Posts with tag 'Anoka County MN'

If you've been busy exploring Minneapolis homes for sale, you're sure to find your dream home soon! When you do, you'll want to make your new house feel like a home by choosing decor you love. 

There's nothing quite like an original painting to give your walls some character. Sure, you could buy a painting, but why not make your own? There are several great DIY painting classes and parties in the area. They're a ton of fun and are a great way to relax. Best of all, when you're done, you'll have a one-of-a-kind creation to hang in your new home. 

July is World Watercolor Month, making now the perfect time to try out your painting skills. Here are a few of the best local places where you can embrace your inner Picasso.

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Housing 

Despite elevated demand for housing, construction of new homes fell in April, with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau reporting a 9.5% decrease in housing starts from the previous month. Rising building costs continue to hinder affordability and inventory for many homebuyers, although shortages in labor, issues with the U.S. supply chain, and lasting impact from late winter storms have also contributed to the decline in new construction activity, putting some projects on pause for the time being.  

Provided by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates are down below three percent, continuing to offer many homeowners the potential to refinance and increase their monthly cash flow. In fact, homeowners who refinanced their 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in 2020 saved more than $2,800 dollars annually. Substantial opportunity continues to exist today, as nearly $2 trillion in conforming mortgages have the ability to refinance and reduce their interest rate by at least half a percentage point.

~Provided by www.freddiemac.com 05-27-21

Housing Needs

A new analysis by housing giant Freddie Mac suggests that the U.S. housing market needs 3.8 million more single-family homes nationwide to meet demand. Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's chief economist, noted "we should have almost four million more housing units if we had kept up with demand the last few years." While new construction activity has increased in recent years, it has never fully recovered to its previous peak more than fifteen years ago.  

Provided by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

Mortgage Rates

In light of the rising COVID caseloads globally, U.S. Treasury yields stopped moving up a month ago and have remained within a narrow range as the market digests incoming economic data. The good news is that with rates under three percent, refinancing continues to be attractive for many borrowers who financed before 2020. But, for eager buyers, especially first-time homebuyers, inventory continues to be extremely tight and competition for available homes to purchase remains high.

~Provided by www.freddiemac.com 04-29-21

Spring, while objectively beautiful, isn't limited to warm weather, green grass, and blooming flowers. It's also the time when nasty pests come out of hibernation hungry, homeless, and ready to mate. Your home can be the perfect source of food and shelter for pests such as ants, bees, mosquitoes, ticks, flies, spiders, termites, and rodents, unless you combat them proactively. Preventing unwanted critters from invading your home is much easier and cheaper than addressing an infestation problem. And this involves reducing attractions for pests.

And if you're putting your home on the market this spring, having a sparkling and pest-free home will help attract buyers interested in Bemidji homes for sale and St. Cloud homes for sale. Here are some effective tips on how to make your home pest-free so you can enjoy a safe and comfortable spring.

• Seal Cracks and Gaps
  Any part of your home that's connected to the great outdoors can be an invasion spot. Pests can wiggle through tiny cracks and gaps, so you should routinely inspect the exterior of your home. Some of the spots pests will sneak through include doors, windows, chimneys, utility lines, siding, and roof shingles. Repair anything that creates a possible entry point and fill small cracks with caulk to prevent pests from entering.

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You know the key to maintaining a clean environment is a place for everything and everything in its place. But the more things we accumulate, the more difficult it is to find places to keep them.

We always advise sellers that the greatest enemy of comfort is clutter. Here are a few features they have found in some of the finest Alexandria homes for sale and White Bear Lake homes for sale that can help move your house to the front of the line. The best news is that they won't break the bank.

Experienced buyers will fall in love with the house where they can envision their own belongings. But why wait for time to sell? If you're just moving into your new place, these small details will help keep your home clean and functional. With careful planning, you can maximize the space and create a relaxing environment without sacrificing your belongings.

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