Check out this article from Houzz.com.  It's got some great decor ideas.  For yourself or a gift.
10 Beautiful Decor Gifts to Make on the Cheap

Here's today's report from Mpls Area Association of Realtors.  Inventory levels remain low with only a 3.6 month supply on the market.    It will most likely stay that way thru the end of the year.  While there won't be many buyers out there during December, the ones out there will be "Ready, Willing, & Able". 

As the end of the year approaches, market futurists will either put on their overly cheery, poinsettia-colored glasses or turn into a bunch of dreary Nostradamus Nellys. The wise analyst will tune out extremes and embrace seasonally appropriate slowdowns as a sign of normal market activity while looking with anticipation to what will likely be continued moderate recovery in 2014. Watch for light gains in inventory, quieter pending sales activity and more sedate market times.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 23:
• New Listings increased 46.6% to 893
• Pending Sales increased 42.8% to 841
• Inventory decreased 3.6% to 15,008

For the month of October:
• Median Sales Price increased 11.4% to $194,900
• Days on Market decreased 27.2% to 75
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.4% to 95.8%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 10.0% to 3.6

Mpls Area Association of Realtors Latest

Here's the latest from Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors. Inventory is still low.  If you 're thinking of selling, let me know.    Holiday decorations have debuted in department stores across the nation (really?), and their mere presence just might affect housing activity for those prone to a good winter hunker. Comparisons to year-ago levels will show improvement and recovery, even as general activity will likely slow through the rest of 2013. With rates seemingly in a continuous go-low zone, the thrifty buyer and willing seller will still meet for transactional tea.    In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 26: • New Listings increased 16.4% to 1,209 • Pending Sales increased 10.4% to 974 • Inventory decreased 3.1% to 16,211 For the month of September: • Median Sales Price increased 11.7% to $195,000 • Days on Market decreased 29.7% to 71 • % of Original List Price Received increased 1.7% to 96.4% • Months Supply of Inventory decreased 14.0% to 3.7

Mpls Area Association of Realtors Weekly Market Activity Report

Here's the latest from the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.  The market is recovering, however, let's hope the Shut Down doesn't go on for too long.
Higher interest rates, rising prices and a budget standoff in Washington haven't shaken consumer sentiment regarding housing.  Buyers continue to rifle through existing inventory for options, keeping an eye out for new listings. A sense of normalcy is returning to the real estate ethos after more than a decade of extreme ups and downs. It’s a big week for economic and housing news, so keep your eyes and ears tuned for any changing headlines.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending September 21:
• New Listings increased 13.3% to 1,469
• Pending Sales decreased 5.5% to 970
• Inventory decreased 6.8% to 16,249

For the month of August:

• Median Sales Price increased 16.9% to $207,900
• Days on Market decreased 34.0% to 70
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.0% to 97.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 18.2% to 3.6

The foreclosure crisis reaches a silent end | 2013-09-13 | HousingWire

Here's an article stating what I have been seeing for the past 6 months or so.  While I don't know that the Foreclosure crisis is over, I have found that the sellers that I have been dealing with aren't upside down in their mortgages.  Even as late as 2012, I was having discussions with potential sellers on what their options were if they were upside down in their mortgage;  Come to Closing with $$$, Shortsale, or Foreclose.  I am delighted to report that I am not having those conversations in 2013.  Let's hope the trend continues.

The foreclosure crisis reaches a silent end | 2013-09-13 | HousingWire

Here's the latest from Mpls Area Association of Realtors.  They predict that the market will remain stable.  I concur, barring no major negative economic news.  Inventory levels look good & my listings are Selling, Selling, Selling.  If you are remotely thinking about selling, now may be the time.  Give me a call & I will do a market for your home to see where things are at in your neighborhood.

Most economists expect the housing recovery to continue, even with rising mortgage rates.  New household formations & tight supply should keep bolstering markets & shield homeowners from downside price risk.  Price gains should inspire sellers to add new inventory to the market.  Although inventory & other metrics will begin to taper from seasonal highs, they are likely to remain above last year's levels.


In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending August 24:

• New Listings increased 15.7% to 1,485

• Pending Sales increased 17.8% to 1,144

• Inventory decreased 9.2% to 16,180

Check out this cool house that won the Remodeling Design Award 2013.  It's in San Francisco, but there are elements that could work great with smaller homes. Check it out.

Remodeler's Magazine; Remodeling Design Award 2013

Here's an interesting solution to a small space.  This was posted in Builder; Pantry Raid @ BuilderOnline.com.  Check it out.

 

Pantry Raid 

Sliding doors disguise kitchen storage.

By

Rachel Barron

 

Credit: Anice Hoachlander/HDPhoto

Contemporary Kitchen Renovation, Washington, D.C.

ArchitectBarnes Vanze Architects, Washington

Builder Artwork, Washington

 

With more and more clients requesting walk-in pantries, builders are forced to make them work in homes of all sizes. (According to the NAHB, at least 84 percent of all buyers consider a walk-in pantry essential or at least desirable.) In this clean, contemporary kitchen, builder Charlie Sleichter had to get creative because the powder room on the adjoining wall prevented building a bigger storage space.
This compact kitchen serves as an entertaining hub, so finding pantry doors that wouldn’t take up extra space posed yet another challenge. A barn door, rather than a hinged one, was just the thing, says architect Ankie Barnes. What’s more, these asymmetrical sliding doors work some sleight of hand, tricking the eyes into perceiving the pantry as centered on the wall. The storage space and its entry are actually positioned slightly to the right to accommodate the powder room plumbing.
Birch plywood with a clear varnish is hardy, looks fresh, and is easy on the wallet, says Barnes. Most important, sliding doors of birch plywood can handle frequent use. Their stainless steel rolling hardware is exposed and ends up being both functional and ornamental. The absence of pulls is intentional, Barnes says, because they would have upset the optical illusion. Design doesn't hinder function, however, as the doors open and close just fine with a push or a pull.

 

 

 

The Dog Days of Summer may be here, but the news continues to be GREAT for the housing market.  Love the increase of Median Sales Price, up 17.5% - WOW.  As for what I'm seeing, I have a couple more listings coming on the market & expect them to pop relatively quickly.  If inventory is priced right & in decent condition, IT WILL SELL (kind of "Field of Dreams"ish - build it & they will come). 

Here's Mpls Area Association of Realtors latest report.

 

Weekly Market Activity Report

Nationwide, local markets have become stable enough to withstand mortgage rate increases.  Improving job & other economic sectors have fortified real, organic housing growth.  Bargain-basement deals have given way to multiple offers, stiff bidding wars and lickety-split days on market.  Inventory may still be thin, but traditional home sellers are stepping up to the plate with new listings.  It won't be long now until the housing recovery is once again referred to as just housing.

 

For the month of June:

• Median Sales Price increased 17.5% to $210,000

• Days on Market decreased 34.5% to 74

• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.5% to 97.5%

• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 25.0% to 3.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well summer is in full swing & I realize that it's been awhile since I posted anything.  I was crazy busy in June - now business is manageable again.  I ran across this article that has the top Retirement cities listed.  Thought you might find it of interest.

Seven Florida cities are among the top-ranked retirement hot spots for real estate investing, according to a new report by Realty Trac. The rankings were determined based on the annual percent change in home prices as of May 2013. Dunnellon, Fla., was the top ranked city on the list, where 38 percent of the population is retirement age or older, and home prices jumped more than 31 percent over the past 12 months. Other Florida cities on the retirement list include, Naples, North Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, Sun city Center, Venice and Orange City.  Two cities each from Arizona and California also made the list as well as locations in Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Oregon and New York.
The report also finds that 40 cities nationwide had at least one-third of its population over the age of 65. Among those 40 cities, 25 posted annual increases in median home prices, and 27 had a positive capitalization rate, which indicates that rentals in those markets generate positive cash flows.
CRS Connect Blog   By Regina Ludes, Monday, 8 July 2013 - 10:43am

Here's an article posted yesterday to the CRS Connect Blog (Certified Residential Specialist).  More good news.  Home prices up 7.3% in 2012 & expected to continue to rise.

U.S. home prices rose 7.3 percent in 2012, the strongest rate of appreciation in seven years, according to the latest Core Logic Case-Shiller Home Price Index. Home prices will continue to grow in 2013 but at a decelerated rate of 2.5 percent. Through the fourth quarter of 2017, home prices are projected to increase an average of 3.9 percent per year every year.
The largest year-over-year price gains were recorded in some of the metro areas that were most affected by the housing bubble, including Phoenix where prices rose 23.8 percent in 2012, Miami which increased 14 percent and Las Vegas at 13 percent. In addition, price declines moderated in locations with lagging recoveries, such as Long Island where prices fell 4 percent and Virginia Beach, Va., where prices fell 2 percent.

By Regina Ludes, Monday, 20 May 2013 - 10:28am

The latest report from Mpls Area Association of Realtors.  Months supply of inventory is quite low at 3.2 months.  At the height, we had approximately an 11 month supply.  Supply is low, Demand is Up & if you remember from Econ 101, that means it is a Seller's Market.

 

You’re busy – planes to catch, open homes to see and little league games to coach. But in less time than it takes to lint roll a favorite set of slacks, you can catch up on the most up-to-date and local housing market trends. Don’t clutter your brain with big data that has muddled together home sales from across the county. Get ahead of the curve by zeroing in on your region’s market and nothing else.   Read on for the good stuff. In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 11: • New Listings increased 25.1% to 1,858 • Pending Sales increased 16.2% to 1,305 • Inventory decreased 27.5% to 13,556  For the month of April: • Median Sales Price increased 12.0% to $182,000 • Days on Market decreased 28.1% to 97 • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.7% to 95.9% • Months Supply of Inventory decreased 36.0% to 3.2

More good news on the Real Estate front.  This is an article that appeared on CRS Connect Blog, which is Certified Residential Specialist, a professional network of successful real estate agents that I am a member of.

Metro area home prices continued to climb in the first quarter of 2013, with the best year-over-year gain in more than seven years, according to the latest quarterly report by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. The national median price of an existing single-family home was $176,600 in the first quarter, up 11.3 percent from $158,600 in the first quarter of 2012. The median existing home price rose in 133 of the 150 metro areas surveyed, while 17 areas had price declines. Some of the previously hard-hit markets, like Phoenix, Sacramento and Miami, continue to experience a dramatic turnaround, while markets like Atlanta, Seattle and Minneapolis are beginning to show improvement.
Total existing-home sales edged up 0.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.94 million in the first quarter from 4.90 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, and they were 9.8 percent above the 4.50 million homes sold during the first quarter of 2012. An estimated 1.93 million existing homes were available for sale at the end of the first quarter, 16.8 percent below the close of the first quarter of 2012, when 2.32 million homes were on the market. Distressed sales accounted for 23 percent of all first-quarter sales, down from 32 percent a year ago, and they generally sold at a 20-percent discount.
Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast rose 4.4 percent in the first quarter and were 9.1 percent above the first quarter of 2012. The median sales price of an existing home in the Northeast rose 2.9 percent to $234,000 in the first quarter.
In the Midwest, existing-home sales increased 1.2 percent in the first quarter and were 15.0 percent higher than a year ago. The median sale price of an existing home in the Midwest was $135,100, an increase of 8.2 percent from the first quarter of 2012.
In the South, existing-home sales edged up 0.7 percent in the first quarter and were 13.3 percent higher than a year ago. The median sale price of an existing home in the South was $156,800 in the first quarter, up 9.3 percent from a year earlier.
Existing-home sales in the West slipped 1.1 percent in the first quarter but were 0.6 percent higher than a year ago. The median sale price of an existing home in the West jumped 24.4 percent to $247,800 compared to the first quarter of 2012.

By Regina Ludes, Friday, 10 May 2013 - 8:00am

The supply is still dwindling.  It's a Great time to sell.  Here's Mpls Area Association of Realtors latest update.

Less supply, more demand and rising prices are being seen in residential markets across the nation.  Although grumpy cats using national data sometimes grouse about the housing recovery's fragility, housing trends have remained positive for well over a year now, and the road ahead looks bright with better lending standards in place.  Ominous headlines may benefit advertisers & search engine optimization, but local consumers informed of local situations are in a better position to leverage the market.

 

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending April 20:

• New Listings decreased 4.5% to 1,601

• Pending Sales increased 9.7% to 1,337

• Inventory decreased 28.4% to 13,258

Here's the latest scoop from the Mpls Area Association of Realtors.  Despite the weather, there is some good news out there.
 



The unpredictable season of spring is here. Wily snowstorms, thunderous rain and summer-like heat waves strike across the U.S. It's a good thing we can count on at least one thing – a steadily improving housing market. Even the few naysayers left can't ignore the cherry blossom blooms within the market metrics.  So get out your umbrella, sunscreen and snow boots because, no matter the weather, we are watching a burgeoning market take form. With scarf, shorts and galoshes on, let's wade into this week's local housing stats.
 

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending April 6:

• New Listings increased 22.6% to 1,731

• Pending Sales increased 17.1% to 1,158

• Inventory decreased 30.1% to 12,821

 

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 18.0% to $176,840

• Days on Market decreased 24.3% to 109

• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.1% to 95.0%

• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.0% to 3.1

The inventory levels are creeping up a little, but they are still low, especially for a spring market.  Properties are moving fast again, so if you are considering listing, this is the best time to list in probably the last 5 years.  Give me a call. Here's the latest from the Mpls Area Association of Realtors.  Oh, & I thought you might enjoy a little WI greenery from last summer. 

No one knows how accurate that February groundhog is, but by this time of yeareveryone is screaming of cabin fever. The spring market is in full swing, so keep your eyes on the price and your mobile device in hand.  Prepare yourself for seeing even more buyers buying, more sellers selling and lots of attention being given to the need for new inventory.  Will you like what you see?  Well, let's take a look.  Here's the lowdonw on your local market.
 

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 23:

• New Listings increased 2.8% to 1,453

• Pending Sales increased 11.9% to 1,116
• Inventory decreased 29.8% to 12,779

 

More good news.  Check out this Press Release from the Mpls Area Association of Realtors.

Twelve Consecutive Months of Price Gains
Minneapolis, Minnesota (March 12, 2013)
Twin Cities homes sold for a higher median price than during the year prior for the 12th consecutive month. This is a significant milestone demonstrating a real and sustainable recovery. Several patterns continued from 2012: pending purchase activity was up, new and existing supply levels were down, prices were higher and distressed market activity eased.

Continue reading in the following link;  Mpls Realtor; Twelve Consecutive Months of Price Gain

The market is definitely heating up.  3 of my listings sold in the last month - one went into multiple offers.  The key to a successful sale is price & condition.  I have been telling people that I am cautiously optimistic about the real estate market.  Barring no bad economic news, I expect the market to continue on it's recovery.  Inventory in the Metro is way down - it decreased 31% to 12,371. That's unheard of.  If you are on the fence about selling, NOW IS THE TIME!!! 



Weekly Market Update

Here's the latest in good news for the Twin Cities Real Estate Market. The Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors compiled this info for the entire metro area. Inventory levels are Down, Down, Down, which is Great News for Sellers.

You can have data without information,  but you cannot have information without data.  In real estate, numbers aren't just numbers.  Numbers tell consumers how much house they can afford.  Numbers tell agents whether their customers are buying in appreciating or depreciating communities.  Numbers forewarn against bubble inflation.  They also offer insight into which way the pendulum is swinging:  toward buyers or sellers.  Numbers have a calming way of removing uncertainty from decisions.  Let's examine our most recent set of numbers.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending January 26:

• New Listings decreased 4.9% to 1,038
• Pending Sales increased 3.1% to 800
• Inventory decreased 31.4% to 12,245

For the month of December:

• Median Sales Price increased 15.9% to $168,000
• Days on Market decreased 23.4% to 108
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.5% to 93.8%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 40.0% to 3.0

Monthly Skinny: January 2013

Here's the latest "Skinny" from the Mpls Area Association of Realtors with some good news. The least of which, the yearly median sales price increased 11.9% over last year. Take a watch & see how the market is starting it's recovery.

Here's an article from Yahoo.com to help anyone save some green.  Click on the link to check it out.
Refinance Your Mortgage to Save

Here's some excellent news on this Recap of 2012 by Mpls Area Association of Realtors.  Looks like 2013 will start strong

 

2012 Annual Wrap-Up: Real Market Recovery Takes Hold

Minneapolis, Minnesota (January 11, 2013) –Decreased supply, strong demand and higher prices are among the encouraging developments in 2012 that make the case for continued recovery in 2013. Consumer purchase demand increased organically, absent any government incentives. As the active supply of homes for sale fell to 10-year lows, absorption rates improved to levels also not seen since 2003. Multi-decade low interest rates and record housing affordability resulted in a 16.9 percent increase in home sales for the 13-county metro.

2012 by the Numbers
• Sellers listed 65,914 new homes on the market, a modest 4.3 percent decrease from 2011 and a 10-year low.
• Buyers purchased 48,641 homes, up 16.9 percent from 2011 and the highest figure since 2006 (783 units shy).
• Inventory levels dropped 31.8 percent from 2011 to 11,875 units, the lowest level in 10 years.
• Months Supply of Inventory dropped 42.2 percent to 2.9 months.
• The Median Sales Price of closed sales was up, rising 11.9 percent to $167,900.
• Cumulative Days on Market was down 20.6 percent to 117 days, on average.
• Lender-mediated properties made up a smaller share of overall activity
• 34.6 percent of all New Listings were lender-mediated (either foreclosures or short sales), down from 41.9 percent in 2011 and 42.6 percent in 2010
• 37.3 percent of all Inventory was lender-mediated, down from 44.4 percent in 2011 and 47.4 percent in 2010
• 39.7 percent of all Closed Sales were lender-mediated, down from 50.0 percent in 2011 and 47.9 percent in 2010

Here's some good news about Foreclosure Inventory from Certified Residential Specialist Connect.

The inventory of foreclosed homes continues to shrink, according to the latest figures released by Core Logic. Some 1.2 million homes, representing 3.0 percent of all homes with a mortgage, were in the national foreclosure inventory at the end of November, down from 1.5 million homes that were in foreclosure in November 2011. Some 55,000 U.S. properties completed the foreclosure process in November, down 23 percent from a year ago when foreclosures totaled 72,000, and they declined 6 percent from the 59,000 foreclosures in October.
California, Florida, Michigan, Texas and Georgia had the highest number of completed foreclosures for the 12 months ending November 2012 and collectively, they accounted for half of all foreclosures nationwide. The states with the largest inventory of foreclosures as a percentage of all mortgaged homes were Florida, New Jersey, New York, Nevada and Illinois.
By Regina Ludes, Friday, 4 January 2013 - 2:46pm

Happy New Year.  Here's the latest Weekly Update from
MAAR, Mpls Area Association of Realtors

 

While you're eating better and exercising more, also resolve to better understand

of your housing market. Data does not have to be daunting.

Just from the existing trends, it's safe to expect to see more homes selling in less

time for closer to list price. It also looks like the single-family detached segment
may recover faster than the condo-townhouse attached segment. It would be wise
to watch foreclosure activity to see whether there will be fewer low-priced sales in
2013. Many patterns emerge if you look in the right places.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending December 22:

• New Listings increased 9.5% to 657
• Pending Sales increased 41.7% to 815
• Inventory decreased 29.2% to 13,315

For the month of November:

• Median Sales Price increased 16.4% to $172,287
• Days on Market decreased 26.5% to 103
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.6% to 94.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.8% to 3.5