Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Stafford Family Realtors is winding down 2016 and will be spending a merry and cheerful holiday with our family. We want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! We'll see you all in 2017!

Weekly Market Activity Report For Week Ending December 10, 2016

Housing starts have fallen from last month's nine-year high, but the onset of the
winter season has to be a strong consideration for the reason behind the monthover-month
slowdown. The fact remains that homebuilder confidence has reached
its highest point in more than ten years, and the housing market is rounding out the
year in a rather solid position.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending December 10:
 • New Listings increased 1.5% to 725
 • Pending Sales increased at 745
 • Inventory decreased 22.1% to 10,422

For the month of November:
 • Median Sales Price increased 5.5% to $231,400
 • Days on Market decreased 15.1% to 62
 • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.8% to 96.7%
 • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 24.1% to 2.2

Publish Date: December 19, 2016 • All comparisons are to 2015

Happy Friday!

Are you looking for something to do this weekend? It is supposed to become a winter wonderland overnight.

Image by Eneko Muiño via Flickr

There will be an outdoor ice rink at Southdale Mall in Edina. It is open through February in case you don’t want to brave the cold this weekend. The best part is it is free and open during all mall hours.

A different kind of chilly activity is the Sweet Science Ice Cream Tasting. This Saturday they are bringing back their popular Old Fashioned Cocktail ice cream. They also make cherry vanilla bitters ice cream and rye flavored. There will be non-alcohol flavors as well like toasted coconut and cinnamon. The event runs from 4-7pm and is free. It is at the Big Watt Cold Beverage Co in Minneapolis.

Now is also a great time to get out and look at all the twinkle lights around town. There are many great locations around the cities. Eden Prairie has an amazing light display that is synchronized to music. You can drive by in your car while listening to 88.1fm and see the lights dance to the beat. It’s open weeknights until 9:30 and weekends until 10pm and located at George Morgan Drive & Donegal Cove, Eden Prairie Shakopee also has a winter wonderland set up. You can walk through the display and even grab some hot cocoa on your way to meet Santa. It’s at 921 Shakopee Avenue East, Shakopee.

Have a safe and warm weekend. 

Hiding Christmas Presents

Image by Andrew Butitta via Flickr

Have you been purchasing holiday gifts this season? Have you been having trouble with where to keep them so curious eyes won’t find them? Here are a couple of hiding spots for little kids and adults alike:

In a suitcase under the bed or in the closet. Unless you are planning a trip your suitcases are a sneaky place to keep presents. The best part is it looks the same on the outside no matter what you store in it.

In plain sight. Grab a plain cardboard box and write something boring on it in sharpie. 2010 tax return receipts should keep the kids from checking out the box. You can up the ante by putting it in a basement or attic where it is likely to be stored.

The trunk of your car. If your kids or spouse can’t be trusted alone in your house with presents keep them with you when you go out. This isn’t recommended for electronics though because of the cold.

In your Hamper. If you have a large hamper, stick the presents at the bottom and cover them with dirty clothes. You could also do this in your closet with a large box, but cover it with a mound of old dirty clothes. Just make sure you oversee doing the laundry or someone helpful may uncover it.

If there are no safe spaces at your house, ask a trusted neighbor if they will guard your treasure. You could even trade that duty. This would ensure that even if someone found your secret presents it wouldn’t be for them.

Good Luck and Happy Hiding. 

Weekly Market Activity Report For Week Ending December 3, 2016

This has proven to be a steady year for buying and selling activity in the residential
real estate market. Although inventory declined and prices increased throughout the
year, it has been a rather strong year, and many are predicting that 2017 will remain
about the same as long as inventory remains somewhat steady, unemployment
rates continue to fall and mortgage rates remain low.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending December 3:
 • New Listings decreased 14.7% to 747
 • Pending Sales increased 1.7% to 900
 • Inventory decreased 19.9% to 11,099

For the month of November:
 • Median Sales Price increased 5.7% to $231,750
 • Days on Market decreased 16.4% to 61
 • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.8% to 96.7%
 • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 27.6% to 2.1

Publish Date: December 12, 2016 • All comparisons are to 2015

Brrrr. Welcome to winter.

Image by george via Flickr

If you are looking to embrace the cold with some holiday spirit check out one of the events below.

Rock & Roll Christmas Show – Chanhassen Dinner Theater

It’s a rocking show featuring music from the 1970’s through today. With parodies of favorite yuletide songs. Tickets are still available for tonight and there are possible rush tickets throughout the weekend. It promises to be an entertaining time.

For more information: https://www.chanhassendt.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=9651E252-0713-4854-ADD0-F0DD9EBA29D1

Holidazzle – Downtown Minneapolis

This year Holidazzle is moving to Loring Park. It is also free and open to the public. There will be an ice skating rink, Santa Claus, giveaways and musical performances. There will also be food and warm beverages.

For more information: http://www.holidazzle.com/about/

Cirque Dreams Holidaze – Carlson Family Stage

Do you love Christmas? Do you love Cirque du Soleil? This is a beautiful combination. It’s a mix of reindeer, toy soldiers and Santa with stunning acrobatics. The best part is tickets start at just $25.

For more information: http://www.northrop.umn.edu/events/cirque-dreams-holidaze

The Holidays are Coming!

Image by Dineshraj Goomany via Flickr

Here are 3 easy ways to add a little bit of holiday cheer to your home:

An ornament shadow box –

This is a simple diy decoration. You can get a shadowbox from any craft store. If you want to go the extra mile you can pick up some craft paint that matches your décor and paint the shadowbox. Otherwise getting a neutral color like white or black is perfect. Some craft stores also have ball ornaments another option would be to find some at target. The goal is to fill the shadow box with enough ornaments so that they don’t move around. Then you just hang it on your wall. Simple and festive.  

Birch centerpiece –

For an understated winter decoration consider making or purchasing a birch centerpiece. If you add a little holly or a wreath to bring in more color it can really liven up a table. To go the extra mile try finding pine scented tea lights to add the smells of the season.

Change your bathroom towels –

Add some red or green towels to your bathroom. Another subtler way to bring the winter cheer is with snowflake embroidered towels. You don’t have to keep the festive cloths in the bathroom either. Consider new kitchen towels or a new welcome rug. 

Weekly Market Activity Report For Week Ending November 26, 2016

National home prices reached a record high, increasing 0.1 percent from the prerecession
peak in 2006. This height – driven by low inventory, solid demand and
responsible lending practices – is much different from the previous high mark.
Inflation is also a factor. Interest rates, unemployment, prices and wage trends will
continue to be factors to monitor for trend analysis as we reach toward 2017.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 26:
• New Listings decreased 6.7% to 502
• Pending Sales decreased 5.7% to 595
• Inventory decreased 19.9% to 11,571

For the month of October:
• Median Sales Price increased 6.5% to $230,000
• Days on Market decreased 14.3% to 60
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.8% to 96.9%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 21.2% to 2.6

Publish Date: December 5, 2016 • All comparisons are to 2015

Puppy Problems?

Happy December!

Image by Jonathan Kriz via Flickr

Brand new puppies are absolutely adorable. They are also a lot of work and messy. Below are some tips for helping to minimize the mess:

1. Set a routine - When you are potty training its important to have a routine in place. It helps the little pup learn to anticipate what to do. This means heading out at roughly the same times everyday. It also helps to go out the same door. They learn to associate going out the door with going to the bathroom. The good news is winter is the best time to potty train a pup. It's cold enough that they want to do their business quickly and then get back inside.

2. Remove your fluffy rugs - This is another potty training tip for pups. Sometimes they confuse the fluffy rugs for grass. It's easier to remove the rugs for a short time then clean them repeatedly or replace them. It's also a good idea to use a natural cleaner to remove any accidents that may occur. You want to remove the smell with something that is specific to pets and with something that won't be harmful to them.

3. Baby gates and crates - These tools can be your best friend when you get a new pup. Baby gates can section of an area of the house from the puppy in an easy to change way. One example would be if you are cooking and don't want to puppy underfoot. Use simple baby gates to section off the room. Crates are also a great tool. It's recommended that every dog have their own. It is a place where they can feel safe and nest. It'll also cut down on accidents since it's a natural inclination to not toilet where they sleep.

4. Chew protection - Last but not least is to try and protect your stuff from teething pups. You can buy bitter spray to use on the bottom of your furniture. Putting away anything tempting like shows is a good idea. It also helps to have chew toys for the dog. That way they can get their energy out on something that's acceptable instead of something irreplaceable.

Good Luck!

Weekly Market Activity Report For Week Ending November 19, 2016

With the holiday season in full swing, existing home sales rose for the second
straight month to the highest they have been since 2007. This was unexpected,
since prices are also at record highs and inventory is still consistently declining. As
both incomes and employment figures continue to improve, it would be a welcome
surprise to see sales trend higher through to the end of the year.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 19:
• New Listings increased 10.9% to 950
• Pending Sales increased 8.0% to 902
• Inventory decreased 19.7% to 11,975

For the month of October:
• Median Sales Price increased 6.5% to $230,000
• Days on Market decreased 14.3% to 60
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.8% to 96.9%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 21.2% to 2.6

Publish Date: November 28, 2016 • All comparisons are to 2015

Helpful Charts for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is tomorrow! Sometimes getting ready for the holiday can be stressful. For some helpful tricks and tips, check out the links below.

How much food do you actually need? – Good Housekeeping:

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/thanksgiving-ideas/a22081/turkey-serving-guidelines/

How to cook the perfect turkey with Alton Brown - Food Network:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/how-to-cook-perfect-turkey-61005.html

If you need help setting up a fancy dinner table – Architectural Digest: http://dp8hsntg6do36.cloudfront.net/582ccdabb57ac3032b000048/64b66a3e-ae9e-47cd-92ce-00c61ef1226blow.webm

How to carve a turkey like a pro – Martha Stewert:

http://www.marthastewart.com/1127305/how-carve-turkey-pro

If you need to figure out a side dish to bring and share – Southern Living:

http://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/thanksgiving-dinner-side-dishes

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is being shown on NBC starting at 8am.

Football starts at 12:30 with the Minnesota Vikings at the Detroit Lions shown on CBS. At 4:30 you can see the Washington Redskins at the Dallas Cowboys on FOX. The last game is at 7:30 with the Pittsburg Steelers at the Indianapolis Colts shown on NBC.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Weekly Market Activity Report For Week Ending November 12, 2016

The sudden elevation in mortgage rates after the election may throw a wrench into
the market for both buyers and sellers. Affordability and inventory are already low,
and rate spikes coupled with rising prices may keep buyers at bay. In return,
potential sellers may forgo selling if they have to lower their asking prices. These are
hypothetical situations, of course, and residential real estate is presently performing
well.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 12:
• New Listings decreased 3.8% to 986
• Pending Sales decreased 2.7% to 857
• Inventory decreased 19.0% to 12,334

For the month of October:
• Median Sales Price increased 6.5% to $230,000
• Days on Market decreased 14.3% to 60
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.8% to 96.9%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 21.2% to 2.6

Publish Date: November 21, 2016 • All comparisons are to 2015

What's happening this weekend besides some snow?

Happy Friday!

Hopefully you are staying warm with the weather. If you are looking to venture out tonight or this weekend here are some things you can do:

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is now in theaters. It’s a spin-off of the Harry Potter series set in 1926 New York. It focuses on Newt Scramander and a conflict that happens when some of his magical creatures are accidentally released. It looks to be a great movie for most ages. http://www.fantasticbeasts.com/

Saturday, November 19^th is Minneapolis Craft’za. It’s a free one-day art market for handmade goods. You can start Christmas shopping early. It’s at the Grain Belt Bottling House and what’s cool about it is the artists are selected by jury. They want to make sure you are only offered the finest quality crafts. It is open from 10am-4pm and food trucks will be outside if you get hungry. For more information click here: http://www.craftza.com/

Winter Light at the Arboretum is now open. Bruce Munro has created a one of a kind exhibt that is being shown at the Minnesota Arboretum. It is a large-scale light installation with 5 outdoor and 2 indoor installations aimed at illuminating the winter landscape after dark. It would be the perfect event for a date night. Tickets are $17 for the self-guided tour and its open Thursday-Sunday. For more information and to see pictures click here: http://www.munrowinterlightmn.org/

Stay Warm!

Weekly Market Activity Report For Week Ending November 5, 2016

It is unclear how having elected the first business person with no prior political
experience and a heavy background in real estate as the nation's president is going
to influence the housing market. In the hours and days after the election, financial
markets became quite volatile due to the uncertainty. However, it doesn't seem as
though demand from aspiring home buyers will be shrinking in the near future.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 5:
• New Listings decreased 7.4% to 1,096
• Pending Sales increased 9.4% to 980
• Inventory decreased 17.8% to 12,706

For the month of October:
• Median Sales Price increased 6.5% to $230,000
• Days on Market decreased 14.3% to 60
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.8% to 96.9%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 21.2% to 2.6

Publish Date: November 14, 2016 • All comparisons are to 2015

Happy Veterans Day!

Thank you to all those who have served or are currently serving our country.

If you are looking for something to do this weekend check out one of the fun events below:

Canterbury Downs in Shakopee is hosting the Autumn Festival: An Arts and Crafts Affair this weekend (Sat. 9-7 & Sun. 10-5). It attracts over 500 of the nation’s finest exhibitors selling beautiful handmade items. You will find art, jewelry, home décor, furniture, toys and more there. Plus they have national and local entertainers perform on a stage. Food is available. Come see one of the largest craft fairs. Admission is $10.

If you are looking for something to do tonight consider checking out Fins and Flights at the Sealife Aquarium (Mall of America- Bloomington). Come take a journey through the aquarium while sampling local beers. For more information check out the map below or click on the link.

http://www.finsandflights.com/

  

If you are looking for something to do that is out of this world head to the Science Museum of Minnesota. They are showing A Beautiful Planet. It’s a view of earth captured by the astronauts on the International Space Station. To check out showtimes or learn more click here: https://www.smm.org/beautifulplanet

Neighborhood Spotlight: Plymouth

Plymouth is a beautiful city. It was Money Magazine’s number 1 best place to live in 2008. With its accessibility to the big city via 394 but its suburb feel it is an amazing compromise between city and rural. If you are looking for convenience you’ve got it here. Ridgedale mall has everything you could need with over 140 stores. Plymouth also boasts a great movie theater with leather recliner seats. The city has 6 bodies of water, 144 miles of trails and 53 city parks.

Quick Facts:

Population: 72,870

Average Home Price: $292,000

Walkability: 18 – Car Dependant

Here are two beautiful properties currently available in Plymouth:

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/mn/plymouth/17100-60th-avenue-n/pid_15095584/

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/mn/plymouth/17110-60th-avenue-n/pid_15100321/

Weekly Market Activity Report For Week Ending October 29, 2016

We enter the fourth quarter of the year knowing that the share of first-time home
buyers rose for the first time in approximately three years. This fact is driven
primarily by healthy job growth, but we need to see more homes entering the
market in order to combat the low inventory struggle witnessed during the entirety
of 2016.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 29:
 • New Listings decreased 6.1% to 1,031
 • Pending Sales increased 4.2% to 966
 • Inventory decreased 16.9% to 13,299

For the month of September:
 • Median Sales Price increased 3.6% to $230,000
 • Days on Market decreased 13.8% to 56
 • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.9% to 97.5%
 • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 17.1% to 2.9

Publish Date: November 7, 2016 • All comparisons are to 2015

It's Going to be a Beautiful Weekend.

Sunny and 68° is the forecast for this weekend. In other words it should be absolutely beautiful. Now would be the weekend to mow your lawn one more time, clean up any leaves and put grass seed down for the spring. Another fun thing you could do this weekend is watch the Vikings-Lions game this Sunday. It’s poised to be a good game. If you don’t want to watch it at home head out to one of these fun locations:

Image by Darb02

Lord Fletcher’s in Spring Park will be showing the game in the Oar House. You can check it out there from 12 – 5pm. https://www.lordfletchers.com/event/vikings-vs-lions/

If you want to you can head to St. Louis Park and check out Bunny’s Bar and Grill. It was voted the best sports bar in Minnesota last year. After every Vikings touchdown the give out a wooden token worth up to $2.20 off your drink of choice. You could use that on one of their new brews: Leinie Grapefruit Shandy, Castle Danger Cream Ale, Sociable Cider Werks, Boom Island Witness, and Fulton’s new 300 IPA. They try and grab stuff from the local breweries. http://bunnysbarandgrill.com/

Not this week but for every away game you can watch the Vikings on the big screen. They are shown at The Parkway Theater on one of the movie screens. You can enjoy popcorn and see the players larger than life. http://theparkwaytheater.com/index.php

Skol Vikings!

Happy November!

Thanksgiving is in 3 weeks. Now is the time to start thinking about how to get your house ready for holiday guests. If you do little tasks between now and then your holiday experience should be a lot less stressful.

Calibrate your heat.

This is great advice whether or not you plan to host Thanksgiving. Take the time to check all your heat vents and close the ones in areas you don’t use. You can also see how much air flow you need in each room and adjust the vents accordingly. This will help make sure you, your family and your guests are comfortable.

Start figuring out what you are making for Thanksgiving dinner.

Now is the time to start taking stock of your kitchen. Not only do you want to make sure that you have everything for your meal you want to make sure that it will fit in your kitchen. It might be time to clean out your freezer so you can store a turkey. You also want to make sure that if you are hosting guests over the weekend you can fit extras, like coffee and bread, into the pantry.  

Dust your ceiling fans.

It’s amazing how much dust and dirt can collect out of sight. With allergies so prevalent these days keeping the dust and dirt out is a must when having guests over to your home. Along that line now could also be the time to get your vacuum checked and repaired if necessary.

Clean your oven.

This may be self-explanatory but having a clean oven makes food taste better. It also can be fire hazard otherwise. Why chance it now when cleaning it can be quick and easy. For tips on how to clean the oven painlessly check out what the Pioneer Woman has to say: http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/how-to-clean-your-oven/

Happy cleaning!

Weekly Market Activity Report For Week Ending October 22, 2016

Even though there are still more than two months remaining on the year, there is
little to suggest that the prevailing trends of 2016 will suddenly change. If all holds
firm, inventory will trend lower, prices will trend higher and sales will show that
demand remains strong, despite having fewer homes to choose from.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 22:
 • New Listings decreased 4.7% to 1,174
 • Pending Sales increased 8.2% to 1,001
 • Inventory decreased 15.9% to 13,632

For the month of September:
 • Median Sales Price increased 3.6% to $230,000
 • Days on Market decreased 13.8% to 56
 • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.9% to 97.5%
 • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 20.0% to 2.8

Publish Date: October 31, 2016 • All comparisons are to 2015

Neighborhood Spotlight: Edina

Edina is a perfect place to live. What began as a small farming town has now become a beautiful suburb. Edina is close to Minneapolis and has the convenience that being close to the big city brings. It also has the large yards and green space that being in a suburb brings. Edina has over 1500 acres of parkland and open space. They also have a great school system. In 2015 Edina’s high school was named the highest ranked school in Minnesota by U.S. News and World Reports. Edina also has a great business presence. Jerry’s Foods, Lunds, Regis Corporation and Dairy Queen all have headquarters in Edina. If shopping is more your thing check out Southdale Center, The Galleria, or 50^th & France.

Quick Facts:

Population: 49,000

Average Home Price: $393,000

Walkability: 36 – Car Dependent/ walkable depending on the area

Here is a beautiful property currently available in Edina:

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/mn/edina/5205-benton-avenue/pid_14743474/

More Information:

City of Edina Website: http://www.ci.edina.mn.us/

City Livability: http://www.livability.com/mn/eden-prairie

Weekly Market Activity Report For Week Ending October 15, 2016

Housing starts may have fallen for the second month in a row, but the cause
appears to be an abnormally large decline in the multifamily category. An increase
in single-family starts and building permits is a better indicator of a market reacting
positively to the prevailing inventory struggle.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 15:
• New Listings increased 5.0% to 1,364
• Pending Sales decreased 0.1% to 994
• Inventory decreased 16.2% to 13,795

For the month of September:
• Median Sales Price increased 3.6% to $230,000
• Days on Market decreased 13.8% to 56
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.9% to 97.5%
• Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 20.0% to 2.8

Publish Date: October 24, 2016 • All comparisons are to 2015

Have a Spooky Weekend!

There are only two more weekends for Halloween fun. Last week we shared family friendly corn maze activities. This week we’ll share some spooky fun to enjoy this weekend.

The Soap Factory – Haunted Basement – Minneapolis

Every year The Soap Factory turns their basement into something delightfully scary for the month of October. This year is their 10^th anniversary and the theme is a day in the life of a tortured soul. The Haunted Basement is one of the best Halloween attractions in the Midwest for those that like to be scared. The theme may change every year but one rule stays the same: Don’t let go of the rope!

http://www.soapfactory.org/haunted-basement/

Valleyfair – ValleyScare – Shakopee

If you are looking for a little diversity in your haunted house experience check out ValleyScare. With six different haunted mazes you’re sure to find one that fits the scary bill. They even have a new experience called the Skeleton Key. This gets you in front of the line for all six mazes and gives you access to special scary experiences. They will also have limited rides open for when you need to take a break from being scared.

https://www.valleyfair.com/haunt

Trail of Terror – Shakopee

The Trail of Terror is full of fantastic scare opportunities. There is the Howling Pines woods walk where you can walk a dark creepy trail filled with things to make you jump, Hotel 666 with 25 terrifying rooms with “citizens” ready to greet you, and something called the Crystal Caverns where it’s dark and full of surprises. There is also Zombie Paintball and this Saturday is the Running Dead 5k.

http://www.trailofterrormn.com/index.html

http://www.runningdeadmn.com/info.html

May you have a scary weekend!

Good Night, Sleep Tight

Do you ever have trouble sleeping? Did you know there are some simple things you can change in your bedroom to help you catch more z’s?

Image by LilyRose97 via Flickr

1. What color is your room? Studies show that having your bedroom painted blue may lead to you sleeping longer. The reason is the receptors in your eyes. The color blue is associated with calm when picked up by these receptors and helps reduce blood pressure and your heart rate. That all leads to a better night’s sleep. If blue isn’t your thing try grey or another neutral color.
2. Have you thought of adding some green to your décor? Not on the walls but with bringing plants into the room. Plants have been shown to reduce anxiety and stress. They can also help purify the air leading to better breathing which leads to better sleeping. Jasmine, Lavender, Aloe Vera and Golden Pothos are some excellent options.
3. Turn the temp down. This may seem crazy especially with winter approaching but turning your bedroom temperature down a couple of degrees will help you sleep deeper. It sends a signal to the brain that it’s time to snuggle down and sleep.

Hopefully one of these small changes can help you feel more rested and ready for all the adventures of the next day. Good night, sleep tight.  

Weekly Market Activity Report For Week Ending October 8, 2016

Cooling weather and recent interest rate hikes have fewer first-time buyers
shopping for homes thus far this fall, just as many existing homeowners are cozying
up to the idea of remaining in their current homes a little bit longer. With fewer
home buyers and homes for sale, we may see sales and sales prices start to
mellow, or it could mean that the more serious buyers and sellers will simply have
less competition.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 8:
 • New Listings decreased 4.1% to 1,395
 • Pending Sales decreased 6.5% to 980
 • Inventory decreased 16.5% to 13,832

For the month of September:
 • Median Sales Price increased 3.6% to $230,000
 • Days on Market decreased 13.8% to 56
 • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.9% to 97.5%
 • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 20.0% to 2.8

Publish Date: October 17, 2016 • All comparisons are to 2015

Corn Maze Time

It’s almost halfway through October. If you are looking for some things to do that will get you into the October spirit you should check out some of the corn mazes around town.

Apple Jack Orchards – Deleno

Apple Jacks has a corn maze again this year. Not only can you enjoy the orchard you can pick your own pumpkins or enjoy getting lost in the maze. The maze is open on the weekends and over MEA. They also have music there. October 22^nd – 23^rd is Pumpkin Palooza weekend and October 29^th – 30^th you get a treat if you wear a costume. For more information check out their website: https://www.applejackorchards.com/

Sever’s Fall Festival – Shakopee

Sever’s is celebrating its 20^th year and it is going big with the activities. There is an obstacle course (that’s new this year), an exotic petting zoo, two different corn pits (one is extreme), live music, jumping pillows, zip lines, magic shows and more. All of those activities are free with admission. There is also a pumpkin patch and hay rides that you pay extra for. It’s open every weekend through October 30^th and tickets are $15. If you are looking for more information or a $1 off coupon check out their website: https://seversfallfestival.com/

Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze – Brooklyn Park

If you are looking for a Vikings theme to your corn maze look no further. The Twin Cities Harvest Festival dedicated their giant maze to the inaugural year in US Bank Stadium. This is also the largest corn maze in the twin cities. For $12 a ticket you can enjoy the maze, a corn pit, live music, petting zoo, kids play area and a hayride. They have pumpkins and other fun activities, including a mechanical cob of corn, for a bit extra. Part of every ticket sold this year goes to the Vikings Children’s Fund. For more info check out their website: https://twincitiesmaze.com/

Have fun and grab a map for your adventure!

Neighborhood Spotlight: Eden Prairie

Last month Money released its annual Best Places list which rates cities around the U.S. looking for the Best Places to live. #2 on the list this year was Minnesota’s very own Eden Prairie. This attractive city has 37 parks, 17 lakes and 200 miles of sidewalks and trails. The city isn’t just beautiful green spaces. It is also home to some big corporate giants like Optum, Starkey, Supervalu, C.H. Robinson. What this means is a low unemployment rate at 3.6%.  Eden Prairie has highly rated schools including a top rated Spanish immersion school, low crime rates and a convenient location in relation to highways and downtown really round out this city. In 2014 94% of residents rated the city as a good or excellent place to live and it’s easy to see why.

Quick Facts:

Population: 64,000

Average Home Price: $305,000

Walkability: 16 – Car Dependant

Here is a beautiful property currently available in Eden Prairie:

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/mn/eden-prairie/10535-parker-drive/pid_14355686/

More Information:

City of Eden Prairie Website: http://www.ci.victoria.mn.us/

City Livability: http://www.livability.com/mn/eden-prairie