New List in Fern Hill

Fern Hill for (Just Over) $200k!

Where: 2615 Monterey Ave. in Fern Hill
What: 2 BR/1 Bath stucco cottage just down the street from Cedar Lake
How (much): $209,900
When: on market 2 days (came on Monday)
Who: Ross Kaplan, agent; Edina Realty, broker

You won't find a more affordable single family home closer to Cedar Lake than this stucco cottage.

Highlights include a ton of charm and character (maple floors, custom moldings and mill work, clawfoot tub); all new windows; and an especially deep lot (140 feet) perfect for pets, gardening, or storing a kayak (or two!).

This home's perfect for a first-time Buyer, someone downsizing, or as a condo alternative.

I'll be there this Sunday from 2-4 p.m. for the first open house.

Or, please feel free to call me (612-925-7701) to set up a private showing.

What Happens at 3:01 P.M.??

Define, "On Tour"

Readers will recall my post last Tuesday lamenting (kind of) the dwindling number of free lunches at Broker open houses ("No More Free Lunch -- Really").

As I noted then, Tuesday tour is when Realtors view, often by "caravan," all the new listings on the market.

By convention, the time window is almost always 11 a.m to 1 p.m.

So the following blurb, from today's tour sheet, caught my eye:

On Tour 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Easy View with Electronic lockbox on the front door inside the porch.

In other words . . . Realtors can let themselves in with their electronic key -- pretty much like they can every other day of the week (minus, I suppose, the showing request and confirmation).

I'd file this one in the "nice try" category.

4400 W. 25th St. in Fern Hill

Near Fern Hill Sunday? Come Look!

Where: 4400 W. 25th St. (two blocks west of Cedar Lake in south Minneapolis)

When: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. on Sunday (10/4) -- or anytime by appointment

What: Open House

How (much): $749,000

Who: listing agent - Ross Kaplan (612-925-7701); broker - Edina Realty

Rules are made to be broken.

Normally, I don't skip the front exterior shot of a home in favor of the rear, exterior.

Except in this case, it's much easier to see that the home's foundation is over 2,000 square feet, and that there's a huge, lower level walkout. If you're doing the math, that translates into potentially 3,700 finished square feet (much of the lower level is now unfinished).

Want to the see the front and inside (plus the 59 feet of lakeshore on Twin Lake that comes with)?

Stop by between 1 p.m and 3 p.m.

P.S.: Forgot to mention that I am a "Cedar Lake Specialist"

Cedar Lake Contemporary

Open Sunday 1-3 p.m.

Where: 2812 Sunset Blvd, two blocks from Cedar Lake in Minneapolis

What: Architect-designed Contemporary with dramatic vaulted ceilings, 4BR/4BA and 4,000-plus FSF. Perfect for empty nesters who don't want to squeeze into a townhome, or families with teenage kids who'll love the huge, finished lower level. Compares well with million-plus homes just a little bit closer to the lake.

How much: $599,000

When: market time = two days (came on Friday)

Who: listing agent - Ross Kaplan (612-925-7701); broker - Edina Realty

It's a cliche when Realtors use phrases like "Outstanding opportunity," "Hurry! Don't Miss Out," "Priced to Sell," etc. (ever see a home where the Realtor admitted that it wasn't "priced to sell"??)

So I don't.

But what I do tell prospective Buyers is that my track record speaks for itself: I've sold a dozen homes within a few blocks of Cedar Lake the last few years, and my statistics are the equal (or better!) of any Realtor active in the area: my clients' homes sold for, on average, 98%-plus of list price, and took an average of 11(!) days to sell.

So, if you're looking for something like this home, you may want to stop by tomorrow, or call me to set up an appointment.

Sooner, rather than later.

Home Focus: 110 Kentucky No. (Lion's Park in Golden Valley)

"No Surface Left Untouched"

Where: Lion's Park neighborhood in Golden Valley (west of 100, between 394 and 55)
What: almost 2,500 totally remodeled square feet, 3 Bedrooms, 3 all new baths; great floor plan and flow
When: Broker open -- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6/16); public open -- this Sun., 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. (6/21). Days on market: 3
How much: $439.9k
Who: listing agent - Ross Kaplan (desk: 612-925-7701)

This updated, Golden Valley two-story is perfect for the family looking for Hopkins schools, in a terrific suburban setting, or, for professionals who want to be close to the city, but need a little more elbow room (the lot is .29 acre, with a deck, fenced backyard, and old-growth trees).

Please feel free to stop by either tomorrow or Sunday!

Realtor Compliments

Realtor "Atta-Boy": 'Nice Listing!'

A new listing has a surprising number of parallels with the opening of a Broadway play.

There's the opening night anticipation.

There are the hopes (and fears) about whether the audience (prospective Buyers) will like it.

And there can be a sense of dread about what the toughest critics will have to say.

In real estate, the toughest critics are invariably . . fellow Realtors.

One of the best -- and earliest -- signs that a new listing is going to meet with a strong reception is when other Realtors weigh in with a "nice listing," "Congratulations," or the equivalent.

What they're really saying: the home is attractively priced, well-staged and presented, and -- perhaps most importantly -- likely to sell quickly.

P.S.: notwithstanding the foregoing, I like to tell clients that the only feedback I'm really interested in . . . is a full price offer from a well-qualified Buyer. Even better: two such offers!