I’ve been to about half of the cities on the list. I like all of them (excluding one). The cities on the list are larger, small-cities that have retained much of their culture and older character, while embracing a positive approach toward developing a local and national business culture.

I know from my own buyer’s, as well as the feedback from many other agents, as well as looking at the market (agent access to MLS data, along with the large amount of showings I do), that our market is in serious need of good listings.

There are still quite a few listings on the market which have not yet sold, but this is usually a pricing, presentation and marketing issue.

The fact is, our local inventory is down, significantly, over the past year, and there are plenty of buyers locked and loaded at our great rates, waiting for the right home.

My advice to those with a good home: put it on the market this spring. If it is priced moderately well, is dialed-in (needs very little work) and it is marketed right, I firmly believe it will sell quite successfully.

Yesterday, I received a text from a friend of mine who lives in Linden Hills who told me one of my bus-bench ads ‘grew a beard…Chuck Norris-style’ – I laughed and assumed it was the typical black-marker beard job, and thus called my sales rep at US Bench. He said ‘no problem’.

Well, last eve when I took my kids to Dairy Queen on 50th, I decided to drive by the 49 1/2 and France bus-bench to see what I would look  like with a beard. What I did not realize was that my friend meant ‘Chuck Norris-style’ quite literally.

Somebody actually took the time to print-out Chuck’s head – to-scale – and put it on my body, with a very permanent adhesive/glue.

I’ve gotten quite a few calls/emails/texts since yesterday. This has been good for quite a few laughs. Not too bad. Once my rep at US Bench found out the permanence of this one, (understandably) he was not too happy.

I listed this one last Thursday, and we had showings around the clock. The couple who stepped forward and bought this home from my client, picked up one pretty-penny. This home is certainly one of my favorite listings in terms of location, style and quality.

Trehus builders completed this renovation in 2002, while consulting with the American Bungalow society throughout the entire process. All of the details are from the original era, even down to the paint-colors. However, what makes this home different are a few items: updated mechanically and electrically, a front porch as well as a 3-season, screened-in porch off the back, a full-sized 2-stall garage, an integrated stereo system throughout the entire home (with individual room controls) and a high-end movie theater in the lower-level.

The master-suite is a one of a kind, with a dedicated master bathroom, as well as a large, walk-in closet.

For more information, photos and a video tour, please click here: http://zebhaney.edinarealty.com/MN/Minneapolis/55410/homes-for-sale/4545-York-Avenue-S-48113644

Just listed: This wonderful, 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 3-stall (heated) garage is listed in Farmington. This home is priced competitively at $219,900. It is a corner lot, with very nice views of the community pond and fir-trees from the back deck. 19298 Evening star way has a nice open floor-plan, vaulted ceilings on the main floor, a 3-point (optimal design) kitchen with a center island, a walkout deck and a nice contemporary,  exterior design with low-maintenance siding. To view the full property description, see additional photos and take the video tour, click here.

This home is turn-key and ready to go.