Buyer inspections.  City inspections.  Radon tests.  Moisture tests.  Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s important to be familiar with the inspections associated with the process so that you are well informed and comfortable with the transaction.

Some cities require a city inspection prior to the home being listed for sale.  You may hear them called different things, such as the “TISH Inspection,” or the “Truth in Housing Inspection.”  Cities that require this inspection include Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis Park, and more.  If a city inspection is required, our team will help you find an inspector and get the appointment set.  Sellers pay for this inspection and once completed you’ll receive a report to read through and share with…

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Have you found yourself struggling with the decision whether to rent or to buy? Attached is the link to a recent article as published in The New York Times.

www.nytimes.com/interactive/business/buy-rent-calculator.html

 Whether you are looking to buy or to sell, contact us for your real estate needs.

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When selling your home, your garage can be an attractive part of the overall package you offer buyers. Too often, however, the space is not marketed to its fullest potential. As kitchen, laundry and mudrooms become the new activity centers, homebuyers making their list of "must haves" are searching for more space for storage and hobbies. Now is the time to add a bit of sparkle to that garage.

"While the garage usually is not a deal-breaking element in a home-buying decision, it can be a tipping point for the buyer who is vacillating between a few different homes," said Robin Peterson, president of Coldwell Banker Burnet. "When organized correctly, the garage can add to your home’s ‘wow’ factor."

Gloss over the gritty. Certain household…

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For some time we've been hearing that it's a great time to be a buyer, and while this remains the case in many areas, we're seeing new signs of life and recovery in the market. 

A recent article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune sheds light on a few areas where sellers are seeing the market come back.  The article features the Edina market and shares stories of quick sales and high demand for new listings. 

If you're interested in a market analysis for your home and to learn more about the homes selling in your neighborhood, contact us today!

http://www.startribune.com/business/126408518.html

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Whether it is your goal to Buy or to Sell, let us share with you the opportunities available in your preferred neighborhood.

Properties are selling in today's marketplace. In fact, the time to buy has never been better.

Contact us today and let us show you how to benefit from our professional services and comprehensive experienced approach to real estate.

612.925.8419 | GetInfo@BarryBergGroup.com

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... What Should I Expect? 

In today’s real estate market, most homeowners heed the advice of their realtors and spend a good deal of time and money preparing their homes for the market.  After all of that effort, it’s natural for them to wonder “What should I expect, now that my home is actively for sale?” 

For many, their initial experience mirrors that of the homeowner whose property Barry had listed in July, 1989, just as the market was losing steam in advance of the early ‘90’s housing slowdown. When, two days after the home had been listed for sale, there had not been a single showing, the homeowner called and lamented, “I feel like I gave a party and no one came.” 

The best advice for any homeowner to consider is, “Be prepared at any…

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It's a great time to be living in Country Club and Arden Park, surrounding neighborhoods of 50th & France in Edina. There are more choices for dining out than ever before. Whether you take the kids, or leave them with the sitter for a change, there something for every occasion.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Rice Paper (formerly in Linden Hills). Now Edina residents are the beneficiaries of owner An Nguyen’s wonderful Vietnamese inspired dishes. I thoroughly enjoyed the special spring roll of the evening that included fresh apple which was sweet, tart, and delicious. The Crispy Tofu Puffs were amazing. The Song Huong Beef, a marinated beef and lemongrass, served with lettuce cups and nice accompaniments of sprouts, peanuts and rice…

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Moving day is exciting – a time to fill a new space and make it your own.  But with all the chaos of moving, it’s hard to keep track of all the details.  Getting utilities set up, mail forwarded and garbage services started are all important steps to getting settled into your new home.

Utilities can be set up before you move – simply call the company, let them know when you’ll be taking ownership (the closing date) and they will have service put into your name. 

Here are some local numbers to help get you started:

Electric:     

Xcel Energy – 1-800-895-4999  Serves most of the Twin Cities

Dakota Electric – 651-463-6212  Serves portions of Dakota, Goodhue, Scott and Rice Counties

Gas: 

CenterPoint Energy – 612-372-4727

Cable:

…

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2010 was a good year for sales at The Carlyle.

Partly due to the 18 sales that closed in 2010 (the same # as in 2009) which represent 7% of the total units in the building, when compared to the overall downtown condo marketplace The Carlyle has fared better than the rest.

                                                           Downtown                                   The Carlyle

# of Sales                                                      508                                         18

Distressed Sales as % of total sales            19.5%                                     11% (2)

Average Days on Market                               160                                         166

Change in Value from 2006 to…

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The process of buying a home can be both exhilarating and unnerving for buyers.  But with a proper understanding of the process and a clear sense of objectives, most buyers will find the experience very satisfying. 

To minimize the anxiety or frustration of the process, consider these steps... 

  • Get preapproved for a mortgage (assuming you will need to finance part of your purchase).  Meet with a reputable mortgage loan officer to determine the size of mortgage for which you can qualify.  In the process, you may determine that you want to obtain the maximum mortgage possible – or you may conclude that you prefer to keep your monthly payments at a lower level.  This will help you focus on housing in the price range you can afford.
  • Create…

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