Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka County Acreage & Lakeshore Homes

This little pumpkin has escaped the garden and is growning up on the WRONG side of the fence with the ragweed that infests the nearby field this Ham Lake, MN backyard.

There are countless reasons people love the condominium community of Birch Ponds in New Brighton, Minnesota! It was difficult but I have narrowed down the list to just 10 amazing features.

10. Beautiful Pond. What a great place to take a walk, have a picnic or sit and relax. Residents with views of the pond from their balconies often consider this the best place to relax in the condo, while those without enjoy taking frequent strolls around the pond.

9. Professional Management. The association is professionally managed and works hard to keep the quality of service up while maintaining reasonable association fees.

8. Workshop. Be creative in the common hobby room/workshop that is located just off the garage in each building. And there is an assortment of tools available for resident use too.

7. Workout and Whirlpool. Keep fit by using the in building workout facilities. An assortment of workout equipment and free weights are located in the mini-gym of each building. Or just relax after a long day in the whirlpool.

6. Guest Suites. Most people do not have room to entertain out of town guests in their condo but this is not a problem at Birch Ponds. For a nominal daily fee, a guest of a resident can reserve and rent one of the guest suites that is located in either building.

5. Swimming Pool. Who doesn’t think an outdoor swimming pool looks incredibly inviting during the dog days of a Minnesota summer? Whether you enjoy sipping lemonade poolside or splashing with family and friends, having an outdoor pool at your disposal is a wonderful feature.

4. Underground Parking. Most units have at least one parking spot in the underground heated garage. And as a special bonus, both buildings offer a carwash stall allowing residents to have sparkling clean vehicles year round.

3. No Age Restrictions. This is not a senior only building though due to the amenities many of the residents are 55+. This makes Birch Ponds the perfect condo for anyone who wants a no-maintenance lifestyle!

2. Security. Key access to the building and unit and an intercom entry system is only just the start of the security that you will find at the Birch Pond complex. It is a friendly community of people that make a point to know their neighbors and keep a watchful eye on who is coming and going in the building for everyone’s safety and security.

1. Location, Location, Location. What a great area to live in! Birch Ponds is situated near the intersection of Silver Lake Rd and County Road E in New Brighton. Close to both 35 and 694 to access virtually any community in the Twin Cities within minutes! Plan on a quick commute to a theatrical evening at the Guthrie in downtown Minneapolis; or a action packed Minnesota Wild hockey game in downtown St. Paul. If shopping and traveling is more your style, Birch Ponds is just minutes from a shopping spree at the Mall of America and the Mpls/St Paul International airport!

Featured Birch Ponds Listing:

20 Windsor LN #310A, New Brighton, MN 55112

Click here to Take the Tour

Want to learn more about living in Birch Pond Condos?

20 Windsor LN NW #310A, New Brighton, MN

Open Sunday September 13 from 12-2PM!

Perfect size & Beautiful View! Priced to sell at $159,900

Wonderful third floor condo in secure and convenient Birch Pond Development!

Conveniently located just off Silver Lake Rd and County Rd E.

Huge formal living room area that opens to formal dining area and second bedroom.

Beautiful pond views from every window in the unit!

Eat-in Kitchen with newer appliances and an abundance of storage.

In-unit laundry room, washer and dryer also included!

Walking trails, swimming pool, workout room, workshop area, carwash, guest suite.

So many amenities are available to Birch Pond owners!

More Photos at www.terieckholm.com

For additional information on the home contact Teri Eckholm, REALTOR, RE/MAX Specialists at 651-336-7073.

Looking for a foreclosure, bank-owned or short sale but need to be able to live in the home immediately after closing?

Good news is that foreclosures are no longer always trashed, fixer-uppers. Today's foreclosures can be simply AWESOME! This economy has forced builders and responsible homeowners alike to let amazing properties go back to the bank. Many are still in pristine condition. Some still may require a bit of cleanup or a few cosmetic changes but there are many in move in condition too.Here are a few of the treasures I noted while perusing theTwin Cities MLS in Washington County today:

• 4+Acres in Lake Elmo. Beautiful acreage 2002 built two story 4BR/4BA/3Car home with over 3800 square feet of finished living space. Tax value $699K; bank priced $200K less
• Lakeshore Beauty!! Almost 4700 sq ft finished, 6BR, 2 story with bank of windows to view Forest Lake. Previously listed at 700K, bank listed for under $460K.
• Brick Rambler on 5 Acres Near Afton Alps! 5BR/3BA/3 car built in 2003 with picture perfect oak floors and huge master suite. 4000+ finished. Originally listed at $624K but foreclosure priced at $349K!
• BRAND NEW 4BR/3BA townhome with vaulted ceilings in Forest Lake. Stainless appliances, cherry cabinets, master suite and more! Tax valued at for $262K...Bank asking $200K.
• 2Story Oakdale New Construction Beauty! 5BR/4BA with 3 car built in 2007 with granite, stainless, 4 BR on one level and more. Builder asking price $600K but bank asking $424K.

If you are in the market for a great deal on a foreclosed home, time to get organized because the rules to buy are a bit different than when working with a traditional seller.

Seven Tips for homebuyers considering a foreclosed home:

1. Banks LOVE clean offers. Buyers MUST be preapproved with credit checked and employment and funds verified. Documentation must accompany the offer or it won't be considered.
   
2. Banks reject lowball offers...often with no negotiation. They are a business and know the value of the asset they are selling.
   
3. Well priced foreclosed homes get multiple offers. Serious buyers put in their best bid first.
   
4. Banks sell homes AS-IS. What you see is what you get. Buyers must be prepared to make all necessary repairs out of their own pocket after closing.
   
5. Banks will not pay for inspections in most cases. This includes the septic system and/or well. Be prepared as all inspections could end up being the buyer's responsibility. If you chose to inspect the septic or the county requires a septic compliance test, expect to pay $400-$500 for this inspection. A well test will run around $150. A whole house inspection is $350-$500.
   
6. Personal property is not included as part of the sale. So if the appliances are at the home when you close, they are a bonus. The bank will not remove. But they don't guarantee will remain at the home or that they are in working order. This means if someone breaks in the home prior to the closing and takes them, the bank will not replace.
   
7. Having your own REALTOR® to represent your interests is essential. The listing agent is under contract to represent the bank. In many cases, the bank will not allow a dual agency so if a buyer contacts the listing agent to write the offer, the buyer does not have representation. This means all of your information goes to the bank...the listing agent is required to tell the bank everything that you say about your financing and the amount you are able or willing to pay. But the agent is not required to tell you anything in return. The agent works only for the bank.

Are YOU ready to get a GREAT DEAL on a foreclosed home? Let me be your professional REALTOR®!

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

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

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We can always tell when the apples on the tree in our Ham Lake backyard are ready to eat as the white-tailed deer come out of the woods and start picking them off the branches. These were a bit out of reach for the doe and fawn that were in our yard so they were ours!

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/

******************************************************************************************************

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

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