The Bartel Group Blog

You may consider your Twin Cities home to be priceless, but in reality, a number of specific factors affect market value. While some are out of your control, there are proactive ways to make your home more attractive to buyers. Our real estate agents review five significant elements impacting your home's potential selling price.

1. Neighborhood
   "Location, location, location" is the classic real estate mantra. Sometimes the location is relative, such as the distance of your work commute, but as it applies to home prices, the term "location" is more universal. Proximity to quality schools, plentiful job opportunities, and entertainment and cultural amenities provides a major boost to a home's value. "Comps," the selling price of recently sold homes in your neighborhood, provide a ballpark figure as to what you might expect to get for your home.
   
   

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Clear the Clutter on National Garage Sale Day

Break out the bargain bins and tidy up the knickknack tables — National Garage Sale Day is August 10th! Our real estate agents encourage you to invite your thrifty friends and family members to celebrate National Garage Sale Day in the Twin Cities. This is also the perfect time for you to host a sale before your big move.

Moving from house to house can feel like a hassle, especially when you stop and wonder if certain items need to follow you to your new home. Instead of spending the time, money, and energy boxing up these things and letting them clutter up your new space,...

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Buying a new home is exciting, and if you are honest, a little scary. Our real estate agents have years of experience making the exciting part of home buying win out over the scary. Let's take a quick look at seven habits of successful homebuyers.

1. Do Your Homework
   When it's time to begin your search for a home, you don't need to spend time looking in places you don't want to live. Spend some time researching the Twin Cities neighborhoods to see which ones fit your family's needs. How close do you want to be in your workplace? Are good schools important to you? Do you enjoy spending time outdoors in neighborhood parks? These questions can help narrow your search area. 
   
   

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Picnics gained popularity in post-Revolutionary France when the royal parks became open to all. Today picnics are a great way to share quality time with friends and family of all ages. July is National Picnic Month, so it's a perfect reason to celebrate at one of these outdoor spots in the Twin Cities suggested by our REALTORS®.

1. Minnehaha Regional Park - 4801 S. Minnehaha Dr., Minneapolis 55417
   With its stunning scenery and variety of activities, Minnehaha Regional Park never gets old no matter how many times you visit. The magnificent 53-foot waterfall is the primary draw, but the park also features views of the Mississippi River and limestone bluffs. There are walking and cycling paths, a disc golf course, and a volleyball court along with a wading pool and playground for the kiddies. Bring Fido along for a romp in the off-leash dog park. Hours are 6 a.m. - midnight daily.

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According to John Lennon, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." In a perfect world, the sale of your current home would coincide with the timetable for your move, but circumstances don't always cooperate. Our real estate agents share their top six tips for selling a vacant home after you've already relocated.

1. Notify the Neighbors
   Explain to your neighbors that you'll be moving, but your vacant home will still be up for sale. Most people will be happy to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and contact the authorities if they notice anything amiss. If your community has a formal neighborhood watch organization, share the information with group leaders as well.
   
   

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