Cleaning Up After the Elephants; or, “Love ’em and Leave ’em” It was fun — sort of — while it lasted. But what a hangover! In 2004, when local land went for $120k an acre, national home builder Toll Brothers swept into the Twin Cities paying . . . $200k an acre. Why? Because it...Read More
Where: 7508 West Lake St. in St. Louis Park What: .24 acre lot How much: sold for $75k When: deal closed just after Labor Day Who: listing agent – Ross Kaplan; broker – Edina Realty So what’s the big deal about an empty lot in St. Louis Park? It’s not just a lot — it’s...Read More
Bryn Mawr New Construction What: 4 BA/4BA new construction with 3,500 FSF. Where: 20xx Laurel Ave., in Minneapolis’ Bryn Mawr neighborhood (just southwest of downtown). How (much): $739.9k list price Who: Coldwell Banker Burnet (broker); Steven Gouert (agent) When: on market 11/16/09 Hard not to notice this dramatic new list — that’s the point! The...Read More
More Singles & Doubles, Fewer Home Runs Baseball batters facing a strong pitcher and defense adjust by hitting for singles and doubles rather than home runs. Similarly, in a tough economy, more builders and contractors appear to be adjusting by hitting economic “singles” and “doubles” rather than home runs. So, instead of paying $400k-$600k for...Read More
High-End Trend?Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to let the furnace contractor in* without waiting for them to show up during their seemingly days-long “window”? Or, once they got there, if they could proceed directly to the utility room, without traipsing through your front hall (and past your messy Kitchen)? The (very high-end) new...Read More
“They’re Asking How Much??” Where: 5500 Park Place, in Edina’s South Harriet Park neighborhoodAsking Price: $549,900 (white picket fence included)Key Stats: 3 BR/2BA; 1,500 FSF. Year built: 1947Lot Size: 60′ x 134.8′Time on Market: 64 days In any other Twin Cities neighborhood, this unassuming 3BR/2BA home with a white picket fence would be worth $150,000,...Read More
