Tara O'Brien's Minneapolis Real Estate Update

Edina Realty and Tara OBrien have this great bungalow with all the original character for sale. We have just reduced the price by $10,000 to secure a quick sale. Updated kitchen, hardwood floors, 4 huge bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, room to grow in the basement. There is a workshop for the craftsman, tons of storage and two blocks off the parkway in the Camden Neighborhood. A must see at this new $130,000 price. Call today for a showing.
MinneapolisCondosTaraOBrien

Labels: homes for sale in minneapolis, minneapolis homes for sale., Minneapolis Neighborhoods

Updated and clean home coming soon in Howe neighborhood of Longfellow, Minneapolis. 3BD, 2BA, corner lot charmer. Character fills this one and a half story bungalow. Loads of storage, finished basement, great yard, open floor plan, hardwood floors, coved ceilings, skylights, huge front porch, walk-in closets and more. 1/2 blk to the River View Theater. Click the link to see a photo of this home on the market soon. Call if you wish to see it sooner and beat the crowd. Priced to sell under $200,000.

New Listing Here

MinneapolisCondosTaraOBrien

Labels: homes for sale in minneapolis, minneapolis homes for sale., Minneapolis Neighborhoods, minneapolis real estate, powderhorn minneapolis

Edina Realty and Tara O'Brien present this beautiful, updated townhome in Linden Hills. Open floor plan with soaring vaults and great room with wood burning fireplace. New kitchen includes granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, custom lights and more. New carpet throughout home, new laminate flooring. Rare 3 bedroom unit with 2 bathrooms and a 2 car garage. Walk to downtown Linden hills, parks and 2 lakes.
MinneapolisCondosTaraOBrien

Labels: linden hills, minneapolis homes for sale., Minneapolis Neighborhoods, minneapolis real estate, townhomes for sale

For the week ending January 29, 2011, purchase activity in the Twin Cities 13-county metro registered 2.0 percent below the same week in 2010. That marked the smallest decline in buyer activity in two months. Pending Sales in the first half of 2011 will struggle to match the high marks set during last year's tax credit but should parallel 2009 levels.
Seller activity has mimicked last year's levels thus far, only about 300 units slimmer. A total of 1,317 New Listings entered the market for the week, 16.9 percent fewer than the same week last year.
Active Listings for Sale increased a modest 1.8 percent from last year. Current inventory levels have remained fairly static over the past five weeks.

MinneapolisCondosTaraOBrien

Labels: minneapolis condos, minneapolis market, Minneapolis Neighborhoods, minneapolis real estate

Twin Cities home buyers and sellers both showed week-over-week increases coupled with year-over-year declines. The 1,490 New Listings were up over 120.0 percent from the previous week but down 10.7 percent from the previous year. The 475 Pending Sales were up over 70.0 percent from the previous week but down 8.7 percent from the previous year.
Moral of the story? The market has embarked on its typical new year's ascent as we begin our long drive toward spring. We likely won't match 2010 levels until the summer months – when we're finally comparing two nonincentive markets on a level playing field.
Inventory was the metric to watch for the week, as the number of active listings for sale snuck in only 7.2 percent above year-ago levels. That's the smallest inventory increase since the first full week in August 2010. As of January 18, there were 21,687 homes available for purchase. While that's plenty of product for buyers to sift through, sellers will have to ensure that their properties show well and are
priced aggressively. -from MplsRealtor.com

MinneapolisCondosTaraOBrien

Labels: homes for sale in minneapolis, minneapolis condos, minneapolis homes for sale., minneapolis market, Minneapolis Neighborhoods, minneapolis real estate, minneapolis realtors

This large home is located just blocks from coffee shops and stores. Walk to the bus stop which is steps away. Home has been completely renvoated, all four levels. Room for large family or roommates. Great character in the woodwork that is original and in great shape. Hardwood floors, new kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, breakfast nook, tile floors and new light fixtures. Home has all new carpet, finished basement and attic and new 2+ car garage. A must see at this great price, $170,000. Call today for an appointment to see.

Tara O'Brien, Realtor
MinneapolisCondosTaraOBrien

Labels: minneapolis market, Minneapolis Neighborhoods, minneapolis real estate, minnesota real estate, powderhorn minneapolis, powderhorn park home for sale

Beautiful condo overlooking the pool and courtyard. Completely updated throughout. Kitchen has granite countertops, new cabinets, stainless steel appliances, undermount sink, new fixtures. Condo has all new carpet, custom paint, slate flooring, open floor plan. Bathroom has slate tile shower, new cabinetry, new sink, updated light fixture and more. This is a must see condo central to everything. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, parking is additional. $124,900.

This unit can also be rented for $1150 per month.


MinneapolisCondosTaraOBrien

Tara O'Brien, Edina Realty
612-810-7728

Labels: condo for sale, minneapolis condos, minneapolis market, Minneapolis Neighborhoods, minneapolis real estate, minneapolis realtors, minnesota real estate, the towers condo

Open House this Sat. Nov. 20 2010

Labels: home for sale, homes for sale., minneapolis market, Minneapolis Neighborhoods, minneapolis real estate, minneapolis realtors

The spring market is heating up as the federal tax credit deadline draws near. The Twin Cities housing market saw some resurgence in several metrics for the week ending March 13.

Pending sales were where the real action was. The magical "1,000" barrier was finally broken for the first time this spring with 1,027 purchase agreements signed for the week. This was an improvement in the year-over-year figures by 18.0 percent. The 2,110 new listings were slightly down from the previous week's high, but they still outpaced 2009 numbers at this time by 17.9 percent.
The number of active listings slowly continues its upward mobility. There were 24,524 homes available on the market for the week ending March 22. This is still below last year, but as the graph on page 4 shows, active listings are getting closer and closer to where they were during the spring of 2009.
From mplsrealtor.com

Labels: minneapolis condos, minneapolis market, Minneapolis Neighborhoods, minnesota real estate

Look here for condo buildings in the Nicollet Island East Bank areas. Call today to take advantage of the 2010 Tax Credit. You can still get in on the great values and I can show you how.

Condos in East Bank and Nicollet Island

Uptown, Warehouse District, 710 Lofts, Washburn, Stone Arch, North Star Lofts, Whitney, Zenith, Bridgewater, Cobalt, Carlyle, Falls Pinnacle, Flour Sack Flats, Phoenix on the River, Larive, River West, St Anthony, Grant Park, Eat Street Flats, 720 lofts, Bookman Stacks, Skyscape, Bridgewater, Zenith, Itasca, IMS Lofts, Chicago Lofts, Edgewater, Lumen on Lagoon, Tower Lofts, Harvester Lofts, 730 Lofts, North Star Lofts, Whitney Lofts, Stone Arch Lofts, Washburn Lofts, Bridgewater, 5th Ave Lofts, Rock Island Lofts, Condo, Loft, Mill District, North Loop, Warehouse District, Elliot Park, Loring Park, St Anthony Main, Northeast, River, City, Downtown, Minneapolis, The Claridge, East River Mews, M Flats, U Flats, 1300 on the Park, Condos on Blaisdell, Condos at Lake Harriet, Arches at Arts Row House, The Greenhouse Condos, CityView Condos, Uptown Condos, Cheslakee Parkview Condos, Bremer Way, Harriet Hills Condos, Lake Nokomis North, The Historic Bremer, 2615 Park Ave, 2532 1st Ave, Aldrich Square Condos, LakeWest condos, University Flats, Marwood Condos, Standish Green, Calhoun Gardens, 3310 Nicollet Condos, West Lake Harriet Condos, Minnehaha Square, Dupont Plaza, Harriet Place Condos, In Town on Lake, 1225 LaSalle, Portico, The Bellevue, The Groveland, The Kenosha, The Wellington, Lumen on Lagoon, Midtown Lofts, The Edgewater, Calhoun Isles, Calhoun Place, Excelsior and Grand, Lake Harriet Condos, Lake Point, Loop Calhoun, 1926 Pleasant, 3rd Avenue Place Phase I, 3rd Avenue Place Phase II, 2626 West Lake, Calhoun Ambassador, Track 29, The Zenith, Greenway Townhomes, Durkee Atwood Lofts, Dartmouth Place Townhomes, River Park Townhomes, Rivermill Townhomes Southeast, Rivertower, St Paul Condos, University Place, Whitney Square, 3310 Nicollet, 3636 Grand, 42nd Street Lofts, 4309 Bryant, 46th & 46th, East Harriet Flats, Arthur Place, Arts Quarters Lofts, Bloomington Central Station, Brookside Lofts, Cedar 28, Corridor Flats, Eat Street Flats, Franklin Lofts, Greenleaf Lofts, Lofts on Arts Avenue, Market Place Lofts, Minnehaha Place, Olin Crossings, Steele Flats, The Chicago Lofts, Cloud Nine Sky Lofts, Le Parisien Flats, Franklin Hill Condos, Garfield Gables, 3120 Hennepin Ave, Mill District, North Loop, Twins ballpark, St Anthony Condos, Park Square, Chicago Lofts, Lake Nokomis South, Loop Calhoun, Edgewater, The W Condominiums, Westmarke Condominiums, West One Condominiums, Phoenix on Third, Brownstones of River Run, The Claridge, East River Mews, M Flats, U Flats, short sale, bank owned, foreclosure, rent, lease

Labels: minneapolis condos, minneapolis market, Minneapolis Neighborhoods, minnesota real estate

Once again, the big story in this week's activity report is the huge upswing in pending sales activity relative to one year ago. For the week ending August 23, there were 818 pending sales, an increase of 26.8 percent from the same week in 2007. Over the last three weeks, we have now posted 545 more pending sales than over the same three weeks last year.

Part of this year's increase is due to legitimate increases in demand brought about by attractive prices, still-healthy mortgage rates and a "last call" flurry of consumers utilizing FHA's seller-funded downpayment assistance program before it is discontinued on October 1. The other reason for the year-over-year surge is the Valley Fair-esque downward dive that activity took last year at this time amidst the initial media frenzy surrounding the now-infamous "credit crunch."

The supply of homes for sale continues to decrease, now down 7.7 percent from last year. For September, our Supply-Demand Ratio is 9.29, which means there are 9.29 homes for sale for each buyer in the market. This is a hearty 24.2 percent decline from last September and is due to the falling supply and rising demand.

Check out all listings at:

www.minneapoliscondostaraobrien.com

Labels: foreclosure, homes for sale in shakopee, market update, minneapolis condos, minneapolis market, Minneapolis Neighborhoods, minnesota real estate, real estate sales, short sale

THINGS YOU'LL NEED AFTER BUYING A HOME

You may be planning to scrimp and sacrifice to save enough for a down payment on a home, but don't forget to save for the items and services you'll need to purchase after you've signed on the dotted line...

Change your locks: Even with a brand new construction home, it's safest to change the locks after closing. Find a locksmith in the area you intend to buy and get a quote on lock-changing services.

Check out home security options: Depending on your location, you may want to contract with a home security service. Research security system installation and service fees.

Price lawn equipment: If you’ve never had a garden or lawn before this, you’ll need to purchase a lawn mower and gardening tools. Research top rated lawnmowers and prices at http://www.consumersearch.com/www/lawn_and_garden/lawn-mower-reviews/

Plan for snow removal: Depending on the time of year and your location, you may need to purchase snow removal equipment. This can range anywhere from a basic snow shovel to a snow blower. Research top rated snow blowers and prices at http://www.consumersearch.com/www/lawn_and_garden/snow-blowers.

Build your tool kit: Every homeowner needs a tool box and basic tools for small home maintenance projects. You can purchase the box and tools separately or all at once as a complete kit. Visit your local hardware store and note the prices of what you will need.

Make sure you have the basics: Obviously you'll need to stock your pantry and refrigerator after you move in. But some household items would be handy to have with you on moving day. Purchase these items and move them in with you:

Toilet paper
Paper towels
Hand soap
Floor cleaner
Kitchen/bathroom cleaner
Sponges and rags
Duster
Light Bulbs
Glass cleaner
Garbage bags
Disinfectant
Bleach
Note pad and pens
Batteries
First aid kit

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

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

Beautiful custom loft in the North Loop.

2 bedrooms plus den, 2 full baths, 2137 finished square feet. Fitness center, great location, rooftop deck.

You wont find another loft like this. This is as custom as they get. Larger room sizes, custom millwork, doors, and lighting. $90K in upgrades done after closing. Upgraded custom bathrooms and California Closets. Every available kitchen upgrade including stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, cabinetry, custom built pantry, book case, hardware and more. Hand woven blinds and upgraded carpet.

Priced to sell at $549,900. This is less than the seller paid in 2005 when built.

www.minneapoliscondostaraobrien.com

Labels: condos and lofts, minneapolis condos, Minneapolis Neighborhoods

This weekend marks the end of the first quarter of 2008. To compare accurately this year’s real estate stats to last year, we’ll wait until next week for the numbers - before then, here’s the anecdotal analysis:

It seems many buyers are catching on to the idea that the buyer’s market we’ve been talking about for a year is actually a good time to buy a new home. They are out in force, as evidenced by more scheduled showing appointments this year than last.

Unfortunately for sellers, the bitter cold kept many of those buyers from taking action. The weather in January and February kept sold numbers down - but a pent up demand has surged in March.

When the weather is sunny and (relatively) warm, we see more showing appointments and more traffic is condo sales centers - the result is more contracts.

The pace of things seems a bit slower than last year, but not much. Offers seem to be lower than last year, and constantly changing lending rules are adding a new degree of complexity to the process.

That being said, March has been busy with buyers buying and sellers trying their best to hang on to value.

Today’s savvy buyer is weighing current economic uncertainty against mortgage rates that are bound to rise this year and home values which are bound to start rising sometime in the coming months.

Labels: minneapolis condos, minneapolis market, Minneapolis Neighborhoods, purchasing condos

Southwest Minneapolis Real Estate & Homes for Sale in Minnesota

The community of Southwest Minneapolis is made up of 22 neighborhoods loosely bordered to the north by interstate 394 and to the east by 35W. Included in this municipality are the communities of Armatage, Bryn Mawr, Carag, Cedar-Isles-Dean, East Calhoun, East Harriet, East Isles, Echo, Fulton, Kenny, Kenwood Isles, Kingfield, Linden Hills, Lowry Hill, Lowry Hill East, Lyndale, Lynnhurst, Stevens, Tangletown, West Calhoun, Whittier and Windom. At the heart of this residential area are four of Minneapolis’ 22 lakes, Lake Calhoun, Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles and Lake Harriet. In addition, the community is home to several of the metro area’s 150 parks including Kenwood Park, Lyndale Park, and William Berry Park. Many neighborhoods have their own management associations. With nearly 390,000 residents, Minneapolis and its surrounding cities make up the 14th largest metropolitan area in the country. The community and its various neighborhoods are rich in arts and culture, real history and diversity and natural beauty. Minneapolis real estate options consist of single-family detached homes for sale, estate properties, condominiums and townhouses.

Minneapolis real estate for sale is diverse. The neighborhoods that make up the southwest area are typically located in beautifully wooded areas with large lots. The average single-family home in the area is 65 to 80 years old. Small bungalows range in price from $160,000 - $280,000. Most have updated utilities, a porch or deck, and basement. Larger homes for sale of the same era on bigger lots are available from the mid-$200,000s - $900,000+. Many are within walking distance of a lake or creek. Real estate with waterfront locations or lake views are available from $1 million - $3.5 million+, including a few estate homes built in the 1990s. Condominium and townhouse real estate built in the 1970s and ‘80s are available from $100,000+. Some of these units include a basement and separate dining room. Larger units built from the 1920s to ‘40s can be found up to $350,000.

Labels: Minneapolis Neighborhoods