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Engineering a Bidding War for Your Home Sale
Generating momentum to secure multiple bids doesn’t happen by accident. To get the market to fight over your home, we have to treat the launch like a major production. This involves a calculated approach to pricing, meticulous preparation, and a high-stakes negotiation strategy once those bids are on the table.

Sarah McKee
2 min read


Why Avoiding Bidding Wars Costs Buyers the Best Homes
Why the right strategies make a bidding war no biggie.
Multiple offers are nothing to be scared of - it’s validation that the home is a high-quality asset with proven resale demand that's been appropriately prepared for market. If you only look at the homes nobody else wants, you aren’t "winning", you’re settling for the leftovers and overpriced listings.
Here’s how I help my buyers win high demand homes, while protecting their interests.

Sarah McKee
3 min read


House Hunting is Stressful. Here’s How to Do It Better.
Whether it’s your first move or your fifth, real estate is an emotional business. From the high of the "perfect" listing to the tension of a bidding war, the journey is a rollercoaster. Here is how to stay grounded and get the keys.

Sarah McKee
2 min read


Beating the Bidding War
The Spring Market is prime time for home sales, driven by a perfect storm of timing. Families want to move before the new school year, gardens are finally starting to bloom, and after a long winter, everyone is suddenly ready for a fresh start. Because so many buyers enter the market at once, competition isn't just about who has the most money. It’s about who has the best strategy . If you find a home that looks like a dream but feels like it’s priced for a bidding war, don't

Sarah McKee
2 min read


Old Home Features to Never Renovate
In a world increasingly put off by flips and cookie-cutter renovations, authentic historical character is highly sought after. If you have an old home, it’s worth remembering that future buyers will be willing to pay a premium for the soul and craftsmanship that modern construction simply can't replicate. When it comes to renovating your old home, consider this your guide to the features that should stay put. Your future resale value will thank you! 1. The "Jewelry": Original

Sarah McKee
2 min read


Mortgage Rates Finally Drop Under 6%
For the first time in over three years, average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates have dipped below 6%.

Sarah McKee
1 min read


Finding Your Minneapolis Neighborhood Match
Your lifestyle guide to some of my favorite pockets of the city

Sarah McKee
2 min read


My Essential Twin Cities Dining Spots
I’m often asked by clients where they should head for their first dinner in their new Twin Cities neighborhood. To me, a home isn’t just four walls; it’s the community, the culture, and, absolutely, the food. We are incredibly lucky to live in a city that punches so far above its weight class when it comes to dining. Here's where I would send you... The Icons Best Go-to: All Saints gun to my head, favorite spot in the city Best Fine Dining: Demi to pull out all the stop

Sarah McKee
2 min read


The Reality, the Resilience, and the Market
Marching alongside tens of thousand of my neighbors on January 23rd I’m going to be honest: it felt impossible to write a standard "market update" this month without addressing the reality we are all living through in the Twin Cities. Like many of you, my heart is heavy. The presence of federal agents in our streets and the chaos "Operation Metro Surge" has caused have made "business as usual" impossible. I know many of our local businesses are hurting as neighbors stay home,

Sarah McKee
2 min read


Things That Weren't On My 2025 Bingo Card
Looking back on some of my most unexpected real estate moments of the year. Launching Wildernest Cabins After three years of planning and construction, we finally opened Wildernest Cabins this fall. My husband, in-laws, and I transformed a unique property on Duluth's North Shore, designing and building six intimate cabins with private saunas, gas fireplaces, and woodland views. Watching our first guests arrive and fall in love with the experience we've created has been one

Sarah McKee
2 min read


2025 Housing Market in Review
As 2025 wraps up, let's see how expert predictions stacked up against reality. and what it means for your plans in 2026. Dip in Mortgage Rates While some experts were overly optimistic, anticipating rates in the high 5% range, The National Association of Realtors (NAR) correctly forecasted rates around 6%. We dropped from an average of 7% in 2024 to about 6.2% now - a meaningful improvement, even if it's not the dramatic plunge buyers wanted. Expect rates to hover around 6% t

Sarah McKee
1 min read


Local Experience Gift Guide
Holiday shopping for somebody who just doesn’t need “more stuff”? Tickets to concerts and plays are go-to experience gifts, but here are a few more experience ideas that support local businesses and will create lasting memories! For the Zen-Seeker Washershed brings self care to the next level with spa services, wellness treatments, and their iconic signature bathing rituals featuring spacious sauna & steam rooms, detoxifying salt scrubs, hot and cold tubs, and the most medit

Sarah McKee
2 min read


Selling Your Home in 2026: Your Personalized Success Guide
If I were selling my home in 2026, here are the steps I would start now for the smoothest journey to securing the best sale possible. Know My Numbers Before I started getting my home ready to list, I'd begin by getting a home valuation & market report . That way, I'd have a good idea of what my home could be worth now, potential equity, and what I should know about my local real estate market. Get A Jumpstart on Projects Now's the time to begin decluttering and working on mai

Sarah McKee
2 min read


Why Smart Buyers Shop in Winter (And Pay Less)
Spring has long been peak season for real estate, and for good reason. Pleasant weather, convenient timing for families, and eager buyers all converge between March and June. But here's what most buyers miss: purchasing in winter could put thousands of extra dollars in your pocket. With buyer leverage at its strongest point in years, waiting for spring means giving up your negotiating advantage just as competition heats up. Less Competition = More Leverage While other buyers

Sarah McKee
2 min read


Hosting Overnight Guests Without The Stress
One of the best things about owning a home is filling it with loved ones during the holidays. Hosting house guests can also be intimidating, especially when you realize your spare room is currently storing last year's Christmas decorations and a long-abandoned Peloton. If you're gearing up to host out-of-town visitors this season, take a deep breath. With a little planning and the right mindset, you can create a welcoming space without spiraling into perfectionism. Here's wha

Sarah McKee
2 min read


How the Government Shutdown Affects Local Homebuyers
The federal government shutdown that began early Wednesday morning is sending ripples through financial markets and creating uncertainty...

Sarah McKee
2 min read


Fall's Real Estate Sweet Spot
Ever notice how everything feels possible in September? That fresh-start energy isn't just for new school supplies – it extends to real...

Sarah McKee
1 min read


My North Shore Adventure: Opening Wildernest Cabins
Three years ago, my in-laws asked me about a unique property along the North Shore near their cottage on Lake Superior. In real estate,...

Sarah McKee
2 min read


Don't Miss Your Chance for Lush Listing Photos
If you're planning to list your home this winter or early spring, here's a secret that savvy sellers know: the best time to photograph...

Sarah McKee
2 min read


Don’t Be Blinded by Vanity Repairs
Picture this: You walk into a house with great bones in your ideal neighborhood, but the walls are painted neon green, the carpet is...

Sarah McKee
2 min read
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