The Real Estate roundup...

It'll be summer before you know it, and with warm weather comes endless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. What better way than to hit a nearby park for a picnic? Since July is National Picnic Month, we thought you might like to check out some of our favorite picnic spots near Excelsior homes for sale!

1. The Commons - 135 Lake St., Excelsior, MN
   This 13-acre park overlooking Lower Lake Minnetonka is one of the best places in the Excelsior for a family picnic, with picnic tables and grills along with playgrounds, ball fields, and walking trails. The Commons also includes two beaches and offers ample access to the lake for fishing and boating. In addition to being a great picnic spot, the Commons hosts numerous events throughout the year, including an annual Art Fair, Fourth of July celebration, and Summer Concert Series.

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The home-selling process is a unique experience for every seller. In fact, property sales may include a number of diverse elements that require special attention. One such instance occurs when a home seller considers listing their vacant home. Though this is a common occurrence, many home sellers don't realize that there are certain pros and cons to this decision that differ from selling a house that's still occupied. We're here to help you understand all the advantages and disadvantages so you can make the best decision.

The Pros & Cons of Selling a Vacant Home

Pros

1. Showings are easier.
   Empty homes are great for showings. Sellers have two options with vacant homes: They can either stage the area professionally or allow buyers to fill it in with their own imagination. The lack of occupants in the home also makes showing schedules more convenient for the seller and buyer.

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Minnesota summers are full of fun and entertainment for all ages, and Excelsior homes for sale are right in the midst of the excitement. Here are two popular events offering another reason to make your home in Excelsior.

Lake Minnetonka 4th of July Celebration

Holidays are full of shared traditions that bring communities closer together. For more than 130 years, people have gathered for the day-long Lake Minnetonka 4th of July Celebration. More than 200,000 people are estimated to participate in the waterfront activities centered at Commons Park in downtown Excelsior.

• The day kicks off bright and early at 7:30 a.m. with the Firecracker Run. Choose from 5K and 10K timed races or a one-mile fun run. Routes begin at Excelsior Elementary and end at the Commons. Early registration fees, which include a t-shirt, are $30 for the one mile run and $42 for the longer races.

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Your offer has been accepted, your finances are in order, and you're eagerly anticipating signing the final documents to officially own your dream home! Before the contracts are finalized, however, you'll need to perform one final walk-through of the property to ensure everything is in acceptable condition.

Even though the appraiser and inspector have already completed their assessments, it's still important that you give the interior and exterior of your soon-to-be home one last thorough examination. Here are seven things that we believe should be on your final walk-through checklist.

1. Inspect the grounds.
   Let's face it — with so much to inspect throughout the interior of the house, a detailed inspection of the exterior may fall to the wayside. However, it's important that you confirm that the condition of the yard is the same as you first saw it. Walk the grounds to make sure that exterior lighting, sprinkler equipment, foliage, and other items have not been removed. At the same time, you can also see if recent weather like rain or strong winds has damaged the exterior.

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If you've been exploring the area in search of your dream house, you've probably noticed some of the gorgeous Excelsior homes for sale on the Lake Minnetonka waterfront. This is one of our most popular residential areas, and as soon as the weather starts to warm up, you can expect to see an influx of people enjoying waterfront dining, shopping, and outdoor activities.

One of our most popular summertime events, the 39th annual Art on the Lake is always a big hit among both local residents and visitors. It draws in art enthusiasts from across the entire Minneapolis/St. Paul area and features unique art, food, and musical entertainment. Sound like something you might enjoy? Here are all the details! 

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