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Prospective home buyers checked out one of the houses on the Get to NOMI Home Buyers Tour on July 10. Photo by Jeff Strand.

Over the past few months, Northside residents have become far too familiar with the appearance of ‘For Sale,’ ‘For Rent,’ and boarded-up or foreclosed properties. Recently, a group of Northside residents took it upon themselves to do something pro-active to promote home ownership and pride in the neighborhoods of North Minneapolis (NOMI).  A subgroup of the GLBT Northsiders, an ever-growing group of nearly 140 individuals invested in NOMI, decided to make an opportunity out of the current housing climate.
 Each day a new property would pop-up ‘For Sale’ and immediately a member of the GLBT Northsiders group would post the listing on the GLBT Northsiders online bulletin board http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GLBTNorthsiders/, hoping to find a responsible owner to scoop it up. A concerted effort would be needed to make sure that these wonderful homes would fall into caring hands.
 After a handful of meetings, members of the GLBT Northsiders hatched the idea of the “Get to NOMI Home Buyers Tour.” Moving quickly, the group organized and presented a booth at the Twin Cities PRIDE Festival at the end of June to market the “NOMI” brand and the Home Buyers Tour, not to mention the remarkable neighborhoods of NOMI. Two days of tabling and talking to the public brought much excitement about the tour, the NOMI marketing campaign, and a firm consensus that NOMI is to become one of the most desired destinations in Minneapolis. With amazing housing stock on nearly every block at prices that can’t be beat, NOMI is unparalleled in Minneapolis as the next up and coming enclave for families, young professionals, artists and first time home buyers. 
 The GLBT Northsiders sub-group hosted the first in a series of Home Buyers Tours on July 10. With 33 participants in attendance and potential sales afoot, it was a success! The highlight of the home tour, for many, was seeing the large number of Northside residents who joined the tour to talk about the Northside neighborhoods and the numerous amenities the Northside has to offer including its thriving arts scene, fantastic restaurants, beautiful parks, and of course, its amazing people. To those who live here, NOMI is the place to be!
 A welcome reception at Sauced Bistro, on 44th and Penn, was followed by a walking tour of four properties currently on the market in the Webber-Camden neighborhood. Three of the highlighted homes were recent rehabs of foreclosed properties completed by the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (GMHC). A key feature of the tour was informing prospective buyers of the numerous financial incentives that exist on the Northside. Folwell, McKinley and Webber-Camden neighborhoods currently offer up to $4,000 in forgivable loans. GMHC President Carolyn Olson surprised the potential home buyers with an additional offer of $2,500 in down-payment assistance for the GMHC homes on the tour.   
 Another Home Buyers Tour on July 24 featured more homes in the NOMI neighborhoods. If you or someone you know is considering taking advantage of the many opportunities that exist on the Northside in this buyers’ market, jump on board and join us for one of our upcoming Get to NOMI Home Buyers Tours. For info on upcoming home tours, or to learn more about the many financial incentives for prospective buyers on the Northside email MyNewNeighbor@gmail.com or visit http://glbtnorthsiders.blogspot.com/.