minnesota: Going to an open house this weekend?
- 01/12/07 03:15 PM
It's beginning to feel more like a Minnesota winter as the weather continues to get colder. If you're going to be getting out of your car and braving the cold to hit an open house, you might as well make it worth your time! Follow these tips for a successful Open House Visit 1. Say "Hi" to the Realtor who is holding the open house, and feel free to give him/her honest feedback about things you like or don't like about the house. Your opinion is appreciated! 2. If you're out looking at open houses because you're in the market to buy a … (3 comments)
minnesota: It's going get tougher to get a home loan in Minnesota
- 01/11/07 01:03 AM
And it's not entirely a bad thing. While the real estate market has had a boom over the last five years, mortgage lenders have been looking for ways to GIVE away money. "Exotic" loans have become the buzz word in the mortgage industry. These are the interest only kinds of ARMS that lower the monthly payments of the borrower. These loans have made it possible for more people to quality for homes. I'm not a mortgage officer, but here is what I have seen happen. I have been meeting people who have been in there homes for 2-4 years, were unlucky enough to work … (17 comments)
minnesota: New Minnesota Law
- 01/02/07 10:25 PM
As of January 1, 2007 Minnesota Law requires installation of carbon monoxide detectors in all newly constructed homes and apartments. Carbon Monoxide detectors must be placed on each level of the residence and within ten feet of each sleeping room in any single or multiple-family dwelling. The law is in place for newly constructed facilities with permits issued after January 1, 2007. It will apply to existing single-family dwellings on August 1, 2008, and for all multiple-family dwellings on August 1, 2009. Why all the hoopla? Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in the United States according to the Journal of … (8 comments)
minnesota: National Homelessness Awareness Week
- 11/13/06 08:56 AM
Every night in Minnesota, about 7,000 individuals receive shelter from homeless service providers, according to surveys conducted by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Due to inadequate resources, another 1,000 individuals are turned away from shelters every night. These numbers become more devastating as the mercury dips. Wilder Research Center's "Homeless in Minnesota 2003" estimated that during that year, the number of homeless and precariously housed persons in Minnesota exceeded 20,000, including over 10,000 children. Over 40 percent of homeless adults are employed. I am the chairperson for the Highland Park Edina Realty Foundation. The agents in my office have donated over … (6 comments)
minnesota: Vote Minnesota!
- 11/06/06 04:59 AM
Tomorrow is the big day. Mid-term general elections. I'll be so thankful when I no longer have to hear all those negative messages on TV and the radio. While I believe in democracy and free speech, I get so damn mad when I think about all of the money that is spent on campaigning; most of it negative campaigning that does little to educate us on the issues and does more to contribute to finger pointing and personality bashing that threaten important discussions that are at the very base of democracy. Think of all the ways those dollars could be put to … (0 comments)
minnesota: Real Estate is Different on My Planet
- 10/30/06 12:31 AM
I've worked so hard to surround myself with positive knowledge people, I've had my head in the sand. Seems there are a number of writers in the blogosphere that have an opinion about the real estate market, and are playing much better chicken littles than most of the media I've read. For example, take Keith from Housing Panic. I don't know much about Keith who owns this blog, but in his profile he states he's in the Marketing industry. Not an economist, Not in real estate.And did you know, there's an entire blog devoted to David Lereah, NAR's chief economist?Wikipedia has … (6 comments)
minnesota: Pumpkin Fun
- 10/19/06 11:50 PM
OK, Teresa Boardman, I'll enter your virtual pumpkin carving contest. I've never been very good at working the paint program, so hopfully I'll get a point or two for creativity.
These are my St. Paul and Minneapolis Pumpkins. The first, representing the many fine St.Paul Irish establishments I love to frequent. The second, of course, is the Minnie-apple.The blue line represents the Mississippi River. While the renderings look like something I would have created at the age of 6, they represent the Twin Cities, and the home I love. OK, go ahead. Tease away :-) … (4 comments)
minnesota: Minnesotans. Hardy or Crazy?
- 10/11/06 01:06 AM
Summer. It seems to go so fast...Farmer markets, state fair, walks around the lake, swimming, golfing, just sitting outside enjoying the sun. We are Minnesotans. We are tough, resiliant Scandanavian Stock. Many of us have lived here all our lives. Many of us stayed on the side of the river from which we came (St.Paulites stay on their side of the river, Minneapolitans stay on their side). We stay friends with people we grew up with, don't move around a lot, have a high standard of living, and one of the highest home ownership rates in the country. No one tells you the reason we … (3 comments)
minnesota: BREAKING STORY:Realtor in your Pocket or Another lead generation gimmick?
- 09/27/06 10:15 AM
Have you heard the latest? Sprint just partnered with a new company,Smarter Agent to allow Sprint users to use the GPS in their phones to get the most recent "sold" information about houses closest to their location. There is a nominal charge for the Sprint GPS service, and "smartagent" in only $5 per month. They say this is just like puting a Realtor in your pocket. Now anyone walking in any neighborhood can pull up the latest information to find out what houses in a particular area go for. The new article and video also mention that Smart Agent is hoping Real Estate … (1 comments)
It's beginning to feel more like a Minnesota winter as the weather continues to get colder. If you're going to be getting out of your car and braving the cold to hit an open house, you might as well make it worth your time! ;)
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