Tag Archives: housing market

Top 5 Phone Apps for Realtors

Technology is a great resource for any professional today. For realtors, who are always on the go, what phone apps serve them best to make their jobs that much easier? Well, we’ve gathered 5 apps we suggest every realtor should have on their phones/tablets. Let us know if there is one you use the most:

1. Pro HDR

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View in iTunes store here

This app will allow you to take pictures of your properties, modify the lighting or little edits you can add to enhance the picture and make it a higher definition one.

2.  Storehouse

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View in iTunes store here

Imagine talking to a prospect buyer and pulling out a video and pictures with the virtual tour of a house right from your phone or tablet. This will make you look even more professional, but also one that’s eager and ready to get things done. Your clients will surely appreciate it.

3. Genius Scan

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View in iTunes store here.

 

Realtors, and agents are never in one single place. Odds are sometimes you might have to run back to the office to scan a document and end up losing time and gas. This app can scan your documents and turn them into a PDF or JPEG doc. Take a picture, and send it over through email as either format with no problem and no need to run to anywhere.

4. Waze

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View in iTunes store here.

 

Ever been stuck in traffic in a unfamiliar part of the city wishing you could know of a shortcut? Well, we’ve got one for you! Well, iTunes and Google has one, but we’re telling you this one is will make your life so much easier. This app will tell you the traffic updates  or road closures close to your location. Sounds like a perfect app for someone who’s always on the go!

5. Dashlane

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View in iTunes store here.

Realtors can have over 10 social media platforms. With all the names, addresses, information realtors receive in one day chances are you might forget passwords often. This app will solve that problem alone. Not only does it save your login information, but also receipts, payment methods, credit card information. Perfect app for a busy professional such as a realtor or agent.

 

10 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Real Estate Agent

It’s not easy buying or selling a house. You’re full-time job is work enough. Imagine putting the pressure, stress, and extra work that comes with selling or buying a house. Cue real estate agent. Not only do they advise you on what’s best to their knowledge, but the best are experienced, and can help you get the best for your budget. Don’t stress and call a real estate agent. You won’t regret it! The top 10 Reasons To Hire a Real Estate Agent can be found on this infographic:

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Source: Keeping Current Matters. Find their website here. 

Minneapolis Metro Housing Market Shifts to Note in 2nd Half of 2014

This press release was originally published by PRWeb.

Home Destination finds several Minneapolis metro housing market shifts to note in the 2nd half of 2014 after the Department of Numbers and MAAR released recent Twin Cities housing data. Home Destination, a Minneapolis residential realtor with RE/MAX Results, shares the Minneapolis real estate reports and comments on what home buyers and sellers can anticipate till the year’s end.

Minneapolis, Twin Cities Minnesota (PRWEB) July 20, 2014

Minneapolis metro housing market shifts to note in the 2nd half of 2014 from reports released by theDepartment of Numbers, and MAAR reveal critical shifts in the Twin Cities housing market trends.

“Midway through the year, The Twin Cities home sales are beaten by last year’s by almost 10 percent after foul weather dampened the spring housing market season,” says Jenna Thuening, owner of Home Destination. “It is quite impressive that as Minneapolis home prices and listings continue to rise, there’s a positive optimism that the second half of the year will be strong.”

According to a report from the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors for the week ending July 5, three sets of housing data show remarkable improvements.

  • The number of new real estate listings increased 14.8% to 1,269
  • Pending home sales improved 17.4% to 1,045
  • Available housing inventory increased 7.7% to 17,587

Additionally, here are 5 Shitfs in the Twin Cites Housing Market according to Home Destination’s summary of the two reports.

1. Asking Prices Homes Listed In Twin Cities Real Estate Improve

At the halfway point in July 2014, there were approximately 19,056 single-family residential homes and condo dwellings on the market for sale in Minneapolis Minnesota. The median asking price by sellers for these properties ran near $253,525, according to the report. “Since this time last year, the inventory of homes for sale has increased by 33.4%, and the median price has increased by 7.9%.”

2. Uptick in Available Twin Cities Real Estate Listings

June closed with 8,315 new Twin Cities real estate listing added to the market, making it easier for home buyers to find the home they want. If one compares the number of homes available to this time one year ago, housing inventory is up 8.9 percent. With more to choose from, Twin Cities home buyers who hoped to find what they want are pleased. While bidding wars still erupt, buyers have more choices than available in some time.

3. Upswing in Pending Sales of Traditional Homes

New consumer optimism stems from the drop in Twin Cities home foreclosures and short sales, which has weighed down several aspects of the housing market. In June, there was an inspiring up swing of 12 percent in pending sales of traditional homes, which is given credit for helping median home values rise 4.7 percent to $219,000. Overall, however, sales in June were down 2.2 percent to 5,531 sales.

4. Better Clip in the Time It Takes to Successfully Sell a Home

The month of June 2014 saw a drop from 73 days on the housing market till sale in 2013 to 71 days. That is a +2.8% improvement that permits sellers to close the deal and move on to the next home at a better pace. This means that sellers must be prepared to move to another home in less time. This indicator suggests a transition from rapid recovery toward a steady pace that should mean stability.

5. More Homeowners are Above Water With Sufficient Home Equity to Move

Housing data found back in June of 2013 places the median home sale price at $185,000. This June, Twin Cities home sellers’ median home price for a sold home was $191,550, a welcome increase of 3.5%. The average home sold for $223,503 in June 2013 and for $237,404 in June this year, a significant change of +6.2%.

“Yes there’s more inventory, but not in all areas or price points,” stated Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors president Emily Green in the June 11 article titled Twin Cities Has Largest Pool of Homes for Sale in Almost a Year. “This market has been supply-constrained for long enough, but the trend is moving in a positive direction.”

“When talking to prospective clients, most home buyers and sellers seem to be more confident about real estate. The steadiness of the Twin Cities housing market climb upwards seems more trustworthy to many than if we had astonishing highs,” adds Thuening. “Being rated again as one of the top cities to live in the entire U.S makes Minneapolis residents appreciate what we have more.”

Home Destination has been regarded as a competent Twin Cities Realtor for over 15 years. Minneapolis homeowners who are interested in selling a home can call Jenna Thuening for free, no-obligation market analysis at 612-396-7832.

Read the original press release publication on PRWeb.com.

Minneapolis Real Estate Market Conditions Heading Into Summer 2014

Minneapolis Real Estate Market Conditions Heading Into Summer 2014 (via PRWeb)

Minneapolis real estate market conditions heading into summer, while mixed, offer a positive outlook for prospective home buyers and seller, according to MAAR’s summary of May’s housing data. Home Destination, a Twin Cities residential Realtor with…

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Hopkins, Minnesota

Tucked into the western suburbs of Minneapolis, Hopkins has managed to capture a small town feel, despite being a short 15-minute commute to the metropolis of Minneapolis. This local charm combined with modern design and a youthful, upbeat energy has something to offer everyone. Whether it’s a diverse restaurant selection, activities for children, live music, a vibrant nightlife or boutique shopping, fun for all ages can be found on Main Street, which serves as the center for downtown Hopkins and provides a focal point for residents and visitors.

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In the quaint downtown Hopkins, new condominium developments coexist with a vibrant antique culture and rich local art scene. A clutter of five antique shops (Hopkins Antique Mall, Ann & Jacks Vintage Jewelry, Blake Antiques, Antiques on Mainstreet & Auntie M’s Antiques), restaurants ranging from Curry N’ Noodles to Samba Taste of Brazil, as well as art and community centers provide a diverse and enriching place to shop, eat, drink and be entertained. Peppered with provocative pieces of art on wide sidewalks, stroll through downtown Hopkins and you might hear live music being played late into the weekend evenings at Mainstreet Bar & Grill or the Wild Boar. During the day, entertainment can be found at the Mann Hopkin’s Cinema 6, weekly farmer’s markets held on Saturdays on 9th Street, The Depot Coffeehouse that features local music talent and the Stages Theatre, which included two performance spaces, a dance studio, an art gallery, and an art classroom.

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The Hopkins community hosts a wide range of events and festivals throughout the year highlighting the importance of local art and produce. The weekly farmer’s market is held from June to October, where locals gather under the downtown clock tower to buy and sell local produce while promoting a healthy and sustainable community. The Raspberry Festival, an annual event founded during the Great Depression and held in July, has become one of the most highly anticipated gatherings each year in Hopkins. The festival hosts a stunning variety of events including sports tournaments in Central Park, art showcases, the Flat City Bike Race, activities for families, parades down Mainstreet, dances at the Hopkins Community Center, live music at Downtown Park, blood drives, open houses, the Hopkins Lions Club Beer Fest, fireworks at Central Park, and even a pig roast hosted by the Hopkins VFW.

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Often serving as a centerpiece for local festivals and events, the solar panel topped Depot Coffeehouse acts as a venue for amateur musicians looking to perform in a safe and welcoming environment. The Depot Coffeehouse is also a central meeting place for cyclists throughout the Twin Cities due to residing where three major bike trails converge, making it the perfect place to regroup and refresh before heading downtown, to the lakes or deeper into the western suburbs.
Residents of Hopkins, in a study published in 2013, boasted about their city, noting that they enjoy living in Hopkins because of the small town feel (39% of residents) and its convenient location (21% of residents) with access to Minneapolis/St. Paul. The small town atmosphere in Hopkins can be attributed to its thriving youth programs, which range from art classes, to drama clubs, to language immersion programs, to math and science camps. Hopkins also has many prosperous little league programs, and the younger residents can be seen playing in football, volleyball, fencing, cross country, soccer, dance and kung-fu league programs in the many parks found in Hopkins, including Maetzold, Burnes, Harley Hopkins, Valley and Buffer Park.

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First-rate schools and adult education is also a major source of pride for Hopkins. With access to eight public schools, two charter schools and six private schools, the city serves as an outstanding source of learning and growth. Hopkins also boasts a healthy religious community, with thirteen congregations spread throughout the city, supplying a spiritual outlet and religious teachings for faiths of all kinds.

Hopkins has a lot to be proud of – safe neighborhoods, good schools, a centrally located downtown area, extensive nature trails, parks, and a happening nightlife. It is the ideal place for a young family to raise children in or an elderly couple to retire to. Close enough to downtown for easy access and far enough away to maintain its small town integrity, Hopkins has truly found the sweet spot in the Twin Cities suburbs where residents are hopeful for the future and welcoming to new neighbors.

Neighborhood Resources


Hopkins Schools

Faith Communities
Alice Smith Elementary Church of St. Joseph
Eisenhower Elementary Church of the Cross
Gatewood Elementary Cross of Glory Church
Glen Lake Elementary Emmaus Road
Harley Hopkins Family Center Faith Presbyterian Church of Minnetonka
L. H. Tanglen Elementary Gethsemane Lutheran Church
Meadowbrook Elementary Grace Ministries Fellowship
XinXing Academy Korean Evangelical United Methodist Church
Hopkins North Junior High Lutheran Community of Grace
Hopkins West Junior High Mizpah United Church of Christ
Hopkins High School Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
International Spanish Language Academy (ISLA) St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
Main Street School for Performing Arts West Oaks Community Church
The Blake School Zion Lutheran Church
Hopkins Montessori School
KinderRead Montessori School
Sleepy Tigers Chinese Immersion Preschool
St. John’s Catholic School

Public Parks

Local Restaurants
Buffer Park Hopkins Tavern
Burnes Park Aji Japanese Restaurant
Central Park Star Wok
Cottageville Park Big 10 Restaurant
Downtown Park Curry N’ Noodles
Elmo Park Samba Taste of Brazil
Harley Hopkins Park Mainstreet Bar & Grill
Hilltop Park Wild Boar
Interlachen Park The Depot Coffeehouse
Maetzold Field
Oakes Park
Oasis Park
Overpass Skate Park
Park Valley Playground
Shady Oak Beach
Valley Park

Neighborhood Statistics

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