We just listed a New Home for Sale in Como Park last week and had received two offers on the home.  This is a seller's dream come true.  Being able to look at one offer seems to be a reach some times but two really gives you a chance to decide what is best for your situation.  So as a seller, what do you need to keep in mind as a seller with multiple offers. Earnest Money - How much money is the buyer willing to put down in earnest money.  This may be an important factor in determining "how much skin is in the game."  The more earnest money usually means the more confident they feel in getting financing for the home. Purchase Price - Purchase price is probably the biggest factor in comparing two offers.  Make sure to look at an type of seller paid closing costs and/or concessions. Down ... 01/13/2009

The Red Cross will be visiting the Como Zoo and Conservatory on January 7th, 2009 from 8am - 2pm to host a Blood Drive.  Here is the address 1225 Estabrook Dr , Saint Paul, MN and a link to the Red Cross website to sign up (sponsor code is 6754).  By choosing to donate blood, you are playing an important role in protecting the health of people in your community. In fact, chances are you or one of your family members will need blood some time in life. Please help us have blood on the shelves when it is needed. 01/06/2009

* I orginally featured this home on my luxury blog, last April. Since then, the home even looks worse when you drive by it, which is what I did today. Sparkly winter snow doesn't even help. This weeks featured historic home is located at 475 Summit Avenue in Saint Paul, MN.Why is it that I am always saddened when I walk by this home? Probably because it looks to be slowly deteriorating, but I could be wrong. Originally built somewhere between 1880-1883, this simple Queen Anne was commissioned by James Gamble, and designed by George Wirth. Mr. Wirth built six homes on Summit Avenue.The exterior is constructed of stone, the home has most of its original features. The front bay window on the second floor has been altered, but the most significant change came to the front porch, only a dec... 01/02/2009

The snow is starting to fall and the leaves are all but gone...  Winter is defiantly here.  What does that mean for Real Estate in Como Park?  Well here is a brief overview of what happened with homes for sale in Como Park last month. There are 73 active homes for sale in Como Park (Click here to search Como Park Homes for Sale) ranging from $49,900-$449,000 There are 15 Como Park Homes for Sale Pending ranging from $45,000-$449,900 There were 7 Como Park HomesSold in November ranging from $49,400-$386,000 Home continue to sell in any type of market as long as they are priced right and listed by a local expert in Como Park.  Working with a local expert will help you better understand the value of your home, specific target market trends, and maximizing your market exposure.  Contact us ... 12/02/2008

If you are thinking of either BUYING or SELLING a home in Como Park we can help.  Knowing the market is more important now more than ever.  Market trends, asking vs. sales price, average days on market all go into the sale of a home.  Como has been a unique area in which we have seen very few Foreclosures (click here to search foreclosures) hit the neighborhood.  Currently there are 77 properties listed for sale in MLS District 744 (Como) and there are 8 Foreclosures (disclosed).  The Minneapolis Association of Realtors released a study stating that 34% of new listings and closings in Quarter 3 were lender mediated (Short Sale/Foreclosure). Below is an overview of what has happened the last month and Year to Date in St. Paul. Here is the complete breakdown by area within St. Paul. Revie... 10/28/2008

Looking in Como?  There are currently as of today 81 properties listed for sale in Como.  There are 5 properties listed for sale in Como for less than $100,000.  On the high side there are 6 Homes in Como listed for sale above $350,000+.Click here to view All Como ListingsTo view the market statistics: Status: Active Homes for Sale in Como (81) List Price: $0 - $100,000 (5) List Price DOM CDOM Sale Price Beds Baths Year Built Taxes Total FSF Price per TFSF FSZ Min $49,900 4 20 - 1.00 1.00 1900 $1,866 740 26.05 638 Max $94,900 96 538 - 4.00 2.00 1920 $2,996 1,992 121.49 780 Avg $76,300 58.8 230.4 - 2.40 1.40 1911 $2,211 1,357 68.70 728 Sum $381,500 - $11,056 List Price Homes for Sale in Como: $100,000 - $200,000 (39) List Price DOM CDOM Sale Price Beds Baths Year Built Taxes Total FSF Pr... 10/14/2008

COMING SOON,   COMPLETELY REHABBED,   CODE COMPLIANT AFFORDABLE   4 BEDROOM,   2 BATHROOM,   2 CAR GARAGE CASE AVENUE, ST. PAUL 55106     This property has been completely rehabbed, new paint, carpet, cabinets, cupboards, fixtures, etc. Everything has been completed for you and is in compliance. This property will qualify for all types of mortgage loan funding, FHA, DVA, MHFA, City Living and special local programs. Down Payment Assistance is available as well as 100% financing.    In addition to the first time home buyer tax credit of $7,500, the Real Estate Stimulus Program cash bonus up to $10,000 is available on this development as well.  For information on how you can receive this cash stimulus bonus on this or any other real estate transaction for an amount up to $10,000 call Denn... 10/11/2008

COMPLETELY REHABBED and  CODE COMPLIANT     $105,000 AFFORDABLE   3 BEDROOM,   2 BATHROOM,   1 CAR GARAGE 957 CASE AVENUE, ST. PAUL, MN 55106     This property has been completely rehabbed, new paint, carpet, cabinets, cupboards, fixtures, etc. Everything has been completed for you and is in compliance. This property will qualify for all types of mortgage loan funding, FHA, DVA, MHFA, City Living and special local programs. $10,000 Down Payment Assistance is available through Minnesota Home Help, $5,000 of assistance through Minnesota Housing Finance.  This property also qualifies for the City Living Program, 2% of the loan amount for down payment assistance.  10/11/2008

Clothes dryers are the simplest of appliances to use; so simple, we allow our children to operate them!  They are a wonderful convenience, and they are often taken for granted.  Throw in a load of wet clothes, turn it on, go shopping and return to take out dry clothes to be folded and put away.  Sound good?  Think again!   What is your clothes dryer really doing?  It is removing about 1/2 gallon of water, hot air and lint from each load of laundry you do.  Where do the heat, lint and water go?  Most of the lint is caught in the lint screen which should be checked before each load and cleaned after each load.  When you remove the lint screen, most of the trapped lint stays on it; some falls off in the chute and ends up in the dryer ducts.  Most of this lint is blown out through the vent ... 10/04/2008

The Twin Cities Catholic Chorale has recently published its 2008-09 season schedule of Masses with full orchestral accompaniment, to take place at the Church of Saint Agnes, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.  The Chorale is joined by a professional chamber orchestra which includes former and present members of the Minnesota Orchestra and area freelance musicians [all instrumentalists are members of The Twin Cities Musicians Union, Local 30-73, American Federation of Musicians]. This fall, the Chorale begins its thirty-fifth season of presenting glorious sacred music in the Twin Cities.  Here's the schedule (through December 31, 2008) of Latin Masses with orchestral accompaniment.  Mass performance times are at 10:00 A.M. Sundays, unless indicated otherwise below: October 19, 2008: Schubert Mass... 09/20/2008

Here is a quick snap shot of what has happened in the last month in Como for homes sold, pending and active.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in the Como area, make sure you talk with the Como Area Experts first as we know this area like the back of our hand.Buy a Como HomeSell a Como HomeSearch Como Homes for Sale Status: Active Como Park Home Real Estate  (91) List Price: Como Park Home Real Estate  $0 - $100,000 (5) List Price DOM CDOM Sale Price Beds Baths Year Built Taxes Total FSF Price per TFSF FSZ Min $64,900 1 35 - 2.00 1.00 1900 $1,696 740 32.58 1 Max $97,900 55 497 - 4.00 2.00 1957 $9,584 2,384 121.49 1,848 Avg $85,020 28.6 257 - 2.60 1.80 1926 $3,495 1,613 63.40 794 Sum $425,100 - $17,474 List Price: Como Park Home Real Estate  $100,000 - $200,000 (44) Lis... 09/03/2008

The CW is hosting its 2nd annual "Free to be Green" campaign on 9/20 in the Como Park Zoo from 10-4. This event is an effort bring a more ecological friendly approach to our day to day activities. They will also be providing conservation tips for everyone there so everyone can do their part. This event is bothinteractive for adults as well as kids (our future). TEN THINGS TO DO TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT * CHANGE A LIGHT – replacing 1 regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year * DRIVE LESS, DRIVE EASY – Walk, bike, carpool or take mass transit more often. Drive easy by staying within the speed limits, this can greatly increase your gas mileage while lightening the load on the environment * REDUCE, REUSE, THEN RECYCLE – Take Recycl... 08/22/2008

According the to the US Fire Administration, dryer vent fires cause damages of over $88 million, in addition to deaths and injuries, annually.  There is a need for increased consumer awareness on proper installation and maintenance of dryer vent systems.  Failure to clean is reported as the number one cause of clothes dryer fires.   Common Causes of Dryer Fires: •·         Failure to clean dryers, lint traps, and venting systems •·         Improper venting material •·         Storage of combustible material near dryer •·         Leaving the dryer running unattended •·         Mechanical or electrical failure   Tips for Dryer Fire Prevention: •·         Clean lint traps before and after each use •·         Wash lint screens monthly with soap and water to prevent residue buildup •·       ... 08/16/2008

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 changi... 08/14/2008

Reports show the average home spends $1900 a year on energy costs; many homeowners are unaware of how much they can save with proper dryer and dryer vent maintenance    St. Paul, MN-Technicians who work for Dryer Vent Wizard in the Twin Cities area are working to educate consumers on dryer fire safety.  Home owners who think its normal for their dryer to take more than one cycle to dry clothes are in danger of starting a fire due to clogged dryer vents.  They advise their customers that lint accumulation in dryer vents causes a dryer to over heat and to run inefficiently, causing fires and increasing energy usage.   Dryer Vent Wizard, Dry Clothes, Safe Homes is the largest chain of dryer vent specialists in the U.S.  Besides specializing in dryer vent maintenance, they also provide free... 08/11/2008

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 reserv... 08/10/2008

On August 10, 2008 at 14:15 PM, you are invited to an Open House at 800 California Avenue West in St. Paul/Como Park. If you are looking for a Single-family home in Como Park, don't miss this rare opportunity to visit this magnificent home. For a preview of this home in Como Park, check out my site at http://www.hartmanneam.com. Please do not hesitate to Contact Me if you have any questions or wish to schedule a private showing.   Check me out   08/07/2008

The Dryer Vent Wizard knows everything about dryer vents and dryer vent cleaning. Here is more information on the care and maintenance of your clothes dryer vent. Who needs dryer vent cleaning? Commercial laundries Town homes Condominiums Apartments Duplexes Single-family homes Spring and Fall are ideal times to schedule a dryer vent cleaning. Your Dryer Vents are All-Important There are many things that contribute to the proper operation of a clothes dryer. The venting is perhaps the most critical. Below we describe a dryer's functions and how its venting plays a part. Moisture One of the most important functions of a dryer is the elimination of moisture recovered during the heating of damp clothing. This moisture is held in the warm air produced by the dryer as humidity, and is normal... 08/06/2008

On August 10, 2008 at 13:00 PM, you are invited to an Open House at 1017 Chatsworth St N in St. Paul/Como Park. If you are looking for a Single-family home in this area, don't miss this rare opportunity to visit this magnificent home. For a preview of this Single-family home, check out my site at http://www.hartmanneam.com. Please do not hesitate to Contact Me if you have any questions or wish to schedule a private showing at this home.  Click here to view this Como Park Home   08/06/2008

On August 10, 2008 at 13:00 PM, you are invited to an Open House at 736 Iowa Avenue West in St. Paul/Como Park. If you are looking for a Single-family home in this area, don't miss this rare opportunity to visit this magnificent property. For a preview of this Single-family home, check out my site at http://www.hartmanneam.com. Please do not hesitate to Contact Me if you have any questions or wish to schedule a private showing for this home. Click here to view the property   08/06/2008