Feel The VIBE

Just as the season starts to show promise of warmer weather and longer days here in Minnesota, every March we get that reality check of having to lose that precious hour brought on by Daylight Saving Time. It sort of feels like we earned that hour, doesn't it?

Well, it's not all bad. There is still more sunlight throughout the day, which should bring some renewed energy to get started on that spring cleaning list we've all been putting off! You know, that one you started on your phone but put down to watch the Winter Olympics.

So what's on your list to get done this spring? As Realtors, we know all sorts of quirky things about home maintenance. Check out a few of our recommended tips you may not have had on your list in previous years:

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Well, hello again. Back for more, I see? That's good, because I have more riveting real estate market info for you as we break down what February was like here in the Twin Cities. When we left off last month, we were desperately looking toward spring to bring us some welcome balance in this very unique market. So is spring here yet? Err...kind of...I guess...not really...hopefully soon? Let's just take a look.

The biggest helper would have likely been a big increase to the overall housing inventory, but I am a bit bummed to report that we didn't see a big boost. Total Units Available landed at 4,106. While that number is up a bit from January, it's still over 1,200 less than where we were a year ago. New Listing inventory was actually closer to last…

We’re excited to begin covering suburbs in our neighborhood series! First on the list — St. Louis Park. This neighboring suburb just minutes west of downtown Minneapolis offers a convenient location and small-town charm. It’s the perfect setting for experiencing the metro region without all the hustle and bustle. With no shortages of places to eat or things to do, we’ve covered some of the best of St. Louis Park below.

Punch Bowl Social

You won’t find a more entertaining spot than Punch Bowl Social. Introducing an excellent line-up of activities from bowling, karaoke, bonzini, foosball, giant Scrabble and Jenga, ping pong, or vintage arcade games — this spot quite literally has it all. Their menu isn’t lacking either. Grab some classic breakfast…

Last year’s article from our very own Susan Bonne was so good we're pressing the repeat button. The real estate market is even more competitive than this time last year, we knew we had to reshare these helpful and even more relevant insights! If you’re in the middle of buying a home right now, or are thinking about getting the process started - this one's for you! 

You’ve likely been hearing, from every rooftop, that we are in the hottest seller’s market in a generation. That listings are scarcer than hen’s teeth. And that buyers have to pay thousands over asking, and throw in homemade cookies, a puppy and maybe a Tesla to be the winning bid and secure a new home. Yes, it’s more than a typical real estate frenzy, and multiple offers on desirable…

And we're off! 

New year, new Twin Cities real estate market. Last year brought us so many highs and lows. 2022, can we count on you to chill out a bit and help us keep our sanity? Speaking of chill, that's definitely been the theme so far with an eight year January low of 10.4 degrees. Is the market frozen, too? Or just heating up? Let's take a look.

Let's start off on a positive note. The New Listing inventory was trending downward at a scary rate, but we saw January kick up sharply to 3,366 homes hitting the market - way up from December. Last year, we also faced some large obstacles with how low the Average Days on Market got (less than a week at times), but that has now gone up by two days for seven consecutive months, landing at 20. Finally,…

Over the past few years we have seen interior design trends make some big shifts - partly due to needs changing during the pandemic. We see people tackling home renovation projects they have always really wanted to do, and have seen a strong need for more space, or more multi-use spaces.

We reached out to our friends and DIY extraordinaires (no really, they are incredible), JP and Liz, over at @therehablife and asked them what they have seen change over the past year, and what trends they are most excited about in 2022.

Photo Courtesy of @therehablife

What trends do you see fading out as we head into 2022?

Goodbye gray! (hopefully). Gray walls with white trim and all white kitchens can still be stunning, but if they're not balanced with…

Welcome to West Side Saint Paul, located across the Mississippi River just south of downtown. The name tends to throw people off, but it comes from its location on the west bank of the Mississippi River. We love this long-established neighborhood for its historical context, exuberant culture and vibrant Mexican eateries. Also worth noting, the annual Cinco de Mayo celebrations is one of the ten largest in the United States. Sightseeing cruises depart from riverside Harriet Island Regional Park, the site of regular summer events. At nearby Wabasha Street Caves, visitors can tour limestone caverns used by Prohibition-era gangsters. With excellent river views and much to see, we’ve highlighted some known local hangs below.

Catrinas Cerveza & Mexican…

Written by VIBE Owner/Broker Steve Anderson

That's a wrap!

Just when we thought maybe we'd kick off a more traditional new year - BAM! Omicron has essentially taken a hold of the Twin Cities, and many of us find ourselves reliving some of the practices of past quarantines, isolations, canceled events, etc...as I write this, even our household is all COVID-positive (we're doing okay), and part of us it feels like this will never end. However, news from parts of the world that are ahead of us does seem encouraging. At least for now.

So how did 2021 leave us in regards to the housing market? We left off acknowledging the roller coaster of a year it had been, but ever so curious of what the 12th and final month of the year would tell us. Let's take a…

Welcome to 2022! We don’t know about you but we are staying cautiously optimistic that this year will be better than the last few. With the start of the New Year under our belt, it’s time to start thinking about any home projects you may want to tackle in the coming months - especially if you are thinking of listing your home this Spring.

So when is the right time to bring in your Realtor?

We actually find that most people bring us in their Realtors too late. Getting a hold of your Realtor prior to tackling an entire list of pre-list projects can save you a lot of second guessing and potential pitfalls. Your Realtor will be able to suggest what projects will get you the most bang-for-your-buck when it comes to resale, and can also connect you…

Welcome to Victory! This Northern Minneapolis neighborhood is located within the Camden community just east of the Mississippi River. It is bordered by the Humboldt Industrial Area on the north, Penn Avenue on the east, Dowling Avenue on the south, and Robbinsdale on the west. 

Referred to as up-and-coming by MSP Mag, Victory is appreciated by locals, and for many north-side residents, the area’s diversity is a key draw. It’s named for the historic three-mile Victory Memorial Parkway which runs through the community. ‘The Drive’ was dedicated in 1921 as a memorial to the Hennepin County service members who died in World War I. Each casualty is recognized with a tree planted in their honor and a marker noting their service, making the parkway the…