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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CNN-Money Magazine only reiterates what we in the Twin Cities have known for a long time-that Eden Prairie is awesome!  Eden Prairie has low unemployment, the schools seems to rank well in comparison when it comes to test scores and such.  Much as we cannot discuss what areas are better than others with regard to crime rates, their crime rate statistics rank low.  Eden Prairie boasts 17 lakes and over 100 miles of biking-hiking-walking trails!  Of course it’s got some pretty good shopping and restaurants, too.  For those who bought a house for sale in Eden Prairie in the last couple of years, it’s ESPECIALLY  good for you.  The sold prices of homes are going up in Eden Prairie year over year from 2009 to 2010.  And, not just incrementally, but between 7-10% over all.  That’s good news, folks!

With Plymouth, MN ranked number 1 a few years back by the same publication, I’d say Minnesotans have alot to be proud of.  And, much to be thankful for as it will stand us in good stead as the economy continues to improve.

Are you looking for a house for sale in Eden Prairie MN or Plymouth MN?  Make sure you contact me first before you do anything else.  You need to make sure you have an agent who knows how to help you navigate these tricky waters!!!

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, buying process, home buyers, homes for sale Minneapolis cities, homes for sale Minneapolis Western suburbs, plymouth mn, plymouth mn homes for sale, real estate investment, relocation information

Much is being said about the home buyer tax credit extension.  This proposal is part of a larger bill aimed at closing a variety of tax loopholes and to create extensions for other tax policy issues and federal program renewals.  As of Friday, June 18th, the Senate could not get required votes to pass this as is.

Here’s how it works:  Home buyers were to have been under contract to purchase a property by April 30, 2010.   Most home buyers, who met the qualifying income and other criteria, were eligible for the credit, even those that sold a property and purchased another one (as long as the property was/is their personal residence).  First time home buyers would be receiving up to $8000 and repeat home buyers would be receiving up to $6500.

Originally, the deadline to close the deal was June 30, 2o10.  The US Senate included a proposal to extend that closing date to September 30, 2010.   This discussion came about because so many lenders and title companies became overwhelmed by the amount of files that needed to be consummated by June 30.  So, because of public outcry and congressional lobbying by big lending, the idea to extend the CLOSING DATE ONLY on these deals was introduced.

Wall Street Journal article from June 11 expresses the idea that this extension could help those trying to defraud the system by back dating their purchase agreements to April 30.  That would mean anybody could, ostensibly, write a purchase agreement anytime and, if all parties agreed to the fraud, put a date of April 30th on the paper work.  Let’s hope everyone has learned their lesson about bilking the government and taxpayers out of these funds, ESPECIALLY lenders!  The last decade was rife for fraud in the mortgage and real estate industry.  If someone introduces this idea to YOU, blow the whistle!!!!

Time for you to sell or buy a house for sale in Minneapolis or any Minneapolis cities?  Contact me today so I can give you the details you need to be an informed consumer.

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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How do buyers and sellers of homes for sale in Minneapolis go about choosing the right agent for them?  So much has changed in the real estate industry and market in the last 20 years.  Heck, so much has changed in the last 5 years!  The requirements for disclosure, while good, are somewhat overwhelming.  I encounter many agents and homeowners that say, “I remember when a purchase agreement was one page and a handshake!”.  Having been a licensed REALTOR® for the better part of 16 years, I don’t remember that scenario, but many forms have jumped from being 2-4 pages when I started to now being 7 or 9 pages.

If you’re new to property purchases, I strongly suggest you interview a few agents to see who will be a good match for your personality type and desires.  Some agents are just not a good fit.  If you are a “touchy/feeley” type and your agent is cut and dried, you may feel brushed off or that your feelings aren’t being considered.  If you’re a detail person who wants to know all the facts and your agent is talking about the karma in the house, that might not work for you.  Ask some questions to make sure you have the agent that will work for you in the most comfortable and efficient way.

When buyers purchase their first property, they think they will remember the agent that helped them through that process because it’s so momentous!!  If the agent is doing their job correctly, they’ve been an essential and profound influence on these buyers.  But, as time wears on and people’s lives settle in to day to day routines, the memory of the agent fades in to the background.  Fast forward 5-8 years and it’s time to buy the “move-up” property.  Will these buyers remember the agent they had come to think of so fondly in their first experience?  Sometimes they will and sometimes they won’t.  Maybe they get a card from that agent once a year, or an e mail news letter or just occasional updates about the market in their area.

Frequently, in their zeal to find the new property, they will begin to look online (93% of all buyers look online FIRST) or go to open houses.  They may meet an agent at the open house or through their online search.  Because they’ve encountered that agent at just the right time, they may forget about contacting the other agent who was so instrumental in their first purchase, in deference to the “love the one you’re with” mentality.

It is incumbent upon us as good agents to be following up with our good clients over the years (i.e. Holiday/birthday/anniversary cards, here’s what’s going on in the market cards and e mails, newsletters, gift cards from time to time, tax alerts, etc.)  And, it’s hard to know how much is TOO much.  There is a school of thought that says you must be “touching” people 33 times a year in order for them to remember you and call on you for your services when the time comes.  Isn’t that too much?  I wouldn’t want my agent/insurance person/doctor ANYTHING to be contacting me 33 times a year!  It’s a little stalker-ey, in my opinion.

Bottom line is, stay in touch when you can, but don’t make a pest of yourself.  And, buyers and sellers of homes for sale in Minneapolis cities, if you liked your agent the first time around and are thinking of buying or selling a home for sale in Minneapolis cities, contact that agent to see if you’re still a good fit!  I know they’d be happy to help you again and again.  I know I will be happy and honored to assist my past clients again and again, and welcome any referrals they would care to send me.  I encourage everyone to know and acknowledge that having the right agent is essential to a successful real estate transaction.  So, don’t just “love the one you’re with”!  Save that magnet or notepad your agent sends you and remember to contact them when you or those near and dear need a good agent.

Do YOU need a good agent now?  Contact me today to benefit from my experience and expertise.

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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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This great split-entry in Maple Grove has 1/3 acre of land!  3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, pristine condition.  Don’t miss it!!!!

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Times are tough. Economically speaking, we are in the doldrums.  People aren’t spending like they once were.  Partly because of unemployment.  But, I think the tight economy has forced most people to take a good, hard look at the difference between “want” and “need”.  As money becomes harder to come by, consumers are making more economical choices for their needs.  Many retailers are responding in kind.  Cub Foods, for example, has cut prices on many essential items.  Walmart is experiencing some of their best years ever.

Consignment shops are also enjoying a new robustness.  For those of you not familiar with the concept, consignment shops act as a broker for goods and furnishings between the sellers and buyers (hmm, that sounds familiar).  They will accept your gently used items, including clothing, household goods, dishes, sometimes small appliances and furniture, display them in their store front and attempt to sell them for you.  They charge a percentage of the sale price.  The percentage they take depends on the item.  Usual splits between the sellers and the consignment shop for furniture is around 50/50 of the sale price.  The more expensive and exclusive the pieces are, the more they will cost at a consignment shop.  But, buyers need to consider how much those pieces would cost retail to determine if this is the right buy for them.

The Star-Tribune’s John Ewoldt had a great article this last week listing all of the consignment shops in the area and what kinds of inventory they carry.  I’ve shopped at Turn Style Consignments in Crystal, MN and Mainstreet Consignment in Hopkins, MN.  There used to be a great consignment store in Plymouth right on 494 and Carlson Pky, too, but I think they went out of business.  Now, Plymouth MN boasts the wonderful Wabi Sabi Shop!!! They have fabulous inventory, enough for the frugal and the not quite as frugal.

I am all about the deals!  If you’re looking for a deal on homes for sale in any Minneapolis cities of the Western suburbs, contact me today!  It’s my goal to provide buyers and sellers of homes for sale in Minneapolis Lake Harriet Area or Lake Calhoun Area, or homes for sale in any Minneapolis cities of the Western suburbs with the information they need about how to get the deal done.

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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This property is amazing! Come and view at the open house this Sunday, March 7th from 2-4pm. If it’s not for you, pass this post on to an interested party!

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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This amazing 2 story on 2+ acres is welcoming visitors Sunday from 12-3. Don’t miss it! If it’s not for you, please pass it on to someone who might like to see it.

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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