Notes on Real Estate

The leaves are changing, and so is the real estate market. Currently, there are 4.79 homes on the market for every buyer in the Twin Cities Metro. We will see the usual fewer listings and sales as we move into autumn, through winter, and the standard rejuvenation of springtime.

So, is this a good time to put your home on the market? There's less competition. That statistic might dip as people get nervous and take their homes off the market. The buyers who are out there are more serious and perhaps have more compelling needs to buy. Realistic prices will likely meet with fewer low-ball offers, as the "bubble" flattens and an adjusted and overall realistic market takes shape in the next two quarters. You decide.

Is it a good time to make strong buying offers, either as a residential buyer or an investor? Let the statistics be your guide.

For those who don't get the Investor's Express newsletter, Bruce Colton of Olde Time Mortgage and I have been doing income property investment seminars. We have one space open for the October 5th lunch session. Owning income properties is a smart way to manage your money and your future. Call if you are interested.

Check out Yahoo, Alta Vista and AllTheWeb search engines. Put in Minneapolis Real Estate for your search. Aside from those who pay for the banners at the top, my website, Minneapolis Real Estate is regularly number one! We’re getting more out of town buyers knocking on the door all the time. That's great, because the market is shifting to a buyer's one. Also, if you want to sell your home, with whom would you be best served to list? Would it be the REALTOR® who has the most buyers looking? How did my web site get that popular? You'd have to ask Shelley, and she's not telling.

Kiplinger.com, the website of personal finance magazine, Kiplinger's, has named Minneapolis as one of its 2005 "7 Cool Cities." The list highlighted fun, affordable cities with strong job markets for young professionals, while looking beyond trendy -- and expensive -- cities such as New York, Boston and Los Angeles. "Theaters, museums, parks and lakes keep Minneapolis' many college grads sharp and in shape," the list says. Click to view details.
Source: Minneapolis/St.Paul The Business Journal from the MAAR e-notes

During fall and spring seasonal change time we spend more time in our garages than usual.

Here's some interesting info from a survey by the Home Safety Council, a nonprofit group that promotes safety around the house.

The survey indicates that almost 60 percent of all garage users are unconcerned about safety hazards within their garage, although one in three people responding to the survey reported that a garage-related injury had occurred in their home.

Over 75 percent of reported garage-related injuries result from either slipping and falling or stepping on an object left on the garage floor, two hazards that could easily be avoided with adequate lighting and proper organization.

The majority of garage users (60 percent) report that their garage is unorganized, and additionally one out of three American garages does not have sufficient lighting.

Slips and falls are the most frequent garage safety issues, with 24 percent of respondents reporting them. The council said its research showed that slips and falls are the leading cause of unintentional home injury and related death in and around the home.

The survey showed that 94 percent of homeowners store at least one potentially dangerous item in their garage. Items most frequently stored in the garage include: tools/sharp objects (82 percent); lawn-care products (64 percent); automotive fluids (60 percent); paint and paint thinner (50 percent); cleaning products (50 percent) and gasoline/propane (42 percent).

Additional injury worries include stepping on items, falling objects and garage fires.

To reduce the risk of falls and other garage-related injuries, the council suggests the following:

1. Properly secure shelving units to the wall, making sure they are not overloaded.
   
2. Store heavier items closest to the ground.
   
3. Use a sturdy step stool with handrails when climbing is necessary.
   
4. Organize all items in designated, easy-to-reach places.
   
5. Keep floors and steps clear of clutter and immediately clean up grease and spills.
   
6. Keep children's toys in one area and within their reach to prevent kids from exploring potentially dangerous areas.
   
7. Supervise young children when they are in the garage.
   
8. Use bright lights at the top and bottom of stairs.
   
9. Make sure your garage is well-lighted. Use the maximum safe wattage in light fixtures. (The maximum wattage is typically posted inside light fixtures.)
   
10. Install secure handrails or banisters on both sides that extend the entire length of the stairs.
    
11. Keep the garage free of dust, webs and trash, which can interfere with the electrical system.
    
12. When purchasing or remodeling a home with a garage, ensure that the door is equipped with an auto- reverse feature. Test the garage door safety device by placing a paper towel roll beneath the door as it closes. If the door opens quickly, then your family and pets will be protected from bodily entrapment.
    
13. Most families use the garage for storage. Many homeowners tend to keep potentially dangerous materials in the garage -- gasoline for the lawnmower or snow-thrower, for example -- that require careful handling and proper storage to prevent injury.
    
14. Make sure poisonous products such as pesticides, automotive fluids, lighter fluid, paint thinner, antifreeze and turpentine have child-resistant caps, are clearly labeled and are stored in a locked cabinet out of sight and reach of children.
    
15. Store shovels, rakes, lawn chairs, bikes and other sharp and large objects on the wall and out of high traffic areas.
    
16. Keep pool chemicals according to the manufacturers' directions to prevent combustion and potential poisoning exposures.
    
17. Store gasoline in small quantities only and in a proper, tightly sealed container labeled "gasoline."
    
18. Do not keep gasoline in a garage with an appliance that contains a pilot light.

That’s it for now. Except this:

1. If you have interests or questions, please e-mail me or give me a call.
2. Check out my website HERE

The opinions expressed in this newsletter are solely those of Tom Crone and others being quoted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Coldwell Banker Burnet or its affiliates.