On Topic - The Group

Get to Know Kenwood, Lowry Hill, and Bryn Mawr

With longer days and extra sunshine, people are out and about, enjoying what makes the Twin Cities so special. The Berg Larsen Group has been working with clients to buy and sell their homes in neighborhoods across the Twin Cities for decades. The knowledge that we have of these areas extends beyond our work, as many people on our team live in these neighborhoods. Our summer blogs will highlight several of the distinct neighborhoods throughout the metro area.

We asked our Kenwood local, business partner and licensed realtor Kate Wall, why she chose to live in the neighborhood, and why she continues to love it after all these years. 

Kenwood’s Rich History

Kenwood is nestled between the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. Only a few miles from downtown,…

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Preparation Pays Off for Condo Sales

A.M and her two dogs.

Lifestyle changes come in all shapes and sizes - some even have wagging tails. 

When A.M. unexpectedly adopted her second dog during the pandemic, condo living no longer felt like the right fit. Looking for a backyard and more space while working remotely, the appeal of listing her downtown unit at The Carlyle continued to grow.  

Find a Realtor that Listens and Provides Solutions  

A.M. interviewed three Realtors, one of which was her neighbor Chad Larsen from the Berg Larsen Group. While talking to other Realtors, A.M. was told that she would have to move out of her condo while it was on the market. She explained to Chad that this was not feasible, and instead of pushing her to reconsider, they created a…

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Condo Buyers Benefit from Firsthand Experience

Buying a condo is unique to buying a new home - you’re also becoming part of a community. It requires different considerations and detailed expertise in evaluating the opportunity. Fortunately, for Berg Larsen Group clients the team brings first-hand knowledge and experience.

Following the sale of a single-family house, Joseph W. and Raul F. had been renting a condo for several years. Tired of unreliable building maintenance and rent increases, they were ready to pursue a different option and had simple criteria: To be within walking distance of a park, preferably on the perimeter of a lake, and they wanted to own a condo. They turned to Barry Berg for guidance, who helped them find the right place - a luxury penthouse in Bloomington.

Envision…

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Don't Let the Spring Real Estate Season Pass You By

Realtor Barry Berg has over 40 years of experience as a realtor in the Twin Cities.

Spring is fleeting in the Twin Cities - not just the weather but traditionally also the real estate market. However, 2023 is shaping up differently and that means there is continued opportunity to buy or sell a home. Partner Barry Berg offers a perspective for buyers and sellers this season.

 Spring is Full of Possibilities

 Historically, the peak of real estate sales activity simmers down by late spring, so prospective sellers are traditionally encouraged to list their properties by March or April.  That’s not the case this year. The Berg Larsen Group anticipates that a healthy seller’s market will continue throughout May and June. This is great news if you have…

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Insight On A Mortgage with Our Trusted Experts

Lately, we have been fielding lots of questions from clients about home mortgages. To get some answers, we tapped into some of our trusted resources and have compiled their responses for you. Today, Liz Koehler and Jody Kern with Bell Bank Mortgage, and Dean Schiffler with Guaranteed Rate are here to answer all of your most asked questions.

 How do you decide which type of mortgage is best for a client?

“Every level of buyer is different and their personal circumstances matter,” says Dean.

Mortgage lenders can help you determine what type of mortgage is best based on your goals, financial situation, and individual circumstance.

 Jody explains, “Credit scores, home price, and down payment amount factor into the advice I provide. We offer…

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Go Time Show Time!

Jon Ness - Licensed Realtor and Business Partner 

As houses go on the market and buyers start their search, Jon Ness, licensed realtor and partner at the Berg Larsen Group, shares his best tips on surviving showings. For buyers and sellers alike, showings season is an exciting and busy time. We are here to help you stay prepared and organized amid this active spring season. By following Jon’s advice to put extra work in ahead of time, you can do more than just survive showings - you might even enjoy them.

It’s the Little Things

Before putting your house on the market, we recommend hiring professionals to do the first round of deep cleaning. Hiring a team to do the initial sweep makes your upkeep between showings easier to maintain. When…

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The Condo Market is Back

Chad Larsen - Business Partner and Licensed Realtor

After selling three condos within two weeks, colleagues started asking Berg Larsen Group Partner Chad Larsen, “Is the condo market back?” To which he emphatically says yes, and it prompted this blog post to ask and answer a few more questions.

Timing is Everything

For condo owners who have decided to sell, their decision didn’t happen overnight. Many people started thinking about moving last year and in the meantime, invested in updating their space. After some new flooring, painting, and light renovations, their units were ready to hit the market. Instead of rushing to list their condos, people waited until after the Superbowl to put things into motion, anticipating the surge of buyers this…

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Getting Ready to Make Your Move

When it comes to buying or selling a home, spring is the season of “ready, set, go!” Kate Wall, a partner at the Berg Larsen Group, walks us through the process. Having lived in seven states and owned six homes, Kate’s knowledge and experience extend far beyond her 11 years as a Realtor.

Looking to buy?

Explore the neighborhood

Whether you’re considering a move across the country or just to a new neck of the woods, the first step is pinning down neighborhoods and discovering your priorities. Kate emphasizes the importance of driving through the area at different times of the day, different days of the week, and even during your typical commute time. Get acquainted with the grocery stores, restaurants, and parks. You’ll pick up on the vibe as…

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Guidance and Advice = Peace of Mind

Sometimes coming home really is as easy as it seems - as long as you have the right help.

Katherine and Joe Chaves learned that truth while moving halfway across the country with the help of the Berg Larsen Group. Joe, a Minnesota native, and his wife Katherine met while studying at the University of Michigan six years ago. After graduating, the couple moved to the east coast, living and working in New York until 2021 when they became pragmatic about their lifestyle goals as they welcomed their first child. They decided to return to Joe’s roots, and start their family in Minnesota.

Outlining Criteria

To prepare for the move, Katherine and Joe started looking at homes online, pinpointing neighborhoods in Southwest Minneapolis and first-ring…

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Built on Referrals

Over the past 40 years, our business has grown through referrals. Although never requested, past clients and recommendations continue to be the backbone of our success.

As we eagerly anticipate spring, the real estate market naturally cycles toward fresh inventory for March, April, and early May, the prime time for home sellers. These months provide home buyers with the best choices and the ability to close at the end of the school year.

Founding partner of the Berg Larsen Group and Twin Cities realtor for over 40 years, Barry Berg, discusses the impact of referrals and how this helps home buyers and sellers find the right fits for their lifestyle needs.

Referrals Create Opportunities for Buyers and Sellers

Buyers and sellers appreciate…

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