Sharlene Hensrud's (shensrud) Blog

The last step in most Minnesota closings is receiving instructions for homesteading. Don’t tuck it into your folder and forget about it… homesteading can provide valuable benefits and it doesn’t cost anything unless you forget to do it!Minnesota offers a Homestead Market Value Exclusion for peopl...

Two of our grandchildren share the same birthday, which we celebrated tonight at family night… one turned 8 and the other 13… hard to believe!  More cousins shared time together last weekend at a reunion in North Dakota with my husband’s family. They have more than 45 cousins!!RECIPE OF THE WEEKI...

We often work with families in various stages of senior housing transitions. Case in point, we are currently working with 5 different families who are moving into assisted living and selling the family home. They are all slightly different, varying from selling a condo to a townhouse to a single ...

When I read that Minneapolis was ranked the 3rd most literate city in America in 2016 it was in the back of my mind that I thought I had heard we were #1 before, and indeed we were… in 2015!  In fact the same three cities… Washington DC, Seattle and Minneapolis… have all been in the top 3 every y...

Inventory levels continue to be at record lows, making it difficult for many buyers to secure a home. Here are three tips to help you succeed in this market. Consider the outcasts. If you aren’t having luck, consider homes that have been on the market for a while if they are in a location you lik...

People are staying in their homes longer – in 2008, people bought and sold after staying in their homes an average of 6 years… in 2016 it was 10 years Renters are now buying, creating high demand – increasing rents and low interest rates mean it often makes more sense to buy than rent and renter...

With 10 Minneapolis skyscrapers at least 492 feet high today, it is easy to forget that the Foshay Tower at 448 feet was the tallest building in Minneapolis for over 40 years… from 1929 to 1972, when the IDS Tower was built. Considered one of the most spectacular Art Deco skyscrapers, its beauty ...

There is a lot of talk about downsizing these days, especially for the Baby Boomer generation as their children have grown and moved out and they make lifestyle changes for retirement. However, right-sizing is perhaps an even better way of looking at… and one that applies to all stages of life.Ri...

I have been working with several buyers lately planning their purchases with retirement in mind. I have been impressed at how purposeful they are… even more so because they aren't all thinking about retiring soon. Their plans are as different as their situations. Here are some examples… 15 year m...

1) Honesty and Integrity Puts client interests first Tells it like it is, even if it is hard to hear Licensed REALTOR, who subscribes to a stringent code of ethics 2) Communication One of the top complaints about Realtors is lack of communication Responds promptly to your calls, emails and texts ...