Why Sell Now? Here’s Why.

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Ready to buy or sell a home?
Call the sister team. We’d love to help you move forward.

Ellen and Kate Walsh
Coldwell Banker Burnet
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Merge

What do you think of when you contemplate the word merge?

A piece of art becomes a moon on Nicollet Island

A view of the Minneapolis skyline through bridge supports

Merging nature with a man-made structure

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Real Estate Update

Weekly Real Estate Update
August 6, 2012

For decades now, the real estate industry has been both humbled and invigorated by the strong and direct relationship between the labor and housing markets. As goes the economy, seemingly so goes housing. That relationship was especially clear after the 2007 recession. The economy added 163,000 jobs in July, the highest figure since February. Our economy is growing, but not as quickly as many would like. Meanwhile, inventory drops and surging buyer demand from renters and first-timers are anchoring home prices and giving sellers more power than they’ve had in years, in many cases.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending July 28:
• New Listings increased 8.3% to 1,430
• Pending Sales increased 20.9% to 1,149
• Inventory decreased 30.5% to 17,103

For the month of June:
• Median Sales Price increased 10.2% to $178,600
• Days on Market decreased 22.0% to 113
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 4.1% to 95.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 42.6% to 4.6

Click on any graph below to enlarge it.

As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

For additional information on the market
or buying and selling a home, contact us.
We’re friendly, fun and professional real estate agents!

Ellen Walsh
emwalsh@cbburnet.com
612.220.3304

Kate Walsh
info@designhouse9.com
612.220.3309

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Inside the Windows

Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside
June 20, 2012

Inside the Blue Point Restaurant in Wayzata, Minnesota

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On the softer side:

Pup in a cup–window display for Just Paws Puppy Training

A couple of my Fleeting Moment photo challenge pictures also fit this theme:

Inside: Fleeting Moment

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Lakefront Estate in Minnetonka

Elegant Home on Over 4.5 Acres

French-inspired architecture abounds in this seven-bedroom, four-bath beauty overlooking Gleason Lake. This home has spacious rooms with fine detailing and three finished levels. Both the living room and library feature bowed-window walls with views of the lake and grounds. A French door in the library opens out to an elevated garden space with reflecting pool. Finishes include plaster walls, and hardwood, marble, and terrazzo floors. Wayzata school district. Located just minutes from downtown Wayzata.

$1,499,000

Library with Bowed Window and French Door to Garden and Reflecting Pool

Generously Sized Upper Hallway

This bedroom has a Jack and Jill bath.

Master Bedroom with Bath to left and Window Seat to right.

Example of Detailing in Master Bedroom

Dressing Area with Closets and Built-Ins

Elevated Garden Area with Reflecting Pool

Gleason Lake

Update: Nov. 16, 2011: This home is currently off the market.

Call or email for a private showing.

Ellen Walsh
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

Kate Walsh
612.220.3309
info@designhouse9.com

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Courtesy: Roger Fazendin Realtors, Inc

The data relating to real estate for sale on this site comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity program of the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc. Real Estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Coldwell Banker Burnet are marked with the Broker Reciprocity logo or the Broker Reciprocity house icon and detailed information about them includes the name(s) of the listing brokers. Coldwell Banker Burnet is not a Multiple Listing Service (MLS), nor does it offer MLS access.

All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal.
Neither broker(s), agent(s) nor designhouse9.com shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation or misprints, and shall be held totally harmless.

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Remembering Summer

Photos of the Day
February 2, 2011

Winter storms have been blanketing many states with snow and ice, shutting down roads, businesses, schools, airports and more. Supposedly spring is not far off, according to Pennsylvania’s famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. Let’s hope so. In the meantime, here’s a reminder of warmer days and calmer weather.

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Keeping it Local

Ten Great Things About Shopping Locally

Friday after Thanksgiving is typically known as “the biggest shopping day of the year” and as “Black Friday”. Monday has become known as “Cyber Monday” when folks spend millions of dollars online. I would like to make a case for spending some of those dollars locally.

The other day my sister told me about someone sailing on Wayzata Bay. She thought it would make for a good photo: A sailboat cruising along the open water with the icy shoreline. Alas, by the time I got to Wayzata Bay, the sailboat was gone. Still, I found plenty of photo opportunities.

There was a beautiful sunset over the Wayzata Bay…

Local shop windows were decorated with holiday flair. Here is the shop with the name The Bookcase:

The Bookshop’s doorway is decorated with greenery and ornaments. The sunset can be seen in the window reflection.

The adjoining Caribou Coffee shop is a nice place to take a break from shopping and taking pictures as well as a place for getting gift cards and meeting friends for a hot drink. The windows were decorated with the season’s theme of snow.

Down the street from The Bookcase is Five Swans, another locally owned shop with beautiful housewares and other gifts. They, too, have nicely decorated windows and a wreath on the front door.

But back to the ten great reasons to shop locally. Here’s what you do when you shop locally:

1. You keep dollars in our economy. For every $100 you spend at a local business, $68 stays in the community. When you spend that same $100 at a national chain, just $43 stays in the community.
2. You embrace what makes the shop unique. We don’t want our houses to look like every one else’s so why would we want our communities to look alike? I relish finding local gems whether they be shops, restaurants, theaters, parks, etc.
3. You create local jobs. Local businesses are better at creating higher-paying jobs for our neighbors.
4. You help the environment. Less fuel for transportation and less packaging = conserving energy and resources.
5. You nurture community. Studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chains.
6. You conserve your tax dollars. Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money available to beautify our community. Also, spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong–right in your own community.
7. You create more choice. Local businesses carry a wider array of unique products because they buy for their own individual market. They pick items based on what they know you like and want.
8. You take advantage of their expertise. The shop owners are our friends and neighbors, and they have a vested interest in knowing how to serve us. They’re passionate about what they do. Why not take advantage of it?
9. You invest in entrepreneurship. Creativity and entrepreneurship are what the American economy is founded upon. Nurturing local business ensures a strong community.
10. You make it a destination. The more interesting and unique a community is, the more it attracts new neighbors, visitors and guests. This benefits everyone in the community.

Another simple truth is that some of these independent shops are really struggling to make it right now. They need your business to survive. Read more on this topic from the owner of The Bookcase.

Bookcase of Wayzata website

And learn more about Five Swans at the link below. I’ve noticed a significant reduction in inventory in their store both last year and this year.

Five Swans website

And more local shops in Wayzata that are worth the trip:

Anne and Friends–Wayzata Artists’ Market–represents 100+ local and regional artists, both established and up and coming. You can find paintings, jewelry, ceramics, glass, fiber, photography, and more.

Fleurish–A Purveyor of Find Gifts and Stationery – specializing in corporate gift baskets but also has a variety of items that will appeal to the individual shopper.

Blanc de Blanc – tableware and apparel in the neutral color families of white and beige. One exception to this color scheme is the Christmas holiday ornaments.

Circa Vintage–High quality retro finds in a quaint shop.

Pick up a boxed lunch at Village Meats.

I love local. I try to do much of my own shopping at local merchants. It’s a charming and fun experience with a more interesting mix of gifts and products to choose from. The passion is evident. Let’s spread the word about local shops that are gems. Use the comments section below to tell your story and share the name of a local shop you like.

Lastly, another shot of the sunset, taken later this same day. Nature’s own decoration.

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