Category Archives: Real Estate

Historic Homes in America

Compared to Europe that is known for traditional medieval castles, US might not have that many palaces, but we do have hundreds of historic houses with great architecture.

One of the examples of such a house is Isaac Bell House. It was designed by McKean, Mead, and White for a broker and investor Isaac Bell Jr. It is a shingle style house that combines both European and Japanese elements. After Bell died, the house was rented out by Samuel Barger and his family until 1952, then it was used as a nursing home and now it is a museum.

Flickr Creative Commons: Amy Meredith

Castle Hill was built in 1926 by Shepley, Rutan, Coolidge, and Olmstead brothers, who also designed the landscaping. It is located on top of the hill and overlooks the Bay. It has many beautiful gardens, swimming pool, guest cabanas, and indoor ballroom. It was owned by Crane family and now it is owned by The Trustees of Reservations and is open to public. It is a popular place for weddings and other celebrations.

Flickr Creative Commons: Henry Sbyszynski

Located in Manchester, Vermont, Hildene, also known as the Lincoln Family Home. It is a Georgian Revival style house full of beautiful trails, gardens, meadows and wetlands. It was occupied by descendants of Lincoln family until 1975, and then it was purchased by a non-profit organization. It is open for tours now.

Flickr Creative Commons: Shiran Pasternak

Of all the houses described here, this one looks the most like a medieval castle. Fonthill castle is located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania; it was owned by an architect and tile maker Henry Mercer and after his death it was left in trust as a museum of tile. It has 44 rooms, 200 windows, 10 bathrooms, and 18 fireplaces. Here you can enjoy the exhibits and take a look at Mercer’s extensive book collection.

Flickr Creative Commons: Jim

Last but not least is this beautiful estate of a New York lawyer Joseph Choate. It is also a shingle style house designed by McKim, Mead and White. It is known for its large gardens designed by Choate’s daughter and designer Steele. It is now owned by The Trustees of Reservation and is open for tours as well.

Flickr Creative Commons: Esther Westerveld

Not Enough Houses for Sale?

Due to improved job market and high rent prices, making it cheaper to own than rent, this years housing market has been improving and it will continue to improve, according to Kiplinger. Even though it’s good news for buyers and sellers, there is a catch. According to Redfin Research Center, there are not enough houses for sale, which leads to multiple offers on homes and makes the buying process pretty frustrating. Even though, According to Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors data, it is a great time to sell many people are reluctant to sell. There are a couple of reasons for that. Of course, there are people who simply do not want to sell because they are satisfied with what they have; but, according to Redfin Research Center, there are more than 7 million of homeowners that cannot sell their homes because they owe more than the house is worth. In addition, according to Fortune Magazine, not many single-houses are being built and that is due to the fact that many Millennials prefer to rent instead of buying, and they want to live in an expensive and difficult to build neighborhoods. Thus, it is likely that the prices will be going up to attract more sellers back to the market.

Photo from Flickr Creative Commons: Mark Moz
Photos used under this license.

Anoka, MN

Anoka is a northern suburb of the Twin Cities. It is affectionately known as the “Halloween Capital of the World.” It is believed that Anoka was the first city in the U.S. to put on a Halloween celebration in 1920, thus earning its nickname. The name Anoka itself was derived from two Indian words, meaning “on both sides” – because it is located on both banks of the Rum River –and “working waters.”

The first immigrants came to Anoka in 1844, and by the 1850’s it had a school, a store and a mill. Then, a ferry was established to connect Anoka to other cities. Between 1855 and 1884, the city was damaged by multiple fires, and many houses were burned, and the whole section had to be rebuilt.

Nowadays in Anoka, there are many restaurant to choose from. One such popular eatery is Truffles and Tortes Cafe. It is a cozy spot on Main Street that offers a great variety of delicious desserts. They also have a great selection of salads and sandwiches.

Casa Rio is also a delightful lunch or dinner option. The menu has a variety of Mexican cuisine selections and prices are very reasonable, as well.

Another popular place is Cork Wine Bar and Restaurant, where you can select your food and they will choose the wine for you. Also, servers ask about allergies and dislikes and then give food suggestions, which means your meal is catered to your specific wants and needs!

For some nighttime entertainment and live music, there is Nola Bistro and Bar. This is a fun place to talk, relax, and enjoy the evening with friends.

For art lovers, there is Krista Artista Art Gallery featuring Minnesota artists. You can also buy specialized gifts here, such as jewelry, pottery, and wood sculptures. For great acting, singing and directing you should definitely check out Lyric Arts Main Street Stage.

The median age in the City of Anoka is 38 years old: 49.8% of residents are male and 50.2% are female. According to City-Data of 2013, the estimated median household income was $48,792; median house/condo value is $161,612; median gross rent is $786. Anoka might be the right choice for you, with affordable housing/rental prices and plenty of things to do for entertainment.

The city has the “small town” feel with a historic downtown and just a great atmosphere in general. And don’t forget to visit Anoka to celebrate Halloween!

Neighborhood Resources

Neighborhood Schools	Faith Communities
Lincoln Elementary School	St. Stephen Catholic Church
Franklin Elementary	First Congregational Church
Wilson Elementary School	Grace Lutheran Church
Anoka Middle School for the Arts	Anoka Covenant Church
Anoka High School	United Methodist Church
Anoka-Hennepin Regional High School	Grace Life Church
Anoka-Hennepin Technical High Schhool	Zion Lutheran Church
Parks and Trails	Local Restaurants
Akin Riverside Park	Casa Rio Mexican Restaurant
George Enloe Park	El Azteca Mexican Restaurants
George Green Park	Billy’s Bar and Grill
John Ward Park	Cork Wine Bar Restaurant
Mississippi River Community Park	Truffles and Tortes
Rick Sorenson Park	G’s Cafe
Rudy Johnson Park	Avant Garden

Home Sales are Rising

Flickr Creative Commons: 401(K) 2012

Despite the fact that more and more apartment buildings are being built, the rent prices keep rising. According to Zillow, homeowners spend 13.7% on mortgages, whereas renters spend 25.6% of their income on rent. Thus, more and more people prefer to buy these days.

According to Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR), housing market hit the 10 year high; home sales rose 17% in June and rose even more in July. MAAR reports that in the month of July, 6,928 houses were sold. Also, the median price of a home for the Twin Cities is 2.7% to $224.900. Even though house prices are close to record, buyers are still getting more for what they are paying, spending $129 per square foot.

In addition, with the mortgage rates below 4%, renters are more motivated to buy than ever before. Despite the fact that there is a cost to owning a home such as utilities, maintenance, for a lot of people it ends up being cheaper to buy.

So, if you have enough saved for down payment it is a good time to buy!

Lifestyle Trends of Baby Boomers

Flickr Creative Commons: Moyan Brenn

Baby boomers are defined as those people who were born between 1946 – 1964. According to PRB, there are about 76.4 million baby boomers. This generation experienced a great amount of social, educational and economic change, which influenced their lifestyle. They prefer to lead active and healthy way of living, and they seem to enjoy different activities from yoga to workouts. Baby boomers are very particular about new products and experiences, so they expect them to be emotionally and spiritually satisfying.

More and more baby boomers are getting closer to the retirement and will be for another decade. It is believed that this generation is not scared to spend money. They are also believed to be the richest age group. Marketers predict that baby boomers will greatly influence future housing market. They are buying resort/second home properties and most still prefer warmer weather locations, and they like to buy vacation homes and rent them out for several years until they retire and move in themselves. As more boomers age, developers and marketers will have to adjust to their needs.

Flickr Creative Commons: Dennis Beentjes

Baby boomers are very particular not just about their lifestyle, but about their homes as well. Some prefer to downsize, some do not, but they all want a home that is easy to maintain and fits their needs.

So what are some features baby boomers are looking for?

Walkable Neighborhoods. Since this generation is all about active and healthy lifestyle, it is important for them to be able to walk to grocery stores, restaurants, coffee places, parks and trails. They also want to stay close to friends and family.

Low Maintenance/Convenience. First-floor masters are now more and more popular among boomers. They are looking for open concept floors with a lot of storage. They prefer newly built homes, and for some, home association responsible for lawn and exterior maintenance is a must.

Luxury Home Amenities. They want granite countertops, walk-in closets, stainless steel appliances, media rooms, etc. They want a full amenity home but on a smaller scale. They also like to personalize and renovate to add some charm, comfort and style to their new homes.

In-home Office. To keep themselves active and to have a supplementary income, many baby boomers are planning to keep working after they retire. That is why they prefer to have in-home offices for flexibility and, also, to avoid commuting every day.

These are just some of the many general things baby boomers look for in their homes and, of course, individual preferences vary. Either way, this is something for developers and real estate investors to consider in the future.

Dinkytown, Minnesota

Dinkytown is an area to the North of the University of Minnesota East Bank campus. The origin of the name is still being debated. According to one of the theories, it was named after the streetcars used at that time called Dinkys; others say it was named after a Gopher football player Frank “Dinky” Rog in late 40’s.

This neighborhood is famous for its unique history and great variety of apartments, entertainment, and restaurants. In the late 50’s through the 70’s, Dinkytown had the highest student population in the US. This is the place where the legendary Bob Dylan spent his early music career. He used to live in an apartment where the Loring Pasta Bar is now and a coffee house called the Ten O’clock Scholar is where he began to perform. How cool is that!

Dinkytown is a center of campus life. Since it is so close to the campus, a majority of its population are college students, and most of the properties are rental properties. According to Find the Home statistics, 94.5% of properties are likely to be rented out.

With a spectacular view of downtown, Annie’s Parlour is a famous place for burgers, malts and fries. They have been serving malts since the 1970’s! It is a great place to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and a late night dinner.

Another great place is Al’s Breakfast. It is a tiny little diner that is known for great omelettes and mouthwatering buttermilk pancakes. Everything they offer is fresh and delicious, and the food is made right in front of you.

Espresso Royale offers a warm and cozy atmosphere. It is perfect for students to study and enjoy the quiet. It is also a great summer cafe with a covered seasonal patio.

Looking for a place that not only offers a great dinner menu, but also has vegan and gluten free options? Check out Kafé 421 and their Greek influenced Menu.

Another popular place is The Loring Pasta Bar. It is located in the building where Bob Dylan used to live in Minneapolis. If you are looking for a great atmosphere, live music and scrumptious food, this is the place to go.

For those who like biking, there is Dinkytown Greenway, a state bike highway and trail that goes along the Mississippi River. This half-mile trail is also great for evening strolls – you can walk to the Metrodome and Downtown, easily get to University of Minnesota, and enjoy the surrounding neighborhoods.

Dinkytown is, indeed, a “dinky” neighborhood with so many great places and entertainment! Share with us why you love Dinkytown!

Quick Neighborhood Stats

Neighborhood Resources

Neighborhood Schools	Faith Communities
PEASE Academy	University Church of Lutheran Hope
	University Baptist Church
	St. Lawrence Catholic Church
	Sojourn Campus Church
Entertainment	Local Restaurants
Varsity Theater	Loring Pasta Bar
Kitty Kat Club	Al’s Breakfast
The Library Bar	Kafe 421
Blarney Pub & Grill	Annie’s Parlour
Burrito Loco Bar & Grill	Mesa Pizza Dinkytown
	Shuang Cheng Restaurant

Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Home Value

Flickr Creative Commons: Jon Hurd

For many people, a home is without a doubt the most important investment they will ever make. There are many things to take into consideration before finalizing that decision. Just buying a real estate property is not enough. You must protect your investment with regular maintenance of the home. Cleaning every area of your home regularly and effectively is only part of the process. It is crucial to pay attention to your home and to never neglect your responsibilities in order to protect your investment.

This sounds simple, but over time you will realize that your place actually requires a significant amount of care, and constant attention. If you have a busy schedule, this could prove to a be problem for you. Sharing the responsibilities with the other members of your family is a good solution to the problem. At least when it comes to the cleaning, you can ask for help or simply hire professionals every now and then. If you truly want to protect your home value, here are some tips which will help you with the maintenance:

Flickr Creative Commons: PhotoAtelier

Check the plumbing and other systems regularly – Most people forget to inspect the plumbing, electrical and other systems of their homes until a problem appears. Unfortunately, when that happens the damage could be hard to repair, not to mention that it would costly. In order to avoid the unnecessary complications, you should become knowledgeable with how to inspect pipes, taps and all other parts of the plumbing system of your real estate property. The same applies to fire alarms, light switches and other elements of the electrical system.

Flickr Creative Commons: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast

Clean the gutters every chance you get – Unfortunately, people often underestimate the importance of their gutters.They need to be cleaned and inspected regularly in order to maintain functionality for many years. In the event of a crack or more serious problem, the walls of your home could be seriously damaged. Don’t take the risk – simply pay attention to your gutters. Check regularly for damages by running water through the gutters, if they are clogged, get a latter and clean all the debris out of them.

Flickr Creative Commons: Rob McCready

Inspect the chimney – The chimney is another important part of your home which needs special care. Even the smallest damage could cause serious problems and endanger your your family. That’s why you should inspect the chimney of your property at least once a year. Hiring professionals for the cleaning of this part of your home before the beginning of the burning season is also important.

Flickr Creative Commons: Pete Markham

Make renovations – Planning some renovations every few years will guarantee the longevity of your real estate property. It is not necessary to spend a lot of money for big renovations, it is enough simply to repaint one or more of the rooms in your place. You can save some money by doing those things yourself. It is not that hard once you learn to trust your instincts and get some useful tips from people who have already done it.

These tips will aid in the preservation of your home’s value and appearance. For more information, check out these helpful links.

Plumbers East London – London Plumbing Service
Gutter Maids – Minneapolis, MN Gutter Cleaning
The Art of Manliness – Handy Home Maintenance Checklist
This Old House – How to Paint your Home Exterior
Jack Pixley Chimney – MN Chimney Sweeps

Photos used under this license.

Tallest Real Estate in World’s Fastest Growing Cities

Thinking about investing in real estate abroad? According to this Brookings report done in February of 2015, these cities have the fastest growing GDP and employment growth of all the countries in the world, which makes them ideal for investment. Using this report, we have found the tallest sky scrapers, housing the hottest businesses and offices, in the five fastest growing cities in the world. You might be surprised that three of the five cities are in one country!

5. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

West Dubai Panorama – Flickr Creative Commons: Michiel2005

Home to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai comes in as the fifth fastest growing city. The Burj Khalifa dwarfs any other building in the world, at 830m (just over half a mile) tall.

This monstrous building houses corporate suite offices, apartments, and a hotel. You can also take an elevator to the top and view the city of Dubai from the observation deck.

Located at the heart of the city, the Burj Khalifa is surrounded by shopping centers, resorts, spas, childcare centers, and many other businesses.

Flickr Creative Commons: Colin Capelle

4. Bursa, Turkey

Bursa, Turkey – Flickr Creative Commons: Eusebius@Commons

Previously known for its role in the silk business, the north western Turkish city of Bursa is now a major player in the car manufacturing industry (TheNational). The tallest building in Bursa is an office building called Buttim Plaza coming in at 110m. The building includes 98 independent offices and the remainder is filled with various retail businesses. Here is a full list of Bursa’s commercial buildings.

3. Istanbul, Turkey

Flickr Creative Commons: Sergey Galyonkin

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey with over 15 million residents. Currently, the tallest building in Istanbul is the Sapphire Tower at 261m. The building is soon to be out reached with the construction of the Diamond of Istanbul which will be completed toward the end of 2015, and will reach 270m. Major exports of Istanbul include clothing, automobiles, and electronics.

2. Izmir, Turkey

Flickr Creative Commons: Janos Korom Dr.

The tallest buildings in Izmir are a pair of towers called the Folkart Towers (shown above). They stand side by side at 200m tall. The buildings were built by the real estate company, Folkart. According to TurkofAmerica, the population of Izmir is young, and offers investors great potential.

1. Macau, China

Flickr Creative Commons: Tristan Schmurr

Here it is! The fastest growing city in the world. Macau is an eastern chinese city, and is affectionately known as the ‘Vegas of China.’ At just under 360m, the tallest structure in Macau is the Macau Tower.You can go to the Macau tower to eat, shop, get married, or even bungee jump. Coming in at second is Hotel & Casino Grand Lisboa. With hotels, spas, gambling, restaurants and more, Grand Lisboa has it all. Here is a full breakdown of Macau’s skyscrapers.
Photos used under this license.

Cost of Living Across the USA

Flickr Creative Commons: ornello_pics

What is the cost of living where you live? You might be surprised at how your city compares to others across the USA.

Below are the costliest and cheapest places to live in the USA based off the US Census table: Cost of Living Index—Selected Urban Areas, Annual Average: 2010. The table compares cost of living in cities across the USA with the national average.

The cost of living for each city is ranked based on the cost of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods. The national average of these costs are indexed at 100%. Each city with a composite index over 100 is more expensive to live in than the national average. Each city with a composite index under 100 is cheaper to live in than the national average.

The most expensive city in the USA: Manhattan, NY

Flickr Creative Commons: Daran Kandasamy

Indexed at 216.7, Manhattan has the highest cost of living in the United States. The prime real estate is to blame for such a high index. In this city, studio apartments start out at around $1500 a month, and if you want an actual bedroom or two, you have to be willing to shell out at least three to four thousand dollars a month!

Here are the top five most expensive cities with their index:

1. Manhattan, NY – 216.7

2. Brooklyn, NY – 181.7

3. Honolulu, HI – 165.7

4. San Francisco, CA – 164.0

5. Queens, NY – 159.0

Did you notice that 3 out of 5 of these cities are in New York?

Now where are the cheapest cities in the United States?

The most affordable city in the USA: Harlingen, TX

Flickr Creative Commons: Vince Smith

With an index of 82.8, the city with the lowest cost of living in the USA is Harlingen, TX. Harlingen is a city on the very southern tip of the state of Texas, bordering Mexico near South Padre Island. With a population of over 65,000, it is a very affordable city to live in.

Here are the five cheapest cities in the United States with their index.

1. Harlingen, TX – 82.8

2. Pryor Creek, OK – 84.5

3. McAllen, TX – 85.0

4. Pueblo, CO – 85.6

5. Cookeville, TN 85.7

Manhattan, NY has a cost of living that is more than double the national average while Harlingen TX has a cost of living that is only 82.8% of the national average. It seems there is a correlation between the cost of living and the height of the skyline!

How does your city compare? Find out here!

All photos used under this license.

Surprising Cities Celebrities Call Home

Celebrities only live in Los Angeles or New York, right? Wrong! CNBC, with the help of Realtor.com, found a list of cities that are growing with celebrity residents. We narrowed it down to five cities that we didn’t know were occupied by so many celebs!

1. Alpine, NJ

Flickr Creative Commons: Ken Lund

Who would have guessed that the small state of New Jersey would be home to so many celebs?! CNBC reports that Oprah, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Stevie Wonder (and more!) all have homes in Alpine. Set on the banks of the Hudson, the city is popular because of its exclusivity, and proximity to New York (BergenCounty.com).

2. New Orleans, LA

Flickr Creative Commons: Bill Staney

New Orleans is home to more than just jambalaya and beignets. Famous residents include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Harry Connick Jr., and Lil Wayne. CNBC attributes their residency to new tax breaks offered by Louisiana for film and television productions.

3. Atlanta, GA

Flickr Creative Commons: Brad Clinesmith

It is reported that Jane Fonda’s loft in Atlanta is up for sale at no less than $1.95 million. Who will purchase the home to join Jeff Foxworthy, Janet Jackson, and Elton John as Georgia residents? Click here to see some celebrity homes in Atlanta!

4. Montecito, CA

Flickr Creative Commons: Damian Gadal

With sweeping ocean views and temperate weather, who wouldn’t want to live on the northern coast of CA? The small town of Montecito is full of celebs, and its homes are among the priciest in the nation. Residents include Al Gore, Christopher Lloyd, Steve Martin, and Rob Lowe.

5. Jupiter, FL

Flickr Creative Commons: Dan DeChiaro

Many celebrities live in this growing town just north of Palm Beach including Celine Dion, Burt Reynolds, and Tiger Woods (who neighbors Michael Jordan’s beach home). Want to be their neighbor too? Check out these luxury homes in Jupiter.
For the full list of cities you didn’t know celebrities live in, head over to CNBC!

Category Archives: Real Estate

Historic Homes in America

Not Enough Houses for Sale?

Anoka, MN

Neighborhood Resources

Neighborhood Schools

Faith Communities

Parks and Trails

Local Restaurants

Home Sales are Rising

Lifestyle Trends of Baby Boomers

Dinkytown, Minnesota

Quick Neighborhood Stats

Neighborhood Resources

Neighborhood Schools

Faith Communities

Entertainment

Local Restaurants

Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Home Value

Tallest Real Estate in World’s Fastest Growing Cities

Cost of Living Across the USA

The most expensive city in the USA: Manhattan, NY

The most affordable city in the USA: Harlingen, TX

Surprising Cities Celebrities Call Home

Celebrities only live in Los Angeles or New York, right? Wrong! CNBC, with the help of Realtor.com, found a list of cities that are growing with celebrity residents. We narrowed it down to five cities that we didn’t know were occupied by so many celebs!

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