Dayton’s Bluff is a scenic historical neighborhood on the East Side of Saint Paul. The gorgeous area along the river bluff boasts sweeping views of the Mississippi River Valley and downtown. The opposite end of the neighborhood is bordered by both Mounds Park and Swede Hollow, offering acres of green space. Although it is accessible to downtown, Dayton’s Bluff is separated by ravines, rail lines, freeways and bluffs. This separation has helped to establish Dayton’s Bluff as its own entity.

For a community with so much to offer, Dayton’s Bluff has never quite fulfilled its potential. Throughout the years there have been economic problems and cultural issues all leading to a lack of investment in the neighborhood. (more…)

Historic homes are beautiful and, when they are fully restored, valuable as well. However, there can be quite a few issues with a historic home that many home buyers don’t initially take into consideration before putting in an offer. If you have the money and experience, renovating an older home can be fun and rewarding. However, if you are inexperienced with older home renovation, the constant surprises can be daunting.

The thing working against older homes from the start is that they’re, well, old. An 1872 farmhouse sounds delightfully rustic, but while the timbers may still be in good shape, the rest of the house may well not be. Over a century of pests, oxidization, weather and use are going to take their toll on any home. Without regular maintenance and updates, a historic home could be hiding serious flaws that not only compromise your comfort and the home’s resale value, but also your safety. (more…)

Studies show that real estate investing returns an average 10 percent a year equal to the historic return for stocks.

Leveraged investing:

Major advantage of real estate investment is that you can use other’s person’s money like a mortgage lender and renter to make money for yourself. Rental income covers annual mortgage, insurance, property-tax and maintenance costs.

Tangible asset:

Real estate is considered a tangible asset, unlike stocks which is a paper stock certificate. The steadily rising cost of constructing new homes protects and ultimately enhances the value of existing properties. (more…)