Weekend Happenings: Good Eats In The SW Metro - Part I

Let's face it.  This time of year, late winter, is not Minnesota at its best.  By this time, most of us are up to our eyeballs with cold temps and bad roads.  They don't call it cabin fever for nothing.  And sadly, there's not much going on in the area as well.  It's as though everyone is holed up inside and toughing it out until those first green sprigs poke thier heads out. 

But this just happens to be the perfect time of year for a date night to our local area restaurants!  What better way to beat the blahs than to try some new and delicious local eateries.  And our SW metro area has some great places to eat.  We've compiled a list of some of the SW Metro's best restaurants.  Some are well known local favorites and others more obscure but definitely worth the try.  We'll be going alphabetically by town and will split this into more than one post since the number of eateries are so large.  So chack back regularly and if we've missed on of your local haunts, please comment and let everyone know!

Chanhassen

Rey Azteca Mexican Restaurant
(952) 934-6126
7874 Market Blvd
Urban Spoon Rating:  90% (288 likes)
Cost:  $
In the mood for a Mexican getaway? With this local favorite, there’s no need to say adios and head South of the border. Feel the flavor and spice of Mexico in the heart of Chanhassen at Rey Azteca’s. Move to the Mariachi band as you munch on authentic dishes like Carne Asada, Burritos Rancheros and Enchiladas Supremas. Wash it down with one of their seriously strong Margaritas or toss back a shot of Tequila. Either way, this bustling bar and restaurant will have you feeling like a fiesta. - Source:  Metromix

NA's Thai Cafe
(952) 949-1125
566 W 78TH St
Urban Spoon Rating:  91% (212 likes)
Cost:  $$

Pleasant cafe in Chanhassen is one of the top Thai restaurant in the Twin Cities. So many options at NA's. Will have a hard time choosing what to eat at this excellent friendly overlooked family run place. There are 3 generations involved. It's lacking in ambience but makes up for it with tasty zesty good food. Curry is very good - especially the Fish Curry. Prices are reasonable. Food high quality. If you're going to the Chanhassen Dinner Theater - we would skip having dinner there, just get tickets and have your meal at Na's instead.  - Source:  Dan & Roxanne's Minnesota Eats blog


School II Bistro & Wine Bar (952) 949-0000 600 Market St Ste 170
Urban Spoon Rating:  91% (105 likes)
Cost:  $$

Coffeehouse, restaurant and music venue all wrapped up in one beautiful destination.  At a time when many venues are discontinuing music, the School II is forging full-steam ahead offering music four nights a week! Enjoy a full bar, wine and barista offering plus a beautiful menu. - Source:  Metromix



Chaska

Tommy's Old Fashioned Malt Shop
(952) 227-0263
2 Riverbend Place

Urban Spoon Rating:  84% (87 likes)
Cost:  $

Overall, Tommy’s accomplished what I believe they set out to be, a throwback joint that serves good classic burgers and malts. If I lived in Chaska I would end my nights at Tommy’s with my lady friend and ensure a happy end to the evening. - Source:  MN Food Bros. blog



Chaska My Love Restaurant

(952) 368-0350
127 W. 4th Street
Urban Spoon Rating:  90% (28 likes)
Cost:  $

You know a mexican place is good when it's filled with local latinos.  Chaska My Love serves up excellent, authentic mexican food at outstanding prices.  You won't find tacos filled with lettuce and cheese at this walk-up-and-order joint.  Located in a strip mall in downtown Chaska, come hungry and brush up on your spanish so you can read the menu.  Yeah, it's that authentic.

Eden Prairie

Lions Tap
(952) 934-5299
16180 Flying Cloud Dr
Urban Spoon Rating:  88% (924 likes)
Cost:  $

I'm in the process of updating my "Best Burgers" list and I may have to seriously think about adding the Lions Tap to my personal Top Ten favorite burgers. It's a little bit of a drive out to the Lions Tap, but the trip is worth it. The Twin Cities have a number of very good burger places, but the Lions Tap may be the best of them all.  - Source:  Road Tips blog


Wildfire Eden Prairie
(952) 914-9100

3020 Eden Prairie Center
Urban Spoon Rating:  89% (458 likes)
Cost:  $$$

The Wildfire restaurant serves American comfort food in a post-modern supper club attached to the Eden Prairie shopping mall. Upscale casual contemporary American steak chop & seafood supper club. Wildfire is a great place to get your red meat craving fixed - from crusted aged wood-fired grilled steaks, chops, prime rib to BBQ. Also does good chicken, seafood, big salads, pizzas and sandwiches. They cover a wide range of food options and price levels - from affordable pizza and sandwiches to high end meat cuts. Highlights: Burgers sandwiches pizza and salads for around $10.  Source:  Dan & Roxanne's Minnesota Eats blog


Punch Neapolitan Pizza
(952) 943-9557
8353 Crystal View Rd

Urban Spoon Rating:  86% (249 likes)
Cost:  $$

One of our favorites since moving to Minneapolis. The wood fired oven and fresh ingredients always come together perfectly. Always nice to be able to watch your pizza put together. The Punch salad is a must with the meal- just be sure you share!  - Source:  Urban Spoon review

Make The First Impression Count

If your clients are wondering what home improvement projects will give them the best return on the sale of their home, tell them to think “curb appeal.”

When buyers are shopping for a home, the exterior can make (or break) the first impression. According to the 2013 Cost vs. Value Report, exterior replacement projects are among the most valuable home improvements that sellers can currently invest in, starting with the front door.

A steel entry door topped this year’s survey with an estimated 85.6 percent of the costs recouped at resale. The steel door replacement is also the least expensive of the 35 midrange and upscale remodeling projects included in the survey, costing $1,137 on average.

This is the 15th year that Remodeling magazine — in cooperation with REALTOR® Magazine — has released the Cost vs. Value Report. This year’s survey included more than 3,900 appraisers, sales agents, and brokers across the country who provided their opinions and estimates.  Exterior projects dominated the list with six of the top 10 most cost-effective midrange projects and eight of the top 10 upscale projects.

Top 10 Midrange Projects

1. Entry Door Replacement (steel)

Job Cost: $1,137

Resale Value: $974

Cost Recouped: 85.6 percent



2. Deck Addition (wood)

Job Cost: $9,327

Resale Value: $7,213

Cost Recouped: 77.3 percent



3. Garage Door Replacement

Job Cost: $1,496

Resale Value: $1,132

Cost Recouped: 75.7 percent



4. Minor Kitchen Remodel

Job Cost: $18,527

Resale Value: $13,977

Cost Recouped: 75.4 percent



5. Window Replacement (wood)

Job Cost: $10,708

Resale Value: $7,852

Cost Recouped: 73.3 percent



(tie) 6. Attic Bedroom Addition

Job Cost: $47,919

Resale Value: $34,916

Cost Recouped: 72.9 percent



(tie) 6. Siding Replacement (vinyl)

Job Cost: $11,192

Resale Value: $8,154

Cost Recouped: 72.9 percent



7. Window Replacement (vinyl)

Job Cost: $9,770

Resale Value: $6,961

Cost Recouped: 71.2 percent



8. Basement Remodel

Job Cost: $61,303

Resale Value: $43,095

Cost Recouped: 70.3 percent



9. Major Kitchen Remodel

Job Cost: $53,931

Resale Value: $37,139

Cost Recouped: 68.9 percent



10. Deck Addition (composite)

Job Cost: $15,084

Resale Value: $10,184

Cost Recouped: 67.5 percent




Top 10 Upscale Projects

1. Siding Replacement (fiber-cement)

Job Cost: $13,083

Resale Value: $10,379

Cost Recouped: 79.3 percent



2. Garage Door Replacement

Job Cost: $2,720

Resale Value: $2,046

Cost Recouped: 75.2 percent



3. Siding Replacement (foam-backed vinyl)

Job Cost: $13,818

Resale Value: $9,926

Cost Recouped: 71.8 percent



4. Window Replacement (vinyl)

Job Cost: $13,055

Resale Value: $9,295

Cost Recouped: 71.2 percent



5. Window Replacement (wood)

Job Cost: $16,361

Resale Value: $11,194

Cost Recouped: 68.4 percent



6. Grand Entrance (fiberglass)

Job Cost: $7,088

Resale Value: $4,528

Cost Recouped: 63.9 percent



7. Deck Addition (composite)

Job Cost: $34,403

Resale Value: $20,532

Cost Recouped: 59.7 percent



8. Major Kitchen Remodel

Job Cost: $107,406

Resale Value: $64,113

Cost Recouped: 59.7 percent



9. Bathroom Remodel

Job Cost: $50,007

Resale Value: $29,162

Cost Recouped: 58.3 percent



10. Roofing Replacement

Job Cost: $33,880

Resale Value: $19,194

Cost Recouped: 56.7 percent



Ending a six-year cost-value ratio decline, this year’s Cost vs. Value Report is good news for remodeling industry with a rise in the ratio by three percentage points to 60.6 percent. According to the report, lower construction costs and stabilizing house prices were the principal factors for the upturn.

While every region improved over last year’s survey, the Pacific region — Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington — had the highest average cost-to-value ratio overall at 71.2 percent, despite having the highest construction costs in the country.

Visit www.costvsvalue.com to find information from the 81 cities included in the survey and download free PDFs that include specific market data. Site registration is required. Also visit HouseLogic.com for a slideshow of the report’s results.

Source:  RealtorMag

Weekly Market Update: February 25, 2013

Here's an oldie but goodie: All Real Estate is Local. We've all heard it. It's why industry insiders don't pay much attention to national housing statistics. The national housing market is just an agglomeration of local housing markets. It's like saying there is a national garage sale market. They're all local. You don't grab an umbrella in Miami based on the weather forecast in Seattle. So why would someone in San Francisco base a home sale or purchase decision on market data from Boston? Here's your data for your local housing market.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending February 16:

• New Listings decreased 4.9% to 1,196
• Pending Sales increased 7.9% to 916
• Inventory decreased 31.0% to 12,309

For the month of January:
• Median Sales Price increased 14.3% to $160,000
• Days on Market decreased 24.1% to 107
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.5% to 93.5%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 40.0% to 3.0

Source:  Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

YouTube video posted - via Circlepix.com

8059 Cimarron Ln Eden Prairie, MN 55347

New listing video just posted:



Description:

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Home Information:

Beds: 4

Baths: 2.00

Sqft: 3658

Asking Price: $479000

MLS #: 4338726

YouTube video posted - via Circlepix.com

8059 Cimarron Ln Eden Prairie, MN 55347

New listing video just posted:



Description:

---

Home Information:

Beds: 4

Baths: 2.00

Sqft: 3658

Asking Price: $479000

MLS #: 4338726

New listing posted to CirclePix.com

8059 Cimarron Ln Eden Prairie, MN 55347

New listing just posted: http://circlepix.com/Z9FETY

Description:

---

Home Information:

Beds: 4

Baths: 2.00

Sqft: 3658

Asking Price: $479000

MLS #: 4338726

Bold Bursts of Color to Brighten Your Home

Dashes of bold hues are an easy way to update your house and give it a colorful — and upbeat — personality.


Plenty of Upside

This demure dining area gets an unexpected lift from a fuchsia-colored ceiling that turns a conventional paint color scheme upside down. Painting ceilings a darker color than walls helps make spaces cozier — an especially good effect for rooms with tall ceilings.



Credit: Sara Story Design


Happy Face

Like a smiling sous chef, this retro-style refrigerator ($2,995 and up) brightens the kitchen with its sunshiney yellow face. The powder-coated finishes of this brand come in many colors including blue, orange, red, and pink. It also comes as an undercounter model if you’re looking to save space with tiny appliances for your small home.




Credit: Big Chill




Hitting the Right Notes

An all-white kitchen is the perfect playground for a splash of color (make that a backsplash of color). Textural 1-by-2-inch glass tiles ($20 per sq. ft.) create a mellow hue above black countertops made of recycled paper. Want more pop? A jazzy kitchen backsplash can add a dash of dazzle.

Credit: ChrDAUER Architects / Bruce Damonte Photography

Turn on the Brights!

Your kids won’t need any urging to brush their teeth when you put a neon-green pedestal sink in their bathroom. This Agape polyethylene sink ($1,075-$1,950) is perfect for small spaces, and the rounded shape is especially kid-friendly. Neutral white walls and dark brown tiles make this beauty really pop.



Credit: Melanie Morris Design / Alex Kotlik, photo



Color That Opens Doors (and Drawers)

A little touch of color adds a splash of panache. For an easy kitchen update, switch out your old cabinet hardware for fused glass knobs and pulls ($10-$20 each) that come in a world of playful hues.




Credit: Creating Joyful Spaces



DIY Carpet

No need for expensive, dust-catching carpets when a little elbow grease and a fun paint color gets you a beautiful floor show. This design was created with painter’s tape; for fancier designs, try reusable mylar stencils ($20-$60 for a 20-by-20-inch stencil). BTW, today’s flooring paints ($50-$60/gal.) are tough — you won’t need an acrylic topcoat in low-traffic areas.



Credit: Sunny Goode



Steps to Great Color

Often passed over — literally — as design elements, stairs offer terrific opportunities to add color to your interiors and brighten up any dark stairways. Durable floor paint ($50-$60/gal) holds up well, but for highly trafficked stairs apply a clear topcoat for maximum protection. Brightly painted stairs stand out — an added safety benefit.



Credit: Tamar Schechner



Finding Your Niche

Make recessed alcoves and window seats an architectural focal point by painting them a bold, contrasting color. Don’t forget to put the space underneath your window seat to good use by adding window seat storage.



Credit: Patterson Construction Corporation



Fiery Italian Beauty

No worries — you’ll still get cold water from this red-hot faucet. In a world of chrome and brushed nickel, this bright powder-coated faucet ($1,188) stands out. Want more way-cool faucet ideas? Check out our slideshow of high-tech kitchen faucets that’ll have you washing dishes by hand just for the fun of it.



Credit: Zucchetti Rubinetteria S.p.A./Pan collection design Ludovica+Roberto Palomba



Source:  HouseLogic

YouTube video posted - via Circlepix.com

8059 Cimarron Ln Eden Prairie, MN 55347

New listing video just posted:

http://video.circlepix.com/Z9FETY/138/442

Description:

---

Home Information:

Beds: 4

Baths: 2.00

Sqft: 3658

Asking Price: $479000

MLS #: 4338726

YouTube video posted - via Circlepix.com

8059 Cimarron Ln Eden Prairie, MN 55347

New listing video just posted:

http://video.circlepix.com/Z9FETY/138/442

Description:

---

Home Information:

Beds: 4

Baths: 2.00

Sqft: 3658

Asking Price: $479000

MLS #: 4338726

New listing posted to CirclePix.com

2774 Simons Dr Chaska, MN 55318

New listing just posted: http://circlepix.com/WQKC24

Description:

---

Home Information:

Beds: 5

Baths: 3.00

Sqft: 2963

Asking Price: $333000

MLS #: 4338329

New listing posted to CirclePix.com

8059 Cimarron Ln Eden Prairie, MN 55347

New listing just posted: http://circlepix.com/Z9FETY

Description:

---

Home Information:

Beds: 4

Baths: 2.00

Sqft: 3658

Asking Price: $479000

MLS #: 4338726

YouTube video posted - via Circlepix.com

2774 Simons Dr Chaska, MN 55318

New listing video just posted:

http://video.circlepix.com/WQKC24/138/459

Description:

---

Home Information:

Beds: 5

Baths: 3.00

Sqft: 2963

Asking Price: $333000

MLS #: 4338329

YouTube video posted - via Circlepix.com

2774 Simons Dr Chaska, MN 55318

New listing video just posted:

http://video.circlepix.com/WQKC24/138/442

Description:

---

Home Information:

Beds: 5

Baths: 3.00

Sqft: 2963

Asking Price: $333000

MLS #: 4338329

New listing posted to CirclePix.com

2774 Simons Dr Chaska, MN 55318

New listing just posted: http://circlepix.com/WQKC24

Description:

---

Home Information:

Beds: 5

Baths: 3.00

Sqft: 2963

Asking Price: $333000

MLS #: 4338329

YouTube video posted - via Circlepix.com

840 Edge Dr Forest Jordan, MN 55352

New listing video just posted:

http://video.circlepix.com/XMAATB/138/459

Description:

---

Home Information:

Beds: 4

Baths: 2.00

Sqft: 2679

Asking Price: $259000

MLS #: 4337988

YouTube video posted - via Circlepix.com

840 Edge Dr Forest Jordan, MN 55352

New listing video just posted:

http://video.circlepix.com/XMAATB/138/442

Description:

---

Home Information:

Beds: 4

Baths: 2.00

Sqft: 2679

Asking Price: $259000

MLS #: 4337988

Open Houses: February 24, 2013

5210 Meadville Street - Greenwood
$2,100,000
4 bedroom/4 bath
SqFt:  4,154
OPEN:  12:00 to 2:00

Welcome to Lake Minnetonka, this custom masterpiece built by Stonewood features the highest quality of craftsmanship and materials. The Cottage style design offers warm, sun-filled rooms perfectly designed with family and entertaining in mind. Good food and good company are two of life’s greatest pleasures and this open floor plan with its Gourmet Kitchen is where it all comes together. Expertly crafted antiqued cabinetry, butcher-block counters and enameled bead board ceiling finish off this inviting space. Enjoy stunning sunsets all year long from curved wall of windows in the dining room, this is truly the heart of the home. You’ll enjoy curling up with your morning coffee on the large window seat. The open floor plan also included a spacious Family Room featuring coffered ceilings, a cozy gas fireplace and enameled bookcases & entertainment center; making this space perfect for relaxing with the family or entertaining with style. The custom built see-through aquarium inspires creativity while the Home Office will also enhance your productivity. The second floor is where you will find the Master Suite with another curved wall of windows overlooking the lake. The private master bath offering spa finishes from the large pedestal tub to the custom mirrors and lighting fixtures. In addition to the two Junior Suites located on this floor, you will also find the spacious Bonus Room perfect for a guest suite, movie night or playing Wii. The third floor has recently been finished to accommodate an additional family room with large windows for natural light and features a rough-in for a future bath. Location, Location, Location! Sited on a premium, southwest facing lot on grade-A Excelsior Bay, this property enjoys a sandy bottom lakeshore. Originally a major tourist destination during the late 19th century, Excelsior exudes a Nantucket style atmosphere with the unique blend of old and new. Antique shops, an authentic Irish Pub, a movie theatre as well as a variety of specialty shops restaurants and lakeside park & commons create a special community. For information on pricing or to schedule a private showing, please call 952.470.2575.

Click HERE for more information.


840 Forest Edge Drive - Jordan
$259,000
4 bedroom/3/bath
SqFt:  2,679
OPEN:  11:30 am to 1:30 pm



Only available due to Relocation, this beautifully crafted custom home in the Bridle Creek Community enjoys access to the neighborhood Club House & Pool! Enjoy hardwood floors, Gourmet Kitchen with Hearth Room, main floor Office & 4 Bedrooms up. Close to parks & schools!

Click HERE for more information.

New listing posted to CirclePix.com

840 Edge Dr Forest Jordan, MN 55352

New listing just posted: http://circlepix.com/XMAATB

Description:

---

Home Information:

Beds: 4

Baths: 2.00

Sqft: 2679

Asking Price: $259000

MLS #: 4337988

20 Unconventional & Money-Saving Redecorating Tips

With the growing popularity of Pinterest and shabby-chic decorating, consumers are finding out that unconventional decorating is fun and money-saving. Pottery Barn is a big source of inspiration for recycling old worktables and mason jars into useful parts of your home. An old wine bottle collection can become your new chandelier, or an antique baby bed can serve as a desk for your toddler.

When it comes to unconventional decor, the best approach is to start with what you can find and use your creativity to craft something useful. Estate sales, flea markets, and yard sales are great sources of fodder for your redecorating project. And if you have the ability to sandblast or weld your treasures, you can also shop around at the local junkyard.

20 Ideas for Unconventional Redecorating

1.  Turn an old ladder (even with a few broken rungs) into a clothes rack.

2.  Use old doors as bookshelves and free-standing bookcases.

3.  Make LED Christmas rope lights into inexpensive task lighting.

4.  Use old factory windows as shower room walls.

5.  Frame an old mirror over a small bookcase front to make a medicine cabinet.

6.  Use repainted shelf brackets as window treatments.

7.  Use stair risers holding a tiered tub for an indoor growing area.

8.  Re-purpose hanging shoe organizers for small pantry items or spices.

9.  Use an old picket fence as a wall treatment or a headboard.

10.  Turn an industrial work table into a stainless kitchen countertop or freestanding island.

11.  Use church pews as diner-style seating or mud room benches.

12.  Remove drawers from an old dresser, repaint, and insert fabric bins for office supply storage.

13.  Mount wooden crates on the wall to create instant-open cupboards.

14.  Mount tractor seats on bar stool frames and paint the entire creation for innovative seating options.

15.  Nail a picture frame to the front of a wooden box to create book boxes for mounting on the wall.

16.  Recycle plumbing pipes and reclaimed lumber to make inexpensive storage racks and counters.

17.  Use old weathered shutters as rustic wall coverings.

18.  Make sliding doors out of barn wood to save space when traditional doors make walkways tight.

19.  Stain 12 x 12 plywood squares to use as flooring.

20.  Create an interior wall or room divider with old glass windows mounted together.


Source:  Moneyning.com

New listing posted to CirclePix.com

5210 Meadville St Greenwood, MN 55331

New listing just posted: http://circlepix.com/XJAK3F

Description:

---

Home Information:

Beds: 4

Baths: 2.00

Sqft: 4154

Asking Price: $2100000

MLS #: 4333027

6 Tips To Win A Bidding War



Credit: Superstock


The bidding wars are back. While not every local real-estate market is experiencing bidding wars, some homebuyers find themselves competing for houses because not many are for sale in their markets. For example, in Phoenix, it would take just 2.3 months to sell all the homes currently on the market, says Susan Paul, owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Move Time Realty in Scottsdale, Ariz. The result? Many homes have 10 to 15 offers the day they go on the market, she says.

To compete in a bidding war, buyers need to prepare financially for the home purchase. They have to be familiar with property values in their target neighborhoods. And they must know what they want.

While offering the most money might seem like the best way to win a bidding war, sellers don't always choose the highest offer. Instead, sellers often prefer offers that are most likely to go through and that meet their conditions. Here are six tips to increase your chances of making the winning offer in a bidding war for the house of your dreams.

1. Have a lender on speed dial


"Too many buyers talk to a lender and start looking at homes at the same time," says Eldad Moraru, a real-estate agent with Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. in Bethesda, Md. "You need to have everything (financial) done before you begin to look." Then you are more likely to win a bidding war.

He suggests selecting a lender and a loan, completing everything the lender requires and having a preapproval letter in hand — all before submitting an offer.

"You need to make sure your lender is ready to issue an approval letter specific to the property at the drop of a dime," Moraru says.

Paul recommends keeping a file folder constantly updated with your most recent pay stubs, all pages —even blank pages — of recent bank statements and any other documentation the lender may need to make a quick loan approval. Then you are ready to make an offer.

A strong preapproval is essential, especially if you are competing against buyers with cash to offer, says Alan T. Aoyama, vice president of Century 21 M&M Associates in Cupertino, Calif. Any hint that you might have trouble qualifying for financing could eliminate you from the seller's choice of buyers.


2. Cash in your pocket plus the paperwork to prove it


"An all-cash buyer can even waive the appraisal," Aoyama says. "If you're a noncash buyer, you need to have a copy of your proof of funds with your offer, along with a strong preapproval. At a minimum, you should offer a down payment of 20% if you know you'll be competing against other buyers. You need to show you have the funds to close and the ability to make up the difference if the appraisal comes in too low."

Moraru says that in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, it's common to supplement your offer with a financial information sheet detailing your job history, salary and bonuses, 401(k) balance, how much you have for a down payment and where the money is saved.

A higher-than-customary earnest money deposit can sometimes impress sellers when there is a bidding war, Moraru says. Just make sure you fully meet all deadlines and terms of the contract so you don't lose your deposit.

3. Make a fast, personalized offer

To compete against other buyers in a potential bidding war, make sure you see a home the day it goes on the market, so you can move quickly, Paul says.

"Your buyers agent should talk to the listing agent to find out what is motivating the sellers and what they need — such as a quick settlement or a post-settlement rent-back," Paul says. "Be flexible, and work that into your offer. Make it as easy on the sellers as possible so your offer is chosen above 15 others."

Paul says buyers should offer to help the sellers in any way they can, such as helping them find a home for their pet if they can't take it with them.

Moraru says while price is important, sellers want to know the buyer can finance the property and meet any other conditions. If you don't know the date when the sellers want to settle, you can write "will settle on seller's schedule" into the offer.

Aoyama suggests offering 30 days of free rent if the sellers want to stay in their home after settlement.

4. Keep your home inspector on alert


Most real-estate agents don't recommend buying a home without an inspection, but making your offer contingent on an inspection can weaken your position if other buyers are waiving an inspection contingency. Aoyama says buyers should carefully read all disclosures and reports that are available, because some sellers provide a home inspector's report for buyers. You can also have an home inspection done after your offer has been accepted that can provide information on the home's condition.

"If you're serious about a particular house, you can have a home inspection before you make an offer, and then make a noncontingent offer if you're satisfied with the report," Moraru says. "You'll need to move fast, though, and have a home inspector ready almost the day the home goes on the market."

Paul says you can bring a home inspector along when you first look at the home and say the inspector is a friend, just to get a feel for the condition of the home without an in-depth checkup.

"If the inspector says the house looks OK, you can feel better about waiving the home inspection contingency," Paul says.

5. Eliminate or reduce contingencies

One of the best ways to make your offer stronger is to eliminate contingencies regarding home inspection, financing or appraisal, Aoyama says. That puts you in a more solid position to win a bidding war. If you have cash reserves to cover the gap between a low appraisal and your offer, you can waive the appraisal contingency, he says, but leave your financing contingency in place to protect yourself.

"If you can't waive these, you can at least shorten the time frame, such as (by) reducing the loan contingency to 10 days if you know your lender can provide you with proof of financing quickly enough," Aoyama says.

Offering to buy the home as is can be tempting, but make sure you have an accurate idea of the home's condition with an informational inspection for safety.

Paul says buyers need to make their offer as strong as possible, so if you don't need a home warranty or help with closing costs, don't ask for them.

6. Try an escalation clause — maybe


An escalation clause is an addendum to a purchase offer that authorizes your agent to offer a specified amount above the best offer the seller receives. It's a powerful way to wage a bidding war.

"Buyers are offering escalation clauses a lot less often than when the housing market was booming, unless the home is priced way below market value," Moraru says. "I recommend that buyers who want to offer an escalation clause be very careful when choosing to go as high as they can with the understanding that they can live with the price if it goes to the maximum amount. They also need to feel that if someone else gets the house at a higher price, that buyer overpaid."

Source:  MSN Real Estate

Weekly Market Update: February 18, 2013

Transparency. We like it when our politicians, stock brokers and mechanics have it. But what about our housing markets? It's empowering to know that home sales were up 10.0 percent in your state, or that the average home sold for $250,000 in your city or that 20.0 percent of sales in your neighborhood were foreclosures. It allows – no – it encourages both existing and would-be home buyers to make smarter decisions, which ultimately conserves the increasingly scarce taxpayer dollar. In turn, that allows us to invest in things we value as a society like infrastructure, technology, education, research and job training.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending February 9:

• New Listings decreased 6.7% to 1,229
• Pending Sales increased 5.3% to 914
• Inventory decreased 31.2% to 12,225

For the month of January:

• Median Sales Price increased 14.3% to $160,000
• Days on Market decreased 24.1% to 107
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.5% to 93.5%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 42.0% to 2.9

Source:  Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

February 2013 Home Trends: Color!

For 2013 we decided to try a new kind of post that taps into what people are loving "right now" in home styles.  To do this, we're doing a quick perusal of the Home Decor section of Pinterest.  This gives us a quick snapshot of what's trending in home design and style.

For February 2013 it seems everyone is loving color!  Maybe it has something to do with the winter blahs and a hopeful expectation of spring color soon, but regardless the reason we're seeing color everywhere.  Color on ceilings, on walls, on furniture and in decor.  Take some cues from these pictures for your home if you're needing a shot of color to bright your day and make spring seem a bit closer.































Source:  Pinterest

11 Things Women Want In A Home

A growing segment of the housing industry is studying what in a home matters most to women. Real-estate agents, designers, marketers and researchers say some of women's home preferences are purely functional: Moms like dining areas with easily wiped hardwood or tile floors, not carpeting, for example, and the location of a laundry room is likely to matter deeply to a female homebuyer.

Selling to women also requires catering to differences more innate. "We just think differently, and we're more emotional," says Stephanie Holland, creative director at Holland+Holland Advertising. She blogs at She-conomy: A Guy's Guide to Marketing to Women. "There's really nothing more emotional than a home for a female." Women account for 85% of all consumer purchases, and they're the major influence in the purchase of 91% of new homes, Holland says.

Women respond most to a home's aesthetics, such as paint and flooring, interior design, appliances, layout and functionality, says Jessica Riffle Edwards, Coldwell Banker Real Estate's consumer specialist. Her company and others learn women's preferences through polling and surveys.

Men, she says, seem more interested in a home's space and dimensions. "The guy may be saying, 'Oh, man, look at the size of this space,' and the women would be saying, 'Oh, gosh, look at the hardware on these cabinets.'"


1. Big closets





"We love big closets," says Mollie Carmichael, consumer research expert at John Burns Real Estate Consulting in Irvine, Calif.

Female homebuyers walk into a home for sale and, invariably, after first inspecting the kitchen, will make a beeline for the bedroom to check out the closets, she says. Women tell researchers, real-estate agents and anyone else who will listen that they want a home that helps manage a family's accumulation of stuff. That means cupboards, drawers, cubbies and organizing systems. But above all, it means great walk-in closets.

Why: Women's lives are fast and full. Most work outside the home. Just 23% of married couples with kids under 15 have moms who stay at home, according to the Census Bureau. With jobs, commuting, running errands and chauffeuring kids, everyone's dropping stuff everywhere — and then they can't find it. Trendy open designs, while fabulous, typically rob homes of storage space because they have few interior walls, which are crucial for built-in closets, shelves and cupboards to help tame clutter.

Desirability: It really matters.


2. Jetted bathtubs





Jetted tubs might sound '80s retro, but, odd as it sounds, they are a big attraction for female buyers.

Why: "Moms love 'em because kids love 'em," Carmichael says. "The bubblier the better. Life's hard enough without having to drag kids kicking and screaming into the bathtub."

Desirability: Nice to have.

3. Location





Wait a minute — doesn't everyone care about location? Sure. But for women it's an even higher priority, Carmichael says.

Why: Women generally care more about location and less about size, Carmichael says. A small home with great architectural character or a beautifully built little jewel box will fulfill many a woman's dreams better than a megahouse — provided she loves the location. The difference between genders on this issue isn't huge, but "it is enough to really make the case," she says.

Desirability: Nice to have.

4. Security





Feeling safe at home is crucial to everyone, but women rank it as an extra-high priority. Qualms about safety will break a deal, particularly for single women, Coldwell Banker's surveys reveal.

Why: Single women in particular are tuned in to a home's security. "That's not to say that if it was a husband and wife with children they wouldn't feel the same way, but it's just a little bit more in the forefront for a single woman buyer," Edwards says.

"As a single woman, I wanted something on a top floor and with underground parking for security purposes," Jennifer Musselman says of her condo purchase. Musselman wrote "Own It! The Ups and Downs of Homebuying for Women Who Go It Alone."

Desirability: It really matters.

5. A great place for socializing





A party space is nice, but an even bigger priority, women tell housing experts, is a comfortable environment for sitting around and sharing. Preferably with food. It could be a kitchen island or counter, a comfortable den or a corner with a couple of chairs and a sofa pulled up in front of a fireplace.

Why: Carmichael says that when female buyers inspect a property's interior, they're looking for places where they might relax with friends. Men like to socialize outdoors, she adds.

Desirability: It really matters.

6. A dedicated laundry room





A magazine-worthy laundry palace with built-in cabinets, a TV, acres of counter space, a crafts area and a window to the garden would be fabulous. But few women will have one in their lifetime, and all of that's not really essential. What matters, experts say, is the laundry room's location.

Why: "A lot of people — a lot of women — don't want to see a laundry room when they enter the house through the garage. They don't want to have a pile of laundry greet them at the end of a long day. Women were telling us, 'It's like I'm coming home to a second job,'" says Paul Foresman, director of business development at Design Basics, an Omaha, Neb., stock-home-plan company that specializes in addressing women's needs in its designs.

Trooping down basement stairs with a laundry basket to reach the washer and dryer is another huge turn-off. A simple utility closet near the bedrooms or off the kitchen is a whole lot better, Foresman says.

Desirability: Nice to have.

7. Low maintenance



When they're asked what matters most in home design, women consistently say that a low-maintenance home is a very high priority. Female homebuyers love no-paint exterior siding, no-fuss landscaping and homes that are new or recently renovated.

Why: Women are overwhelmed by parenthood, demanding jobs and running a household. They don't want more work. In marriages and partnerships, the discussion about who does maintenance chores is a perennial stressor.

"They would like to think they can have a home that they can get in without doing anything, but if they have to paint, they're OK with that," says Jeanie Douthitt, a real-estate agent in Plano, Texas, who specializes in helping single women buy and sell homes.

Douthitt has learned to be blunt with her female clients, especially the single ones. "'You're not going to be out there pushing the mower,'" she cautions them if they're drawn to big yards.

She learned from watching three single clients who bought homes with big gardens. "All three bought the mowers, the edgers and all that stuff," Douthitt says. After a year, all three hung up their gardening gloves and called her for the number of a good yard guy.

Desirability: Nice to have.

8. Separate master-bath shower and tub





Women care deeply about the master bathroom, Foresman says. Many would like to send bathtubs to the dustbin of history. A spa shower with multiple heads is the big master-bath must have instead.

Why: Research by Design Basics finds that just 22% of adults take baths. "We're designing a lot of homes now with a very nice shower and no tub in the master bath," Foresman says. Women tell him they feel guilty for using too much water or that the bath gets cold and the water heater can't keep up. Others say they're sick of dusting a standalone tub they don't use.

"Men almost never slip into the bathtub to bathe — most men don't fit comfortably in most tubs — and she's going to give herself permission to soak in the tub only about three or four times a year," Foresman says.

"You do want a tub elsewhere, for the kids and grandkids. There should be a tub in the home but not necessarily as the centerpiece of the master bathroom," he adds.

Desirability: Nice to have.

9. A two-car garage



Douthitt says that even her single women clients want a two-car garage.

Why: Really? Even if they have just one car? Absolutely, she says. "Hello? It's storage."

Desirability: It really matters.


10. A great kitchen




Women love a great kitchen and so do men, Coldwell Banker's research says. A third of the company's agents say a kitchen is the most important feature of a home for their clients. Coldwell Banker's research finds that 68% of women say they're the primary chef for their household, while 23% of men say cooking is primarily their job.

Why: Both genders love big open kitchens that include space for dining, entertaining, doing homework, using computers, watching TV and hanging out together.

"People like to hang out where the food is," Carmichael says. "When you throw the wall up between the kitchen and dining room, it cuts off socialization. Frankly, more men are cooking today than ever, and couples are cooking together."

Desirability: It really matters.


11. A smart layout



Women are critical of home plans that don't allow life to flow smoothly. A home needs to be planned for the lives of real people.

Why: That means that there should be plenty of electrical outlets and that they should be located where you need them, near where you'd use a hairdryer or shaver, for instance.

Other functional preferences include weather-tight, energy-efficient homes that are easy on the pocketbook to heat. Hard-surface floors are ranked higher than carpet. Other favorites include two full baths and a place for dropping things when you walk in the door.

Desirability: Nice to have.


Source:  MSN Real Estate

Weekly Market Update: February 12, 2013

As we take our first gentle steps into the first year of predicted housing market improvement in many years, let's look at why we're feeling bullish. Affordability is high; coupled with historically low interest rates, people are ready to lay their money down. Inventory is generally down, creating more competition among those searching for homes. Desire plus demand has created more frequent tickles of price rising just as foreclosures and short sales are selling through the market, becoming less of a drag on those prices. The residential real estate recovery is tentative and fragile, but it's still a recovery.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending February 2:

• New Listings decreased 9.6% to 1,120
• Pending Sales increased 1.8% to 872
• Inventory decreased 31.4% to 12,213

For the month of January:

• Median Sales Price increased 14.3% to $160,000
• Days on Market decreased 24.1% to 107
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.5% to 93.5%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 42.0% to 2.9

Source:  Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

Be Your Kids' "Go To" House

If you have kids, chances are you'll be keeping an eye on who their friends are.  Studies show that friends exert a huge influence on your children.  How can you be sure that your kids are making good choices in friends?  By keeping a close eye on them.  And what better way to do that than to have your home be the place where all the kids want to hang out.  Below we've gathered some great ideas that you can incorporate into your home to be the "Go To" home for your kids and their friends.

Play Up Your Backyard



Incorporate some fun play spaces in your back yard.  Kids can burn off energy and have a ton of fun in this back yard.  You just provide the lemonade.


Use That Bonus Room!



If you have a bonus room over your garage, maximize that space for your kids.  A foosball table, pool table and dart board make this a room everyone will want to hang out in for hours.


Accomodate Sleepovers



Be the "It" place for sleepovers.  Yes, you'll be sure to lose some sleep but it's better than losing sleep wondering where you kid is and what kind of trouble they could be getting into!


Movie Night At Home



Invite the gang over for a movie and some popcorn.  Who wouldn't want to hang with their friends, or the whole team, in this room?!


Bring On The Pool



A backyard pool is all about fun and friends.  Gather all the neighborhod together at your house for fun in the sun.  And why should the kids have all the fun?  You'll love it too!


Gather 'Round The Fire



Grab some sticks and marshmellows and head out to the fire.  Add a guitar and some ghost stories and you have the makings for a great Bonfire!


Finish That Basement



If you have an unfinished basement, now is the perfect time to finish it off and make it a gathering spot for your kids.  Include space for fun games like air hockey and foosball, provide a table for board games or crafts, include a TV for video games and movies, and be sure to include a microwave and a refrigerator for snacks and refreshments. 


Gather Round the Table



You don't need to break the bank with major renovations in order to be the place where all the kids want to go.  Just provide a spot for them to gather like a big kitchen table.  Have everyone come to your place for homework, games, or just to have a snack and some friendly conversation.

Use your imagination and you'll be sure to find plenty of fun spaces for your kids and their friends.  Do you have any great ideas for fun spaces in your home?  Let us know, we'd love to hear it! 

Open House: February 3, 2012

3819 Tonkawood Road - Minnetonka
$499,900
4 bedroom/4 bath
SqFt:  3,891
OPEN:  12:00 to 2:00



Click for a map


Welcome to 3819 Tonkawood Road located in the heart of Minnetonka. This Cape Cod-style Home features gracious rooms, charming finishes & a stunning setting. Located just north of Tonkadale Nursery, this home is nestled on .93 acres with an in-ground pool, spacious lawn & loads of privacy. Lovingly updated, this home exudes the character of a bygone era with all of today’s conveniences. With both formal and informal spaces, this home is just perfect for entertaining and relaxing. The main floor offers a Formal Dining Room, Large Sun Room overlooking the decks and pool. A Large Family Room with cozy fireplace and beautiful architectural finishes, a main floor master suite and an updated Kitchen with tons of storage. The second floor is where you will find the three Bedrooms including a second Master Suite or guest suite with its own 3/4 bath. The finished lower level offers space for your game room and a second family room with another fireplace. For more information or to schedule a private showing, please contact us at 952.470.2575 or visit StaffordFamilyRealtors.com.

Click HERE for more information on Tonkawood Road.