Minneapolis Homes | Lofts | Condos

There’s nothing worse than traveling to a foreign country and discovering that your temporary home away from home is a dump!  It’s not easy to find good places to stay.  Luckily, these days there are many reliable websites on which you can find more than suitable accommodations for a trip.

Frankly, I don’t like the idea of staying in the tourist-ey areas of places.  It’s like riding the tour bus to the sights and not getting off the bus.  You’re not REALLY seeing what there is to see, you’re seeing a reasonable facsimile of the city.  Heck, if I wanted that, I’d just go to EPCOT or Las Vegas! (not that there’s anything wrong with that)

So, I’d much rather stay in a place that’s off the beaten path to soak up more of the local culture.  And, true to form, the internet is providing more and more websites for travelers to find such quarters. AirBnB.com is the largest of this new generation of social B&B’s and has garnered the most reviews for their offerings.  Istopover.com started in 2009 in Toronto.  They specialize in big event accommodations.  Crashpadder.com originated in London and can find you everything from a room in a house to a WHOLE house!  Roomorama.com is more geared toward high end properties, especially in New York city.

I imagine, if you had a place for people traveling to Minneapolis or St. Paul, you could probably list it on these sites, too.

For assistance with more permanent houses for sale in Minneapolis cities, contact me today!

Susan Hofflander is a seasoned real estate professional, providing real estate consultations for home buyers and sellers in the Twin Cities since 1994. Susan specializes in homes for sale in Lake Calhoun/Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Plymouth, MN, Minneapolis Western Suburban Cities and Downtown Minneapolis Lofts.

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It’s important to protect yourself.  As you probably already know, there are those who will steal your private information for their own gain with no consideration of the impact it has on your life.  That kind of identity theft can prevent you from obtaining new credit, buying a car or even a house.  In some cases, the perpetrator has committed illegal activities with the “new identity” and the victim of this identity theft has been arrested!!!  You can do things to make it more difficult for these thieves to obtain your sensitive information.

Make sure you always log off of your online accounts for anything, especially if you’re using an unsecured internet connection or if you’re logging on from a public computer.  And, when it’s time to dispose of old paper work, don’t just throw it all in the recycling!  That’s like posting it on a bill board!  Take it to a professional shredder.  There are many free shredding events around the Twin Cities for potentially buyers and sellers of Minneapolis homes for sale can take advantage of to destroy their sensitive information.

M & I Bank hosts such events regularly.  Click here for a location and date near you.   And, here’s a list of all of the Cub Foods locations that are hosting paper shredding provided by Shred It on Saturday, April 10, 2010, from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon.  Don’t miss it!!

Need more info about the real estate market in the Twin Cities?  Contact me to make me your real estate consultant for life.  I’m up on all the latest info on homes for sale in Minneapolis cities, including Lake Harriet/Lake Calhoun.

Susan Hofflander is a seasoned real estate professional, providing real estate consultations for home buyers and sellers in the Twin Cities since 1994. Susan specializes in homes for sale in Lake Calhoun/Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Plymouth, MN, Minneapolis Western Suburban Cities and Downtown Minneapolis Lofts.

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For buyers and sellers of homes for sale in Minneapolis and Minneapolis cities, here is a video that tells you what’s going on as of March 2010.  Take a look and pass it on.

Watch this video about the Minneapolis and Minneapolis cities housing market.

Susan Hofflander is a seasoned real estate professional, providing real estate consultations for home buyers and sellers in the Twin Cities since 1994. Susan specializes in homes for sale in Lake Calhoun/Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Plymouth, MN, Minneapolis Western Suburban Cities and Downtown Minneapolis Lofts.

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Sometimes it’s so hard to find information when you need it.  How do you maintain the different components of a house?  What’s going on in the real estate market?  How can I make the most energy efficient improvements to my home?  What’s the latest in mortgage and tax information?  Do I need to buy different insurances for my home?  These are all great questions to be answered.  Check out House Logic.

HouseLogic is a free source of information and tools—from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®—that can help you make smart and timely decisions about your home.  With content covering home improvement, maintenance, taxes, finance, insurance, and even ways you can get involved in and enrich your community, HouseLogic can help you increase and protect the value of your home by helping you make confident decisions.

For more localized information about your real estate market, contact me today.  I have access to information about your area, even your block!  Relying on zillow.com and other real estate based websites is a mistake.  Their information is only as good as the agents who participate in such websites.  So, the information is very limited.  Contact me, a local professional for information on Minneapolis homes for sale, or homes for sale in Minneapolis areas like Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet.  I also have lots of information on downtown Minneapolis lofts for sale and homes for sale in the Western suburbs of Minneapolis.

Susan Hofflander is a seasoned real estate professional, providing real estate consultations for home buyers and sellers in the Twin Cities since 1994. Susan specializes in homes for sale in Lake Calhoun/Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Plymouth, MN, Minneapolis Western Suburban Cities and Downtown Minneapolis Lofts.

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Have you ever dreamed of living downtown? The hustle and bustle of people, nightlife, cultural activities, trendy restaurants and bars, sporting events, the works. Not to mention being able to walk to so many things and not have to rely on a car or even, in the nice weather, public transportation. I believe the Twin Cities are finally starting to catch on and catch up in the public transportation realm. We have the Northstar Railway from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis. Then, there’s the light rail going up the Hiawatha corridor. There are still buses that connect Minneapolis to St. Paul and all of their surrounding suburbs. So, now that we know we can get around, there is no reason not to live the dream.

It’s always been a fantasy of mine to live the high life of an independent (and independently wealthy) woman in a downtown condo with a fabulous view. Many young people are making their homes in one of these places with exquisite views of downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul, views of the river and the falls, or views looking East or West of the City for miles. But, it’s not just for singles anymore. Many young married couples are engaging in this life style before the kids come along. And, many retiring baby boomers are looking for a new experience once the kids are grown and gone or once they have fulfilled their suburban dream. Some folks that live in small town areas are even purchasing downtown Minneapolis lofts for sale as something called an “urban cabin”. That allows them to come to town to go to the Guthrie or a Minnesota Opera production at the Ordway, or grab a Wild game at the X-Cel or enjoy the brand new Twins stadium on a wonderful spring day.

This article elaborates on the theme of families living a downtown loft. There are certainly more educational opportunities available these days in downtown areas to make it do-able.

Looking for information about downtown Minneapolis lofts and condos?  You’ve come to the right place!  Contact me today to get more answers to your specific questions.

Susan Hofflander is a seasoned real estate professional, providing real estate consultations for home buyers and sellers in the Twin Cities since 1994. Susan specializes in homes for sale in Lake Calhoun/Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Plymouth, MN, Minneapolis Western Suburban Cities and Downtown Minneapolis Lofts.Are

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Please make sure to guard against identity theft by shredding all of your old documents.  As tax time approaches and you’re getting everything ready to go, there are items you’ll be getting rid of things that are no longer necessary or valid.  Many people keep their last 7-10 years of records.  So, each year, the oldest year falls off.  But don’t just throw all of that important information in the garbage.  That makes it too easy for the identity thieves.

American Bank is hosting free shredding events at several locations.  This website has a section that will help you decide when and where works best for you.

Don’t delay!  The more you put it off, the higher the likelihood that you’ll wimp out and throw it in the garbage.  Resist the urge and bring your stuff to American Bank.

Susan Hofflander is a seasoned real estate professional, providing real estate consultations for home buyers and sellers in the Twin Cities since 1994. Susan specializes in homes for sale in Lake Calhoun/Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Plymouth, MN, Minneapolis Western Suburban Cities and Downtown Minneapolis Lofts.

Technorati Tags: downtown minneapolis activities, foreclosures, home buyers, identity theft, minneapolis cities, Minneapolis lofts and condos, paper shredding event

Many of my regular readers know that I also have the good fortune to engage in professional performing.  I’ve done shows at the Guthrie, Minnesota Opera, concerts with Minnesota Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.  I’m a regular soloist at Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church in Golden Valley and my current “gig” is with a group called Voice 360, a vocal group that creates all kinds of wonderful sound!  Click Voice 360 to hear audio excerpts.

This week, I’m sharing company with other top performers of the Twin Cities at the McKnight Theater at the Ordway.  We are joining our respective talents in a stellar show to benefit the people of Haiti.  It’s called Heart for Haiti.  It’s my pleasure and thrill to be singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.  Very fitting for this event.  Click here to buy tickets.

I depend on your referrals!  At work, at play, at networking or family events, when you hear someone mention buying a house or getting a mortgage, please mention my name.

Susan Hofflander is a seasoned real estate professional, providing real estate consultations for home buyers and sellers in the Twin Cities since 1994. Susan specializes in homes for sale in Lake Calhoun/Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Plymouth, MN, Minneapolis Western Suburban Cities and Downtown Minneapolis Lofts.

Technorati Tags: best places to live, downtown minneapolis activities, downtown minneapolis living, home buyers, lake calhoun homes for sale, lake harriet homes for sale, minneapolis cities, minneapolis condos, Minneapolis loft, performers in Minneapolis cities, relocation information

I post a fair amount on this blog about the importance of identity protection.  I’ve recommended many times for consumers to protect themselves by shredding old documents that contain sensitive information.  M & I Bank has hosted several free shredding events at their location. They haven’t had any since November.  So, I’ve been searching high and low for other entities that will host free shredding events.  Found one!!   Saturday, January 9th you can bring your sensitive documents to American Bank at 1578 University Ave., St. Paul (it’s in the Midway).  Shred Right is providing these free services in the next few months.  There’s no charge, but they are taking donations for these services if you feel so led.  It’s still cheaper than trying to pay for these services.

This website will offer you more information.

Do you want to buy a house?

Make sure your credit scores are protected.  Protect them by keeping your identity information secure.  That way, when the time comes to buy a house for sale in the Lake Harriet or Lake Calhoun neighborhoods of Minneapolis or homes for sale in any other Minneapolis cites, you’ll have a sound credit score to show the under writer.

Contact me today!

Susan Hofflander is a seasoned real estate professional, providing real estate consultations for home buyers and sellers in the Twin Cities since 1994. Susan specializes in homes for sale in Lake Calhoun/Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Plymouth, MN, Minneapolis Western Suburban Cities and Downtown Minneapolis Lofts.

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If you’ve been living in the Twin Cities of Minnesota for any length of time, you’re quite aware of where you want to go to see the best Christmas light displays. In St. Paul, there’s beautiful Rice Park across from the Ordway and the St. Paul Hotel. They always do a fabulous job. And, of course there’s the amazing Holidazzle Parade that takes place each year in downtown Minneapolis. This year, it runs Thursdays through Sundays until December 20th, starting at 6:30pm.

In St. Paul, there’s the Grand Meander. The main shopping event with bargains galore happened on December 5th, but the lights are a sight to behold. Don’t miss it. Minneapolis still boasts the Santaland Holiday Show, held in the now Macy’s (formerly Marshall Field’s, before that, Daytons I’m still bitter) downtown store on Nicollet Ave. It’s a huge animatronic holiday display that the Daytons store started over 50 years ago!

Finally, I think I like to just hop in my car and drive around the Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun neighborhoods of Minneapolis. Or bundle up warm and walk around those lakes in winter. The lights shining on the lake are so beautiful. Stop for a hot chocolate along the way in Linden Hills. Personal holiday displays on homes in the Lake Harriet or Lake Calhoun areas are the best!

Let this article be your guide to finding more information on light displays for St. Paul and Minneapolis areas.

Contact me today to get a closer look at any homes for sale in the Lake Harriet or Lake Calhoun neighborhoods of Minneapolis.

Susan Hofflander is a seasoned real estate professional, providing real estate consultations for home buyers and sellers in the Twin Cities since 1994. Susan specializes in homes for sale in Lake Calhoun/Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Plymouth, MN, Minneapolis Western Suburban Cities and Downtown Minneapolis Lofts.

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Well, it’s about time we have some good news in the housing market.  The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index reports home price increases in 17 of the 20 most watched housing markets.  Topping the list, MINNEAPOLIS HOMES FOR SALE!  Minneapolis housing market saw a 3.2% increase, more than any other of the most watched housing markets nationwide.  Still declining, Las Vegas, Charlotte and Cleveland.

So, how much longer are you going to wait for our market to “hit bottom”.  As is often written here, if you wait for the media to report it, it’s already happening.  Prime example, readers!  The media is reporting that our Minneapolis housing market is leading the nation in price increases.  Hmmmm, couple that with the tax incentives offered to ALL home buyers of homes for sale in Minneapolis neighborhoods, like Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet, or other Minneapolis cities like Plymouth MN, Maple Grove Mn, and any downtown Minneapolis lofts for sale, it seems like it would be important to get your ducks in a row to start your property search process, like, yesterday.

Read on for more details on the 20 important housing markets being tracked by S&P.

Contact me right away to find out how to get started!!!  Have a house to sell?  Give me a call to set up your appointment for a free market analysis.

Susan Hofflander 763-438-7249

Susan Hofflander is a seasoned real estate professional, providing real estate consultations for home buyers and sellers in the Twin Cities since 1994. Susan specializes in homes for sale in Lake Calhoun/Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Plymouth, MN, Minneapolis Western Suburban Cities and Downtown Minneapolis Lofts.

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