(PHOTOS) Richfield House Hunt: Foreclosure Rates Drop Slightly in Minnesota

Last week, the numbers for Minnesota foreclosures were released to show that the foreclosure rate was down one percent in Minnesota.

While the market shows signs of improving, there are still plenty of potential short-sales and lender-owned homes on the market in Richfield.

A potential short sale is when a bank agrees to take less than what they are owed when the owner sells. With bank owned properties, the bank is totally in charge and the listing price and, with rare exceptions, is the price the bank will accept.

Of the five properties of the week only one is lender owned, while the rest are traditional sales:

House No. 1: 209 Pleasant Lane

Listed by: Realty Group

Price: $129,900 Taxes: $2,246

Description: One- and one-half-story, single-family home; three bedrooms, one bath and 1,510 finished square feet. Lender owned. This is a cute home with a lot of possibilities. Situated on a large tree-shaded lot, this well maintained bungalow includes a large upper bedroom and a big finished basement amusement room. Sold as is, so it needs a little work, but perfect for a first-time buyer with some skills who wants to build equity.

House No. 2: 6711 Nicollet Ave. S.

Listed by: Re/Max Results

Price: $139,728 Taxes: $2,401

Description: One- and one-half-story, single-family home; three bedrooms, two baths and 1,733 finished square feet. This home has a great open deck and a large backyard, perfect for entertaining. Inside it’s super clean and well maintained. There’s the oversized master, upper-level bedroom, a living room fireplace and a finished basement with a family room and an office. This home is close to shopping,  schools restaurants and highway access.

House No. 3: 6520 Newton Ave. S.

Listed by: Coldwell Banker Burnet

Price: $189,900 Taxes: $3,230

Description: One- and one-half-story, single-family home; three bedrooms, two baths and 1,555 finished square feet. Fully renovated with new windows, a new furnace, new plumbing and a beautiful wood burning stone fireplace in the living room. The new eat-in kitchen has Travertine counters and the bath has subway tile and custom built-ins. There’s a cozy and sunny four-season porch, too. This very cute house is waiting for someone who can appreciate it.

House No. 4: 7115 16th Ave. S.

Listed by: Re/Max Results

Price: $210,000 Taxes: $3,573

Description: One- and one-half-story, single-family home; four bedrooms, three baths and 2,918 finished square feet. This large home has lots of living space indoors and out. Inside the kitchen opens to a dining area with a two-sided wood burning fireplace plus a second brick fireplace in the lower-level family room. The bedrooms are large and include tow on the upper level, one on the main level and one in the lower level. Outside, enjoy the deck, patio, playground and a sport court in the newly landscaped yard.  Home includes natural woodwork, tiled floors, in-floor heat, a walk-in closet, central A/C and an attached garage.

House No. 5: 6900 Harriet Ave. S.

Listed by: The Realty House

Price: $219,900 Taxes: $2,908

Description: One-story, single-family home; three bedrooms, two baths and 1,808 finished square feet. The city of Richfield’s inspector gave this home the "cleanest report he’d ever seen." Original owner has kept this beautiful home in mint condition. Situated on a corner lot, this home features two fireplaces, one in the living room and one in the lower-level family room. The lower level also includes an office and a great room. There’s a second family room on the main level, too. Open the sliding glass door in the kitchen to the deck and the tree-shaded and fenced yard. A special feature: this mid-century home has architectural timberline shingles. The home is just a few blocks from the and just one block from .