Does Living on a Busy Road Affect the Sale of YOUR Home? You Betcha! - 02/29/12 07:27 AM
Busy Road Factor Selling a Minnesota Home As a REALTOR®, people across the north and east Minneapolis/St Paul metro area  contact me to provide comparative market analyses on their homes. I work hard to get the price right whether it is for a single family home, a townhome, an acreage estate or a lakeshore getaway. Getting the price right is imperative in this changed real estate market. I use a system to check the comparative homes sold in the past 3-4 months and add and subtract for differences in each particular home. But every once in a while there are homes … (62 comments)

What do SpongeBob and Sponge Painting have in Common? - 02/27/12 03:21 PM
Home Selling Tips Sponge/Textured Painting     A decade ago, both SpongeBob and sponge painting were very  cool but are now out of style. Of course there are those who will debate this statement because SpongeBob is still a young nephew's favorite Nick TV show, And, some there are those who still love their sponge painted walls as much as the yellow square-pantsed cartoon character. But if a homebuyer wants to sell his house in 2012, the  faux texturing sponge technique from the early 2000's, must get a good coat of neutral paint...or two!   My family does not have our … (7 comments)

Go Ahead and Demand the Key! Immediate Possession is a Good Thing in Real Estate - 02/26/12 04:27 PM
First Time Homebuyer Question What is Immediate Possession? Today people want everything NOW! There are drive thru windows for quick meals. We communicate with instant messaging and texts. Americans are trained for immediate gratification in our daily lives. As a Minnesota REALTOR® I try my best to get people to slow down throughout the homebuying process. But when it comes to handing over the keys, I strongly recommend my clients ask for immediate possession. Immediate possession after closings is good  for both the homebuyer and homeseller in a real estate transaction. In Minnesota, time of possession of the property is negotiated.  … (3 comments)

First Time Home Buyer Statistical Snapshot of Stillwater MN Home Sales - 02/26/12 03:15 PM
First Time Homebuyer Real Estate Stillwater MN      Stillwater, Minnesota and surrounding communities like Oak Grove Heights and Bayport do have opportunities for the first time homebuyer. Well priced single family homes and townhomes can be found throughout the area. With home prices averaging $116/square foot compared to $90/sq foot in other eastern metro communities, it may take some searching. But deals can be found for first time homebuyers who are diligent in their home search.   In the eastern Washington County community of Stillwater, MN new listings and average sales price were the only real estate indicators with a … (0 comments)

Amazing Deals on Anoka County Acreage Foreclosures—Offer NOW or Regret Later! - 02/25/12 05:16 PM
Looking for an Anoka County foreclosure, bank-owned or short sale but need to be able to live in the home immediately after closing? Good news is that foreclosures are not always destroyed homes requiring major rehab. Some of today's foreclosures can be MOVE IN READY! This economy has forced builders and responsible homeowners alike to let amazing properties go back to the bank. Many are still in pristine condition. Some still may require a bit of cleanup or a few cosmetic changes but there are many in move in condition too. Here are a few of the treasures I noted on … (6 comments)

First Time Home Buyer Statistical Snapshot of Maplewood MN Home Sales - 02/25/12 05:09 PM
First Time Homebuyer Real Estate Maplewood MN  
Maplewood Minnesota has many affordable opportunities for the first time homebuyer. A first home could be a single family 1950’s bungalow or rambler or a newer townhome. Affordable homes are located in the north section of the city near Maplewood Mall or farther south near the 3M complex.Whether a foreclosed home or a traditional seller with the home priced to sell, first time buyers have many options right now in Maplewood.   In the eastern Ramsey County community of Maplewood, MN real estate sales statistics were similar to many other communities in the … (0 comments)

First Time Homebuyer’s Real Estate Word for Today is Short Sale - 02/24/12 11:47 AM
First Time Homebuyer Word of the Day Short Sale   As a Minnesota REALTOR®, I have received many calls in recent weeks from excited first time homebuyers and/or their parents as they assist their children looking for a first house. A lot has changed since dad and mom bought their first home a decade or so ago so are many questions.   A few days ago a call came from an excited first time homebuyer who has been scouring the internet for the perfect property at the ideal price. He calls and wants to set up some showings for the homes … (6 comments)

First Time Home Buyer Statistical Snapshot of Shoreview MN Home Sales - 02/22/12 01:03 PM
 
First Time Homebuyer Real Estate Shoreview MN
Shoreview, Minnesota is an attractive community for first time homebuyers to consider in 2012. Its central location to both downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis combined with abundant parks, lakes and community activities make it a great community to consider for a first home. Eclectic housing options at various price points allow a first time buyer to consider a small single family residence or townhome as a first home. With average price per square foot down significantly, Shoreview might have opportunities that wouldn’t have been available to the first time home buyer a … (3 comments)

Wordless Wednesday (Almost)--Pretty Kitty! - 02/22/12 12:39 PM

 
Even in a cage, a wild animal can be beautiful. Como Park is one of our favorite family places to visit and take photos. I have done this since I was 17 and a freshman at Hamline University. For fun, I would ride my bike a few miles over to Como Park Zoo and take photos of the animals.  There are more fences rules about feeding the animals than when I started taking pictures. Back then the cougars and jaguars didn't have the screens that I had to shoot through here. But the kitties are just as pretty as … (5 comments)

When the Color Looks Better on the Paint Chip! - 02/21/12 05:15 PM


About a decade ago now, some close friends built a new home in an Oakdale development. Our own home was just on the other side of Silver Lake in North St. Paul so we drove through the development several times during the construction. We monitored the new community as the first dozen or so homes were constructed in the new neighborhood. This development didn’t have extremely restrictive covenants regarding the exterior of the home. The resulting neighborhood was very eclectic with assorted styles of homes. The sidings were of differing colors and materials so each home was truly unique. … (10 comments)

Snapshot of Home Sales Statistics in Maplewood, MN Year End 2011 - 02/18/12 02:59 PM
Home Sales Statistics Maplewood MN 2011  
  In the eastern Ramsey County community of Maplewood, MN real estate sales statistics were similar to many other communities in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro. New Listings were down, closed sales up and average price sold down from the similar time period in 2010. New listings were down nearly 15% from 801 in 2010 to 684 in 2011, while closed sales were up by nearly 8%. The average sales priced dropped by a whopping 14% to $146,957, down from $170,959 in 2010. Homes are bringing in an average price per square foot of $82 … (2 comments)

First Time Home Buyer Statistical Snapshot of Oakdale, MN Home Sales - 02/18/12 02:26 PM
First Time Homebuyer Real Estate Oakdale MN  
  Opportunities abound for the First Time Homebuyer in Oakdale, Minnesota. The expansion of smaller split level single family homes and townhomes built in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s make this community one of the best opportunities for the first time homebuyer in the east Twin Cities metro. With a price per square foot in a very reasonable $80-90/sq ft, homes are very affordable in this Washington County area.   Closed sales held steady in Oakdale in 2011 but the amount of new homes listed dropped by a staggering 23%. The average … (0 comments)

First Time Home Buyer Statistical Snapshot of North St. Paul, MN Home Sales - 02/18/12 02:09 PM
First Time Homebuyer Real Estate North St Paul MN       First time homebuyers looking for a home in North St. Paul Minnesota have a good opportunity to find a great home at a great price. Any city that can boast having the world’s largest snowman smiling down on commuters as they travel along Highway 36 has to have some appeal, right? North St. Paul’s appeal is more than just the friendly icon it has some of the best opportunities for a First Time Homebuyer. Since many homes in this community were built in the 1950’s and are one to … (2 comments)

First Time Home Buyer Statistical Snapshot of Mahtomedi MN Home Sales - 02/16/12 03:24 PM
First Time Homebuyer Real Estate Mahtomedi MN       Surprisingly, Mahtomedi does have a handful of options for the first time home buyer especially if a buyer is ready to purchase and watched for foreclosures and short sales. It is important to keep a close eye on the market though as these homes are usually off the market very quickly. In general, as the average price of homes sold indicates, the price point of most housing in this community is on the higher end of the spectrum.   In this northern Washington County community, just east of White Bear Lake, … (2 comments)

Dreaming of Life on Minnesota Acreage? 14 Important Considerations When Moving to an Acreage Home - 02/16/12 03:02 PM
Moving to Minnesota Acreage or Hobby Farm   Remember the story of the country mouse and his city cousin that switched places? Rural life was so slow and different that the city mouse couldn’t stand it. And likewise the country mouse was so out of place in the city that he scurried home as fast as his little mouse feet could carry him.   Moving to Minnesota acreagedoesn’t have to make you feel like a fish-out-of-water, or a mouse in the wrong part of town for that matter! Planning before you make the move can ease the transition from life in … (22 comments)

Snapshot of Home Sales Statistics in Stillwater, MN Year End 2011 - 02/14/12 07:51 PM
Home Sales Statistics Stillwater MN 2011       In the eastern Washington County community of Stillwater, MN new listings and average sales price were the only real estate indicators with a significant year to year change from 2010 to 2011. New listings were down nearly 21% from 662 in 2010 to 518 in 2011, while closed sales were up by less than 1%. The average sales priced dropped just over 5% to $246,480, down from $260,161 in 2010. Homes are bringing in an average price per square foot of $116 which is much better than other communities in the northeast … (2 comments)

Changed Real Estate Market in Minneapolis/St Paul—HOMES SOLD in DAYS! - 02/13/12 04:07 PM
Homes sold in Days in Mpls/St Paul
 
All this past week, KSTP, one of our local television stations promoted a feature on how to get your home sold quickly. They looked at homes that sold in “days” across the Minneapolis/St Paul area and the segment promised to give sellers “tips” on get to get their home sold quickly. As a REALTOR®, I knew I wanted to see this feature.
The segment ran Sunday evening but was a bit disappointing. There was some good information and tips, yes, but they only looked at THREE houses. Not enough of a sample … (4 comments)

First Time Home Buyer Statistical Snapshot of East Bethel MN Home Sales - 02/13/12 02:24 PM
    The acreage lots and low prices make East Bethel a great option for the first time homebuyer who wants additional elbow room. There is a good mix of older and newer homes many with pole barns or extra large garages for snowmobile, camper and boat storage. With an abundance of lakes and trails nearby, this community is a very affordable sportsman’s’ paradise. It would be a great option for anyone who wants to buy their first home in Anoka County.   The average sales numbers in East Bethel are quite positive at the end of 2011. It shows that … (0 comments)

First Time Home Buyer Statistical Snapshot of Coon Rapids MN Home Sales - 02/11/12 05:09 PM
First Time Homebuyer Real Estate Coon Rapids MN    Opportunities abound for the first time homebuyer considering Coon Rapids as a place to put down roots. There is an abundance of choices with townhome developments at all ages and price points and single family homes. Whether you are looking to fix up a foreclosure or want something that has been maintained to perfection by a traditional seller, Coon Rapids is a great place to start your search for a first home! Coon Rapids, a northern suburb to Minneapolis, saw a significant decrease in new listings but a huge increase in closed … (0 comments)

When a Good Flush Beats a Full House--A Little Septic Humor Goes A Long Way! - 02/10/12 02:52 PM
Septic System Pumping Requirements on MN Acreage When I first heard the infamous Erma Bombeck quip, "The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank", I had no idea what she was talking about. Now, after a decade of living on an acreage property with a septic or private sewage system, I not only get the joke, I know it is true.
Septic cleaning is a dirty business and somebody’s gotta do it. Septic tanks must be pumped out at a minimum of every three years in the city of Ham Lake. This periodic requirement for individual septic systems specifies not … (9 comments)

First Time Home Buyer Statistical Snapshot of Columbus MN Home Sales - 02/09/12 12:04 PM
First Time Homebuyer Real Estate in Columbus MN       Columbus Minnesota is not normally and area a first time homebuyer would consider but with affordability up throughout the north and east metro, 2011 could make it one. This community is known for acreage properties which usually mean that the listing prices are out of reach for a first time buyer but as the average homes sold for just under $190K in 2011, there are opportunities for those first time buyers who dream of owning an acreage home.   Closed sales nearly doubled in Columbus, Minnesota in 2011 compared to … (1 comments)

First Time Home Buyer Statistical Snapshot of Circle Pines MN Home Sales - 02/09/12 11:58 AM
First Time Homebuyer Real Estate in Circle Pines MN     Circle Pines is an awesome community for any first time home buyer to consider. It has an abundance of single family starter homes as well as townhomes that are just a few years old. Prices have always been affordable in Circle Pines but with the price per square footage averaging just under $90, this centrally located community in the Centennial School District is a great option for a first home.   The number of new listings in Circle Pines dropped a bit compared to the previous year but with sale … (0 comments)

Snapshot of Home Sales Statistics in Shoreview, MN Year End 2011 - 02/08/12 03:38 PM
Home Sales Statistics Shoreview MN 2011     In the centrally located Ramsey County community of Shoreview, MN new listings were down in 2011 along with almost every other real estate indicator except for days on the market. New listings were down nearly 14% while closed sales down by roughly 8%. Likewise the average sales priced dropped considerably to just over $200,000, down from $233,000 in 2010. Homes are bringing in an average price per square foot of  $102 which is comparable with other communities in the northeast Minneapolis/St. Paul area but still down considerably from $114/sq ft that homes in … (1 comments)

Home Seller Tips--Why Should a Seller Pay a Home Buyer’s Closing Costs? - 02/08/12 12:21 PM
Best Tips on Selling an Anoka County Home-Why Pay Buyer Closing Costs A seller's estimate of proceeds or net sheet is an essential part of the listing contract.  It lists the  estimated closing costs associated with the sale of the home. One of the items on the list sheet is a blank for the “Seller's contribution to a Buyer’s Closing Costs.” In this current market, I always include several thousand dollars as an estimate to prepare my clients that this could come up at negotiations. So many FHA buyers, and even some conventional ones, will require assistance with their closing costs.  … (10 comments)

First Time Homebuyer Statistical Snapshot of Chisago MN Home Sales - 02/07/12 10:58 AM
  First time homebuyers in the northeast Twin Cities area would be wise to the Chisago Lakes area for their first home. There are many affordable options including townhomes, single family homes, newer construction and turn of the century classics. This community is one of a very few that can use USDA financing which is a unique zero down option program for buyers that have a qualifying income level.   The real estate market really made a positive turn in Chisago, MN in 2011. Sales nearly doubled, up 69%; from 58 homes sold in 2010 to 98 sold in 2011. It … (0 comments)

First Time Homebuyer Statistical Snapshot of Centerville MN Home Sales - 02/07/12 10:54 AM
  With the average home price down along with the price per square footage, Centerville is a community a homebuyer would want to consider when buying a first home in 2012. There are many affordable options for homes in Centerville with affordable starting price points in the low to mid $100,000 price range.   The average sales price in homes in Centerville, continued to trend down in 2011. After a 23% in 2010, the average price dropped another 14% in 2011 to $154,600. This equates to nearly $100K drop in average sales price for this little community located just north of … (0 comments)

10 REASONS NOT TO STAGE YOUR HOME - 02/06/12 06:24 PM
Staging is a good way to get your home sold. There are many reasons not to stage your home but if you want to present your home in the best possible light for potential buyers, it can be well worth the investment. Take a look at what stager Janet has to say about this topic below.
 
If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet or FREE Homebuyers Success Packet.  I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north … (3 comments)

“Our agent is on vacation ….Can You Show us some houses ?” Asked the buyer. - 02/06/12 06:21 PM
I get these calls from time to time and have pretty much the same conversation with the callers that Sally & David have shared here in their post below. Finding a good REALTOR to work with is essential from the get go when buying  a home!
If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet or FREE Homebuyers Success Packet.  I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes … (2 comments)

The GEM in a Pack of Diamonds in the Rough--Price isn't the only way to sell an Anoka County Home! - 02/06/12 09:23 AM
Selling an Anoka County Home
You have a beautiful Anoka County home you need to sell. It is not a short sale but you know you will be competing with them, as lender mediated and bank owned properties are scattered from Blaine to East Bethel and back again. Selling an Anoka County Home shouldn't be difficult but it can seem like very real estate website you visit, the agent is a short sale expert. But you want a REALTOR® that can market your home to stand out from the pack because YOUR home is not a diamond in the rough…It is … (0 comments)

First Time Homebuyer Statistical Snapshot of Blaine MN Home Sales - 02/04/12 10:24 AM
 
 
 
Townhomes, Single Family Homes, Twin Homes, Oh MY! Yes, first time homebuyers in Blaine Minnesota have lots of options in 2012. Whether you want the opportunity of a foreclosure, the security of buying from a traditional sellers or the ability to live in a brand new home, there are many affordable options for the first time homebuyer in Blaine. With price per square foot at $88, first homes in Blaine, MN are incredibly affordable.
 
The number of new listings decreased considerably in Blaine, Minnesota through 2011 as did the average sales price. Blaine’s lender mediated foreclosure/short sale … (1 comments)

First Time Homebuyer Statistical Snapshot of Andover MN Home Sales - 02/04/12 10:22 AM
First time homebuyers might want to take a close look at buying in Andover in 2012. There are several options from foreclosures to new construction and a good number of homes offered by traditional sellers planning to move up. With price per square foot at $88, first homes in Andover, MN are very affordable.   Closed sales are down a bit in Andover but the big drop in new listings has kept inventory in this northern Minneapolis suburb under control. The average sales price did take a hit with almost a 10% decrease from just under $221,000 to just under $200,000. … (0 comments)

Anoka County Lakeshore and Acreage Foreclosures—Offer NOW or Regret Later! - 02/03/12 05:27 PM

A foreclosed home is not the proverbial money-pit! Many bank owned properties --especially Minnesota lakeshore and acreage homes--are priced to sell and do not sit on the market forever!  People are snapping up deals all over Anoka County on homes that are in great condition and priced right! Some are bank-owned foreclosures but regular traditional sellers are also pricing their homes properly to sell in this changed real estate market. As a buyer, you have to be ready as the good homes are selling FAST even in the WINTER! Here are a few north Twin Cities metro homes that I … (2 comments)

Snapshot of Home Sales Statistics in Wyoming, MN Year End 2011 - 02/02/12 03:53 PM
 

The number of new listings was up for 2011 in Wyoming, Minnesota which is a bit different than the surrounding areas to this southern Chisago County community. Most surrounding communities saw a drop in new listings in 2011 but Wyoming had almost a 10% increase. This is an area where there are many newer starter and town home developments that were hit hard by the foreclosure crisis. There could be many foreclosures and short sales still working their way out of the system in 2011 in Wyoming. The average sales price of a home dropped again this past year … (0 comments)

Snapshot of Home Sales Statistics in White Bear Township, MN Year End 2011 - 02/02/12 03:22 PM
 

The real estate market in White Bear Township held relatively steady during 2011 compared to 2010. Closed sales were up in White Bear Township, Minnesota in 2009 2011 by almost 13% and there were only a few more homes listed than in the previous year. This northern Ramsey County township saw a drop in days on the market for the second straight year down to 137 DOM. The average home price dropped for the third consecutive year, down another 6 % in 2011 after a 9% drop in 2010 and 15% drop during 2009. However, with the cost per … (3 comments)

Snapshot of Home Sales Statistics in White Bear Lake, MN Year End 2011 - 02/01/12 04:41 PM
 

White Bear Lake saw a huge drop in the amount of new homes listed on the market in 2011 compared to 2010 and closed sales shot up by over 22%. In this northern Ramsey County city, inventory is down. Prices didn’t rise though due to the lack of inventory, as the average price of a home sold in the city of White Bear Lake was home sales dropped by 16%. The price per square foot also dropped this past year from $110/sq ft to $98/sq ft. This is still higher than in other parts of the north and east … (1 comments)

Wordless Wednesday (Almost)--Welcome to Minnesota! - 02/01/12 03:11 PM

 
It's February 1st in Minnesota! So maybe you were expecting photo covered in snow and ice. Well, this winter has been so extremely mild, I figured I'd share a summer photo from the Train/Maroon 5 concert that was held in September at the Minnesota State Fair. Maybe I should be embracing the Winter Carnival events of this week rather than a summer event...but the ice sculptures have melted.
Anyone considering a relocation to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area but are afraid of Minnesota winters can rest assured that we often have some nice warm above freezing days in the dead … (5 comments)

 
Terismsq Rainmaker_large

Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes

Ham Lake, MN

More about me…

REMAX Specialists

Address: 4910 Highway 61 N, White Bear Lake , MN, 55110

Cell Phone: (651) 336-7073

Email Me

Theresa "Teri" Eckholm/REMAX Specialists assists Minnesotans to find their way home with helpful tips and quality service. Dedication to customer service has made Teri the REALTOR® of choice for families in Blaine, Forest Lake, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and Wyoming areas. Licensed in MN.


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