If your family is like mine, it seems that almost 50% of our time is spent in the kitchen.  Cooking, eating meals, snacking, doing dishes, homework, talking, entertaining, board games and more all seem to take place at our breakfast counter or kitchen table.

If your next home in the Buffalo area needs to have a kitchen you can do it all in, let’s take a look at some great resources to get ideas on what you are looking for or helping you have the vision to what you might change (a good kitchen remodel can go a long way!).

Great Kitchen Resources And Ideas

Here are a few articles worth reading for kitchen trends, designs and ideas.

• Top 5 Kitchen Design Trends For 2014 – Houz
• Our 13 Favorite Kitchen Countertop Materials – HGTV
• Top 10 Kitchen Cabinetry Trends – Better Homes and Gardens
• 13 Fresh Kitchen Trends in 2014 You Must See – Fresh Home
• The 9 Most Popular Color in Kitchen Cabinets – Decoist
• Kitchen Backsplash Ideas – Pinterest

My Tip As A Buffalo Realtor: Hardware Swap

Don’t over focus on kitchen cabinet hardware.  Numerous times I see a solid kitchen with great bones but something as small as the cabinet hardware can completely drown it out.  If brass, silver or other fixture finishes just isn’t your style consider swapping out handles, nobs and more to update your kitchen with a smaller change.

I’ve done this myself in a few different kitchens and it’s amazing the difference that a hardware change can make.

– Kitchen photo courtesy of Summit Construction 

The post Kitchen Inspiration And Ideas When Buying Your Next Buffalo Home appeared first on Marci Weiche.

Search, Scan & Even Compare Buffalo Homes For Sale

As you would expect, users can search for homes by price, city, zip code, MLS number or other criteria. If your out driving around Buffalo and your iPad has network or WiFi access, you can use the “Home Scan” feature to get all the information on that home for sale. Home Scan uses the iPad’s GPS to overlay property information onto the live camera feed. Point the iPad in any direction, and properties for sale appear in the foreground.

I really like the new comparison feature that allows you to compare kitchens, bedrooms, or exterior views of homes by swiping the photos from the gallery view to compare photos from different homes side by side.  If you are looking to sell your Buffalo home, this is one more marketing and technology advantage for using Hoesktra & Weiche of Edina Realty.

Below is a screenshot of the Buffalo area showing homes for sale as well as open houses.  I’ve highlighted my latest listing in Buffalo on Barton Ave in Westcliffe as well.

Download The App

Edina Realty has new iPhone and Android apps hitting the app stores soon, but you can download this new Edina Realty iPad app here.

The post Search Buffalo Homes For Sale With Edina Realty’s New iPad App appeared first on Marci Weiche.

Four bedrooms and four bathrooms, many family gathering areas, a composite deck and great trees fill this city lot.

This Mills Woods neighborhood home features:

• Over 3,000 finished square feet
• Hardwood floors
• Stainless steel appliances
• 2 gas fireplaces with custom stonework
• Huge master bedroom and master bathroom
• Custom master bedroom closet
• Finished basement with custom oak built-ins and media center
• Basement bathroom with custom limestone tile and walk-in shower
• Numerous storage areas and closets
• Great neighborhood and walking distance to Northwinds Elementary

Additional photos of this home:

The post Mills Woods Neighborhood Home For Sale In Buffalo, MN appeared first on Marci Weiche.

Edina Realty iPhone App
This free real estate app allows you to view listings, open houses, view photos, save your favorite listings and more.  It’s a great way to view Buffalo homes for sale while out and about on your iPhone.  The app is also compatible with iPod Touch and the iPad.

Edina Realty Mobile Website
Get all the great features of EdinaRealty.com on your Blackberry or other mobile smartphone.  View listings, open houses, photos, mortgage rates and more.

Get access to great Buffalo real estate information on your mobile device and if you have questions on listing your home for sale or if you are interested in a home on the market, please contact me.

The post Buffalo Mn Real Estate Listings In The Palm Of Your Hand appeared first on Marci Weiche.

While Buffalo is part of the 13 county Metro area in the Twin Cities reports, there are also some positive trends for 2010 in the Buffalo real estate market.

• It is easy to see the great options a buyer has with the amount of homes for sale. September saw 38 new homes for sale in the Buffalo market.
• For sellers, it’s encouraging that the median sales price has risen 3.4% so far in 2010. the average sales price is up 4.6%.
• Average market time is ticking downward with a 2.1% decrease in days on the market.

If you are in need of answers, a market analysis or ready to talk buying or selling your Buffalo home, please contact me.  You can also view my Buffalo homes for sale here online.

The post Fall Home Sales Fall, Listings Increase appeared first on Marci Weiche.

Every short sale is different so this begs the following basic questions…

Why does a short sale happen? The most obvious answer is that a homeowner needs to sell their home but the market no longer supports what they owe on the home.

What is a short sale? Very similar to a traditional sale with the exception that the bank holding the current mortgage needs to agree to the sale along with the sellers.

Why are short sales different? The seller is accepting an offer on the property that is less than what is owed. Therefore bank approval is necessary.

How do they work? Not one is alike. Some banks will only approve a short sale if the seller is behind on payments. Some short sales work more smoothly if the sellers are current on their payments.

While the answers are vast and broad, I found an excellent segment on the Edina Realty website that does a great job breaking it down to the basics and explaining the details of a short sale.

• View the Edina Realty Short Sale Article

The challenges and nuances of a short sale present a real estate process that definitely needs a Realtor’s attention. An experienced Realtor will know how to prepare, navigate and manage the process when buying or selling a short sale home.

If you possibly need to sell your home in Buffalo via a short sale, I can help you through the process. Please contact me to get answers to your short sale questions!

The post Selling A Home Via Short Sale In Buffalo, MN appeared first on Marci Weiche.

MLS #3852417 is a 5 bedroom, 3 bath home that has been perfectly cared for in the Mills Woods Neighborhood.

Home for sale in Mills Woods Neighboorhood in Buffalo

This Buffalo split entry home feels more like a rambler with its inviting layout. It’s spacious, clean and bright with a unique floor plan starting at the surprisingly large entryway and ending with the lovely family room with gas fireplace and custom built-ins.

Living room with spacious windows and natural light.

Another great feature is the homes location, just a few blocks (walking distance) from Northwinds Elementary School in Buffalo.  Mature trees, a backyard patio and storage shed complete the backyard.

If you are interested in this Buffalo, MN home for sale or any other Buffalo home, please contact me.

The post New Buffalo Home For Sale: 5 Bedrooms, MLS #3852417 appeared first on Marci Weiche.

102 17th Street South - Buffalo, MN 55313

Just blocks from Buffalo Lake and Wild Marsh Golf Course you’ll enjoy this great location with easy access to Hwy 25.  The house has a newer roof, windows and gutters and is currently listed at $168,500.  This home is incredibly clean and well maintained. This is a great home for family and entertaining with spacious spaces that flow nicely together.

MLS #3846627 - Living room & dining room, walkout to deck

Finished lower level family room is 22x19

• View more photos & details on the Buffalo home for sale

If you want to view this home or any other Buffalo home for sale, please contact me, I’d love to help you find your first home or next home.

The post New Buffalo Listing: Great First Time Buyer Home MLS #3846627 appeared first on Marci Weiche.

Homes eligible for purchase will be:

• located in the target neighborhoods of Buffalo Hills and Grandview
• foreclosed and currently vacant
• owner-occupied/home buyers primary residence
• discounted 1% off current market value through purchase offer and negotiations

Will I be Eligible?
Buffalo home buyers who meet the program income guidelines and can qualify for a first mortgage through a local lender will be eligible to utilize the assistance funding. Income limits are based on family size and are listed below.

Family Size & Annual Gross Household Income Limits
1 Person – $70,500
2 Persons – $80,550
3 Persons – $90,600
4 Persons – $100,700
5 Persons –  $108,750
6 Persons – $116,800
7 Persons – $124,850
8 Persons – $132,900

Please check out the website www.cmhp.net or contact Lenee at the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership for more information: 320-259-0393 or lenee@cmhp.net

As a Buffalo, MN Realtor, I can help you with this program as well.  Please contact me.

The post Down Payment & Rehabilitation Assistance Available In Buffalo, MN appeared first on Marci Weiche.

2368 Barton Avenue NW in Buffalo, MN 55313

This estate offers exquisite landscaping complete with fountains, rolling hills, mature trees, a fire pit and three ponds.

It’s hard to imagine an estate more set-up for family and friend gatherings.  The property includes a park-size playground, gorgeous in-ground pool (w/ diving board, slide, fountains & lighting), lighted hockey rink, fire pit and a huge 2-tier deck overlooking the pool, playground and beautiful landscapes.

Swimming pool, patio, 2 tier deck and more

Inside the home features a unique use of natural wood, tile granite and stone throughout the 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms.  The home gives a spacious, flowing, yet cozy feeling on each level.

Spacious gourmet kitchen & center island

There is a state of the art audio / video system throughout with a massive home theater, including an outdoor sound system. No expense was spared with attention to every detail on the lighting design both inside and out.

• View more on this incredible listing on my featured listings.

If you have any questions on this home, other Buffalo homes for sale, or are looking to sell your home, please contact me.

The post New Buffalo Listing: An Incredible Estate MLS#3842401 appeared first on Marci Weiche.