Upcoming Events in the Twin Cities

Green Building? Healthy Living? Foreclosure Classes? It’s all real estate related. Here are some home related events happening in the Twin Cities either right now or in the near future. 

First, it's freezing outside. If you’re needing a little warmth and inspiration in the cold and this monochromatic winter landscape, a new art exhibit at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum may just be the ticket.  Blooming Fantasy, a photo exhibit by members of the Arboretum Photographers Society. The juried show will feature 32 images of flowers, plants and the natural world. The photos will be for sale and members of the society will offer free, drop-in how-to clinics from noon to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday for the run of the exhibit.  The exhibit is now open and will close on February 8. The show has an admission fee of $7 for adults. For more info, go to www.arboretum.umn.edu.

The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design is a traveling exhibit that has arrived at the University of Minnesota this month.  Think that green living is the fad of the day?  How much more permanently green can you get than building an eco-friendly house?  The Green House exhibit features photos and drawings of 22 new sustainable homes, both single- and multifamily, in different geographic regions and environments.  That includes desert, waterside, mountainside, tropics, city, suburb and "anywhere." There are descriptions of the assets and challenges of each different region and the sustainable strategies that the architects as a result.  The exhibit produced, by the National Building Museum, is billed as "the first to explore the field of green residential design as it reaches a turning point of acceptance by both home builders and the general public." You can see it now from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through March 8 at HGA Gallery, Rapson Hall, 89 Church St. SE. in Minneapolis.

After you’ve visited the green house, put what you’ve learning to action.  There isn’t much information available, but a four-part home remodeling and construction class called Greening Your Home will be held on January 28 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Southwest High School, 3414 W. 47th St., Minneapolis, MN.

If you’re still thirsting for information on environmentally healthy practices, the Healthy Life Expo has live presentations and exhibits on green building and remodeling, healthy home products, alternative energy and energy efficient projects and tips on nutrition, fitness and more. Everything for health, balance and success in all areas of life. Special musical performances, door prizes and product sampling are available to all who attend! Admission to the Healthy Life Expo is free with two or more non perishable food items. Otherwise, the price of admission is $6.

Don’t forget about the Foreclosure Forum and the Accidental Landlord events that were mentioned earlier in this blog.  Both of those events are coming up on January 24th.

As always, Barker & Hedges home buying seminars are free and happening on a monthly basis in the Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Twin Cities area. Classes fill quickly so register below to get on our VIP list. All aspects of the Home Buying process will be covered including: How to pick a Real Estate Agent, What types of loans are available, How much money you will need for down payment, Home Buying Tips, Agency Disclosure, The Home Buying Process, and the Purchase Agreement from start to finish.