Hello, friends!

Man, two weeks out of the office and I’ve completely lost track of my usual schedule.  It’s mid-day Friday and I’m finally sending out my weekly email.  Perhaps I need to develop a self-imposed schedule, just to make sure I don’t get too lax about my life.  Since the self-employment, weekdays are the new weekends.  Not bad, as long as I can remember to get my work done.

Have any of you checked out my new, very straight-forward, website: www.realtor-designer.com?  If you don’t know if you want to remodel or just move, check it out.  The page will send you to Redesign or Urban Realty, and I’ll do what I can to help you decide.

If any of you are participating in the Twin Cities marathon, good luck!  I admire that level of dedication, truly inspiring.  And you’ll even be running very near one of my opens.  I’ll be sure to wave as I lounge with my latte. 

5320 West Nokomis Parkway, Nokomis Neighborhood
OPEN SAT + SUN  3-5

4920 1^st Avenue South, Tangletown Neighborhood
OPEN SUNDAY ONLY 12-2

Honestly, I’m a little frustrated with the trend the market is taking right now.  Homeowners are jumping into a bigger property because prices have stalled and interest rates are still low.  They can buy more house for their money now than at any time in the last 8 years.  However, those same people seem to forget that the huge inventory and desperate seller fever that helped them find their dream home will come around to bite them when they go to sell their home.  Not that people shouldn’t move up, in fact it’s a great time to do it.  But please prepare your home for sale.  It needs to be spotless, staged, and priced right.

For those of you who are first time buyers… you have no excuse.  NOW you have the pick of the litter.  And for any of you who can see past a little fixing (I’ll help you do that), you have amazing opportunities to save money on gorgeous homes.  For example, there’s a 3 BR/ 1 BA home near 48th & Chicago with wood floors, fireplace, huge kitchen, lots of character, for $174K!  Prices like that haven’t been seen in a long time.

According to Broker/Agent News (the Realtor’s media), my responsibility is to make sure you buyers are aware of the deals at hand.
“Educate potential buyers about the opportunity at hand. Many people miss out on great opportunities because they fail to recognize them until well after the masses have absorbed the benefit. For home buyers, the best time to buy a home is right now, and it is the agent’s opportunity to educate them. There are a lot of things that you can do to adapt to this new market, and it is time to make a change. As my associate astutely pointed out, “the landscape is never completely level. If it is not a sellers market, then the market must favor the buyers.”"

And it does favor the buyers.  So if you want a deal, get out there!

Hello, friends!

I’m sure a lot of you want to smack me for even contemplating the concept of having too much free time.  “Do all of the things you never had time for.”  “Stop and smell the roses.”  Yeah, I understand the message, and I agree, but perhaps I’m not one of those people who like to take things leisurely.  I went from working 60+ hours a week to much, much less.  I get a lot done in a short period of time.  So now there’s a lot more time.  Yes, there’s freedom, I’m my own boss… love all of that, wouldn’t change a thing.   

How about this, all of you who read my emails (and I know you do!), but don’t need immediate help with housing or design, could tell a friend about me.  Then I’ll be busy, and you don’t have to listen to me whine.  You might even get some cool perks for recommending me.

In the meantime, I’ll still be out there every Saturday and Sunday.  Check out the two cuties I have for you this weekend.

3314 37^th Avenue South, Minneapolis, Longfellow neighborhood
OPEN SAT + SUN  12-2 p.m.

4925 Oliver Avenue South, Minneapolis, Lynnhurst neighborhood
OPEN SAT + SUN  3-5 p.m.

Hello, friends!

No, I’m not quoting George Michael.  Rather I’m announcing that this is my first day of working 100% for me, myself, and I.  Sadly, I rolled out of bed around 10.  Not a good start to a productive day.  And go figure, I have a cold.  In spite of my desire to leave, I have to say that those last few days of work were probably the best in two years.  You know, when you’ve given your notice, you have a great deal of opportunity to do and say the things that you’ve been wanting to do and say for years.  What are they going to do, fire me?  No regrets, baby, no regrets.  I walked out yesterday with a huge smile on my face.

 But now I have to buckle down and really get to work!  So I’ll be holding opens on Saturday AND Sunday from now on (unless otherwise noted).  I’m hoping to give you a little more variety, and opportunity to stop by and chat.

 And, as always, if you or someone you know (and like) needs help with either a real estate or interior design question, please pass along my name.  I promise to treat them as I would want to be treated.  And if my word isn’t enough, I’ve got a pile of references to back me up.

This weekend I’ll be over in bustling Carag; Lyn-Lake, Uptown, you know the scoop.

3125 Dupont Avenue South, Mpls, Carag Neighborhood              

OPEN SATURDAY + SUNDAY  1-4 p.m.

Hello, friends!

Remember back in January when I sent out this big announcement about my two new ventures?  Well, eight months later, those same ventures have gotten me to a point where I can say goodbye to the day job.  As of September 15^th, Strong Urban Realty and Strong Redesign will have my undivided attention.  Honestly, I’m a little scared.  What happens if no one calls?  Then I make no money and have to get another job.  I guess that’s no so bad for a shot at what I love to do.

I have all of you to thank for the kind words, referrals, and great karma you’ve been sending my way.  If not for your support, I would not be where I am now.

So, next weekend, you can expect more open houses and perhaps some pictures of design projects I’ve done (or am working on).  One can do a lot with an extra 40 hours/week!  Mid-day coffee, anyone?

2016 Fremont Avenue South, Minneapolis, Lowry Hill neighborhood       

OPEN SATURDAY 2-4 P.M.

Hello, friends!

Whoa, it’s September 1^st tomorrow!  So signals the beginning of the Labor Day weekend… that last summer stretch to a) get away to the cabin, b) finally attack that weekend warrior home project, c) barbeque endlessly, d) hammock yourself silly, or e) sit around and lament the last long weekend of summer.

Mostly, I’ll be preoccupied with B.  There’s some fresh drywall that needs a’paintin’, and I’ve got just the PVA-primer soaked, ½” synthetic nap roller to do it!  Yes, I used to work at Home Depot, and I can be a big nerd about the technicals.  Hey, but consider that an asset if I’m ever helping you with a project. 

What a long-winded way to say that I won’t be doing any opens this weekend.  I’ve really enjoyed spending this summer helping others, but I’m going to be greedy and take this weekend for me. 

Good luck to you if you’re tackling something new, even if it’s just setting up that freestanding hammock set.  You can do it, I can help (next weekend).

Take care!
Samantha

Hello, friends!

Did any of you have your canoes out today?!  Man, that drive from downtown was better suited for a Wisconsin Duck.  The Mini behind me was almost submerged in the drain sewer overflow.  Gack.  Is it just me, or does anyone else have a fear of the car stalling and getting stuck in the middle of some flooded intersection, being forced to wade to safety?  Maybe it’s my childhood memories of floating around in flood waters back in ’87 in Chicago.  My parents told me absolutely disgusting stories about what’s in that water, and it’s obviously created my deep-seated neurosis.  Thanks, Mom.

Yeah, that has absolutely nothing to do with houses or interior design, but I thought I’d share. 

This week I’ll be over by the City Lakes again, specifically East Calhoun and Kenwood.  You can learn more about those beautiful neighborhoods on my website, www.strongurbanrealty.com.  My goal is to get all of you, or heck, even some of you interested in the great assets of the neighborhood you live in.  And if you don’t like yours, you can find one you do like and make the move.  I think that’s one thing we can all agree on, Minneapolis is composed of so many microcosms.  It’s common to scoot a couple of blocks and find a totally different vibe.  No wonder we don’t get bored with this city!

I’m mixing it up this week with a single-family (SF) and a duplex (DUP).  If there are any investors out there, or if you’re thinking about it but don’t know where to start, stop by and I’ll teach you what you need to know.

3544 Humboldt Avenue South, Minneapolis
OPEN SATURDAY  8/26  12-2 p.m.

2560 Upton Avenue South, Minneapolis
OPEN SATURDAY 8/26   2:30-4:30 p.m.