dilemma-Hundreds of Homes! How Many Should I See?
• Why Should a Seller Pay a Home Buyer's Closing Costs?
• Making a GREAT Deal in this CHANGED Real Estate Market!
• How to Choose a Realtor-Why a Good Friend is Not Always a Good Option

Want to take some weight off your homebuying shoulders? Let me on your team!

Home sales are up in Columbus, Minnesota which is well known for its acreage properties but like most neighboring communities, prices are not. In this Anoka County community, just west of Forest Lake, home sales rose over 37% from 2008 to 2009. The average price of a home dropped nearly 11% and fewer homes were listed on the market. Decreased inventory helped sellers to keep more dollars in their pockets during negotiations than in some neighboring communities although the ratio of percentage of list to sale price did go down. With average days on the market also down considerably for the first time in two years, it appears that buyers are making decisions quickly on acreage homes in Columbus, Minnesota. 

Centerville, Minnesota came through 2009 without a big change in average sales price. Days on the market are up a bit but still in line with surrounding Anoka County communities. Centerville home sellers are not being hit as hard in the negotiations as indicated by the ratio of original price to sold price going back above 90% in 2009. That is good news for sellers as is new listings being down a bit means less competition. However, Centerville remains an affordable place to call home.