Owatonna Steele County Albert Lea Freeborn Number of Homes Listed 74 95 76 94 Average List Price $241,552 $230,553 $160,304 $163,288 Number of Homes Sold 27 39 20 31 Average Sale Price $173,250 $175,619 $122,910 $122,603 Average Days on the Market 38 38 31 68 ... read more

As the U.S. phases out incandescent light bulbs, we look back at the light of our lives, and look forward to new generations of CFLs and LEDs. We started bidding goodbye to Edison’s classic in 2012. Congress directed the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop revised standards to take effect in 2020, including a backstop requiring that light bulbs achieve at least 45 lumens (a measure of brightness) per watt. DOE recently stated that this backstop will go into effect. Halogen incandescent light bulbs will p... read more

Such as look for roof leaks before the first winter snow. Preventative maintenance is key. When the last of summer's heat is a faint memory, and you're pulling out your hoodies more than your shorts, it's time to tackle a few simple chores that'll make winter more pleasant and prevent some nasty surprises next spring. This Fall Checklist Helps: #1 Clean and Stow Your Mower If you’re not familiar with fuel stabilizer, get to know it. If your mower sits for months with gas in its tank, the gas will... read more

If you plan on selling your home next year and want to get the highest price possible, you should put it on the market at the beginning of the spring selling season. There tends to be less competition at that time, so homes listed in early spring will typically sell faster and closer to their list price than those listed later in the year. You’re probably thinking that spring is many months away, and you have plenty of time to get your house ready to sell. But spring comes early in real estate and home sales... read more

Guest post by Karen Kung As the weather begins to lean toward the colder side, memories of the past winter start flooding our thoughts. The one thing we forget every year is just how dry the air can be during the colder months. The importance of humidity in the home is underrated and often dismissed. The most obvious of all benefits to maintaining humidity in the home is preventing that Doc Brown looking hairdo. However, there are a slew of other benefits that could save your health, your home and your wallet. ... read more