One of the benefits of being a realtor is attending broker open houses.  These happen on Tuesdays, usually over the lunch hour, and allow realtors the opportunity of seeing homes as soon as they hit the market, talking to the listing agents about the home and what makes it special, and providing feedback to the listing agents with our thoughts on condition or price or marketing.  I go to these every week because it also helps me see what's new to the market, keep sharp about pricing and what price gets you in terms of quality or condition, and networking with other agents - which always comes in handy if I'm making your offer or accepting an offer from an agent whom I've met.

What I really wanted to share, however, was these three great homes that I…

2 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

I knew that there was some pent-up demand after a couple of years of higher interest rates that didn't dampen pricing much.  This year has surprised me, though.  It's as though people are tired of waiting for "the right moment" and need to get on with their lives.  Point being, all those people who have real needs for change:  married, divorced, death in family, new birth, relocation - those people are back in the market.  It's truly, once again, a strong seller's market, especially for single family homes.  We're back to multiple offers, early in the spring season, with inventory still below where we need to be for the market to feel more evenly balanced.

If you're a seller, let's talk about the strategy that sets you up for the highest price possible…

10 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Can you feel it?  Yes, there's still snow on the ground, but the sun feels warmer and the days are getting longer.  And...just so you know, the housing market is getting warmer too!

Ready to dip your toe in the water?  Well, here are two super nice open houses to take a look at this weekend.  Come see what these price points will get you.   Looking is free and open houses really help to set your expectations for your own home search.  Who knows, you might even decide one of these two is the one for you!

Open Houses
Saturday, March 8, 11am - 1pm
2527 Whitfield Drive, Mendota Heights, MN
$759,900   4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 car garage, 3100 square feet
Link to the listing info:  https://bit.ly/3DlEh2k

First time on the market in nearly 20 years.  Not…

14 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

I love doing mid-week open houses!  They attract a different group of people than the weekend opens:  people driving home from work, neighbors feel more neighborly and stop by more often, and the home even shows differently in the daylight that's just a bit different from my earlier open houses on the weekends.

Tomorrow, I'm in Saint Louis Park hosting at a gem of a story-and-a-half home on it's first day on the market.

Open House
Thursday, February 20, 2025, 3pm - 5pm
3236 Dakota Avenue S, Saint Louis Park
$424,900  3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 car garage, 1930 sf
Link to the listing here:  https://bit.ly/4hIhlJj

Just a gorgeous home with remodeled kitchen and baths, hardwood floors, finished basement, back yard facing screened porch and fenced in yard. …

16 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

I just can't seem to get enough of townhomes these days, I guess, so I'm back in Woodbury this weekend hosting open houses at two very different, very nice townhomes.  Looking for the freedom from shoveling and mowing?  Come check these out today!

Open House  11am - 1pm
Saturday, February 8, 2025
10743 Falling Water Lane #C, Woodbury, MN
$419,900  3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 car garage, 1942 square feet
Link to listing information:
Updated multi-level townhome in the high demand Falling Water development.  Great wood floors on the main level, updated kitchen, owner's suite and washer/dryer also on the main.  Two bedrooms upstairs along with a full bath and family room.  Tons of storage and a workout room on the lower level.  Private location as well!

Open…

30 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

I host a lot of open houses every year.  A lot. Well over 150 of them.  It really helps me as a real estate agent to both physically see the array of home inventory out there, all the price points AND ... the best part ... engage with buyers.  It's a great way for me to gauge the pulse of the current market or to understand what kind of a market it's going to be.  

That's what I'm getting right now from buyers - info on what kind of market this spring and 2025 is going to be.

Here's my read:  buyers have been on the sidelines (more than usual) in the past 18 months, from the end of 2023 througout 2024.  The biggest issues of home pricing and interest rates have just been in limbo for everyone.  Where are those two going?  Will rates finally come…

29 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

One more week in the east metro and, this week only, an open house in western Wisconsin - for those looking for an escape from the city, but an escape that's still close by!  Two great open houses for you today!

Open House
Saturday, February 1,   11am - 1pm
4161 Centerville Rd, Vadnais Heights, MN
$485,000   2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 car attached garage, 2200 square feet, $350 HOA
Listing info here:  https://bit.ly/4jyUGk5

I hosted an open house here on Thursday evening and that just confirmed that this is a truly one-of-a-kind single level living townhome.  Gorgeous upgrades including travertine flooring, granite countertops, new paint throughout and new carpet in bedrooms and the lower level.  Views of nature behind and amazing peace and quiet while…

36 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

I'm intrigued by the demand for single level living townhomes right now.  I've hosted a number of open houses at this type of townhome and there's no doubt that empty nesters, retiring or retiree, or simply folks planning for how they'll live as they age are the key buyers for homes like these.  If you still haven't found the perfect solution, tonight's open house might be the one for you!

Open House
January 30, 2025, 3pm - 5pm
4161 Centerville Road, Vadnais Heights, MN
$485,000   2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 car attached garage, 2200 square feet.
More listing info here:  https://bit.ly/4jyUGk5
4161 Centerville Road
Travertine floors, wooded views, modern kitchen and baths and 9 foot ceilings!  If the townhomes you've seen have been lacking character, this home oozes it everywhere…

33 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Our open house journey continues this weekend with a great opportunity to see homes and townhomes in Marine on St. Croix, May Township (Stillwater area) and Woodbury.   These homes are each charming and appealing in their own ways, so come check 'em out!  Here you go:

Saturday, January 25, 11am - 1pm
300 Pratt Street, Marine on St. Croix, MN
$550,000  3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 car garage (one is actually RV sized!), 2472 square feet
Listing info here:  https://bit.ly/4h6PbaB
Complete renovation of a lovely, spacious rambler located right in Marine on St. Croix.  If you love the charm and character of Marine and have been hoping to find a home with amazing updates, here's your chance!  Walking distance from the iconic church, the general store and local…

23 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Townhomes just seem more interesting to me right now, given the inventory that's on the market at the moment.  If downsizing is your priority this year and a nice townhome is your answer, here are two great townhomes to choose from.  Come and get it before the market gets all frothy and you have to compete with everyone else!

Saturyday, January 18th, 11am - 1pm

805 Ivy Lane, Eagan, MN
$435,000  2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car attached garage, 1876 square feet
More info here:  https://bit.ly/4g3J5Xa
If you missed my open house here on Thursday, here's your chance at redemption!  This neighborhood of 32 twinhomes has it all:  the homes have a design appeal that most townhomes just can't muster, the neighbors are great (I met five of them on Thursday), and the…

25 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post