Special offer

Lakeville, MN Real Estate News

By Shar Sitter, Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M
(Rooms With Style)
Yesterday I posted about an email I had received regarding a Home Staging Consultation where the subject line was : "Your Expertise Helped Us Get an Offer In Five Days After Listing!" Well, I got up this morning and found this in my email: "Hello Shar, Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for helping us with staging our townhome a couple months back. After 6 weeks of de-cluttering, moving, cleaning, shopping, and rearranging, we put our home up for sale last Saturday. Our Open House was on Sunday, we had 8 showings by Thursday and 2 offers on Thursday night. We accepted an offer that ended up being above our asking price! Your advice was so valuable to us. I just wanted to let you know that we couldn't have done it without your help! We close at the beginning of April, and we will definit...
Comments 20
By Mike Carlier, More opinions than you want to hear about.
There's a lot of discussion in America about the definition of marriage and who should have the right to marry whom.  There are alternative suggestions like making all marriages legal partnerships, and perhaps allowing the word marriage to exist only in churches which could set their own criteria.  Of course, many folks live together with personal and individual understandings about their relationships. ...take your relationship with your domestic partner, Mr. Landlord.  You honor and obey him by following his rules.  He forbids you to have a dog or to paint the walls your favorite color, and you can't park the boat in the driveway.  You always do what he says because you need a place to sleep.  In turn, you share with him your income, and you promise to remain living in his house for a...
Comments 3
By Danny Dietl, Buy, Sell, Lease - iMetroProperty.com
(www.dannyrealestate.com)
Schedule a Showing/Request Info Lakeville Homes for Sale MN Free List of Foreclosed Homes For Sale Avoid Foreclosure What is your home worth? Minneapolis Homes for Sale Search All Homes For Sale Prior Lake Homes for Sale Lakeville Homes for Sale MN Homes for Sale Danny Dietl iMetro Property 612-306-6676 danny@imetroproperty.com MLS#: 4107923 Licensed In:MN Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property. 17645 Ionia CourtLakeville, MNScan with your smartphone & take me with you. Description Features Photos Maps & Local Schools Solid twinhome on 1/2 acre cul-de-sac $ Click for current price2 BEDROOMS1 BATHROOMS (1 full) 1270 Square Feet Solid twinhome on 1/2 acre cul-de-sac lot. No Assoc fees. Maintenanc...
Comments 0
By Mike Carlier, More opinions than you want to hear about.
Your Minnesota Real Estate Agent May Not Be YOUR AGENT Most home buyers have never bought a home before, and many others have not bought a home in a fair number of years.  There are a few elements in the buying process that can make a huge difference in the degree of success in your buying experience. At your first face to face meeting with a real estate agent, Minnesota Statute requires that you be presented with an agency relationship disclosure.  It will define the different types and levels of ways real estate professionals will interact with you, and you will be asked to verify your receipt of the disclosure by signing a copy.  This disclosure may seem boring, but it is important to understand just who does what for whom. When you are shopping for a home, your relationship to the a...
Comments 1
By Shar Sitter, Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M
(Rooms With Style)
Yup....Must Be January! New Year's Resolutions to lose weight, get in better shape, blah blah blah. Don't get me wrong, it is all wonderful! I commend you and I hope you stay with it. But boy or boy it is hysterical come January to see the parking lot at my health club. I work out at Life Time Fitness, an extremely large facility.   The one by my home is one of their largest in the country I believe with something like 350,000 sq. ft or some crazy number. Plus four pools, spa, cafe, 4 water slides, outdoor umbrellas, outdoor grill, yoga room.....you get the picture.     So today I go to work out about 8:30 AM (I don't normally workout on Saturday unless I haven't gotten there much during the week); and oops, forgot it was January! I had to park in the back forty literally! The parking l...
Comments 14
By Mike Carlier, More opinions than you want to hear about.
A couple years ago, I wrote about the importance of making your lifestyle upgrades as soon as it is physically possible.  One of the most prevalent reasons for upgrading is to make life's experiences better for your children.  The fact is that children are perishable.  They expire on or about their eighteenth birthday, and any child-helping things you want to do for them have to be done in eighteen years.  If they were ten when I wrote about lifestyle upgrades for your kids, there is now 25% less time for them to enjoy that upgrade before they stop being children.  If you either ignored the message in 2009, or if you simply put off taking action, it's time to take another look. If your home is too small for your family's comfort, or if another location would suit your family's needs bet...
Comments 8
By Mike Carlier, More opinions than you want to hear about.
A couple December reminders for tax- conscious home owners.  With 2011 ending in three weeks, we're in the stretch for finding ways to reduce our income tax burden.  Home owners who deduct interest charged on their home loans may want to make the January payment a few days early to credit the payment in 2011 and have the advantage of deducting the additional interest this year.  It may be a little strategic fortune telling because the deduction could be worth more in 2012 if tax rates increase.  It's also possible that home interest will be treated differently in 2012, depending on what decisions/indecisions come out of Congress next year.  I'm going to take the bird in the hand and pay early enough to get the interest credited this year. Another consideration is the energy saving tax c...
Comments 3
By Tom Scott, Re/Max MN Realtors and Real Estate Agent
(Remax Advantage Plus)
 Lakeville Homes For Sale|18815 Kanabec Trail , Lakeville, MN 55044 This has a ton of potential! Finish the bonus room above the garage for additional FSF! Enjoy the very heavily wooded backyard and deck off of the back of the home. Entertain in the large kitchen located just off of the family room. Do not miss! View More DETAILS and PHOTOS of Lakeville Homes For Sale Search All Lakeville Homes For Sale
Comments 0
By Mike Carlier, More opinions than you want to hear about.
Lakeville MN Home Sales Exceed 2010 Totals Another Minnesota city's total year to date home sales have exceeded the entire 2010 totals.  According to information supplied by Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Lakeville's number of closed residential sales has just reached 607, topping the 2010 total of 605.  In a year as challenging as 2011, this suggests that there are some improvements in the Lakeville housing market. The immobility of underwater homeowners still exists.  People who could afford a higher payment are still stuck in homes they otherwise would have replaced with a move up home. Eventually the lending industry and government regulators may find a way for otherwise creditworthy home owners to port their debt to a more suitable home.  It seems like a no-brainer...
Comments 8
By Mike Carlier, More opinions than you want to hear about.
Disturbing Trend? -- Kitchens Without Refrigerators When discussing the various components of marketing with my seller-clients, we touch on the three elements of a successful sale, pricing, packaging and promoting.  Each has its purpose, and each depends on the proper execution of the other two. While the bulk of the promoting responsibility rests on my shoulders, and pricing is a decision that requires some trust in my analytical work to suggest a viable target, packaging needs the active participation of the owner of the home. Taking a short tour of a seller's home will reveal most of the maintenance and repair items that ought to be addressed before the home goes on the market.  To get top dollar for the home, all known maintenance and repairs have to be completed before the first sh...
Comments 9
By Mike Carlier, More opinions than you want to hear about.
Lakeville 2011 home sales totals are on track to exceed 2010.  According to data provided by the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Lakeville, has had 568 closed sales so far this year.  There are 49 accepted offers awaiting closing, which suggests that, with another two months left, 2011 total units sold should easily exceed the 2010 total sales of 605.  There are 327 active home listings which calculates to about six months of inventory.  If you have a home to sell, the absorption rate, the calculation of the ratio of homes for sale compared to the number of homes sold, can help you form an expectation of the amount of time it will take to sell your home.  There were 376 home listings in lakeville so far this year that have terminated, either because the contracted time l...
Comments 2
By Mike Carlier, More opinions than you want to hear about.
The Minnesota Vikings have been complaining about the tent that they have been using, off and on, for the location of their home games.  Some fans might say that the Vikings actually play football there, and I will concede their opinion. There are a number of proposals for a partnership between various levels of government in the acquisition of land and development of surrounding infrastructure, and the new stadium.  Most have involved new taxes or expanding gambling in the state.  For the record, I'm OK with a new stadium, and I'm OK with shifting some of the tax exempt gambling activity from the present casinos to the tax rolls to pay what is needed from public funds. Now here's where I think somebody has been drinking too much of the stale cider:  There is a proposal to use proceeds ...
Comments 5
By Mike Carlier, More opinions than you want to hear about.
The Lakeville, MN School District has agreed to allow teachers to leave their assigned classroom to write recommendation letters for students applying for college admission.  Upon their request, their classroom duties will be covered with substitute teachers.  No teachers will be asking to be replaced today or tomorrow because they are all theoretically attending their labor union's convention, for which they are annually allowed time off.  I always wondered why those conventions couldn't be scheduled on weekends or during the three month summer recess.  I guess I'm just not educated enough to figure that one out.  
Comments 4
By Barbara Charlton
(inactive - license is on ice with State of MN)
It is 11:00am on a Friday, and it has been quite a week. After juggling inspections, new listings, closings, purchase agreements, dogs, cats, workouts, AND a couple of health scares from my aging parents, today is -- for once -- calm.Hmmm. Calm. Feels weird. Good, but weird.If you are like me, you can run full-tilt all the time. I suspect I may need to enter a 12-step program for adrenaline junkies.  And so today I give myself permission to accomplish lots of stuff....at a more relaxed pace. Calm. I am going to try to get used to it....while it's here.
Comments 2
By Mike Carlier, More opinions than you want to hear about.
With a hundred days to go, September 16 marks the last of the three digit number of days until the Christmas shopping season ends.  For almost everyone, it hasn't yet begun, and we will complain that retailers are rushing us.  We will complain until we start worrying that there doesn't seem to be as much time as we need to get everything completed on time.  It happens every year, doesn't it? Many folks know that they would be happier, and that their families would be better off, if they were to find another place to live that fits them better.  Maybe there is a shortage of bedrooms, maybe the backyard doesn't exist, or it's just not situated to be a good place for the kids to play.  Maybe the neighborhood doesn't exactly fit their idea of where the home should be located.  There are num...
Comments 1
By Mike Carlier, More opinions than you want to hear about.
There are some issues in our economy that need to be addressed.  One, perhaps not the most urgent, but certainly one reason for the sluggishness is lack of investment money in the stock and bond markets.  Let's look at a couple potential government programs and evaluate their possible effectiveness. First, there are many poor people in America who just can't afford to invest in the stock market, or have lost their life savings through investing in the wrong place at the wrong time.  If each of them put $100.000 into publicly traded equities, the market would soar.  The government could assist these folks by a combination of gifts and loans so they could get in the game.  This would help many people who are unemployed and underemployed with no other way to invest. Second, there are many ...
Comments 4
By Shar Sitter, Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M
(Rooms With Style)
A School Calendar......How To Keep Everything Straight! Soccer game at 6:30 tonight, ballet lesson at 4:30 tomorrow, piano at 4:00 Wednesdays......  AAAHhhhh.....how does a parent keep everything straight much less let Grandma and Grandpa know what is going on too? How about creating you own calendar right on your computer!! One that you can print off yourself or email to family.     Now isn't that convenient and helpful. There are many, and I mean many sites available to create your own School Calendar and many software packages you can purchase as well. Here is one I came across.....Smilebox.com. Now I haven't used it myself but it looks easy, it's free, and you can add your own photos. How much better could it be! Keep yourself sane this school year as well as sharing all the activit...
Comments 9
By Shar Sitter, Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M
(Rooms With Style)
Sports Calendar: Lakeville North and Lakeville South High School Football Believe it or not it is that time of year....Are You Ready for some Football?? Lakeville North and Lakeville South are two top State Football teams always in the mix when it comes to the State Championship title. If you want to see some great football with no lockouts or arguments about money check out one of these games.   Lakeville North Football Program   Lakeville North Football Web Site      Thursday, Sep 1, 2011 7:00PM Eastview at Lakeville North High School Friday, Sep 9, 2011 7:00PM Away vs. Apple Valley Apple Valley High School Friday, Sep 16, 2011 7:00PM Edina at Lakeville North High SchoolFriday, Sep 23, 2011 7:00PM Away vs. Rosemount High School Friday, Sep 30, 2011 7:00PM Burnsville at Lakeville North...
Comments 9
By Shar Sitter, Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M
(Rooms With Style)
School Supply List Eastview Elementary Kindergarten  You know....I was kind of surprised by how many supplies a kindergartener needs. The public library card is pretty cool!   Eastview Elementary Kindergarten School Supplies ListPublic Library Card1 Box of Tissue5 #2 Lead Pencils2 Boxes of 8 Count Crayons NO JUMBO SIZE2 Boxes of 24 Count Crayons1 Box 48 OR 64 Count Crayons1 Child's Rounded Tip Scissor1 Large Package Generic Paper Plates1 8-oz. School Glue - White Only - NO GEL1 Large Back Pack (No Wheels) Large Enough to Hold a 3-Ring Binder and Library Book1 Highlighter - Wide Tip1 1 1/2 in. Ring Binder WithClear Pocket Cover1 Package 8 Basic Color Wide Tip Markers1 Package 8 Wide Tip Markers Either Bold OR Bright1 Dry Erase Marker - Wide Tip3 Plastic Pocket Folders - 1 yellow, 1 - gre...
Comments 6
By Barbara Charlton
(inactive - license is on ice with State of MN)
.....love the one you're with. And yes, we're talking real estate here. As I unpacked all of our stuff in our new home, it occurred to me that this house did not have exactly what I  hoped for in terms of a kitchen. Granted, the house has everything else we need or want: a huge fenced yard, big rooms, extra porches, fireplace, hardwood floors......and it's just two doors away from my parents who need help now and again. That last piece alone has reduced our daily stress to a very manageable level because we can be there when they need us. But c'mon, how do you cram a 17'x13' kitchen, with all the accompanying flotsam and jetsam that accumulates (have you ever heard my "Bigger Purse Theory?") into an teeny, tiny 8'x7' galley kitchen? You prune. You toss. You agonize over the salad spinne...
Comments 2