The Minneapolis/St. Paul real estate market is one of the fastest-growing in the nation. As demand for housing grows, the average value of Minneapolis homes has increased by 5.7% over the past year. Minneapolis real estate agents will be competing with other real estate brokers for the attention of potential sellers. One of the most important ways a Minneapolis real estate agent can differentiate themselves from the competition is by conducting a thorough comparative market analysis.  What is a Comparative Market Analysis? A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is how real estate professionals price a property. This analysis is based on similar homes in the current market. These properties are either recently sold or currently for sale. CMAs utilize various data and comparison points to ev... 03/10/2022

Homeownership in the Twin Cities Over the past two years, we have learned to love our Twin Cities homes a lot more as we have stayed at home more than ever due to the ongoing pandemic. Because of this, the individual and psychological advantages our residences provide have come to be even more crucial to us. When the wellness dilemma started, the globe around us altered almost overnight, as well as our homes were redefined. Our demands moved, and our shelters became an area that protected us to a whole new degree. I think that is what has pushed the demand for homes to such high levels. The more people are home, the more they realize what they want in their space. If you are looking for a new space or want to sell your current space, discussing this with a Top Twin Cities Real Estate Ag... 02/14/2022

Remote work has become increasingly popular. According to a survey, about one out of four Americans worked from home in 2021. If you want to join the ranks of remote workers or if you own a small business, it's time to think about your home office. When you need a new or upgraded workspace, you have three options: create a space for work, build an addition, or expand to a bigger place. What to Do Without a Home OfficeNot everyone has the extra room for a home office. Some remote workers choose to convert the dining room into an office or place a desk behind the floating sofa. They may take an empty closet, remove the doors, and place a desk within it to create a makeshift office. There's no limit on what you can convert into a home office with the right amount of creativity and ingenuit... 09/10/2021

Over the past 18 months, many hardworking people and businesses have suffered economic losses through no fault of their own.  Some have failed to file tax returns or even pay their taxes.  During the pandemic, the IRS temporarily ceased collection activity.  Due to increased funding and a need to pay for some government actions, the IRS is ramping up their collection efforts.  Using a myriad of techniques including artificial intelligence (AI), the IRS is identifying and pursuing high income (over $100,000 income) non-filers. The IRS is a collection agency, they have many tools at their disposal, the most effective of which are liens and levies.   So, what happens when your client’s assets are encumbered by a Notice of Federal Tax Lien, and they want to sell their house?Take a deep brea... 07/22/2021

Downtown Saint Paul Minneapolis, MNSaint Paul, known as the city of neighborhoods, is described as fifteen small towns with one mayor. The district encompasses a vast land area that incorporates various neighborhoods. Downtown Saint Paul is the center of this community and serves as one of the region's primary business, entertainment, and commercial centers. The suburb is rich in history, filled with cultural landmarks, and features vibrant nightlife. Businesses are thriving in the area, and development is ramping up to help the city's ongoing boom. Today Downtown Saint Paul is a dense urban community with an abundance of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, and many other notable attractions. Young professionals looking to close live to the pulse of the city will surely appreciate w... 01/18/2021

 Commercial Property SOLD - 2456 & 2454 Bloomington Av MinneapolisSold by Eric Kodner, Wayzata Lakes Realty We're particularly proud of this sale. It was actually a sale of two adjacent properties, one sold at $625,300 and the other at $389,900. In aggregate, a combined sale (to the same buyer) of just over $1,015,000.The buyer made this purchase using an Small Business Administration loan for the commercial property. The financing process was complicated, with stringent SBA requirements, but we were pleased to be able to make it all come together.From offer to close took about four months. Considering the challenges of working on such a complicated purchase, we consider this to be a remarkably smooth transaction.Call us at 612.670.2539 and let us guide you through the process of your n... 12/11/2020

I represent taxpayers in Maple Grove, Minnesota and all the 50 States in the United State before all administrative levels—examination, collection, and appeals—of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).One of the tools the IRS uses to get a taxpayer's attention or get a tax debt paid is to start garnishing their wages using a continuing levy. A continuing wage levy is designed to make it economically painful so that it forces taxpayers to contact the IRS and deal with the back tax issue.Before the issuance of the wage levy, five or six months have passed without the taxpayer dealing with the back tax issue. The IRS have sent out at least four letters to the taxpayer and the taxpayer have choose to ignored the letters.The good news is that there are options available to the taxpayer to remov... 11/08/2020

The Closing Costs in the Minneapolis, MNProperty Taxes in MinnesotaThe property tax rate in the state of Minnesota is 1.15%. The two types of property taxes homeowners need to pay include levies based on net tax capacity and market value levies. For net tax capacity, market value exclusions are deducted depending on the value of your home. The remaining market value is multiplied depending on the class rate of your home. Class rates include 1% on the first $500,000 of the property’s market value and 1.25% on the amount above $500,000. So, if your home is worth $400,000, the net tax capacity is $4,000. Local taxes is dependent on your local guidelines. The second property tax is based on market value levies, which are typically voter-approved. A home valued at $400,000, for example, has ... 09/17/2020

The Closing Costs in the Minneapolis, MNClosing CostsClosing Costs collectively is the term used to refer to all the expenses a buyer and seller have to pay to close a real estate transaction. Generally, the buyer pays most of the fees associated with closing costs but there are instances where you can negotiate with the seller to pay some or all of these costs. The fees vary depending on the legal requirements of the state and municipality so it's best to discuss with your realtor the various closing costs you have to pay for your deal. We've compiled a list of the typical closing costs for a buyer and seller and enumerated them on the lists down below. For more information, please check out our original blog post at https://grumdahlgroup.com/.Buyer's Closing Costs Survey Fee Appraisal... 08/12/2020

Home Disinfection TipsThe Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes to how we live our lives and it's important to equip yourself with the knowledge on how to best protect yourself and your family from the virus. We've compiled a couple of tips on this article on how you can help prevent its spread.For more information, please check out our original blog post at https://grumdahlgroup.com/.Handwashing is ImportantHandwashing is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of the Corona Virus. The virus is an envelope-type virus, meaning it has an envelope-like fatty sphere that protects the cell corrupting RNA inside which is responsible for infecting a person. Plain soap is one of the best ways to rupture this sphere in order to kill the virus. Rinsing with water ... 07/13/2020

The Coronavirus PandemicCoronavirus Pandemic has changed the lives of everyone in the world. From our day to day habits to significant changes in how the economy works, people's habits have significantly evolved to help avoid the spread of the virus. Like many other industries, real estate has made several changes to protect realtors and clients alike. In this article, we'll be sharing the best ways and importance of disinfecting your home whenever you have visitors come over, have a home visit scheduled, or for your regular cleaning days. Check out our original blog post at https://grumdahlgroup.com/.The Covid-19 VirusThe Covid-19 Virus is an envelope-like virus with the human-cell-corrupting RNA of the virus living inside an envelope-like sphere. This sphere serves to protect the viru... 06/29/2020

Better Homes & Gardens did a Home Buyer Study to see what millennials are looking for in their first home. The 'next-gen' buyers may give you some insight on what to do to assist in the sale of your  home. #1 ) Purchase With A Plan to Stay 36% of these potential buyers see themselves living in that home at least 10 years. I remember when that statistic was 4-5 years. What does that mean? It means that the view of a starter home has changed. These buyers are now investing in more expensive homes with more square footage and areas with good school districts. These sets of wants were typically on the lists for 'move-up' buyers so now there is more competition at that level. Now empty nesters are looking to the smaller start-up homes.        #2) Home Buying Process Takes Longer Not only is ... 04/16/2020

Window treatments are always a topic of conversation in a Home Staging Consultation when I meet with Homeowners that are putting their house on the market. 1) If you have heavy drapery or valances take them down. This isn't the look that buyers want right now plus they over power the room and hide the windows.     Even drapery panels that cover the window in anyway should be taken down.  At the very minimum, extend the rod out past the trim so the entire drapery panel hangs outside the windows themselves. In the picture below my recommendation would be to take the panels down as they have the duet shades underneath for privacy. The shades should be all the way up to the top for MLS photos and showings. Hanging halfway down like this causes the eye to go right to those shades versus the ... 03/16/2020

Cost of LivingCost of living is the various expenses an individual or a family has to spend to maintain a good quality of life in a particular area. There are several factors that affect the total amount of expenses and can influence whether or not moving into a new city can be a financially viable decision for you. If you're planning to move into Minneapolis or Minnesota, you may want to read our guide on the Cost of Living in the Twin Cities.Statistics BasisBefore diving into the cost of living index we've provided, it's important to note that the scoring system we used is based on a typical 1-bedroom apartment home. Housing and other factors will vary depending on the type of house you are getting, especially if you plan to move into the area with your family. Check out our original ... 03/03/2020

If I was to say that I own 'a few' trays. That would be putting it mildly. Whether I am decorating a home or staging a vacant home trays are always in my game plan.If I was to come into your home for a Home Staging Consultation or a Redesign Consultation you would probably hear me say "do you have any trays?"I use them everywhere.In kitchens:    On coffee tables:     On ottomans:    In Offices:  Even in bathrooms:    Trays pull things together so it doesn't look like random accessorizing. They also add interest and character. If you don't own any trays keep your eyes open for large ones, small ones, rectangle and round. Wood, metal, wicker it doesn't matter. Brown, silver, or turquoise...have fun with it and start experimenting.  03/02/2020

  Here are some Home Staging Statistics you will love, just in time for Valentines Day! In the most recent study of  634 homes (both vacant and occupied), done by the Real Estate Staging Association, they found that: Un-staged homes spent an average of 107 days on the market. After staging, these homes sold on average in 25 days. Homeowners had their home on the market an average of 132 days before calling a Home Stager. Homes that were staged prior to going on the market sold on average in 18 days. Homes that were staged first, spent 86% less time on market.         Let's do some math on the difference of having your home on the market 132 days versus 18 days.In this example let's assume you have a house payment of $2500 including real estate taxes and insurance, and your utilities are... 02/14/2020

 You may never have thought of this but when you go to sell your home you should. This is the first way a potential buyer will see your home.....through the eye of a camera lens. That MLS photo is small yet it is capturing an entire room. What will the buyer see in that photo? Will they see your things? Their eyes going to the tops of cabinets where they don't need to be.   Or will the buyer's eyes focus in on your beautiful granite?  Will their eyes bounce from nick-knack to nick-knack.....wondering what that thing in the corner is? Or wonder how they could possibly seat enough people in the room?    These are not photos where all new beautiful furnishings were brought in. These photos are using what you have but making it look better by editing your items and using them differently. O... 02/10/2020

I love most things old, including myself! Ha. But really, I love an old piece of furniture mixed in with new for a character piece. It is also fun to take an old chair and reupholster it with modern fabric for a twist.But every once in a while you just have to scrap the old completely. No matter how cool the nostalgia.This 1920s kitchen had seen it's better days but it had an actually ice box. Yes an ICE BOX!. And it had the pass through window for the milk man to leave his daily delivery. I love that stuff!!  It would have been so nice to have incorporated those into a new updated kitchen somehow but it just wasn't possible. The kitchen was just so small for today's standards that we needed every spec of space to make a buyer want to buy this rehabbed home.  New bright white cabinets, ... 01/29/2020

I know it may sound a bit crazy to consider traffic when you are selling your home....like you need a traffic cop to assist you, but in a way you do. I guess I am that traffic cop! :)    When you are putting your home on the market you really need to consider that you may have 5 to 6 people all together walking through your home. Potentially the Realtor, husband, wife and 2-3 kids. That is a lot of people getting through a space and yes, most tend to walk together through the house, at least at first.  I entered a home this week to do a home staging consultation and 4 feet inside the door was an extremely large easy chair that also blocked over half the hallway straight ahead into the rest of the home. Yes it was a great placement for watching TV but it was not a great placement for sel... 01/20/2020

In Minnesota we don't stay indoors when it's cold and Christmas time is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Minneapolis.   The Minneapolis Holidazzle is a wonderful event to visit during the Christmas season. My husband, St Bernard and I hit the opening of this special event and it really was like walking in a postcard.      There are numerous tents with hand crafted items for sale, Christmas music, a beer garden and an ice skating rink. Grab a hay bale and hot chocolate and watch a movie.  The night we attended they had Fireworks and it was spectacular.   Check out Holidazzle if you can. If  time allows, stroll down Nicollet Mall to see the vintage Dayton's windows. Our Saint Bernard loved the Santa Bear display!  12/09/2019