A big part of my job is helping buyers and sellers determine the value of a home. Buyers need to know how much they should pay and Sellers need to know how much they should ask, and want to know how much they will get. It all boils down to a business transaction.
There is more to owning a home. There are neighbors and communities. In some neighborhoods there is a sense of community and our homes become much more than what we paid for them. I am fortunate in the I live in the Uppertown neighborhood in St. Paul. People who live here tend to stick around. Sometimes homes stay in families through a couple of generations. As a result we have roots. We know each other, and we attend community events and meetings together.
We don’t always agree with each other but we have a lot more in common than not. We care about our neighborhood. I could put a value on my home but my community and neighbors are priceless. Think of a house as a home and part of a community, not just a business transaction.
The green chair in the picture is part of a public art project. it is located in the small park at the North end of the Smith Avenue high bridge in the uppertown neighborhood located along the Mississippi River just East of downtown, it faces the road and is our way of saying that we are here and visitors are welcome. The park and the chair are examples of community pride, the neighborhood made it happen.
"watcher" the sculpture by artist Zoran Mojsilov funded by grants from The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council .
Your post today brings up a great point – buying a home is more about a total package (involving neighbors and the community) than what people typically realize. In my own neighborhood (Central Park area of Roseville), my wife and I never considered neighbors and the feel of the community during the purchase process, and have been pleasantly surprised and blessed by the good people we’ve met and interact with daily. It’s my opinion that younger folks (people in their 20’s and early 30’s) are especially likely to miss this concept. This younger generation seems so individualistic and could benefit greatly by Realtors who can bring this concept of community to light during the purchase process.
Those are goods words Teresa!
hi, teresa. i’m trying to find out where and how to purchase a st. paul residential parking permit and i came across your blog. could you point me in the right direction? i know that i can purchase one for $10.00 a year, but i have no idea where or how to do this.
very nice real estate blog — which i’ve bookmarked!
oops. i found it. and i see i posted my question in the wrong area. so sorry. feel free to delete.
parking permits —
city of public works:
651 266-6200
The Twin Cities is a great area, beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pics.