Tim Ross

On a beautiful Minnesota Saturday, several years from now, two people will be standing on a deck. Maybe it's in Maple Grove, or Plymouth, or Champlin or Brooklyn Park. One person comments on how nice the others home is and the other leans in and just above a whisper tells their friend what they paid for it. Their face shows a twinge of guilt mixed in with their very visible pride in deal-making.

The deals that are out there right now on builder spec homes, lots, and foreclosed properties are a once in twenty years opportunity. I have shown a bunch of them and noticed two things. First, the quality is amazing. True there is some absolute junk. But I have seen some move in ready homes at prices 25% below appraised tax value. Second, they are going to disappear. Now I do not want to be one of those people who tries to create a false sense of urgency. Let me ask you this though, do you really think there are any builders currently building houses they intend to sell for $100,000.00 below their cost?

So, if you are comfortable on the sidelines, by all means stay there. But if you find yourself on a deck somewhere a couple years from now and you're kicking yourself because your buddy can't get that smug look off of his face, don't be mad at me. I told you.

Thanks for reading and remember; for help with Hennepin County Real Estate, Maple Grove Real Estate or any Minnesota Real Estate, call Coach Boom

Tim Ross * Re/Max Associates Plus * 612-598-9295

January was a slow month across most of Hennepin County. Maple Grove, however, showed signs of shrinking choice for buyers. New listings fell by 8 units versus last January. Combined with an increase in closed sales over last January of 10 units to 56 total closed may will result in a decrease in inventory. This is good news for sellers in this high demand area. This came at a price, however, as average sale price declined by 10% month over month. Average days on the market until sale increased to 162, 20 days higher than January 2006. All and all inventory in Maple Grove is shrinking and the competitive homes are selling. Sellers, price 'em right and be patient.

Thanks for reading and remember for help with Maple Grove homes or any Hennepin County real estate call or e-mail Coach Boom.

Tim Ross * Re/Max Associates Plus * 612-598-9295 * tim@rosshometeam.com

Maple Grove weathered the storm pretty well all things considered. Sales were down for the year as predicted, finishing at 882 units, New listings were also down, 52 units less for the year. This is one of the early indicators of inventory being moved. Potential buyers should take note of the declining inventory. It may be the early stages of the pendulum starting to swing back toward the seller.

Maple Grove real estate did, again, demonstrate it's general strength. This demonstration came primarily in average sale price. Average sale price for Maple Grove real estate increased by 6% for the year. Many areas declined. Also impressive was the fact that average percentage of list price received at closing stayed above 95%. That is one of the strongest figures in Hennepin County real estate.

Interest rates stood at 5.5% as of this writing for a 30 year fixed rate loan with no pre-paid interest.

Thanks for reading and remember for help with Maple Grove real estate or any Hennepin County real estate, or Minnesota real estate questions call Coach Boom.

Tim Ross * 612-598-9295 * tim@rosshometeam.com* Blog: www.activerain.com/coachboom