An Arch and a Courtyard

A Lake Harriet Home

This lovely home has a beautiful stone arch over the driveway. Beyond is a courtyard with a carriage house, garages, and a side entry. On this particular day, the sun was beginning to set and the waning daylight cast a golden glow across the facade.

This is a good example of why I love older homes. The craftsmanship is superb–the materials and construction  hold up over time. We can’t say that about a lot of things made today. Additionally, the designs are classic, remaining uncommonly beautiful year after year. I’d like to photograph this home at twilight, with the lights on.

Below is a view of the front of the home.

There are many lovely homes along Lake Harriet Parkway in Minneapolis. I’ll be posting more photos of homes in the area in the coming days. Come back for a visit and we’ll take a virtual walking tour of Lake Harriet homes and architecture.

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Would You Live in a Pink House?

The Pink Victorian

I always seem to notice pink homes. Perhaps it’s because they are rare. What sort of person lives in a pink house? Creative? Confident? Artistic? Fun? Bold? Gentle? Caring? Content? Blissful? Loving? Sweet?

What if I wrote those same adjectives in another way:

Creative.
Confident.
Artistic.
Fun.
Bold.
Gentle.
Caring.
Content.
Blissful.
Loving.
Sweet.

If a home is going to be pink, it needs to be the right shade and hue of pink. This Victorian wears its pink well. Some homes will wear pink better than others. Victorians, yes. Cottages, yes. These styles generally have some architectural detailing that works well with pink. Your basic 1950′s rambler? Probably not so much.

Locale makes a difference. Southern states may have more of these pink homes than northern states. This home is here in northern Minnesota. I get the sense winter wouldn’t be quite so dreary coming home to a pink house.

Landscaping can make a difference as well. Note the variety of landscaping here that softens the overall ambiance.

Would you live in a pink house?

I would.

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A Serendipity Inspired Kitchen Makeover

• (New!)

  A Little Nudge from Serendipity Inspired This Kitchen Makeover

  Sometimes, brilliance just happens. A Remodelaholic kitchen makeover proves that serendipity can trump the best-laid plans. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2012 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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Reducing Your Utility Bills

Energy Efficiency: Pick Upgrades that (Actually) Drive Down Costs

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon

Published: November 3, 2011

Image via Wikipedia

The award-winning energy-efficient Devonshire building
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A new study says home owners won’t see their utility bills drop until they’ve conducted four or more energy upgrades. Here are projects that will give you the greatest bang for your energy buck.

I’ve long suspected that saving energy is like saving calories: Small measures add up, until a Thanksgiving pecan pie — or a dazzling holiday light display — wrecks a year’s worth of small though consistent efforts.

Evidently I’m right, according to a new study claiming that doing a couple of small, energy-saving measures actually increase utility bills. And that a home owner must perform at least four energy upgrades before their utility bill drops.

Image via Wikipedia

The 450-page study, conducted by the eco-curious Shelton Group, found that energy-efficient home owners think they should replace water heaters and install a higher-efficiency HVAC system, though they actually replace windows and add insulation.

We think they’re half right: Adding insulation, especially in the attic, is a low-cost way to reduce utility bills. But replacing windows requires a huge upfront cost, which you probably won’t live long enough to earn back.

To see net-net savings — in your lifetime — select upgrades that reduce energy consumption by 5% and require modest initial investments. We suggest:

• Seal and insulate ductwork through unfinished and unheated areas, such as the attic, garage, and crawl spaces.

• Install a programmable thermostat so you don’t overheat your house when you’re away or asleep.

• Seal air leaks around windows, doors, attic access, and recessed lights.

How many energy-efficient improvements did you make last year? Did you see a drop or increase in your utility bills?

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Side Yard View

Photo of the Day
January 12, 2012

As a Realtor, I am always looking at homes as I walk and drive and bike around town. I usually look beyond the basic facade. What else is there to see? What details does the home have? What is the landscaping like? What colors have been utilized? Is the front yard gated off or open to the street?

The foliage here created a window to the side yard. And here was the view.

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
January 9, 2012

For week ending December 31, 2011

Most observers would agree that this year’s housing recovery was not as robust as many had hoped. That said, a handful of things went right. Inventory declines and a pullback in listing activity meant sellers generally faced fewer challenges than in the past. Driven by improvements in the economy and record-low mortgage rates, purchase demand strengthened organically, independent of government incentives. Those sales gains dovetailed with falling inventories to move the market back toward balance. Nobody knows what 2012 will bring, but it’s a safe bet that these positive developments will continue to evolve. ~~~

First Photos of the New Year

Photos of the Day
January 1, 2012

Yesterday I wrote a post about LED lamps and trees. Today I offer photos of untrimmed, misshapen, evergreen trees that I captured after dark.

These trees stand clumped together inside a circular drive green space with light from the building shining upon them. They are not particularly attractive in and of themselves. Nor are they attractive in their planted mass. Still, their contrast against the lighter grass and the dark skies make them stand out in the artificially lit night environment. They were begging to be noticed for a change. I saw them, and how beautiful they were as part of the larger picture.

I was hesitant to write about trees (and light) for two consecutive days here. Would anyone care about trees, besides my friend Charlie who loves trees? Would fellow photographers find something beautiful and/or artistic in these pictures?

Then again, it’s the start of a new year, a time when people make resolutions and think about changes (growth) for themselves. Trees are all about growth and spreading themselves via their root systems, their trunks, their branches, their leaves, and whatever fruit, nut and/or flower they may grow. In this regard, another post about trees seems perfectly natural.

Let there be light in 2012. Let there be growth in 2012. May you grow tall and strong with stunning ability to sway and dance with the wind. May you be fruitful in all your endeavors. May you blossom with joy all through the year. May you be ever “green”.

There is beauty all around us. Sometimes, you simply need to take another look in a different light.

Blessings,

Kate

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Related articles

• LED’s and the Ghostly Tree (designhouse9.wordpress.com)

LED’s and the Ghostly Tree

Photo of the Day
December 31, 2011

A condominium association recently installed LED flood lights outside the building. I happened to be at the condo this evening after dark when the lights were on. The lights cast a bright, white light onto the tree above, giving it a ghostly look. Perhaps it’s fitting for this last day of the year as we say goodbye to 2011. The shot above is the normal color. The photo below is black and white.

The LED, or light-emitting diode, is supposedly the light bulb of the future. They provide high lumen levels at low wattage. I have friends who have purchased LED holiday light strings for Christmas trees. They tell me they are too bright.

These photos show a very strong light source. Will a dimmer be needed at each fixture to comfortably use these in our homes? How long will it be before the prices become more in line with an incandescent bulb (current pricing for an LED flood light is about $50 a bulb)? I’m interested in seeing them in a kitchen where bright light is desired. They would be good outside the house to clearly see steps and key holes.

LED lights are still in development stage. Read more about the subject here:

LED Lamp – Wikipedia

LED’s benefits aside, my first choice in lighting remains natural sunlight. Nature still does it best.

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
December 27, 2011

Another year is coming to a close, and you could sum up the local housing market as another “transition year”. There were ups and downs, with positive developments stunted by political paralysis, joblessness or other issues. Nonetheless, the housing sector took important strides forward.

Record low mortgage rates brought buyers out to the streets to snap up excess housing supply off the market. These home sales have reduced both inventory levels and seller concessions. Foreclosures and short sales have seen plenty of demand in part due to many consumers facing tighter household finances. While this has created limited price gains in many areas, it’s also hastened the eventual absorption of distressed properties.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending December 17:

• New Listings: decreased 16.9% to 799

• Pending Sales: increased 50.1% to 749

• Inventory decreased: 23.6% to 19,

For the month of November:

• Median Sales Price: decreased 10.2% to $149,000

• Days on Market: decreased 1.8% to 135

• Percent of Original List Price Received: increased 1.0% to 90.9%

• Months Supply of Inventory: decreased 30.0% to 5.7

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Statistics provided by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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It’s a Bright Time

Photos of the Day
December 24, 2011

Is time on your mind today? One of the things I love about this time of year is all the decorations with light. It adds so much to our shorter days. The clock(s) in the photos above are in Chicago along Michigan Avenue. They provide light year round. I took these in July. May your days and nights be merry and bright.

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Real Estate Overview

Housing Supply Overview
November 2011

With 2012 just around the corner, many local markets have enjoyed strong sales volumes combined with falling inventory levels so far this year. For the twelve-month period spanning December 2010 through November 2011, Pending Sales in the Twin Cities region were up 10.1 percent overall. The price range with the largest gain in sales was the $120,000 and under range, where they increased 50.9 percent.

The overall Median Sales Price was down 10.0 percent to $153,000. The property type with the smallest price decline was the Single-Family segment, where prices decreased 8.2 percent to $169,900. The price range that tended to sell the quickest was the $190,001 to $250,000 range at 137 days; the price range that tended to sell the slowest was the $1,000,001 and above range at 256 days.

Market-wide, inventory levels were down 23.6 percent. The property type that lost the least inventory was the Single-Family segment, where it decreased 20.5 percent. That amounts to 5.7 months supply for Single-Family homes, 4.7 months supply for Townhomes and Twinhomes and 7.7 months supply for Condominiums.
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Click on graph/chart to enlarge

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.
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For additional information on the current real estate market,
please email or call us:

Ellen Walsh
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

Kate Walsh
612.220.3309
info@designhouse9.com

Thank you for visiting and you have yourself a fine day.

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Decorating for the Holidays

Finding the Unexpected

Photo of the Day
December 15, 2011

Here’s an example of a home with attractive holiday curb appeal. Lighted trees flank the front door, a lit wreath hangs on the chimney, and a lit shrub on the left side balances the trees by the door.

I came home and looked at the photo on my computer’s large screen. I noticed a surprise element in the photo. (Click on the photo to enlarge it.) Can you find it? Does it put a smile on your face?  Happy holidays!

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Real Estate Update

Minneapolis–Saint Paul Real Estate Update
December 12, 2011

As another new year approaches, we find ourselves settling in for the holidays, which typically come with slowed real estate activity. In the first week of the full holiday shopping season, we saw sales increase. We’re talking about residential real estate, of course, although retail performed surprisingly well, too. Sellers listed fewer properties during the week, choosing instead to hunker down in their living rooms rich with the aromas of pine-scented candles and cinnamon cider sticks.

Year-over-year 3-month stats from November to now:

New Listings:
2011: 14,474
2010: 17,058

% change: -15.1%

Pending Sales:
2011: 10,269
2010: 7,847

% change: +30.9%

Click on above graph to enlarge

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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Charming Cottage – 1964 Lincoln Ave

Real Estate for Sale
Mac-Groveland Neighborhood of Saint Paul, MN

Sunny Spaces Inside
Beautiful Gardens Outside
$154,900

Detailed wrought iron fencing provides picturesque structure to yard.

Living room with wood floor and crown molding.

Sun room with windows on three sides. Use as an office, guest bedroom, or den.

Formal dining room with two windows, wood floor, and crown molding.

Kitchen has granite counter tops and checkerboard flooring.

Exposed brick in one corner of the kitchen.

Informal dining space in the kitchen. Note the two windows!

Large bedroom accommodates an upholstered chair. Note the three windows.

Very nice walk-in closet with organizers in main bedroom!

Stained and leaded-glass architectural detailing in bath.

Upper level space is currently used as an art studio.

The front yard has perennials and raised beds for annuals.

Close to the river and the walking/biking paths!

Map of area–click to enlarge

This one-bedroom plus den home is a “not so big house” in terms of size but has plenty of style and charm! It’s located just a block from Grand Avenue and is within close proximity to three private colleges/universities. Other features include a screened porch, main floor laundry, a single garage, and central air conditioning.

Walk Score = 85 / Very Walkable

Read about the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood.

For additional information and to arrange a showing, call, text or email:

Ellen Walsh
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

Kate Walsh
612.220.3309
info@designhouse9.com

Coldwell Banker Burnet
Minneapolis MN 55416

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Real Estate Update

Minneapolis and Saint Paul Real Estate Update
December 5, 2011

Tryptophan and chatty in-laws were not able to curb the appetite of local
home buyers, as purchase activity easily gobbled up last year’s levels. Sellers
were apparently stuffed and lethargic, as they brought fewer new properties
onto the market than during the same holiday week last year. As we approach
the slowest time of year for residential activity, expect transacted dollar
volumes and sales counts to weaken from the spring and summer of this
year. Keep watching inventory declines; they could have a measurable impact
on the Spring 2012 market.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 26:
• New Listings decreased 9.1% to 601
• Pending Sales increased 46.8% to 574
• Inventory decreased 22.8% to 20,318

For the month of October:
• Median Sales Price decreased 9.6% to $154,500
• Days on Market decreased 0.5% to 134
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.9% to 91.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 27.6% to 6.3

Click on either of the charts below to enlarge.

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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For Sale: Mac-Groveland Cottage

Upcoming Listing!
$154,900

This charming cottage is coming on the market later this week. The home is set back from the street for greater privacy. The front and side yards have beautiful perennial  gardens and raised beds for annuals and herbs. This home is within walking distance to the river, Grand Avenue shops and restaurants, Macalester College, and the University of St. Thomas.

One Bedroom +  Sun Room, Office or 2nd Bedroom
Living Room
Formal Dining Room
Eat-in Kitchen
Upper Level Loft/Studio
Screened Porch
Hardwood Floors
Garage
Central Air

Walk Score = 85 / Very Walkable

Read about the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood.

Call or email us if you’d like more information. A more complete post, with additional photos, will be posted here later this week.

Ellen Walsh
emwalsh@cbburnet.com
612.220.3304

Kate Walsh
info@designhouse9.com
612.220.3309

Coldwell Banker Burnet

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Real Estate Update

Minneapolis and Saint Paul Real Estate Update
November 28, 2011

Buyers continued to exceed their November 2010 purchase volumes. Sellers weren’t so keen, posting fewer newly listed properties on the MLS than at this time last year. With roughly 87.5 percent of 2011 data in the books, and with 2012 just around the corner, the clever observers will start snapping sneak peeks of annual statistics and watching Year-to-Date numbers a little closer than usual. Just how did 2011 rank in real estate sales compared with prior years? We’ll know soon enough. In the meantime, here are the latest statistics.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 19:

• New Listings decreased 18.6% to 938
• Pending Sales increased 30.5% to 805
• Inventory decreased 21.8% to 20,796

For the month of October:

• Median Sales Price decreased 9.6% to $154,500
• Days on Market decreased 0.6% to 134
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.9% to 91.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 27.8% to 6.3

Statistics reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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One Minute Holiday

Photo of the Day
November 23, 2011

Tomorrow is the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States. Many people will be traveling. Others will be staying put and gathering with family and/or friends for the day. Regardless of where you’ll be, I offer this photograph as an opportunity to have a peaceful minute of beauty and reflection.

Thanksgiving is a day when people often think or discuss what they’re grateful for in life. An article in the The New York Times yesterday offered this on the topic:

Cultivating an “attitude of gratitude” has been linked to better health, sounder sleep, less anxiety and depression, higher long-term satisfaction with life and kinder behavior toward others, including romantic partners.

That’s plenty of reasons to be grateful. I’m grateful you’re reading this post and taking a one minute holiday. Let’s spread the heath benefits of gratitude! Share what you’re grateful for by using the Comment link below.

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