The Chris Fritch Team

WRITTEN BY LISA FREDERICK, HOUZZ CONTRIBUTOR POSTED ON THURSDAY, 03 AUGUST 2017 19:13         It's always tricky to prioritize decorating dollars, and I tend to funnel most of mine  to interior improvements: furniture, fabric, tchotchkes. But lately  I've been thinking that the outside of the house - and especially my front entry - deserves its share of the love. The entry may be the first impression of a home, and my entry is best described as mousy . Fortunately, jazzing up a front entrance doesn't have to cost a fortune. Try these eight strategies to create a showstopper entryway without blowing your budget. 1. Create a mini room . Here a bench with cheery outdoor pillows, a hanging paper lantern and a framed chalkboard combine to turn a plain entrance into a sitting space all its own - all without breaking the bank. Mix and match furniture to suit your home's architecture and style. 2. Spell out a welcome . A stencil, a can of spray pa

Recently we have seen pictures on the news of what severe weather can do to our homes and properties in areas of the country recently hit by two hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires. Homes around the country have been damaged or destroyed by fire, flooding and high winds.  Forms of severe weather events vary but all types can be potentially hazardous. Storms, including tornadoes, high winds, hail, lightning or excessive precipitation, are the most common types in Minnesota.  But, severe weather can include excessive heat and drought conditions that can spark wildfires, which be dangerous as well. While severe weather can't be prevented, there are some simple steps everyone can take to stay safe and protect themselves and their homes whenever severe weather threatens. These include staying informed, proper planning and preparing an emergency kit. Events like the flooding of the Minnesota Rivers in 2010 devastated communities. The first signs of a storm, like high winds, flash

WRITTEN BY JACQUELINE FALLA As a house flipper, ensuring my renovated properties look great is very important to me. I love walking into homes with hardwood floors. From bamboo to cork to parquet, oak, pine, and mahogany, wood floors give an immediate feeling of quality and luxury. There are seemingly endless varieties, styles and textures of hardwood flooring to complement your home and the region where you live. If you're thinking of selling your home in the next few years or simply want to love where your feet fall, hardwood flooring can add value and give your home the design boost it needs. Solid Wood vs. Engineered Hardwoods With so many options available nowadays, making the right decision can be difficult. Consider these key differences when evaluating flooring for your home. Solid Wood Flooring  is milled from trees, and each plank is composed of natural wood. Within the realm of solid wood, there are varying degrees of hardness. The  Janka Hardness Scale  r

You may feel safe inside on a hot, smoggy day, but hidden dangers could be damaging your health right in your own home. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO),  4.3 million people a year  die from exposure to household air pollution. Poorly ventilated dwellings, smoking around the home and fine particles can all negatively impact your health. Although you can try to improve your home’s health by regularly changing filters and opening the windows to let in some fresh air, you need some smart home technology to help save energy. That will ultimately help you go green by cutting down on your energy consumption. As an added benefit, saving energy can also trim your energy bills and save some money in the process. Get started with these five smart home ideas for saving energy. Control Your Smart Home Automation Before you start your smart home journey, look at how you can control the automation process from the start. For example, smart appliances can help redu

by Chris Fritch Yes, it’s about that time. Like the responsible homeowner you are, you did all the right things in early spring to prepare your home for summer living. Now, as the season fades into fall, it’s time to get it ready for the winter. If you have a family, the chances are that your home has seen a whole lot of living during the past few months. To determine how much work you’ll have to do (inside and out), take a cursory glance around. Now put on your work gear and get to it! OUTDOORS It’s probably best to go from top to bottom, as you likely would with your house cleaning. • Survey your roof and check for damage or defects. Tighten up any loose shingles and replace the ones that are split, curled or otherwise unserviceable. If the roof is in especially bad shape, or if you’re not comfortable with heights, you might want to call a professional roofer. Also remember to check the flashing around the chimney, skylights, and pipes. • Clean the leaves and debris from the

37.8 Prime acres in Andover ready for a developer! 1565 161st Ave NW in Andover - Legal says it is on 161st but it actually is on 167th and Hanson 37.8 acres $875,000 Zoned R-1 single family rural Appx 3/4 of the land is high, dry, and wooded. Remainder is used as a sod field Borders county land Contract for deed available Brought to you by the Chris Fritch Team Keller Williams Classic Realty 763-746-3997 Land for sale in Andover MN The city we know today as Andover was first organized in 1857 under the name “Round Lake Township.” However, in 1860 the name was changed to “Grow Township” in honor of Senator Galusha A. Grow of Pennsylvania. Senator Grow spoke at a political campaign in Anoka that year, and the town name was changed to honor Senator Grow because of his strong advocacy of the Union cause. At that time, the population was 330 and included the geographical area we know today as Ham Lake. In fact, the area of Ham Lake was considered a part of Grow Townsh