Thomas Simonsen Blog

Did you know you can experience Germany's annual Oktoberfest without ever leaving the Twin Cities? Minneapolis and Saint Paul throw huge Oktoberfest celebrations each year, giving the North Star State residents a truly delicious taste of German tradition. This yearly celebration in Munich runs between September 21 and October 5, but Minnesotan pub owners like to start the party a little earlier. Our real estate agents love Oktoberfest — if you visit one of these five hot spots throughout September and October, we're sure you will too!

1. St. Paul Oktoberfest — 900 7th St. W., St. Paul, MN 55102 | Sept 13 — 14
   The St. Paul Oktoberfest at the Schmidt Brewery is one of the best Oktoberfest celebrations you can attend in the Twin Cities. Produced by the Germanic-American Institute, this authentic festival imports beer directly from Germany and serves up amazing German cuisine. Celebrate German heritage and culture with the ultimate tent experience — The Kaiser's Festzelt which is an all-inclusive ticket that gives you the royal treatment. Located on Schmidt Artist Lofts near Saint Paul homes for sale, this is one Oktoberfest experience you just can't miss!

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First impressions can make or break your chances of selling your home this fall.  Fall is an excellent time to give the outside of your home a makeover.  Our Minnesota REALTORS® have years of experience helping homeowners just like you prepare their homes for the local real estate market.  Here are six secrets from our local real estate pros to prepare your property for the selling season ahead:

1. Plant Fall Flowers
   Fall flowers are the perfect way to bring beauty to your lawn while adding color to your yard.  Trade those hydrangeas, marigolds, and petunias for a more suitable cool weather option like mums, asters, or even red spider lily. For an additional splash of color, consider planting flowers in hanging baskets to display on your porch and bring in more of that fall-weather feel.

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Who doesn't love a delicious farm-to-table meal? Our real estate agents sure do! The Twin Cities are definitely a foodie paradise. With so many amazing eateries on both sides of the Mississippi, you could dine out every night of the week and still spend years trying to taste them all! We love meals made from the freshest local ingredients and want to share a few of our favorite restaurants with you. Here are six favorite farm-to-table spots around Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

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You may consider your Twin Cities home to be priceless, but in reality, a number of specific factors affect market value. While some are out of your control, there are proactive ways to make your home more attractive to buyers. Our real estate agents review five significant elements impacting your home's potential selling price.

1. Neighborhood
   "Location, location, location" is the classic real estate mantra. Sometimes the location is relative, such as the distance of your work commute, but as it applies to home prices, the term "location" is more universal. Proximity to quality schools, plentiful job opportunities, and entertainment and cultural amenities provides a major boost to a home's value. "Comps," the selling price of recently sold homes in your neighborhood, provide a ballpark figure as to what you might expect to get for your home.
   
   

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Clear the Clutter on National Garage Sale Day

Break out the bargain bins and tidy up the knickknack tables — National Garage Sale Day is August 10th! Our real estate agents encourage you to invite your thrifty friends and family members to celebrate National Garage Sale Day in the Twin Cities. This is also the perfect time for you to host a sale before your big move.

Moving from house to house can feel like a hassle, especially when you stop and wonder if certain items need to follow you to your new home. Instead of spending the time, money, and energy boxing up these things and letting them clutter up your new space,...

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