Spring Wildlife in Anoka County Comes in all Shapes and Sizes!

Though this morning started out below zero, next week's forecast says SPRING! 

Yup, the weather men and women are predicting temps in the forty's and maybe even fifties! Green grass and budding flowers will not be far behind.

Every spring seems to bring some new critter to our Ham Lake backyard.  We live on small acreage near Coon Lake so animals are always wandering around our neighborhood. One year it was a newborn fawn and another year there was an opossum hanging on a tree.  We often have rafter of wild turkeys wandering through the backyard (yes, rafter IS the technically name for group of turkeys). And there was that momma bear with her cubs that got into our in the bird feeder a few years back. 
Whatever our spring adventure will hold, bring it on! I for one will be glad to say goodbye to the snow and cold for another year.
If you are looking for a home on acreage in Anoka, Chisago or Washington County (or even if you prefer a smaller backyard), I'd love to help! Click here to request a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide.

READY TO MAKE A MOVE? Let me be your professional guide. If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of Boardman Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. 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 2015 www.terieckholm.com

6 Spring Home Maintenance Tips for your Honey-Do List!

Yesterday was the warmest Minnesota day so far in 2014. In fact, it was the warmest day since mid-October of last year! It finally feels like spring is here. Soon many homeowners in the Minneapolis/St Paul metro will be starting "honey-do" list of spring projects. Keeping your home in tiptop shape is essential in maintaining your property’s value. Even if you don’t intend to sell your home this summer, there are a few essential things to check, repair and or replace after a long winter.
 

As a Minnesota REALTOR®, I see often see homes that have not been properly cared for. Throughout Anoka County, Chisago County and northern Washington County, the areas where I work extensively, I have seen houses with interior ceiling damage from leaking roofs, severely cracked driveways and worn out decks that are frankly too scary to stand on.

Surprisingly, some of these properties are not foreclosures or distressed sales. Some sellers just don’t want to make repairs prior to selling for a homebuyer’s benefit. But since they deferred all the maintenance for several years, they are faced with having to make thousands of dollars in repairs in order to sell for top dollar. Not making the repairs means being priced to compete directly with distressed properties selling at thousands less. Neither choice is appealing to a home seller.

With hindsight being 20/20, many of these property wish they could turn back time and keep the home in better condition all along and enjoy the benefits of a well maintained home. There is less sticker-shock if  you assess your property on an annual basis and make necessary repairs as required rather than all at one time just prior to selling.

Here are 6 spring maintenance tips that will not only beautify your home, but also aid in retaining your home’s value for years to come:
 
Roof—Walk around the exterior of your home with binoculars if necessary and check for any missing shingles that may have been blown off during a winter storm. If any shingles are missing or you see other concerns such as curling or broken corners, bring in a contractor to assess the situation. Make repairs promptly to avoid water damage to the interior of your home.

Siding—Power wash debris buildup from vinyl or aluminum siding. Buildup can stain siding overtime. Be thoughtful of where you place your sprinklers and BBQ grill. Iron rich water can cause staining and a hot grill near vinyl siding will cause it to melt.

Deck—Check for any settling or worn boards on your deck. Pay special attention to any steps as damage often occurs in the corners where wet debris can collect and rot the wood. If the supports of your deck appear to be pulling away from the home or if the boards are weather-worn, have it reviewed by a professional before that first summer barbeque.

Paint & Stain—Did the harsh winter sleet, snow and ice cause the paint or stain on your siding, trim or deck to start to peel? Make repairs promptly to minimize damage to wood below.

Gutters—Gutters filled with leaves? Take the time to clean out to prevent water backups. Keeping water away from the foundation is the best way to keep water out of your basement. If your gutters are clogged, they cannot do the job and the rains will pour right over the clogged-gutter’s edge near the walls of your home. Consider adding screens or guards to prevent leave buildup in the future.

Driveway—This past year’s brutal winter with its deep was especially tough on roads throughout the metro. Your asphalt driveway might have taken a beating too. Cracks and holes need to be filled or they will get worse. It is recommended that blacktop driveways also be seal-coated every 2 years and possibly more often if located in an open area with long term sun exposure.

 
Copyright 2014 www.terieckholm.com

6 Essential Spring Repairs to get YOUR Minnesota Home Ready to SELL!

It is hard to miss the media reports this spring that REAL ESTATE is back in the Minneapolis/St Paul area!  This good news has many Minnesota homeowners thinking about selling. If you will be listing your home on the market this spring, it will take some preparation and repairs.Even though we seem to be in a never-ending winter this April, it may be time to make the "honey-do" list of spring projects. 

Keeping your home in optimal condition is essential in maintaining property value. Whether you plan to sell your home this summer or not, there are a few essential things to check, repair and or replace after every Minnesota winter. As a REALTOR®, I often have to show properties that have not been properly cared for. Throughout Anoka County, Chisago County and northern Washington County, the areas where I work extensively, I have seen houses with interior ceiling damage from leaking roofs,  cracked driveways and unmaintained decks that can be downright scary to walk on.
Surprisingly, these are not all foreclosure homes. While I understand it can be frustrating to have to make repairs just prior to selling your home, not making the repairs means being priced to compete directly with foreclosure homes for thousands less.
If repairs had been made in a timely manner and the home properly maintained, this expenditures before selling might have been avoided. 

With hindsight being 20/20, I often hear sellers lament about how they wish they had chosen to keep the home in better condition all along and had more of an opportunity to enjoy the benefit of a well maintained home. It is much more beneficial and cost effective to assess your property for required repairs on an annual basis than to be hit with everything at one time when you sell.
Here are 6 spring maintenance tips that will not only beautify your home, but also aid in retaining your home’s value for years to come:

Roof—Walk around the exterior of your home with binoculars if necessary and check for any missing shingles that may have been blown off during a winter storm. If any are missing or you see other concerns, bring in a contractor to assess the damage and make repairs before you have water damage on the interior of your home.
Siding—Power wash debris buildup from vinyl or aluminum siding. Buildup can stain siding overtime.

Deck Settling—Check for any settling or worn boards on your deck especially if it is several feet off of the ground. If the supports of your deck appear to be pulling away from the home or if the boards are weather-worn, have it reviewed by a professional before that first summer barbeque.

Paint and Stain—Did the harsh winter sleet, snow and ice cause the paint or stain on your siding, trim or deck to start to peel? Now is the time to assess the damage.

Gutters—Gutters filled with leaves? Take the time to clean out to prevent water backups. Keeping water away from the foundation is the best way to keep water out of your basement. If your gutters are clogged, they cannot do the job and the rains will pour right over the clogged-gutter’s edge near the walls of your home. Consider adding screens or guards to prevent leave buildup in the future.

Driveway—The winter’s freeze and thaw cycle can do damage to an asphalt driveway. Cracks need to be filled or they will get worse. It is recommended that blacktop driveways also be seal-coated every 2 years when there in an open area with extreme sun exposure to extend the life of the driveway.
  
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Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

Essential Spring Repairs Optimize Minnesota Home Values

Spring Repairs to Maintain Home Values in Minnesota

A few weeks ago, annual property tax notices reach the mailboxes of many Anoka County and Washington County homeowners. Assessors processed this information based on last year's sales and assessments so while the real estate market is picking up, many home assessed values continued to decrease. The county assessor will often review a home from the exterior and make a value determination. 

So as spring has sprung, it's time for Minnesota homeowners start thinking it's time for the "honey-do" list of spring projects. 

Keeping your home in tiptop shape is essential in optimizing your property’s assessed and market value. Even if you don’t intend to sell your home this summer, there are a few essential things to check, repair and or replace after ever Minnesota winter. As REALTOR® in the north and east Twin Cities metro, I see many properties that have not been properly cared for. Throughout Anoka County, Chisago County and northern Washington County, the areas where I work extensively, I have seen houses with interior ceiling damage from leaking roofs, potholed, cracked driveways and decks that are downright scary to walk on.
 
Surprisingly, these are not all foreclosure homes. It is frustrating to have to make repairs just prior to selling your home. Some traditional sellers who chose to sell in recovering real estate market and are frustrated as they often will have to make thousands of dollars in repairs in order to sell due to lack of maintenance--or make a drastic price concession to a buyer. Not making the repairs means pricing your home to compete directly with foreclosure homes. Offers on under-maintained homes come in at thousands less than expected--If they get offers at all. Neither choice is appealing to sellers when values are depressed.

I have often heard a seller wish they had chosen to keep the home in better condition over the last decade so they could have enjoyed the benefit of a well maintained home. It is much more beneficial and cost effective to assess your property on an annual basis and make repairs as necessary.

Here are 6 spring maintenance tips that will not only beautify your home, but also aid in retaining your home’s value for years to come:

1. Roof—Walk around the exterior of your home with binoculars and check for any missing or curling shingles. Shingles on roofs can be blown off in severe winter weather. If any are missing or you see other concerns such as curling or partial shingles, bring in a contractor to assess the damage and make repairs before you have water damage on the interior of your home.
2. Siding—Power wash debris buildup from vinyl or aluminum siding. Buildup can stain siding overtime. 
3. Deck Settling—Check for any settling or worn boards on your deck especially if it is several feet off of the ground. If the supports of your deck appear to be pulling away from the home or if the boards are weather-worn, have it reviewed by a professional before that first summer barbeque. 
4. Paint  & Stain—Did the harsh winter sleet, snow and ice cause the paint or stain on your siding, trim or deck to start to peel? Now is the time to assess the damage.
5.  Gutters—Gutters filled with leaves? Take the time to clean out to prevent water backups. Keeping water away from the foundation is the best way to keep water out of your basement. If your gutters are clogged, they cannot do the job and the rains will pour right over the clogged-gutter’s edge near the walls of your home. Consider adding screens or guards to prevent leave buildup in the future. 
6. Driveway—The winter’s freeze and thaw cycle can do damage to an asphalt driveway. Cracks need to be filled or they will get worse. It is recommended that blacktop driveways also be seal-coated every 2 years. If the driveway has long term exposure to extreme sunlight, seal coating might be recommended on an annual basis to extend the life of your driveway.

Copyright 2012 Teri Eckholm 

Six Essential Spring Exterior Repairs to Maintain the Value of Your Minnesota Home

As the spring real estate market starts to heat up a bit due to excitement over the $8000 first time home buyer credit, many Minnesota homeowners start thinking it's time for the "honey-do" list of spring projects. Keeping your home in tiptop shape is essential in maintaining your property’s value. Even if you don’t intend to sell your home this summer, there are a few essential things to check, repair and or replace after ever Minnesota winter. As a Minnesota Realtor, I see many properties that have not been properly cared for. Throughout Anoka County, Chisago County and northern Washington County, the areas where I work extensively, I have seen houses with interior ceiling damage from leaking roofs, potholed, cracked driveways and decks that are downright scary to walk on.
Surprisingly, these are not all foreclosure homes. It is frustrating to have to make repairs just prior to selling your home. Some traditional sellers are faced with having to sell in this slower market and are frustrated in having to make thousands of dollars in repairs in order to sell due to lack of maintenance. Not making the repairs means being priced to compete directly with foreclosure homes at thousands less than expected. Neither choice is appealing to sellers when values are depressed.

With hindsight being 20/20, many of these sellers lament about how they wish they had chosen to keep the home in better condition all along so they could have enjoyed the benefit of a well maintained home. It is much more beneficial and cost effective to assess your property on an annual basis and make repairs as necessary.

Here are 6 spring maintenance tips that will not only beautify your home, but also aid in retaining your home’s value for years to come:
Roof—Walk around the exterior of your home with binoculars if necessary and check for any missing shingles that may have been blown off during a winter storm. If any are missing or you see other concerns, bring in a contractor to assess the damage and make repairs before you have water damage on the interior of your home.
Siding—Power wash debris buildup from vinyl or aluminum siding. Buildup can stain siding overtime.
Deck Settling—Check for any settling or worn boards on your deck especially if it is several feet off of the ground. If the supports of your deck appear to be pulling away from the home or if the boards are weather-worn, have it reviewed by a professional before that first summer barbeque.

Paint & Stain—Did the harsh winter sleet, snow and ice cause the paint or stain on your siding, trim or deck to start to peel? Now is the time to assess the damage.
Gutters—Gutters filled with leaves? Take the time to clean out to prevent water backups. Keeping water away from the foundation is the best way to keep water out of your basement. If your gutters are clogged, they cannot do the job and the rains will pour right over the clogged-gutter’s edge near the walls of your home. Consider adding screens or guards to prevent leave buildup in the future.
Driveway—The winter’s freeze and thaw cycle can do damage to an asphalt driveway. Cracks need to be filled or they will get worse. It is recommended that blacktop driveways also be seal-coated every 2 years when there in an open area with extreme sun exposure to extend the life of the driveway.

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