F is for Photo

Nature in Black and White.

Photos in B&W can be difficult to time stamp. They could be from 50 years ago, or taken just yesterday. When I see them, I think of the movie Pleasantville which starts in black and white. As people begin to feel emotion, the colors start to emerge. I wish this could happen to old movies from the 30's and 40's as I am always wondering how vibrant the movie would be if it had been shot in color. You wouldn't know by looking at the photo but it was a beautiful summer day, not a cloud in the sky, and the water was reflecting a nice blue.

Quote of the Week

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

~ Eleanor Roosevelt, 'This Is My Story,' 1937

To Dream a Little Dream...

The Twin Cities Parade of Homes Tour is going full strength this month and has not disappointed. I had the opportunity to visit one of the "Dream Homes" located in Credit River Township, just 30 minutes south of Minneapolis.

CressView Estates is a Luxury community with 44 lots ranging in size from 2.5 acres to 13. The Parade Home, built by John Kramer and Sons, sits on 2.74 acres and is for sale at $2.25 Million. It has a beautiful grand staircase, walnut floors on the main level, and a large two-island kitchen. The main floor master suite has a relaxing master bath with travertine floors and a custom walk in closet that girls would kill for. OK, well maybe it's not that extreme, but it is a home well worth visiting before the tour ends. I won't give away all the cool surprises here so make sure to check it out.

Please know that this home will cost you $5 admission, with proceeds going to the Builders Outreach Foundation. The Foundation is the charitable arm of the Twin Cities Builders Association and constructs homes for low-income families. Last fall alone the Dream Home program raised almost $50,000! So don't balk at five dollars...they give you a receipt to right off for charitable donations on your taxes.

St Paul Historic Home # 26

This weeks showcase Historic Home is 340 Summit Avenue.

Built in 1894 by Thomas Scott, this beautiful mansion was designed by Allen Stem at a cost of $40,000. Constructed out of local limestone, the house is a great example of the Italian Beaux Arts Style that was popular in St Paul at the end of the century. The decorative garland at the roof line is one of the dead give aways, as well as the symmetrical facade, flat roof, and smooth masonry stone exterior.

This grand home on Summit overlooks St Paul and the Mississippi River and has a wonderful panoramic view. The area where the old carriage house use to stand is still there. Built as a single family home, it was converted to eight apartments around 1950. The current owners bought the home in 2005 for $1.45 Million, desiring to return it to its previous single family grandeur, and have completed some major updates, including turning the front salon in to a living room and kitchen. When these homes were first built, the kitchens were located in the basements, where servants prepared the meals. Food was delivered via dumb waiter to a butler's pantry next to the dining room. It was believed that the smell of food cooking would be unpleasant to visiting guests.

When you enter the home you are greeted to black and white marble tiles and a gorgeous marble staircase. Kids would have a wonderful time playing hide & seek as there are multiple stairways all the way from the basement to the third floor. A mirrored ballroom takes up the third floor, with bedrooms that were originally for the housemaids. It is truly a beautiful home that takes the breath away.

F is for Photo

Earlier this summer I took a drive to Red Wing, Minnesota, along HWY 61. Along the drive, I went through a very small town called New Trier. This Beaux Arts designed building was finished in 1909 as the St Mary Catholic Church. The paint is so bright that you cannot miss it as you drive by, and the fact that it sits on a hill makes the church appear like it is looking over the community.

Being a Salesman

One great thing about being a Real Estate Agent is that the job takes you out of your element. You can't sit behind a cubicle or desk and only speak with a client on the phone. A good agent must get face to face with a client, sometimes many times, in order to build a relationship.

Sometimes I want to be a silent agent when I run errands or go shopping. But it never fails that I run into someone talking about real estate and I can't help but introduce myself. A good agent does this to build business. Our jobs are not Monday - Friday, 8-5. Many times we work all weekend and handing out business cards while standing in line for groceries is not unheard of. We can't sit at a desk and wait for the phone to ring. We have to find the business for ourselves and that is the main reason so many new agents fail. It is difficult to step out of your safe element and approach a complete stranger. You have to sell yourself. You have to be disciplined.

With so many people online now a days, I have to also communicate over the Internet. I do this through my website and my blogs. A couple of times people have called me for real estate advice. When I ask them how they found me, they say they have been reading my blogs the last few months and decided to finally speak to me. The Internet lets clients and consumers stay in their element, but I am still not allowed to do so. I must always be the salesman.

This weekend I am having a garage sale...have to sell the first years worth of baby clothes and toys. Be assured that I will have my business cards ready to hand out to anyone that might need one. As a real estate agent, you have to take advantage of every opportunity you have, even if it is a beautiful Saturday morning while sitting in your garage.

The Man Cave

I have heard a new term this past year used on some Real Estate shows and on a couple of commercials. Men, seeing that their wives and girlfriends get to decorate the house and claim nearly every room in the home, are now requesting a room of their own - the Man Cave. The cave usually is a media room, or basement room, where the men can retreat to and, well, be men. Watching sports on TV, having a beer, and playing poker are just a few luxuries men now can enjoy...without women.

In Jackson, Wyoming, a home is currently for sale with it's very own Man Cave. Take a look at the photo, from Gerry Spence's luxury log home he has for sale for a cool $35 Million. He had it designed to look like a cave, with rock paintings and all. I wonder how much this cost for him to create. The home is truly beautiful and each room is unique. I am just not too sure if I would want to watch a movie in a cave, but I am sure the men love it!

Walking a few Miles in My Shoes

I took the weekend off today, from clients, and spent this afternoon on the Ramsey Hill Historic Home Tour. I walked all over the historic home area and saw 16 homes, including the St Paul Cathedral. Yes, my feet hurt, but it was a beautiful day and I wanted the exercise. It looked to be a success as there were tons of people out.

Even though my blogs are about Minneapolis, one of my specialties is historic homes, no matter where they are. So it is my job to know the historic home areas in Minneapolis, St Paul, and the surrounding towns. Viewing homes on tours, or as soon as they list for sale, is the best way for me to know the historic inventory. It doesn't matter if they are million dollar luxury homes, or small little Arts and Crafts bungalow, as a historic home expert, I need to know what they look like.

It's not all work though on these long walks, as I truly love old homes. I get to enjoy all the great architecture. Another great thing about the historic districts in Minneapolis and St Paul is that the neighborhoods have giant trees that line the streets. Sometimes it is hard to get a good photo of a home because the trees get in the way, like the home pictured above. When you walk down one of these old streets, you can almost imagine it being home.

F is for Photo

I'm always trying to come up with new ideas to interest my readers, so I though I would use an idea inspired by Teresa Boardman's Fridays are for Fun. I love photography. So I figured why not make Fridays (F) stand for Photos. I hope you enjoy!

This photo was taken on my father's farm, looking through the wire into the chicken coup. I love black and white but haven't taken too many as of late. You can really capture the different shadows and shades of gray when you use B&W. I wonder how homes would sell if they were only shown in black and white?

The Reluctance to Reduce Home Prices

Our Regional Multiple Listing Service gives us agents the ability to track listings of our choice. I have been watching some homes across the cities for the last six months. What I find interesting is that many of these sellers have been very reluctant to reduce their prices. Knowing the market is my job, so I know when a home is over-priced. My question is, why does the listing agent not see this as well?

I am sure there are some agents that over-price a home, just to get the listing and make the seller happy. This is nothing new to the real estate business. I am also sure there are many more agents who are trying to get their sellers to reduce the price, but the sellers are unwilling. The latter is most likely what most agents are experiencing right now.

Of the homes I am watching, nearly 25% of them have finally reduced their prices in the last week to more realistic selling prices. The smallest reduction was $20,000...the highest was $50,000! The sad thing is the seller will always have in their mind, when faced with an offer on their home, "But I have already lost $50,000". What they fail to understand is that "$50,000" was never really theirs, but was only an illusion created by an unrealistic market.

It is really hard for an agent to convince a seller otherwise. Hopefully it will only take another year for things to get sorted out. If you find yourself, as a seller, with this mindset, please take the time to reevaluate your reason for selling. It could be that you have reduced your home so much that you will now be bringing money to table. Instead of facing this possibility, why not reconsider selling, and think about staying in your home another couple years. Who knows, by then, it is much more likely you will be in a better financial position to sell then you are today.

St Paul Historic Home # 25

This weeks showcase Historic Home is 339 Summit Avenue.

Built in 1898 by Crawford Livingston at a cost of $14,000, the home was designed by the famous Cass Gilbert. With a Gothic / Medieval design, there is no other home quite like it in the area. Whereas most homes have a distinct porch, this home is designed with the second story coming forward to be flush with the lower story. The arches are very beautifully done with the short Corinthian columns, and the diamond shaped spandrels are very unique.

Originally built as a single family residence, the home is presently divided into 5 condominiums, each having two bedrooms and somewhere between 1400-1800 square feet. The last condo unit sold in 2002 for $275,000. If the home were to sell today as one building, it would fetch well over $1 Million.

I found two old photos of the home. The first was taken in 1902, the home being the second from the left. You can really see how the streetscape looked at the turn of the 20th Century. The second is from 1973, during winter. The home thankfully has not been altered on the exterior throughout it's lifetime.

Sunset over Lake Minnetonka

Friday evening I got to enjoy a cruise around Lake Minnetonka. With the summer weather breaking and fall temperatures beginning, it was the perfect evening to enjoy the change of seasons.

Top 10 Places to Eat in the Twin Cities

Here are the best Restaurants to dine at in the Twin Cities

• Kincaid's - known as the special-occasion headquarters, Kincaid's is continually nominated as one of the best in town. Serving the traditional meat, fish, and potato menu, the restaurant is located at 380 Saint Peter St, Saint Paul (651-602-9000).
• The Oceanaire Seafood Room - the town's definite top spot for seafood, steak lovers will not walk away disappointed either. Make sure to try the key lime pie as well! The Oceanaire is located at 1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (612-333-2277)
• La Belle Vie - has a fantastic kitchen which serves up some of the best Mediterranean around. Eat a'la carte or from a tasting menu. La Bell Vie is a little pricey, but you will find it is worth every penny! Located at 510 Groveland Ave, Minneapolis (612-874-6440)
• Lake Elmo Inn - Located in the northeast metro, is a great place to brunch. Go there for Sunday and they might have to roll you out the door! The Inn can be found at 3442 Lake Elmo Ave N, Lake Elmo (651-777-8495)
• St Paul Grill - known for its American food and voted "the best bar for grown ups", the Grill is located in the Historic Saint Paul Hotel and is sure to please. 350 Market St, Saint Paul (651-224-7455)
• Murray's - Minneapolis' most honored steak house, has fantastic steaks, burgers, and more. Find Murray's at 26 S. 6th St, Minneapolis (612-339-0909)
• Manny's Steak House - offers a great wine list, the best veal chop in town, and a mouth-watering ribeye. Manny's is located at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (612-339-9900)
• Vincent A Restaurant - Vincent Francoul's cuisine is best described as French with an American twist. You will be surprised at the exceptional flavor of the dishes and also at the affordable price. 1100 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (612-630-1189)
• Palomino - the menu is best categorized as European-inspired American cuisine and features a warm atmosphere for dining. Find Palomino at the LaSalle Plaza, 825 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis (612-339-3800)
• Jax Cafe - Jax has been around for a while and is currently being run by the family's third generation. They feature a seasonal "net your own fish" stream in the outside garden, and are best known for the atmosphere and the outstanding steak and potatoes menu. 1928 University Ave NE, Minneapolis (612-789-7297)

(top 10 courtesy of MplsStPaul magazine readers poll)

New Construction on the Lake

The new design the last couple years for custom built homes in Minneapolis combines many different types of architecture. This home, built by Stonewood Builders, is almost whimsical. It has touches of Victorian with the multiple gables, style of a cottage, and hints of Arts & Craft. Stone and rock are integrated in many of today's homes making the home feel more in tune with nature and the surrounding landscape. It doesn't hurt to have a beautiful lake in the backyard for some additional eye candy!

Do You have a Clue?

More Minnesota Buyers should Look into a C.L.U.E Report before Purchasing

A great little report that can tell you more than the sellers might, but is mostly unheard of by the majority of the public, is a CLUE Report. What is a CLUE report you ask? To begin with, the acronym means Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange. It is a database used by the insurance industry which includes information about any and all claims filed on a particular property.

In Florida, where I am also licensed, the report is being utilized more often due to the amount of past hurricanes. While full disclosure of any problems associated with a home is required by sellers, some sellers do neglect to inform prospective buyers if any damage has ever occurred to the home. A CLUE report will tell a buyer exactly what kind of claims have been filed against a particular property and when. Some might think such a report is not needed for Minneapolis real estate, but with hail storms, tornadoes, and fires still possible in the area, the report can be used as just another piece of information to put buyers mind at rest.

Buyers, the report can only be requested by the owner of the insurance policy, so don't try to do it yourself if you are thinking of purchasing a home. Instead, make your offer contingent upon review of the document. Consider it an extension of the Inspection Report.

Sellers, from the beginning, always disclose any and all damage & repairs that have effected the home during your ownership. If a buyer asks for a CLUE report, gladly provide one. While you might see it as an annoyance, it could just be the final key to selling your home.

Historic Home Tour of St Paul

The Ramsey Hill Association will be hosting the 2007 tour of Historic Homes in St Paul on Sunday, September 16th. Tour hours are for one day only, from 11 am to 5 pm.

This year the Tour will be taking on a special theme:

"Decades of Design: 150 Years of Ramsey Hill Architecture" and will offer a decade by decade walking tour of homes in this historic neighborhood. Not just a historic tour of the oldest homes, this tour will give an excellent example of how architecture has changed during our lifetime.

Ticket prices are $20 per person and can be bought online at the Association's website. Proceeds go to the restoration of Lookout Park, crime prevention, park beautification and neighborhood grants to community organizations including the Walker West Music Academy, Saint Paul Urban Tennis League and the YWCA's We Care for Kids program.

Lake Minnetonka Real Estate Update - August 2007

Lake Minnetonka Real Estate Update - August 2007

Looking to buy a luxury home in Minneapolis? Well, the place to be is Lake Minnetonka. The most active price range of 2007 has been the $1-2 Million market and is the most affordable for the area. Summer is winding down and soon the Lake will have a spectacular display of autumn colors for all to enjoy. Get your home soon so you too can enjoy the wonderful lake views and take a last cruise around the lake before winter sets in.

1 Million - 2 Million : The most active high-end price range just got more active this month, again. This time more homes moved to SOLD, six to be exactly, and 7 more took their spot for being put under contract. However, active listings still remain high at 144.

2 Million - 3 Million : This bracket saw a slight decrease in active listings, some being withdrawn from the market and a couple being put under contract. There are 42 active homes for sale and six pending. Three homes closed in August.

3 Million - 5 Million : Always the bracket to be active or slow, the month of August was very much the latter. Holding steady at 17 listings, one pending, and only one sale. But what do you expect when you are selling in such a high price range?

5 Million + : The uber-bracket of Minneapolis real estate currently has 9 homes for sale. No homes have been put under contract nor did any sell this past month either. The most expensive home on Lake Minnetonka is still hanging in there at $15.9 Million.

According to the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors, the housing supply outlook for homes $1 Million + is about 21.9 Months, an increase of over 25% since the beginning of the year. The number means that is will take almost two years to sell all the homes price over $1 Million in Minneapolis, St Paul, and the surrounding MLS areas. Of course, every local market is different, so what sells slow in one area, my sell like hot cakes in another!

The Upper Mississippi River

We are spending Labor Day enjoying the River. The weather has been great and there is nothing like anchoring on a sandy beach and taking a swim at the end of summer. The Mississippi River, at least the northern portion consists of "Pools" between each lock and dam. We were in Pool 9 today, which is where the below video was shot, and about 3 hours from Minneapolis. Flanked on either side by towering bluffs of rock, you can enjoy cruising down the main channel or take time exploring the backwaters. The little town we cruised by was Lansing, Iowa.