4th of July Fireworks + Festivities Around Minnesota

We've collected a list of all of the best Fireworks & Festivities on the 4th of July in the Twin Cities Metro!

• APPLE VALLEY: Johnny Cake Ridge Park East, Apple Valley, MN 55124. Arrive early for a pre-fireworks carnival beginning at 1pm; fireworks at 10pm..

• BLAINE: National Sports Center, 1700 105th Ave NE Blaine, MN 55449. Fireworks at 10pm.

• CHANHASSEN: Lake Ann Park, 1456 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, MN 55317. Fireworks at 10pm.

• COON RAPIDS: Coon Rapids Ice Center, 1100 Crooked Lake Boulevard, Coon Rapids, MN 55433. Fireworks at 10pm.

• EAGAN: 1501 Central Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55121. Fireworks at 10pm.

• EDEN PRAIRIE: Round Lake Park, 16691 Valley View Road Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55346. Fireworks at 10pm.

• EDINA: Rosland Park, 4300 W 66th St, Edina, MN 55435. Fifes and drums start at 8pm. First John Sousa Memorial Band concert at 8:45. Fireworks at dusk.

• EXCELSIOR: Excelsior Commons, 135 Lake St, Excelsior, MN 55331. South Lake Minnetonka. Fireworks at 9:50pm.

• FOREST LAKE: Lakeside Memorial Park, 95 E Broadway Ave, Forest Lake, MN 55025. Fireworks at 10pm.

• LAKEVILLE: Lakeville North High School, 19600 Ipava Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044. Fireworks at 10pm.

• MAPLEWOOD: Hazelwood Park, 1663 County Rd C E, Maplewood, MN 55109. Fireworks at 10pm.

• PRIOR LAKE: Mystic Lake Casino, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW, Prior Lake, MN 55372 – Festivities include Food Trucks and Gin Blossoms concert beginning at 5pm. Fireworks at 10pm. FREE.

• ROSEVILLE: Central Park, 2540 Lexington Avenue North, Roseville, MN 55113. Fireworks over Bennett Lake at 10pm.

• SHAKOPEE: Valleyfair, 1 Valley Fair Drive, Shakopee, MN 55379 – SPLURGE on a family day  at the theme park — 10pm fireworks included with park admission $32.99/pp+.

• STILLWATER: Lowell Park, 201 Water St N, Stillwater, MN 55082. Fireworks at dusk.

  • Splurge: Fireworks Cruise and Fireworks Dinner Cruise, St. Croix River Cruise, 98 Walnut Street, Hudson, Wisconsin 54016. Tickets $25-$55 (with or without dinner buffet . Cruises without dinner will have concessions to purchase on a cash basis).

• ST LOUIS PARK:  Aquila Park, 3110 Xylon Ave S, St Louis Park, MN 55426. Fireworks at 10pm.

• WACONIA: Lake Waconia Regional Park, 8170 Paradise Ln, Waconia, MN 55387. Play all day with Fireworks at dusk.

• WOODBURY: M Health Fairview Sports Center, 4125 Radio Dr., Woodbury, MN 55129. Fireworks at 10pm.

• WHITE BEAR LAKE: Manitou Days Fireworks – Memorial Beach, 4980 Lake Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110.  Fireworks set to music 8pm-11pm.

• DULUTH JULY 4th GETAWAY: Bayfront Festival Park, 350 Harbor Dr, Duluth, MN 55802. Featuring live music all day and fireworks at 10:10pm. 

Please check Family Fun Twin Cities for updates before making plans!

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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How To Identify the Signs of Imminent Roof Repair and Handle It Early On

The roof is the first line of defense against the sun, rain, wind, hail, and many other natural elements.

Like anything else, it also gets damaged over time, thus requiring regular maintenance, repair, and, eventually, replacement. However, it’s not always easy to determine when it’s time for a roof repair, and ignoring warning signs can result in more costly damage down the line. In this post, we’ll highlight some of the signs that indicate it’s time for a roof repair and how you can handle it early on, saving you money and protecting your home.

Visible Damage
The first tell-tale sign is usually visible damage. If you can see cracked or missing shingles, it’s a sign of damage, and it needs attention. These damages allow water to seep through and cause leaks. Mold and mildew may also grow when moisture is present, and this can lead to structural damage if ignored. Look for any wet spots on the ceiling and walls, as this may indicate a leak also.

Roof Age
Another factor that can indicate the need for a roof repair is the age of the roof. Generally, asphalt shingle roofs last between 15-20 years. And if your roof is nearing this age, you may start to see some warning signs of wear and tear. Regular inspection can help spot trouble areas and keep small problems from becoming bigger issues.

Granule Loss
Visible granules on your roof's shingles protect it from UV rays, extend its lifespan, and prevent it from overheating. You may start to see your roof's surface appearing smooth, and you’ll notice that there are fewer granules than normal when you have walked on the roof cleaning gutters.

Curled or Buckled Shingles
Are your shingles starting to curl or buckle? This is due to age and weathering, and it’s a sign that you need roof repair before the damage spreads further. Curled shingles allow for water to seep in, and buckled shingles may even fall out, making your roof vulnerable. Replacing shingles as soon as you notice them starting to curl can help you avoid these issues.

Sagging Roof Deck
Lastly, if your roof appears to be sagging in some areas, it is a sign of significant damage that requires immediate attention. The cause of a sagging roof is usually water damage, which weakens the structure when allowed to continue. The structural integrity of the roof is compromised when such warning signs get ignored; it can be hazardous and may even result in the roof collapsing. Be sure to seek professional help if you notice any signs of sagging, no matter how minor.

In conclusion, identifying the warning signs of roof damage can help you avoid more expensive repairs down the line. Keeping a regular eye on the state of your roof can help you nip any potential damages in the bud and ensure that your roof stays healthy and functional. If you suspect that your roof needs repair, proactively hire a professional roofing contractor or call your insurance company to perform an inspection. Early detection can save you money and keep your roof in good shape and your home well protected.

Read on.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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U.S. Pending Home Sales Fall but the Housing Market Is in Recovery Mode

The numbers: U.S. pending-home sales fell in May, the National Association of Realtors said on Thursday but the housing market is still showing signs of being in recovery mode.

Demand for homes is still strong, despite mortgage rates hovering near 7%, but buyers are finding few properties for-sale to choose from as homeowners hold out on selling.

The shortage in housing inventory has become so dire that it’s pushed pending home sales down in the spring, which is generally the peak season for home-buying.

Sales fell by 2.7% from the previous month, according to the monthly index released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

The figure fell short of expectations on Wall Street. Economists expected pending home sales to be flat in May.

Pending home sales reflect transactions where the contract has been signed for an existing-home sale, but the sale has not yet closed. Economists view it as an indicator for the direction of existing-home sales in subsequent months.

ig picture: Despite the headline figure revealing that home sales are down, the housing market isn’t in a crisis—it’s actually in recovery mode.

Considerable pent-up demand for homes from buyers who have accepted the new normal of high interest rates, combined with homeowners’ reluctance to sell their home and give up their rare pandemic-era ultra-low mortgage rate has led to an imbalance in demand and supply.

And unless mortgage rates rise significantly to scare off eager home buyers, or fall low enough to incentivize existing homeowners to sell, the housing market is likely to see this weird imbalance persist.

Builders, on the other hand, are taking the opportunity to offload their inventory as sales of new homes surge 12% in May.

What the realtors said: “Despite sluggish pending contract signings, the housing market is resilient with approximately three offers for each listing,” NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said.

“The lack of housing inventory continues to prevent housing demand from being fully realized,” he added.

Yun suggested that existing-home inventory can be boosted with possible tax incentives, such as increasing the amount of capital gains that sellers can exclude on their taxes.

Learn more on Realtor.com

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Where Will You Go If You Sell? Newly Built Homes Might Be the Answer.

Do you want to sell your house, but hesitate because you’re worried you won’t be able to find your next home in today’s market?

You’re not alone, but there’s some good news that may ease your worries. New home construction is up and is becoming an increasingly significant part of the housing inventory.

That means when you go to put your house on the market this summer, considering newly built homes is crucial for expanding the options you’ll have for your next move.

Near-Record Percentage of New Home Inventory

Newly built homes today make up a near-record percentage of the total number of homes available for sale (see graph below):

In fact, as the data shows, newly built homes now make up 31% of the total for-sale inventory. Over the past couple of decades, newly built homes made up an average of only around 13% of total housing inventory from 1983 to 2019.

That means the percentage of the total available homes that are newly built is over two times higher than the norm.

Why This Matters to You 

Overall, the supply of homes for sale is still low. And when there’s limited supply, it’s crucial to explore all of your available choices. New-home construction has emerged as a game changer with increasing inventory. Not to mention, recent data shows it’s gaining even more momentum as more newly built homes are underway and will be coming to the market in the months ahead.

Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), highlights the importance of newly built homes for those looking to buy in today’s housing market. Dietz states:

“With limited available housing inventory, new construction will continue to be a significant part of prospective buyers’ search in the quarters ahead.”

Don’t overlook this growing market segment and risk missing out on great opportunities to find your ideal home. Since new home construction accounts for roughly 31% of total for sale inventory, you could be cutting nearly one in three options from your search if you don’t consider newly built homes. 

If you’re looking to make a move, a local real estate agent can help you sell your current house and explore newly built options in your area. They have the expertise you need to handle both sides of the process so you can move out of your current house and into your brand-new dream home.

Bottom Line

Now’s the time to sell your house and take advantage of the momentum that’s building in new home construction. Reach out to a trusted real estate agent who can guide you throughout the selling and buying process so you can make your transition to a newly built home a reality.

Get more like this on Keeping Current Matters.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Lending Standards Are Not Like They Were Leading Up to the Crash

You might be worried we’re heading for a housing crash, but there are many reasons why this housing market isn’t like the one we saw in 2008.

One of which is how lending standards are different today. Here’s a look at the data to help prove it. 

Every month, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) releases the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI). According to their website:

“The MCAI provides the only standardized quantitative index that is solely focused on mortgage credit. The MCAI is . . . a summary measure which indicates the availability of mortgage credit at a point in time.”

Basically, the index determines how easy it is to get a mortgage. Take a look at the graph below of the MCAI since they started keeping track of this data in 2004. It shows how lending standards have changed over time. It works like this: 

• When lending standards are less strict, it’s easier to get a mortgage, and the index (the green line in the graph) is higher.

• When lending standards are stricter, it’s harder to get a mortgage, and the line representing the index is lower.

In 2004, the index was around 400. But, by 2006, it had gone up to over 850. Today, the story is quite different. Since the crash, the index went down because lending standards got tighter, so today it’s harder to get a mortgage.

Loose Lending Standards Contributed to the Housing Bubble

One of the main factors that contributed to the housing bubble was that lending standards were a lot less strict back then. Realtor.com explains it like this: 

“In the early 2000s, it wasn’t exactly hard to snag a home mortgage. . . . plenty of mortgages were doled out to people who lied about their incomes and employment, and couldn’t actually afford homeownership.” 

The tall peak in the graph above indicates that leading up to the housing crisis, it was much easier to get credit, and the requirements for getting a loan were far from strict. Back then, credit was widely available, and the threshold for qualifying for a loan was low.

Lenders were approving loans without always going through a verification process to confirm if the borrower would likely be able to repay the loan. That means creditors were lending to more borrowers who had a higher risk of defaulting on their loans.

Today’s Loans Are Much Tougher To Get than Before

As mentioned, lending standards have changed a lot since then. Bankrate describes the difference: 

“Today, lenders impose tough standards on borrowers – and those who are getting a mortgage overwhelmingly have excellent credit.”

If you look back at the graph, you’ll notice after the peak around the time of the housing crash, the line representing the index went down dramatically and has stayed low since. In fact, the line is far below where standards were even in 2004 – and it’s getting lower. Joel Kan, VP and Deputy Chief Economist at MBA, provides the most recent update from May:

“Mortgage credit availability decreased for the third consecutive month . . . With the decline in availability, the MCAI is now at its lowest level since January 2013.”

The decreasing index suggests standards are getting much tougher – which makes it clear we’re far away from the extreme lending practices that contributed to the crash.

Bottom Line

Leading up to the housing crash, lending standards were much more relaxed with little evaluation done to measure a borrower’s potential to repay their loan. Today, standards are tighter, and the risk is reduced for both lenders and borrowers. This goes to show, these are two very different housing markets, and this market isn’t like the last time.

Keep reading.

Related Links

• This Is the First Decision You Should Make When Decorating a Small Bedroom

• What Homebuyers Need To Know About Credit Scores

• How to Create a Budget for Your Upcoming Bathroom Remodel

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Oregon

Search homes in Minnesota