| If you're still hearing real estate experts whining | | | | state can be broken into 4 main sections, each |
| and moaning about the state of the market, the | | | | offering it's own unique attractions. The |
| bursting of the bubble, or the plummeting of | | | | Northwest/Central area has the largest lakes, |
| home value averages, just tune them out. Sure, | | | | prairies and bogs, it is the source of the Mississippi |
| nationally, the market isn't the booming money | | | | River and the is the home of the legend of Paul |
| tree is was 3 years ago, but that does not mean | | | | Bunyon, the famous bigger than life lumberjack. |
| it's dead either. Besides, knowing how long homes | | | | There are plenty of resorts to stay in with |
| are staying on the market nationwide or the | | | | golfing, music and theater, museums and historical |
| median home value of the nation (it was $221,900 | | | | sites readily available. The Northeast region is the |
| in 2006) isn't going to help you much when you're | | | | scene of many lakes, tumbling rivers and lush |
| ready to move. | | | | forests, perfect for the outdoor recreations |
| Real estate is an investment, so make sure | | | | mentioned earlier. The Southern portion of |
| you're moving somewhere your home value is | | | | Minnesota is all about scenic valleys, wooded bluffs |
| likely to appreciate decently over the years. But if | | | | and peaceful prairies. Numerous historic sites |
| you're like me, you probably can't tell the future, | | | | honoring Dakota Indians and the pioneers alike are |
| so how are you supposed to figure that one out? | | | | spread throughout the area, as are antique shops, |
| Simple: good, old fashioned research. Research the | | | | historic architecture and ethnic festivals. |
| past home value and rate of sale trends in a | | | | Last but not least is the Metro area, the home of |
| specific area, as well as its population, job | | | | the Twin Cities, where hip, urban Minneapolis |
| opportunities, economy, unemployment rates and | | | | meets gentrified, historical St. Paul. A wide |
| the attractions it holds to visitors. Those various | | | | spectrum of metropolitan experiences is the |
| factors can give you a fair idea of where home | | | | result, including, but not limited to: art, history and |
| values in a given area may be headed over the | | | | science museums, stage performances, zoos, |
| years. | | | | family-friendly entertainment, shopping, a live |
| Minnesota, home of the Twin Cities (one of which, | | | | music scene, dining, clubbing, bar hopping and |
| St. Paul, is the capital city) has a population of | | | | theater. The area combines urban comforts with |
| about 5,167,101. Their economy is based on | | | | a beautiful natural setting including lakes, rivers, |
| agricultural products such as: dairy, corn, cattle, | | | | parks and trees. With so much to do, and a large |
| soybeans, hogs, wheat and turkeys and on | | | | metropolitan area, it's a fair bet to say home |
| industrial sectors such as machinery, food | | | | value prices, at least in the metro area, are |
| processing, printing and publishing, fabricated metal | | | | constantly on the rise. |
| products, electric equipment, mining and tourism. | | | | Minnesota also has middle to low unemployment |
| With a large population and a strong economy, it's | | | | rate, staying steady at about 4.6% over the past |
| obvious Minnesota is a favorable spot to live, | | | | couple months, with a rise in jobs in trade, |
| which usually means high home value averages | | | | transportation and utilities and education and health |
| and faster sales. Of course, the tourism factor | | | | services. Government, construction and |
| and attractions an area has to offer can have a | | | | manufacturing jobs seem to have slipped |
| big impact on the amount of new residents drawn | | | | somewhat. The median household income was |
| in as well. | | | | about $52,024, higher than the national median |
| Minnesota has tons of state parks for outdoor | | | | and the median home value sales price in 2006 |
| adventures such as camping, hiking, fishing, biking, | | | | was about $235,000. The median home value in |
| boating, landscape and wildlife viewing, etc. The | | | | April 2007 was $260, 277. |