Saint Paul Homes

Did you know-Current & Future Housing Data

Watch this video-then call me to help you buy or sell a new home or investment property.

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8 Tips For Finding Your New Home

A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you.

House hunting is just like any other shopping expedition. If you identify exactly what you want and do some research, you’ll zoom in on the home you want at the best price. These eight tips will guide you through a smart homebuying process.

1. Know thyself
Understand the type of home that suits your personality. Do you prefer a new or existing home? A ranch or a multistory home? If you’re leaning toward a fixer-upper, are you truly handy, or will you need to budget for contractors?

2. Research before you look
List the features you most want in a home and identify which are necessities and which are extras. Identify three to four neighborhoods you’d like to live in based on commute time, schools, recreation, crime, and price. Then hop onto REALTOR.com to get a feel for the homes available in your price range in your favorite neighborhoods. Use the results to prioritize your wants and needs so you can add in and weed out properties from the inventory you’d like to view.

3. Get your finances in order
Generally, lenders say you can afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. Create a budget so you know how much you’re comfortable spending each month on housing. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to investigate financing.

Gather your financial records and meet with a lender to get a prequalification letter spelling out how much you’re eligible to borrow. The lender won’t necessarily consider the extra fees you’ll pay when you purchase or your plans to begin a family or purchase a new car, so shop in a price range you’re comfortable with. Also, presenting an offer contingent on financing will make your bid less attractive to sellers.

4. Set a moving timeline
Do you have blemishes on your credit that will take time to clear up? If you already own, have you sold your current home? If not, you’ll need to factor in the time needed to sell. If you rent, when is your lease up? Do you expect interest rates to jump anytime soon? All these factors will affect your buying, closing, and moving timelines.

5. Think long term
Your future plans may dictate the type of home you’ll buy. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in the home for five to 10 years? With a starter, you may need to adjust your expectations. If you plan to nest, be sure your priority list helps you identify a home you’ll still love years from now.

6. Work with a REALTOR®
Ask people you trust for referrals to a real estate professional they trust. Interview agents to determine which have expertise in the neighborhoods and type of homes you’re interested in. Because homebuying triggers many emotions, consider whether an agent’s style meshes with your personality.

Also ask if the agent specializes in buyer representation. Unlike listing agents, whose first duty is to the seller, buyers’ reps work only for you even though they’re typically paid by the seller. Finally, check whether agents are REALTORS®, which means they’re members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. NAR has been a champion of homeownership rights for more than a century.

7. Be realistic
It’s OK to be picky about the home and neighborhood you want, but don’t be close-minded, unrealistic, or blinded by minor imperfections. If you insist on living in a cul-de-sac, you may miss out on great homes on streets that are just as quiet and secluded.

On the flip side, don’t be so swayed by a “wow” feature that you forget about other issues—like noise levels—that can have a big impact on your quality of life. Use your priority list to evaluate each property, remembering there’s no such thing as the perfect home.

8. Limit the opinions you solicit
It’s natural to seek reassurance when making a big financial decision. But you know that saying about too many cooks in the kitchen. If you need a second opinion, select one or two people. But remain true to your list of wants and needs so the final decision is based on criteria you’ve identified as important.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who has found happiness in a brownstone in a historic Chicago neighborhood. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

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4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford

By knowing how much mortgage you can handle, you can ensure that home ownership will fit in your budget.

Here are six surefire ways you can get your finances in order before you buy a home.

Homeownership should make you feel safe and secure, and that includes financially. Be sure you can afford your home by calculating how much of a mortgage you can safely fit into your budget.

Instead of just taking out the biggest mortgage a lender qualifies you to borrow, consider how much you want to pay each month for housing based on your financial and personal goals.

Think ahead to major life events and consider how those might influence your budget. Do you want to return to school for an advanced degree? Will a new child add day care to your monthly expenses? Does a relative plan to eventually live with you and contribute to the mortgage?

Still not sure how much you can afford? You can use the same formulas that most lenders use, or try another of these traditional methods for estimating the amount of mortgage you can afford.

1. The general rule of mortgage affordability
As a rule of thumb, you can typically afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. If you earn $100,000, you can typically afford a home between $200,000 and $300,000.

To understand how that rule applies to your particular financial situation, prepare a family budget and list all the costs of homeownership, like property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and community association fees, if applicable, as well as costs specific to your family, such as day care costs.

2. Factor in your downpayment
How much money do you have for a downpayment? The higher your downpayment, the lower your monthly payments will be. If you put down at least 20% of the home’s cost, you may not have to get private mortgage insurance, which costs hundreds each month. That leaves more money for your mortgage payment.
The lower your downpayment, the higher the loan amount you’ll need to qualify for and the higher your monthly mortgage payment.

3. Consider your overall debt
Lenders generally follow the 28/41 rule. Your monthly mortgage payments covering your home loan principal, interest, taxes, and insurance shouldn’t total more than 28% of your gross annual income. Your overall monthly payments for your mortgage plus all your other bills, like car loans, utilities, and credit cards, shouldn’t exceed 41% of your gross annual income.

Here’s how that works. If your gross annual income is $100,000, multiply by 28% and then divide by 12 months to arrive at a monthly mortgage payment of $2,333 or less. Next, check the total of all your monthly bills including your potential mortgage and make sure they don’t top 41%, or $3,416 in our example.

4. Use your rent as a mortgage guide
The tax benefits of homeownership generally allow you to afford a mortgage payment—including taxes and insurance—of about one-third more than your current rent payment without changing your lifestyle. So you can multiply your current rent by 1.33 to arrive at a rough estimate of a mortgage payment.

Here’s an example. If you currently pay $1,500 per month in rent, you should be able to comfortably afford a $2,000 monthly mortgage payment after factoring in the tax benefits of homeownership.

However, if you’re struggling to keep up with your rent, consider what amount would be comfortable and use that for the calcuation instead.

Also consider whether or not you’ll itemize your deductions. If you take the standard deduction, you can’t also deduct mortgage interest payments. Talking to a tax adviser, or using a tax software program to do a “what if” tax return, can help you see your tax situation more clearly.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who’s owned her own home for more than 20 years. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

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Two Special Twin Cities Home Buying Programs

One program is called FPP-Foreclosure Partnership Program, and the other is NSP2 Homebuyer Assistance Program.  Both programs offer incentive money for a purchase.  I can use these financing programs with one of our mortgage investors.  Consider checking them out to see if they’d work for you.

HennipenCounty-Non-forclosedHomes-overview

HennipenCounty-Nsp2-overview

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Rebuilding Credit To Get A Mortgage

Often, especially in this market due to the recession, we find potential home buyers who have had a life event or “bump in the road” that affects their ability to obtain a new loan. If you want to buy a home, you will have to have a certain number of reporting trade lines and for certain length of time. MOST mortgage programs require 3-5 trade lines and a minimum of two years of reporting. The other criteria is the actual credit score-which generally has to be 620, 640 or even 660 as it is all lender dependent. A manual underwriting where they use alternative credit such as rent payments, cell phone bill, utility bills, and the cable bill might be able to be used-but only with a few certain programs and lenders. So, the best bet is to re-establish credit as quickly as possible. HOW ABOUT NOW!! Don’t wait-it will only extend the time until you are going to be eligible. I have put together a list of resources that might be helpful. This list is only a starting place for your research. If you find another good resource please post it in the comments below so that the list can be expanded upon.

TOP IDEAS FOR CREDIT RE.doc

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Buying Rental Property In The Twin Cities

Have you ever wanted to own rental property, but were unsure where to start?   I teach a class on the topic.  I’ve decided to make the outline into a PPT.  I cover the information in my class in much more depth and breadth, but this will give you a lot of useful information.  If you are interested in discussing purchasing a rental property as an investment, just give me a call and we can set up a time to meet and review how I can help you become a “real estate mogul”.   <div style=”width:425px” id=”__ss_6509319″><strong style=”display:block;margin:12px 0 4px”><a href=”http://www.slideshare.net/mnguru/buying-twin-cities-rental-real-estate” title=”Buying Twin Cities Rental Real Estate”>Buying Twin Cities Rental Real Estate</a></strong><object id=”__sse6509319″ width=”425″ height=”355″><param name=”movie” value=”http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=rentalpresentation-110110134338-phpapp01&stripped_title=buying-twin-cities-rental-real-estate&userName=mnguru” /><param name=”allowFullScreen” value=”true”/><param name=”allowScriptAccess” value=”always”/><embed name=”__sse6509319″ src=”http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=rentalpresentation-110110134338-phpapp01&stripped_title=buying-twin-cities-rental-real-estate&userName=mnguru” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” allowscriptaccess=”always” allowfullscreen=”true” width=”425″ height=”355″></embed></object><div style=”padding:5px 0 12px”>View more <a href=”http://www.slideshare.net/”>presentations</a> from <a href=”http://www.slideshare.net/mnguru”>John Mazzara</a>.</div></div>

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Mortgage Insurance May Still Be Deductible For Some Buyers

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Is There An Opportunity Right In Front Of YOU

I just watched an amazing video which I’ve posted below called the Money Tree. There are so many different interpretations. One that struck me was that people are oblivious to opportunity that is right in front of them. How many of us are looking for something that we already have or is within our reach? How many people are NOT buying real estate today when they could be looking at this as an incredible wealth building opportunity for what it is over the long term-assuming properties rise again in value? I was showing homes this past weekend. It was incredible to see townhomes in great communities selling for 40-60% less than they had sold for just as little as 5 years before. Luckily for my client, we are going to make an offer and ACT. Watch this video and don’t let the opportunities in your life pass you by. Don’t let life pass you by. Happy New Year and may 2011 be your best yet!

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December Is The Time To Reflect

Are each of us doing all we can to make the world a better place?  Many of us have our favorite charity and organizations we support.  RE/MAX is a very large sponsor of Children’s Miracle Network.  Many people don’t realize how much has been given.  Each time I sell a home, I automatically donate a portion of my commission to this organization.  Other RE/MAX agents like myself contribute from their commission checks as well.  Together, with RE/MAX we have collectively given over 100M.  I would encourage everyone to consider finding an organization they believe in and make giving a part of their life.  Just imagine what the world could look like?

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Getting Ready to Sell Your House

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HUD Has A YouTube Channel-Here Is There Vid On Buying A Home

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Google lets you create cool templated websites

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Can Home Ownership Contribute To Your Wealth?

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Minnesota Foreclosure And Distressed Home Fact Sheets PLUS Twin Cities First Time Buyer Special Programs

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Twin Cities Foreclosure Update

Here is our latest newsletter that has updates on foreclosures in the Twin Cities.

Also, watch the video below

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Minnesota First Time Home Buyer Tips

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Top Seven Tips For Home Buyers

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Data.gov – A Cool Site With Lots Of Great Info

http://www.Data.gov I just found this site and wanted to share it.  It has a ton of info and reports.  If you have a project or just an “inquiring mind”, this is sure to be a hit.  Check it out and get the data you need.

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Downtown Activities of St Paul Minnesota

By John Mazzara

If you are planning to visit the lovely downtown St. Paul area, more than likely you are interested in finding some great downtown activities to be involved in. The St. Paul history is long and deep, and there are many exciting historical attractions to visit while you are in the area. So, if you’re looking for some great places to visit and for some wonderful activities to check out while you’re in Saint Paul, Minnesota, here are a few great activities and places that you’ll want to check out during your stay.

James J Hill Mansion

While you are in downtown St. Paul, you’ll definitely want to take the time to check out the James J. Hill Mansion. This is the home of James J. Hill, who is the well known railroad baron of years ago. Today the home is owned by the Minnesota Historical Society. You can take a tour of the mansion, getting a glimpse of the amazing wealth that Hill had and all it could by in the early 1800s. There are 42 rooms in the home, more than 20 fireplaces, and 13 bathrooms. You’ll also find beautiful stained glass windows, lovely woodwork, and even a huge and old pipe organ. There is also an art gallery, and the tours of the mansion start on the half our. The price is only $8 for adults, $4 for kids, and $6 for senior citizens.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

If you’re in Saint Paul Minnesota, another great place to stop and visit is the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. In fact, it’s a great place to go with the entire family. Not only will you get to see all the great animals that are currently in the zoo today, but you’ll get to see the older cages from years ago where the animals used to be held. If you go during the summer, you will not want to miss the “Sparky the Seal” show, which the whole family will love. Going to the zoo is totally free and there is also an amusement park beside the zoo that you can visit as well, where you can find rides for the kids, cotton candy, and other great treats that everyone will enjoy.

Minnesota History Center Museum

Another excellent place to visit if you’re interested in St. Paul history is the Minnesota History Center Museum. There are better than 500,000 documents housed in the museum, not to mention over 100,000 different objects. Whether you are a tourist or you’ve lived in the area for years, this is a wonderful place to visit. One exhibit you’ll encounter is called “Minnesota A to Z.” It shows how Minnesota life has been and how it has developed in the past 150 years. There is a huge boxcar that is life size that you can go in, and there are many other great exhibits and videos to check out. Admission is free, so you won’t have to pay a thing to have a great time.

Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota is a great stop in downtown St. Paul. The museum is built so it is right in the bluffs above the Mississippi River. The museum is 370,000 square fee and it has a nice theater that seats 415 people as well as a special hall devoted to human biology. Exhibits rotate and you’ll find interesting things like human heart exhibits and even holograms. The Omnitheater on site has a variety of films available and the main entrance is guarded by a steel iguana that is 40 feet long.

Alexander Ramsey House

Another excellent stop if you’re interested in St. Paul history is the Alexander Ramsey House. You can get tours of the house by guides who are dressed up in costumes from the period. This mansion was actually build by the first territorial governor of Minnesota, Alexander Ramsey back in 1872. You’ll be able to see the home and many great pieces that are originals as well.

Minnesota State Capitol

While you are in Saint Paul, Minnesota, you will definitely want to make a stop at the Minnesota State Capitol. This capitol building is considered to be the most beautiful one in the entire nation. It was designed by Cass Gilbert, who is an architect in the area. It was first opened up in 1905 and the cost of the building was $4 million and it took 6 years for the building to be completed as well. It is actually somewhat modeled after St. Peter’s, which is located in Rome and it has a huge dome and the interior is extravagant. It is located up on a hill where you have a great view of St. Paul and there are free tours available each hour. Tours are offered each hour and the cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children, and $4 for senior citizens.

Want to search for a home in St Paul MN? Start by visiting Saint Paul home search site http://www.StPaulHomes.net John Mazzara is involved with financial services in the Twin Cities, MN. Officing out of Edina, Minnesota-John is centrally located within the 7 county MN metropolitan area. John owns three separate businesses-a licensed real estate broker associate selling Minnesota real estate since 1986-affiliated with RE/MAX Associates Plus http://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com , an independent CFP-certified financial planner since 1989 with an independent Minnesota financial planning firm-Financial Planning Associates and the owner of a Minnesota mortgage broker firm-Venture Development Inc-specializing in residential, commercial and investment mortgages for purchases of single family homes, investment properties and commercial property. Venture brokers FHA, VA, Conventional loans and lines of credit. If you are looking for someone to help you in the areas of real estate sales/purchase, mortgages, or and/or financial planning and insurance you should call John for a free 1 hour consultation to see if he can meet your needs. 952-929-2577. RE/MAX Associates Plus and Venture Development are located at 7300 France Ave S, Suite 410, Edina, MN 55435.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Mazzara
http://EzineArticles.com/?Downtown-Activities-of-St-Paul-Minnesota&id=1898935

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Downtown St. Paul Minnesota – Fun Things to Do in Saint Paul MN

By John Mazzara

Visiting downtown St. Paul? If so, there are many fun things that you can do, no matter what season you decide to visit the area. You’ll find that there are excellent St. Paul event no matter the time of year, and you’ll be sure to find fun activities that the entire family can enjoy all year long. From the St. Paul Winter Carnival, going to see the Minnesota Wild, or even participating in Grand Old Days, in downtown St. Paul, MN there is no lack of great things to do. Here are just a few of the fun things to do in the city of St. Paul that you are sure to enjoy.

St. Paul Winter Carnival

If you happen to enjoy getting involved in winter events, St. Paul is the place to be. When it comes to St. Paul events, the St. Paul Winter Carnival is one of the most well known events. The very first Winter Carnival was held back in 1886, and since then they have had this celebration each year. At the first Carnival they had, there was a huge ice castle and they included ice horse racing and bobsledding as just a few of the fun activities that were held during the event. Today the St. Paul Winter Carnival is bigger and better than ever. A royal family is elected to be in the parade, and some of the great activities that are available for kids include the Grand Day Parade, the Royal Coronation, a Pow Wow, ice sculpture carving, and Klondike Kate Caberets to name a few. Since 1952, there has also been a Treasure Hunt held each year during the carnival as well. The search is for a medallion, and the ones who find it usually get a cash prize.

See the Minnesota Wild

In downtown St. Paul, you also have the option to go see the Minnesota Wild play when they are in season. They are the professional ice hockey team and they are based right out of St. Paul. The Minnesota Wild first began to play back in 2000 and since their beginning, every home game has been sold out at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Just a few of the players on the team include Eric Belanger, Andrew Brunette, Marian Gaborik, Josh Harding, Kim Johnsson, Nick Schultz, Eric Reitz, Thomas Mojzis, and Marek Zidlicky.

Grand Old Days

When it comes to St. Paul events, another one that you won’t want to miss is the Grand Old Days. The Grand Old Days event is an event that celebrates the first rites of spring in downtown St. Paul. There is a parade that occurs on Grand Avenue that is full of great floats and much more. You’ll also find that there is live music during the event as well as art cars that you can enjoy seeing as well. Sporting events occur during this time as well dog competitions, competitions for the strongest woman and man, street performances, and many other great events as well. The restaurants and stores that are located on Grand Avenue are open during the big event, so you can do some shopping, and get food and drink if you need it as well. Parking can be difficult to find during the Grand Old Days, so you may want to park a ways away and then ride a bus into the city for the event.

Visit the Summit Brewery

The Summit Brewery is an excellent place to visit in downtown St. Paul, MN. For more than 150 years, there has always been some kind of a brewery in the city of St. Paul and today it is the Summer Beer Brewery that is there. The brewery is fully functional and you can easily get a free tour of the brewery. This is a great adventure for the entire family.

Check Out St. Paul Cathedral

You’ll definitely want to check out the St. Paul Cathedral if you are visiting downtown st. Paul. Whether you are Catholic or not, you’ll definitely want to take the time to see and explore the incredible architecture of this magnificent building. No doubt you’ll appreciate and enjoy seeing the design of the building, especially the domes. One of the domes of the cathedral actually is covered with a variety of murals that were painted about 150+ years ago by hand. People from across the world have come to see this beautiful cathedral, and they have never been disappointed. Since the cathedral is also located on a high hill, it gives you a great view of the entire city. You won’t have to pay a thing to tour the St. Paul Cathedral either, so it is a free place for you and the family to visit.

The Children’s Museum

For those who have children, visiting the Children’s Museum, located in downtown St. Paul, MN is an excellent idea. There are great activities for children available that help kids learn more about nature and science as well. One area of the museum even teaches kids about a variety of careers. The fee to visit the museum is reasonable, and it is a great outing for the entire family.

http://www.StPaulHomes.net is the place to start when beginning your home search for homes in Saint Paul Minnesota. John Mazzara is involved with financial services in the Twin Cities, MN. Officing out of Edina, Minnesota-John is centrally located within the 7 county MN metropolitan area. John owns three separate businesses-a licensed real estate broker associate selling Minnesota real estate since 1986-affiliated with RE/MAX Associates Plus http://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com, an independent CFP-certified financial planner since 1989 with an independent Minnesota financial planning firm-Financial Planning Associates and the owner of a Minnesota mortgage broker firm-Venture Development Inc-specializing in residential, commercial and investment mortgages for purchases of single family homes, investment properties and commercial property. Venture brokers FHA, VA, Conventional loans and lines of credit. If you are looking for someone to help you in the areas of real estate sales/purchase, mortgages, or and/or financial planning and insurance you should call John for a free 1 hour consultation to see if he can meet your needs. 952-929-2577. RE/MAX Associates Plus and Venture Development are located at 7300 France Ave S, Suite 410, Edina, MN 55435

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Mazzara
http://EzineArticles.com/?Downtown-St.-Paul-Minnesota—Fun-Things-to-Do-in-Saint-Paul-MN&id=1942106

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Check Out Energy Rebates

EnergyStar.gov –  Check Out Energy Rebates

This is a government site that offers lots of energy saving tips as well as explains what energy saving grants or credits might be available.

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Foreclosure Trends Newsletter

Here is the latest issue of my foreclosure trends newsletter.  As you can see, the trend is not our friend, in the sense that the housing market has not recovered.  Until jobs come back and people are employed and feel safe in their employment, they will tend to avoid making a committment.

ForeclosureTrends.pdf

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Twin Cities Foreclosure Trends-From our MLS & Realty Trac

Besides the board of realtor sites:  http://theThing.mplsrealtor.com and market data posted elsewhere at http://www.MplsRealtor.com I have a subscription to Realty Trac.  My subscription gives me additional data about foreclosures and trends within certain zip codes.  This is in addition to my daily subscription to Finance & Commerce (a business newspaper that prints all the foreclosure information as well as very timely articles regarding the business community).  If you are looking for someone who has experience and access to information about distressed sales, we need to be working together.  Whether buyer or seller-I can help you understand the market we are in and the options and opportunities available to you.  Give me call today.

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Real Estate Information

These are a couple of my newsletters that have a ton of valuable information. Go check them out.

Foreclosure Market Trends Newsletter
http://www.realtytrac.com/MarketTrends/NewsLetter.aspx?guid=131bd355-1b69-4bd1-99cd-2f0c9a936810

Real Estate Cyber Space Tips
http://www.REcyber.com/cybertips/r11627

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Metro Lofts Condo For Sale

This outstanding loft is priced to sell.  Not a short sale or foreclosure-just a great deal.  Visit the link below and check out the virtual tour.

http://www.obeo.com/Public/Viewer/Default.aspx?ID=613257

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Outstanding Video-An Inspiration To All-Be The Best You Can Be!

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Twin Cities Home buyer book

Thinking about buying a home but don’t know where to start? Why not start by reading the home buyer hand book that we have provided below. It is a great place to start to get the information you need. When you’re ready, we would love to help you find and finance a new home.

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Open Source Documents-Unbelievable Resources-Find YOUR topic of Interest

If you’ve never visited http://www.Archive.org, you are missing a wonderful site.  From this site, you will find many resources that are out of copyright and you can download and use them as you wish.  You will find all the classics and some fun things as well.  Just for fun, I have the download of a book called “Little Gardens” which is a book about setting up a garden on a city lot.  This is just one of the MANY fun things you’ll find.  You can download and watch old music, movies, and cartoons as well.  Plan to spend some time on the site should you decide to visit, as it is very cool.  Click here to download the book Little Gardens

3EEPE5CR2WH3

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Sell Your Home Faster-Learn The Home Selling Secrets Of Successful Sellers

Here is a special report that outlines over 450 ideas on how to sell your home faster.  This report is just one of the many home buyer, home seller, and investor reports that I can make available to you.  Read this report and call me to arrange a time to see how I can help.  Download Now

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Extension And Expansion Of Home Buyer Credit-4/30/2010

A Big WOW!!  The credit has been expanded to include homeowners who have owned their home for the past 5 years. No longer do you need to be a first time buyer.  The dollar limit is $8000 for first time buyers and $6500 for move up buyers.  This GREAT news.  Combine this with 50 year lows in interest rates, and you’d be crazy not to consider making a move.  If you feel secure in your job, think hard about buying  home at this time.  We can help you make the right move. Visit this site-which is from the National Association Of Home Builders  http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/faq2.php This site give you all the rules and regulations as they now apply.

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Why Foreclosure Is Often Preferred By The Loan Servicer Instead Of Offering A Loan Modification

Have you ever wondered why a foreclosure occurs when a better solution might have been a modification?  Would you like to read the facts and figures and see how mortgages are bundled, sold and serviced?  You will soon see it is isn’t pretty, we are in the midst of a crisis, and it is likely to get worse before it gets better.  That being said, you can probably guess why-it’s about the money.  It is a little more complex than that-the report is 60 pages-but is explains the incentive and disincentives that are at conflict within the mortgage market today.  Once you understand how all the pieces go together, you can see that something “different” needs to be done.  I am a strong free market believer, but in this case, the government needs to have a mandate and rule that is guided towards keeping people in their homes.  Left to current industry solutions, the mortgage mess will continue to play out and get worse.  If you click on the link below, you will find the free report from the National Consumer Law Center.

http://www.nclc.org/issues/foreclosure-mediation-programs.html

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Home Buyer Tax Credit Information Update

It’s now official!! The tax credit has been extended and expanded. YOU NEED TO HURRY! You now have until the end of April 2010. The following summary of the credit is provided by the National Association Of Realtors. The following two documents cover the changes in the new law. Now get out there and buy a home!!

NAR FAQ: Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes
NAR Issue Brief: Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes

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Minnesota Real Estate Newsletter Gives Access To Great Computer & Life Tips

I maintain a number of real estate sites, blogs, and newsletters. One newsletter that provides a number of computer tips to help you function better with a computer is http://www.REcyber.com/cybertips/r11627 The site is full of cyber space tricks and great places to visit. We have link to this site on the list of MN Real Estate links, but I wanted to highlight this particular newsletter because it different from what most agents provide. From this newsletter, you can also access all the back issues-from 2001 and beyond. It is really quite a useful resource-spend some time there if you have a chance.

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Make The Right Home Improvements & Increase Your MN Home Value

Are you ready to sell your Minnesota home for the highest dollar with the least amount of hassle? I have helped hundreds of MN homeowners get their home sold. Can I help you?

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Minnesota Home Seller Secrets

Are you ready to sell your Minnesota home for the highest dollar with the least amount of hassle? I have helped hundreds of MN homeowners get their home sold. Can I help you?

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Minnesota Home Buyer Secrets

First, read the guide and learn how to purchase a Minnesota home successfully. Then, call me to set up an appointment to begin the process.

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Buying Vacant St Paul Homes Can Be VERY risky

Read this article and understand your potential liability BEFORE you purchase a vacant St Paul Home.  What looks like a great deal, might be a nightmare.  Understand what you must do prior to purchasing a vacant home or home with work orders in St Paul.

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Look up Tax & Ownership info on St Paul Homes

Simply use this link and you will get to the lookup page

https://www.stpaulonestop.com/AMANDA5/eNtraprise/StPaul/m3list/a_PickProperty.jsp?lid=ReadOnlystpaul

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Requirements for the Sale of Registered Vacant Buildings

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St. Paul

St. Paul is famous not only for being the other half of the Twin Cities (the other part being Minneapolis) but also for being America’s most livable city. The city will however be placed in the world map once it hosts the Republican National Convention in September 2008.

Politics aside, St, Paul aims to make life and the environment better for its residents through the promotion of commuting alternatives in the city specifically the Freewheelin bike sharing program during the convention where a thousand bikes will be lent to program participants, 75 of which will be left to the city after the event.

More popularly known as the capital of the State of Minnesota, St. Paul is Minnesota’s most densely populated county. Together with Minneapolis, it is the 15th largest area in the United States with 3.5 million residents as of the last Census.

History

St. Paul used to be a tavern that developed into a trading outpost known as Pig’s Eye in honor of Pierre Parrant, the man who started it all. Parrant was blind in one eye. As the city became the melting pot of European explorers, American soldiers and Native Americans, it ultimately became Minnesota’s transportation and trading center until it became a city in 1858.

City and Community Profile

St. Paulites live in a city that is further divided into 17 City Districts including Saint Anthony Park, Merriam Park, Highland Park, Battle Creek, Como Park, Dayton’s Bluff, Downtown, Greater East Side, Macalester-Groveland, North End, Payne-Phalen, Summit Hill, Summit-University, Hamline-Midway Thomas-Dale, West Seventh and West Side.

St. Paul has a population of 287,151 people consisting of 112, 109 households. The city is home to 115,713 housing units occupied by 60,987 families. Majority or 67.02% of the residents of the city are Whites followed by Asian (12.36%), African Americans (11.71%), Native Americans (1.13%) and the rest are Pacific Islanders and those from other races. St. Paul is home the Mexican population, the reason why a Mexican consulate has been established in the area.

St. Paul has a young population with an average age of 31 years. The elderly or those aged 65 years and over make up only 10.3% of the total population while those under 18 years of age make up 27.1% of the total population.

Business

As part of the Twin Cities, St. Paul is an ideal site for business and this is evident with the number of major corporations that have made the city their home including St. Jude Medical, Minnesota Life, Lawson Software, Travelers, 3M and Gander Mountain.

City Attractions

St. Paul is an exciting destination for those who seek entertainment and those planning to relocate in the city will get their share of fun and excitement. One of the attractions here, which was born out of a criticism the city got from a New York reporter who compared the city to Siberia during winter is the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. Minnesota Lake is a fitting icon for the Winter Festival considering that the ice formations in the lake were the source of the Festival ice castle. Among the Festival attractions include ice horse racing and bobsledding. Another attraction is the appearance of the Royal Family during the festival.

The St. Paul historic Landmark Center in Rice Park also serves as a time capsule and a memorial to that time when the building served as a post office and Federal Court House. The pink granite building with that red tile roof is now an arts and culture and an information center. Infamous people like Baby Face Nelson and John Dillinger were tried in the same building when it was still used as a court house.

The Wabasha Street Caves is another historical site having been home to mobsters before it was converted into a venue for band music. Nothing however beats the 12-day Minnesota State Fair, known as United State’s largest state fair when it comes to the average attendance on a daily basis. If you want the best of Minnesota livestock, cooking and art then go to the fair.

Famous Citizens

St. Paul is the birthplace and resident of many famous people including world-famous author F. Scott Fitzgerald (who was born here), Peanuts creator Charles M. Schultz (who was born in Minneapolis but was a resident of St. Paul from infancy), journalist and Civil rights activist Roy Wilkins (who grew here), playwright August Wilson (who lived here from 1978 to 1990), photographer John Vachon and painter LeRoy Neiman.

Housing

Most executive relocation and corporate relocation package focus on St. Paul because of the many housing opportunities in the city. You can choose to invest in real estate properties like condominiums, apartments, house for sale or get a good real estate agent to look among the mortgaged houses facing foreclosure proceedings for a good buy. You can also avail of the Minnesota Housing Mortgage Loan Programs targeted towards first time Minnesota home buyers or those with moderate incomes. To be eligible for the Minnesota Housing First-Time Home Buyer Loan make sure you are a first time home buyer, you have acceptable credit and that you meet the requirements for income limits and the home cost limits.

It is easy to get a housing mortgage in St. Paul and you can get some help from reputed real estate agents who will assist you in finding the best mortgage deals in town. A good relocation package in one of the best cities in Minnesota like St. Paul is more than enough incentive for any employee who is being offered an employee relocation option. Living in St. Paul can be a mixture of the urban and laidback lifestyle because while the city is the center of trade and commerce as part f the Twin Cities, the local government has also managed to maintain the city’s environs quiet and favourable to building families.

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St. Paul Neighborhoods – Historical Neighborhoods in the City

Whether you are planning to visit St. Paul or you are considering a move, no doubt you’ll want to learn more about St. Paul neighborhoods. There are a variety of different neighborhoods in the area, including a variety of different historical neighborhoods that have been around for some time. Finding the right neighborhood is important if you are moving to the area. Even if you are just interested in the history of the city, information on these neighborhoods can be a great idea. So, here is a look at a few of the different St. Paul neighborhoods that you’ll find across the city.

Merriam Park Neighborhood

One of the older St. Paul neighborhoods you’ll find that is located on the western side of the city of St. Paul is the Merriam Park neighborhood. This neighborhood is very attractive and right to the east is the Mississippi River and to the north is University Avenue. This neighborhood is almost right between the downtown areas of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and the designer of the neighborhood thought that it would be a great location for professionals and businessmen to live. Back when the neighborhood first came into being, there was a stipulation that the homes that were built on those Merriam Park lots had to be at least $1500 in cost. While that might not sound like much now, back in the late 1800s that would build an amazing home. You’ll find that many of the homes that are still in the neighborhood are large Queen Anne style homes. In the beginning the neighborhood has housed professional families and it still does today. Also, students from colleges in the area, such as the College of St. Catherine and the University of St. Thomas live in the area in duplexes and studio apartments.

Crocus (Summit) Hill Neighborhood

The Crocus Hill neighborhood, known as the Summit Hill neighborhood to some is also an older neighborhood that is residential. It is located to the west of the downtown area of St. Paul. There is a long history behind this lovely neighborhood. During the early 1800s, the city was founded, and later as the city begin to grow and the railroad came to the area, the area of downtown St. Paul became a crowded place. Many more wealthy merchants wanted to move away from the city’s center, which was becoming very crowded. To get away from downtown, they went and created a neighborhoods that was on the river bluffs. It is still close to downtown, but away from the downtown smoky air. Huge mansions were buildup on the hill, but later working class families also were able to move to this neighborhood. Today most of the neighborhood is made up of families that are well off and a few students that go to some of the local colleges.

Highland Park Neighborhood

When it comes to St. Paul neighborhoods, you’ll find that the Highland Park neighborhood is home to many Jews in the city. In fact, in the middle of the 20th century, this neighborhood became the main neighborhood for the Jewish popular of the city, since they moved away from the Crocus Hill neighborhood at this time. You’ll also find that most of the synagogues in this city are also located in this neighborhood as well. Located in the Highland Park neighborhood is the College of Saint Catherine. There are also two prep schools, the St. Paul Academy and Summit School as well as the Cretin-Derham Hall High School. The Ford Motor company Twin Cities Assembly Plant is also located in this neighborhood today, although it is supposed to close in 2010.

Cathedral Hill Neighborhood

The Cathedral Hill neighborhood used to be one of the most prestigious neighborhoods located in the city. It is located just west of the downtown area of St. Paul and is a residential neighborhood. You’ll find that some of the most beautiful and large homes in the entire city of St. Paul are found in this neighborhood. There are also condos and apartment buildings in the neighborhood as well.

River Road Neighborhood

The River Road neighborhood is located southeast of the city of Minneapolis. It is a neighborhood that feels a bit like a village, giving it a small town feel, even though it is located in the large city. It gives residents a place that they can enjoy, with community events, meetings, shopping, and recreation, yet they still have access to the city where they work. The city has very clear boundaries, with the University of Minnesota on the west side, the Mississippi River on the south side, the railroad tracks on the north side, and then on the east side you’ll find the boundary between the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

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Downtown St. Paul – Fun Things to Do

Visiting downtown St. Paul?

If so, there are many fun things that you can do, no matter what season you decide to visit the area. You’ll find that there are excellent St. Paul event no matter the time of year, and you’ll be sure to find fun activities that the entire family can enjoy all year long. From the St. Paul Winter Carnival, going to see the Minnesota Wild, or even participating in Grand Old Days, in downtown St. Paul, MN there is no lack of great things to do. Here are just a few of the fun things to do in the city of St. Paul that you are sure to enjoy.

St. Paul Winter Carnival

If you happen to enjoy getting involved in winter events, St. Paul is the place to be. When it comes to St. Paul events, the St. Paul Winter Carnival is one of the most well known events. The very first Winter Carnival was held back in 1886, and since then they have had this celebration each year. At the first Carnival they had, there was a huge ice castle and they included ice horse racing and bobsledding as just a few of the fun activities that were held during the event. Today the St. Paul Winter Carnival is bigger and better than ever. A royal family is elected to be in the parade, and some of the great activities that are available for kids include the Grand Day Parade, the Royal Coronation, a Pow Wow, ice sculpture carving, and Klondike Kate Caberets to name a few. Since 1952, there has also been a Treasure Hunt held each year during the carnival as well. The search is for a medallion, and the ones who find it usually get a cash prize.

See the Minnesota Wild

In downtown St. Paul, you also have the option to go see the Minnesota Wild play when they are in season. They are the professional ice hockey team and they are based right out of St. Paul. The Minnesota Wild first began to play back in 2000 and since their beginning, every home game has been sold out at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Just a few of the players on the team include Eric Belanger, Andrew Brunette, Marian Gaborik, Josh Harding, Kim Johnsson, Nick Schultz, Eric Reitz, Thomas Mojzis, and Marek Zidlicky.

Grand Old Days

When it comes to St. Paul events, another one that you won’t want to miss is the Grand Old Days. The Grand Old Days event is an event that celebrates the first rites of spring in downtown St. Paul. There is a parade that occurs on Grand Avenue that is full of great floats and much more. You’ll also find that there is live music during the event as well as art cars that you can enjoy seeing as well. Sporting events occur during this time as well dog competitions, competitions for the strongest woman and man, street performances, and many other great events as well. The restaurants and stores that are located on Grand Avenue are open during the big event, so you can do some shopping, and get food and drink if you need it as well. Parking can be difficult to find during the Grand Old Days, so you may want to park a ways away and then ride a bus into the city for the event.

Visit the Summit Brewery

The Summit Brewery is an excellent place to visit in downtown St. Paul, MN. For more than 150 years, there has always been some kind of a brewery in the city of St. Paul and today it is the Summer Beer Brewery that is there. The brewery is fully functional and you can easily get a free tour of the brewery. This is a great adventure for the entire family.

Check Out St. Paul Cathedral

You’ll definitely want to check out the St. Paul Cathedral if you are visiting downtown st. Paul. Whether you are Catholic or not, you’ll definitely want to take the time to see and explore the incredible architecture of this magnificent building. No doubt you’ll appreciate and enjoy seeing the design of the building, especially the domes. One of the domes of the cathedral actually is covered with a variety of murals that were painted about 150+ years ago by hand. People from across the world have come to see this beautiful cathedral, and they have never been disappointed. Since the cathedral is also located on a high hill, it gives you a great view of the entire city. You won’t have to pay a thing to tour the St. Paul Cathedral either, so it is a free place for you and the family to visit.

The Children’s Museum

For those who have children, visiting the Children’s Museum, located in downtown St. Paul, MN is an excellent idea. There are great activities for children available that help kids learn more about nature and science as well. One area of the museum even teaches kids about a variety of careers. The fee to visit the museum is reasonable, and it is a great outing for the entire family.

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St. Paul Real Estate – Old Housing

St. Paul Minnesota is a city that has a history that runs deep, and if you take a look at the St. Paul homes, you’ll see that history reflected in them. A close look at the houses in St. Paul, and you’ll see old construction that is breathtakingly beautiful. Some of these homes are available for purchase, while others are being preserved by the historical society. Even some of these Saint Paul homes are available for tours so you can see and enjoy the beauty that they have to offer you. Let’s take a closer look at Twin Cities real estate and all the beauty and history that you can find.

Many Beautiful Old Homes Available

First of all, you’ll find that there are actually many old St. Paul homes available. The city is an old one, going back a couple hundred years and the homes reflect it. You’ll find many lovely homes on nice lots from the 1800s. You’ll find various styles available when it comes to old St. Paul real estate as well. Some homes are done in the historic Italianate home style, others are done in the Greek revival style, while still others are built in the Second Empire Victorian style. You can even find a few Spanish Revival style homes in the area as well. So, no matter what particular old style you prefer, more than likely you can find something in the area that will suit your particular tastes.

Amazing Woodwork in the Homes

When you take a look at the historic houses in St. Paul, one thing you’ll definitely notice is the amazing woodwork that is done on the homes. The wood trim of most of these homes is truly magnificent, although on some of the homes it has been redone due to age. If you enjoy lovely woodwork, then you may want to tour or even purchase one of the lovely historic homes that you can find in the St. Paul area.

Lovely Old Hardwood Floors

You will also find that many of these old St. Paul homes also have lovely old hardwood floors in them. Today it is very difficult to have hardwood floors put in a home. Many people go with laminate flooring that looks like hardwood, but the quality hardwood floors of years ago is definitely hard to find Many of the older homes that you’ll find have these lovely hardwood floors. While some may be in disrepair, there are many homes that still have hardwood floors that still look wonderful. If you love the old style homes complete with the hardwood flooring, then one of these homes may be a great buy for you.

Huge Front Porches

Huge front porches are a signature of many of these Saint Paul homes. The lovely front porches are large and spacious, and in the cases of some homes, they may wrap part way or even all the way around the home. The porches have been a place for families to relax and enjoy the outdoors for years, and if you purchase one of these homes, they’ll be a great place that you can enjoy as well.

Stained Glass in Many Homes

Many of the old Twin Cities homes have stained glass windows in them. If you appreciate stained glass windows, then you’ll definitely appreciate some of the older homes in the St. Paul area that boast these lovely windows. Not all of the homes have the stained glass, but those built around the early 1800s do have windows made of lovely stained glass that are beautiful to look at.

Buying Old Twin Cities Homes

There are a variety of wonderful old Twin Cities homes that are for sale. While you can spend some time visiting some of the old historic homes in the area, why not consider owning one of your own. Many of these older homes need an owner that will take good care of them and appreciate the history behind them. There are many different real estate agents in the St. Paul area that deal with historic homes in St. Paul. Consider getting in contact with an agent to find out what types of homes are available or to let them know what exactly you are looking for in an old home. A good agent will be able to help you find the historic Twin Cities real estate that you have been looking for, for so long.

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St Paul Colleges and Universities

When you are choosing an area to live in, especially if you have children, the education available in the area is often a very important thing to keep in mind. After all, you want to make sure that you children get a great education, while they are in school and even as they go on to college as well. When it comes to St. Paul, Minnesota, you’ll find that there are many great St. Paul colleges and universities to choose from that have wonderful reputations. While you’ll find that top Minnesota colleges and Minnesota Universities have campuses in the St. Paul area, there are a variety of smaller colleges to choose from as well. Here is a list of some of the top St. Paul colleges and universities that you may want to check out for your son or daughter.

University of St. Thomas

One excellent college that you’ll find in St. Paul is the University of St. Thomas. This is a private four year college located on Summit Avenue. They offer a variety of different degrees, including Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Doctor’s, Postbaccalaureate certificates, post-master’s certificate, and even first professional degrees. Some of the programs that they offer include international business, anthropology, human resources management, counseling and psychology, physics, liberal arts and sciences, mass communications, biology, economics, philosophy, music, peace and conflict studies, and many more. The total enrollment each year averages about 11,000.

Concordia College

When it comes to Minnesota colleges, Concordia College is another excellent college in the St. Paul Area. It’s a four year private college that offers a variety of different degrees, including Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, and Master’s Degree. A few of the degree programs that are offered include arts and design, accounting and finance, finance, history, sociology, public policy analysis, religion, social sciences, business marketing and marketing management, drama/theater arts, environmental science, information sciences and systems, and theological ministerial studies. Their total enrollment is usually around 1500-1700 each year.

College of St. Catherine

The College of St. Catherine is yet another excellent college that is in the St. Paul area. It’s located on Randolph Avenue in the heart of St. Paul and it is also a private four year college. They offer Associate’s Degrees, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degrees, and Postbaccalaureate certificates as well. A variety of different degree programs are available. They include mathematics, alcohol and drug abuse counseling, medical radiologic technology, physical therapy, family/consumer resource, east Asian studies, diagnostic medical sonography technician, French language literature, hematology technology, sign language interpreter, respiratory therapy technician, nursing pediatric, occupational therapy, and many more. Usually the total enrollment of the College of St. Catherine is between 4,000 and 5,000 each year, including undergraduate and graduate students.

Bethel University

When it comes to St. Paul Colleges and Universities, you’ll find that another great option is Bethel University, located on Bethel Drive in St. Paul. This is a private four year college that offers Associate’s degrees, Bachelor’s degrees, and Master’s degrees. Like the other great universities and colleges in the area, they offer many excellent degree programs. Some of the options available include degree programs in counseling and psychology, bible studies, chemistry teacher education, mass communications, music performance, organizational behavior studies, philosophy, physical education teaching and coaching, junior high/intermediate/middle school teacher, community health liaison, engineering science, special education general, political science and government, exercise sciences, and English teacher education. Total enrollment each year usually runs about 2500 to 3500.

Northwestern College

Another of the Minnesota Colleges is the Northwestern College, which is located on Snelling Avenue in Saint Paul. Again this college is a private four year college that has a lot to offer. They Offer both Associate’s degrees as well as Bachelor’s degrees in various programs. Some of their excellent degree programs include child growth care and development studies, pastoral counseling and specialized ministery, missions/missionary studies, radio and television broadcasting, finance, fine/studio arts, business administration and management, athletic training and sports medicine, Spanish language and literature, teaching English as a second language, international business, graphic design commercial art and illustration, and sports and fitness administration/management. Generally the enrollment of the college each year totals around 2,000 students.

Mcnally Smith College of Music

If you have a child that is interested in music, then the Mcnally Smith College of Music is an excellent college located in the Saint Paul area on Exchange Street. This is a private two year college that is specifically designed for students looking for a great music education. They only offer Associate’s degrees and the degree programs that are offered include music other, music – general performance, and music business management and merchandise. Each year they enroll between 200 – 300 students.

As you can see, there are a variety of different St. Paul colleges and universities in the area that have great educations to offer. No matter what type of an education your children or even you may be looking for, you are sure to find it in one of the great Minnesota Colleges or Minnesota Universities that are located in the St. Paul, Minnesota area.

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Minneapolis and St. Paul – Worlds Apart

If you take a look at Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, you’ll find that they are located very close together. In fact, there are only really separated by the Mississippi River and there is a bridge in between them. However, even though they are close geographically, and known as the “Twin Cities” they are actually worlds apart. It is very curious that two cities that are located right next to each other are so entirely different, but there are some reasons behind this phenomenon. Here is a closer look at the Minneapolis St. Paul rivalry, where it started, and the things that seem to keep it going on today.

Different Beginnings of the Cities

First of all, when it comes to Minneapolis St. Paul, MN, you’ll find that the two cities had very different beginnings. It is the different beginnings that they both went through, that is a large part in the reason that these two cities are so different, even though they are so close together.

If you take a look at the Twin Cities early on, you’ll find that there beginnings were totally different. Minneapolis and St. Paul are set astride the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers and the downtown areas are actually only about 13 miles away from each other and they are on the banks of the Mississippi. When the Louisiana Purchase was made, the area was then occupied by the U.S. Army and Fort Snelling was built in 1819.

In the early 1840s, there were already two different villages that were in the area. One was known as the village of Minneapolis on the West Bank of Mississippi River, and then the village of St. Anthony was located on the East Bank of the Mississippi. These two villages later came together and a suspension bridge connected them.

St. Paul had a bit of a different start. Pierre Parrant, a trapper who was retired, decided to open up a tavern and wasn’t allowed to set it up on the land owned by the Fort. So, he set up his tavern, known as the “Pig’s Eye” on the Northern Side of the river. It seemed for some time that this new town may end up with the name “Pig’s Eye,” but Father Lucien Galtier came to the area as a missionary and saved the city from that name. His favorite patron saint was St. Paul, and he promoted the name and the name of the city was changed to St. Paul in 1841.

The fact that St. Paul was the furthest point to the north that the big cargo boats could go on the Mississippi, also kept the cities apart from each other. Even though the cities are only separated by a bit of river, this made a big difference. There are some locks available today that make it possible for ships to travel to Minneapolis, but because the trip is so time consuming, many do not make the trip.

Rivalry Between the Two Cities

Over the years, there has been a whole lot of competition and rivalry between the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. In fact, since the beginning, they have competed against each other, with each city trying to build bigger buildings and even more extravagant buildings. Each of the cities have a University of Minnesota campus in the city. Later, in 1915 St.  Paul would build and complete a beautiful Cathedral, and Minneapolis had to keep up and they built their Basilica of St. Mary just a few years later. Interestingly enough, during the United States Census of 1890, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul kept kidnapping and arresting the census takers from the other city, trying to keep the other city from growing bigger.

In some cases in the past, the rivalry of Minneapolis St. Paul, MN actually ended up leading to violence. When the baseball teams from the two cities, the St. Paul Saints and the Minneapolis Millers, played against each other in 1923, violence broke out. The two cities would build rival stadiums in the 1950′s as well, as they competed to have a franchise for major league baseball.

The development of Minneapolis and St. Paul is also very distinct.  On the one hand, Minneapolis is well known for using new architecture with an avant garde touch. However, on the other hand, St. Paul brings in new buildings as well, but places them within the context of the Victorian and classical styles of buildings that are already located in the old city.

Social Segregation

To some extent, between the two cities there is some social segregation as well. Usually you’ll find that people who live in one city usually stay in that city and socialize with people in their city as well. Sure, only a bridge and of course the Mississippi River separates the two rivers, but when it comes to socialization, both cities seem to stay far apart as a general rule.

While one would think that two cities that are so close together would eventually merge together, this is not true when it comes to Minneapolis St. Paul. The two cities have been different and worlds apart from their beginnings, and yet today they remain that way, with no sign of change in sight.

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Downtown Activities of St. Paul

If you are planning to visit the lovely downtown St. Paul area, more than likely you are interested in finding some great downtown activities to be involved in. The St. Paul history is long and deep, and there are many exciting historical attractions to visit while you are in the area. So, if you’re looking for some great places to visit and for some wonderful activities to check out while you’re in Saint Paul, Minnesota, here are a few great activities and places that you’ll want to check out during your stay.

James J Hill Mansion

While you are in downtown St. Paul, you’ll definitely want to take the time to check out the James J. Hill Mansion. This is the home of James J. Hill, who is the well known railroad baron of years ago. Today the home is owned by the Minnesota Historical Society. You can take a tour of the mansion, getting a glimpse of the amazing wealth that Hill had and all it could by in the early 1800s. There are 42 rooms in the home, more than 20 fireplaces, and 13 bathrooms. You’ll also find beautiful stained glass windows, lovely woodwork, and even a huge and old pipe organ. There is also an art gallery, and the tours of the mansion start on the half our. The price is only $8 for adults, $4 for kids, and $6 for senior citizens.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

If you’re in Saint Paul Minnesota, another great place to stop and visit is the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. In fact, it’s a great place to go with the entire family. Not only will you get to see all the great animals that are currently in the zoo today, but you’ll get to see the older cages from years ago where the animals used to be held. If you go during the summer, you will not want to miss the “Sparky the Seal” show, which the whole family will love. Going to the zoo is totally free and there is also an amusement park beside the zoo that you can visit as well, where you can find rides for the kids, cotton candy, and other great treats that everyone will enjoy.

Minnesota History Center Museum

Another excellent place to visit if you’re interested in St. Paul history is the Minnesota History Center Museum. There are better than 500,000 documents housed in the museum, not to mention over 100,000 different objects. Whether you are a tourist or you’ve lived in the area for years, this is a wonderful place to visit. One exhibit you’ll encounter is called “Minnesota A to Z.” It shows how Minnesota life has been and how it has developed in the past 150 years. There is a huge boxcar that is life size that you can go in, and there are many other great exhibits and videos to check out. Admission is free, so you won’t have to pay a thing to have a great time.

Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota is a great stop in downtown St. Paul. The museum is built so it is right in the bluffs above the Mississippi River. The museum is 370,000 square fee and it has a nice theater that seats 415 people as well as a special hall devoted to human biology. Exhibits rotate and you’ll find interesting things like human heart exhibits and even holograms. The Omnitheater on site has a variety of films available and the main entrance is guarded by a steel iguana that is 40 feet long.

Alexander Ramsey House

Another excellent stop if you’re interested in St. Paul history is the Alexander Ramsey House. You can get tours of the house by guides who are dressed up in costumes from the period. This mansion was actually build by the first territorial governor of Minnesota, Alexander Ramsey back in 1872. You’ll be able to see the home and many great pieces that are originals as well.

Minnesota State Capitol

While you are in Saint Paul, Minnesota, you will definitely want to make a stop at the Minnesota State Capitol. This capitol building is considered to be the most beautiful one in the entire nation. It was designed by Cass Gilbert, who is an architect in the area. It was first opened up in 1905 and the cost of the building was $4 million and it took 6 years for the building to be completed as well. It is actually somewhat modeled after St. Peter’s, which is located in Rome and it has a huge dome and the interior is extravagant. It is located up on a hill where you have a great view of St. Paul and there are free tours available each hour. Tours are offered each hour and the cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children, and $4 for senior citizens.

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A History of St. Paul, Minnesota

If you are interested in visiting the beautiful state of Minnesota, more than likely you are going to want to stop in the city of St. Paul while you are there. Lying on the banks of the Mississippi River, this is a large city that has a lot to offer. Of course before you visit, knowing a bit of the history of St. Paul, Minnesota is a great idea. Here’s a closer look at St. Paul, MN, it’s history, and a bit on what you can expect if you visit the city today.

Take a look around the city, especially up on Dayton’s Bluff at Indian Mounds Park, and you’ll see the Indian burial mounds that are there. These mounds have led to the belief that around 2000 years in the past, the area that is now the city of St. Paul was once inhabited by Native Americans. Later in the 1600′s through 1837, a tribe of Sioux Indians, know as the Mdewakanton, had left their home and then lived in the area. Because of the white cliffs of sandstone that are easily seen, they named the place I-mni-za ska dan, which means “little white rock.”

Later after the Louisiana Purchase was made, Zebulon Pike, who was an officer in the army negotiated in order to get about 100K acres from tribes in the area so he could set up a fort. The territory that he received was on the Mississippi River, on both of its’ banks. In 1819, Fort Snelling was constructed, and then in 1837, a new treaty was come to with the Sioux Indians, which gave all the land that was on the eastern side of the Mississippi River to the government off the United States.

Many explorers, fur traders, and even missionaries began to come to the area because of all the protection that the fort offered against Indians. Many of those who came to the area were French Canadian. The whiskey trade was very profitable, but the officers of the fort banned those in the business from the lands that were actually controlled by the fort. One fur trader, Pierre Parrant, became a bootlegger and he set up a tavern of his own, which was near what is not Lambert’s Landing, which was then called the Pig’s Eye Tavern. Soon the area became known as “Pig’s Eye.”

Father Lucien Galtier was later sent as a missionary to the area in 1841. He set up a chapel that was located up on the bluffs and he named it for his favorite saint, who was the Apostle Paul. He wanted the community to take up the name St. Paul to honor the chapel he set up. Just a few years later, Harriet Bishop, an educator from New York would come to the area and start the very first school in the city. Then in 1857 the Minnesota Territory came into being and St. Paul was named as the capital of the territory.

Soon the city became a gateway for those wanting to come to the Minnesota frontier and for those who wanted to go on into the Dakota Territory. Steamboats made this all possible. At this point in time, the city of St. Paul was known as the “Last City of the East.” Soon the railway was expanded as well and James  J. Hill, who had the Northern Pacific Railway and the Great Northern Railway had them headquartered in the city of St. Paul as well.

In the early 1900s, bad tornadoes went through the area, damaging many of the buildings in downtown St. Paul. In fact, even parts of the High Bridge were ripped away. Later in the 1960s, western neighborhoods were razed, and one neighborhood was totally demolished when interstate 94 was being constructed.

In the 1970′s, skyscrapers began to appear in the city of St. Paul, Minnesota, and then the tallest buildings that are in the city were put up in the 1980s. Three of the tallest buildings you’ll find in St. Paul, MN include The Point of St. Paul condos, Galtier Plaza,  and the Wells Fargo Place, which is the tallest building in the city and it was originally the Minnesota World Trade Center.

Today the city of St. Paul continues to grow. More and more immigrant groups have become a part of the culture, including immigrants from Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and even Cambodia.

Now that you understand a bit more about the history of St. Paul, Minnesota, you will definitely have more appreciation for this beautiful city that has been around for quite some time. The history is old and deep, but the city continues to grow and flourish

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