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Signed Contracts for U.S. Homes Rise for the Second Month in a Row

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The numbers: U.S. home sales inched up for the second month in a row, as the housing market continues to be hampered by high rates and a lack of home listings.

Pending home sales rose by 0.9% in July from the previous month, according to the monthly index released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors.

The figure exceeded expectations on Wall Street. Economists were expecting pending home sales to fall 0.5% in July.

Transactions were still down 14% from last year.

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

Big picture: High rates and home prices have sent many potential buyers to the sidelines, but those who are purchasing a home out of necessity, or who have the ability to make a cash offer, are still pushing through.

Sales activity was a lot less brisk in July due to the ongoing inventory issue and with the 30-year loan rate at or near the 7% range. And with rates hitting a multidecade high in August, expect the data to continue to show a housing market that’s dragging along.

What the realtors said: “The small gain in contract signings shows the potential for further increases in light of the fact that many people have lost out on multiple home buying offers,” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the NAR.

“Jobs are being added and thereby enlarging the pool of prospective home buyers,” he added. “However, rising mortgage rates and limited inventory have temporarily hindered the possibility of buying for many.”

Market reaction: Stocks were up in early trading on Wednesday. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note was around 4.1%.

Keep reading on Realtor.com.

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As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Rising to the Challenge

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Katie Foreman W+M Agent

 

"I have a background in architecture and my husband is a mechanical engineer who grew up doing house projects." said West + Main agent Katie Forman.

 

"It was hard! This was our first house project and we had to learn how to delicately tear up and relay wood flooring, build an island from scratch, move and install all appliances, and sand, prime and paint cabinets after rebuilding them."

 
 

The one thing Katie and her husband hired out was the gas line relocation on the fly! They started demolition before they had anything planned or selected, but had saved inspiration photos on Instagram for about a month.

"We made decisions as they came up and ordered finishes when needed," Katie explained. "We had very limited money for this project, so some of things were limited to what Facebook marketplace had: the white enamel sink, sink faucet and West Elm wall sconces."

 

"We didn’t have much of an ‘original vision’ other than ‘anything else’. We created a vision as we went," said Katie. "Because there was no planning at the time we started demoing, we didn’t know where the project would take us. Each time a design element needed to be chosen, we would look back through our inspo photos and then quickly make a decision that we thought was best. We had a VERY limited budget and decided to wait another year. However, we worked and worked on finding a layout that would let us reuse all the cabinets, the majority of the appliances and the wood floor."

 
 

One night at 11pm, they sat on the couch looking at the wall dividing the living space and kitchen. That night, they tore down the dividing wall…and from there Katie had to scurry to find designs they liked, the finishes and paint colors. Nothing was ordered or planned fully!

"We used a small local company to do the countertops with a lead time of only a few weeks," said Katie. "Everything else was time-dependent on our own work schedules. We did almost the entire kitchen between 9pm-12pm on weeknights once our babe was asleep!"

 
 

KITCHEN REMODEL TOTAL: $8,500

 
 
 

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As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: A Backyard Pond Renovation

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Corey + Rick, clients of W+M agent Becky Elhardt

 
 

It all started with Corey + Rick inheriting a small pond when they purchased their home with the help of West + Main agent Becky Elhardt. The space was perfect for it, but they wanted a bigger, 7500-gallon hybrid pond instead.

 
 
 
““Be patient, do your research, and remember to have fun - part of the adventure is getting there.””
— Corey

The original pond was small, and they wanted something much larger to house their fish. As the avid do it yourselfers that Corey + Rick are, they quickly jumped onto the project. It started with removing their original pond - digging up some concrete and dirt. From there, the project got much more tedious. It took them lots of trial and error and more professional help than originally intended.

 
 
 
 

They knew they wanted to incorporate lower maintenance, fish and a natural rock infrastructure. However, they didn’t fully realize this would entail a much larger budget. Corey + Rick were lucky enough to have the help of one of their close friends, Craig Gagne of  Gagne’s Concrete. Bringing Craig onto the project was a life saver, as he has “an impeccable attention to detail and commitment to seeing every aspect of the project through to completion and excellence.”

 
 

Corey's favorite moment was watching Rick and Craig transform her backyard into a sandbox playground, gleefully playing with the Bobcats like children. After a much anticipated journey to completion, Corey + Rick have a fully functioning and beautiful koi water garden pond.  

 
 
 

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Just Listed: Sunset Lover's Dream on Turtle Lake in Sought After Shoreview!

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A rare opportunity to own 84ft of lakeshore on Turtle Lake in the highly sought after city of Shoreview.

This luxurious 2021 Zawadski Homes rambler is a dream home for lake and sunset lovers! Enjoy the immediate sense of tranquility as you pull into the private west facing lot, situated on just under an acre of land. An open concept floor-plan invites you in to wall-to wall lake views and a custom designed sunroom, perfectly welcoming after a long day, or the kick-off to your next social gathering. The primary suite is the tranquil escape everyone dreams of. From stunning lake views, to the luxury custom touches in the bathroom, you’re sure to find ultimate relaxation (not to mention ensuite laundry). Picture the perfect mixture of high-end finishes and casual cozy living as you enter the lower level, which features a full kitchen and bar- perfect for hosting the next big game, or snacks after a long pontoon ride-you won’t be short on entertaining space! Three more bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a full laundry suite complete the decadence of this spectacular lower level. Before you leave, don't forget to imagine your next game room or guest suite in the yet-to-be-finished space situated above the 4 garage stalls. The space everyone dreams to have. Ample storage, top-of-the-line appliances and systems are what perfect this 2021 Dream Home's allure! You're going to love living here!

Listed by Vanessa Phippen for West + Main Homes. Please contact Vanessa for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

Have questions?
West + Main Homes
(405) 652-6635
hello@westandmain.com

Presented by:
Vanessa Phippen
651-769-7336
vanessa@westandmainmn.com


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Get Ready for Fall Weather With These Expert Roofing Preparation Tips

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Fall is just around the corner, and as the temperatures start to drop, it's important to start thinking about your roof.

The colder and wetter weather can wreak havoc on your roofing system, causing leaks, damage and all sorts of issues that require expensive repairs. To avoid these problems, it's crucial to prepare your roof for the fall weather.

Inspect Your Roof
The first step to preparing your roof for the fall season is to inspect it thoroughly. Look for any signs of damage, such as cracked shingles, missing tiles or slates and debris on the roof. You should also check the gutters and downspouts for any blockages or damage. Any issues you find should be addressed as soon as possible before they turn into bigger problems.

Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
A clogged gutter or downspout can cause water to back up and damage your roof and its foundations. Therefore, it's essential to clean your gutters and downspouts at least twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. You can use a trowel, a garden hose, or a special gutter cleaning tool to remove leaves, twigs and other debris from your gutters.

Trim Tree Branches
Fall is a beautiful season, but it's also a time when trees shed their leaves and branches. These branches can damage your roof if they fall on it during a storm, so it's important to trim them back before the fall season. You should also make sure that there are no overhanging branches that could damage your roof tiles or shingles.

Check Your Attic Insulation
The insulation in your attic plays a vital role in keeping your home warm during the fall and winter months. If your attic insulation is old or damaged, you may experience heat loss, which can increase your energy bills and make your home less comfortable. Therefore, you should check your attic insulation before the fall season and replace it if necessary.

Hire a Professional Roofing Company
If you're not sure how to prepare your roof for the fall season, or if you're unable to do it yourself, you should hire a professional roofing company to help you. A professional roofing contractor has the experience and expertise to inspect your roof, identify any issues, and provide the necessary repairs and maintenance.

Preparation is key when it comes to getting your roof ready for the fall season. By following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can ensure that your roof is in excellent condition and ready to withstand cooler and wetter weather. Remember to inspect your roof, clean your gutters, trim tree branches, check your attic insulation, and, if necessary, hire a professional roofing company. With these expert roofing preparation tips, you can have peace of mind knowing your roof is well prepared for the fall weather ahead.

Keep reading.

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