Although we as hardy Minnesotan’s have been mostly sparred by Mother Nature this winter; the notion of a heated driveway could be the next fad in new construction and home renovations. Historically only high-end homes offered heated driveways, however the cost to install and operate a heated driveway has come down and more and more…read more
As the housing market turned a corner in 2013, house flippers contributed to the turn-around. Many investors in the Metro Area were able to purchase foreclosed homes for cents on the dollar, remodel the homes, then bring them back to the market. I recently viewed 8 properties with a client and 7 of the 8…read more
A recent study confirms what I often tell clients; mature trees add curb appeal to a property and can increase a homes sale price. The study found that homes with trees sold for over $7,000 more than other like homes! Not only do trees add curb appeal and can lower your cooling costs in the…read more
Not all home improvements have a positive return-on-investment (ROI). What may be appealing to one buyer can be offensive to another. The following is a list of improvements to avoid: Many people, often working under the assumption that all renovations increase the value of a property, spend thousands of dollars on expensive upgrades, changes and…read more
Today’s link provided 10 ways homeowners can increase the energy efficiecy of thier homes. Although the energy efficiency tax credit expired with the new year, many improvements are worth pursuing as they will save money over the life of the home. In the upper Midwest, most homeowners seek to reduce their heating costs in the…read more
Here in Minnesota, we all know how much our energy bills can fluctuate due to the wide changes in climate. Heating and cooling your home accounts for nearly one-half of your total utility bills over the course of the year. There is still time left to take advantage of the $1,500 tax credit for energy…read more
Just a reminder the Parade of Homes runs through March 28th. Most builders models are open from 12-6pm. This is a great opportunity to tour new home communities throughout the Twin Cities Metro Area. Although the number of models is down substantially from the heyday of the real estate market, there are hundreds of models…read more
