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