A pattern is emerging that shows a fresh willingness by sellers to put homes on the market and buyers to enter the market. New listings are on the rise, if not in year-over-year comparison, then certainly in week-over-week views, as we bounce well past the new year. A recent article in the Star Tribune confirms […]

Below is snippet of my feature in the Star Tribune.

Jennifer Kirby, luxury real estate agent

If you think it’s tough to find a buyer for grandma’s silver and the family china, imagine trying to unload an expensive old house with a butler’s pantry and a foyer too fancy for muddy boots and dirty dogs.

For five years, Mark Perrin has been trying to sell one of the most beautiful houses in Minneapolis, a 10,000-square-foot mansion on Mount Curve Avenue. It is now priced at $3.1 million, half his original asking price and below what he paid for it.

“It boggles my mind,” Perrin said. “You get to the point where it just gets silly.”

More homes changed hands in the Twin Cities this year than ever before, and transactions of $1 million and more also set records. But at that exclusive level — the homes most people can only dream about — something is changing: Houses that couldn’t be replicated today are sitting unsold as well-to-do buyers seek technology over turrets and perfection over patina….

…Jennifer Kirby, the agent who has the Perrin listing, said that selling a house in Minneapolis can be challenging because there’s a perception that when you factor in property taxes and lot sizes, you get a better value in the suburbs. Of the 22 houses that have sold for more than $3 million in the Twin Cities so far this year, 19 have been on Lake Minnetonka.

 “Even rich people care about their money,” Kirby said. “There are plenty of people who have the money, but we’re competing with Lake Minnetonka.”

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So what are you waiting for? I know you hear is all the time, but this year REALLY is a great time to sell!

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11 Big Mistakes You Make Painting Cabinets

April 24, 2015

Only fools rush into this major DIY undertaking. Painted cabinets are ruling Pinterest these days, since intrepid DIYers love the idea of updating their kitchens with only a few coats of a new color. It seems like a no-brainer project, but this undertaking actually has many potential pitfalls. Avoid these blunders to end up with […]

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The Vikings Stadium is 50% Complete!

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It’s amazing to look at the photo I took just last August and see how far stadium construction has come in such a short time. The photos were taken from the same spot. It’s also unbelievable how brave these constructions workers are, especially the ones who walk along the top beams. Gives me the shivers just […]

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Some Buyers Going Green in Today’s Real Estate Market

March 26, 2015

The National Association has just released some statistics about how green home features are affecting buyers decisions when purchasing a home. While commuting costs are a big concern for younger buyers, energy heating and cooling costs are the number one concern as buyers get older. Even though the data paints a broad stroke over the entire nation, […]

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What to do Before Buying a Luxury Home in the Twin Cities? Part 2

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Looking to buy a luxury home in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Lake Minnetonka, or the Twin Cities metro area?  Here are more ideas on what to do before your next home purchase: Look beyond your Target Price – You might be looking for a home in the $5 million range, but if you are looking in […]

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Como Zoo and Conservatory Holiday Flower Show

December 19, 2014

Looking for something to do this holiday? Need a little bit of color pick-me-up? Visit the Como Conservatory for a great Holiday display going on until January 4, 2015. Makes for some great photos, too!

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Fading Autumn in Minnesota

December 11, 2014

A photo I took out my backyard window this Fall. Winter makes me dream of warmer weather.

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Spectacular Winter Tree Display Could Be the Last

November 24, 2014

Driving north on Cedar a month ago I looked up at the property overlooking the river valley and noticed a huge For Sale sign in the back yard. My heart sank a little, wondering if this year would be the last year to witness the beautiful oak tree that sits in the front yard being […]

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Networking with Nation Wide Luxury Agents

October 28, 2014

Traveling to Denver to attend a luxury real estate conference is a highlight of my year. It’s a good way to market my listings to agents from across the country and meet people to send clients to when they move out of the Twin Cities. Leaders in Luxury is an invite only event for the […]

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