The Latest from Metamorphosis

We all need a home. We need a place to kick up our feet, eat and sleep...a roof over our heads to protect us from the thunderstorms of late. (Of course there's more to a home than that, but that's for a later blog).

Here's the thing: no matter what, we have to pay for these pleasures. The question then becomes "how much"?

Check out this great tool for figuring out the true costs of renting and owning and see what's best for your budget. You just may be surprised by how much money you can save by buying. http://www.trulia.com/rent_vs_buy/

Three cheers for Minneapolis! According to Travel+Leisure's list of "America's Dirtiest Cities" Minneapolis ranks cleanest- with New York on the other end of the spectrum ranking dirtiest. According to the survey "the cleaner cities tended to receive strong marks for peace, parks, and a devotion to Mother Earth." The results are not that surprising really, since we've got such amazing network of city parks, waterways, and bike paths. Just another reason we're lucky to live here!
Check out the slide show of "America's Dirtiest Cities":
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-dirtiest-cities/2

It's true! Check out this incredible home constructed using 100% recycled materials. Part Tree-house, part Art- the attention to detail, creativity and material selections are amazing!
http://dornob.com/a-beautiful-house-made-from-100-trash-recycled-materia...

Interest-free. Deferrable. FORGIVABLE.
These are words used to describe some of the current local loan programs available to 1st time home buyers. Some of these programs are specifically intended to help with down payment and closing costs, therefore, drastically decreasing the amount of cash-on-hand needed to purchase. Combine this with record-low interest rates, and you've got yourself a good deal on a Home!

Check out a these state programs:
The MN State Homeownership Assistance Fund (HAF) and the MN State Home (HELP) Homeowner Entry Loan Program.
http://www.mnhousing.gov/consumers/home-buyers/loans/MHFA_003407.aspx

Think you don't have room for a garden in the city? Well here are some crazy ideas from some pretty creative urban gardeners!
http://tiny.cc/z43sm

Metamorphosis is accepting local artist submissions for their Fall 2010 Poster and T-shirt design!
Metamorphosis is founded on the idea that the local neighborhood real estate office is the perfect place to build authentic relationships, greener lifestyles, and more sustainable communities. We also happen to be design enthusiasts and builders who can see the potential in any home, from vintage bungalow to mid-century mod.

Normally, I use this segment to highlight terrible photos- either taken by the agent, or questionable subject created by a foolhardy seller. But today, I had to highlight a new area of "What?!", renter furniture.

Of course, as renters, one is unlikely to furnish via the Room & Board catalog. But a general sense of scale is useful, not only when choosing furniture, but when buying clothes, cars, etc. It's just a good skill to have. Also invaluable is the ability to discern whether an object should be carted around with you for a long time (we all know we keep furniture for much longer than we thought we would when we bought/found/were given the piece).

When I first clicked through this listing, I had to do a double take. Was it current, or was it the developer's original photo? Sepia tone has a way of doing that, totally throwing a wrench in time, dragging us back to days that may have been simpler, easier. To a time when this house was brand-spanking-new.
Or someone was just having fun with Photoshop.

You make the call:
http://bit.ly/rambler_memoriesSepia Memories

A homeowner's ideas gone awry.
This house is in a very prestigious neighborhood, but it seems the owner failed to ask for a 2nd, 3rd, heck 4th, opinion before proceeding with his (or her) grand plans.
I understand, it lets in light. But I can say that if I was working on this project, glass block would not have been my first solution for the this problem.
So sad.

Here it is, the middle of April. Buyers are rushing around, trying to find that one-in-a-million good deal.

What happens when they find it? What's the deadline to have a contract in place? When do you have to close? You bought the house, now how do you get the credit?

All these questions can be answered in this informative summary from the MN Home Ownership Center.

http://bit.ly/2010taxincentives_buyer

This doesn't cover green or energy efficiency tax credits. Call or email me for more info on that.