19002 Barrington Dr., Eden Prairie, MN

19002 Barrington Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55346




New listing just posted: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/HJLTBS

New listing video just posted:  http://video.circlepix.com/HJLTBS/138/442


Description:

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Home Information:

Beds: 3

Baths: 1.00

Sqft: 1,782

Price: $289,900

MLS #: 4450554

Weekend Happenings: Local Oscars Parties

The 21st Annual Red Carpet Gala
Muse Event Center
107 3^rd Ave. North
Minneapolis
Sun. March 2, 2014
Doors open at 5:00 pm
Cost:  VIP $125, $40 General Admission

Now celebrating the 21st year, this event is not ONLY the longest running Oscar party in the U.S. outside of Los Angeles, it’s also the ONLY gathering in the state of Minnesota sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Pictures.

What is the best part about living like Hollywood royalty for a night? You get to dress the part, decked out in snazzy attire (black tie optional) suitable for sauntering down the red carpet, sipping on champagne (after being transported to the venue via a luxury UBER car, naturally), pausing for the cameras.

But even better! All proceeds will be split between the charities, Smile Network and Aegis Foundation, making the lavish revelry worthy of a standing ovation.

Oscars Party

Brit's Pub & Eating Establishment

1110 Nicollet Mall

Minneapolis

Sun. March 2, 2014

5:00 pm

Cost:  Free to attend and Free popcorn!

Folks on a budget looking to celebrate the most glam night in Hollywood don't have to do so from home. While some will be whooping it up in style at Muse for a good cause, others can revel on the cheap at the more low-key Oscar Party at Brit's Pub in downtown Minneapolis. This Sunday, head upstairs to the Clubhouse Lounge where there will be a variety of happenings leading up to the big event. John Cosgrove, host of Brit's super popular monthly pub-trivia night, will be on hand to test attendees' knowledge of all things concerning the awards show and the big screen. Folks can place their bets on who is taking home the statue in the winners competition. During the evening, food and drink specials will abound, popcorn will be plentiful (and free), and ogling the jewels and dresses worth more than your salary won't cost a thing.  Source:  Jessica Armbruster, City Pages

Even if you're watching from the comfort of your living room, be sure to root for fellow Minnesotan, Barkhad Abdi, who is nominated for an academy award for his role as the lead pirate in Captain Phillips, also starring Tom Hanks!  Read more about him Here.

Appealing To All

Have you happened to notice that men and women think differently?  No, you say?  Well, let me be the first to tell you that it's true.  And because men and women think differently, the things they find the most appealing in a potential home are different, too.

According to a Realtor.com article about a survey that they conducted, both women and men are most drawn to outdoor living spaces.  But after that, their interests part a bit.

Source:  hammertimeatlanta.com

Top home attributes consumers rank as most appealing:

 Of the women included in the survey… 

• 54 percent - outdoor living spaces
• 42 percent - open floor plans 
• 29 percent - curb appeal 
• 29 percent - updated appliances and fixtures 

Of the men included in the survey… 

• 46 percent - outdoor living spaces
• 40 percent - garages 
• 35 percent - curb appeal 
• 30 percent - open floor plans

Cover All Your Bases

If you're a homeowner looking to sell, this is exactly the information you want to have in your pocket.  To appeal to the widest array of buyers, both men and women, be sure to incorporate all of the top home attributes listed above when you get ready to sell your house. 

Outdoor Living Spaces

In Minnesota, we're drew the short stick when it came to many days of warmth and sunshine.  Maybe that's why we relish the warm weather so much and try to spend as much time as possible outside during late spring, summer and early fall.  So it makes sense to incorporate some space, no matter how small your yard, for outdoor living.  Whether its a bench by your front door, a small patio out back or a huge outdoor kitchen and living area complete with a pool, be sure you pay special attention to adding or sprucing up this space.  

Source:  www.outdoorrooms.com

Source:  legacylandscapes.com

Don't forget to highlight any outdoor spaces that you use during the winter months as well.  If you regularly use a fire pit, a hot tub or have a skating rink in your yard, make sure people see these areas and have them looking ready to go and inviting.

Source:  www.robsmith.biz

Source:  hotfrog.com

Open Floor Plans

Open floor plans are great and all, but what if you have a style of home where everything is boxed off?  Do your best to open up spaces between rooms to give a more open flow and feel to the house.  This can be as easy as widening the doorway into an archway between the living room and the dining room. Or making a window between rooms.  You could even go so far as to take down walls.  A skilled carpenter can even troubleshoot taking down a load bearing wall, if that is your only option. 

Source:  casedesign.com

Source:  vintagevioletstyle.blogspot.com

Source:  www.homeworkremodels.net 

Curb Appeal

We've said it time and again on this blog, but curb appeal is essential to selling a home.  Replacing your front door, replacing garage doors, updating the siding or pain, sprucing up the yard ...all these will go a very long way to moving your house to the top of a buyers list.

Source:  www.garagewownow.com

Source:  yourhomeonlybetter.com

Source:  www.remodelingsalemoregon.com 

Source:  paintaa.com

Source:  allenremodeling.com

Garages

You may think that buyers won't really care that much about your garage and how neat it is, after all, its a garage, right?  Think again.  Men definitely look at the garage as a major selling point or drawback.  Do you have enough stalls, is there extra storage room, is it insulated or heated, can it fit my truck?  These and more are the questions they will be trying to answer when they take a peak into your garage.

Source:  ideakon.com

Source:  dentscleaningadvices.blogspot.com

Source:  www.stonehand.com

Update The Appliances

I know its hard to spend the money on new appliances when you're just going to be moving.  But think about it this way.  If a buyer sees older appliances, they will automatically be adding up the cost in their head to replace them, often times padding the amount, and their offer will reflect this.  If, however, you choose the appliances, you've not only beat them to the punch but you've created a sense of urgency with the buyer.  They will be thinking that this super nice home will be off the market before they can get a chance to bid on it and will likely pad their offer a bit more than they would have.  It will likely be at least equal to, if not far outdo, the amount you will have spent on updating the appliances..

Source:  alittlesewing.blogspot.com

Source:  www.somewhatsimple.com

Source:  www.howtogal.com

Source:  Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors

Weekly Market Update: January 24, 2014

Housing starts haven't been quite as robust as forecast, climatological factors have chilled demand in many places and dramatic declines in foreclosure activity has become the norm in several housing markets. These factors can sometimes pull down overall sales numbers, so it's important to dig beneath the headlines. All of this looks and feels like a natural part of the transition toward a healthier marketplace. Prices are still experiencing upward pressure, and sellers are still receiving competitive offers.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending February 15:

 • New Listings decreased 2.9% to 1,162
 • Pending Sales decreased 8.4% to 816
 • Inventory decreased 9.7% to 11,965

For the month of January:

 • Median Sales Price increased 12.4% to $179,850
 • Days on Market decreased 12.3% to 93
 • Percent of Original List Price Received remained flat at 93.5
 • Months Supply of Inventory decreased 15.6% to 2.7

Source:  Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

8157 Savanna Valley Way, Victoria, MN

8157 Savanna Valley Way, Victoria, MN 55386




New listing just posted: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/G4HKX5

New listing video just posted:  http://video.circlepix.com/G4HKX5/138/442


Description:

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Home Information:

Beds: 4

Baths: 2.00

Sqft: 3,530

Price: $375,000

MLS #: 4449412

2181 Pinehurst Dr, Chanhassen, MN

2181 Pinehurst Dr., Chanhassen, MN 55317



New listing just posted: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/T5C2JP

New listing video just posted:  http://video.circlepix.com/T5C2JP/138/459


Description:  Only available due to relocation, this beautiful home, built by Colson Custom Homes, offers a finish level for today’s discerning buyers.

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Home Information:

Beds: 5

Baths: 2.00

Sqft: 4,760

Price: $929,000

MLS #: 4449541

What's Behind That Door?

No, this isn't The Price Is Right.  It's a real question.  What is behind most of the doors in your home?  Most likely the answer is...nothing.  But don't you think that space could be better utilized?  Here are just a few ideas that some clever people have done with the space behind their doors.





















































Source:  Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors

Weekly Market Update: February 17, 2014

With the first days of February under our belts, it's safe to say that housing has managed to weather the heart of winter with little issue. Although 2014 activity may appear sluggish compared to gangbuster 2013, housing has stabilized and should continue to find moderate footing. Look for some signs of inventory and sales activity thawing, but keep your jacket handy as activity always varies by location and segment.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending February 8:

• New Listings decreased 3.0% to 1,193
• Pending Sales decreased 8.8% to 794 
• Inventory decreased 10.2% to 11,809

For the month of January:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.4% to $179,850
• Days on Market decreased 12.3% to 93
• Percent of Original List Price Received remained flat at 93.5
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 15.6% to 2.7

Source:  Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

A (Small) Place For Wine

I love a glass of wine as I'm cooking dinner or after the kids are in bed.  But I am one of those who has a glass only occasionally.  I generally find it hard to even finish off the bottle within one week.  I find that I don't keep many bottles of wine on hand for this reason, and also because I don't have a lot of space for a stand-alone wine rack.  But it would be convenient to have a little space to store a few bottles, especially when there's a sale on my favorite wine at the liquor store.

You can find many, many ideas online for wine cellars with all the bells and whistles, along with tasting areas and piped in music!  As nice as that would be, it just isn't realistic for most of us.  

I'm thinking something on a much smaller scale. I think a built-in option would best suit my needs.  And hey, it's one less thing taking up precious counter, floor or wall space.  

Always remember that heat and light destroy wine  Never store your wine above a refrigerator or too near a heat vent or oven or in direct sunlight if you can help it.  

With that in mind, here are a few ideas that I found for small wine storage options.

Source:  Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors