
It’s 2023!!
Happy New Year!!
Wishing you and your family a very prosperous, healthy, and joy filled 2023!!
It’s 2023!!
Happy New Year!!
Wishing you and your family a very prosperous, healthy, and joy filled 2023!!
We wish you all of the happiness and joy of the holiday season, no matter how you celebrate!! May your holidays be filled with happiness, laughter, love, and many new memories to cherish for a lifetime!!
Season’s Greetings from all of us at Cushman Realty!!!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving together. May all of your Thanksgiving traditions bring great joy to all that celebrate together!! We are so grateful to all our clients, family, and friends!!
A well-tended deck sets the stage for decades of lasting memories. It’s a place where family and friends can gather to share meals, reconnect with the outdoors, and relax. Decks can also greatly increase the curb appeal and value of a home.
Despite the rise of composite material construction, many homeowners still prefer wood decking— it’s still the most affordable and popular decking on the market. And there’s no question that traditional timber brings a tranquil energy to deck-related activities, as well as a timeless natural quality that others don’t.
Though they may feel timeless, wood decks are indeed more susceptible to the wear and tear of time, weather, and use than composite decking. Homeowners must provide regular care to preserve the lifespan of their decks. Follow the Golden Rule of deck maintenance, “Respect your deck and your deck will respect you.”
The good news is that many of these maintenance to-dos can be done either for free or without breaking the bank.
All woods are not created equal. Some types need more care than others and therefore require a different maintenance schedule or more intense care. For example, treated lumber is the most common and inexpensive type of wood decking, but is more susceptible to cracking and splintering over time. Cedar or redwood decks tend to be more weather-resistant, therefore requiring less repair, but are more costly upfront. Tropical hardwoods are the most expensive but offer a luxurious feel and unique beauty for homeowners. It’s important to understand the wood type in your deck before you start on regular maintenance work.
An annual inspection of your deck’s surfaces and structure can help you identify potential issues before they become safety hazards. Sweeping the deck first clears the path for a closer inspection. You should check for raised nails or screws, holes in boards, warped boards, and any hardware rust. Consider replacing raised nails with wood screws. Inspect boards, beams, and posts for early signs of rot. If there are holes in the wood, consider picking up an inexpensive wood filler product from your hardware store.
It’s not too late to do that deep deck cleaning yet this summer. Cleaning practices can vary—from the gentle stream of a garden hose to power washing. While using a power washer can be fast and effective, be cautious with the water pressure level as it can damage the wood. Before rushing out to buy a gallon of cleaning chemicals, consider a more environmentally-friendly approach. Mold and mildew on wood surfaces can be cleaned with a simple bucket, a few rags, and a solution made from water and baking soda, vinegar, or borate treatment.
Refinishing your deck is a bigger project to take on, but one that doesn’t need to be done more than every 2-3 years. Refinishing a deck is a multistep process that involves scraping off flaking stain or dirt, sanding, and applying wood stain or sealant. Doing this project yourself will take a few days depending on the size of the deck, but the tools required to do the job won’t strain your bank account. A simple paint scraper, vacuum, orbital sander, some sandpaper, and a high-quality sealant will do the heavy lifting. You just need to supply the elbow grease.
Did you know that many rugs and mats absorb moisture? Even outdoor rugs aren’t impervious to wet and harsh weather. Replacing these rugs with proper water-resistant mats or removing them entirely will save your wood deck from serious water damage. Rearrange your patio furniture and move around the grill or planters every year. Why? Prolonged sunlight on certain areas of the deck will cause discoloration in the wood.
If you’re a homeowner with a wood deck or are considering adding one to your home, these do’s and don’ts are free and/or inexpensive ways to make your deck stand the test of time. It’ll take some upkeep, but with regular tending, you’ll enjoy a more beautiful, safe wood deck for years to come.
Wishing all our family, friends, and clients all a safe and enjoyable 4th of July!!
“We simply don’t have the inventory levels necessary to meet demand,” said Chris Galler, CEO of Minnesota Realtors. “The combination of a falling Affordability Index and rising interest rates is causing significant problems for first-time homebuyers who have been counting pennies and waiting anxiously to purchase a home of their own. Realtors across the state are working to help counsel home purchasers and make them aware of these unique market dynamics.”
February year-over-year summary of key market indicators:
In February, closed sales declined in 10 regions compared to a year ago, bringing Minnesota’s average number of closed home sales down 12.9% year over year. Three regions reported increases, with Southwest Central marking double-digit gains, at 11.1%, Southeast at 5.9%, and Southwest at 1.6%. Eight regions saw double-digit declines in closed home sales. The largest of these were West Central, down 27.4%, East Central, down 18.1%, and Northwest, down 17.6%. See the chart below for more details comparing closed home sales for February 2022 to February 2021.
Minnesota Realtors® (MNR) is the membership organization supporting all 22,000 Realtors® in the state of Minnesota. MNR is dedicated to helping Realtors® succeed in providing comprehensive and informed guidance to their customers seeking to buy or sell a home. MNR provides Realtors® with a code of ethics, continuing education, real estate transaction forms, legal services and dispute resolution, as well as lobbying and advocating for homeownership rights and the real estate industry. MNR works in partnership with the National Association of Realtors, as well as more than 15 affiliate regional associations within Minnesota. MNR is a non-profit organization founded in 1919, with headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and a branch office in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The 2021 real estate market was seen as a continuation of the 2020 seller’s market, with less availability and higher prices.
Compared to 2020 inventory, the number of homes sold in 2021 decreased ever so slightly. The median sale price in 2021 of $339,900 grew compared to 2020 median sale price of $305,000. That’s an increase of 11.4% in sales price in 2021 compared to 2020 of just 8.9%.
Sellers also saw an increase in the percentage of their home’s list price in 2021, averaging 101.9% of their asking list price (compared to 99.8 for 2020).
With less inventory on the market (compared to year over year), there was less 1 months inventory (.8 of a month) on the market, compared to 2021 of 1.1 months of inventory.
To find out what the local conditions are like within your city, feel free to reach out to us as Cushman Realty for a complimentary market analysis of your home.