OPEN HOUSE Sunday February 28 1-3 BIRCH PONDS CONDOS--An Awesome Place to call HOME!

Spring is right around the corner! If you are planning to move as soon as the snow melts, you'd better hurry. There are only a few units still available in the Birch Pond Condominum community. Sunday I will be hosting an open house at 20 Windsor Lane and featuring a wonderful 3rd floor unit that has an awesome pond view! It is a wonderful spotless unit with 2 Bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms at a reduced price of $144,900! The home has an eat-in kitchen, formal dining area, huge livingroom, in unit laundry, and a screened/glassed in balcony.

OPEN House Sunday February 28 from 1-3PM

20 Windsor Lane #310A, New Brighton.

Hosted by Teri Eckholm RE/MAX Specialists

651-336-7073

For your convenience, additional Birch Pond condos will be open to view in 10 Windsor Lane during this same time period.

Not sure if you can attend the open house for 20 Windsor Lane #310A? Take a virtual tour NOW Clicking HERE!

Though there are countless reasons people love to call the condominium community of Birch Ponds home. Here is a list of my ten favorites.

Top Ten Reasons People ♥ ♥ ♥ Birch Ponds in New Brighton Minnesota!

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!



Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm 

It’s Springtime! Our Sunglasses are on! We have a Full Tank of Gas! Let’s Go House Shopping!

It’s almost springtime and you are getting that bug. You know that little feeling that tells you that this is the year to buy a new home.

Interest rates are low. There is a great selection of new and existing homes. And frankly, you are just tired of renting!

So how do you go about finding a home? Most people start on the internet. If you are reading this, it is a good bet that you started with an online search. But after spending days, weeks and months online, now its time to venture outdoors and see some houses.

So on a perfect winter Sunday, you start driving by some of the properties that were presented so beautifully on the computer screen. You see the real estate signs and the open house arrows, you drive slowly up to the home but the car won't stop. You are frozen with questions.

What will you say to the agent in the home?

What do you do?

Relax. You are not alone. Many first time home buyers panic outside of an open house because the are unsure of what will be expected of them after they walk through the door. Heck, some aren’t sure before they step over the threshold whether or not to ring the doorbell or just walk in. So you are in very good company.

Here’s a few quick tips for getting the most out of attending real estate open houses.

1. Get out of the car! Sounds so simple but you can tell more about the home from the inside of the house than the inside of your car.


2. Walk right in! If you feel self conscious, ring the doorbell for fun first. That way you can be certain it works.


3. If the agent doesn’t say “Hello”, say it first. Let them know you are just checking out the place.


4. Take a look around. Check out every room, closets, basements, attics and ask the agent questions about the home.


5. While you are checking out the house, check out the agent. Size up the person to see if he or she is someone that you would want to represent you in the purchase of your home.
   

Here’s the thing, the first home you visit may or may not be the perfect home for you. Heck, probably not even the second or third one will have that "IT" factor for you.

But stopping in open houses gives you a unique opportunity to size up Realtors to see if there is one that you would want to work with. If you take a Sunday and go to 6-7 open houses, you will meet 6-7 different agents. Some you will like; some you will hate; and one you will downright love to work with.

When you connect with one, sign that buyers’ representation agreement, visit with a loan officer for pre-approval for a loan, and then have them show you everything home on your short list. Not all home owners allow open houses. Working with one agent will save you time and frustration and allow you to see all of the homes you have on your short list in one day.

So what are you waiting for? Get in the car and get out there. Your perfect home and Realtor awaits!

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Looking for a great open house for this Sunday in the Twin Cities North Metro?

Open House 20685 Georgia Ave Forest Lake, Sunday February 17 from 1-3 PM

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. 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.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

January Thaw Brings Out Home Buyers in the Twin Cities North Metro—Is Real Estate Making a Comeback?

With the Minnesota Vikings out of the playoffs, Sundays are once again a good opportunity to sell real estate. At my first open house of the year yesterday, I wasn’t able to sit down for a minute and read a chapter in the great novel I had brought with me. As soon as the sign was placed on the snow bank at the end of the drive, buyers started coming through the door.

What?!! Buyers???

On NBC's Today Show this morning, a real estate expert implied that there are no homebuyers to be found. Well that so called expert wasn’t in Forest Lake, Minnesota yesterday. The beautiful sunny day and well priced split level brought out several interested parties.

First time buyers

Move up Buyers

Empty Nesters

Sure some could have been tire-kickers, killing time on a Sunday afternoon. But it is my expert real estate opinion that most were seriously considering making a move. Will any of them write an offer on that particular house? Possibly, but that is not the point. The good news is I believe almost everyone I spoke with yesterday will be making a move this year! It is exciting to see the market charging up for a great 2008!

People, NOW is a great time to move!

Sellers, NOW is the time to start getting your home ready for the spring market. Ignore the naysayers! It is time become educated on how to get your home priced and prepared properly to be sold quickly. A quickie, internet market estimate for pricing just won’t do. Call a real estate expert in your market to pave the way to your new home.

As an expert in the northern Twin Cities suburbs, I have been successfully listing and selling homes throughout Anoka, Washington and Chisago Counties last year. I know what it takes to get a home sold in this changed market. My list to sold ratio was 71% last year—Yep, I sold 5 out of 7 homes I listed in 2007!

Buyers, NOW is the time to write that offer. With so many wonderful homes on the market, you really have a chance to be selective. But don’t wait too long as more buyers are getting that spring buying fever, homes will start disappearing from the active MLS and go into pending sales. It happens every year whether we are in a slower market or not, spring fever and the real estate market go hand-in-hand in Minnesota.

Buyers get educated and sign a buyer's representation agreement! Yesterday almost all of the buyers that came into my open house were not represented by a Realtor. I had the opportunity to educate several people on why having a Realtor working for you does not cost anything and can actually SAVE money.

Don't let the media dictate whether you make a move in 2008 or not. Team up with a good Realtor and make 2008 the year that your housing dreams come true!

Additional Articles for Home Sellers:
Top 10 Ideas to Get Your Home Ready to SELL!
Open Houses—Do they Work in a Buyer’s Market?
What is your Realtor’s List-to-sales Ratio?
Is the "Busy Road Factor" Affecting the Sale of Your Listing?

Additional Articles for Home Buyers:
Rent VS Buy? It's Time to Revisit the Question!
Real Estate Agent Selection Primer—How to Choose to the Right Realtor for You!
First Time Buyers: Helping Define YOUR Dream
Dreaming of life on MN Acreage? What YOU need to know Before You Make Your Move!

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If the January thaw gave you a bit of spring moving fever and you need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation 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.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/