Tara O'Brien's Minneapolis Real Estate Update: July 2008

I’d want someone who wasn’t trying to sell me. Sell me anything so they could make a buck. I’d want to think that they were looking out for my best interest and was really listening to me. How do you develop that kind of trust in a relationship? I would want to know the whole deal, start to finish, be honest with me, don’t tell me stuff just because you think it’s what I want to hear. Educate me. People don’t buy real estate every day. It’s an alien experience for most. Tell me the truth.

In the past, being honest has cost me, but I know that honesty in the long run has paid my bills, and made me more money then its cost me. Plus, I’ve never (touch wood-did I mention I have stupid superstitions from my mom), have I had anybody sueme in 23 years. I hear that’s pretty good.

As a buyer, I’d want to know all, and maybe I wouldn’t know the questions to ask. In other words, I wouldn’t know what I don’t know. Makes sense doesn’t it. I’d like to think I treat everyone that way. No falsehoods, no wasting their time. What concerns me, is that other practitioners don’t do business that way. I think they should. It really messes it up for the rest of us. Again, as a buyer or seller, I want to be told the deal, no holes barred, lay it out. If you decide for whatever reasons this doesn’t work, I’d like to think I am professional enough to say, “just remember me to your friends, and remember also, that I helped you make this informed decision”.

What’s better, happy customer/clients that trust and value your opinion, or being this hard sale real estate agent that brow beats someone into a decision that maybe they will regret. It gives real estate agents a bad name.

I have sold to customer and client’s friends, family, co-workers, and gosh I have been around a while, now their kids, but I feel a sense of pride. I work with my husband, Kevin. A great man, who is the best person I know. I think that’s pretty good after all these years of working and living a life together. I’ve heard him tell people they shouldn’t buy something because it wasn’t right for them. I use to look at him funny when he said something like that. Occasionally I would cringe, remind him of what we do for a living. But guess what…. he’s been doing this longer then me, and he’s right. By my calculations he’s been in this business about 34 years. His entire adult career.


The gist of what I have to say, is that if more individuals in our profession, could think of others before their bank account, our profession, would have a whole different rep (my kids word for reputation). In some cases with other agents that I’ve had the unfortunate experience of working with, it has been extremely negative and, oh god, painful and depressing. I feel sorry for the people they are representing.

My personal campaign is to continue to increase the perception of the integrity of our overall industry. We would all benefit. We all spend mucho time, money, educational pursuits, etc. to stay alive and thrive in our careers. We deal with people who are making the single biggest investment of their lives. Don’t they deserve the best of the best? Absolutely.

I have some solutions, o.k. maybe not all the answers, but some of them. Increase the c.e. requirements. Charge usmore to stay in business. Probably not a very popular opinion. What other profession, can you get into with little or noinvestment? You don’t need to buy or lease an office, hire staff, office equipment, purchase inventory and more. You take a class, sit for a test, come out with a license and “voila” you hold yourself out as a “real estate professional”……pleeeease……… some of these agents are retired from other careers and they profess to know more about assisting a buyer or seller then I do about performing a root canal. Let’s raise the bar. Get the dead wood out and be the experts we profess we be.

Enough of my opinions. But I think they are very valid opinions. Let’s weed out the garbage.

Who do I think I am, just someone who thinks people should be treated fairly.

Monica – Ocean City, Maryland

Labels: condos and lofts, minneapolis condos, minneapolis market, Minneapolis Neighborhoods, real estate sales, urban living

The thought of a brand new home can be a very attractive proposition. You’re the first person to ever live in it, you’ll be able to pick colors and styles of your own (at least to a certain extent), and your neighbors are all brand new to the area so you can start new traditions together...

The question on some buyer’s minds, however, is exactly how you go about purchasing a new home.

Start off by talking to your Realtor about representing you as a Buyer’s Agent. While the builder may pressure you to use their representative, remember that they’re working for the builder while your own Buyer’s Agent is working for you and has a fiduciary responsibility to you. A responsible Buyer’s Agent discusses the pros and cons with you as well as keeping your confidences just that: in confidence. Note also that it’s best to take the Buyer’s Agent with you the very first time you visit the new development. Some have difficult rules that require you to show up with your agent from the first visit.

A new home builder may also pressure you to use their on-site or partnership financing. It’s likely, however, that your own bank or mortgage broker can get you even better rates because they’re looking at a variety of lenders and options rather than just one.

Your Realtor also likely has experience with the development in which you are interested and will know of their reputation. For instance, your Realtor may be aware of any previous or current lawsuits the in which the builder may be engaged.

Your Realtor can also find out whether or not the builder sells consistently to investors or if most home units are required to be owner occupied. It has been surmised that much of the turmoil in our current real estate market was due to investment in real estate by speculators who bailed on their properties as soon as they saw trouble - leaving the average home owner to bear much of the pain in terms of depressed home values and ever-tightening lender restrictions. For this and other reasons, a neighborhood of owner occupied homes may be a better choice.

Your Realtor can also recommend a qualified, professional home inspector. Yes, even new homes need an inspection! Home builders sometimes make mistakes, and an inspector can spot mistakes the average home owner wouldn’t notice until it’s too late - such as plumbing or HVAC issues.

Finally, keep in mind that ultimately your real estate and mortgage professionals have an interest in developing and maintaining a long term relationship with you, and always appreciate your referrals. This certainly gives them more incentive to work in your best interests - rather than a builder’s agent who may see you as a one-time deal.

Minneapolis Named 19th Most Livable City in the World.
British magazine Monocle cited the city's culture, diversity, and environmentalism on its annual list.
June 2008 | by Melissa Loth



British magazine Monocle has named Minneapolis the 19th most livable city in the world—and it's one of just two American cities to make the annual top 20 list.

Monocle, which covers global politics and current affairs, lists the world’s most livable cities in each July/August issue.

The magazine credits Minneapolis’ ranking to the city’s thriving arts, cultural institutions, festivals, diversity, and rising culinary reputation.

In order to determine the top 20 cities, Monocle editors evaluated 50 cities on criteria like environmental initiatives and the cities’ cultural footprint.

With its 80 green rooftops and 90 percent household recycling rate, Minneapolis received high marks for environmentalism. The city was also recognized for its wireless broadband network, which benefits businesses, residents, and visitors.

Monocle also noted that Minneapolis is more diverse than most outsiders think and that participation in block clubs and other neighborhood groups is high.

Copenhagen, Munich, and Tokyo ranked as the top three cities, respectively, while Honolulu—the only other American city to make the list—ranked 12th. Last year, Honolulu was the only American city to make the list, coming at No. 9.