The Lap of Luxury - Minneapolis Style - 11/30/07 09:50 PM
If you need a place to stay when you come shopping for a new home and also want to treat yourself to a full luxury experience, then consider spending a few nights at the Graves 601 Hotel in downtown Minneapolis.Each of the 225 rooms have been filled with the latest technology and are masterfully designed with high fashion trends. Let's just say that "modern luxury" is the term that best describes the hotel. I like the fact that they have 24 hour room service for those late night munchies. They also offer 48 inch plasma TVs in every room, in-room safes, … (0 comments)

How Do You Spell Professional? Link Love for CRS designees. - 11/29/07 10:24 PM
C-R-S
For the last three years I have been working toward obtaining one of the most prestigious real estate designations available, that of the Certified Residential Specialist(CRS). This week it finally happened and I got confirmation that I am being awarded the CRS designation. I had to throw a party for myself, so I threw up some left over Halloween confetti and blew my son's kazoo.It's not an easy one to be awarded. For one, an agent has to have production numbers that are verified by a broker. You have to sell alot of homes in order to be considered...no "one home … (25 comments)

How's Your Vision? If it's Hindsight, then Count on 20/20. - 11/28/07 07:35 PM
Yesterday I was able to sit in on a real estate statistic class offered by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors. It was a very informative class, even though it was about numbers. But I'll come back to that in a minute.Later in the evening, I was cleaning out some articles I had saved from a few years ago and putting them in the recycle bin. One column that caught my eye was from late 2005 and it concerned whether or not the Twin Cities market was going to burst. Written by a regional director of a national franchise here in … (1 comments)

The First Snow in Minnesota - 11/23/07 10:34 PM
It snowed Thanksgiving morning and I was able to venture out into the cold to take some photos. I figured that photos in black and white would turn out really well with the white of the snow, and I think they came out pretty well. As one of the first sunny days in a couple of weeks, I had to hurry before it melted the snow. Sure enough, a half hour later, everything was melting. Today is was completely gone. I hope you enjoy some pictures of life in Minneosta at the beginning of Winter! … (10 comments)

Childhood Vaccinations in Minnesota - 11/22/07 07:39 PM
I never really gave child vaccinations much thought until I had my own children, nor did I give any thought about the possible harm that multiple shots could bring to my child. I did some reading up on childhood vaccinations and found that there are serious side affects that can result from allergic reactions. Thankfully, my children did not see any of these effects.In Minnesota, there are numerous shots that are required in order for your children to attend school. Thankfully, Minnesota is one of the few states that allows parents to opt out of shots for two reasons:
It goes … (2 comments)

Tips for Surviving a Minnesota Winter - 11/22/07 07:33 PM
Winter will be on us before we know as temperatures continue to drop over the next month. Are you prepared?Survival Kit for Your CarIt can get very cold here in Minnestoa, so consider putting a survival kit in your vehicle in case you are in an accident, or find yourself in a snow storm and have to pull over. Here are some items to keep in your car:
First Aid KitShovel (for snow removal)Sand BagsWarm Clothing and Additional BootsBlanketsWater and small food itemsTow Chain / Tire ChainsRoad Flares and ReflectorsJumper CablesAlso make sure that your windshield washer fluid contains antifreeze. This will … (2 comments)

Where Has All the Fruit Gone? - 11/18/07 10:52 PM
Ok, I have been on Active Rain for most of 2007. I remember when times were easier.We didn't have more than 20,000 members, moderators were Active Rainers, and it was alot easier to get noticed as a Newbie.
But times have changed.
So what do I miss most? I miss the fruit.
Fruit you say, what is that? Oh, that's right, some of you may not know about the fruit. Active Rain used to see fruit on every comment. Some special friends were:
PersimmonBoysenberryCrabappleBlackberryBut after they were squashed and abused by SPAM and those evil people posting advertising comments, I guess the gurus on … (6 comments)

Perspective and How it Could Help You Sell A House - 11/16/07 11:36 PM
Just stick a sign in the yard and wait..the house will sell in a heartbeat, right? Yeah, two or three years ago it would have, but with our changing market, agents are realizing it takes more than an entry into the MLS and a yard sign to sell a home.
Buyers have a lot of choices available to them. When they view a home, they want to be inspired, hit by that special feeling that tells them immediately that this house IS THE ONE.  Are you creating an atmosphere with your listings that will do that?
I know some of you are saying … (11 comments)

Do You Know Where Your House Has Been? - 11/15/07 11:17 PM
The media has been creating a lot of scared parents as of late with the various recalls on toys made in China. Seems the Q & A divisions of these companies in China have been dropping the ball and contaminating the toys with lead paint. But toys, in general, could be the least of parental concern when it comes to lead poisoning.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), research suggests that the primary sources of lead exposure for most children are:
deteriorating lead-based paintlead contaminated dustlead contaminated residential soilThe issue of Lead Paint is nothing new to Minneapolis real estate agents. Since … (3 comments)

St Paul Historic Home # 23 - The Witch's House - 11/14/07 11:17 PM

This weeks showcase Historic Home of St Paul is 629 Summit Avenue.I probably should have posted this during Halloween, but I forgot!
Built in 1896, this whimsical home was built for William Kirke and his wife by the famous Clarence Johnston. Johnston is known for having designed over 30 homes on Summit Avenue alone. Another home stood on this site from 1873-1893.
The doors are one of a kind and help give it my pet name for the home,"The Witch's House". There is just something mystical about the details in the home. For instance the tower roof looks like a witch's black … (2 comments)

Confessions of New Construction, Part 4 - 11/14/07 11:06 PM
Staking the Lot
The time will eventually come when the builder will stake out the lot, letting you know exactly where the lot lines and set backs are, and where the home will sit in relation to the parcel. At this time, the field manager will meet with you at the site and walk the lot with you. The goal is not only to inform you, but to also make sure you are OK with the positioning of the home. Not that there is anything you can really do, but most builders want to make sure you are a satisfied customer. Some … (0 comments)

Lake Minnetonka Real Estate Market Update - October 2007 - 11/13/07 10:04 PM
Looking to buy a luxury home? Well, the place to be is Lake Minnetonka. The most active price range of 2007 has been the $1-2 Million market and is the most affordable for the area. But there are also some big hitters out there with nine homes priced over $5 Million.1 Million - 2 Million : Seeing a huge slow down this month, with only 143 homes currently for sale around Lake Minnetonka. No new homes have gone pending, but eight of last months pending sales closed in the month of October.2 Million - 3 Million : This bracket saw a … (4 comments)

Health, Affordability, Art, Culture, Nature...What More Can You Ask For in the Perfect Town? - 11/08/07 10:23 PM
Today Forbes released a list of the most affordable cities to live well in, and no big surprise to us here, but Minneapolis came in number one. Forget about New York, Chicago, and LA, midwestern cities rank in the top three. Indianapolis and Cincinnati came in second and third.
Big cities might have tons of art, culture, and sports, but the bussel becomes a hassle in most cases, not to mention the air pollution. Minneapolis ranked high due to "homes [being] relatively affordable and residents enjoy a high quality of life and access to choice arts, leisure and entertainment offerings". … (5 comments)

Cheaters Never Prosper - Minnesota Builder Gets What's Coming To Them - 11/03/07 01:23 PM
When you cheat a little, you sometimes get a way with it. When you cheat BIG, you almost always get caught. Kids learn this at an early age, and adults would be wise to remember life's lessons. But apparently a local Twin Cities builder chose to ignore the age old rule that "What Goes Around Comes Around".The Parish family of Parish Marketing and Development have just been indicted for money laundering and mail fraud. According to the Pioneer Press, they were part of mortgage fraud system that involves some 200 homes and $100 Million of borrowed money. Some of the homes … (4 comments)

Look Out Now...New FHA Rules to Keep Sellers in Check - 11/01/07 11:28 PM
The US Department of Housing and and Urban Development (we all know them as HUD) has passed down a new law concerning downpayment assistance for FHA loans. Effect 10/31/2007, sellers can no longer be looked to for help.In the past, buyers have been able to receive money from a seller as downpayment assistance for their loan. (Usually stemming from the buyer not having enough money to put down which means they cannot qualify for the loan) With this "help" from the seller always came a catch. To make up for the seller's bottom line being reduced, the seller would usually then … (7 comments)

 
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Jennifer Kirby, the Luxury Agent

Minneapolis, MN

More about me…

Kirby Fine Homes

Address: 3800 American Blvd W, Suite 1500, Minneapolis, MN, 55431

Cell Phone: (651) 785-3400

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Minneapolis Real Estate, Downtown Minneapolis Condos, Minneapolis Luxury Real Estate, Minneapolis Homes, St Paul Homes, St Paul Real Estate, Minneapolis Waterfront, Minnesota lakes, Minneapolis relocation info, tips, Minneapolis market reports, things to do in Minneapolis, Minneapolis Historic Homes, St Paul Historic Homes

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