Snelling Ave. at I-94 Will See New Development in 2018
St. Paul, MN – July 21, 2017 – Gaughan Companies, Commercial Real Estate Developer and General Contractor, closed on the purchase of 304-308 Snelling Avenue in St. Paul on July 12, 2017. The final decision for the purpose of the new development is still being considered. Gaughan Companies is eager to develop in the city of St. Paul again.
Just off of I-94, the property is within walking distance of the Minnesota United FC Stadium and the Snelling Avenue Metro Transit Green Line. In addition to a new Whole Foods, this ideal neighborhood is also conveniently located near several major universities, including Concordia University, Hamline University, Macalester College, University of St. Thomas and St. Catherine University. Over 42,000 vehicles pass by this corner every day.
The current building was constructed in 1913, and the property has been owned by the same person for nearly 40 years. Gaughan Companies is looking forward to the opportunity to redevelop this site and build a new facility for the community.
For more information, visit www.gaughancompanies.com.
Tech Talk: Spring Cleaning Kitchen Appliances
Spring is finally here! Here are a few reminders that might be helpful in your spring cleaning.
- Pull out the refrigerator, clean up the back, and vacuum under to remove any dust and food particles that have accumulated.
- If you have an older fridge, be careful around any uncovered coils in the back or beneath!
- For the stove, pull it out, clean behind it, underneath and on the sides. I suggest using a kitchen cleaner, like 409 or Lysol Antibacterial, to remove any grease that has fallen down the sides.
- Check all electric and/or gas connections for the stove and oven.
We know spring cleaning isn’t always fun, but I hope these tips help the process go a little smoother!
Gaughan Tech Talk: Air Conditioner Care
Now that warm weather is approaching, it’ll soon be time to turn on the air conditioner. Here are a few tips on air conditioner care so you can keep your A/C in top working condition.
- Replace the pleated air filter every 3 months.
- Remove any sticks, leaves, grass, etc. from the condenser unit located outside. Debris on the outside of the unit will drastically affect performance. (I recommend an annual cleaning by an HVAC technician.)
- To clean the outside of the unit, use a little car polish on the box; that will shine it up. On the inside of the unit, a water hose and coil cleaner are used to clean the condenser coil.
- Do not cover the condenser with a cover or tarp in the off season. This will hold in moisture.
- Indoors, check the evaporator drain line to make sure it isn’t plugged. This removes condensation from the air handler, and it must be kept clear.
- It is a good idea to change the thermostat batteries at the start of every cooling season.
These are just a few things you can do to help your air conditioner run efficiently this season.
Gaughan Roofing Tech Talk: Downspout Problems
Although the snow can be beautiful, Minnesota winters can cause a lot of damage to a property. Avoid downspout problems through upkeep of all gutters and downspouts. It will minimize the negative effects of winter on a property’s outside drainage system.
Here are a few upkeep tips:
- Twice a year do routine inspections of roof-to-ground downspouts.
- Inspect general operation; clean out sticks and debris stuck in downspouts.
- Check straps. Are they still secured to the wall? Are screws missing?
- Are they damaged to a point that a new full or partial downspout is required?
- Get these repaired or replaced as soon as possible to avoid other associated problems.
Rent By Choice
According to the U.S. News and World Report, more and more Americans are choosing to rent instead of buy. For Millennials, young families with small kids, and Baby Boomers who have reached the retirement and empty nest stage, the idea of renting instead of buying has garnered strong appeal.
Although it would seem that the demographic groups mentioned above would be vastly different in their housing needs, they actually have a lot in common.
The first thing these groups consider is cost. Millennials are just starting out and most are just getting their career off the ground. For them, flexibility and not being assured that their first job will lead to long term stability, drives their interest away from the burden of buying a home, and then being locked in to long-term payments. In addition, a great number of them are just starting to pay back their student loans, and may not actually have the funds or credit score needed to be approved for a long term housing commitment.
For the young families with small children, they tend to be most interested in trying out different neighborhoods and checking out local schools. Several of them may be adding another child or two to their family unit, and may not really understand their long term housing needs until they reach the point where they decide that their family is complete.
If they are still in the same job that they took right after college, many may also now be eyeing promotions and even opportunities in other companies, because they have gained some work experience and want to increase their salary and benefits. Also, this demographic, along with the Millennials, may actually come out ahead financially by investing extra income that they have, instead of chunking it toward actual mortgage payments.
With the housing market prices fluctuating wildly from year to year, waiting until it shows a period of stability can pay off nicely. Also, the more desirable houses tend to go quickly in some markets, and there may not be much available that fits their budget and ideals. However, apartments, condos and townhomes are typically readily available in all areas of a major city or suburb and are generally ready for possession within a few days of weeks of making application.
By the time their kids get to elementary school, they along with some of the older Millennials tend to feel more settled, and have generally decided where they want to put down their family roots. By having rented for a season, they have had time to establish their credit, and save for a nice down payment on a home that fits their current lifestyle.
Finally, the Baby Boomers are similar to the other two groups, because they too are adjusting to a major life change. If they are experiencing the empty nest stage, then they may no longer need the large home that they lived in while raising their family. Retirement and the idea of travel tend to make them not want to be tied down by things such as maintenance and yard work, and they too may want to add to their nest egg so they can enjoy more freedom to pursue their interests.
Whatever stage of life you find yourself in, a good idea is to talk with a financial advisor and list out your personal ideas of renting versus buying. The nice thing about renting is that you can always change your mind and move up or move on, but once you sign on the dotted line of home ownership, you are committed for the long haul.
Village Apartments in Forest Lake Introduces Its New Website
The Village Apartments in Forest Lake, Minnesota is pleased to announce the completion of its brand new website. The website brings a modern feel along with an easy to navigate format. Potential residents will be able view floor plans, look at interior photos of units as well as have the ability fill out and submit their applications directly from the website. If you are a current resident of the Village Apartments, the resident login portal is front as center as you land on the page, making it convenient to access your online account.
The Village Apartments website can be found at:
