May 2020 RSS Feed

With Earth Day not far behind us, the buzz word is still going strong: sustainability. It's a movement that is becoming more accessible for us to achieve in different areas of our lives, and being in real estate, sustainability in the home is a topic we'd like to shed light on.

As a homeowner, you have options to make environmentally-conscious choices that not only make a contribution to improving the environment, but also can play a role in lowering the cost of running your home. Say what?! Yes, you can actually save money over time by making a few sustainable changes that can play into saving energy, water, and maintenance on systems and appliances. Here are some ways you can create a healthier environment for yourself and your family by bringing…

Merriam Park, midway between the downtowns of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, is an attractive neighborhood snuggled up to the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. With its historic homes and prime riverside location, we love this neighborhood for the ambiance alone. Merriam Park still has some of the largest concentrations of late-19th-century housing in the Twin Cities, and most homes are wood frame structures in the Queen Anne style. You won't be disappointed by a stroll down these quaint streets.

Though this neighborhood is nestled between the two skylines, nature is still accessible. You can hit up Merriam Park Recreation Center which has children's play areas and sports fields open to all, or hop on the trails along the river which are…

Written by Steve Anderson, Broker at VIBE Realty

We were very interested to see April's market update come in, as we knew the numbers would give us a lot of insight on how things drastically changed throughout the month. This was certainly the case with new listings, which were down by the thousands compared to 2019. Keep in mind too, that this year was trending higher than 2019 before COVID-19 hit. So what is the real gap there? Hard to say for sure, but I would estimate we should have been closer to 10,000 based on what was trending.

On the other hand, buyer demand seems to be almost alarmingly high. By combining the increased average sale price with the decreased days on market, houses are selling faster and for more money than we've seen…

Highland Park is a little slice of small town within the Twin Cities and typically has an abundance of quaint homes available on the market. From bungalows and cape cods to tudor-style houses, you're sure to find a single family home that suits your taste. This southwest corner of Saint Paul offers something for everyone, even during quarantine. Recreation is the name of the game with river trails and local parks that are perfect for spending time outdoors while isolating (because we all could use some fresh air and a nature fix as the weather starts to get nicer). 

There's even more to look forward to when the days of COVID-19 are behind us, from getting some swings in at the Highland Golf Course to hitting up a movie at the Historic Highland Theater.…