Despite cold weather, local Realtors say housing sales are at least warm in St. Paul, Minnesota. Local Realtors anticipate a real warm-up in housing sales for spring. "The twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota are home to the Minnesota Vikings football team, the Minnesota Twins Baseball team, the Timberwolves basketball team and the Wild hockey team," says Realtor Cheryl Kilvington. "This area also boasts more theaters per capita, outside of New York City, than any other metropolitan area in the country. Served by an international airport, bisected by the Mississippi River and surrounded by beautiful lakes, our Twin Cities offer sports, recreation, culture, and industry. This is truly a wonderful area in which to live."

About the market, Kilvington suggests, "The Twin Cities Metro area has been enjoying a healthy housing market, even throughout the winter holiday season. Winter and spring of 2004 hold great promise for buyers as record low interest rates hold steady and home prices hold tight. The low interest rates are good news for sellers, as well, since low rates will spur buying activity."

Says Realtor Joeann Conrad, "Minnesota's Capital City is truly a big city with small town charm. Saint Paul is conveniently located just minutes East of the International Airport. With beautiful natural settings along the Mississippi River, Saint Paul embodies a large ethnically diverse population with restaurants, cultural entertainment and shopping venues for everyone. This city offers golf courses, lakes, river trails for hiking and biking, and many parks including Lake Como's 100-acre park that features amusement rides, a conservatory, golf course, lake, zoo and Japanese gardens. Whether you're looking for a charming little bungalow or you're drawn to the Landmark Mansions in the Summit and Crocus Hill areas, this is a city you will want to explore."

She adds, "The St. Paul area's approximate average number of days on the market for current properties listed in MLS are as follows: 0-$149,999: 69 Days; $150,000-$174,999: 60 Days; $175,000-$199,999: 67 Days; $200,000-$249,999: 70 Days; $250,000-$499,999: 106 Days; $500,000-$999,999: 100 Days; $1,000,000: + 82 Days.

"January is an ideal time to make a purchase," Conrad advises. "The lack of activity over the holidays has kept pricing down. January is the time to buy before the influx of spring buyers causes list prices to rise."

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Published: January 7, 2004

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