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Minnesota Fall Leaves Drive Guide

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NORTH SHORE OF LAKE SUPERIOR

Route: HWY. 61, Duluth to Grand Portage
Peak Color: Mid-Sept. to early Oct.

This route along America's largest Great Lake is known for its great fall color and lake views, making it very popular with leaf peepers. Yellow aspen and birch hug the shoreline, while scarlet maples line inland forest roads. Make sure you have a reservation for a place to stay, and try planning midweek trips to avoid the busiest travel periods. This has been designated as an "All American Drive," one of only 15 routes in the country so noted for their outstanding scenery. For an inland view, take Hwy. 1 through the colors of the Superior National Forest to Ely.

IRON RANGE LOOP

Route: HWY. 169 from Virginia to Tower, HWY. 135 through Biwabik back to Virginia
Peak Color: Mid-Sept. to early Oct.

There's a beautiful mix of color on this circle drive, and plenty of other highlights as well: Birding at the Sax-Zim Bog, two major golf courses at Giants Ridge (The Legend and The Quarry), ATVing at the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame at Eveleth. At Virginia, there's an overlook of the area's deepest open pit mine and the popular Mesabi Bike Trail.

EDGE OF THE WILDERNESS

Route: HWY. 38, Grand Rapids to Bigfork
Peak Color: Mid-Sept. to early Oct.

This super scenic byway winds over hills through the colorful mix of pine and hardwoods of Chippewa National Forest. Return via Co. Rd. 7 and make a side trip to beautiful Scenic State Park. Or take one of the back roads through the forest, with stops at lakes and hiking trails along the way.

MISSISSIPPI HEADWATERS

Route: HWY. 71 between Park Rapids and Bemidji, plus numerous other roads around these towns
Peak Color: Mid-Sept. to early Oct.

Itasca State Park, the source of the mighty Mississippi River, is the star attraction on this route. Lake Bemidji State Park, with its birch and pine, is another highlight. There's a paved bike trail in Itasca, and mountain bike trails in Bemidji State Park. You'll also find scenic biking along the nearby Heartland State Trail.

OTTER TAIL COUNTY

Route: HWYS. 108 and 78, and numerous county roads
Peak Color: Late Sept. to early Oct.

The rolling countryside between Fergus Falls and Perham is a blend of wooded hills, lakes and farmland. Highlights include Glendalough State Park, the historic Phelps Mill, and the view from Inspiration Peak State Wayside- link opens in new tab. off Co. Rd. 38.

BRAINERD LAKES & MILLE LACS

Route: HWY. 371 and 6, and the county roads between them, plus HWY. 169
Peak Color: Late Sept. to early Oct.

Gull, Pelican and Cross Lakes and the Whitefish Chain of Lakes sparkle amid woods of maple, oak, birch and aspen. Mille Lacs Kathio State Park is an expanse of colorful forest at the edge of Mille Lacs. Fishing, boating, golfing and biking the Paul Bunyan State Trail are favorite activities in this lake country.

ST. CROIX RIVER VALLEY

Route: HWY. 95 from Taylors Falls to Afton
Peak Color: Late Sept. to mid-Oct.

The scenic St. Croix River winds through wooded hillsides and sheer cliffs. Wild River and William O'Brien state parks feature great river views. The charming towns of Stillwater, Taylors Fallsand Afton have numerous antique and gift shops. Boat excursions on the river are a great way to see the fall color. This drive is very popular in the fall; consider a midweek visit to avoid weekend traffic.

TWIN CITIES TOURING

Route: Parkways around Minneapolis lakes, along Minnehaha Creek, Mississippi and Summit Avenue
Peak Color: Late Sept. to mid-Oct.

Few major cities can boast such beautiful drives, all of which are even prettier in the fall. Circle Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska, Harriet and Nokomis Lakes, and visit Minnehaha Falls. They're all along the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. The Lake Street Bridge and Ford Parkway Bridge have great views of the Mississippi bordered by colorful, wooded hillsides. St. Paul's tree-lined Summit Avenue is bordered by stately homes.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY

Route: HWY. 61 between Red Wing and La Crescent
Peak Color: Mid-Oct.

Charming river towns and wooded bluffs border the Mississippi River on this colorful route, characterized by steep hillsides dressed in brilliant autumn hues of red, russet and gold. Several scenic overlooks, including those at Frontenac and Great River Bluffs state parks, are must-stops. You'll also find several roadside apple stands for a tasty afternoon snack. This is a popular fall drive, so book your stay ahead of time.

MINNESOTA RIVER DRIVE

Route: Co. Rd. 6 and HWY. 93 from Belle Plaine to Le Sueur, then HWY. 169 to Mankato, then HWY. 68 to New Ulm
Peak Color: Late Sept. to mid-Oct.

Follow the bend in the river, and the ribbon of yellow and gold hardwoods that borders the Minnesota River. Along the way, you'll find riverside parks in Le Sueur, St. Peter, Mankato and New Ulm, as well as bluff-top overlooks in New Ulm.

Read more at exploreminnesota.com

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What To Know About Closing Costs

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Now that you’ve decided to buy a home and are ready to make it happen, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the costs that are a typical part of the homebuying process.

And while your down payment is probably the number one expense on your mind, don’t forget about closing costs. Here’s what you need to know.

What Are Closing Costs?

Simply put, your closing costs are the additional fees and payments you have to make at closing. And while they’ll vary based on the price of the home and how it’s being financed, every buyer has these, so they shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s just that some people forget to budget for them. According to Freddie Mac, this part of the homebuying process typically includes: 

  • Application fees

  • Credit report fees

  • Loan origination fees

  • Appraisal fees

  • Home inspection fees

  • Title insurance

  • Homeowners insurance

  • Survey fees

  • Attorney fees

 Some of these are one-time expenses that are baked into your closing costs. Others, like homeowners’ insurance, are initial installment payments for ongoing responsibilities you’ll have once you take possession of the home.

How Much Are Closing Costs? 

The same Freddie Mac article goes on to say: 

“Closing costs vary greatly depending on your location and the price of your home. Typically, you should be prepared to pay between 2% and 5% of the home purchase price in closing fees.”

With that in mind, here’s how you can get an idea of what you’ll need to budget. Let’s say you find a home you want to purchase at today’s median price of $422,600. Based on the 2-5% Freddie Mac estimate, your closing fees could be between roughly $8,452 and $21,130.

 But keep in mind, if you’re in the market for a home above or below this price range, your numbers will be higher or lower.

Tips To Reduce Your Closing Costs

If you’re wondering if there’s any way to inch that down a little bit, NerdWallet lists a few things that could help: 

  • Negotiate with the Seller: Some sellers are willing to cover part or all of these expenses — especially since homes are staying on the market a bit longer now. Sellers may be more motivated to compromise, and you’ll find you have a bit more negotiation power. So don’t hesitate to ask them for concessions like paying for the home inspection or giving you a credit toward closing costs.

  • Shop Around for Home Insurance: Since rising home insurance is a challenge in many areas of the country right now, take the time to get a clear picture of all your options. Each insurance company offers their own policies and coverage, so get multiple quotes and see how they compare. Choosing a policy that provides reliable coverage at a competitive rate can make a difference.

  • Look into Closing Cost Assistance: Just like there are programs out there to help with your down payment, options exist to get support with closing costs too. While they’ll vary by area, there are programs for various income levels, certain professions, and specific towns or neighborhoods too. If you want to learn more, Experian says:

“Your real estate professional should be able to steer you toward applicable programs, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) maintains a helpful resource for finding homebuying assistance programs in every state.”

Bottom Line

Planning for the fees and payments you'll need to cover when you're closing on your home is important – and it doesn’t have to be a big surprise. For more tips and expert advice, partner with a team of trusted real estate professionals, including a trusted agent and lender.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

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Real Estate’s Sluggish Summer Will Give Buyers a Jump in the Fall

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High mortgage rates put the real estate market in a slump in the final month of summer—but, they could also provide a runway for buyers to jump into a less competitive market in the fall.

Homes spent 53 days on the market in August, the longest time for the month in five years, according to Realtor.com® data. There were also a staggering 19.3% of listings with price cuts, the highest level for the month in five years.

It’s not all bad news, though, and it means that buyers can now take their time shopping for a new home in the fall.

“This fall could be busier for the housing market than this season typically is, but it’s still likely to be a less competitive time, which makes it ideal for flexible buyers,” says Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale.

And there might be a silver lining for sellers as well.

What happened in August?

The record slowdown in August can be firmly blamed on high mortgage rates.

“The housing market slowed considerably as both buyers and sellers patiently wait for a lower mortgage rate environment,” says Realtor.com® senior economist Ralph McLaughlin in his analysis.

The Federal Reserve’s mid-September policy meeting is quickly approaching, and rates are expected to drop. (While the Fed doesn’t set mortgage rates, the two numbers often move in the same direction.)

Realtor.com economists predict rates will fall to 6.3% by the end of 2024. And once rates drop, expect the market to kick up a notch.

Here’s what to look for in the autumn real estate season.

Housing stock will increase this fall

A not-so-buyer-friendly thing that happened in August? New listings fell.

Home sellers pulled back, with 0.9% fewer new homes listed on the market compared with last August, marking the first negative reading in nearly a year.

However, as rates tumble, more homeowners might finally be willing to part with their existing low rates and put their homes on the market.

“There’s a stalemate in the marketplace due to the higher differential of 2024 interest rates versus 2021 interest rates,” says Realtor.com. “That 4% spread has homeowners holding on to the current rate like Gollum held onto his precious ring in ‘The Lord of the Rings.'”

Indeed, a recent Realtor.com analysis found that 86% of homeowners have mortgage rates below 6%—so many feel “locked in” until rates dip.

This fall, the number of homes for sale is likely to climb, “but part of why we’ll see this is because it will take homes longer to sell,” explains Hale.

Market pace is expected to pick up

In August, homes lingered on the listing pages for nearly a week longer than was typical last year.

In the fall, “time on market typically increases, so buyers are likely to have even more time to make decisions,” says Hale.

Even though falling rates could bring a slew of home shoppers back to the market, that doesn’t necessarily mean houses will instantly start selling like hotcakes.

In fact, the presidential election just might make some buyers hold off until Inauguration Day 2025.

“Many buyers are seeking stability and may choose to wait until there is more certainty about who will be in office before making any major financial commitments,” says Realtor.com.

However, buyers who are ready to act now have “a prime opportunity to secure a property while competition is slightly lower and rates are trending downward,” they added.

Home prices could see a bump in the fall

When mortgage rates take a dip, competition ramps up, and so do prices, since bidding wars will likely resume, according to Realtor.com.

But buyers offering the asking price won’t happen right away.

In the fall, “you will have a slight increase in confidence from both homebuyers and sellers,” they said. And that, in turn, might bump prices up slightly.

Sellers will need to stand out

High home prices and low housing stock have supported a seller’s market for years now, but that might be on the brink of change.

“The data reflects that buyers are pickier in the housing market today, and sellers have to adjust in order to stand out,” says Hale.

This might mean slashing prices further, upping curb appeal, and remaining patient for offers.

Buyers, save your searches!

Fall could be frustrating if you’re a home shopper with specific needs. It might seem like you’re looking at the same homes over and over.

Buyers can channel this frustration to reevaluate their must-have versus nice-to-have list and then use these findings to save a specific real estate search.

“They’ll be notified when listings that meet their criteria hit the market, and they won’t be distracted by homes that just aren’t a good fit,” advises Hale.

The growing number of homes for sale and the potential for further mortgage rate declines on the horizon might mean that buyers feel less pressure to buy now or else miss the opportunity entirely.

“While this may mean slower market sales activity, it likely also means shoppers who do buy in this environment have more time to make decisions and may feel more confident in their purchase if they choose to make one,” says Hale.

Read more at Realtor.com

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Just Listed: Charming 1950s Ranch in Old Town Littleton With Modern Updates, Original Character, and Endless Improvements

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Located just a short walk to Ketring Park or The Littleton Cherry Cricket, sits a timeless ranch with tons of charm and an updated nostalgia.

To say, “They just don’t build them like they used to,” is an understatement when it comes to this home. Solid brick from its foundation to its newer eaves and gutters, this 1950s ranch has been remodeled in and out over the last few years. Updates include top-of-the-line Anderson casement windows, all-new exterior glass doors coupled with Anderson screen/storm doors, and a complete landscaping redo that includes a new irrigation system, sod, trees, and a colorful front garden. A roof replacement, two-car garage door, exterior paint, and electrical upgrade round out some of the exterior projects. Inside this inviting home that boasts 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, awaits a laundry list of improvements. Refinished original white oak floors, newer neutral paint palette on the walls, ceilings, and trim, a Mendota gas fireplace insert, recessed lighting as well as designer light fixtures throughout including a Nelson Bubble Saucer Pendant in the dining room, GE Cafe matte white appliances with rose gold hardware, quartz countertops, new interior doors on both levels, 2 egress windows, newer carpet and upgraded pad, modern bathroom vanities, an Onyx shower pan and euro glass surround in the basement shower, as well as a newer HVAC system! This classic home is warm, comfortable, light-filled, and built to last. Not to mention, the basement has an exterior entrance perfect for guests, a parents’ retreat, or a house hack. Don’t wait or this Old Town Littleton gem will be snatched up and you won’t be able to enjoy evenings on the delightful front porch or movie night in the coziest basement entertainment room ever. Welcome to the mid-century ranch of your dreams!

Listed by April + Rob Schmidt for West + Main Homes. Please contact April + Rob for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

Have questions?
West + Main Homes
(720) 903-2912
hello@westandmainhomes.com

Presented by:
April + Rob Schmidt
(303) 257-7220
aprilandrob
@westandmainhomes.com

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Just Listed: Modern Comfort Meets Historic Charm in a Prime Location!

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Charming Victorian in the heart of the Highlands!

Recently updated 3-bed, 2-bath Victorian with loads of character in the historic district of Witter Cofields. Lovely curb appeal with lush greenery. The quaint, paver pathway leads you to the welcoming front porch, perfect for savoring your morning coffee. Be greeted by an inviting foyer adorned with a wooden panel wall! Enjoy intimate gatherings in the bright living room with a picture-perfect, south facing window, hardwood flooring, and a cozy fireplace. You'll love entertaining guests in the spacious dining room with an abundance of natural light and soaring ceilings! The spotless kitchen features granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a subway tile backsplash, and plenty of wood cabinetry. The main level has 2 good sized bedrooms and full bath. Spacious laundry with built in cabinets / mudroom area off the kitchen to the backyard. Washer & Dryer included. Plenty of room for bikes and other gear. As you make your way to the second story, the perfectly sized loft awaits with a skylight and window bench. This area is ideal for a home office or a study area. Discover the charm of the large primary suite. Lots of windows, 2 walk-in closets and built-ins for extra storage. The upstairs retreat includes a stylish, updated full bathroom. The private backyard, with a flourishing landscape and a tranquil covered patio, is excellent for outdoor activities and relaxation. Three off-street parking spaces. Room to build a sizable garage and quotes available. A few blocks to vibrant Jefferson Park, 10 blocks to Sloan's Lake, and just a 3 minute drive or quick bike ride to Highland Square or downtown. Easy access to I25 make this a commuter's dream! This home supports the perfect urban lifestyle. Your bakery addiction will be satisfied with the delicious Petunia Bake Shop just a block away. Open House Saturday 9/14 11:00-1:00 | Showings start on Friday 9/13

Listed by Jesse Davis for West + Main Homes. Please contact Jesse for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

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

Presented by:
Jesse Davis
303-895-8536
jesse@jessedavisproperties.com


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