Hello, friends!

This week’s message is just a quick reminder that I’ll be working on mid-rise new construction condo projects through the end of the Parade of Homes 3/18.  So no homes to snoop, unless you’re looking for a well-priced condo.  But I’ll be back on the circuit 3/25, doing my best to feature the character-filled, South Minneapolis homes that appeal to most of you.

If you’d like more information on the new construction projects I’ll be working, check out www.themetrolofts.com or www.corridorflats.com.  Corridor Flats (Saturday 12-5) is an awesome entry-level product (1 BR condos start at $140K!) near the light rail and quickly changing Lake/Minnehaha neighborhood.  The Metro Lofts are a semi-green new construction project/ entire neighborhood being constructed at University and 280.  If you stop into the Metro on Sunday (12-6), I can get you free coffee at Dunn’s.  So if you’re in the neighborhood anyway, nothing beats free coffee!    

In the meantime, if you’re looking to jump into this market via house or condo, please don’t hesitate to call.  And if you’re in your new home, but just can’t stand looking at that dated kitchen anymore, I can help with that too.

Get out this weekend and enjoy the gorgeous weather.  We’ve waited long enough!

Hello, friends!

Whenever I hear that expression (in my head, usually), I think of an amalgam of Long John Silver and the pirate from The Simpsons.  But I have no idea what it means!  I guess, in the case of The Simpsons pirate (I’m sure some of you know his name), he has wooden limbs, If he’s cold, the expression makes sense.  Not for me.  When I’m cold, I can’t move, so nothing’s shivering.  I turn into a human popsicle pretty darn quick.  Good thing I didn’t go on that Antarctic expedition back in college.  It was either there, which would’ve been amazing, or the Bahamas.  I don’t tan either, but at least a little sunburn won’t cost me a limb.  And it gives me an excuse to wear a ridiculously large hat.

Boston wasn’t much better last weekend than it is here right now.  “Coldest day in years!”  Go figure.  Thank goodness for the company.

Since it’s 2 degrees out, and SuperBowl weekend (Go Bears!  Yes, I’m from Chicago and the last time I had anything to cheer about was in ’84 punctuated by singing the SuperBowl Shuffle in front of my 3^rd Grade peers), I’ll only be holding one house open this weekend.  For you brave house hunters, it’s worth the trip.  Under $200K!

3830 20^th Avenue South, Nokomis
OPEN SUNDAY 2/4  12-2 p.m.

$199,900
2 BR/ 1 BA
1-car garage
800 finished square feet
Built in 1910

Perfect first-time opportunity in Standish!

Beautiful, low maintenance stucco and stone two-story in prime neighborhood.  Backing up to a park, your yard seems to go on forever.  Home features a large kitchen, refinished hardwood floors throughout, new furnace, aluminum soffit and fascia (no exterior maintenance), and new combination storm windows.  Two generous bedrooms upstairs with charming sloped ceilings and decent closet space.  All of this for the price of a condo.  And low taxes at just over $110/month!

The neighborhood is brimming with activities: the new Rain Garden is 2 blocks away, Lake Hiawatha is 4 blocks, and light rail is less than a mile away.  You’re in the middle of everything.

http://www.craigslist.com

Hello, friends!

Today I’m writing to you from my new 50’s office chair.  Black leather/pleather (can’t quite tell), chrome arms/pedestal and even chrome wheels!  The profile is sweet, and the price even sweeter.  Some of you may think I’m overreacting to my new acquisition, but for those who know me well, it’s perfectly appropriate.  I get really excited about the little things.  Hunting, for me, is sifting through the non-stop garage sale that is Craig’s List to find that one item that will make your living situation just a little more special.  In my case, I found two.  Man, you should see my new chrome lamp!  Straight out of the late 50’s, this Kovacs lamp spoke to me.  And it matches my chair!  Finally, my office has some so desperately needed style.  Ironic that as a designer, I never take the time to outfit my own space.  What was that story about the cobbler’s children?

If I’m going to keep shopping, then I need to work to pay for this stuff!  Two opens this week: a Longfellow repeat, and a gleaming Nokomis Tudor.  Come on by!

3805 46^th Avenue South, Longfellow Neighborhood
OPEN SUNDAY 1/21    12-2 p.m.

4242 25^th Avenue South, Nokomis
OPEN SUNDAY 1/21  2-4 p.m.

Hello, friends!

I imagine most of you are basking in the success of those well-kept New Year’s resolutions, or at least patting yourselves on the back for giving them the old college try.  Like I said last week, I like to keep my expectations realistic.  But, wow, nothing could’ve prepared me for the onslaught of house-related questions and design projects that have come up in the last week.  Whatever the rest of the nation is feeling with “the burst of the housing bubble” is definitely not happening here.  Yes, prices are climbing at a much more reasonable pace (score 1 for the buyers), but enthusiasm for renovations has not slowed down a bit.  Kitchens are hot right now.  I have three projects underway at the moment, and yes, I promise pictures.

I’ve had a lot of questions from first-time buyers who are wondering what they can get for under $200K.  Does such a thing still exist?  If it does exist, is it just waiting to fall down?  Let me tell you, when I bought my first place 6 years ago, I was in the “under $80K” bracket.  Oh yeah, there was a lot of junk for that price.  But after a lot of looking, I found my little cape cod gem.  If I could do it, I can definitely help you do it too. 

But to prove a point, both of my opens this Sunday will be under $200K.  Stop by and see what you can get.

3805 46^th Avenue South, Longfellow
OPEN SUNDAY 1/14       12-2 p.m.
$179,900
2 BR/ 1 BA
2-car garage
Built in 1922
702 finished square feet

3632 40^th Avenue South, Longfellow
OPEN SUNDAY 1/14       2-4 p.m.
$196,900
2 BR/ 2 BA
2-car garage
Built in 1915
1,261 finished square feet

Hello, friends!

Is everyone still whirling from the Uptown/Loring/Powderhorn mega-art fair weekend?  I wish I could say I got out there and strolled around, but honestly, I tried to avoid the whole darn mess.  Having lived very close to the Lake/Lyndale nexus of mania, the harsh memories of absolutely no parking and horrible out-of-town drivers burns me to this day.  For those of you who ever lived in Uptown, I’m sure you can empathize from your cushy couches in remote Nordeast.  But if anyone managed to search out some decent art, good job!  Please support the starving artists who are creating worthwhile, one-of-a-kind pieces.  Too bad there aren’t more of them participating in these events.

This weekend I’ll be spending all Saturday afternoon in the East Harriet and Lynnhurst neighborhoods just east of Lake Harriet.  I’ve included the links to almost every Minneapolis neighborhood on this site.  There were a few I’d never even heard of!  But that’s what’s so great about Minneapolis; the diversity of vibes, variety of cultures, and a collective passion for one’s neighborhood.  Check out the site and read a little more about where you live.  I’ll bet you learn something new.

Come say hi at the following opens this Saturday!

4032 Aldrich Avenue South, Minneapolis    OPEN SATURDAY 8/12  12-2 p.m.

4633 Dupont Avenue South, Minneapolis    OPEN SATURDAY  8/12 3-5 p.m.

Hello, friends!
You may be wondering how last weekend’s outdoor adventure went. Well, I broke, and spent the night in an air conditioned basement. Yes, me, the picture of outdoorsy. For any of you who know me, you’re probably laughing right now. Sure, I love nature, but I also love running water. Throw in 100 degree weather, and my love for nature becomes secondary to a need for sanity.

But this weekend is totally different. The air conditioning is off, the fans are on and there’s fresh air all about. Thank goodness. You can start feeling like a gerbil after awhile.

This weekend I’ll be back in my favorite SW Minneapolis neighborhood, Kingfield. The vitality and “neighborhood-iness” of this area is magnetic. When Bancroft and I part ways, I’ll be heading Southwest (unless Bryn Mawr hails a great deal).

4055 Pleasant Avenue South OPEN SATURDAY 8/5 1-3 p.m.

(more…)

Hello, friends!

Last weekend’s wedding was a blast! For those of you who attended, it was great to cross paths again. It’s too bad that daily life stuff gets in the way of connecting with the great people who help make us who we are. So, thank goodness for weddings, birthdays, solstice parties, bat mitzvahs, and whatever event brings us together (ideally with an open bar).

Beyond the festivities, I honestly can say that this is anything but a relaxing summer. Thanks to your support, Strong Redesign is kicking proverbial butt, and Strong Urban Realty is helping many first-time buyers find that “just right” first home. Two things that I love to do, and will keep doing until someone tells me to stop.
This week will be a little different. I had a full schedule booked, but then one of my Open Houses up and SOLD. Oh well, only one this week. And it’s out in Roseville! Most of you know that I’m an urban enthusiast, and rarely venture to the suburbs, except for business and an occasional –Dale run. But in an effort to help my buddy, Dave, I will be in Roseville Saturday.

2500 Matilda Street, Roseville 55113
OPEN SATURDAY 7/22 12-2 p.m.

Longfellow charmer! Five blocks to the River! Walking distance to the historic Riverview Theater and cozy Riverview Wine Bar. Move-in condition, brand new forced air furnace, and new air conditioning. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout main floor, just refinished! Beautifully landscaped, and fully fenced, yard with huge deck, great for entertaining!

(more…)

3532 Fremont Avenue S , Minneapolis, MN 55408

WONDERFUL CRAFTSMAN BUNGALOW IN GREAT UPTOWN LOCATION! NATURAL WOODWORK BUILT-IN BOOKCASES, HARDWOOD FLOORS, FIREPLACE. 3 BEDROOMS, 3 BATHS, NEWER 3 CAR GARAGE! WALKING DISTANCE TO LAKES & UPTOWN.

MLS#3129672

$314,900
(more…)

4052 HARRIET AVENUE SOUTH, MINNEAPOLIS, 55409
Total Bed/Bath: 4/ 2 Garage: 2 Year Built: 1916

Total Fin SqFt: 1,576
$429,900

mls#3172380

A TRULY WARM AND INVITING HOME! 2 CAR GARAGE, CORNER LOT, GREAT INDOOR/OUTDOOR SPACES, BEAUTIFUL WOODWORK, AWESOME WRAP-AROUND STAIRCASE, NICE-SIZED KITCHEN WITH NEW REFRIGERATOR, DISHWASHER AND COUNTERTOPS. MOVE-IN CONDITION.

(more…)