Como Park, St. Paul is one of the nicest areas in the Twin Cities.  Como Park’s home value has continued to hold strong as well over the past year.  Homes range from $27,900 to $449,00.  Here is a quick snapshot of what is available in Como Park and what is Pending:

If you are thinking about buying or selling in Como Park - Please give me a call, 651-468-9099.  No agent or team sold more homes in Como Park than The Hartmann Korby Team last year.  We are area experts and will get you the best deal in Como Park.

Click here to search Como Homes Online

Monday February 16th from 9-4 bring your kids to the Como Park Zoo and spend the day learning about the Como Park Zoo animals through interactive, enjoyable games.  If you would like to learn more about the animals at the Como Park Zoo click here.  Examples of some of the activities your kids will be doing are:

• Teaming up like a Wolf pack
• Pouncing with Cat like reflexes
• Going the distance like migrating Birds
• Como Park Zoo scavenger hunt like Eagle eye precision

If you would to register for this event - click here to go to the Como Park Zoo website.

Valentine’s day is quickly approaching - Do you have plans?  You can enjoy an enchanted evening at the Como Conservatory:

An Enchanted Evening

A Valentine’s Day Dinning Experience

Saturday, February 14

This Valentine’s Day, don’t just give your sweetheart flowers; take them where they can dine amongst them. Candle-lit tables of two will line the North Garden, Palm Dome and Sunken Garden of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory.

It’s a rare opportunity to be seated in one of the Conservatory’s gardens, with candle light bouncing on the long, sleek windows with dancing shadows cast by the lush vegetation of the North Garden and Palm Dome. The color and scents of the Winter Flower Show transforms you to a picturesque warm summer day of a flower garden. Before dinner, enjoy a glass of wine and stroll through the new Tropical Encounters exhibit and meet an animal visitor.

While enjoying strolling musicians, Lancer Catering will serve a double entrée, gourmet dinner that includes:

SALAD
Curly Spinach, Strawberry, Hearts of Palm, Shaved Red Onion and Sugared Walnuts with Honey Tangerine Vinaigrette

Freshly Baked Bread Offered with Sweet Butter

ENTREE
Fire Grilled Filet Mignon of Beef, Crimini Mushroom Tourne and Brandy Pan Sauce
and
Lobster Americaine - Maine Lobster Simmered with Vermouth, Mushrooms,
Fresh Herbs, Tomato and Cream in a Buttery Pastry Voul a Vent
Roasted Fresh Market Vegetables

VEGETARIAN OFFERING
Pappardelle Pasta with Crimini Mushrooms, Asparagus and Pine Nuts in
a Creamy Three Cheese Sauce with Shaved Parmesan
and
Fire Grilled Carrot Stack with Garlic Spinach and Balsamic Reduction

DESSERT
Triple Chocolate Pave - Layers of White and Dark Chocolate Genoise with Decadent
Mousse and Chocolate Ganache with Raspberry Chambord Puree
Garnished with a Sweet Strawberry in a Chocolate Jacket

Complimentary glass of wine and coffee
An Enchanted Evening is Saturday, February 14 at 7:00pm or 9:30pm at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul.

The cost for this all inclusive event is $165 per couple.

For Reservations, please call 651-487-8250.

courtesy of http://www.comozooconservatory.org/cons/ValentineDinner.shtml

With economy moving a continuous downward spiral, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke pleaded with lawmakers to approve a bill for $700 Billion dollars to dispose of “toxic” assets from financial institutes (sub prime mortgages).  The basis behind this bill is to do what is called a reverse auction to purchase the toxic assets from major lending institutes.  The mortgages are purchased in bundles (ex. 1,000’s of mortgages packaged together).  According to Jim Cramer interview, the host of Mad Money, the mortgages purchased this way would be considered assets.  With the packages maybe only 10% on non-performing loans, leaving 90% performing and viable.

With taking the financial hardship off the lending institutions from the non-performing assets, the lenders are now able to free up capital to lend more money.  The thought behind this would be in turn to help stimulate the economy.  With the government now in control of the sub prime mortgages, they can now renegotiate the terms of the loans to make them affordable and performing.

What will this do to the real estate market place?

1. I have heard that it may help curtail the foreclosure/REO marketplace.  With the spiral effect of slowing the foreclosure entering the market place, home prices may then finally find a bottom number and begin to slowly over time begin to build steady and consistant equity.
2. More capital freed up by the lending institutions means more money to lend.  The over all effect of this would be a stimulus to economy.

It seems as though neither candidate wants to take a position to support or reject the bail out bill.  If they support they run the risk of alienating already financially strapped families that cannot afford an increase in taxes as well as people that feel that they are not responsible for irresponsible borrowing and lending.  If they reject it, we could see a further deterioration of the economy.

There is a lot more to learn about this bill over the next several days and I am sure this will be a focal point of the presidential debate on Friday 9/26.

Please feel free to post your thoughts on this issue.

Here is a quick snap shot of what has happened in the last month in Como for homes sold, pending and active.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in the Como area, make sure you talk with the Como Area Experts first as we know this area like the back of our hand.

Buy a Como Home

Sell a Como Home

Search Como Homes for Sale

The Roseville Area is a Booming Housing Market!  Real Estate continues to be bought and sold in the City of Roseville.  If you would like to view a list of Current Active Homes for Sale select the link.

If you have a Roseville Home to Sell select this link.

The CW is hosting its 2nd annual “Free to be Green” campaign on 9/20 in the Como Park Zoo from 10-4.  This event is an effort bring a more ecological friendly approach to our day to day activities.  They will also be providing conservation tips for everyone there so everyone can do their part.  This event is both interactive for adults as well as kids (our future).

TEN THINGS TO DO TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT

• CHANGE A LIGHT – replacing 1 regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year
• DRIVE LESS, DRIVE EASY – Walk, bike, carpool or take mass transit more often. Drive easy by staying within the speed limits, this can greatly increase your gas mileage while lightening the load on the environment
• REDUCE, REUSE, THEN RECYCLE – Take Recycling even further! You can reduce waste and reuse a lot of stuff
• CHECK YOUR TIRES – Keeping your tires inflated properly can improve gas mileage by more than 3%
• USE LESS HOT WATER – Install a low flow showerhead (350 pounds of CO2 per year) and wash your clothes in cold or warm water (500 pounds saved per year)
• DO FULL LOADS – Whether it’s clothes or dishes, wait until the load is full to wash. It will save you some extra work too!
• SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS – Not only will you keep money in our community, it will reduce the distance our food has to travel to market.
• CHERISH EVERY DROP – Install water saving devices and fix leaks. Use a rainwater barrel to help stop runoff, reduce flooding, and prevent pollution from getting into the stormwater system.
• SLOW THE FLOW OF UNWANTED MAIL – reduce your collection of junk mail by registering with the Direct Marketing Association’s free Mail Preference System
• BUY THE BAG Grocery shoppers use nearly 40 billion bags each year. Most are only used once* and recycled or thrown away.

Thinking about buying a Home in Como Park?

Thinking about selling a Home in Como Park?

Here is a quick overview of the City of Arden Hills Real Estate numbers for the month of July.  There are currently 47 active homes for sale in the city of Arden Hills.  The city of Arden Hills also has 14 pending homes for sale.  In the month of July, there were 5 homes sold in real estate transactions for Arden Hills.

Check out the Current homes for sale in Arden Hills

Check out the City of Arden Hills Parks

Detailed overview of Homes for Sale, Homes Pending and Homes Sold in Arden Hills