Elaine

You have to offer within $10,000 per $100,000 of the reduced asking price on a bank-owned and be ready to come up with a counter-offer within $7,500 for each $100,000 of property. That's what worked for me. I am a property owner as last week of a bank-owned property. Be sure to have an inspection before you buy! The repairs and improvements, association fees, property taxes and utilities are overhead to plan for too. I'm not a realtor, so this is just what worked for me buying a property on the market less than a month, and like new, former model. After looking at big homes that would have $10k plus tax liability, that was enough to buy more for less! - Tue Jun 24 2008, 19:20

I'm NOT a realtor. I've lived in Eden Prairie for over 10 years. There are many areas that are wonderful to live within the city. We live in a quiet "horseshoe" road that backs up to a huge wooded lot, and way down below is the Minnesota River. There are trails, and what a view! There are many beautiful properties all along this SouthWest edge with Bluff and VIew lots. Some people prefer homes with the "club" atmosphere, and up along Highway 1 Pioneer Trail, there are exclusive homes such as "Bear Path." There are many different neighborhoods and price points. LIving a few miles from the Flying Cloud Airport hasn't been any problem-- planes were louder overhead in Bloomington and Edina from memories! Another factor is if you prefer to live near to West Bloomington, Edina, Minnetonka, or Chanhassen. Access to the Eden Prairie Center, to Highway 169 on the East, 212 Running through the town, 494 access, etc. There are lake areas too. You might have ideas about how far you want to be from busy roads, power lines, etc. as these are factors. Good Luck! It's a a total buyers market right now! - Fri Mar 21 2008, 11:31