Homes MSP Real Estate Blog

Wednesdays Unplugged - Homemade Angel Food Cake

NOTE: I spend my Wednesdays Unplugged from appointments. It's my day to stay home, enjoy cooking and welcome our kids and grandkids for dinner in the evening. We end our meal with quotes from the Norwegian 'Quote Cup' passed on to me from my grandmother. I share a quote and a recipe here each week, and sometimes some photos of family fun. I love trying new recipes...and love getting recipes you would like to share!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"It's not what we have in our life, but who we have in our life that counts." ~ J. M. Laurence

It was my mother's 95th birthday last weekend so of course we had to celebrate. It has become our family tradition that I make the homemade cake/dessert of the birthday celebrant's choice. My mother asked for angel food cake, so I decided it was time to make my first 'scratch' angel food cake.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

The cake was delicious, and surprisingly easy...hardest part was separating a dozen egg whites. I had set aside a 'prize winning' recipe some time ago that I was planning to try but couldn't find it last weekend so I made the recipe below, which I found online in various places and variations, which I combined. Of course, I found the other recipe yesterday! The ingredients are the same but the amounts and proportions different...I may also give it a try sometime to decide which is the winner!

HOMEMADE ANGEL FOOD CAKE

• 1 cup cake flour
• 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
• 12 large egg whites
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Use a two-piece angel food cake pan, do not grease because the cake 'climbs' the sides of the pan as it bakes.

Separate egg whites one at a time into a small dish first, making sure there is no yolk in the whites before adding them to a large mixing bowl; set aside. Sift the cake flour and 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar together; set aside. Combine the extracts in a small bowl; set aside.

Beat egg whites, cream of tartar and salt until it forms soft peaks. Add the other 3/4 cup of sugar slowly, then beat on high until stiff peaks form. Add the flour mixture and extracts by either beating on LOW while you slowly add them or fold in by hand.

Spoon the batter into ungreased angel food cake pan and move a knife through the batter to remove air pockets. Bake 30-35 minutes, until top springs back when touched lightly with finger. Invert pan on bottle or funnel to cool completely.

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - HomesMSP.com

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MAC’d Houses Are Green Houses

If you hear about a house getting MAC’d, it usually means that some high-quality “Green” improvements have been done to a house near the MSP airport.  The purpose is to minimize noise issues with houses, and that’s great, but I think some of the best benefits of the MAC program have to do with energy savings.

 

The Metropolitan Airport Council (MAC) implemented a Residential Sound Insulation Program in 1992, and since has gone through thousands of homes near the airport making improvements in sound insulation. This partial list of home improvements comes from the MacNoise web site:

 

• Reconditioning or replacing existing doors and windows
  • Adding acoustical exterior storm windows and storm doors
  • Replacing weatherstripping
• Adding wall and attic insulation
• Adding baffles to mail slots and chimneys.
• Adding central air conditioning if not existing

 

Every ‘MAC’ home I’ve inspected has had professional work performed – these aren’t just quick handyman home improvements.  They’re high quality improvements that make houses much more comfortable and save money in energy costs.  The average cost of the improvements done to homes has averaged a low of $17,300 in 1995, and a high of $45,000 in 2001.  In 2003, homeowners were asked asked if they were satisfied with the quality of the improvements, and 100% answered yes.

 

Window and door improvements are pretty easy to understand – a better insulated window means less noise, as well as less heat loss.  Insulation in the attic is also pretty obvious, but the one thing I’d like to point out is that MAC does an excellent job of adding insulation.  They seal up attic bypasses, they add ventilation when needed, and they get the vapor barriers right.  Seeing all this insulation done properly on an old one-and-a-half story home just gives me the warm-fuzzies J.

 

Central air often gets added if it isn’t already present, and while this alone doesn’t do much for energy efficiency, it often means that other stuff has to be done in order to get central air – like replacing gravity furnaces!  If you’ve read my blog on gravity furnaces, you know how inefficient they are.  In order to add central air, old gravity furnaces need to be replaced with forced air furnaces, and this is a HUGE improvement in energy.  Adding central air also requires room in the electric panel for a major appliance, and most of the older fused panels don’t have room for this.  This means an upgrade of the electric service too.

Because MAC houses end up getting much 'tighter', they also take air changes in to account, and additional steps are taken to ensure all of the fuel burning appliances in homes will still operate properly in tighter conditions.  Sometimes this means the installation of a direct vent furnace, a powervent water heater, or even a forced draft fan at the top of the chimney, as shown at right.  A combustion air duct is always installed.  MAC houses also usually get some sort of whole-house fan installed to make sure the air in the house gets changed out several times per hour - sometimes it's an HRV, other times it's a fan installed in a central location that constantly exhausts at a very low speed.  

If you’re shopping for a home near the MSP airport, don’t be afraid of houses that have been MAC’d – it’s a good program.  To learn more about the program, including future improvements, visit http://www.macnoise.com/noise_programs.  

Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections - Email - Richfield Home Inspector

Understanding Factors outside Your Control

When selling your home, some factors are outside your control...but they do play a key role in selling your home. You should understand what they are and how they impact pricing your home.

MARKET

Market conditions play a critical role, and it is vital that you have an understanding of not only what is happening in your metro area, but also in your community...and for your type home. In the same neighborhood there could be a shortage of houses but an overabundance of condos, resulting in very different market conditions for different properties in the same community.

• Twin Cities Market Information  

LOCATION

There is nothing you can do about location, it is what it is...and location exists on different levels, both area and specific home setting. Keep in mind that every home has a buyer, regardless of location, but commonly preferred locations are always in higher demand and less desireable locations usually require lower pricing to fnd a buyer. Also keep in mind that what may be a negative for one person could be a positive for another.

• Location, Location...two sides to the story
• The Value of Green Space

STRUCTURE

If you are selling you are not likely to be doing a total home renovation so the structure is what it is. If you did recent updates, know that you will likely not recoup all your investment. You will have a big challenge if there are many properties similar to yours on the market in your area. It will be more important than ever to set your property apart from the rest...looking the best for the best price in both your style and condition categories. Patience is also necessary...as is being responsive to feedback (or lack thereof) and making changes as indicated. If you aren't having any showings, that's also a sign that something should change...but don't give up. Don't forget...it only takes one person to buy.

• Can You Recoup the Money You Invest in Remodeling?
• Patience Required

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - HomesMSP.com

Sunday's Site - 50th & Xerxes, Southwest Minneapolis

NOTE: see the bottom of Sunday's Site posts for homes for sale in the area

While on the way to another potential 'Sunday's Site' yesterday we stopped at a couple shops at the delightful corner of 50th and Xerxes in Southwest Minneapolis. My husband, in his infinite wisdom, recommended I make this corner this week's site instead...smart man!

 

Minneapolis's 50th Street South has many charming corners dotting its way across southwest Minneapolis. The corner of 50th and Xerxes is one such intersection, just a few blocks east of bustling 50th and France. 50th and Xerxes is a quieter destination...an eclectic, quirky shopping corner...expect to spend a delightful few hours.

Yesterday we only had time for Gallery 360, like your own private art fair with mostly local artists...and Loft Antiques, where we found some chairs to add to the table for our growing family. (I might add, at a fantastic price...can you believe 5 chairs for under $100?!)

If you are looking for a shade for the lamp you inherited from Auntie Em (or any other lamp), this is the corner to find it...Michael's Lamp Studio is jam-packed with shades in seemingly infinite shapes, sizes, styles, and prices. Looking for some 'real food' for your pet? Stop at Woody's Pet Food Deli.

Other shops include Xylos, a gallery of fine handcrafted woodwork, Shop in the City, an eclectic boutique in the former site of Judith McGrann & Friends, Hunt & Gather boutique and antique store, Dunn Brothers Coffee, and the newly opened Vinaigrette, an international oil and vinegar shop which I only discovered this morning in a post at Hungry in Southwest...I will have to stop back for a visit!

Click here to see homes currently for sale in the area around 50th and Xerxes in Southwest Minneapolis. Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings...click on the map to zoom in until you see icons on the dots, then pass your cursor over them for property information, click for property details. 

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - HomesMSP.com

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Staging Your Home - Back to Basics

When I'm driving, I'm always looking at "For Sale" signs.  Often times, those signs are up for far too long.  Then, I run home and look at the interior pictures on line to see if there's anything I would have done differently.  In a lot of cases, the home hasn't been staged or hasn't been staged properly.  The definition of staging is simply to prepare the home for sale so a potential buyer can visualize themselves in the space.

So today, I'm republishing the 10 Simple Steps for Staging a room:

1.  Stand in the Doorway.  This is where buyers stand before they decide to step into a room.  If a buyer won't step in, they won't buy your house.  You need to see what buyers see and make changes that will invite them in to every room of the house. 

2.  Pick a Staging Point.  Ask yourself "How will a buyer use this room?"  If it's a bedroom, the Staging point is usually the bed....living room could be the fireplace.  Then stage the room around this focal point.

3.  Make a plan.  Once you know what your focal point will be, plan what you're going to change and get started.

4.  Clear the clutter.  De-accessorize the entire room.  Take out all the pictures, mirrors, and accessories.  Get down to the "bones" of the room.

5.  Divide into piles.  Pack, toss, give away and sell.  Some things will go back when you are staging.

6.  Get rid of some furniture.  Less is more to make a room look larger. Often times we simply move furniture to other rooms.

7.  Decide what furniture has to stay.  Keep the basics and get rid of the extras.  A lot of living rooms have a couch, loveseat and 2 chairs.  We often remove either the couch loveseat to make the room look larger.

8.  Arrange the furniture the way you want it.  Stand back again and see if the room makes "space sense" and it's inviting and easy to walk around.  There is no real right or wrong....just keep working with the furniture until the room looks spacious and open.

9.  Rebuild with accessories.  Bring back in some accessories (often from other areas of the house).  Not too many and nothing "personal" like photographs etc.

10.  Fine-tune.  Stand in the doorway again.  Is there anything else you need to do?  Anything else that should be removed?  Are the blinds/shades straight?  Then have a friend come in and look at the rooms again!

Start with staging your home and then next week we'll continue with other issues may hold up the successful sale of a home.

Jeri Pischke, Tender Heart Transitions - Email - Website

Time is getting short...time for a short sale?

Time is getting short for first-time homebuyers who want to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit...you must close by November 30th, which means you should write an offer in the next three weeks to make sure you close on time.

If you are searching for homes you have likely discovered that there are lots of short sales available...and I have been reminded by clients a lot lately how the term 'short sale' is such an oxymoron. Anyone who has been involved in a short sale, whether buyer or seller, will tell you it is far from short in many ways...and not really a viable option for a buyer who needs to close by a certain date.

A short sale basically means that the seller is selling the home for less than the mortgage, and is negotiating with the bank to accept less than the amount due as full payment.

While some short sales can close fairly quickly...such as when an offer has been negotiated with the bank and the buyer backs out prior to closing...most of the time it takes at least 2-3 months, with 4-5 months not that unusual.

Unfortunately for buyers searching for homes to buy, short sale properties usually stay ACTIVE in the MLS until the bank has accepted an offer, often 60-90 days after receiving it...meaning many listings you find may not truly be available any more...very frustrating!!

Well managed, short sales can be an all-around win...good value for the buyer, forgiven debt for the seller, and avoidance of another foreclosure for the bank.

If you are a seller considering a short sale for your property be sure to work with an experienced short sale negotiator. Your agent doesn't need to be an expert if he or she contracts with an expert to represent you...for instance, I hire a professional negotiator with 13 years of short sale experience, who knows who to contact and how to get the job done efficiently.

If you are a buyer considering buying a short sale property make sure you find out how the process will be handled...how many offers will be submitted to the bank, how many banks are involved, what is their track record of how it takes to get a bank response, etc...AND don't expect to close by a certain date! If you must close within 30-60 days most likely a short sale property is not right for you.

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - Minneapolis-St. Paul Realtor

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FHA changes coming....

FHA has made several announcements regarding changes coming as early as October 1st and most are effective January 1, 2010.

The change coming on October 1st is that FHA condo spot approvals will no longer be allowed.  The project will have to be FHA approved in order to do a FHA loan.

After January 1st, FHA appraisals can not be ordered by mortgage brokers or commission based lender staff.  We will not have to use an appraisal service, but will have to assure appraiser independence.

Another big change is to FHA streamline refinances.  Effective January 1st, all streamline refinances will require the borrower to have made at least 6 monthly payments on the FHA loan being refinanced.  The borrower must exhibit an acceptable payment history with no more than one 30 day late payment in the preceding 12 months.  The borrower must be employed and if cash is needed to close, assets must be verified.  There has to be a tangible benefit to the borrower as a result of the refinance - either a reduction in the monthly payment, refinancing an adjustable rate mortgage to a fixed rate or reducing the term of the mortgage.  If you are adding closing costs to the mortgage, you will have to have an appraisal.

FHA loans are assumable. This as not changed and if you are selling a home with an FHA mortgage on it, you may want to look at that as an option.  The buyer must qualify for the mortgage and you will get a release of liability on your current mortgage.

Leslie Vanderwerf, Advisors Mortgage - Email - Website

Wednesdays Unplugged - Baked Sockeye Salmon with Bell Peppers and Capers

NOTE: I spend my Wednesdays Unplugged from appointments. It's my day to stay home, enjoy cooking and welcome our kids and grandkids for dinner in the evening. We end our meal with quotes from the Norwegian 'Quote Cup' passed on to me from my grandmother. I share a quote and a recipe here each week, and sometimes some photos of family fun. I love trying new recipes...and love getting recipes you would like to share!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"There are two ways to slide easily through life; to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways save us from thinking." ~ Alfred Korzybski

Fall is officially here, and it felt like the 'fall' switch went on yesterday...it was a beautiful, crisp fall day. I was out showing houses last night and the sun was already starting to go down when we started...really dark by 8:00.  Sunset tonight is at 7:08...YIKES, the days really are getting shorter! 

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Salmon is a favorite of mine, and fresh sockeye salmon was on sale last week...time for a treat. I found this recipe at Epicurious.com. I charred the peppers by splitting and seeding them first, then cooked them on a griddle rather than charring them whole on a grill.

BAKED SOCKEYE SALMON with BELL PEPPERS and CAPERS

by Marcella Hazan, Epicurious 2004 

• 3 bell peppers - 2 red, 1 yellow
• 2 pounds wild salmon, preferably cut as a long fillet, not steaks
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons capers, nonpareils size or cut up a bit if bigger - drain and rinse, soak in cold water for 10 minutes and re-rinse if packed in salt
• 4 whole peeled garlic cloves
• Fine sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Char the peppers, skin them, split them, and remove their core and seeds. Cut them into strips less than an inch wide and 1 1/2 inch long. You can prepare the pepper earlier the same day.

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Wash the fish in cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.

Coat a baking dish with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Lay the salmon in the pan, skin side down. Distribute peppers, capers and garlic on and around the salmon fillets. Sprinkle with a liberal amount of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour the remaining olive oil over the fish. Bake for 15-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Let it settle for a few minutes before serving.

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - HomesMSP.com

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More Commonly Mistaken or Misused Home Inspection Terms

Below is a list of commonly misused or mistaken terms that I hear every day - sometimes from other home inspectors, but mostly from clients.  This will hopefully clear up some misused or mistaken terms.  Feel free to add to the list!

Direct Vent A direct vent gas appliance takes all of it's air for combustion directly from the exterior.  

• Furnace For a furnace, you'll see two plastic pipes running to the furnace - one for air coming in, one for combustion gases going out.   A condensing furnace with only one plastic pipe is not a direct vent.
• Gas Fireplace  For a decorative gas appliance (aka - gas fireplace), you'll typically see a metal termination at the exterior of the home, where the outer 'ring' brings air in, and the inner ring exhausts combustion gas.  The photo at right shows the termination for a gas fireplace.
• Water Heater  Direct vent water heaters are not common in Minnesota - I think I've seen two in my life.  Powervent water heaters are.   A powervent water heater will have a single plastic pipe to force the exhaust gases to the exterior.

Attic - Attics are defined as "The unfinished space between the ceiling joists of the top story and roof rafters".  Many people refer to attic spaces as 'crawl spaces', but 'attic' is a much more specific term.

Fuse Box Most people are referring to the main panelboard when they say this, and most have circuit breakers, not fuses.

Fire Wall  This is a term that only applies to commercial properties.  Most people are referring to the fire separation wall between the house and garage at a single family dwelling when they use this term, but this is not a fire wall.  A true fire wall completely separates parts of a building so that one portion may collapse and burn to the ground in the event of a fire, while the wall remains intact.  You won't find a fire wall in a single family home unless you're referring to the internet connection.

Sheetrock®, Durock®, Romex®... They're all brand names, just like Kleenex®.  Better terms would be gypsum board or drywall, cement board, and NM (non-metallic) wire, respectively.

Overflow Pipe  I've heard many people use this term to refer to the pipe that gets connected to the temperature and pressure relief valve on a water heater.  I really don't know what the best term for this pipe is, but it's certainly not an overflow pipe.  I awkwardly refer to it as the "temperature and pressure relief valve discharge pipe" or "relief valve discharge pipe".

Joyce  Joist

Acrost  Across

Footer  Footing

House Geek  Home Inspector

Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections - Email - Minnesota Home Inspections 

RELATED POST:  Misconceptions About Furnaces And Water Heaters 

What do you mean...look better and be priced better?

Buyers often look at dozens of homes before making a decision to buy. If you are a seller, how do you make yours the one they choose?

Last week I said that once buyers who are ready to buy see your property it usually comes down to two things...if it looks better and is priced better than other comparable properties they are seeing, there is a good chance an offer could be on the way.

Does that mean every property should be in perfect condition and beautifully staged...and priced super low? Absolutely not! It is striking the right balance for both your property and your motivation... keeping in mind that 'looking better' also refers to having a better online presence than your competition, regardless of condition.

It depends on multiple factors...such as...

• Condition of your property to begin with
• Your target market
• How much time, money and energy you want to invest into preparing it for sale
• Your priorities...highest price, quickest sale, least work, etc

Keep in mind that different buyers are looking for different things.

1. Move-in ready

Many buyers are looking for a home where they can just move in and not have to do much, if any, work...some fresh paint colors may be the extent of the work they want or are able to do.  If your home is in good condition to begin with or if you are a re-habber with a completed project this may be your target market. If so, it is worth it to make sure it is in tip-top condition and properly staged...many buyers cannot visualize how furniture will fit and how they will actually live in an empty space...or a crowded and cluttered one. These properties usually yield the highest price, but  should look better and be priced better than other comparable properties in tip-top condition to get the quickest sale.

2. Cosmetic updates needed

These buyers usually want a home that is structurally sound and has 'good bones' but needs updates, as may be found in an estate or a 'Grandma house'. This type of home often appeals to homebuyers who plan to live in the property and make updates themselves...sometimes to save money and build sweat equity, sometimes so they can make the space their own. To sell this kind of property, clear out the space, clean it, make any repairs required by the city...and price it lower than similar properties in move-in condition.

I remember when we bought the townhome where we currently live...it was in desparate need of updating, but the location and setting were perfect...and the price was low enough that we could comfortably make the investment of renovating the whole property. We were delighted it wasn't 'move-in ready' so we could tear out the old and re-design the space to make it our own without feeling guilty!

3. AS-IS condition

In this case I am not referring to properties sold in 'AS-IS' condition because the owner is no longer available...here I am referring to properties in need of considerable work. The work may involve anything from structural to mechanical to cosmetic to city inspection issues to hauling out items and debris left behind. With so many foreclosures and short sales on the market we are seeing many of these properties these days. Sellers seem to have learned that to sell these properties the biggest factor is having a rock-bottom price...in fact, the selling strategy is often to price low enough to elicit multiple offers. Even in this category, however, the properties that look better than other properties at the same price point sell the quickest.

LOOK BETTER...BE PRICED BETTER...determine your target market and priorities, then prepare and price accordingly.

Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - HomesMSP.com

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