Exterior Trimmings

I’m an observant person. I notice things around me. Recently I was in a small town to the west of Minneapolis. I saw two homes that have what I refer to as “exterior trimming”. It’s along the vein of tree trimming during the Christmas holiday in that it’s decorative. Some might say these are whimsical or displaying someone’s personality. They caught my eye and made me wonder about the owners and their reasoning for displaying these items, particularly the mirror and its placement above the garage.

A mirror above a garage

Exterior trimming

No doubt my eyes will be on the lookout for more of these unusual trimmings. Does your home have any atypical exterior trim?

 

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Home Offices

The home office. It’s become quite commonplace in homes today. Here’s some inspiration.

Photo by Polsky Perlstein Architects. See more transitional home office designs

A home office in San Francisco

Photo by The Cross Interior Design. See more traditional home office designs

Chalkboard wall on one side and library design wallpaper on another in Vancouver

Photo by Foley Fiore Architecture. See more traditional home office designs

This one is about the view, and the bookcases.

Photo by Charlie Barnett Associates. See more transitional home office designs

A bright and airy upper level office in San Francisco

Photo by Leslie Goodwin Photography. See more traditional home office designs

Under the stairs in Toronto

Photo by Troy Dean Interiors. See more contemporary home office designs

Thoroughly modern in Miami

Photo by Cozy Little House. See more eclectic spaces designs

Creative use of a dish drainer!

Photo by Jackie Glass Inc.. See more traditional home office designs

Another sunny spot, with room for family or friends to sit and read or listen to music or be creative

See more traditional home office designs

Luxury, man-cave version of an office space

Photo by Cynthia Mason Interiors. See more transitional home office designs

Blue velvet and silver silk bring glamour to a woman’s home office

Photo by Abbey Construction Company, Inc.. See more traditional home office designs

An accessible main floor office in Atlanta

Photo by Peruri Design Company. See more contemporary home office designs

A variety of textures and colors create a sophisticated home office in San Francisco

Photo by Rossington Architecture. See more traditional home office designs

A closet home office can be closed off when not in use

Photo by Emerick Architects. See more traditional home office designs

Room for two in Portland, and both have a view

Photo by Kathleen Burke Design. See more traditional home office designs

A pretty desk area off the kitchen in San Francisco

Photo by Martha O'Hara Interiors. See more traditional home office designs

Photo by Martha O'Hara Interiors. See more traditional home office designs

Traditional detailing and a stylish color palette create an inviting space in Minneapolis

Photo by Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets. See more traditional home office designs

An office with a Murphy Bed doubles as a guest room

Photo by Butler Armsden Architects. See more contemporary home office designs

Light and dark decor and glass shelving

Photo by Debby Hall. See more traditional home office designs

“Homey” home office in Atlanta

Photo by iheartorganizing. See more traditional home office designs

An office in a bedroom closet in Minneapolis

Photo by Albert, Righter & Tittmann Architects, Inc.. See more traditional home office designs

Now that’s a view! In Boston

Photo by Lori Gentile Interior Design. See more contemporary home office designs

Incorporating the office into the living room with a mix of glamour and modern decor

See more contemporary home office designs

Eclectic elements come together in style in this home office in Chicago

Photo by For People design. See more shabby-chic style home office designs

Elegant gold accents in this home office in Orange County

Photo by Catherine Renae Thomas Design Co.. See more contemporary home office designs

Floating desk and shelves in a condo home office

Photo by Jute Interior Design. See more contemporary home office designs

Eclectic elements in an interior designer’s home office in San Francisco

Photo by Martha O'Hara Interiors. See more transitional home office designs

ASID-MN first place award winning office, craft and laundry room.

See more contemporary home office designs

Fun with red and white in Chicago

Photo by Jonathan Quinn Barnett Ltd. See more contemporary home office designs

Snazzy in Seattle

See more contemporary home office designs

Utilizing pull-out shelves to hide equipment

Photo by Clifton Leung Design Workshop - CLDW.com.hk. See more contemporary home office designs

Minimalist design with an artistic touch in Hong Kong

As you can see, the possibilities for a home office are endless! There are so many styles to love. What style will you create in your home?

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Adaptive Reuse for Historic Post Offices

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Can you imagine a historic post office as a residential home? I can. The US Postal Service needs to cut expenses and this may well be an opportunity to create a cool home. Or a small shop. Coffee house. Cafe. Legal office. Literary loft. What other uses can you think of for a historic post office? What would you use the post office boxes for? Would you incorporate them into the adaptive reuse design? And how about the mural?

 

“Find a new use for the Geneva post office so that it will continue to be a vital part of the historic downtown. Work with the U.S. Postal Service and other agencies to save historic post office buildings across the country.”

 

http://www.savingplaces.org/treasures/historic-post-office-buildings

Milton Friedman's Salad

I’m afraid the few times I’ve used a ZIP code recently have been for credit card validation or online, to locate a retail outlet near me.   The vast majority of mail envelopes that I open are done so with a double click.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation describes historic post office buildings as National Treasures, put them on their list of 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, and hired me to document 60134, located in Geneva Illinois.  The building is like much of the real mail that arrives at my studio:  battle worn but mostly intact, and occasionally hiding a beautiful surprise.

Painted in 1940 by Manuel Bromberg, the WPA mural is titled “Fish Fry in the Park.”

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
August 14, 2012

Let’s admit it: It’s been nice to have a year of positive headlines in the residential real estate industry. There have been more sales for more money in most markets across the country, and the foreclosure situation, although not entirely in the rearview mirror, has abated. We’re now entering the months of 2012 that should offer a true test of the lasting power of this buyer-seller tryst. A drop off in buyer and seller activity might be expected after so many months of bliss, but the feeling remains that the market will survive beyond the honeymoon phase.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending August 4:

• New Listings decreased 0.1% to 1,433
• Pending Sales increased 20.4% to 1,129
• Inventory decreased 29.6% to 17,085

For the month of July:

• Median Sales Price increased 14.2% to $179,900
• Days on Market decreased 27.8% to 105
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.6% to 95.0%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 43.4% to 4.3

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
June 25, 2012

Market metrics are in the midst of seasonal peaks and valleys this time of year. Listings, sales and prices all tend to reach pinnacles on the historical trend line, while market times generally take a dip to annual lows. Summer is historically an exciting time for real estate. Between vacations to see family and friends and the crush of wedding weekends, Americans manage to find the time to buy and sell real estate. The last several years have been rough, no doubt, but an undeniable gleam has returned to the marketplace this year, and summer brings with it a certain extra swoon.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 16:
• New Listings decreased 3.7% to 1,476
• Pending Sales increased 19.8% to 1,173
• Inventory decreased 31.0% to 17,517

For the month of May:
• Median Sales Price increased 10.5% to $169,000
• Days on Market decreased 19.6% to 125
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 94.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 43.9% to 4.6

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
June 18, 2012

The report card for this week showed higher grades than last year at this time for both buyers and sellers. Activity levels are higher on both sides, which is indicative of recovering confidence in the local market. Prices in certain areas have already turned a corner, and it is not unreasonable to expect a continuation of this trend.

As summer begins to swelter, also keep a watchful eye on active listings, absorption rates, days on market and percent of list price received. Being schooled in these metrics is like having an open book during the final exam.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending June 9:
• New Listings increased 0.4% to 1,582
• Pending Sales increased 29.4% to 1,231
• Inventory decreased 31.0% to 17,540

For the month of May:
• Median Sales Price increased 10.5% to $169,000
• Days on Market decreased 19.6% to 125
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 94.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 44.7% to 4.6

Click on graphs/images below to view larger.

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
June 4, 2012

Although the latest jobs report was less than exciting for those waiting for economic recovery to cast a warming glow all across the land, the residential real estate market continued to jog along at a nice pace, as though earbuds were drowning out the din of negative energies trying to dissuade healthy activity. For the most recent week, buyer activity was higher than year-ago levels while listing activity registered lower. Keep watching inventory and sales activity throughout the summer to see if this runner’s high will continue into fall.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 26:
• New Listings decreased 8.5% to 1,387
• Pending Sales increased 19.2% to 1,231
• Inventory decreased 29.8% to 17,740

For the month of April:
• Median Sales Price increased 12.1% to $162,500
• Days on Market decreased 15.2% to 135
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.7% to 93.4%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 41.7% to 4.8

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

Click on graph to view larger

Click on graph to view larger

Click on graph to view larger

For additional information on the market and for assistance buying and selling a home, contact us:

Ellen Walsh
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

Kate Walsh
612.220.3309
info@designhouse9.com

Coldwell Banker Burnet
Minneapolis Lakes Office

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
May 14, 2012

If only there were a system of grand, colorful lights for tracking residential real estate. Green for rising market, yellow for a transitional market and red for declining market. Let’s see if we can try to determine today’s market without the ease of well-known signals. Prices are bottoming and starting to rise. Buyer activity is showing year-over-year gains. Homes are selling faster and closer to list price. Multiple offers are becoming commonplace. Inventory levels are leaning toward the seller. Green means go.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 5:

• New Listings decreased 6.6% to 1,643
• Pending Sales increased 41.9% to 1,232
• Inventory decreased 28.3% to 17,579

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.1% to $162,500
• Days on Market decreased 15.1% to 135
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.6% to 93.4%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 43.1% to 4.7

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
March 12, 2012

The last six years or so have been tough on home prices, and even the most optimistic prognosticators say it will take another six years for median sales prices to approach the halcyon days of assured annual value increases for home sellers. Generations of stable home price increases gave way to a boom-and-bust cycle that would have made the Pets.com sock puppet blush. As we enter what should be an active spring market, our communities would do well to focus effort toward creating healthy, happy homes. With those in place, prices will rise again.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 3:
• New Listings decreased 23.2% to 1,402
• Pending Sales increased 29.7% to 940
• Inventory decreased 22.9% to 17,818

For the month of February:
• Median Sales Price decreased 1.1% to $138,500
• Days on Market decreased 9.0% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.6% to 90.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 36.5% to 4.6

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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Whitney’s Home

A Feng Shui Perspective

A friend recently sent me a post about Whitney Houston’s home in New Jersey being for sale. I looked at the photos and had my usual REALTOR® curiosity about the house. I loved this stained-glass wall that appears to separate the foyer from the living room. The color and “movement” of the design reminds me of music–quite appropriate for the amazing musical talent that Whitney was.

Here’s a photo of what appears to be the living room, complete with circular skylight (wow!) and a curving wall of windows. Note also the clerestory to the right along the upper wall. The natural light in this space must be splendid.

The property reportedly has just over five acres of land. Here’s a view of the grounds. There are many trees, offering both beauty and tranquility. No doubt Whitney enjoyed many wonderful moments at this home and in her life despite her struggles.

Her modern home is said to be quite different from the other homes in Mendham Township. Most of the homes there are reportedly classic estates, historical homes, and farmhouses. As a REALTOR®,  I’ve seen modern homes sell very quickly when they are done exceptionally well or designed by a well-known architect such as Ralph Rapson. If they aren’t stunning, they can linger on the market due to feeling cold, having odd floor plans, having awkward and/or poorly proportioned rooms, etc.

I located some aerial photos of the property. There is a large pool, a tennis court, and a walking path. Here’s a link to a photo of the pool with her initials set in the bottom:

Photo of Whitney Houston’s Pool at her New Jersey estate

Unfortunately, the design has a helter-skelter aspect; It does not have the natural flow and orderliness of a rectangular or square house that would be beneficial. From a Feng Shui perspective, this home has a number of challenges due to what is known as “missing areas”. These “missing areas” symbolize missing areas of the bagua (a map placed over a floor plan and used in Feng Shui consultations), thus weakening these areas of life for the occupants. Anyone living in this home would benefit from making Feng Shui adjustments to either energetically or physically “fill in” the missing pieces.

The layout of this house may well explain Whitney’s addiction issues and subsequent problems with finances, relationships, and the decline of her magnificent singing voice which could no longer produce the perfect pitch and beautiful tonality it once did.

As I continued looking at the home from various angles, I noticed the heart-shaped portion of the house. It would be interesting to know what part of the house this occupies. The kitchen (often referred to as the heart of the home)? The main bedroom? No matter. From all I’ve read and seen, Whitney had a heart as big as her voice.

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This home is not currently listed on the MLS. Find more information here:

CarProperty.com

Here’s an article about a homeowner who hired Ralph Rapson to renovate her home in the Rolling Green neighborhood of Edina, Minnesota:

One Rapson Rhapsody

RapsonArchitects.com

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
February 6, 2012

Whether motivated by the election cycle, a jump in employment, improving housing market metrics or the best start to a year for the S&P 500 since 1989, home buyers posted increased activity levels compared to last year. Consumers signed more purchase agreements but sellers entered into fewer listing contracts. Changes in supply side metrics confirm this, suggesting that relatively less new product is entering the market compared to buyer demand. That’s helped other metrics return to more friendly territory. Whatever the reason, it’s good to see that vote of confidence.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending January 28:

• New Listings decreased 17.5% to 1,090
• Pending Sales increased 22.9% to 833
• Inventory decreased 23.5% to 17,762

For the month of December:

• Median Sales Price decreased 6.5% to $145,000
• Days on Market decreased 2.3% to 141
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 1.7% to 90.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 33.3% to 4.8

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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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

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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Real Estate Overview

Housing Supply Overview
October 2011

What’s driving home purchases nowadays? Record low mortgage rates,
affordable prices and plenty of options to choose from. For the
12-month period spanning November 2010 through October 2011,
Pending Sales in the Twin Cities region were up 8.5 percent overall. The
price range with the largest gain in sales was the $120,000 and under
range, where they increased 50.0 percent.

The overall Median Sales Price was down 8.9 percent to $154,900. The
property type with the smallest price decline was the Single-Family
segment, where prices decreased 8.1 percent to $170,000. The price
range that tended to sell the quickest was the $190,001 to $250,000 range
at 138 days; the price range that tended to sell the slowest was the
$1,000,001 and above range at 253 days.

Market-wide, inventory levels were down 22.4 percent. The property type
that lost the least inventory was the Single-Family segment, where it
decreased 19.5 percent. That amounts to 6.3 months supply for Single-
Family homes and 5.2 months supply for Townhomes and Twinhomes.

Click on graph to enlarge.

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
November 8, 2011

Local home buyers exceeded their 2010 purchase volumes for the week. Sellers introduced fewer new listings to the marketplace than last year. It’s important to watch the inventory needle as it can illustrate the overall market balance. Speaking of which, now is a great time to keep an eye on months supply and seller concessions. These metrics can often serve as leading indicators of a changing landscape.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 29:

• New Listings decreased 14.5% to 1,070
• Pending Sales increased 40.3% to 870
• Inventory decreased 21.6% to 21,930

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price decreased 7.2% to $155,000
• Days on Market increased 5.6% to 137
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased to 91.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 21.7% to 6.8

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
October 3, 2011

New Listings: Sellers posted their smallest decline in newly listed homes in three months. The 1,320 new properties were 4.8 percent fewer than the same week last year. What’s causing the shift? New listings dropped at this time last year while current levels held fairly even with last week.

Active Supply: The 22.6 percent year-over-year drop in inventory levels broke last week’s all-time record. Those shopping for homes will choose from 23,351 properties as opposed to the 30,178 properties at this time last year.

Buyer Demand: The 2010 and 2011 sales trend lines continue to mimic one another, with one important exception. This year’s trend line is, on average, 260 sales greater than last year’s levels over the past few months.

The Verdict: Falling supply and relatively strong sales volumes should theoretically bolster prices. Again, there’s a notable exception: economic uncertainty and squeezed household budgets are all the motivation many buyers need to hunt for bargains – including lower-priced traditional properties as well as great opportunities in the lender-mediated housing segment.

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

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3412 Oak Ridge Road, Unit #314 – Minnetonka Condo

Real Estate for Sale

West-Facing, Two-Bedroom Condo

List price: $89,000
Sale price: $85,000

This property is now sold.
Feel free to contact us for information regarding additional
condos for sale at Seven Oak Condominium.

Absolutely beautiful unit with more than the usual amenities! Best in this price range in Minnetonka! Light-filled rooms with great entertaining spaces, owners’ suite, formal dining plus eat-in kitchen, and two garage stalls! The main bedroom has a dressing area with two closets, both with custom organizers. The 2nd bedroom/den has built-in shelving and TV cabinet on one side of the closet.

The Association amenities include a penthouse party room, library and community space, exercise room, heated outdoor pool, and basic cable TV services. The monthly association fee covers everything except phone service and electric. Room dimensions are listed near the end of this post, just past the photos below.

Living room with view to dining room.

Living room with custom cabinetry. Foyer is in background.

Spacious dining room with attractive fixture and three windows!

Kitchen with view to dining room.

Eat-in area of kitchen with updated light fixture. Kitchen also has cable TV wiring!

Owners' suite with sliding doors that open to the screened porch.

Closet organizers in dressing area of owners' suite.

Den or 2nd bedroom with doors that open to the porch.

Organizing system in closet provides space for your TV, books, photos, etc.

Large foyer with laminate flooring, full mirror and three closets.

Your view from the porch.

Back of building and pool area.

Relax at the heated pool!

North Cedar Lake Trail

This condo is conveniently located near the bus line and walking/biking paths.

Approximate room dimensions:

Living Room: 23 x 13
Dining Room: 12 x 10
Kitchen: 10 x 09
Informal Dining: 09 x 09
Bedroom: 15 x 13
Bedroom/Den: 12 x 12
Screened Porch: 11 x 05
Foyer: 13 x 05

Transit Service Near 3412 Oak Ridge Road
Hennepin County Bike Map
Ridgedale Shopping Center

Map of 3412 Oak Ridge Road

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Thinking of selling? Let the sister team of Ellen and Kate Walsh
show you a personalized marketing plan to sell your home!

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For more information about this condo or selling your home, please contact us:

Ellen Walsh
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

Kate Walsh
612.220.3309
info@designhouse9.com

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Photo of the Day: Iris

Iridescence Iris

In Greek mythology, Iris is translated to the goddess of the rainbow.

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