Tax refunds. It feels like 'free money' to some who then spend it all in a weekend with little or nothing to show for it. Others pay down debt, yet others use their refund to take a well-deserved vacation. Do you have a plan for your tax refund?

While the obvious holds true for home buyers to use the funds to beef up your downpayment on your new home, long-term carrying costs of a home on the market for sellers can be a burden. Consider wisely reinvesting your refund into the property you wish to sell.

By heeding 'negative' feedback that may indicate where your property is tired and could use updating, rather than being insulted or discouraged, take the criticism as constructive. For example repainting interiors, switching out dated bathroom…

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Cabin Fever turns into Spring Fever after the long winter months of cold weather. Spring is slow in coming and we are ready long before its arrival.

When looking to make improvements on a budget that will have impact and curb appeal, consider these wallet friendly ideas to get the most bang for your buck. When selling your home, these simple low cost upgrades can often set your property ahead of its competition.

Note this interesting article,

Yahoo! HOMES '10 Do-It-Yourself Home Projects You Can Finish In A Weekend'

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Those of us who call Minnesota home, inspired by recent warm temps and snow melt, are eagerly anticipating Spring's long awaited arrival. Who's not ready to trade in their snow blower for the lawn mower, shovel for a garden hoe, and salt & sand mix for fertilizer, flowers and grass seed?

As tempting as it would be to shove it into the back of the garage and just walk away, proper prepping of your snow blower prior to stowing it away will save you dollars and headaches come next November.

Note this Consumer Report article - 'How to stow your snow blower so it works next year'

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It's that time again when we set our clocks ahead one hour.

So before you fall asleep Saturday night, Spring Ahead and don't be late on Sunday!

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City living across the nation has never been more prevalent than in recent years. A rise in urban sales among business professionals, as well as with transitioning and/or down-sizing households, clearly reflect this is more than simply a trend.

As a result, City properties that afford off-street parking and garage stalls draw a premium since these necessities are both expected and often at the top of the list of many buyers' list of wants and needs.

Note this interesting Wall Street Journal article on the subject with a quote from our very own Chad Larsen:

Wall Street Journal Real Estate 2014

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Brrr-utal polar temperatures have generated a ripple effect of dead car batteries, flat tires, frost-bitten toes and water damage due to frozen pipes.

Please remember, 'Safety First!'

Note these tips from Nationwide Insurance which offer universally helpful information to homeowners for keeping your pipes from freezing this winter. 

 Tips to Keep Your Pipes from Freezing this Winter

 

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For over thirty years the Barry Berg Group has been focused on matching homes with lifestyles.

As a team of real estate professionals, our commitment has always been to ensure that our client finds the right fit for their particular wants and needs. In doing so we have set the standard for the Minnesota real estate industry. However, it is our personal endeavor to share our experience to assist our new friends and neighbors to find a place that they can call home is further proof that our approach is successful. The numbers support this, but most importantly do the testimonials and experiences of our clients. 

 

 

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Holidays can be an emotional time for all of us. The pressure of work functions, family gatherings, shopping, cooking, and the worries about our waistlines can make even the most stalwart among us start to fret.

It was experiencing these pressures that had us thinking about the challenges our clients face when selling their home. Note this article that touches on a few key topics that some of clients are concerned about when selling--we thought it worthwhile to share.

Happy Holidays!

MSN Real Estate article “4 Mistakes Emotional Home Sellers Make”

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"The holidays are approaching. My home hasn’t sold yet.  Should I take it off The Market?"

Year after year, realtors advise homeowners who’ve not sold their home to pull them off the market during the holidays.  Yet, December has been our team’s #1 selling month for most of the past decade.  

Think about it.  Who looks for a home between mid-November and the end of the year? Transferees.  And local homeowners who’ve finally sold their own homes and need to buy the next home. 

Guess what?  There may not be many of these buyers, but they NEED to buy, usually want close quickly, and don’t have or take the time to track homes that are no longer on the ACTIVE market. 

Who wins?  The home sellers who keep their homes on the market.  They won’t…

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