The Bartel Group Blog

Looking to sell your home this year? If you're planning on putting your house on the market like these Detroit Lakes and Edina homes for sale, you'll want to invest some time into decluttering. Clean, uncluttered homes sell faster and fetch higher prices.

Every second Saturday of August is National Garage Sale Day. It's a perfect time to get rid of unnecessary clutter and make some cash while you're at it. While garage sales sound like an easy endeavour, they can quickly become overwhelming if you haven't adequately prepared. To help you through the process, here are some tried-and-tested tips that will ensure a smooth, stress-free, and profitable clearance.

• Check Local Laws and Regulations
  Depending on where you live, odds are you'll need a permit to hold a garage sale on your property. It's important to check in with local authorities early enough to ensure you get the permit ahead of time. With a permit in hand, you can rest assured that things will proceed smoothly. Proceeding with an unpermitted sale could make you liable for three-figure fines. It's better to err on the side of caution.

  Click Here to Read More...

We are so excited to share the news that Counselor Realty, Inc. has been awarded the Bronze for Minnesota's Best Real Estate Company! It is an honor to be selected! Minnesota's Best had over 5,700 businesses, organizations, and individuals competing to be named to the top three spots in 300+ categories. We thank you for your vote of confidence and are so proud to take home the Bronze!

When you're busy exploring Minneapolis homes for sale all day, it's normal to feel an afternoon slump. A tasty cup of iced coffee can give you the refreshing pick-me-up your need to keep moving forward on your house-hunting mission.

Luckily, there are many great local coffee shops where you can get a perfect cup of iced java. Our real estate agents often frequent them when they've had a long day of showing Minneapolis and St. Paul homes for sale. Here are a few of their favorites. 

• Quixotic Coffee: 769 Cleveland Ave. S, St. Paul, MN 55116
  Located in the trendy Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul, Quixotic Coffee offers up a selection of amazing cold brew specialty drinks. If you're ready to take your iced coffee habit to the next level, you'll definitely want to pay them a visit.

  Click Here to Read More...

Housing 

Cash buyers continue to make up a significant portion of the U.S. housing market, with nearly one-third of home sales this year being all-cash purchases. Although investors make up a considerable number of cash sales transactions, the increasing availability of remote work during the pandemic has allowed some homeowners to sell their homes in pricey markets and relocate to less-expensive locales, where they're able to pay cash for a new home, giving them an edge in a highly competitive market.

Provided by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

Mortgage Rates

Concerns about the Delta variant, and the overall trajectory of the pandemic, are undoubtedly affecting economic growth. While the economy continues to mend, Treasury yields have decreased, and mortgage rates have followed suit... 

~Provided by www.freddiemac.com 07-22-21

If you're getting ready to pursue that long-awaited patio addition, there is no better time to get started. Adding a patio is a fantastic way to improve your outdoor space while simultaneously increasing your home value. Some of our favorite Brainerd homes for sale and Coon Rapids homes for sale have beautiful patio spaces, which always make for an attractive selling point. 

If you're planning to add a patio to your home this summer, there are a number of things you'll need to consider before beginning construction, so it's important to prepare accordingly. Below are some tips to keep in mind during the planning process:

• Be Realistic On Size
  When building a patio, you need to carefully consider how much space you have to work with. Building a patio that is too large or small in relation to the rest of your home can make your outdoor space appear awkward. Consider the patio furniture, the size of your grill, and how many people you'll be hosting outdoors. Some experts say to allocate 25 square feet for each person you want to have on the patio. To host 10 people comfortably, you'll need at least 250 square feet.

  Click Here to Read More...