Twin Cities Real Estate

More Than Enough

I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota and have more than enough good things happening to me here than you could imagine. We stole one month from winter with November being in the 50's and sunny most days.  Those of you who think I live in the tundra and life is snowy and cold, wrong.  We have four great seasons each with its own reason for longing for it. Our colorful fall is over and now we need the blanket of snow to cover our plants and provide warm to animals that bed in snow.  We play in snow, sled in it, ride snow mobiles, ski down hills, and over lakes, and remain healthy because we get out and play in the winter.

 

The fertile soil of central and southern Minnesota brings a bounty of food for us here and around the world.  We are the leading state for raising turkeys.  Think of that when you start carving tomorrow.  Apples are the best when they are grown here and arrive in a timely manner at our stores.  We are generous with our food.  Tomorrow my family and I will be in Minneapolis serving Thanksgiving to those who do not have a home to go to.  Many such meals will be served tomorrow in the Twin Cities to those in need.  We care and show it.

 

There is more than enough and I believe we are starting to learn that.  I hope we learn to push back and not always grab for so much.  We need to be thankful not greedy.  Get this, our Thanksgiving meals would have the same calories as the meal that was eaten in 1950.  The problem is our plates have gotten bigger, we fill that plate up and eat more, and thus our bellies have gotten bigger. 

 

So---I will be thankful I just won't keep asking and taking so much.

It's Not My Fault

It is not my fault that my outside Christmas lights got hung this past Sunday and Monday.  The temps were in the balmy 50's and I just had to hang them.  It was pressure I got from the above meteorologists.  These are the top professionals in Minneapolis telling us what weather conditions will be.  They kept reporting that after Monday Minneapolis would see a change in temps.  The temps would be more normal and perhaps on Weds a chance of snow. Someone

 like me who hangs hundreds of lights tries to beat those cold temps and snow to hang lights in.

 

I don't think we hang them just to say Merry Christmas, I feel we hang them because by 4:30 PM it is dark in Minneapolis.  I think it is our way in Minnesota to keep darkness at bay.  Right now my front and back yards look like a wonderland of lights.  I would never win any of those awards for Christmas decorations that they give out in the Twin Cities.  My yard is too simple and one theme for that.  To get those awards you need to string lights on anything you own and throw it in the front yard.

 

I did get some boxes of the new energy efficient lights.  Twin Cities I am doing my job to save the planet!  Here is my take. Since once you use them, you roll them in a ball and throw them in a box and then  next year untangle them. why do they originally package them in a manner that only an engineer could figure out how to get them out?  I spent more time in almost darkness trying to locate those little twisters.  They can't be healthy for the planet.  The job is now done and I am helping Southwest Minneapolis glow with warmth.

Buy Your First Home in Stylish St. Louis Park

Yes, buy in "The Park".  The village was first settled in 1883 and really grew to be the suburb of today in the 50's and 60's.  People nationally know about St. Louis Park from the Cohen Brothers.  In their latest film" The Serious Man" they feature the community.  You will see what the town looked like in the 60's.

 

Erase those pictures from your mind.  The place has had a face lift and feature two "hot" places to hang out.  First go to Excelsior on Grand and enjoy the shops, places to eat, and the new housing in this community.  It is a short commute to downtown from this area, and you can get on highway 100 and go anywhere in the Twin Cities.  Enjoy of the fun of Lake Calhoun that is a bike ride away.  If you like comfort food and a fun setting, get yourself to McCoy's and order their meat loaf.  It has a fun bar to meet people at.

 

The Shops at West End near I-394 and Highway 100 are just opening.  Crave restaurant has an electric menu ranging from sushi to pasta to burgers.  Their artful light fixtures and glass-enclosed wine rooms along with the welcoming bar will want you to come on in and stay.  The area has Home Depot, Costco, a movie theater with wine bar, and new Rainbow Food Store, and so much more.  This ain't the old neighborhood you might have known.

 

I have a new listing at 2836 Colorado in "The Park" which is a great opportunity for you to live in all this excitement.  This is a sweet first home with hardwood floors, a true dining room with buffet, and a walk out lower level to a porch.  This purchase will fall into the rebate tax credit plans that make it so nice.

 

Yes, you will want to check out what is happening in "The Park."

Sister Kenny

The History Theatre in St. Paul, which is worth the trip alone, will have a production, "Sister Kenny's Children" running January 23rd  through February 14.  This has a local connection as there is a great neighborhood in Southwest Minneapolis named the Kenny neighborhood after Sister Kenny.

 

Elizabeth Kenny was born in Australia in 1880 and was a self taught woman.  She broke her wrist riding a horse and while in the doctor's office studied his anatomy books and the model skeleton.  She remain connected with the doctor and he helped her learn much of what she knew about medicine.  She got some basic training in nursing from a midwife and then went on to help people living in the Bush.  Her theory was to treat the systems as they presented themselves.  She applied hot compress and weights to legs to help them from becoming paralyzed. 

 

In 1940, after becoming well know in Australia for treating people with polio, Elizabeth Kenny and her adopted daughter, Mary, came to Minneapolis to demonstrate her treatments.  For 11 years she used this as  her base to treat children who had been affected by polio and teach others how to treat those with infantile paralysis.  It was very controversial as patients with these conditions were typically put in casts, splints or braces.

 

That small clinic she started today is called the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Associates. and is one of the two most famous medical centers for treating people today.  She became a celebrity and met with FDR.  She was beloved by Minneapolis so much that they gave her a house.  Elizabeth Kenny might be gone but the neighborhood, a park, and a school all remain with her name. 

 

So when it is cold and snowy in January/February get out of the house and see this grand production.  http://www.historytheatre.com/shows/2009-2010/sisterkenny.asp.

New Listings in New Hope

It is time to take the $8,000 first time buyers rebate money and buy.  I have two new listings that are ideal for those buyers.

Both are located in New Hope, a suburb close to Minneapolis making the commute so easy.  These houses are in quiet neighborhoods Enjoy that the city is finished with a housing stock that is constantly being updated.  The solid houses of the 1960's stand the test of time.  New Hope has over 200 acres of park and has playgrounds for everyone.  Enjoy a swimming pool, golf course, and major entertainment.  Traffic is not in the city but get around easily using 494, 694, and 169.

 

6041 Quebec is a strong, open floor rambler with updating making it move-in condition.  Stain glass has been created to accent the area separating the living room from the dining room.  Hardwood floors and new carpeting are found throughout the house.  Kitchen has been updated with new appliances, hardwood floors, and the white, clean look of today.  Look out onto the large, fenced yard.  The upstairs is good but go to the lower level to find out what sweetness is.  An egress window brings in daylight and there is room for your man cave.  The lady of the house is not forgotten as there is a room for her to do her hobbies in.

 

6166 Zealand is located in a family neighborhood with school and park so near.  This rambler has been redone with new flooring and paint.  The kitchen has had a facelift and has good space for meal preparation.  Enjoy the glass cabinet for storing dishes in the dining room.  Three bedrooms up with the lower level allowing play space, home office, or the family member that might be staying with you for awhile.  The backyard is ready for your games or the ball throwing with the dog.  New landscaping makes this an attractive curb appeal home.

 

Don't let that money sit in Uncle Sam's pocket.  Come buy and enjoy one of these two houses.  Both are priced under $180,000.

Veteran's Dat

In the United States war has been kept at a distance for many years.  Yes, there have been the terrorist acts, but none of us living today have lived to have soldiers march on our property and take it over.  We have sent our men and women to fight somewhere, and that somewhere always seems so far away.  For that reason, I feel most of us do not truly understand soldiers and what they live through. 

 

The recent Fort Hood shooting has brought before us the fragile life of a soldier.  They have an attitude that amazes me.  They do not show the fear that so many of us feel for them.  A soldier does become a different person once they are trained.  As a civilian I will never sense that attitude, but I certainly appreciate it. 

 

So today on Veteran's Day I honor all those who have served and are serving in the U. S. Military.  It is only fitting that we erect statues to remember them by.  None of us can forget what each of these individuals do for our country.

What's up in Sales

The answer to this question is, shoes.  Especially women are buying shoes.  Women buy shoes to make themselves happy.

It is fun to shop for shoes. It is an emotional purchase.  It is an emotional lift.  Shoes are being purchased not only because they are needed but more importantly because they are needed to make one feel good.

 

What an interesting idea.  Do something because it makes you feel good.  We are so busy selling items based on value or with a coupon, that we have removed the emotional or fun value to it.

 

I have been selling houses for so long that I remember when people bought houses just for fun or because they felt like it.  This was back when appreciation was 3% yearly, so they were not doing it to make lots of money.  It was fun for them to purchase a property and make it their home.  They would then say, "There is nothing left for us to do with this house, so let's move." 

 

I long for the day when buyers once again purchase a property because it makes them happy.  I feel sad when a buyer tells me they will buy the house because it most likely is a good deal.  They are buying a house because it is a good tax credit.  Let your heart drive you and everything else will fall into place.  Let a smile come to your face every time you drive up to the place.  Feel comfortable and happy when you sink into your sofa and veg out.  Buy a house like you buy those shoes, for fun and to feel good.

Don't Forget Thanksgiving

Halloween is over and what is the next holiday?  Thanksgiving, no!  According to what I see in the stores, media, and on the front of houses, the next holiday is Christmas.  I truly walked my dog last night and saw in my neighborhood a house with red, green, and white lights chasing.  I know  it is mild and a nice time to hand lights, but please, please do not turn them on.

 

I watched Monday night football and saw at least 6 ads for Christmas products.  I find this funny.  I question how long it really takes for one to do their shopping.  I can get it done in about two trips.  With so many people giving gift cards these days, how long does it take to select those?  It is all what we are brained washed by the media.  When I lived in Duluth years ago, the Friday after Thanksgiving they had a big parade downtown and Santa arrived by sleigh.  That was the start of the holiday for Christmas.

 

I promise all merchants to buy the same amount of gifts.  I promise to have a wonderful spirit.  I promise to send greeting cards.  I promise to decorate my house.  I will even promise to wear a Christmas pin on my coat.  I just want to wait until after Thanksgiving to start Christmas.

 

Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays.  You get family and friends together, eat and eat comfort food, play a game of touch football, sleep, watch football and end the day by watching the "Miracle on 34th Street" original version.  Don’t forget this important holiday and maybe even work in a word of thanks.

Hop Scotch

I have not thought about hop scotch for years.  As a girl it was something we did on the sidewalk often or at recess.  We all had our "special" marker.  I took our dog for a walk yesterday and came across a chalk drawing of hop scotch.  It brought a smile to my face.  I was happy to see that kids were still doing something that did not require batteries, had no noise or lights flashing, and even had the kids exercising.  They were breathing in clean air and just having fun.

 

I told Spirit, the dog, to watch me and see if I could still hop.  I was able to maneuver the squares and turn around and come back.  I did not attempt to bend down one legged to pick up a rock.  I figured Spirit would not pick me up face down.  I had to laugh at how much I enjoyed my little adventure down my childhood, memory lane.

 

Here's to taking walks with or without our dogs.  Here's to seeing childhood memories.  Here's to shuffling our feet through piles of dry leaves. Here's to taking time to do nothing.  Why do we want to grow-up so fast as kids, when it is so hard to turn back the clock of time?

Raging Fans

I was a pretty neutral Brett Favre person when last summer there was talk of him coming to the Minnesota Vikings. I knew he had been an excellent quarterback but that was in Wisconsin and not here.  I was frustrated by his on and off again attitude.  That was until Sunday.  It was not so much the plays Brett made but his attitude.  I swore I saw the face of an eight year old  in the mask of Brett Favre.  He was just like a kid out there playing ball and making plays.  I did not feel Brett was playing for the Vikings or against Green Bay, he was playing with his buddies.  The love he has for the game is so genuine.  Now I understand why he was so undecided.

 

Favre is addicted to football.  Like all our addictions, we think we can give them up and then we just can't go without.  Favre thought he could do without the game, but once his body was back in shape he wanted and needed back in.  Minnesota needed him and the team was perfect for him.  The dome stadium was comfortable and the Vikings had some great players for him.  No one can fault Brett .  If you have ever tried to break up with a lover, given up cigarettes, stopped gambling, you know what Brett went through. 

 

Give Minnesota its day.  We are not raging fans that often.  We are known as fair weather fans.