Deb Shafer and her family at their summer cabin in New York.Office Manager Deb Shafer with her family.

It takes a lot of organization and effort to keep the Berg Larsen Group team running smoothly. From payroll to photo memory books, our office manager, Deb Shafer, works her magic behind the scenes so that our clients and agents have the best experience possible. Learn more about Deb’s skills and interests here.

Tell us about your role, responsibilities, and how you have shaped your job to benefit clients: 

As the Office Manager, I wear many hats and switch them multiple times each day. Everyone jokes that I am the team wrangler. I am the bookkeeper: I pay bills, do payroll, and prepare for taxes. I also work with our sellers and buyers to help guide them from sale to closing day, such as making sure…

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Realtor Jon Ness offers tips for home buyers and sellers.

A Fall Primer of Tips for Home Buyers and Sellers from Jon Ness, Realtor and Partner

This month, Jon Ness, Realtor and Partner, follows up on last month’s blog post with Barry Berg, Realtor and Partner. Barry explained “why” now is the time to get ready to buy or sell your home and Jon offers “what” you can do in the upcoming weeks if you’re thinking about buying or selling your home.

Autumn is sharing its full splendor these days. There are weekend trips up North to enjoy the outdoors and tailgating parties to cheer on your favorite teams. It’s also the season of prep work if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the spring.

Sure, it seems like there is plenty of time, right? However, Berg Larsen Group partner Jon Ness says, “The…

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Barry Berg -Founder, Business Partner and Realtor

Now is the Time – Barry Berg’s Top Four Things to do this Fall

Without hesitation, Barry Berg clarifies why now is the time to think about buying or selling a home, but more importantly, what you need to do during September and October. We asked him to elaborate, and here’s what he wants you to know.

Sellers: Prepare for the Spring 2023 Market

We’re barely done with summer and haven’t even started fall in Minnesota, yet the next few months are more critical than ever for preparing your home to sell in the spring. Sellers often have questions about which projects to undertake. The Berg Larsen Group says the most significant and necessary undertaking is decluttering and preparing for photos and…

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Technology makes it easier to hunt for a new home from afar, but a trusted partner who cares about helping you find the right fit makes relocation an entirely different – and welcome – process. 

From as far afield as Singapore to more common relocations from the East or West Coasts, clients appreciate how quickly Berg Larsen Group agents help them find their way home in the Twin Cities. 

Clients say the keys to a successful relocation are working with an agent who quickly gets to know you and your taste and then offers the best possible counsel, steering you towards ideal fits and away from potential disasters. 

Moreover, it’s about getting to know iconic neighborhoods in the Twin Cities: the Minneapolis chain of lakes, Lake Minnetonka, Edina,…

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Pro-to-Pro

The Twin Cities is home to many successful professionals -- doctors, lawyers, business and non-profit executives, bankers, IT leads, and more.

Employers like 3M, Target, Best Buy, Medtronic, General Mills, and many others attract and retain peers who bring a high level of knowledge, integrity, and responsiveness to every interaction. When it comes to buying or selling an executive home, could they possibly expect that same level of professionalism from their real estate agent?

Berg Larsen Group clients unequivocally say, “Yes”. They use descriptors like precise, exact in their technique, meticulous, educated, nimble, patient, and generous with their time.

A local physician says, “They brought precision and brilliance to the…

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2240 West Lake of the Isles | Situated on the west side of Lake of the Isles, this elegant and sophisticated Colonial luxury home offers spectacular views of the lake and an interior ready for an active household. Superbly maintained, the wood floors are in pristine shape and throughout the main floor. Large windows offer abundant natural lighting throughout the dining room, living room, and sunroom. Off the sunroom is a beautiful private paver terrace with a fenced rear yard. The center island kitchen is a cook's dream! Large center-island, high-end stainless appliances, breakfast dining area, and abundant space for hustle and bustle around dinner time. 

All bedrooms are on the second and third floors of the home. The main bedroom suite offers a…

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Realtor Nanci Anderson 

Not many of us want to look in the rearview mirror on 2020 – so many ups and downs across the globe.  Even in the Twin Cities real estate market, it was full of ups and downs.  This graphic gives you a quick look.

What Made 2020 a Roller Coaster?

Buyers were jumping in....!

  • Record low-interest rates – still under 3% from many lenders
  • Work / Home balance was challenging – need more space and dedicated workspace
  • First time home buyers wanted to get out of rising rents

Sellers were making cheddar…..!

  • Median home sale price rose 8.9% - record low inventory with strong buyer demand drive home prices higher
  • More time on their hands, able to make home improvements that attracted higher sale…

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These are truly unprecedented times. Minnesotans have been exemplary in respecting and honoring the 'Stay at Home' order issued by Governor Walz.  We will do the same with the new 'Stay Safe' order effective May 18, 2020.  Supporting our local and small businesses are key to refueling our communities   While times are definitely different, this does not mean that real estate activity has come to a halt. Real estate has been identified as an essential service and was exempted from the Stay at Home order.  Even with the new Stay Safe order it is not back to business as usual.  This unprecedented situation has caused inventory to shrink as well as some buyers to hit the pause button.  However, deciding to move is a very personal choice, and…

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We certainly recognize that these are unique times. Your health and safety are our paramount concerns, followed closely by getting your home sold and closed. The Berg Larsen Group remains proactive in monitoring the state and local guidelines for best practices. 

We know there are buyers who are out looking and need to find a place to live. We are not recommending taking homes off the market, but rather to stay the course and make the property available to those who want to see it.

(For those getting their home ready for market) For the time being, for the reasons mentioned above, we recommend allowing us to continue to list your home on MLS as we have been planning.

For showings on your home we recommend the following actions:

  • No open…

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We recognize that these are increasingly challenging times for clients like who are actively looking to buy your next home. The tight inventory levels make it important to act when new real estate comes on the market. As the Twin Cities, and our nation, deal with the threat of COVID-19, our goal is to make this process as smooth as possible and to offer the following services to maintain your health, safety, and peace of mind:

  • Virtual Tours - We are happy to preview homes you're interested in by offering a virtual tour. Ask questions during a live video tour or we can send you a recording.
  • Email Notes and Seller's Disclosures - Often there are Seller’s disclosure documents and notes associated with the listing that are not available to…

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