Sharlene Hensrud's (shensrud) Blog

I got to ride a scooter shopping cart for the first time this week, great for holding my crutches and also giving our granddaughter a ride to the car! It was also pretty cool seeing Papa John in his top hat greeting people at the Guthrie Theater. But what really marked the beginning of the holida...

Retiring and thinking of downsizing? The first step is making a plan. Sometimes the plan comes quickly… but more frequently thoughtful downsizing is a longer process which may include several stages, multiple moves and some surprises along the way. If you don’t have a plan yet, check out Baby Boo...

When Pantone recently released its 2018 color of the year as ULTRA VIOLET it immediately made me think of Minnesota… think Prince and the Minnesota Vikings. But its significance extends far beyond that, communicating “originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future...

“How much money do I need to put down to buy a house?” is often one of the first questions of potential homebuyers. According to data compiled by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), approximately 60% of homebuyers purchased their homes with a down payments of 6% or less.Median year-to-dat...

If you are diligently saving to buy a home, good for you! But don't neglect to also save for other costs besides your down payment. Inspection – not required, but most buyers protect their largest investment with an inspection, budget about $400-$600 depending on size on whether or not you have a...

According to Realtor.com’s 2018 National Housing Forecast, next year could see some relief from the seemingly relentless housing inventory shortage we have been seeing in recent years. The predict a lower decline in the first part of the year to only a 4% nationwide drop below this year in March ...

If you are buying a home, be careful not to rush into your decision too quickly. Buying a home isn't the same as buying a new coat… you can't just take it back if you decide it isn't the right fit!In addition to objective criteria such as price, condition and the number of bedrooms and baths, it ...

Our holiday season officially began last week with the Children’s Theater production of ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ What was especially fun about this production is that our grandkids’ neighborhood friend, who has come with us to a number of CTC productions, is part of the Who  Ensemble for...

If you have a home for sale right now don’t miss this seasonal opportunity to help a buyer fall in love with your house!  When you are lucky enough to have a showing after sundown, turn on all your lights inside and out. Having all the lights on can create an almost magical glow and an irresistib...

Lakeville, Minnesota, at the far southern end of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, is one of the Twin Cities’ fastest-growing suburbs. Located just south of the I-35 split, it provides easy access to both Minneapolis (I-35W) and St. Paul (I-35E)… and it is known for its excellent schools.So ma...