Blake's Blog
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- 2026 | 49 Posts
- 2025 | 52 Posts
- 2024 | 47 Posts
- 2023 | 45 Posts
- 2022 | 50 Posts
- 2021 | 54 Posts
- 2020 | 49 Posts
- 2019 | 39 Posts
- 2018 | 30 Posts
26
Should You Sell Before You Buy Your Next Home?
Consider the timing dilemma faced by so many Twin Cities homeowners. Your house may sell within a week, but finding the right new place could take a year. That is why the sell-first or buy-first debate deserves careful thought. If you're shopping in Glenwood homes for sale or Maple Grove homes for sale, the answer has to be informed by your finances, your timeline, and the market in the area where you're buying right now.
19
What Buyers Mean When They Say a Home Feels Dated
A buyer touring a 1978 split-level notices the brass fixtures, wall-to-wall carpeting, and kitchen cabinets that have been there for decades. Nothing is necessarily wrong with the house. It just looks like the owners haven't changed much since moving in.
You'll see examples of this when browsing homes for sale in Detroit Lakes or Edina. Some older properties have aged beautifully. Others have perfectly functional features that buyers would probably change after moving in. Sellers need to know the difference before deciding where to...
12
Independent Bookstores and Cozy Reading Spots for Fall Days
Working on your reading list for the upcoming winter months? Our real estate agents stock up their home libraries at these wonderful independent bookstores around the Twin Cities.
Which Twin Cities Bookstores Should You Visit?
Whether you're searching for a specific title, exploring new authors, or looking for a local literary event, these bookstores have plenty to offer.
- Best for Indigenous literature and art: Birchbark Books & Native Arts, featuring books and artwork celebrating Native cultures.
- Best for tracking down a specific title: Moon Palace Books, with online inventory information...
5
Cozy Twin Cities Coffee Shops to Visit This Fall
Whether you want a meet-up with friends or some quality time with a good book, a coffee shop near Minneapolis homes for sale or St. Paul homes for sale is always the right choice. Our real estate agents share their favorite local coffee shops
28
Preparing Outdoor Spaces for Cooler Weather
Shorter evenings and cooler mornings sneak up on the Twin Cities before anyone realizes it. As you review Brainerd homes for sale or Coon Rapids homes for sale, a well-maintained yard is one of the first features buyers notice early in the season.
Why Early Prep Pays Off
Minnesota's seasons are fickle, and what may start as chilly fall mornings can turn into pun...