Photos from Jennifer Kirby, the Luxury Agent
Wild flax can be found growing along the river banks of the Mississippi. It usually start blooming in May.Located in: Minneapolis, MN
Well, since it is the end of 2007, I guess I must sit down and look at the luxury market statistics for the year and let you know how things went.
$1 -2 Million : Throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs, 395 homes were sold in this price range. While many homes sold, it took on average 190 days to get them new owners, with the average price being around $1.4 Million.
$2-3 Million : No big surprise here but once you hit $2 Million, the number of homes for sale decreases dramatically. Only 49 homes sold this year, but surprisingly they only took about 15 days longer to sell than those price below $2 Million.
$3-5 Million : Most of the homes that get mega-expensive tend to be located near water. The 15 homes that sold in this price bracket are no exception. Eight of these homes were located on Lake Minnetonka.
$5 Million + : Minnesota doesn't rank high on the national radar for luxury homes, but home magazines most likely have never been here and don't know what they are missing when it comes to Lake Minnetonka real estate. In 2007, five truly luxurious homes sold above the $5 Million mark, all of them on the largest lake around the Twin Cities. Two of them were all time highs, one at $12 Million and one at $14.5 Million.
Overall, the luxury market for Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Minnetonka didn't do too bad for 2007. The best price range to be in for 2008 will be the $1-2 Million dollar range. Around February, the local Realtor association will be coming out with 2007 stats and projections for 2008. Stay tuned over the next few months to see where we were and where we are heading!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Don't forget to check out my other blog sometime, Minneapolis Real Estate Blog.
I am an avid reader. Currently I am reading three books, one about Mao, one about going good to great, and the last about walking in the woods. Sprinkle in the magazines I subscribe to and I have reading material strategically placed around the home, for what ever mood I am in. Needless to say that Barnes and Noble is one of my current homes away from home (but also because my kids love going there).
So when I spied this month's cover of Minnesota Monthly, I couldn't resist snatching it up for a good read. The featured article is titled, "Who Makes What...Does your paycheck measure up?" Of course, being ever the inquiring mind, I just had to look and see what people make because, face it, asking about someones income is still taboo and not good etiquette.
Here are some interesting wages:
The article took up twelve pages, which I looked through about ten times, but I couldn't find anything about real estate agents. I mean they had income stats for surveyors, architects, roofers, landscapers and plenty of people involved in real estate, but they left all of us agents out, the ones that actually facilitate the transaction to closing.
I guess we just don't cut the mustard when it comes to fancy magazine articles because we just don't earn that much, on average, to make our profession exciting. It's not like we are Johan Santana who rakes in $13 Million a year pitching for the Twins. Most of us are just normal people trying to make a living. Secretly I think that there isn't any negative spin to attach to our profession so most "journalists" won't bring us up because we are no longer news worthy. But deep down I hope they were thinking about us. Maybe they were kind enough to lump us in with "Market-Research Analysts". One can hope!
***********************************************************************
If you like to read, don't forget to subscribe to my blog.
Feel free to visit my outside blog about Minneapolis Luxury Real Estate
In case you missed the Rose Bowl parade which announced the four winners of the Change the World.Start at Home contest, Saint Paul has won the popular vote. Saint Paul will have three projects featured and completed in late April of 2008.
Now what they need is volunteers! If you would like to volunteer to help on one of the three projects, visit this website to offer your services. This is a fantastic opportunity for our community to show just what "Minnesota Nice" is all about!
To all of you here that helped vote for Saint Paul, we really appreciate it!
Minneapolis Real Estate specialist for Luxury Estates, Waterfront Properties, and Historic Homes in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Visit my blog www.MinneapolisLuxuryRealEstateBlog.com
Jennifer is a licensed real estate agent in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Florida. She specializes in Minneapolis and Saint Paul Luxury real estate, Lake Minnetonka Estates, Minnesota Waterfront on Lake Minnetonka, Prior Lake, White Bear Lake, Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun, and Historic Homes of St. Paul and Minneapolis. She is proud to be a member of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, bringing her knowledge and expertise of the upper tier market to clients.
At the same time, Jennifer is no stranger to helping sellers and buyers fulfill their real estate needs for homes that fall into different categories and works with all price points. From multi-unit buildings to single family homes, Jennifer has sold almost every form of residential real estate there is. One special benefit she brings to clients is the ability to run a completely paperless business. Taking advantage of technology and using it to streamline transactions is an important trait that differentiates her from others in the real estate field. It takes more than just a website to help clients achieve their goals. Jennifer uses blogs, professional networking, MySpace, education, and advertising as part of her overall business plan to connect buyers and sellers.
Jennifer firmly believes that continually educating herself is the key to her personal success as a Real Estate Agent and the main reason her clients are so satisified with her during and after the sale of their home. While most agents are only taking the bare minimum classes mandatory to keep their license up-to-date, Jennifer is seeking out classes that dig deeper into various aspects of real estate. When education classes will not come to the state, she travels to them!
My Mission Statement
"While holding myself to the highest professional and ethical standards, I pledge to take my clients real estate success to new heights by helping them make prudent real estate decisions, and in the process, prove worthy of their trust and friendship so that I may become a long term friend and advisor."
My Minneapolis and St. Paul Real Estate Website
If you are looking to move to the Minneapolis and Saint Paul area, check out my website Fine Homes of Minneapolis . I am constantly adding information about St Paul and the Twin Cities, as well as places to explore, community information, sports and recreation, selling Minneapolis Real Estate, buying, and more! Don't forget to request a FREE Minneapolis Relocation Package!
Places to Explore Twin Cities Sports and Recreation Minnesota Fun Facts Minneapolis Weather
Local Communities Buyer Services Seller Services
Search for Properties in the Twin Cities
Blogs
Minneapolis Luxury Real Estate Blog
Education
Chemistry, B.A. Indiana University
Jennifer currently holds the following real estate Designations and Certifications:
Certified Residential Specialists comprise of the top industry professionals in the country. Only 4% of all Realtors in the nation have the production and education to earn the CRS designation. In Minnesota, only 3% hold the prestigious title and Jennifer is one of them. Home sellers and buyers can rest assured that CRS Designees subscribe to strict Realtor Code of Ethics, have access to the latest technology, and are specialists in helping clients maximize profits and minimize costs when buying or selling a home. Make sure your agent is a Certified Residential Specialist.
Knowledgeable professionals specially trained to provide high quality service to buyers and sellers of luxury homes and estates. The premier authority in training and certification for real estate agents working in the upper-tier residential market. Jennifer is one of only six agents in Minnesota that are members of the Institute. If you are looking for Minneapolis Luxury Real Estate, choose a member of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing,
The Resort and Second Home Property Specialist is a real estate practitioner who facilitates the buying and selling of properties for investment, development, retirement, or second homes in a resort, recreational and/or vacation destination. Jennifer is a Charter Member and one of only four currently in the state of Minnesota. Second homes are a specialty of Jennifer's, as she sells many waterfront properties along the Gulf Coast and on Minnesota's numerous Lakes. If you are looking for Minneapolis Real Estate as a second home, choose a Realtor with the RSPS designation.
The mark of a real estate professional who has made the commitment to provide a high level of professional services by securing a strong educational foundation. REALTORS® with the GRI designation are highly trained in many areas of real estate to better serve and protect their clients. Only a small percent of agents hold the designation. If you are looking for Minneapolis Real Estate, choose an agent with the GRI designation.
The Accredited Buyer Representative designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria. If you are looking for Minneapolis Real Estate, pick an agent with the ABR designation to represent you.
Why choose an ePRO? All REALTOR e-PRO® Internet Professionals are REALTORS® who completed a rigorous certification program endorsed by the prestigious NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Real estate agents who have earned REALTOR e-PRO® Certification are Internet Professionals who have completed extensive training using the Web and means the real estate professional is prepared to employ the latest techniques and services for your benefit, just like you've grown to expect from a professional. Don't sell or buy Minneapolis Real Estate without your e-PRO certified agent.
** I am also in the process of earing the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation, which will further my knowledge on better ways to serve my clients internationally and abroad. Approximately less than 1% hold the CIPS.**
I chose to work with Jennifer because of all the Realtors who responded to my general internet inquiry concerning the sale of my home, Jennifer was the only one who responded quickly, thoroughly, honestly, and without reservation. She handled my special circumstances very professionally and made sure it did not hinder the sale. My home sold quickly and for top dollar due to her negotiation skills. Thank you so much! ~ Terrie Howard
The first day we met Jennifer it was raining cats & dogs.She stuck with us and showed us plenty of homes without batting an eye. Our experience with her was great! She is a "Real" person, caring more about us then getting paid, and showed concern and respect for us as new home buyers. Jennifer was a God-send and we are very grateful for everything she is as a person and everything she did for us as our Realtor. ~ Belinda Veroneau
I work with Jennifer's husband so through his praise I decided to sell my home through her. It was the best decision I made! I received more money and a faster closing than I expected due to her skill as a professional. She was even in her third trimester of pregancy and she didn't miss a beat! I move alot in the military and I can only hope to find another agent like Jennifer at my next duty station. ~ Randy Winge
We had a great experience selling our house. We sold it faster then expected and for the amount we wanted. You were there to answer all our questions and made the transaction go smoothly. We're loving our new condo which you also helped us find. Thank you! ~ The Murphys
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
