Mary Jo Quay

To say that 'Change is in the air,' is a massive understatement. Since the onset of the technology revolution we've been hurtled through a tunnel of evolution. Today, a 13th astrological sign of Ophiuchus (how Do you pronounce that? Ofee u juice?), slid right in between Scorpio and Sagittarius without so much as a "Hi, how ya' doin?" According to a Minneapolis astronomer, the moon is shifting the gravitational pull, and that all of us have shifted backwards into another sign.

We aren't who we thought we were yesterday. Anyone over 50 knows that. We wake up to find a surprise in the mirror more mornings than not. It's not news that it has been going on for thousands of years, but why did old Opi show up now? Why have all the celebrity astrologers missed this detail?

In the year 2000, I left a brokerage because they wouldn't give me a second phone line at my desk so I could use my computer and the phone at the same time. "You can use the one in the Resource Room like everyone else," my visionary manager told me. We have evolved.

Real Estate hasn't changed as much as some industries, newspapers for example. It is now common knowledge that 80% of what we knew in 1980 is no longer valid. We no longer research, we google, (the verb) or bing (the verb), for answers with a few key strokes. We gear up like Inspector Gadget to show homes armed with cell phone, digital camera, digital measuring device (dmd), electronic keypad, flashlight, and car keys. We all know it won't stop there. Who knows what changes are in store under the sign of Ophiuchus? Are you ready to accept a new identity?

Right there, in South Minneapolis, plunked in the middle of big snow drifts, is an adorable, affordable and totally rehabbed tiny house.

We've become accustomed to seeing 4000 square foot Minneapolis Garagemahals, but what about that single first time buyer who doesn't want to live in a condo? Or the couple who wants a convenient budget saving pad near the airport? We're all looking for a bargain, so here is the SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS DEAL OF THE WEEK!

This is a fabulous 480 square foot, 1 bedroom, completely new kitchen, bathroom, wood flooring for only $64,900. That is a teeny, tiny $300 Principle & Interest per month.* (depending on financing)

Windows, flooring, plumbing, electric, AND a spacious 26'x8' deck are all new. There's a nook just for washer and dryer. The home is built at the back of a full 40'x127' foot lot, so there is room for expansion, east facing garden, or to rebuild. Look quick, or you might miss it.

The only reason it is still on the market, is because you blinked too fast. CAll me, I'll get you in.

Mary Jo Quay

Realtor, GRI, e Pro, CDPE

Keller Williams Integrity

Cell; 612 384 1360

condobee@gmail.com

READY, SET, REAHAB! Minneapolis remodel gets worse before it gets better.

If any of you watch old movies, you might have noticed that in 1940 romances he carries her over the threshold of a dump he has just purchased where they will start their lives together. She is thrilled, and even misty among the rubble. Next morning, after she prepares a stack of waffles, sausage and Maxwell House coffee for her man, she sets to work on the house. By the time he gets home at 5PM, the shack is transformed into a darling cottage that is cleaned, painted with a remodeled kitchen complete with new curtains made by the bride. All this is accomplished with time for her to cook a sumptuous dinner.

Women are wondering who wrote those scripts, and the men are laughing. Rehabs get worse before they get better, and it takes a little more than 8 hours. Rehabbing takes careful planning, a timeline, permits, materials, and some helping hands. The Minneapolis duplex in Uptown is under way, and it looks awful. Rehab is messy. The kitchens have vanished, and bathrooms are a mere shell. Only stubs of plumbing lines remain and most of the old lead tubes lie on the floor waiting copper replacement. Wires dangle everywhere since the whole house is being rewired and replummed. Some walls are stripped to the lathe, the ugly faux wood laminate in the living room is a thing of the past. Underlying lathe and plaster walls are in good shape, but covered with a vintage printed wallpaper. The main floor bathroom is gone completely, it is being moved to another location and the space will be replaced by a sunny second bedroom, although you’d never know from the looks of it today. All the carpets are gone, revealing solid hardwood floors that will eventually gleam again. The second floor bath is pulled apart, its being reconfigured. The third floor bath will also be moved. Right now the tub abuts a low slanted knee wall for a ceiling. Unless you are 4 feet tall you cannot stand in the tub much less take a shower. It is a small space that feels smaller because the slanted roofline only has full height at the center. Clever planning and use of space will give it new life and openness.

The first phase is to take out what isn’t working or outdated,clear it out to make space for the new. The false ceilings on the first floor have been removed, new framing already replaced it. All the original millwork, doors, architectural details, and floors will be preserved and restored. But, that is in upcoming projects. Wiring and plumbing come first. The main sewer line has a crack, and needs to be replaced too. Next, plans for the kitchen and baths. Stay tuned.

Minneapolis Has Gone to the Dogs.

Minneapolis is renowned for its healthy lifestyle, walking trails, parks and lakes. What you don’t notice right away is that it a dog paradise. To most of us, our pets are part of the family, and some treat them like children. One of the easiest ways to get to know the Twin Cities is walking a dog. It doesn’t even have to be your dog, you can borrow one. Even in sub zero weather, when only big dog owners are out on the trail people will talk to the dog.

My girl is a Great Pyrenees who weighs in just under 120 lbs and looks like polar bear. Everyone talks to her. One time I had a neighbor who would hold a whole conversation with my dog as if I weren’t there. When we moved to Southwest Minneapolis we walked a lot, and I got to know not only the neighborhood, but a slew of dog parks, trails, pet stores, and owners. I used to have two cats that would follow us on the walk forming a small parade.

There are five major off leash parks in the city, and a 27,000 sq. ft indoor park, Doggy City, www.dogcitydogpark.com which has a 24/7 doggy gym for the dog who needs exercise. As the saying goes, “If your dog is too fat you need more exercise.” Besides dedicated dog parks and gyms, there are lakes, trails and parks. Minnehaha Parkway stretches all across south Minneapolis and provides miles of perfect trail for many happy dog walkers. Carol Martin, who is Top Dog at Tails of 2 Cities, is a professional pet caregiver and handler, tailsof2cities@gmail.com 612 822 PETZ. Carol specializes in pets that need specific care, like a nurse for dogs. She is a wealth of local information.

There are about 80 boarding kennels in Minneapolis. Downtown Dogs, is for urbanites who work downtown, and don’t want their pet to be left long hours alone, www.downtowndogsminneapolis.com . Stone Mountain is in the suburbs, but they send a doggy taxi that picks up and delivers your pooch for boarding, training, grooming, www.stonemountainpetlodge.com. Now Boarding is near the airport, www.nowboarding.com,where not only can you board your canine, but schedule spa treatments while you are away. They are open 24/7, with a parking facility for $11 a day. You can drop your pet and your car, then hop a shuttle to catch your flight.

When it comes to pet care, there is a wide variety of pet clinics from traditional to holistic and chiropractic. Animals get out of joint too. For high maintenance pets, nothing compares to Lulu and Luigi, www.luluandluigi.com . Technically, it is in St. Louis Park, but it is a very short trot. This pet boutique features high end dog apparel, collars, leashes, snacks and even special order dog birthday cakes for owners with a sense of humor. The full service Grooming Pawlour will have even a mangy critter strutting in high style in no time.

The end of the tail is that we love our critters, urban dogs are a lifestyle. We take care of them so they can take care of us.

READY, SET, REHAB! Uptown Minneapolis Remodel

After a long, bitter winter of trudging through frigid vacant Minneapolis foreclosures, we found the jewel that investor’s dream about. It’s a stately 1906 duplex with almost 2400 square feet, in Uptown. The basement is a horror, original boiler and oil tank in a dank block foundation with leaky plumbing lines. But, it was at the right price, and is in a prime rental area just east of Lyndale and a short jog to Lake Calhoun.

The main floor unit has original wainscoting, built in buffet, fireplace with green ceramic surround and mantel, hardwood floors, pocket doors, and original millwork. There will be two bedrooms, and a sparkling new kitchen and bath.

The 2^nd floor was reconfigured from the original, and has a 3^rd level that is a separate living suite. There are really three bedrooms, two spacious living rooms, and two baths.

My buyer is a green rehabber. He conserves the best of the original architecure, and upgrades with green and recycled materials. There is freeze damage to plumbing, most of it needs replacing. The heating system and electric are being updated. The real excitement begins in restoring some of the original detail. There is laminate sheathing over lath and plaster walls in the main living room, it will be ripped out and walls repaired. Drop false ceilings are pulled out to reveal high and airy rooms. Natural wood floors on floors are being sanded and polyurethaned. Original leaded glass windows are preserved, but storms and screens will be changed out.

Smart investing is an art. This investor is a smart investor. He knows that there is a short window of opportunity, and prices are already on the rise. There are several critical factors to making the right investment. Timing is one. It’s always smart to be one of the few hardy souls weathering frozen basements without heat or electricity to get the best terms. Two, know your inventory and neighborhoods. If you don’t know a neighborhood, don’t take anyone’s word for it. Do your research and walk it during different times of the day. In a city like Minneapolis, two to four blocks can make a huge difference in values and accessibility. Three, is do your numbers. Work up a spreadsheet for all your costs that include purchase price, materials, labor, closing costs, carrying costs, so you have control of your budget. Make friends with a couple contractors that you trust to give you advice on what you can do yourself, and what is better left to professionals.

It is exciting to see a home restored to it’s former integrity with green improvements that reveal the charm and character that's been so long supressed by lack of care and maintenance. It’s also exciting that I can share the process with you. In the next blog I’ll share some of the plans to begin rehabbing, and a timeline. At the end, we’ll have an open house, and you’ll be invited. Stay tuned. Ready, set , rehab!