Homes MSP Real Estate Blog

Wednesdays Unplugged - Lemon Meringue Pie & Sesame Crusted Pork Chops

As Wednesdays Unplugged developed over the past year a cup of quotes to share was added to top off our family meals, much like Chinese fortune cookies. I will be sharing one with you each week along with a recipe or two.

The cup holding the quotes has its own family history, given to my grandmother more than 60 years ago by her family in Norway.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"I have found that if you love life, life will love you back." ~ Arthur Rubenstein

RECIPE(S) OF THE WEEK

As I tried to figure out what to start with in my recipe sharing I thought of 'eat dessert first' and decided to share a recipe for my favorite pie...lemon meringue. The photo below is of the one I made for dinner last week...long gone!

I couldn't resist also sharing another recipe from last week...simple but delicious 'Sesame Crusted Pork Chops'. I never used to care much for pork chops, usually found them rather dry and tough...until I learned that the key is not to overcook them. These are juicy and delicious!

LEMON MERINGUE PIE with brown sugar meringue

recipe from Cuisine at Home

Crust

1 ¼        cups all-purpose flour

2             T. sugar

½           tsp. table salt

½           stick unsalted butter, cold, cubed (4 T.)

1. Whisk flour, sugar and salt together in a bowl. Cut in butter and shortening with a pastry blender until butter is pea-size.
2. Add ice water, stirring with a fork until dough comes together but is neither dry nor sticky. Wrap dough in plastic, flatten into a disk, and chill at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 400° with rack in the lower third; coat a 9” pie plate with nonstick spray.
4. Roll dough on lightly floured surface to about 1/8” thick. Fold in quarters and transfer to pie plate. Turn under and crimp edge, trim excess.
5. Freeze pie shell until firm, line with foil and fill with beans or rice (to prevent the sides from sagging).
6. Place pie plate on a baking sheet and bake until crust is set, 20-25 minutes.
7. Remove foil and weights, return crust to oven and bake until golden, about 10 minutes longer…set out to cool.
8. Reduce oven temperature to 300°.

Filling

4             eggs

4             egg yolks (reserve whites)

1              cup sugar

¾           cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, strained

½           cup heavy cream

1              T. lemon zest, minced

1/8         tsp. table salt

1. Whisk eggs, yolks, and sugar together in a bowl until smooth.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients, then pour filling into pre-baked crust on a baking sheet (so it’s easier to move).
3. Carefully transfer the pie to the oven and bake just until filling is set in the center, 25-30 minutes.
4. Allow pie to cool 20 minutes on a rack, then cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 6 hours or overnight.

Brown Sugar Meringue

¾           cup light brown sugar (NOT dark)

½           cup sugar

¼           cup water

4             egg whites (reserved)

¼           tsp cream of tartar

1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Stir both sugars and water together in a saucepan. Heat over medium until sugars melt, swirling pan often; do not stir (this may cause the sugar to crystallize). Increase heat to medium-high and boil, swirling frequently, until it reaches 250°. Remove syrup from heat.
3. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar at medium-high speed in a stand mixer with whisk attachment while sugar syrup boils. When whites reach soft peaks, begin drizzling in hot sugar syrup. Once syrup is incorporated, turn mixer to high and beat until meringue is stiff and glossy.
4. Spoon meringue on the pie, spreading it to seal at the crust. Create decorative peaks and valleys in the meringue.
5. Bake until meringue is golden, 8-12 minutes – do not over-bake or filling will become soft.

SESAME CRUSTED PORK CHOPS

recipe from Cuisine at Home

1              tsp. salt

¼           tsp. Chinese five spice power

4             boneless center-cut pork chops (5 oz each)

2+          T. white sesame seeds

2 +         tsp. black sesame seeds

               Orange marmalade

2             T. peanut oil

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Mix salt with five spice powder and sprinkle on both sides of pork chops. Combine both types of sesame seeds in a shallow dish. Brush one side of each chop with marmalade and coat that side with sesame seed mixture.
3. Saute chops, seed side down, in oil in a large ovenproof sauté pan over medium heat. Cook until golden, about 3-4 minutes, then turn chops over and transfer pan to the oven and roast until cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - Website

Choosing an excellent home inspector

  When you're ready to purchase a home, you'll need to do some research before choosing a home inspector.  In Minnesota, there is no such thing as licensing for home inspectors.  Anyone can call themself a home inspector, but unless your home inspector is a member of one of two national organizations, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI), there will be no guarantee that the home inspector even has a minimum amount of knowledge about homes.

ASHI and NAHI both require comprehensive, proctored exams.  They both have a strict code of ethics that inspectors must follow (for instance, ASHI requires that I not perform any work on a home that I have inspected for at least one year).  They both set forth a minimum standard of practice which specifies what to inspect at a home, how to inspect it, and how to report it.  They also have strict requirements for continuing education.

While choosing a home inspector that is certified through ASHI or NAHI is a great start to finding an excellent home inspector, keep in mind that this is just a start.  Before choosing a home inspector, we also recommend reviewing a sample home inspection report.  While there are minimum standards for what a report must include, there is a huge variety in the types of reports offerered.  Some inspectors will give out a handwritten report at the end of the inspection, while others produce a customized report written in narrative format, which includes photos and illustrations to help understand the report (guess which one I offer?).  Examples of both are included below.

We recommend asking your home inspector for testimonials.  An excellent home inspector should be able to provide proof of past customers that were not just satisfied, but delighted with their services.  Some home inspectors will post this information on their web site, while others might keep a list that they can fax out. 

While this is certainly not an all-inclusive list, this will at least give a starting point for choosing an excellent home inspector.  One important point to make; the best home inspectors will be proud of the service they offer, and will charge accordingly.  I get many phone calls from customers asking only what I charge for a home inspection.  How much does a hamburger cost?  I think they cost 39 cents at White Castle, but it won't be the same thing you'll get from a sit-down restaurant.  Without any type of standards or licensing for home inspectors, there is a wide range in prices for home inspections.  While I might be a little biased (ha ha), I would strongly recommend using price as a final option for choosing a home inspector.  The price of a home inspection is a drop in the bucket compared to the price of a home, and getting a high quality home inspection is important.

I just realized, I'm presuming that everyone gets a home inspection.  How important is a home inspection?  Next week, I'll talk about some defects I've found while inspecting new construction homes and condos; these are properties that some people choose  not have inspected.  I'll assume that everyone gets old houses inspected.

Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections - Email - Website

How much cash do I need?

A question I am often asked by potential buyers is "How much cash do I need to buy a house"?

While mortgages now usually require at least a 3% down payment, there are down payment assistance programs available so you may still be able to end up financing your entire purchase price. Your lender will help you determine the best financing program for your situation and provide you with a Good Faith Estimate of how much cash you will need at closing.

Even with zero down financing, however, you will need some cash at various stages of the buying process prior to closing.

Earnest Money - When you make your offer to buy a home you will include an earnest money deposit with your offer, usually in the amount of about 1% of the purchase price (i.e. $2,000 earnest money for a $200,000 purchase). This money will be held in the escrow account of the listing broker until closing, when it will be applied towards the cash you need to close. Depending on your financing, you may even get some of this money back at closing.

Home Inspection - You have the option of making your purchase subject to a private home inspection, usually done within 3-5 days after coming to an agreement. If you use a professional inspector, budget about $300-$400 to be paid at the time of the inspection.

Appraisal - As part of your loan underwriting process, your mortgage company will order a professional appraisal to verify that its value is at least what you are paying for the property. Budget about $325-$425, usually payable prior to the appraisal.

Homeowner's Insurance - You must have a binder for first year of homeowner's insurance when you close. This is usually paid prior to closing, but is sometimes paid as part of your closing costs. Budget approximately 0.02%-0.03% of the purchase price for this expense if you are purchasing a house. (If you are purchasing a townhome or condo, it is usually included in your association fee.) Typically your monthly mortgage payments will include an amount to be escrowed for future insurance payments to be made on your behalf by your mortgage company.

Down Payment - Your down payment (usually 3% - 20% of your purchase price) is due at closing, which is usually 4-6 weeks after coming to an agreement. Your earnest money can be applied to this amount, as can down payment assistance.

Closing Costs & Prepaids - Most of your closing costs are associated with your financing and title transfer, and your lender will provide you with a detailed Good Faith Estimate. Total costs are usually about 3.5% - 4% of your mortgage amount. Buyers short on cash often finance most of their closing costs as a seller contribution of up to 3% of the purchase price as part of the purchase agreement.

This is just an overview estimate of typical cash requirements for buying a home and actual costs will vary. Consult with your lender and Realtor for estimates based on your unique situation.

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - Website

Sunday's Site - Gold Medal Park

As I have been out and about lately, I got to thinking about how much our Twin Cities have to offer...in diverse areas such as arts & entertainment, architecture, sports, parks & trails, nature, dining, shopping and community.

Whether you already live in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, are thinking about moving here or are just visiting, there are so many interesting sites & neighborhoods in our wonderful community I decided to start sharing one with you each week. Some will be well-known, others more obscure. Our visits will include not just a specific site but also a little bit about the surrounding neighborhood. Hopefully they will start to create a mosaic of the unique sense of place that is the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Minneapolis means 'City of Lakes' and you don't have to go very far to find some kind of body of water. The city started on the downtown riverfront near St. Anthony Falls, so it seems fitting to choose my first site in that area.

In the misting rain on Friday afternoon I visited Gold Medal Park, a new 7.5 acre park planted with 300 trees along the riverfront, and walked the gently spiraling path to the top of the observation mound.

Although it was too wet to relax on the benches throughout the park it still afforded a wonderful panoramic view of the area, including the Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississpi River, the neighboring world-reknown Guthrie Theater and historic Mill City Museum. If you visit the Guthrie, don't miss the famous cantilever observation deck and also the smaller and higher 'amber box' with its breathtaking bird's eye views.

This district has also become a prime area for new condo development. Click here to see properties currently available for sale in this neighborhood. (Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings...pass your cursor over the dots on the map for property information.)

Along with other local development is a growth in dining opportunities such as 'Spill the Wine', an original restaurant and bar at the nearby corner of Washington Ave & 11th. It is located in a historic building which was home to Frank's Plumbing, a noted local source for antique  plumbing fixtures, for many years. 'Spill the Wine' very creatively re-designed and used a big sign that used to grace the side of the building as a canopy over the bar.

As the name suggests, 'Spill the Wine' offers an extensive wine list including wine flights. Open for lunch and dinner throughout the week and for Sunday brunch, its menu highlights American cuisine with continental influences.

Home Staging Myth Busters

Some people try and Stage their homes by themselves.  Here are some Myth Busters about Home Staging.....

Myth 1:  I Can Just Watch One of Those TV Shows.........The shows on HGTV and similar channels give Sellers the idea that they need to do something to their house to prepare it for sale, but often Sellers cannot truly be objective in a house they have been living in and need a 3rd party independent opinion to get it properly Staged.

Myth 2:  Professional Staging Costs Too Much........Staging is an INVESTMENT in getting a house sold and the investment in Staging is always less than a price reduction.  A Certified Stager is trained to work with a Seller's budget and time frame to properly Stage a house.  We often ask our Clients "Can you afford NOT to Stage in today's Market?". 

Myth 3:  All I Need Are Lights, Flowers & Music.......These are great for showing a house, but it is not Staging.  Staging requires an objective and professional assessment of a house's strengths and challenge areas, and solutions to help Buyers fall in love with what they see.  More than lights, flowers and music, this requires an Action Plan.  A Certified Stager can help get a house Staged AND SOLD.

Jeri Pischke & Cindy Thomes, Tender Heart Transitions - Email - Website

Renovations

It seems that when people learn I'm a Realtor they first ask about the market...then they often talk about how much they love HGTV shows about home renovations, decorating, flipping houses, etc. We don't have cable so I have never seen them myself but I have heard a lot about them.

I have one client who had a good friend and his house featured on a show that did a surprise re-do while he was out of town for a few days. He said it was really fun, but the work done was more surface staging caliber than quality craftsmanship. It all depends on what you're after, and some renovations done for re-sale and 'house flipping' are very superficial surface updates...often paint, carpet and new appliances.

If you are buying, be sure not to be taken in by a 'glossy' finish on a property. What often matters most are things you can't even see...what's in the walls, foundation, structure, mechanicals.

I listed a new renovation today. It's an example of quality workmanship, including all new wiring and new copper plumbing throughout the house. With an update list longer than this post, a totally new kitchen and stunning new master suite this is a wonderful find for the right buyer! 3252 Georgia in St. Louis Park will be open this Sunday from 1 to 3, in case you'd like to come take a look.

If you are doing your own renovations, be sure to pull permits for all the work you have done. Following is a list of what are considered to the be six smartest home renovations.

1. Landscaping
2. Kitchens
3. Fireplaces
4. Paint
5. Bathrooms
6. Floors

For more information, including an estimate of how much you might expect to get back from your investment when you sell, check out Smart Home Renovations.

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - Website

FHA financing

When someone has less than a 20% downpayment available, a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured mortgage is often an excellent choice.  For many years, conventional financing options were so abundant that few people considered FHA Mortgages.  In today’s market, when I help clients review financing options, FHA often ends up as the best choice.

These are some reasons FHA financing may be a good choice for you:

• The down payment requirement is very low and there is often a source available for down payment assistance if it’s needed.
• The seller may be willing to pay your closing costs.
• The FHA mortgage limit for a single-family home in the twin cities area has been temporarily increased from $276,683.00 to $362,790.00.
• FHA financing is very helpful for first time homebuyers, but being a first time homebuyer is not a requirement.
• The paperwork and approval process is very similar to conventional financing, but there are a few extra FHA forms to sign.
• At Summit Mortgage, the approval and closing processes take the same amount of time as conventional financing so there are no delays.
• FHA interest rates are often the same as conventional financing and sometimes lower.
• FHA requires the home to be structurally sound and safe, but the previous strict housing standards have been eliminated.
• FHA financing is more tolerant of credit problems than conventional financing.

There are many things to consider when choosing the best financing program for your particular circumstances.  When you are ready to purchase a home, don’t be surprised if FHA is the best option for you.

Lou Auger, Summit Mortgage -  Email - Website

Wednesdays Unplugged

Last year I started a tradition of 'Wednesdays Unplugged'. Here is what I said on January 4, 2007...

Time seems to be such a rare commodity in today's hectic world. We're so technologically connected we tend to be on call 24/7, but our personal connections seem to suffer...as does our time to nurture ourselves and just 'be'.

My response for 2007 is 'Wednesdays Unplugged'...a day when I am unplugged from my computer, my cell phone, my appointments (my assistant is capably in charge for the day!) and simply 'Take Time'...time during the day for me and time in the evening for our children and their families to gather with us around our table to connect and share a meal during the middle of a busy work week.

Yesterday was my first 'Wednesday Unplugged'. It was interesting how strong the urge was to go down to my computer as I always do first thing in the morning. As the day went on, it became ever more apparent how great a gift these days will be...and how much it will challenge me to be truly 'unplugged' for the day. It made me think that this is what was meant by the admonition to 'remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy', counseling us on how important it is to take a day of rest from whatever our normal daily pursuits may be to refresh and nurture our souls.

Years ago my mother gave me a little hand-typed note which I still have on my bulletin board right next to my desk...I've copied it below. This is how I plan to focus my 'Wednesdays Unplugged'...never mind if it spills over to the rest of the week!

TAKE TIME

Take time to think - it is the source of power
Take time to read - it is the foundation of wisdom
Take time to play - it is the secret of staying young
Take time to be quiet - it is the moment to seek God
Take time to be aware - it is the opportunity to help others
Take time to love and be loved - it is God's greatest gift
Take time to laugh - it is the music of the soul
Take time to be friendly - it is the road to happiness
Take time to dream - it is what the future is made of
Take time to pray - it is the greatest power on earth

Little did I know when I started this tradition what an impact it would have on our lives. Now, nearly a year and a half later, Wednesday is a highlight of the week not only for me but for our whole family. It's a night when nobody but me has to worry about 'what's for dinner' but they know they'll get a good home-cooked meal...it's a time when I can enjoy cooking, which I don't usually have time to do...it's a time to just relax and connect.

This is Wednesday, so I'm not really here...thanks to the magic of technology I'm really listening to jazz and cooking a great meal.

From now on I'll be sharing bits of the magic of 'Wednesdays Unplugged' along with a recipe and quote each week. Until next week...

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - Website

Spring maintenance for homeowners

After this warm weekend we had, it really feels like spring has arrived.  If you own a home, now is a great time to go over some of the outdoor maintenance items your home inspector hopefully told you about when you bought your home! 

Take a look at the compressor (pictured right) for your air conditioner to make sure the fins are clean.  Remove any debris from the exterior of the unit, and check all four sides for dust and dirt accumulation.  If the fins are dirty, you can wash them down with a sprayer on a garden hose.  Don't even think about using a power washer for this - the pressure will be much too great, and you'll end up damaging the fins.  Keeping these fins clean will help to keep your air conditioner running efficiently during the summer.

Inspect your roof for damage by looking for any types of irregularities in the pattern of the shingles.  Any suspicious areas should be further evaluated by a qualified person, and repaired as neccessary. 

Turn on any bath fans you have, the kitchen fan if it exhausts to the exterior, and the dryer vent.  Now take a slow walk around the exterior, looking for peeling paint or rotting wood, with a focus on areas that get little sunlight, or areas close to the ground.  Paint is what keeps the exterior surfaces sealed, and missing paint can quickly lead to rotted areas.   While you're walking around the exterior, make sure that all of the exhaust fans are truly exhausting to the exterior, and check your dryer vent for lint accumulation.

If you come across a condition at your home that you're not sure about, send me a photo and ask about it.  I'll give free professional advice.

Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections - Email - Website

Dreams Shattered...Dreams Come True

We have been hearing so much lately about the devastating effects of foreclosures, and just last week Governor Pawlenty said that the state will increase foreclosure-prevention help. See the bottom of this article for resources if you are in danger of losing your home.

While there is no doubt that foreclosures have shattered many dreams, just as with everything in life there is also an opposite effect....as some dreams are shattered, other dreams are fulfilled.

I have clients who had a dream come true last week when their offer on a foreclosed property was the one accepted out of five submitted offers. This young family would not have been able to afford to buy a house were it not for the re-adjustment now taking place in our real estate market. Housing prices had been escalating so far ahead of income that many first-time homebuyers were being squeezed out of the market because of declining affordability.

Declining housing values enabled them to get a house at a price affordable for them, and the Nehemiah program, which offers down payment help to anyone who qualifies for an approved FHA loan, is enabling them to get an FHA mortgage with 100% financing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had attempted to stop this private downpayment assistance last October but the court ruled against the ban the beginning of March 2008. This means that even though 100% financing may no longer be available with a conventional mortgage, down payment assistance is still possible with an FHA mortgage.

My clients will have to do some work on the property, but they are thrilled to be able to buy a family home. They were busy taking measurements today, excited to start getting ready to make it their own!

If you are fearing you may face foreclosure and are having trouble making your mortgage payments contact a foreclosure-prevention counselor for help right away. Counselors are available at the Minnesota Home Ownership Center at 651-659-9336 or go to hocmnn.org. The state attorney general's office also has foreclosure-prevention information.

Following are upcoming scheduled Foreclosure Prevention Workshops:

• April 22: 4:30-8:30 pm, Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis
• May 20: 4:30-8:30 pm, Discovery Elementary School, 301 Second Ave NE, Buffalo
• June 5: 4:30-8:30 pm, Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - Website