Bitma2007 Plymouth District 281 Real Estate AnalysisBitmap Bitmap Single Family Homes Previously Owned PropertyDavid A. Cohen612-819-4077***All Data taken from Northstar MLS. All Information Reliable but not guranteed.***Zip CodeSchool DistrictPrice RangeASP '06ASP '07% Change# sales '06# Sales '07% ChangeDOM '06DOM '07% ChangeCDOM'06CDOM'07% Change55441281200k-300k$266,333 $268,660 0.87%2320-1%516833%60136126%300k-400k$339,252 $332,633 -2%2918-4%586716%82899%400k-500k$451,200 $424,722 -6%9902970141%40136240%500k-600k$535,458 $531,613 -0.71%382%69713%13016124%600k-700k$615,000 0NA10NA11NA0%1100%800k-900k$0 $807,500 100%01100%0110%0110%900k-1M$0 $905,000 100%01100%0260%0260%Total Averages$342,248 $371,026 8%6557-12%516629%7112373%55442281100k-200k0$190,000 100%010%0320%0320%200k-300k$275... 02/06/2008

  I have recently compiled year end statistics for the Plymouth Real Estate Market and have made some observation.  The Media, The Realtor Associations', the Public, and even Realtors are making sweeping generalizations about the state of the Real Estate Market.   People have tendency to make sweeping statements.   First let's look at the MEDIA.      The Media has helped exacerbate the public's perception of the downward spiraling of the Real Estate market.  I remember in 2005 the media describing the market as tanking and sales were down 1%.   Like it or not the Media is in the business of selling papers and "Hype," especially with a negative spin sells lots of papers.  1999-2005 were record setting years.  The reality of the REALTY is that 1% off a record year is pretty good!   In fac... 01/27/2008

  Here is a new real estate market snapshot report for Plymouth from the Minneapolis Association of Realtors®.  Sold activity is down 18.6% from last year and new listings are down 8.5%.   There are lots of nice homes to choose from with the number of single family home listings up 34.1% from 2006. 12/29/2007

                                     New listings-127 for November 2007 versus 118 for November 2006, 1872 year to date versus 2045 year to date 2006.  Overall decrease of 173 houses listed in Plymouth this year versus last.Closed sales-59 homes closed in November this year versus 72 in November last year.  Year to date closed sales finished the month at 775 units this year versus 952 in 2006.  Average sale price increased from $322,475 to $330,090 year over year.  This indicates two things.  First, there is not as much new construction inventory in Plymouth.  Second, it is a stable, healthy area.Percentage of list price received at closing dropped 1% from 96.1% to 95.1%.  This number, combined with the drop off in closed sales indicates that the properties that are moving are priced co... 12/28/2007

Michaels Arts & Crafts in Plymouth was buzzing on Saturday with entusiastic crafters of all ages!  Bill Wolpert and myself had so much fun watching the kids creating Halloween Pails and Halloween Picture frams.  We just want to thank everyone who came!  Thanks again to the "Craft Masters", Tammi & Amy from Michaels, You guys were amazing! Also a big thank you to Dan Hunt from Chanticlear Pizza of The New Hope/Plymouth Location. www.Chanticlearpizza.com .       10/29/2007

  I have a few short observations about my industry.  Have you noticed most Realtors spend 90% of their marketing efforts marketing themselves and their brand but very little time marketing their properties?  In today's market as Real Estate professional we need to become even more focused on creative ways to highlight and expose our listings to the buying public.  I practice CLIENT CENTRIC Marketing.  Client centric marketing puts my seller's property at the center of my Marketing Universe!   It all starts with a unique property website.  Let's examine one of my current listings:8830 Cottonwood Lane N is a town home in Maple Grove.  I have created a property website at http://www.8830cottonwood.com/ .  This site has pictures has all the pertinent property information a long with pictur... 10/26/2007

Bill Woplert, my Tonka Team partner, and I are hosting a Halloween event at Michaels Arts & Crafts in Plymouth ( SW corner of Vicksburg Lane & 55.)  Children under 12 can come in and create a Halloween craft project, eat some Chanticlear Pizza and treats.  We will have prizes for the best projects!  This should be a lot of fun!  For more information please email me David@SellingPlymouth.comor Bill Wolpert Bill@TonkaTeam.com .  Our co-sponsor is Chanticlear Pizza.    10/19/2007

Bill Woplert, my Tonka Team partner, and I are hosting a Halloween event at Michaels Arts & Crafts in Plymouth ( SW corner of Vicksburg Lane & 55.)  Children under 12 can come in and create a Halloween craft project, eat some Chanticlear Pizza and treats.  We will have prizes for the best projects!  This should be a lot of fun!  For more information please email me David@SellingPlymouth.comor Bill Wolpert Bill@TonkaTeam.com .  Our co-sponsor is Chanticlear Pizza.    10/19/2007

If you are looking to purchase a home in Plymouth, Minnesota here are some demographics of the area that I thought would be useful to you. If you are moving to the area and would like help with financing or would like me to refer a realtor to you I would be happy to do that for you as well.Plymouth, MinnesotaPopulation:12464Major City:MINNEAPOLISHouseholds:4530County:HENNEPINAverage Household Income:$91,431State:MNAverage Commute Time:23.8 Minutes Household DetailsTotal Housing Units:4655Total Households:4530Total Population in Households:12464Total Households with a member under 18:2039Total Households with a member over 65:713Total Families in Households:3361Total 2-Person Families in Households:1232Total 3-Person Families in Households:661Total 4-Person Families in Households:988Tota... 08/08/2007

Failing To Have a Plan: Evaluate your current situation. Why are you planning to sell your house? Are you moving up to a larger house?   Do you need the money out of this house to make your move?   One thing you need to do is to get a realistic idea of exactly How much cash you will be getting out of this house when it sells.     Are you going to move locally?   What mortgage amount can you really afford with payments including higher taxes and insurance?   Can you afford a house significantly better than the one you already have?   Are you moving down to a smaller property? What are you going to do with your furniture and other things that you have collected over the years?   Will you be comfortable in a smaller place?   Are you retiring?   Moving locally or out of state?   Are you goi... 05/30/2007

  I was on a listing appointment last week and I was amazed at the kitchen remodel. The seller had used his equity line redo his kitchen. Granite counter tops, custom maple cabinets, new center island with a cook-top, and hardwood floors really make the home shine.  In addition to the kitchen the home owner put a new roof on the home and replaced the furnace.  The work totaled 35k dollars. In addition to the equity line the owner has a first mortgage of 205k dollars.    The owner purchased the home for 201k in 2004. This home is a typical 1960's rambler in a first ring suburb that was very flat in 2006.  It has 3 bedrooms on the main level and 1 full bath that has not been updated.  The lower level consists of a large family room and utility room.  After doing a very detailed market ana... 03/11/2007