Bloomington's market trend is like most Twin City suburban communities which it is currently is in a buyers market. Interest rates are currently at tremendously low percentages!
ZIP Codes: 55438, 55420 Location Characteristics: Bloomington is a city located in Hennepin County, Minnesota, a suburb south of Minneapolis. As of 2004, it had a population of 85,442, making it the largest Twin Cities suburb, and the fifth largest city in the state. It is the home of the United States' largest—and the world's second-largest—shopping center, the Mall of America.
About 1/3 of the city is permanently reserved for park purposes, including two large natural areas -- the Minnesota River lowlands (controlled by the City and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service) and the Hyland Park Reserve (controlled by the Three Rivers Park District).
Water bodies in the city include the Minnesota River, Long Meadow Lake, Bush Lake, Normandale Lake, Nine Mile Creek, and about 100 small lakes and ponds.
Bloomington is culturally split into two areas by US Interstate 35W. The highway creates a geographic barrier which carries through into most of the daily life and language of residents. The area west of I-35W is locally known as "West Bloomington," and the area east is called "East Bloomington." West Bloomington functions largely as a bedroom community—East Bloomington contains most of the industry, as well as lower-income housing, and the Mall of America. Lower income here, however, has to be taken into context as both median income and home prices in Bloomington are substantially higher than the average for the metro area it lies within.
Most locals will refer to themselves as either from "East" or "West" Bloomington, when they describe where they live. But the line between the two is somewhat blurry, with some residents claiming that the I-35W freeway is the boundary, with others staking claims to the boundary being farther west. The division between the two sides of the city is accentuated by the location of the two high schools, John F. Kennedy High School and Thomas Jefferson High School, in the east and west respectively.
Bloomington's third high school, Lincoln Senior High School, was sold to the Control Data Corporation in the mid 1980s. Now controlled by General Dynamics, it is used primarily for defense contracting work although Bloomington Public Schools is now a tenant.
Bloomington was the home from 1961 to 1981 for the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins at Metropolitan Stadium (now the site of the Mall of America), and the Minnesota North Stars at the Met Center from 1967 to 1993. The Twins and Vikings departed in 1981 for the newly constructed Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis, while owner Norm Green skipped town in 1993, bringing the North Stars with him to Dallas, Texas.
The city is a longstanding favorite location for employers, hosting more than 100,000 jobs. Benefiting from its location near major transportation routes and the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Bloomington is a major hospitality center with about 7000 hotel rooms.
Under construction in 2005 is the Water Park of America, promoted as the largest indoor water park in the US.
Interest rates are currently experiencing downward pressure. Don't be surprised if they will dip down to the mid 5% range.
About ** Craig Alger ** 952-431-9882:
Craig has been awarded multiple times, the Super Agent Designation from the Twin Cities Business Monthly Magazine and the MPLS/St. Paul Magazine. To achieve the designation, Craig was chosen according to the criteria base on six criteria: integrity, knowledge, communication skills, closing preparation, professionalism and overall customer satisfaction.
Craig expresses his enthusiasm for life in both work and his commitment to community. Years of experience, an array of sales awards and national professional designations show his polish and versatility in his career. An excellent personal reputation was confirmed early in 1991 with his appointment to Marquette Banks "Executive Board of Directors". His professional real estate reputation was verified by appointment to both Dakota County and State Real Estate Panels. Years of personal sponsorships of softball, basketball, bowling and broomball teams show his involvement with community activities. As an appointed member of the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Craig organized programs and chaired numerous committees - a fine example of his commitment to the business community.
Craig understands that people appreciate personal attention. "I take the time to listen," he explains, "and I understand what it takes to make my clients feel at home." The personal attention that Craig provides his clients is just one of the reasons he maintains an unbroken track record as a consistent Top Producer in Real Estate. "I love different situations and challenges. Real Estate affords me that opportunity, every client's need and wants are different!" His enthusiasm spills over into the extra effort he puts into selling real estate.
Craig has always reached out to have the most up to date marketing strategies and techniques available. In 1980, Craig had his own personal computers and real estate software system to track, update and generally make his clients' transaction move smoothly, efficiently and error free. Providing twice the service is indicative of the excellence Craig believes his clients deserve.
Craig has been a licensed Realtor since 1973 and a Licensed Real Estate Broker since 1982. He successfully owned and managed his own realty firm. Management duties, however, took Craig away from his top talent, Helping people buy and sell homes. "It's a people business," Craig says, "a business not unlike the one I grew up in." His parents owned and operated their own small business. Craig learned early in life about dealing directly with the public.
Craig currently is ranked in the top five per cent of all real estate agents in the country for his real estate sales expertise. Craig is certified as of a member of the Graduate REALTOR® Institute, as an Executive Sale Associate, as a Certified Residential Specialist and holds a "Brokers License" in the State of Minnesota. The latter shows evidence that Craig has attained state recognized levels of knowledge, experience, and expertise in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Commerce tests knowledge in a variety of avenues including but not limited to contracts, accounting, ethics, real estate closing. Less than one per cent of today's' Realtors® are so licensed.
These reports reflect the views and opinions of their authors and are not necessarily the views and opinions of Realty Times.
