If only there were a system of grand, colorful lights for tracking residential real estate. Green for rising market, yellow for a transitional market and red for declining market. Let's see if we can try to determine today's market without the ease of well-known signals. Prices are bottoming and starting to rise. Buyer activity is showing year-over-year gains. Homes are selling faster and closer to list price. Multiple offers are becoming commonplace. Inventory levels are leaning toward the seller. Green means go.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending May 5:

• New Listings decreased 6.6% to 1,643
• Pending Sales increased 41.9% to 1,232
• Inventory decreased 28.3% to 17,579

For the month of April:

• Median Sales Price increased 12.1% to $162,500
• Days on Market decreased 15.1% to 135
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.6% to 93.4%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 43.1% to 4.7

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

Job growth, low mortgage rates, rising rents and a relatively inexpensive housing stock. These are just some of the playful teases in the burlesque revue that is today's market recovery. Another week passed with buyers displaying no signs of slowing down. In general, sellers are discovering a less-intimidating scene, and buyers are reveling in the showy marketplace. As expected, spring's warming glow continues to fuel optimism and consumer activity. But that won't necessarily be the case in every area or segment, so do your research before making that move.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending April 14:

• New Listings decreased 9.5% to 1,637
• Pending Sales increased 25.5% to 1,170
• Inventory decreased 27.8% to 17,384

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $149,900
• Days on Market decreased 9.6% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 92.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.0% to 4.7

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

Job growth, low mortgage rates, rising rents and a relatively inexpensive housing stock. These are just some of the playful teases in the burlesque revue that is today's market recovery. Another week passed with buyers displaying no signs of slowing down. In general, sellers are discovering a less-intimidating scene, and buyers are reveling in the showy marketplace. As expected, spring's warming glow continues to fuel optimism and consumer activity. But that won't necessarily be the case in every area or segment, so do your research before making that move.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending April 14:

• New Listings decreased 9.5% to 1,637
• Pending Sales increased 25.5% to 1,170
• Inventory decreased 27.8% to 17,384

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.1% to $149,900
• Days on Market decreased 9.6% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.8% to 92.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.0% to 4.7

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

The weekly scorecard showcases that home buyers were more active compared to the same week last year. Buyers have been taking advantage of an affordable market, but sellers in many areas have been lazing in the tall grass like lions as the herd moves past. Watch for a changing landscape this spring and summer. Even skeptical sellers are sensing a need to get back into the hunt.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 31:

• New Listings decreased 12.1% to 1,532
• Pending Sales increased 25.2% to 1,113
• Inventory decreased 27.2% to 17,274

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.4% to $149,000
• Days on Market decreased 10.0% to 144
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.7% to 92.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 39.2% to 4.6

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

The weekly scorecard showcases that home buyers were more active compared to the same week last year. Buyers have been taking advantage of an affordable market, but sellers in many areas have been lazing in the tall grass like lions as the herd moves past. Watch for a changing landscape this spring and summer. Even skeptical sellers are sensing a need to get back into the hunt.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 31:

• New Listings decreased 12.1% to 1,532
• Pending Sales increased 25.2% to 1,113
• Inventory decreased 27.2% to 17,274

For the month of March:

• Median Sales Price increased 6.4% to $149,000
• Days on Market decreased 10.0% to 144
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.7% to 92.1%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 39.2% to 4.6

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

The last time you were at the doctor, your vital signs were checked – heart rate, pulse, temperature and blood pressure. Progress was documented and valuable insights were gained, whether it was a routine visit or one of many checks during an extended hospital stay. The housing market has been in and out of intensive care for the past several years. Monitoring vitals matters, and that's what you'll find on the following pages. The pulse of today's market indicates that we may be getting ready to leave the ICU. So if you could just please pull up your sleeve, let's check your blood pressure.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 24:

• New Listings increased 2.2% to 1,414
• Pending Sales increased 30.2% to 1,052
• Inventory decreased 27.3% to 17,193

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price decreased 1.4% to $138,000
• Days on Market decreased 9.0% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.5% to 90.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 34.8% to 4.7

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

The last time you were at the doctor, your vital signs were checked – heart rate, pulse, temperature and blood pressure. Progress was documented and valuable insights were gained, whether it was a routine visit or one of many checks during an extended hospital stay. The housing market has been in and out of intensive care for the past several years. Monitoring vitals matters, and that's what you'll find on the following pages. The pulse of today's market indicates that we may be getting ready to leave the ICU. So if you could just please pull up your sleeve, let's check your blood pressure.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 24:

• New Listings increased 2.2% to 1,414
• Pending Sales increased 30.2% to 1,052
• Inventory decreased 27.3% to 17,193

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price decreased 1.4% to $138,000
• Days on Market decreased 9.0% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.5% to 90.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 34.8% to 4.7

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

S – Standardize — Maintain a high standard of organization by keeping everything clean and orderly at all times.

Maintaining organization in methods and procedures takes persistence. It is well worth it!

When a home, desk, garage, laundry room, kitchen, bath, closets and the like are clean AND orderly, there is an ‘ease’ about living. It clearly takes less time to find items and just about anyone can find the same item when each person puts things back in its own place.

Yes. It is a task learning this method ourselves and can be even more of a task to teach it to others within or home, however, when the process is in place – whala- life gets easier for all.

Remember – persistence is the key to making this work.

Good luck!

In another sign that the six-year long housing slump could be coming to an end, the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) reached 28. To put that in perspective, it went from above 70 in 2005 to below 10 in 2009. The HMI has not seen 28 since June 2007. This and other landmark data points are coalescing to signal calmer waters ahead. That's not to say you should expect double-digit annualized appreciation, but both buyers and sellers are displaying the sort of confidence that is fluttering through the rest of the economy.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 17:

• New Listings decreased 1.3% to 1,406
• Pending Sales increased 23.1% to 1,029
• Inventory decreased 27.5% to 17,088

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price decreased 1.4% to $138,000
• Days on Market decreased 9.0% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.5% to 90.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 35.2% to 4.

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

In another sign that the six-year long housing slump could be coming to an end, the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) reached 28. To put that in perspective, it went from above 70 in 2005 to below 10 in 2009. The HMI has not seen 28 since June 2007. This and other landmark data points are coalescing to signal calmer waters ahead. That's not to say you should expect double-digit annualized appreciation, but both buyers and sellers are displaying the sort of confidence that is fluttering through the rest of the economy.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 17:

• New Listings decreased 1.3% to 1,406
• Pending Sales increased 23.1% to 1,029
• Inventory decreased 27.5% to 17,088

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price decreased 1.4% to $138,000
• Days on Market decreased 9.0% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.5% to 90.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 35.2% to 4.

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

Buyer activity: up. Seller activity: down. That could soon change if sellers begin to increase their activity levels entering the spring market. They've understandably been a tad shy lately, but the changing landscape is starting to register with well-informed homeowners looking to move. Buyers have shown that they refuse to let one of the most attractive purchase environments pass them by. As activity revs up this spring, not all segments will benefit equally. Which is exactly why the numbers are so central to assessing both the breadth and depth of market recovery.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 10:

• New Listings decreased 0.3% to 1,450
• Pending Sales increased 20.9% to 995
• Inventory decreased 24.3% to 17,899

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price decreased 1.4% to $138,500
• Days on Market decreased 9.1% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.6% to 90.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 35.8% to 4.7

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

Buyer activity: up. Seller activity: down. That could soon change if sellers begin to increase their activity levels entering the spring market. They've understandably been a tad shy lately, but the changing landscape is starting to register with well-informed homeowners looking to move. Buyers have shown that they refuse to let one of the most attractive purchase environments pass them by. As activity revs up this spring, not all segments will benefit equally. Which is exactly why the numbers are so central to assessing both the breadth and depth of market recovery.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 10:

• New Listings decreased 0.3% to 1,450
• Pending Sales increased 20.9% to 995
• Inventory decreased 24.3% to 17,899

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price decreased 1.4% to $138,500
• Days on Market decreased 9.1% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.6% to 90.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 35.8% to 4.7

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

Step 3 of the 5S process is to make your home SHINE!

Inspect and clean your home thoroughly. We each do our basic cleaning of our home. This step goes a bit deeper; that detail cleaning that many refer to as “spring cleaning”. Dust everything. Clean everything. This cleaning includes things like – light fixtures, baseboards, closets, corners, storage spaces, refrigerators, stoves, ovens, utility room, garage. Yes – even the unfinished rooms in your home.

Aah. The feeling is exhilarating! The result – a clean home that SHINES!  

Enjoy this step! You will enjoy it and buyers looking at your home will most assuredly take notice!

The last six years or so have been tough on home prices, and even the most optimistic prognosticators say it will take another six years for median sales prices to approach the halcyon days of assured annual value increases for home sellers. Generations of stable home price increases gave way to a boom-and-bust cycle that would have made the Pets.com sock puppet blush. As we enter what should be an active spring market, our communities would do well to focus effort toward creating healthy, happy homes. With those in place, prices will rise again.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 3:

• New Listings decreased 23.2% to 1,402
• Pending Sales increased 29.7% to 940
• Inventory decreased 22.9% to 17,818

For the month of February:

• Median Sales Price decreased 1.1% to $138,500
• Days on Market decreased 9.0% to 145
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 2.6% to 90.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 36.5% to 4.6

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

Jason M. Semler HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PRESTIGIOUS CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST(CRS) DESIGNATION BY THE COUNCIL OF RESIDENTIAL SPECIALISTS, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors.

Realtors who receive the CRS Designation have completed advanced courses and have demonstrated professional expertise in the field of residential real estate. Fewer than 32,000 realtors nationwide have earned the credential.

Home buyers and sellers can be assured that CRS Designees subscribe to the strict realtor code of ethics, have access to the latest technology and are specialists in helping clients maximize profits and minimize costs when buying and selling a home.

Call Jason M. Semler at 612-282-8233 for all your real estate needs! You won’t be disappointed.

Local American made home builder, Semler Homes Inc. builds homes with integrity beyond compare! Pete’s attention to detail is, to say the least, impressive. Sit down and talk with Pete and he will tell you (well, you will have to ask) about the products and methods he uses in building your home that ensures a good, sound, comfortable home. Not only that, those same products and methods ensure that you will have less warranty issues, less squeaking and noises. He teaches you along the way of how to best maintain your home so that your investment stays at its best!
Semler Homes ” Where you get the quality you expect and deserve since 1981.”

2nd Step: 

S – Simplify — Arrange necessary items in a neat manner so they can be easily retrieved for use and returned after use.

This may seem like a rather silly statement to make, however, take notice as you are living in your home. Simplifying your home can be as easy as making sure linens are in or close to your bathroom, cooking utensils are in a drawer closest to your stove.

A deeper look into this Simplifying step is organizing each of these items in a neat manner. For example; Is your tupperware arranged by shape (containers and lids)? Are your tools arranged by type? Your clothes by season? Toys? Books? Movies?  The list can go on to every aspect of your life.

Another aspect of this Simplifying step is to make sure that how and where items are arranged is EASY to teach and maintain. This step will come later.

Simplify : Efficiency at it’s best!

The 1st step in the 5S process is to SORT.

S – Sort — Sort and discard items that are not needed in the home

When you are getting your home ready to sell, you will want to go through each room and SORT items. All items you want to keep and will use should be placed in a box to be moved. This box should also be labeled as to it’s general contents and to which room it will be directly placed when moving.

All items you no longer want or simply do not use should either be put in a box which is labeled to which charity it will be given or directly thrown into the garbage.

Remember, if you have a box for charity, bring it there when the box is full. 

This 1st step of SORTING will bring an ease to moving. You won’t be bringing things with you that you don’t want, only to store them again.

This 1st step of SORTING will bring  a feeling of accomplishment – because you HAVE accomplished the 1st step to cleaning and organizing your previous and new home ALL in one step!

So, now that you are done with one room, get on to the next. Continue with this process until you have gone through your entire home! Oh, it may be a little time consuming on the front end, but will save you MUCH time in the long run.

Happy SORTING.

See you next time for step # 2

The week left yet another trail of evidence leading back to a housing market on the mend. This time, the encouraging signs were even less clandestine. Nationally, both new and existing home sales enjoyed improvements. Even some December numbers were upwardly revised. New home sales have real and noticeable impacts on GDP, thus generating jobs and driving down unemployment. The overall bias for the entire U.S. is firmly toward balance. Locally, market activity was mostly positive. Spring will still be the major tell.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending February 18:

• New Listings decreased 7.1% to 1,256
• Pending Sales increased 28.6% to 899
• Inventory decreased 23.2% to 17,756

For the month of January:

• Median Sales Price decreased 3.4% to $140,000
• Days on Market decreased 8.5% to 142
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 3.4% to 91.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory decreased 34.6% to 4.7

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report.

From The Skinny.

Glad you asked!

5S is the beginning of a healthy, comfortable and productive life for you. When implemented successfully, 5S brings about amazing changes.

S – Sort — Sort and discard items that are not needed in the home

S – Simplify — Arrange necessary items in a neat manner so they can be easily retrieved for use and returned after use.

S- Shine – Clean and inspect the home thoroughly

S – Standardize — Maintain a high standard of organization by keeping everything clean and orderly at all times

S – Sustain — Train others to practice the 5S system so that it becomes habitual

Well, these are the basics. More to follow. Be sure to stayed tuned.