minneapolis: What do you Mean our Wire Transfer Was Rejected?
- 04/29/20 08:30 AM
What do you Mean our Wire Transfer Was Rejected?
I was awakened by an email alert this morning that a wire transfer of closing funds by one of our clients was "rejected", apparently because someone at a Minneapolis area credit union screwed up the wire instructions.
To be fair, the system of wiring funds from one bank to another is outated and clumsy. Fees are also high and the quality of service is, well, not what it should be. We've encountered problems like this before, but nothing quite this bad has happened when a client tried to wire funds for a real estate … (4 comments)
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minneapolis: How Good Are You at Reading a Client's Facial Expressions?
- 04/07/16 07:01 PM
How Good Are You at Reading a Client's Facial Expressions?
Some trainers tell real estate agents that they need to become better listeners when interacting with clients. But what about the value of paying closer attention to a client's facial expressions and reactions?
Have you ever watched a client's face when they enter a home for the first time and you realize that this home is "the one"?
I was touring homes with a client in the Minneapolis area a couple weeks ago and it happened to me. After about fifteen showings, my client walked into this particular home and visibly fell in love with that home. There was … (7 comments)
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minneapolis: Showing Extraordinary Lake Minnetonka Properties This Morning
- 03/20/15 01:54 AM
Showing Extraordinary Lake Minnetonka Properties This Morning
In the real estate business, not all days are like this one. This morning I had the privilege of touring some remarkable properties in the Lake Minnetonka area of Hennepin County (about half an hour west of downtown Minneapolis). These were anything but typical homes and lots. Prices over $1.5 million and above are not uncommon in the particular areas that we toured during the past several hours.
Our tour of properties for sale began this morning in Wayzata, on the west end of town. We also took in parts of Deephaven … (3 comments)
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minneapolis: Why More Agents Refer Clients to Us Than to Any Other Local Firm
- 03/16/14 02:23 PM
Why More Agents Refer Clients to Us Than to Any Other Local Firm
Last week, we were contacted by another Minneapolis & Saint Paul area real estate agent about property on Madeline Island. We are contacted by Twin Cities agents, Madison (Wisconsin) agents, Milwaukee agents, Chicago agents and others in the real estate industry on a regular basis. This was our second such phone inquiry from an out-of-area real estate agent in the past thirty days, and our third since the beginning of the year.
Why does Madeline Island Realty receive so many referral calls and inquiries from real estate licensees? Maybe … (1 comments)
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minneapolis: SOLD - 741 Main St, LaPointe WI - Architect-Designed Waterfront Home
- 01/28/14 01:01 PM
SOLD - 741 Main St, LaPointe WI - Architect-Designed Waterfront Home
With unique touches ranging from antique driveway pavers (rescued from the 1980s Butler Square renovation in Minneapolis) to the "crow's nest" tower with a panoramic view of LaPointe harbor, to the artist's studio connected to the main home across a covered breezeway, 741 Main Street is one of downtown LaPointe's most stylish and elegant homes. We're proud to report that this property has now been sold by Madeline Island Realty.
[741 Main Street, LaPointe WI 54850 - SOLD by Madeline Island Realty]
This was our third … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Testimonials are Great, but Pending Sales and Solds are Even Better
- 03/08/12 03:53 AM
Testimonials are Great, but Pending Sales and Solds are Even Better
We all love client testimonials. When a transaction is concluded successfully, it's gratifying to come away from a closing with kudos from a client, in addition to that commission check.
For example, here's an endorsement from a fellow whose waterfront home I sold two years ago.
“As usual your marketing talents exceed expectations. Thanks!”
We were able to find him a great buyer and got his home sold at a price that surprised the seller, as well as a few area competitors. He's now preparing to list his Minneapolis area home for … (1 comments)
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minneapolis: Madeline Island – How to Get Here
- 01/15/12 03:49 PM
Madeline Island – How to Get Here
I have lots of real estate friends all over the United States (and a few overseas) who periodically write me and say “love your photos of Madeline Island. Where exactly is this place?”
So I figured the best way to explain where our northwest Wisconsin office is located would be to blog about it.
The location of Madeline Island is pinpointed by a red arrow on the map below, which includes most of the continental U.S. Our Island is located on the south shore of Lake Superior in the Apostle Islands, close … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: More Reasons Why Choosing the Right MLS Can be Crucial if you Want your Madeline Island Home to Sell
- 12/25/11 03:17 PM
More Reasons Why Choosing the Right MLS Can be Crucial if you Want your Madeline Island Home to Sell
[Household income and median home price figures provided below come from the most recent United States Census data. MLS participation numbers from NAR Realtors Property Resource website.]
Hennepin County (where NorthstarMLS originates) median household income: $61,651
Median home price in Hennepin County (MN): $248,600
Hennepin County, Minnesota(NorthstarMLS) participant members: 13,500
Now let's compare the NorthstarMLS primary service area with that of SAAR..
Douglas County Wisconsin (where SAAR originates) median Household income: $42,656
That's 69% of the median income for Hennepin County, Minnesota
… (0 comments)
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minneapolis: NAR's Yun Blames Inflated Sales Figures on Duplicate Counting of Closed Sales
- 12/18/11 10:00 AM
NAR's Lawrence Yun Blames Inflated Sales Figures on Duplicate Counting of Closed Sales
The National Association of Realtors revealed this week that estimates of previously-owned home sales have been inflated, due in part to "double counting".
The practice of double counting can be attributed to multiple MLSs reporting the same closed sale. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun mentioned the Denver, Colorado area real estate market as an example of duplicate reporting of home sales.
We see the same situation in northwest Wisconsin, where some properties appear on multiple MLS systems. In an area like ours, it isn't uncommon for agents and brokers … (110 comments)
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minneapolis: Top Posts of 2011 - Wayzata Lakes Realty - Minneapolis and Saint Paul Metro Area Real Estate Blog
- 12/18/11 07:09 AM
Top Posts of 2011 - Wayzata Lakes Realty - Minneapolis and Saint Paul Metro Area Real Estate Blog
Now that December is nearly over, it's time to take a brief look back at the year 2011. I decided to assemble a brief list of our favorite (and most read) posts from the Wayzata Lakes Realty Minneapolis and Saint Paul Metro Area Real Estate Blog.
As many of my readers are aware, I maintain two ActiveRain blogs, one for my Wisconsin company (Madeline Island Real Estate Blog) and the other for my Minneapolis and Saint Paul area company (Wayzata Lakes Realty). … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Why You Should Consider Buying an Income Producing Property on Madeline Island
- 11/26/11 04:07 PM
Why You Should Consider Buying an Income Producing Property on Madeline Island
Our Madeline Island community is unique in many ways, but maybe one of the most significant features of our Island is the shortage of commercial lodging available in what is widely regarded as a resort and recreational community.
Back in 2006, when we sold the Madeline Island Motel on Colonel Woods Avenue, that facility was the largest motel operation on the Island. And since 2006, there has been a conspicuous lack of large-scale hotel/motel construction on Madeline Island.
Visitors rely on other lodging resources if they wish … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: A Ray of Economic Hope from Across the Border - Minnesota Jobless Rate Drops in October
- 11/20/11 03:47 PM
A Ray of Economic Hope from Across the Border - Minnesota Jobless Rate Drops in October
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Thursday that the jobless rate in Minnesota fell .5% in October, from 6.9% to 6.4%.
Why is this good news for home sellers on Madeline Island?
Because over three-fourths of prospective buyers in our zip code (54850) come from the State of Minnesota. A significant majority of Madeline Island second home owners come from the Minneapolis - Saint Paul metro area.
It won't bring immediate relief, but good economic news from a neighboring state can mean more buyers, particularly in … (2 comments)
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minneapolis: The Market May Be Bottoming Out, but Not All Sellers Have Gotten the Message
- 10/29/11 04:58 AM
The Market May Be Bottoming Out, but Not All Sellers Have Gotten the Message
I read a local newspaper article the other day which speculates that "a market bottom has formed" in the Madeline Island Real Estate market. If one examines closed sales, that may be a valid conclusion, but the vast majority of sellers probably haven't figured that out yet.
List prices have dropped over the past year, but the transition to better pricing has been fairly recent. There still seems to be a lot of seller unreality about pricing.
Just a couple years ago, I remember a heated discussion … (3 comments)
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minneapolis: A Referral From Minneapolis Real Estate Agent Cotty Lowry Shows Why Other Real Estate Professionals Choose Madeline Island Realty
- 09/25/11 05:00 AM
A Referral From Minneapolis Real Estate Agent Cotty Lowry Shows Why Other Real Estate Professionals Choose Madeline Island Realty
At the beginning of August, I received a phone call from Minneapolis area Realtor Cotty Lowry, inquiring about a Madeline Island property owned by one of his clients.
Cotty Lowry is a well-known and much respected Realtor in the Twin Cities area who specializes in the south Minneapolis area. He enjoyed a stellar career as a residential Realtor with Coldwell Banker Burnet, becoming one of the top 40 sales associates at that firm in 2002. Cotty is now a partner and owner with the Minneapolis … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Real Estate Broker and Instructor Eric Kodner to teach the NAR "At Home With Diversity" Course in Minneapolis, October 13, 2011
- 09/10/11 06:25 PM
Real Estate Broker and Instructor Eric Kodner to teach the NAR "At Home With Diversity" Course in Minneapolis, October 13, 2011
Wisconsin and Minnesota Real Estate Broker Eric Kodner will present the National Association of Realtors "At Home With Diversity" course in the Minneapolis - Saint Paul area on October 13, 2011.
Kodner has been an instructor for the NAR-approved AHWD course since early 2010. He presented the course twice in 2010 at the Wisconsin Realtors Association (WRA) in Madison. He is the Managing Broker and owner of Madeline Island Realty in La Pointe, Wisconsin.
The October 13 course will be … (0 comments)
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minneapolis: Another Home SOLD by Broker Eric Kodner - 5230 Circle Down, Golden Valley, Minnesota 55416
- 08/05/11 04:17 PM
Another Home SOLD by Broker Eric Kodner - 5230 Circle Down, Golden Valley, Minnesota 55416
Two closings in two weeks! This four bedroom, three bath home closed on July 22nd and on August 2nd, we closed the purchase of 3342 Big Bay Road, LaPointe, Wisconsin 54850.
Both buyers were procured by Broker Eric Kodner (612.670.2539) with Wayzata Lakes Realty and Madeline Island Realty.
5230 Circle Down is a large four bedroom, three bath home in a prime location, close to downtown Minneapolis and just off Highway 100 in Golden Valley. Large secluded yard with flower garden, patio and mature … (2 comments)
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minneapolis: PRESS RELEASE - WISCONSIN REALTOR ERIC KODNER NAMED 2012 CHAIR OF WISCONSIN REALTORS ASSOCIATION EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSING COMMITTEE
- 07/23/11 09:09 AM
WISCONSIN REALTOR ERIC KODNER NAMED 2012 CHAIR OF
WISCONSIN REALTORS ASSOCIATION
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSING COMMITTEE
Madison, Wisconsin (July 9, 2011) – Realtor Eric Kodner with Madeline Island Realty in LaPointe, Wisconsin and with Wayzata Lakes Realty in Minneapolis, Minnesota has been named 2012 Chair of the Wisconsin Realtors Association Equal Opportunity in Housing Committee by WRA Chair-Elect Robert Keefe.
A real estate broker in Wisconsin and Minnesota, Kodner becomes the first Madeline Island real estate licensee to chair a WRA State Committee. He has served on the WRA Equal Opportunity in Housing Committee since the … (1 comments)
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minneapolis: Will Your Agent Drive 250 Miles to Write Your Offer On a Madeline Island Home?
- 07/19/11 04:12 AM
WILL YOUR AGENT DRIVE 250 MILES TO WRITE YOUR OFFER ON A MADELINE ISLAND HOME?
We do this all the time. Last week, I drove four and a half hours, from Madeline Island to Minneapolis, to write an offer on a Madeline Island home.
Sure, this could have been done over the phone or by email, or by fax. But the crafting of an offer that accurately reflects a buyer's wishes takes time and is best done in person.
So I caught a 4:30 pm ferry from La Pointe to Bayfield, Wisconsin and finally rolled into downtown Minneapolis around … (2 comments)
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minneapolis: The "Hire a Local Agent" Myth
- 11/17/10 01:02 PM
THE "HIRE A LOCAL AGENT" MYTH
One of my competitors is fond of telling visitors to his office that his real estate office is "open year-round". He also tells customers that they should always "hire a local agent".
Uh-huh.
Last Friday, I was in Bayfield, Wisconsin for a closing and afterward I took the Madeline Island Ferry to LaPointe. I arrived on Madeline Island at around 3 pm and stopped by a few competitors' offices. Guess what? Not one of those real estate offices were open. Nope, not a single one.
I called one of my competitors, who also happens to be a friend … (15 comments)
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minneapolis: Yes, We do Open Houses - A Quality Virtual Tour is a 24/7 Open House, 365 Days a Year
- 09/05/10 04:23 PM
One of my competitors on Madeline Island is sitting at an old-fashioned "Open House" today. He was there last weekend too, diligently waiting for people to walk in off the street and look at his listing. I'm told he had a total of four visitors last Saturday.
The problem with those old-fashioned Open Houses is that they rely upon drive-by prospects to notice the "Open" sign. Hopefully, those drive-by folks will overcome their nervousness about being face-to-face with an agent and then they'll actually stop the car and go inside.
Four viewings in five hours is a pretty slow and inefficient way to market a house, in my … (9 comments)
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What do you Mean our Wire Transfer Was Rejected?
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