February 2009

Five Top Reasons to Buy a Loft

Many urban dwellers are turning to lofts instead of condos.  There are some differences between the two, however.  Urban living and loft purchasers are on the rise, if only for the exquisite opportunity a loft may have compared to a condo.   Owners of either a loft or a condo hold the title to their unit or space and co-own along with the rest of the loft or condo community, the lobbies, garages, security system, swimming pools and other amenities.  Here are the five top reasons to buy a loft:

1.    Style – Lofts for sale tend to have soaring ceilings and wide open spaces.  Lofts also have lots of style and more modern finishes than a condo.  Floors are often hardwood and the sense of your own original space is achieved through the purchase of a loft.  You will find more stainless steel and sharp modern designs in a loft.

2.    Location – Most lofts for sale are in urban areas where a developer may buy an old warehouse and turn it into loft units.  These old warehouses are usually well within all the amenities any urban city or town would have to offer and are nearby or within walking distance.  Many lofts for sale are also designed and built from the ground up through developers and large city and town’s revitalization programs.

3.    Live and Work – While condos may only offer a home unit for residential use, lofts may permit a live and work space and some lofts for sale can be found in areas zoned specifically for this purpose.  Many professionals who work at home find the large loft space ideal for the separation between living areas and work areas.

4.    Appreciation – In some markets, realtors have found that lofts are appreciating at twice the rate of a traditional single-family home.  This alone can add value to your loft space when you sell it.

5.    Loft Conversions – Many loft builders who convert buildings into loft spaces, also invite commercial businesses such as drycleaners and small grocers to abide in the buildings. These types of loft conversions make it easier to never leave your loft building area when you seek consumer items—especially since they are close at hand.

Loft living is different than condo living.  While both are usually run by an association where you must pay a monthly fee and abide by the association rules, lofts tend to be quieter due to their size and do not have as many common walls as condos do.  For example, a loft may be an entire floor where condos may have two to four on one floor sharing a lot of common wall space.

Major developers are being encouraged and supported by large city and town governments to covert old spaces for loft living.  Not only are developers reaping the benefits of building these loft units, the owners of the lofts are happy with the security, parking, live and work opportunities, and the proximity of all the conveniences you can expect with a loft.

If you live in an urban area and are interested in purchasing a loft, ask your realtor for more details on lofts for sale, the amenities and how loft living works.

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Downtown Minneapolis-A Mpls Minnesota Visitor’s Guide

Are you planning to head to downtown Minneapolis any time in the near future?  If so, you have a lot of fun and a great time waiting for you!  There is a lot that goes into making this lively area what it is, and if you manage to even catch a little bit of it, you’ll know that your trip has been worth it.  Consider some of the great attractions below whether you are visiting Minneapolis for business or pleasure!

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
When you are looking for a place for a beautiful photo opportunity, you ‘ll find that you want to check out the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.  This is an 11 acre outdoor park, and you’ll find that each of the forty permanent sculpture pieces have their own unique appeal. You’ll also find that this is a great place to catch some temporary installations as well.  If you end up going to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, make some time to check out the centerpiece, called Spoonbridge and Cherry, which has become well-known as a symbol of everything the Twin Cities has to offer.

The Guthrie Theater

When you want to soak in more of Minneapolis artistic and acting scene, you’ll find that you should head to the Guthrie Theater.  Consider the fact that Minnesota is second only to New York when it comes to the number of theater seats per capita.  This theater has three stages and you’ll find that even if you can’t get to one of its fantastic shows that you should still come to check out the gorgeous architecture.  It has a new building that is lovingly placed on the banks of the Mississippi River, and when you head out, you’ll be able to have a wonderfully leisurely dinner at the Cue Restaurant.

Mall of America
Are you someone who feels the most excited when you are chasing down a sale or surrounded by great gifts and clothes?  If so, head to the Mall of America, which is known as one of the largest enclosed shopping centers in the entire world.  The mall itself covers around 4.2 million square feet and numbers more than 500 stores.  You can do more than just shop, however.  You’ll also discover that there are lots of restaurants to enjoy as well as an enclosed amusement park that will give you a wonderful place to take the kids.  Camp Snoopy is a great place to go when you want to enjoy more than 30 rides and attractions as well as games that are going to challenge your skills.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

When you are checking out downtown Minneapolis, make sure that you check out the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.  With 100,000 items that cover more than 5,000 years of world history, you’ll find that this is a lovely place to go when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  Consider what you most want to see in terms of art and chances are, there are going to be samples of it here.  Whether you are interested in paintings, photographs, architecture or even decorative art, you’ll find that the Minneapolis Institute of Arts can show it to you.

The Mercado

When you are looking for a family friendly place where you can shop and enjoy the culture, you’ll find that the Mercado Mexican-style market is where you should go.  This indoor street market sells foods, crafts, Spanish books and music, and you’ll find that there is never a shortage of things to do or great sites to see.  You’ll find that this is  a great way to introduce your children to foods that they have never had before, and you will find that this is a great way to have an inexpensive day out.

Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

When wandering around downtown Minneapolis, it is very likely that you may suddenly feel a little run down or even a little bit put off by all the sites.  After all, it is a big city, and at times, all you want to do is to sit down and enjoy some wildlife.  This is what you can do at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, and you can bet that this is one of the top reasons why people head here.  You can forget all about the city when you enter it, and you’ll find that there are plenty of benches to sit on and just rest and enjoy nature. Keep an eye out for friendly squirrels and rabbits, and enjoy this all for free!

Blue Nile

Are you in the mood for food that is a little different from what you can get at home?  If so, you’ll find that you may wish to head to the Blue Nile.  This is an Ethiopian restaurant and beer bar, and you can enjoy authentic Ethiopian cuisine as well as an impressive collection of rare bears.  You’ll see beer on tap here that you never have before, and this is a great way to try some that you have been curious about.

Depot Skating Rink

In 1970, the last train left the Milwaukee Road Depot and there was a large drafty structure left that went on for blocks. Before it could be bulldozed, the National Register of Historic Places declared it a Minneapolis landmark.  Instead of being used for overflow parking, as it had been, a plan was created to turn it into an indoor ice rink and restaurant.  These days, it serves as a great place to have some fun.  There are shops, a hotel and a fantastic water park!

Take some time and think about what your options are going to be when you are thinking about seeing downtown Minneapolis.  This is a great town to visit, so make sure that you don’t miss out some of its highlights.

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Five Top Reasons to Buy a Condo or Townhouse

If you’re one of those people who doesn’t like maintaining your lawn or want to commit to a large down payment for a conventional home, buying a condo or townhouse may be right for you.  Before we look at the top five reasons to buy a condo or townhouse, what are condos and townhouses?

Condos and townhouses are unit-based home purchases.  For example, a condo unit will exist within a group of connected condominiums and you purchase one unit or one condo.  Townhouses are found in planned developments where all homes are similar in style and you purchase the townhouse but are not responsible for the upkeep of common areas.  The same for condos—you are not responsible for common areas, recreational areas, swimming pools or other areas where the Homeowner’s Association you join and pay for each month takes care of these common areas and you must abide by condo and townhome bylaws as well as association rules and regulations.  You do pay individual property taxes on both condos and townhouses.

Here are the top five reasons we found to purchase a condo or townhouse:

1.    Less Commitment – Condos and townhouses are great for people who want to own their dwelling space but don’t want to do all the required lawn and common area maintenance. Most condos and townhouses do not require a down payment as large as on conventional homes.  While you are committed to the condo or townhome, you buy and must follow the Homeowner’s bylaws, owning a condo or townhouse can be less of a stress when it comes to lawn upkeep and can offer more amenities than a conventional home.

2.    The Amenities – Because condos and townhouses are usually in planned areas and are consider a “community” of sorts, certain amenities may come with the purchase of your condo unit or town home unit.  These amenities may include a shared association swimming pools, tennis courts, recreational areas, common barbeque areas, and picnic areas and meeting rooms that may be rented for parties.  Other features could include higher security and a fitness center and newer condominium and town home structures are offering entire community conveniences such as grocery stores, drycleaners, and restaurants all within the development giving you the option to never leave the condo area for certain consumer needs.

3.    Overall Price & Ownership – Buying a condo or townhouse can be much cheaper than a conventional home.  Whether it’s a condo for sale, where you enter into a main lobby or a townhouse that allows you to have a private entrance and perhaps your own carport or garage, both are cheaper all around than a conventional home.  Ownership of a condo or town home is much the same as a conventional home.  You finance or pay cash and own the title to the condo unit or townhouse you buy.  When you sell it, you do this on your own as long as your follow the Homeowner’s Associations bylaws, covenants, and restrictions.   With a town home for sale, you will usually also hold title to the land the townhouse sits on.

4.    Appeal for the Elderly – If you are in your retirement years, often a condo or town home is your best bet, especially when it comes to security and community involvement.  Some town home and condo communities are dedicated for the elderly only and can provide activities at the same location where you live.

5.    Simple Care – Because almost all townhouses and condos have a Homeowner’s Association, if you do need to “fix” up your dwelling, the association provides specific guidelines on what you can and can’t do.  If you aren’t the creative type, town homes and condos are great for a structured way to keep up with the exterior maintenance such as exterior paint color (which can usually be arranged through the Homeowner’s Association) and other exterior options that are allowed.

What is the Homeowner’s Association?

All condos for sale and most town homes for sale are organized by a Homeowner’s Association.  When you purchase your condo or townhouse, you become a member of that association.  The association usually has a board of community members that oversee the bylaws, association rules, and regulations.  The association is also responsible for the upkeep of all common areas.  The Homeowner’s association is funded through monthly fees payable to the association by you and is set at time of move-in.  Association fees can be raised from time to time as outlined by each association’s bylaws.  All condo and townhouse owners must abide by the rules and regulations and pay their fees on a timely basis.

Buying a condo for sale or a townhouse can be an advantageous idea if you are looking for maintenance free lawn care, amenities such as pools or tennis courts, and a sense of security for all who live within the limits of each of the communities.

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Minneapolis: A Clean and Green City

If there is one thing that Minneapolis should be famous for it is the city’s dedication to maintaining its reputation as among the greenest cities in the State of Minnesota.  True enough, Minneapolis has proven it is hell-bent in protecting the environment through the Minneapolis GreenPrint which is its guide to attaining sustainable development.

The Minneapolis GreenPrint is a framework based on ten healthy environment indicators.  An annual GreenPrint Report is submitted to the City Council to measure the environmental interventions being done by the city each year which can include street sweeping, installation of solar panels on city building roofs and other private sector initiatives.

The environmental efforts of Minneapolis go a long way considering that it is Minnesota State’s city and Hennepin County’s county seat.  With St. Paul, it forms the now-famous Twin Cities, and has 3.2 million residents as of the last Census.

Employee relocation and corporate relocation usually targets Minneapolis due to its clean and healthy environment.  With twenty lakes, creeks and lots of waterfalls, Minneapolis is a city that is abundant in water. It is thus no surprise that its name is taken from the Dakota word “mni” for water and polis for city, to mean water city.  In fact, Minneapolis is also called the City of Lakes.

History and City Profile

The history of Minneapolis is largely tied to water primarily because of the city’s physical make up.  Minneapolis lies on an aquifer and so the city is serious in managing its watershed areas.

Business in the city is mostly hinged on finance, trucking services, industry and health services.  Several companies engage in milling, chemical and agricultural products, food processing and similar businesses.  It is home to some of America’s Top Companies including Xcel Energy, Target Corporation, Ameriprise Financial and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Donaldson Company, PepsiAmericas and US Bancorp.

Minneapolis does not however just boast of a clean environment and good water sources but it also boasts of a holistic development that made it to the Kiplinger survey of Smart Places to Live in 2006 (it was ranked number 2 together with St. Paul).  It has also been included in the list of Seven Cool Places for Young Professionals and was chosen as the United States’ Top Tech City survey by Popular Science in 1995.

The city, along with St. Paul’s $145.8 billion gross state product accounts for 63.8% of the State of Minnesota’s gross state product.  The year 2000 was a bad year for the area as it experienced a recession but it has bounced back in 2005 with a growth in personal income by 3.8%.

Culture and the Arts

If you are thinking of relocating in an area where you can expose your family to culture and the arts then Minneapolis should be your best bet.  Theater is big here starting with the Guthrie Theater which was designed by 2008 Pritzker Prize Winner Jean Nouvel.

Minneapolis is a haven for art and the artists.  It has been ranked the most literate city in America and this can be one big reason for relocating in the area especially if you have children or you have a great interest in culture and the arts.  It is home to the largest literary and book center in the country known as Open Book.  It boasts of the Loft Literary Center which is a venue for contemporary and traditional arts and crafts.

If you are offering a relocation package for your employees then make sure you mention the existence of the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, the city’s largest museum with over a hundred thousand collection of art and other historical items.

The most famous contribution of Minneapolis to the American music industry is Prince.  This world-famous pop icon is a product of the Minneapolis Public Schools.

Sports

Minnesota relocation can become more exciting with the knowledge that sports means a lot to its residents.  Among the teams that raised the flag of Minneapolis are the Minneapolis Millers (known for contributing 15 baseball players to the Baseball Hall of Fame), the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team (with six championships on its belt in all the three leagues) and the NWA Minneapolis Boxing & Wrestling Club (now known as the American Wrestling Association).

The Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Twins (won the 1987 and 1991 World Series), the Minnesota Lynx WNBA, the Minnesota Wild hockey team and the National Lacrosse League team Minnesota Swarm are just some of the teams that make up the vibrant sports atmosphere of Minneapolis.

Employee relocation in Minneapolis is very appealing to those who have families considering the city’s well-designed park system, considered the best in America in terms of design, financing and maintenance.  Residents of Minneapolis have to thanks Theodore Wirth for this.

Housing

There are a variety of Minneapolis relocation package and if you want to find out about this you can get the services of a relocation specialist who will be able to provide you with important relocation information to help you decide if moving to Minneapolis is indeed the right decision.

Minneapolis real estate can offer you lots possibilities and you can choose from any of the real estate listings in the city including single family residences, single story homes, condominiums, duplex, or lakeshore properties.  You can even purchase or mortgage land and build your own house.  However, it would also be ideal to look at the latest foreclosure listings as they may be new homes on the list that are quite affordable.

Still unsure about moving to Minneapolis?  Think of how clean the air you are going to breathe once your family relocates in the city. Think of the artistic and cultural exposure your family is going to get.  Think of how important quality of life is and think of Minneapolis.

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