Archive for the 'Twin Cities Home Buyers' Category
Silly Property Repairs In North Minneapolis
August 1st, 2008 Categories: Minneapolis Home Buyers and Sellers, North Minneapolis, Real Estate News, Silly Property Repairs, That Flippin' House, Twin Cities Home Buyers
One of the Realtors that blogs has some great posts about stupid property repairs here in the Minneapolis area. I am blatantly copying his idea, but instead of calling it “stupid property repairs”, I’ll just call it “silly property repairs.” (Scott, consider it a compliment!)
Here’s a silly repair that my client and I found in North Minneapolis this week.
I call it Mini Door Knob. This was the only way to get the storm door open to get to the front door.
It’s always good times in North, that’s all I have to say!
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Trust. It’s a Big Deal for This Realtor in Minneapolis, That’s For Sure. Let’s Talk Dual Agency.
May 22nd, 2008 Categories: Minneapolis Home Buyers and Sellers, North Minneapolis, Real Estate News, Twin Cities Home Buyers
Who do you trust, buyers? How about you, sellers? I just did a dual agency transaction. My seller in North Minneapolis wasn’t thrilled. My buyer wasn’t too concerned. Do I care? ABSOLUTELY!
Well, I think everybody’s happy. I’m not sure. Paranoia runs deep. When we do a dual agency transaction, we Realtors have a duty to the sellers and buyers to make sure everybody’s on the same page.
Best wishes to my buyers and seller!
3323 Morgan Avenue North…the gem of North
| Discussion: No Comments »
Hey, Little Miss Realtor, Don’t Even Think About Taking a Weekend Off! Here’s What Happens When A Realtor Tries to Takes a Vacation
May 8th, 2008 Categories: My Listings, Real Estate News, Twin Cities Home Buyers, Twin Cities Real Estate Economy, Twin City Sellers
I know that I shouldn’t complain. I received three purchase agreements in the last two days on three different properties that I have listed.
Trouble is, I’m taking a short vacation to go to Chicago to see my kids this weekend. I figure it’s Mom’s Day and the fishing opener here in Minnesota, so should be smooth sailing, right? NOT!
Not to mention, Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: No Comments »
Moving from Chicago to Minneapolis - Where to Go to Meet New People?
April 6th, 2008 Categories: Cool Guys, Real Estate News, Taste Minnesota, The Good Life, Twin Cities Home Buyers
I was posed this question by a fella from Chicago…
I have accepted a job in Minneapolis (Downtown), starting mid-July 2008. I currently live in Chicago (10 years now), originally from So. FL–guess the next move would have to be Canada to keep up with the trend!
A little about me: I’m 28, single guy (straight), making good money. Basically, I’m looking for the hippest and hottest places to live, learn, and meet new people. Access to Food, Music, and the Arts are very important. I’ve heard Uptown (Lake/Hennepin) is THE place to live for all three. Downtown (Nicolet) has also been mentioned as a good place to live. Closer to downtown the better. Any thoughts?
I am very excited about this new opportunity, and greatly appreciate any advice and additional sources of information.
Here’s my response… Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
Empty Houses in North Minneapolis are Demolition Candidates - Uhhh…Gee, Do Ya Think So?
March 17th, 2008 Categories: North Minneapolis, Real Estate News, Twin Cities Home Buyers, Twin Cities Real Estate Economy, Twin City Sellers
After viewing hundreds of homes in North Minneapolis with my clients and seeing the obvious decay of some homes, it’s clear that they should be demolished.
The main issues are serious mold intrusion, dilapidated flooring, walls and ceilings, buckling and cracking cement floors in the basement, roof rot and subsequent surrounding areas, such as soffits, venting, etc., etc., etc.
The Strib came out with this story today:
One estimate says a third of foreclosed homes in north Minneapolis should probably be demolished.
One-third of the foreclosed houses inspected so far in north Minneapolis are candidates for demolition, according to the agency trying to rehab the state’s largest concentration of empty housing.
Carolyn Olson of Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (GMHC) said her nonprofit housing organization has been inside 157 of the hundreds of foreclosed North Side homes. It’s evaluating them for fix-up and resale.
But many pose a range of problems, from neglect issues like rampant mold to functional obsolescence due to size or floor plan. Some simply cost too much to fix. One house the agency toured contained only 500 square feet of space — less than a standard one-bedroom public housing high-rise apartment — carved into four apartments.
“That’s probably not a keeper,” Olson said.
Some houses have caving retaining walls. One otherwise nice triplex was covered in mold, Olson said.
One reason for the neglect, Olson said, is that about two-thirds of the foreclosed homes were owned by investors rather than occupants. “Some of that has not been very well taken care of,” she said.
Olson’s one-third estimate sounds low to one neighborhood leader, Roberta Englund of the Folwell and Webber-Camden areas.
“I think she’s underestimating it, without a doubt,” said Englund, based on her walk-throughs of similar housing.
“This is an American nightmare,” said Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn. Ellison represents the area and organized a discussion of foreclosure and credit issues Monday.
The event began with a street-corner discussion at 29th and Dupont Avenues N., where adjoining blocks average six foreclosures each in the past two years.
Even when the house is fixable, fixing isn’t simple. Every one that GMHC has encountered so far requires extra financing, because the market price of the renovated house is less than the cost to acquire and bring it to saleable condition. The state allocated $10 million that is being used to buy the North Side housing, while the city and state finance the rehab work.
“If the market keeps going down, the gap will be bigger,” Olson said.
Despite the obstacles, GMHC has purchase agreements on 43 properties, with offers outstanding on another 16.
City Housing Director Tom Streitz said that a process is needed to guide the rehab vs. demolition decisions of nonprofits. “I’m hearing that a lot of the stock is not going to pass the test,” he said.
“We’re very careful on what we would tear down,” Olson said. She said some of the candidates for demolition may still attract offers from investor owners.
Mayor R.T. Rybak has said he’d like the city to have a right of first refusal on foreclosed housing.
Ellison touted legislation introduced by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. It would provide up to $300 billion in new federal guarantees for loans that refinance at-risk borrowers into viable mortgages. It would also provide $10 billion in loans and grants for the purchase and rehab of foreclosed homes, similar to GMHC’s work.
Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438
My clients and I know what are “keepers” and what aren’t. And we don’t have to be rocket scientists (home/building inspectors) to figure it out. Let’s dump these dumps and restore this area back to it’s beauty, once again.
| Discussion: No Comments »
It’s My Duty to Inform You - Why You Need to Buy a Home Now - Not Later!
March 6th, 2008 Categories: Mortgage Stuff, Real Estate News, Twin Cities Home Buyers, Twin Cities Real Estate Economy
While today’s market plays to their advantage, buyers, who should be swooping in to make the most of reduced housing costs and favorable interest rates, are sitting by, waiting.
It is up to me, as a competent and informed real estate agent, to mobilize my potential buyers to invest in home ownership now.
When the market turns, today’s bargains will be yesterday’s missed opportunities.
While it is conceivable that home prices may drop further, it is likely that these decreased prices will be accompanied by increased financing costs due to rate cuts by the Fed. This means that Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: No Comments »
Minnesota Lawmakers Looking in to the Foreclosure Arena - What are Those Rascals Up to Now?
March 4th, 2008 Categories: Mortgage Stuff, North Minneapolis, Real Estate News, Twin Cities Home Buyers, Twin Cities Real Estate Economy, Twin City Sellers
Minnesota Lawmakers are working on assisting folks with their home foreclosures. Read the rest of this entry »| Discussion: No Comments »
Seven Steps To Buying Your Next Home - You now have no excuses! Here’s how to do it!
March 1st, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News, Twin Cities Home Buyers, Twin Cities Real Estate Economy
Step One:
Define your needs.
Congratulations on your decision to purchase a new home! Before you go house hunting, Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: No Comments »
Maple Grove Real Estate - Current Housing Statistics - January, 2008
February 28th, 2008 Categories: Maple Grove Current Housing Statistics, Maple Grove Stuff, Real Estate News, Twin Cities Home Buyers, Twin Cities Real Estate Economy, Twin City Sellers
Here are the latest statistics from the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors for Maple Grove. The chart explains itself, but in a nutshell, there were 4.3% less single family homes on the market in January this year than last year.
In January, many homes had their listing expire only to wait until after the holidays. The housing affordability has not been this good since 2004, according to the association. I believe that we’re near the end of the price cuts, too.
Ready, buyers?
| Discussion: No Comments »
Fed chairman Bernanke says nation’s business prospects have deteriorated
February 14th, 2008 Categories: Mortgage Stuff, Real Estate News, Twin Cities Home Buyers, Twin Cities Real Estate Economy, Twin City Sellers
Fighting to keep the U.S. economy afloat, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will give Congress fresh insights into economic and financial conditions greatly strained by the Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: No Comments »
