In spite the economic downturn of the past few years, the community of Blaine has continued to grow and expand in the north metro of the Twin Cities. Just drive down Highway 65 and see just completed Main Street (125th) overpass to get an idea of how the significant changes have affected the community. Though housing construction had slowed during 2008, it has not stopped and continues to affect the 2009 market. New developments expand the housing base, especially in the townhome and lower level price points. Conveniently located along 35W and Highway 65 and connected by Highway 10 just north of the Twin Cities, Blaine is an attractive location for both business and residential development. The community is served by three school districts; Anoka Hennepin District #11, Centennial District #12, and Spring Lake Park District #16. Blaine is best known for the National Sports Center a sport and meeting facility that hosts an annual worldwide soccer event and Tournament Players Club golf course where the PGA Senior tour is played every summer.

Builders' incentives and lender mediated home sales have required home sellers to be very competitive with housing prices making homes in the Blaine area extremely affordable. As I predicted this affordability is continuing in 2009. It seems a builder or two has finally caught on that under $200K is the price point where the bulk of the buyers are as there are single family new construction homes in Blaine UNDER $200K for the first time in years!

While the homes moving the quickest in Blaine continue to be in that under $200,000 price point, we are finally starting to see a little more movement in the $300K-$600K priced homes (the over $600K market remains pretty static). My guess is that all the first time buyers have bought up a few of those starter homes owned by traditional sellers that are now able to finally move up to the next price point.

Cumulative days of the market (CDOM) are pretty consistent in the lower price points. But notice the high CDOM's for high valued homes...475+ days on the market is a very long time. With 55 homes on the market above $500,000, there is currently almost 3 YEARS of inventory!

Additionally, the $8000 first time homebuyer tax credit really affected the inventory levels in the lower price points. Looking at current inventory levels and the rate of sales (including pending sales) for single family residential homes priced under $200,000, there is about 3 months of inventory for single family homes in Blaine as it stands today.

Lower priced townhomes in Blaine have similar statistics with very low inventory. Of the townhomes and condominiums on the market in Blaine, roughly 25% of those sold were new construction. Townhomes are still a popular option for first time homebuyer in the Blaine area and builders price incentives have affected the market, as has lender mediated pricing. The average price of Blaine townhomes sold has dropped significantly in the first half of the year. Existing townhome sellers must make their prices very attractive to compete with the aggressive lender mediated and builder pricing. Townhomes under $200,000 have about a four month absorption rate but higher priced units have well over a year of inventory.

Average Sales Price of all homes sold in Blaine 2008 vs 2009 to date:

• All Homes $225,300 in 2008 vs $194,321 in the first half of 2009
• Single Family Homes $253,143 in 2008 vs $211,725 in the first half of 2009
• Townhomes/Condos $171,218 in 2008 vs $149,652 in the first half of 2009

Average Cumulative Days on Market in Blaine 2008 vs 2009 to date:

• All Homes 154 in 2008 vs 159 in the first half of 2009
• Single Family Homes 150 in 2008 vs 155 in the first half of 2009
• Townhomes/Condos 162 in 2008 vs 172 in the first half of 2009

2nd Quarter Blaine residential real estate statistics for single family homes:

Under $200,000~113 Active Listings (20 Disclosed as Lender Mediated), 50 Pending Listings, 54 Sold Listings, 121 CDOM (New Construction Subgroup 1 Active, 1 Pending, 0 Sold)

$200,000-300,000~94 Active Listings (9 Disclosed as Lender Mediated), 23 Pending Listings, 31 Sold Listings, 162 CDOM (New Construction Subgroup 17 Active, 6 Pending, 6 Sold, 298 CDOM)

$300,000-$400,000 ~37 Active Listings(2 Disclosed as Lender Mediated) , 13 Pending Listings, 9 Sold Listings, 175 CDOM (New Construction Subgroup 13 Active, 7 Pending, 5 Sold, 116 CDOM)

$400,000-$500,000 ~ 26 Active Listings (2 Disclosed as Lender Mediated), 1 Pending Listings, 8 Sold Listings, 484 CDOM (New Construction Subgroup 8 Active, 0 Pending, 2 Sold, 272 CDOM)

$500,000-$1,000,000~ 29 Active Listings (3 Disclosed as Lender Mediated), 3 Pending Listings, 2 Sold Listings, 496 CDOM (New Construction Subgroup 7Active, 1 Pending, 1 Sold, 170 CDOM )

$1,000,000 and Up ~1 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings (New Construction Subgroup 0 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

2nd Quarter Blaine residential real estate statistics for townhomes and condos:

Under $200,000~ 110 Active Listings (12 Disclosed as Lender Mediated), 43 Pending Listings, 42 Sold Listings, 162 CDOM (New Construction Subgroup 13 Active, 10 Pending, 8 Sold, 313 CDOM)

$200,000-300,000~24 Active Listings (2 Disclosed as Lender Mediated), 2 Pending Listings, 3 Sold Listings, 325 CDOM (New Construction Subgroup 13 Active, 2 Pending, 0 Sold)

$300,000-$400,000~ 7 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 3 Sold Listings, 150 CDOM (New Construction Subgroup 6 Active, 0 Pending, 1 Sold, 276 CDOM)

$400,000-$500,000~3 Active Listings, 1 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings (New Construction Subgroup 3 Active, 1 Pending, 0 Sold)

$500,000-$1,000,000~ 2 Active Listings(1 Disclosed as Lender Mediated), 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings (New Construction Subgroup 1 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

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

**All Statistical information based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE of MINNESOTA, INC. for the period of 4/1/09 through 6/30/09.

Articles on Real Estate, Lakeshore and Minnesota that might be of interest:

• Dreaming of Life on Affordable Minnesota Acreage? Acreage Foreclosures in Anoka, Chisago, Washington and Ramsey Counties
• EXTREMELY Affordable Minnesota Lakeshore!
• First Time Homebuyers ARE Getting Deals on Foreclosures in MN!
• Seven Simple Steps to a VA Home Loan-Are YOU a Veteran?
• Minnesota Lakeshore and Wetland Homesellers--What Should be on the Disclosure?
• Foreclosure Investors Beware--House Flips Can Flop No Matter How GREAT the Deal!
• Blaine, MN Real Estate Market Statistics 2008 Year End
• Blaine, MN Real Estate Market Statistics First Quarter 2009
• Snapshot of Blaine MN Year End 2008 Home Sales Statistics
• Snapshot of Centerville Year End 2008 Market Statistics
• Snapshot of Coon Rapids Year End 2008 Market Statistics
• Snapshot of Ham Lake Year End 2008 Home Sales Statistics
• Snapshot of Lino Lakes Year End 2008 Home Sales Statistics
• Snapshot of Andover Year End 2008 Home Sales Statistics
• Snapshot of Forest Lake Year End 2008 Home Sales Statistics

Looking to Buy or Sell a home in Blaine, MN? 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, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. 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.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

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

Check out this great Community
Blaine Minnesota
Sports Town USA!

 

The community of Blaine has continued to grow and expand in the north metro of the Twin Cities despite the economic downturn. Just drive down Highway 65 and see the Main Street (125th) overpass to get an idea of how the significant changes have affected the community. Though housing construction had slowed during 2008, it has not stopped and continues to be a force in 2009. New developments expand the housing base, especially in the townhome and lower level price points. Conveniently located along 35W and Highway 65 and connected by Highway 10 just north of the Twin Cities, Blaine is an attractive location for both business and residential development. The community is served by three school districts; Anoka Hennepin District #11, Centennial District #12, and Spring Lake Park District #16. Blaine is best known for the National Sports Center a sport and meeting facility that hosts an annual worldwide soccer event and Tournament Players Club golf course where the PGA Senior tour is played every summer.

Builders' incentives to home buyers have required home sellers to be very competitive with housing prices making homes in the Blaine area extremely affordable. I predict this affordability to continue throughout 2009. Home sales slowed at year end but overall the year was not bad for lower priced homes. The homes that are selling best in Blaine are in that under $200,000 price point. My guess is a majority of the sold homes were lender-mediated, either foreclosure or short sale properties. Cumulative days of the market (CDOM) has stayed consistent with the numbers from 2008 in the lower price points. Fluctuation in the higher price points are mostly skewed due to few sales.

Last year, homes in Blaine were selling a bit faster than other areas of Anoka County but the slowdown in existing sales seems to have overtaken this community as well. Buyers looking at single family homes under $300,000 in Blaine quite a bit of inventory to choose from but the choices are down from 2008. At a rate of 28 per month sold, the inventory is manageable. Looking at current inventory levels and the rate of sales for single family residential homes priced under $200,000, there is about 9 months of inventory as it stands today. But in higher price points the absorption rate still nearly 2 years.

New construction homes sales are slow in the first quarter just as builders added inventory for the Parade of Homes. Traditional home sellers need to be aware that builder incentives continue to be very attractive to entice buyers to build rather than buy existing.

The townhome and condominium market has exploded in Blaine and builders have pulled out all the stops bringing pricing down. There is considerably less new construction townhome inventory on the market with about 6 months of inventory compared with nearly 3 years of inventory in 2007. Existing townhome sellers must make their prices very attractive even though builders' inventory is down. Townhomes under $200,000 have about an 18 month absorption rate but little is selling in higher price ranges so it is difficult to assess how long the current new townhome inventory will stay on the market.

2008 Average Sales Price of all homes sold in Blaine:

· All Homes $225,300
· Single Family Homes $253,143
· Townhomes/Condos $171,218

2008 Average Cumulative Days on Market in Blaine:

· All Homes 154
· Single Family Homes 150
· Townhomes/Condos 162

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

Under $200,000~ 88 Active Listings, 36 Pending Listings, 43 Sold Listings, 137 CDOM

$200,000-300,000~100 Active Listings, 15 Pending Listings, 20 Sold Listings, 145 CDOM (New Construction Subgroup 26 Active, 2 Pending, 1 Sold, 54 CDOM)

$300,000-$400,000 ~41 Active Listings, 3 Pending Listings, 6 Sold Listings, 286 CDOM (New Construction Subgroup 20 Active, 1 Pending, 2 Sold, 30 CDOM)

$400,000-$500,000 ~ 29 Active Listings, 3 Pending Listings, 3 Sold Listings, 156 CDOM (New Construction Subgroup 9 Active, 1 Pending, 0 Sold)

$500,000-$1,000,000~ 42 Active Listings, 3 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings (New Construction Subgroup 13 Active, 1 Pending, 0 Sold)

$1,000,000 and Up ~2 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings (New Construction Subgroup 1 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

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

Under $200,000~ 115 Active Listings, 21 Pending Listings, 20 Sold Listings, 95 CDOM (New Construction Subgroup 14 Active, 4 Pending, 7 Sold, 40 CDOM)

$200,000-300,000~24 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings (New Construction Subgroup 9 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

$300,000-$400,000 ~ 11 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 2 Sold Listings, 193 CDOM (New Construction Subgroup 10 Active, 0 Pending, 1 Sold, 151 CDOM)

$400,000-$500,000 ~4 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings (New Construction Subgroup 3 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

$500,000-$1,000,000~ 2 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 0 Sold Listings (New Construction Subgroup 2 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

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

**All Statistical information based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE of MINNESOTA, INC. for the period of 1/1/09 through 3/31/09.

Articles on Real Estate, Lakeshore and Minnesota that might be of interest:

• Dreaming of Life on MN Acreage?--What YOU Need to Know Before YOUR Move!
• EXTREMELY Affordable Minnesota Lakeshore!
• First Time Homebuyers ARE Getting Deals on Foreclosures in MN!
• Seven Simple Steps to a VA Home Loan-Are YOU a Veteran?
• Minnesota Lakeshore and Wetland Homesellers--What Should be on the Disclosure?
• Foreclosure Investors Beware--House Flips Can Flop No Matter How GREAT the Deal!
• Blaine, MN Real Estate Market Statistics 2008 Year End
• Snapshot of Blaine MN Year End 2008 Home Sales Statistics
• Snapshot of Centerville Year End 2008 Market Statistics
• Snapshot of Coon Rapids Year End 2008 Market Statistics
• Snapshot of Ham Lake Year End 2008 Home Sales Statistics
• Snapshot of Lino Lakes Year End 2008 Home Sales Statistics
• Snapshot of Andover Year End 2008 Home Sales Statistics
• Snapshot of Forest Lake Year End 2008 Home Sales Statistics

If you are buying or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. 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.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

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

At the tail end of January, my Growth Leader site, servingblaine.com went active. This is my first experience with a lead generation system so I had no preconceived notions of what to expect. My expectations were high based on the results other agent were getting from their Growth Leader test sites around the country that had started a few months earlier. On January 23^rd, I had my first lead. Not so great as it was specific to a downtown rental but one day one lead. Not too bad. Now after just four weeks in the program, I have had 106 prospects sign up at my site. Last week, I had 16 leads come in during one 24 hour period. That is an attention grabbing amount of leads!

Here's the drill down:

• 106 Total Leads
• 3 New (Just came in since last night)
• 8 Retry (Came in during the last 3 days...waiting to see if they come back)
• 16 Active (Currently using the site and/or communicating with me directly.)
• 71 Inactive (Signed up and have not returned to the site for over a week.)

Of the 16 active leads, I have been in contact with 6 via email answering questions and of those I have spoke with two. Both were given information to get in touch with a loan officer for preapproval but only one so far has made contact. Of the retry prospects, I have received email questions from two and have been in contact with both. One of the 71 inactives has been referred out to another agent and is now actively working with her.

Over the past few weeks, I have been working with the Growth Leader team to tweak my site to get more leads that are in my specific area. Unfortunately, to get Blaine leads I am also getting many more for Minneapolis. But is that such a bad thing? Maybe not as I have a strong referral network throughout the Twin Cities.

When I first get a new lead, I assess as to which part of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area they are searching in to figure out if I can help them directly or if they are a potential referral. Then I start the follow up specific to their search criteria.

One thing I do with new prospects, is activate the addresses and send an email to announce the new functionality. Currently, new prospects are automatically set to search the site without the ability to see the address or exact location of the homes. I think this is why over 90% of the prospects come to the site and never come back. Why should they when on other Twin Cities search sites, the address information is immediately available? I have had more new and retry prospects flipped into active since I discovered this in the third week.

I strongly recommend that users of the Growth Leader system be given the option when building their sites as to whether they want the addresses to show or not. If you are in a market where this information is readily available on competing sites, it may keep more registrants coming back if they have it available here.

 

Another thing...According to the Growth Leader performance evaluator, with over 100 leads, I should have at least one sale. That was good for a laugh after barely four weeks in the program. But there are some leads with good potential. It just may take a bit more time for that first sale.

Don't forget to subscribe to follow my progress with the Growth Leader system!

If you are buying or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. 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.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

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The number of new listings has dropped significantly in Blaine, Minnesota right along with the average sales price. This is no doubt due to the fact that Blaine's high valued home market in prices $500,000 and up is stagnant while the new townhomes and foreclosure/short sale homes in the lower price points continue to sell. Closed sales are up for Blaine in 2008 over 2007 so the market is moving. But listings are staying on the market for an average of almost a month longer than the previous year. Blaine still has an abundant home inventory and with prices down and sellers negotiating, this could be an affordable option for a north metro homebuyer!

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 or Homebuyers Success 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.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

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LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

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