Design Trends Natural Elements in Interior Designs Interior designers understand that people feel grounded and calm when surrounded by organic elements. Natural materials can add a touch of organic beauty and create a serene, refreshing atmosphere in your home.To bring a bit of outdoor magic into your living space, choose furnishings, surfaces and colors that echo nature’s beauty. Natural materials lend a […]
Buying and Selling Tips Homebuyers Are Getting Used to the New Normal Before you decide to sell your house, it’s important to know what you can expect in the current housing market. One positive trend right now is homebuyers are adapting to today’s mortgage rates and getting used to them as the new normal. To better understand what’s been happening with mortgage rates lately, the graph below shows the […]
Buying and Selling Tips Explaining Today’s Mortgage Rates If you’re following mortgage rates because you know they impact your borrowing costs, you may be wondering what the future holds for them. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to answer that question because mortgage rates are notoriously hard to forecast. But, there’s one thing that’s historically a good indicator of what’ll happen with rates, and that’s the relationship between […]
Buying and Selling Tips Owning Your Home Helps You Build Wealth You may have heard some people say it’s better to rent than buy a home right now. But, even today, there are lots of good reasons to become a homeowner. One of them is that owning a home is typically viewed as a good long-term investment that helps your net worth grow over time. Homeownership Builds Wealth Regardless of Income Level You may […]
Adventures in Real Estate Refresh or Remodel? Would you like to refresh the look of your home quickly and affordably without the chaos of remodeling? You might be amazed at the dramatic impact small changes can make. So before committing to a costly remodel, consider these projects you can finish in a weekend or two.KitchenPaint or stain cabinets and replace hardware. Install […]
Home Maintenance and Remodeling Working With a Contractor Home renovations often require the expertise of skilled workers. If you need professional help with your project, start with a qualified contractor. Here, we offer tips to help you navigate a client-contractor relationship.Define your project. Create a comprehensive project plan that outlines your goals, budget, timeline, and specific requirements. A well-defined plan helps ensure you and […]
Home Maintenance and Remodeling Keep Your Lawn Green With Less Water Do you wish for a lush lawn without the high water bills? Fortunately, there are several ways to keep your grass fresh and green while conserving water.Choose Drought-Resistant GrassCertain types of grass stay green with less water. Consider reseeding with species like tall fescue or buffalo grass. Check with your local garden center for varieties […]
Home Maintenance and Remodeling Putting in a Pool? Consider the Facts Is your heart set on a backyard pool where friends and family drift around in floating chairs while soaking up the sun? Before you dive in, consider the costs versus the long-term value of such a major investment.Depending on size, design and location, the average price of an in-ground pool can range from $35,000 to […]
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Adventures in Real Estate Home sales declined but so did listings, so Twin Cities buyers still pay above asking During April, the median price of all closings was $367,500, a nearly 4% increase from the previous month but a 0.7% decline compared with last year. Home prices in the Twin Cities last month marked their first annual decline in more than a decade, but with house listings also on the decline, sellers still nabbed […]
Adventures in Real Estate Powerful Job Market Fuels Homebuyer Demand The spring housing market has been surprisingly active this year. Even with affordability challenges and a limited number of homes for sale, buyer demand is strong, and getting stronger. One way we know there are interested buyers right now is because showing traffic is up. Data from the latest ShowingTime Showing Index, which is a measure of buyers actively touring homes, […]
Design Trends A Guide to Modern Design Before minimalism, there was modern design. This is probably a bit of a misnomer when you consider the heyday of “modern” design was from 1940 to 1970.Mid-century modern is the branch of modern design that’s been trending heavily for decades. Devotees love its sleek, low lines and emphasis on blending interiors with exterior surroundings.To create […]
Home Maintenance and Remodeling Backyard Beautification Projects With summer just around the corner, are you dreaming of a backyard oasis?These projects can transform your outdoor space into the perfect summer retreat.Install a PatioWhether you lay your own pavers or hire a professional to pour concrete, adding a patio creates an ideal outdoor gathering space.Bring in Some ShadeBlock the intense summer sun with […]
Home Maintenance and Remodeling Sustainability: All About Backyard Farming Did you know you can enjoy a hobby, soak up the sun and help preserve the earth all at the same time? In fact, you can do all this and more right in your backyard. Experts say planting in even a tiny bit of soil can offset carbon emissions. So, from trees to vegetables, here […]
Home Maintenance and Remodeling Increase Energy Efficiency in an Older Home One of the challenges of living in an older house is keeping your energy costs down. Here are a few strategies to increase your home’s energy efficiency.InsulateAdding another layer to existing insulation can help maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your house, which allows your HVAC system to work more efficiently.Use LED Light BulbsIt might be […]
Buying and Selling Tips Balancing Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer This Spring Though there are more homes for sale now than there were at this time last year, there’s still an undersupply with fewer houses available than in more normal, pre-pandemic years. The Monthly Housing Market Trends Report from realtor.com puts it this way: “While the number of homes for sale is increasing, it is still 43.2% lower than it was before the pandemic […]
Design Trends 2023 Furniture Design Trends Furniture design is leaning into natural shapes, hard surfaces and sleek style in 2023. According to top designers interviewed by Architectural Digest, here are six furniture trends you can expect to see this year. NEOLITHIC DESIGNYou don’t need a man cave to furnish your home in neolithic style. While not everyone will embrace stone or metal furniture, […]
Home Maintenance and Remodeling How To Extend the Life of Your Outdoor Living Space One of life’s simple luxuries is an evening spent outdoors delighting in the warmth and soft breezes of the season. But time and weather can take a toll on porches, decks and patios, so consider these do’s and don’ts for your outdoor living space.DO pressure wash and stain wood decks every couple of years. DON’T use harsh chemicals […]
Buying and Selling Tips How To Make Your Dream of Homeownership a Reality According to a recent Harris Poll survey, 8 in 10 Americans say buying a home is a priority, and 28 million Americans actually plan to buy within the next 12 months. Homeownership provides many financial and non-financial benefits, so that interest is understandable. However, it’s unlikely all 28 million Americans will accomplish that goal in the coming year. Experts project a […]
Adventures in Real Estate The Two Big Issues the Housing Market’s Facing Right Now The biggest challenge the housing market’s facing is how few homes there are for sale. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains the root causes of today’s low supply: “Two dynamics are keeping existing-home inventory historically low – rate-locked existing homeowners and the fear of not finding something to buy.” Let’s break down these two big issues in today’s […]
Home Maintenance and Remodeling Are Smart Appliances Right for Your Home? Smart home appliances can make your life easier, and if you’re renovating your home, you’re likely wondering if they’re a worthwhile addition to your new-and-improved space. They have plenty of benefits: Everything from smart refrigerators, oven ranges, thermostats, monitoring systems, plugs, light bulbs, and even locks can offer you complete remote control over the things you use most. They […]