Hello, friends!

It’s Friday and 60 degrees out! We’ve been waiting over six months for this, so all I can say is that you’d better get out and appreciate it. Suck up some of that Vitamin D and purge the “winter yuck” from your system. We’ve got blue sky, birds, buds on trees, and lots and lots of mud. It’s gorgeous!

My stint as a “new construction specialist” is over as well. Yay! Personally, I’d much rather overhaul a century-old house than discuss condo upgrades. Unfortunately, I’m very transparent. And considering enthusiasm is contagious, I think I need to get back to what I get excited about: old houses!

Strong Redesign has gotten a tidal wave of business (thank you, referrals!). Everything from bathroom renovations to 2-story additions. So if you ever need a second opinion on a DIY project, or need a plan/estimate/construction crew for a major project, just give me a call. I’ll help however I can.

Now, if only I could take that crew into this house on Nicollet… You wouldn’t believe the potential in this place!

4905 Nicollet Avenue South, Tangletown Neighborhood
OPEN SUNDAY 3/25 1-3 p.m.

$345,000
3 BR/ 2 BA
1-car garage
1,700 above ground square feet
Built in 1924

Potential in Tangletown!
Yes, this house has been on the market awhile, and I have to say that I’m pretty disappointed about that. What that says to me is that none of you Buyers have any imagination! The house has the coveted large kitchen, main floor ½ bath, three large bedrooms upstairs, huge yard, and fireplace. What more do you want? Yes, we need some updating, but having the right structure is most important. Changing the fit and finish is the easier part. Tangletown is one of my favorite neighborhoods because of the winding streets and varied topography. It’s one of the few areas where you forget you’re in the middle of the Minneapolis grid system. And you can walk to the Creek and the retail shops just south at Diamond Lake and Nicollet.

I hope to see some of you this weekend. Heck, while you’re breaking in the Creek trails, take the Nicollet exit and head north a couple of blocks. Who knows, I might have cookies for you.

Take care!
Samantha

Hello, friends!

I think we’re on the verge of something great.  I wish I could say it was the end of global warming, a declaration of world peace, or even universal health care, but rather it’s the end of the freakin’ freezing part of winter!  From tomorrow until as far as theweatherchannel.com would take me into the future, there are no more single digit high temps.  In fact, all are 20 and up, even 30s!  I get really into the weather thing, not only because my toes and fingers are numb half the year, but I wanted to be a meteorologist (more specifically a tornado chaser) back in college.  Yep, I’m a weather nerd.  Someone needs to buy me one of those Sharper Image portable weather stations which will fit in nicely next to my 101 bird feeders (sorry, Mom).

This weekend I’ll be working Crocus Hill and East Harriet.  Since it’s going to be nicer out, you really have no excuse not to stop by and see these beauties. 

904 Dayton Avenue, Crocus Hill/St. Paul
OPEN SATURDAY   2/17   1-3 p.m.

$299,900

4 BR/ 2 BA

2-car garage
Built in 1901
1440 above ground finished sqft

4021 Bryant Avenue S, East Harriet/ S. Minneapolis
OPEN SUNDAY  2/18           1-3 p.m.

$329,900
3 BR/ 2 BA
2-car garage
Built in 1909
1,645 above ground finished sqft, 2,057 total fin sqft

Hello, friends!

Happy New Year!

For those of you who’ve made resolutions (and haven’t broken them yet), stay strong.  It’s Day 5, and your new approach to life should become more natural with each day.  Really!  I may sound schmaltzy, but I’m a big optimist when it comes to the opportunity change brings.  No, can’t say that I’ve kept every resolution I’ve ever made.  If I took the time to think of something that needs changing, at least I can put a little time into initiating that change.  If it doesn’t stick, it wasn’t the right time.  Heck, there’s always next year.  (Did I mention that I’m a realistic optimist?)

’07 Resolution (of many): do what I say I’m going to, sometimes more, but never less. 

What’s yours? 

Maybe it’s not a resolution, but a goal of mine is to reinstate some integrity into real estate.  Too many people have told me horror stories of sleazy tactics and predatory salespeople.  Unfortunately, most people need an agent to help them buy or sell a home, and good ones are hard to find (like a trustworthy and affordable contractor!). 

Buyers, price inflation has all but disappeared.  Take your time and get a good education of what’s out there.  With rates staying low, this will be a great year to buy.  Sellers, we’ll have to be realistic when pricing, and put a little more elbow grease into your home to make it irresistible (but we’ll sell it, don’t worry).

To start this year out with a bang, I’ll be out there this Sunday.  Hope to see you!

4500 43^rd Avenue South, Longfellow Neighborhood
OPEN SUNDAY  1/7 12-2 p.m.

3544 36^th Avenue South, Longfellow Neighborhood
OPEN SUNDAY  1/7   2:30-4:30 p.m.

Hello, friends!

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you knew you should do something, or “X” would happen?  And then you don’t do it, and, surprise, “X” happens?  For example, say you were doing some exterior remodeling, and in the process, let’s say a small hole was uncovered that went straight into the attic.  “Hmm, I should fill that hole with expandable foam, or even insulation, just to keep nature from coming in.”  Believe me, with all of the fun we’ve had with pigeons and raccoons this year, more wildlife is the last thing I want.  Of course, this is all hypothetical.  But let’s say, just for fun, that this hole remained uncovered for, oh, 6 months. 

Well, just yesterday, freakin’ sparrows started shooting out of that hole like it was a bird cannon.  Ahhh!  I can’t say if they just showed up, or if they’ve been there since Day 2.  But I can say that they’re there now, and I can’t get them out!  The frustration with myself, and those pioneering birds, is gargantuan.  Hypothetically, of course.  But if you should come to my front door, you might want to wear a large-brimmed hat.

To distract myself, I’ll be holding two open houses this weekend.  Bird-free, I hope.

4843 Portland Avenue S, Nokomis
OPEN SATURDAY  1-3 p.m.

4945 Bryant Avenue S, Lynnhurst
OPEN SUNDAY  2-4 p.m.

Hello, friends!

I love that name, Jackson.  My dad’s name is Jack, and his friends would always greet him with “Jackson”.  Jackson Strong, sounds like a president. 

But I have been really busy this week!  In addition to drawing up plans, selling some houses and (perpetually) finishing my master suite project, I’ve found another thing to pursue.  I think you guys might appreciate it.  There’s a Realtor “master’s degree”, if you will, in all things associated with green building/remodeling/real estate.  It’s called “EcoBroker”, and I will be enrolling shortly.  Most of you are already very socially and globally conscious of your footprint on Earth and employ all sorts of activities to lessen the damage.  I hope to use this education to help more people understand what is green, and what can be made green, in every house they buy or sell.

In case I haven’t said it before, please feel free to forward this email to anyone you think would be interested.  I’m always happy to help a friend of a friend.

Heads up, next weekend is Thanksgiving Weekend, and I’ll be visiting the parents in Chicago.  There will be NO open houses next weekend.

BUT there are this week!  Well, one really great one.

311 15^th Avenue NE, Northeast Mpls, 55413
OPEN SUNDAY 11/19   11-1 p.m.

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