It's August and air conditioning weather. Few Minnesotans are thinking about their furnace and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when windows are open almost daily to let in the fresh summer breezes. This summer, however, Minnesotans need think about CO detectors as a new law went into effect on August 1st requiring that every new and existing single family home have a carbon monoxide detector installed within 10 feet of every room used for sleeping! (Multi-family homes and apartment buildings must comply by August 1,2009.)

Understanding the new law

As with any new law, there is confusion as to where the CO detectors need to be located. The State Fire Marshall gives these directions:

• Every single family dwelling and every multifamily dwelling unit shall be provided with a minimum of one approved and fully operational carbon monoxide alarm installed within ten (10) feet of each room lawfully used for sleeping purposes.
  
  
• If bedrooms are located on separate floors additional carbon monoxide alarms would be necessary within ten feet of these areas.
  
• If bedrooms are located in separate areas (on the same level), additional carbon monoxide alarms would be necessary within ten (10) feet of these areas.

If you need further information on Minnesota's new carbon monoxide detector law, visit the Minnesota Fire Marshall Website at www.fire.state.mn.us

What does this mean for a home seller? 

If you do not have CO detectors in your home, you will need to purchase and install them as required or expect any inspector to rate your home as hazardous for not being up to current code. As it just makes good sense to have CO detectors in your home, go out today and make the investment for the safety of yourself and your family members. Not because it is the law, but because it is the right thing to do.

Carbon Monoxide is a SCARY gas!

The scary thing about CO poisoning is that it has no odor or color. There is no warning that there has been any exposure to anything! Most people die or become seriously ill when exposed to the gas because they think they have the flu or a virus. The initial symptoms are similar to many illnesses: nausea, headache, fatigue. When a person has been seriously exposed, there is confusion. This, combined with severe drowsiness, is often a lethal combination as the affected person or persons cannot think straight and often just lie down and go to sleep without knowing that they are being poisoned.

There are simple and inexpensive ways to protect your family from this deadly poison. The time is now to take those steps!

• Don't leave a fire to burn out and smolder in your fireplace.
  
  
• Don't use your stove, range, oven or dryer as a heat source.
  
  
• Never leave your car to warm up in your garage-Even with the door open.
  
  
• Never barbecue inside your home or garage.
  
  
• Have furnace and other fuel burning appliances checked regularly by qualified professional and verify that all appliances are adequately ventilated.
  
  
• Check periodically that your vents and chimneys are not blocked by a nest or other debris. (Or two feet of snow that just fell in Minnesota this past week!)
  
  
• Purchase and place Carbon Monoxide detectors that have a loud alarm within 10 feet of every bedroom in your home.

Even if you don't leave in Minnesota, don't wait for your state to enact a law. This law is only on the books in Minnesota because a large number of people have died needlessly. Protect yourself and your family by purchasing a CO detector with an alarm. For under $50, it is one of the best investments you can make in your home.

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If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm  http://www.terieckholm.com/

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It's Coming! We are just a week away from the GREAT Minnesota get together...better known as the Minnesota State Fair! Preparations for this fabulous event were well underway early this week. Though it looks a bit of a ghost town as of Monday when I dropped off a few entries at the education building, there were signs of the frantic activity soon to come.

Trailers were parked strategically near displays and buildings still without signage. 

Crews of hard working men were pulling up tents and working on other displays. 

Though only a solitary piece of red farm equipment adorned Machinery Hill, there will no doubt be several more tractors on display soon. And likewise. soon a rainbow of cars will be hanging from the skyride brackets above.

The roads were clear of the bustling, ever changing mass of humanity that blocks every street and corner on a busy day in the last week of summer. In a remote corner of my mind I was certain I heard the echo of a long ago requests for a Prontopup with ketchup and Tom Thumb Mini Donuts...Or was that a voice of the future? Probably both.

The 2008 Minnesota State Fair starts Thursday, August 21 and runs through Labor Day, September 2. For additional information and schedules, CLICK HERE to visit the MN State Fair website.

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If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm  http://www.terieckholm.com/

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The Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) has played host to several intergalactic visitors this summer-The Science of STAR WARS opened for a very limited engagement this summer. The extremely popular exhibit has been packed morning, noon and night. Last week the SMM announced the tour would be extended three days until August 27. The SMM is located in downtown St. Paul along the banks of the Mississippi River and across from the XCEL Energy Center. The XCEL, home to NHL Minnesota Wild hockey, will be hosting the Republican National Convention and preparations are well underway for the big event that will start days after the close of the STAR WARS event.

Downtown St. Paul was bustling last Friday when my family and I visited the museum. We were there as the SMM opened to pick up our reserved tickets. We were warned that this is an extremely popular exhibit and were pleasantly surprised that there was ample parking and little wait time; But by mid-morning, the place was packed with fans of Yoda, Han and Luke eager to see the models and costumes used in the movies. There was hand's on fun with opportunities to build a magnetically controlled land speeder out of LEGOS and even ride a simulated land speeder (no open toed shoes allowed!) Fans of 3CPO and R2-D2 were not disappointed as there were exhibits explaining how robots enhance our lives today...though not as animatedly as the beloved STAR WARS robotic characters. My highlight of the day was the Omni film, Special Effects which gave insights into how many film illusions are created.

All in all, STAR WARS is an event not to be missed! Hurry with the Republicans coming in on September first, there is no doubt that the exhibition won't be extended further no matter how popular it is!

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If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm  http://www.terieckholm.com/

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Last week a driver's education car was broadsided on Highway 8 in Chisago County. The student driver was making a legal left hand turn and was hit by another driver who ran a red light. The instructor was killed. (Link to the Story) In the spring, two drivers perished in a head-on crash just a few miles east of this same intersection.

A few days prior to school ending this past June, a mother and son heading north on Highway 61 through White Bear Township to a graduation party. They were hit in a head-on accident and died at the scene. (Link to the Story) Unfortunately, these two were not the only fatalities on Hwy 61 this past year.

While there is no doubt that two-lane rural roads are deadly, as a REALTOR ® living in Anoka County and working the north and east metro, I have to drive several rural roads that are known to be unsafe. Unsafe, not for any other reason but that they are two lane roads with narrow shoulders and careless drivers. These are well-traveled two lane roads where deer run through the fields and jump into traffic. Busy commuters have no patience for a slower drivers and farmers on these roads and pass without care. There are no hands free laws in Minnesota so texting and talking play a role in unsafe driving. There are some roads known to be more deadly than others and now there is a tool to pinpoint which ones carry the most risk.

The University of Minnesota in cooperation with the Center for Excellence in Rural Safety has just developed website that shows just how safe our roadways are in Minnesota and across the United States! With a half of all fatal accidents occurring on two lane rural roads, this unique website is worth checking out to see just how dangerous country roads can be. Put in your address and see how many fatalities have occurred on roads within 10 miles of your home. Click the link and see if people were driving carelessly, under-the-influence and whether seat belts were worn. It gives additional specifics on the occupants in each accident with details including age and sex taken from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

SafeRoadMaps.org is a geographic information system based Mashup with Google Maps used to identify rural and urban road transportation safety issues and statistics through a publicly accessible website. In a nutshell, it is an important new tool to plan a safe commute not only when I have to be showing homes throughout Ham Lake, Columbus, Lino Lakes and Forest Lake but when I have commute safely home from baseball games and speech meets with my family in tow!

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and  need help from a professional REALTOR ®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet.  I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm  http://www.terieckholm.com/

As a first time homebuyer you spent hours finding scouring the internet for the perfect homes that met the criteria of your dream home. You took the time to find a knowledgeable loan officer to get pre-approved for a mortgage. With good faith estimates now in hand, you diligently searched for a REALTOR® who as your buyer's representative would be your advocate in the purchase negotiations. After traveling through Anoka and Washington Counties and seeing homes from Forest Lake to Andover and Blaine to Ham Lake, you decide this is THE house to place an offer on. Your agent in preparing your offer asks, "Do you want to do an inspection?" And suddenly, all reason and goes out the window because you answer, "Inspection? We don't need a Home Inspection. Do We?"

In a word, YES!

As a REALTOR® representing clients throughout the north and east Twin Cities metro, I am often surprised that someone would elect not to have an inspection. Buying a home is the single most important purchase most people will make in their lives. It is important to have a non-biased professional inspect the property for defects prior to the final papers being signed. In this market, flooded with foreclosures and short sales where the previous owner may not have been able to afford the necessary home maintenance required to keep a home in tip top shape and don't always give adequate property disclosures, it is essential.

Questions! Boy do I get questions about home inspections!

• What does the inspector check in a home inspection?
  
• Who selects the inspector?
  
• Who pays buyer or seller?
  
• What is the cost of an inspection?
  
• What should really be inspected?

I believe every buyer should inspect every home. But there are different types of inspections because while a home inspection will inspect the total home, often additional experts are required to inspect the total property. And sometimes additional or special testing is required so that the buyer can have a better understanding of the home they are purchasing.

Total Home Inspection-$300-500 depending on the size of home and company selected for the inspection. The fee it is paid for by the buyer. This is a great starting point for most home buyers and possibly the only inspection necessary for most single family homes. The basic inspection will be a 2-3 hour top to bottom look at the house; usually including a review of the roof, foundation, mechanicals, structure and built in appliances to ascertain if they are in proper working order. Other testing could be recommended by the inspector after the basic inspection is completed if the home inspector notices any particularly unusual situation that will need expert evaluation. Some inspection companies will charge additional fees for inspecting outbuildings and unusual features so verify what is covered under the basic inspection service prior to them arriving at the property.

Septic Compliance Inspection-$300-500 for the inspection plus $200-$300 to pump system before the test can be performed. This test is requested by the buyer but traditionally paid for by the seller as in Minnesota, if the septic system is found incompliant, the state will be notified and the homeowner will have one year to bring it up to code. In the case of a foreclosure or short sale, the property owner may insist that the buyer pay for all inspections including the septic system. The cost of purchasing a home with the septic system AS-IS can be risky as the cost of replacing a failing or non-conforming system is $15,000-$20,000.

Well Inspection-$75-$150 This is an inspection of the well by a licensed well installer to determine if the well is in good operating condition. The fee can be paid for by either the buyer or the seller.

Well Water Testing-$100-$200 depending on which elements the water is tested for. In most cases, this test is paid for by the seller. The water is collected by the independent testing service and some tests will take up to two weeks for results unless additional fees are paid for rush testing. Most often a test is for will require a water test for bacteria and nitrates. Some loans, like FHA and VA loans may have additional testing requirements. It is important to check with the lender to find what would be required for each specific loan. Local governments can have specific point of sale testing requirements so check with the municipality.

Inspection for Radon-$100-200 usually paid for buy the buyer. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. It is found in many Minnesota homes entering through cracks in basement foundations and open tops of block walls. It is colorless and odorless so most homeowners are not aware of a problem unless the home has been tested. It is estimated by the Minnesota Department of Health Radon Information page, that 1/3 of Minnesota homes have radon levels that pose a substantial risk to homeowners.

Inspection for Lead-$150-250 usually paid for buy the buyer. Home seller are required to disclose whether there are any known risks of lead in all homes built prior to 1978. Lead was a common ingredient in paint prior before 1978. Many homeowners have not tested so they are not aware of lead risks in the home. It is important to assume that older painted surfaces used paint containing lead. If these surfaces have been painted the risk is limited. But home buyers do have an option to have additional testing completed on the home they purchase. The Minnesota Department of Health has additional recommendations for testing a home for lead on their website lead poisoning can cause permanent problems with health, learning and behavior in children and significant health problems with adults.
READ MORE INFO from HUD Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home

Mold Inspections-$200-$1000 Mold testing is costly and according to the Minnesota Department of Health Mold Information Page, it does not need to be done for most homes unless there is an indication of a problem. Stucco homes built in the late 1990's with poor air circulation have been known to have significant potential problems. Homeowners with stucco homes will often test the home prior to listing and have a report for the buyer to review. Buyers can also elect to retest the home if the previous report is not acceptable to the buyer. If a foreclosure and short sale owner does not have the funds to do the expensive moisture testing, the buyer may have to pay for the test or accept the home AS IS. This is a risk as repairs for full mold abatement can run into the tens of thousands of dollars and the home would be unlivable during the process.

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If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm  http://www.terieckholm.com/

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Most people understand the concept of the domino effect on the real estate market. The starter homes must sell first so the owners of the starter home can move up to the next price level, which allows another home to sell and another; much like a child's game of dominos.

Fortunately the real estate market has had continued to have a reasonable pool of first time buyers in the mix these past few months due to low interest rates, home prices and unique assistance programs. Early this year, the government gave the controversial but beneficial programs like Nehemiah and Genesis a reprieve. These seller funded non-profit organizations had been scheduled to be disbanded early in the year but were allowed to continue to fund first time buyers. These programs give buyers down payment assistance for FHA loans that require a 3% down. With additional assistance from the seller for closing costs, a first time buyer with a good job and credit score, is able to purchase a home without having to save up for a down payment.

The reprieve may be over. This weekend I read an alarming news release from a Minnesota mortgage broker pointing out how the Mortgage Bailout Bill could slow the recovery of the real estate market. The senate version of the new mortgage bail out bill will put a stop to all programs offering down payment assistance. They will in essence remove the finger that starts the first domino to fall. First time buyers will again be required to save up for that down payment. With prices increasing everywhere from the corner grocery to the gas station down the street, it will be a daunting task to become a first time homebuyer.

I expect that like in the 1980's and earlier, young people will start saving again for that first home as soon as they graduate either high school or college. But back in the decades of big hair, 8-tracks and parachute pants, homes were priced more reasonably. It was much easier to save up 3% of $60,000 ($2,000) for normal Minnesota starter home in 80's than it will be to save 3% of a $200,000 ($6000) for a starter home at today's prices.

So whose finger will give the push that starts the domino's chain reaction in today's real estate market? Loans funded by the Veterans Administration? That is one possibility. VA loans have always been available to those who have served in the armed services as a way to homeownership with little or nothing down. It is a very good program that I anticipate we will be seeing more service men and women taking advantage of in the future. But those who have not served will be forced to save.

Bottom line is the mortgage bailout will save some homeowners from losing their homes but at what cost? Will it delay the recovery of the real estate market? Only time will tell.

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If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm  http://www.terieckholm.com/

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email

In spite of the real estate slow down Coon Rapids continues to evolve as it has for over 150 years. It has changed from the community's humble beginnings of a dirt road farm community to the 9th largest city and 5th largest suburb in the state of Minnesota. The affects of the real estate market change on Coon Rapids is tempered by its convenient location to downtown Minneapolis and its easy access to Interstate 35, Hwy 65 and Hwy 47/10 for a commute to a lakeside cabin. Coon Rapids is a community with something for everyone: encompassing 23 square miles it boasts several neighborhood and regional parks, indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks, softball and baseball fields, tennis courts, hiking and biking trails, swimming pools, a golf course, and two major regional shopping developments.

Like its neighbors Blaine and Andover, the residential real estate construction boom in Coon Rapids during the past decade has slowed but not stopped making new and existing home purchase opportunities very affordable. Conveniently between Anoka and Blaine, it is connected by Highway 10 just north of the Twin Cities, Coon Rapids is an attractive location for both business and residential development. The entire community of Coon Rapids is served by one school district; Anoka Hennepin District #11.

Real estate in Coon Rapids, MN in Anoka County is affordable and selling-though admittedly at a slower pace than most sellers would like. In the first six months of 2008, numbers show single family homes are staying on the market an average of 143 cumulative days or just under 5 months. But when broken down to single family homes versus townhomes/ condos, the single family homes have a 127 average CDOM while townhomes/condos are taking nearly two months longer with a 180 CDOM.

Cumulatively inventory levels of single family homes in Coon Rapids are selling in a reasonable timeframe and approximately 9-10 months of inventory. Inventory levels for homes under $200,000 are a much more manageable 7 months. While the total town homes and condos in all price ranges are struggling high inventory levels that won't sell out for 18 months if no more properties are listed.

As Coon Rapids' real estate is for the most part moderately priced, it should adjust to the changed market relatively quickly but its significant condo/townhome market will take time to recover as it continues to compete with new townhome developments in the neighboring communities such as Blaine.

1st Quarter Coon Rapids residential real estate statistics for single family homes:

Under $200,000~ 160 Active Listings, 15 Pending Listings, 131 Sold Listings, CDOM 115

$200,000-$300,000 ~ 126 Active Listings, 6 Pending Listings, 59 Sold Listings, CDOM 132

$300,000-$400,000 ~ 31 Active Listings, 1 Pending Listings, 15 Sold Listings, CDOM 210

$400,000 and up ~ 14 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 3 Sold Listings, CDOM 190

1st Quarter Coon Rapids residential real estate statistics for townhomes and condos:

Under $200,000~ 207 Active Listings, 15 Pending Listings, 82 Sold Listings, CDOM 170

$200,000-$300,000 ~ 33 Active Listings, 2 Pending Listings, 7 Sold Listings, CDOM 296

$300,000-$400,000 ~, 6 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings, CDOM N/A

**All Statistical information based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE of MINNESOTA, INC. for the period of 1/1/08 through 6/30/08.

Other Real Estate Articles that might be of interest:

· Does "Minnesota Nice" Affect the Real Estate Market? "Yah, You Betcha!"
· 5 GREAT Reasons Minnesota Townhomes Make an Easy Transition from Apartment Life!
· First Time Home Buyer in Anoka County, MN? Low Interest Loans Available!
· Is NOW the Time to Consider a Minnesota Townhome? You Betcha!
· Forest Lake, MN Real Estate Market Statistics Mid Year 2008
· Ham Lake, MN Real Estate Market Statistics Mid Year 2008
· Wyoming, MN Real Estate Market Statistics Mid Year 2008

Featured Townhome Listing in Anoka County:

601 86th Lane NW, Coon Rapids, MN

For additional information on any current Coon Rapids real estate listing or for additional information on buying a home in Coon Rapids contact Teri Eckholm directly at 651-336-7073.

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm  http://www.terieckholm.com/

At almost every home closing in Minnesota, there is a short time where closing representatives leave the room to make copies and print checks. During this time keys and garage door openers are passed to the new homeowners and the seller usually passes on quirky information about the house. Often one tidbit is "I left all the extra paint on the basement/garage shelf so you can touch up a few things." Though buyers can be appreciative if the home was just repainted, others will consider this toxic waste.

Last week, my husband and I ventured into our own little toxic wasteland of cans stored under the basement steps to get a quart of clear coat sealer for our oak trim. We bought it four years ago when we built an addition and had a few boards to finish. We opened it and used it once. Now we were finishing the edge of some new windows in another room and the lid was sealed completely and permanently shut to the can! Time to head to Menard's for a fresh can, but what do we do with the old one?

We decided it was time for a trip to the Anoka County Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW) in Blaine! It was surprising the amount of cans that had accumulated in the decade we have owned our Ham Lake home. Might as well clean it all out at one time.

The HHW is located at 3230 101st Ave NE in Blaine just west of the 35W and 95th Ave interchange and is open YEARROUND and is FREE to Anoka County Residents! CLICK HERE for Map and Directions.

Summer Hours (April through October)

Wednesday 2PM-8PM
Friday 9PM-3PM
Saturday 9PM-3PM

Winter Hours (November through March)

Wednesday 2PM-8PM
Saturday 9PM-3PM

The HHW accepts more than paint too. Drop off any household product that is labeled "Corrosive", "Flammable"," Poison", "Toxic" or "Warning". This includes old drain cleaner and mothballs from the hall closet and the insecticides and weed killer in the garage. Mercury thermometers, pool chemicals and used motor oil are also accepted. For a complete list of what is accepted at Anoka County the HHW Facility CLICK HERE.

We took our truck full of basement and garage household toxins into the facility last Friday morning around 11AM. It is a quick, efficient service. We had only one car ahead of us in line. You drive into the facility and the service professionals remove the unwanted items from your vehicle. It took less than 10 minutes, though from the lines and cones around the building, I would guess that on a busy Saturday, the wait can be longer.

What a great feeling to have all of those unwanted and unusable products out of the house!

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm  http://www.terieckholm.com/

Looking for a discount with a Realtor or any other service professional? If you think that going for the lowest price is the best way to save money in a tough economy, I have a story for you. Good service has value...especially when it's hot...hot...HOT!

It's Hot and Humid in Minnesota today...Okay nothing like the heat in California or Arizona but heat near 90 with tropical dew points after our so far wimpy summer, the heat is noticeable. The heatwave is forecasted to stretch into the weekend!
Thankfully, I am comfortable in my lovely air conditioned Ham Lake home. We had suffered through a decade with a lemon of an a/c unit that had been installed by an inept builder. During that time found a wonderful HVAC service professional who kept our condenser running while on its last leg and our furnace in top notch condition.

So this spring when Connexus Energy offered rebates to homeowners installing Energy Star air conditioning into their homes, I immediately checked for John Harvey of Energy Mechanical in Anoka County on the list of preferred contractors. We had John price out a new system last summer as we knew that was going to be the last year we got by with duct tape and chicken wire holding the piece of junk together. On the Connexus website, there was the condenser but Energy Mechanical was not listed as a preferred service professional. Yikes that meant no $195 rebate!

"Hello John? It's Teri Eckholm. We've decided to finally put that dying A/C unit out of its misery and by the new one you quoted."

"Great!"

"But...I was at the Connexus Website and you are not listed."

"I know...I used to be one of their preferred service people under the old program but the new program required additional classes and paperwork and I just haven't had time."

"John...It is a $195 rebate. I need you to look at the quote and get back to me. Would you check into the Connexus thing again?"

"Sure. I'll call back after I look up your quote."

A few days go by...No call from John. I thought about calling someone else that I could get a rebate from but I could not pick up the phone. John was the guy who showed up in an hour after we had waited for a return call for two weeks with our last guy. He was also the guy who came over on a bitter cold Friday in January at 10:00 p.m. when our furnace went out and didn't charge an extra service fee. Rebate or no rebate...We knew John's service was worth much more than $200!

"Hey John...This is Teri. Did you have a chance to look up the bid?"

"No...I thought you wanted someone who was working with Connexus."

"Listen John, your service will weigh heavily into our decision. We have not forgotten that you came late at night on a cold night...That means a lot more to us than the rebate. Shoot us a bid so we can make a decision."

We could have elected to call another HVAC professional and get the $195 rebate from Connexus. Or we could have had our friend do the unwarranted installation for the cost of the condenser. Nope...we waited. John sent us a bid that day. It was very reasonable and actually a bit less than quoted last year. Our new energy efficient air conditioner was installed within two weeks...Well before the heat and humidity of a Minnesota summer. We can also rest assured that Energy Mechanical will be there if there is a problem.

Some friends also had a brand new air conditioning condenser installed in their home the same week we did. They were gone for the Fourth of July and came home to a SAUNA...The a/c had failed and it was over 90 degrees in the house. Last night, I found out they are continuing to struggle with their new a/c unit and today it is miserably hot and humid. Their serviceman said, "Gee, I installed one just like it for the guy down the street a few years back and he never had any problems." I don't know what they paid or if a rebate was involved but good service is well worth the price.

As a Realtor, I am asked from time to time if I will discount my fees. I explain my program and why it cannot do my best work with a discounted rate...much in the same way that John explained his situation to me. My clients understand. They choose to work with me and refer me to their friends because of the service I provide...just like I appreciate John's exceptional service. Sometimes it is not about the money...It is about the quality of service...Especially when it is Hot. Hot. HOT outside...Or Cold. Cold. COLD for that matter.

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm  http://www.terieckholm.com/

The low interest rates and recent reports have many apartment dwellers considering making a first home purchase. House prices are making buying a very attractive option for many who want the investment potential and tax benefits that being a responsible homeowner can provide. But some on the fence might not like the idea of cutting the grass every summer weekend or shoveling a driveway before going to work on a Minnesota winter day. These fence dwellers should consider a townhome and dive into the market to receive the benefits of homeownership but retain some of the worry free aspects of apartment life!

Here are five reasons that a townhouse might be the perfect first home:

1. No Yardwork! In most cases the association is responsible for all grass cutting, trash and snow removal.
   
2. No Exterior Maintenance! Painting the siding and putting on a new roof are decisions made by the homeowners association. Exterior hazard insurance is covered by a policy for the entire association and paid for with monthly or annual association fees.
   
3. Community Amenities. Want an inground pool? Like nature trails, walking paths and lakeshore living? Need a fitness center or large room to entertain in? Love the idea of living on a golf course? Amenities like these can be found in many northern Twin Cities townhome developments.
   
4. Close Neighbors Provide Better Security! Complaints of that nosy neighbor disappear when they notice that something unusual is going on next door and thwart a robbery in progress. People in townhomes live in close proximity to one and other, like those in apartments. This closeness can provide comfort to those who like the idea of neighbors looking out for one another.
   
5. More Space for the Money. In the price verses square footage scenario, townhomes win hands down for getting more space for the dollar. With less dollars being tied to the land, more of your money goes into buying actual living space. Townhomes are designed with space efficiency in mind, giving you more living area at a lower cost.

Need another reason? Townhomes are amazingly affordable throughout Anoka, Chisago and Washington Counties! The Minnesota townhome market developed too quickly in early the early 2000's creating more supply than demand. Add to it the overall slow down in real estate, builders started making deals about two years ago from Blaine to Forest Lake and Wyoming to Coon Rapids to keep new developments selling. With builders making deals, traditional sellers have dropped their prices too. Townhomes are selling at unbelievable prices. Read More About Townhome Deals HERE!

Ready to get off the fence and buy a Minnesota townhome and need help from a professional Realtor? Give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Blaine and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm  http://www.terieckholm.com/