Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Using the City of Minneapolis Property Tax Estimator/Calculator



So have you ever thought about doing a major project to your home but were wondering what it would do to your property taxes?


The City of Minneapolis has a property tax estimator to give you an idea of what the property taxes would be at a specific value. It's also helpful in estimating the tax value of new construction. Based on a recent conversation with a City of Minneapolis Tax Assessor, it may not be accurate to assume your tax value will increase exactly based on the amount of the improvements - but at least this gets you in the ballpark. See the link below!


Steph

Great Buy in Webber Camden - Get it Before it's on the MLS in March!

Looking for a great buy on a 3BR/2 Bath house?  Check out 4027 Emerson Ave N for only $135,000!
Newer windows, high efficiency furnace, and roof, NEW kitchen with granite countertops, new central air, hardwood floors, new bathrooms, beautiful decor - all within a block of the Minneapolis Police Training Center.

SOLD - 2015








Friday, December 12, 2014

Old Home Certified!



Finally - the real estate industry has a designation I'm interested in having! For those of you who are fellow old house enthusiasts - wouldn't it be nice to have a real estate agent who shared your passion? And took coursework to be more dedicated to marketing and networking your old house correctly?

Thanks to the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, real estate agents may choose to pursue the coursework to obtain the designation of Old Home Certified. Agents who achieve this designation are introduced to old home resources, sustainability in older homes, historic districts and designations, and elements of vintage architecture. The designation also requires follow up coursework every two years to retain the designation.

As a life-long, old-house enthusiast, I am thrilled to have obtained the Old Home Certified designation that reflects my passion for old homes and established neighborhoods.

Yes - like many agents, I do sell new construction - but an old house is something special. For those of us who own them and love them - we know we are caretakers for the next generation, and it's a role we are honored to fulfill.


Steph


Friday, December 5, 2014

Old Highland Neighborhood - A Real Estate Market to WATCH!

Looking for Victorian-Era Homes you can still afford to buy?  Welcome to Old Highland Neighborhood in North Minneapolis.  Two and three story homes filled with woodwork and character for under $300,000.  And they are selling - well!   1602 Fremont Ave N just achieved a price of $261,000 and 1722 Fremont Ave N sold for $248,000 - all in the last 60 days.  Keep an eye on this neighborhood!  With porch parties once a month in the summer, and wine and cheese socials each month in the winter, this neighborhood is social, connected, and enthusiastic about their historic homes!  If you want to learn more about the area, download the FREE walking tour app from iTunes called Minneapolis Historical or check the neighborhood out on Facebook by clicking this link.

 1722 Fremont Ave N - Closed November 21, 2014 for $248,000

 1602 Fremont Ave N - Closed December 1, 2014 for $261,000
Interior photo of the staircase at 1602 Fremont Ave N

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

New Listing in the EcoVillage - Watch the Music Video!

Tired of clicking through photos on real estate websites?

Looking for a NEW construction home built to Enterprise Green Community Standards?

Need a little help getting started with the process and the down payment?

Check out the video below of my new listing at 329 31st Ave N in the Hawthorne EcoVillage.  Special funding makes this home available to buyers at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income based on family size.  Up to $14,999 of down payment assistance available too!  Only $168,000!  Call me for more info!  Steph

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Another NEW Listing in Old Highland Neighborhood! A Grand Home on a Corner Lot at 1602 Fremont Ave N!

Bring on the oak woodwork, built-in cabinets, and fireplace mantles!  This house is sublime!  With 5 bedrooms and 3 baths, at over 3,000 FSF - it's an amazing example of the quality of homes in Old Highland Neighborhood.  Only $250,000!   Open House Sunday, Oct 5th, 2014 from Noon to 2 pm.

AND - don't forget to "Like" the Old Highland Neighborhood Association on Facebook and visit their website at www.oldhighland.org


SOLD - 2014







Saturday, September 20, 2014

New Listing in Old Highland Neighborhood - the Joseph F. Barbery House!

1722 Fremont Ave N - Welcome to Old Highland Neighborhood

SOLD - 2014

What a joy to see a beautiful home like the Joseph F. Barbery house!  Built in 1909, this home features 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, and the convenience of modern-day living - new wiring, insulation, finished lower level with drain tile and sump pump, central air, whirlpool tubs, and even a hot tub! The 2.5 car garage is built to reflect the design details of the home.  With 2,561 finished square feet, this home is a great value at only $255,000.  

For the full photo tour, go to:

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Star Tribune Published My Piece on Homeownership for the Working Class

I could not be more pleased!  The Star Tribune opted to publish the piece I wrote earlier this week in response to the article about corporate investors buying up single family homes in North Minneapolis.  You can find it in the Opinion section of the Star Tribune today, May 10, 2014.

Click Here to Read the Saturday, April 10, 2014 Opinion Piece

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Investors Buying Up High-Quality Single Family Homes

The Star Tribune recently did an article about corporate investors purchasing a large volume of property in North Minneapolis and other areas of the Twin Cities.  
There is a bigger picture here. Homeownership is a key way working class families build wealth - and when I say wealth, I'm not talking millions here - it's a way for a family to have a nest egg of maybe $75,000 or $100,000 to retire on or pass on to their kids. Now these single family homes will build wealth for corporations. This is a tragic change in our economy for the working class.

Yes - I own the duplex next door to my home, so people can say "you own a rental - how is that different" - but these are single-family homes being bought up by the hundreds across the Twin Cities, during a time when inventory levels are low and many of these are not foreclosures, and ownership will be based in a corporation, not by a neighbor vested in keeping up the property. My prediction is eventually, once all of these are cash flowing on paper, the corporation will do an IPO on Wallstreet and then there will be shareholders who own these homes, much like the securitization of mortgages.

For all of the folks who want to write this off as a "it's not illegal" and "the free market exists for a reason" thing - think about what your life would be like today if that home your parents bought in the 1960s or 1970s couldn't have been bought. Could they have bought their next house? Could they have helped you pay for college? Would they have anything to help pay for their long-term care expenses as seniors now? Homeownership is one of the few wealth-building mechanisms the working class have - we need to realize what the impact is on families and communities who lose that chance.
Here is the link to the article - please read and share:

Thursday, February 27, 2014

BEAUTIFUL ARTS & CRAFTS HOME WITH GORGEOUS WOODWORK - ONLY $134,900!

Spacious three bedroom, two bath home with beautiful Arts & Crafts woodwork, built-in buffet, bookcases, stained glass windows, fireplace, claw foot tub, and huge 2 car garage. Forced air and central air too!

3515 Colfax Ave N - only $134,900

Ask about $4,000 of down payment assistance 
for owner occupant buyers.









Friday, February 14, 2014

OPEN HOUSE EXTRAVAGANZA! SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2014 FROM 1 TO 3 PM!

GRAND TUDOR - A NEIGHBORHOOD ICON!  4250 FREMONT AVE N
$229,900!
OLD WORLD CHARM ON NEW FOUNDATION!  4307 DUPONT AVE N
ONLY $187,500!
PARKWAY VIEWS FROM THE FRONT YARD!  4514 UPTON AVE N
ONLY $194,900!



LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FREE TO DO THIS WEEKEND?  STOP BY OUR OPEN HOUSE EXTRAVAGANZA FROM 1 TO 3 PM!  BRING A FRIEND!

Saturday, January 25, 2014

New Listing! Beautiful Victory Neighborhood Home By the Parkway!

Gorgeous Victory neighborhood home just off the Parkway!  Three bedrooms, two baths, fireplace, hardwood floors, fenced yard - simply gorgeous.   Only $194,900.

Open House January 26, 2014 from 1 to 3 pm!

 Stop by and say hello!









Wednesday, January 8, 2014

3501 Lyndale Ave N - Bank-Owned and Priced to Sell! Only $92,500!

Great buy on a classic 2 story home in McKinley Neighborhood.  Hardwood floors, fireplace, spacious living room, sunny front porch, two baths, fenced yard, and detached 2 car garage.  Corner Lot.  Neighborhood organization offers $4,000 of down payment assistance for owner occupant buyers.  Call for a showing today!  612-581-5842