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