Holmes Group Magazine Issue 24

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Hello there

As we step into Spring, we are delighted to welcome you to the latest edition of The Holmes Group Magazine. In this issue, we have curated an array of insightful articles, stunning property features, and expert advice to keep you well-informed and inspired in the dynamic world of real estate.

As the real estate landscape continues to evolve, our team remains committed to bringing you the most relevant and up-to-date information to assist you in making informed decisions about your property investments. Whether you’re a seasoned investor, a first-time homebuyer, or someone simply interested in the market trends, we have something for everyone in this edition.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to being your go-to resource for all things real estate.

Happy Reading!

Warm regards,

The Holmes Group - Joe Holmes, Heather Pederson, and Bob Adamson

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Meet theTeam

btadamsonwbl@aol.com

612-964-2524

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heatherpedersonrealtor

heatherpederson

651-491-2151

joeholmes@kw.com

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JOE

BOB

HEATHER PEDERSON

Boomers vs. Millennials The battle is on!

The short version goes like this… There are a lot of Boomersonce the largest population in US history. Not so many of us Gen X’ers. And then came the Millennials - now the largest population in US history and outnumbering the Boomers.

In between you have a lot of real estate metrics, crazy interest rates, market crashes, low inventory and BOOM (pun intended) a battle for real estate has developed.

In this edition of Holmes on Homes we explore how population trends affect real estate and how it relates to our current inventory challenges for today and possibly years to come.

You may remember in past editions that we explored our inventory challenges, which are universal around the country, and found one of the culprits was a lack of new construction. I’m sure you remember one of our hottest topics we talk on - listing inventory or more specifically the lack of it. New construction has been viewed as a culprit to this with dismal new construction starts after the ‘08 mortgage bust. That drought

New Home Starts

lasted nearly 10 years and we’ve been back to normal construction starts from about 2019 to 2020. See the graph to jog your memory:

However, a new challenge with housing inventory is becoming evident and it’s all based on when you were born! That’s right.. The battle is on between Boomers & Millennials for real estate supremacy and it’s getting interesting.

There are a few layers to this story and one of the beginning points is to start with first time homebuyers.The age of the first time buyer has been pushed back a bit over the decades.

Not long ago the typical American dream was two kids, a house, a dog, a car and grilling on the weekends… or at least some variation of that. Granted it seemed much easier to get that decades ago when it was easier to accomplish on the income of one adult. That American dream was typically realized by your late 20’s. Well today, the average age of the first time buyer is 33 years old.

That’s an important number to remember. It means that the average birth year of a first time home buyer is 1990. Hang on to that thought and let’s get into the next layer of the story… Baby Boomers!

Now talk about a generation!! This is the generation of rock and roll, serving your country, getting married, having kids and building wealth. This is the generation that has seen everything in real estate from 18% to 3% interest rates. From 3,000 sq ft homes being considered mansions to today’s home sizes dwarfing that. From helping Mom and Dad into the nursing home to now wondering what to do with their homes.. Wait, what was that?

Currently, more older-aged Americans are staying in their homes longer. Who can blame them? There are a myriad of reasons older people are staying put longer. When you start homeownership with an 18% interest rate in the ‘80s and now you’ve got 2.5% on a 15-year fixed (if not already paid off) why would you want to change that?

boom in recent equity has caused challenges to sell a home for a different reason - taxes. If a couple has more than $500k in gains, you should prepare for capital gains tax. EEK! Taxes!

home”.. Nearly 50% of current buyers!

Now remember the average of a first time home buyer that we talked about a paragraph or so back. This next graph really sums it up. This is a chart that makes you stop and think for a moment and realize that our inventory shortage is going to be a challenge for a while. Take a look at this:

Add in the conveniences we have at our fingertips with grocery delivery, Amazon, traveling nurses and medical staff, oncall snow & lawn service, reverse mortgages and more. Sprinkle in a little covid-year real estate dynamics with a huge BOOM in equity in the last 4 years, little inventory to look at, a lack of affordable elder-care facilities (I stress the term affordable) and you can see the lack of desire for change. In some areas of the country, the

Take a look at this graph! It shows the expected tenure in a home for current buyers. Notice how many people are buying their “forever

My big takeaway on this is simple really… you have the largest population in US history entering the life phase of homeownership. The buyer demand is going to stay steady for decades to come. It’s not just that people buy one home. They buy and sell moving forward, buy investment properties & vacation homes and they do so for decades to come.

On the flip side you have an aging population that has conveniences at their fingertips we haven’t had before and staying in their homes longer than ever. Add in the security of crazy low interest rates from a few years back. And with current interest rates combined with home values, you have a recipe for low inventory for years to come. We’ll see how the new generation of home buyers performs in the years ahead. It’s hard to predict but one thing is for sure - Millennials are going to shake things up!

AMAZING two-story home in Lakeville with so much to offer. Enjoy the open floorplan with amenities both inside and out. The vaulted entry opens to hardwood floors and an open main floor design with a fully renovated kitchen, main floor office, mudroom, deck and more. The kitchen was fully renovated to include granite tops, center island perfect for entertaining, pantry, stainless appliances, custom lighting AND don’t miss the sneaky fun storage - check the QR code below for a video!

With over 3,000 square feet, four bedrooms/ four bathrooms/three-car garage; this home is a must-see. You’ll enjoy the main floor office space, lower-level stone surround gas fireplace, lower level workshop & storage, private rear settings and generous landscaping, neighborhood parks AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

To schedule your private tour - call us today at 651-491-2151.

The upper floor features four bedrooms including a private owners suite with walk-in closet, jacuzzi tub & tons of room.

The backyard features a private setting with gorgeous landscaping, oversized deck, large patio and seating areas. Thoughtfully designed to have flowers and plants in bloom through the entire year.

The lower level features a beautiful stone surround gas fireplace with mantle and hearth. Don’t miss the lower level storage & workshop, along with the plumbed corner for a future wet bar.

SPRING HOME TASKS

Months of harsh winter weather can wreak havoc on the home. As spring begins to blossom, there are steps you can take to check your home for any potential issues or damage. Spring is an excellent time for homeowners to take care of their seasonal home maintenance tasks to ensure their home is in the best shape for enjoying the warmer months.

1CHECK YOUR ROOF

Start at the top and survey your roof for any signs of damage or misalignment. In most cases, you should be able to view your roof well enough from ground level using a pair of binoculars or your smartphone’s camera zoom feature to get a better look without needing to walk your roof. Look for shingles that are misaligned, damaged, or missing. These will require replacement to keep your performance.

2CLEAN OUT YOUR GUTTERS

Though an infamous task among homeowners, keeping your gutters clear and effectively draining can help you avoid developing more significant and costly issues. Homeowners should plan to clean out their gutter system at least twice a year, commonly in the Spring and the Fall. There are several ways to tackle cleaning your gutter system. If you choose to use your ladder, you can get another vantage point to check for any other potential issues on your roof while you are up there.

3CHECK THE EXTERIOR

Walk around the outside of your home to look for any trouble spots on your home’s exterior. Much like the roof, homeowners will want to address any damages or defects that they discover to ensure that your home is protected from pests, debris, and water. For example, any water stains could mean your gutter system is not working properly and requires further cleaning or repairs.

FAST. SIMPLE .

MODELS OF THE PAST ARE CHANGING FAST.

Margin compression, interes t rates, and realtor commission s under attack. Lender/Realto r relationship has neve r mattered more .

REALTOR & LENDER PARTNERSHIPS REDEFINED.

With industr y chan g es alread y comin g , w e prepared an d built a bette r model . It works , you need t o know how !

SHARING A WIN-WIN SALES MODEL.

We are not all cut from th e same cloth. With a fe w skills, and an adjustmen t in your beliefs. Characte r can make you the bes t agent in the marke t

Three

Sourdough Waffles

Sunday Morning with Tanner and Parker

Weekend mornings are best served with a healthy dose of sleeping in followed by breakfast with the kiddos. One of their favorites has been to make waffles with the old school waffle maker. As they learn sourdough starter techniques (bread making to come), they used a recent batch to make waffles. Make sure to check out the QR code for the vid! ENJOY!

Ingredients

2 Cups AP flour

2 Tsp Sugar

1 Tsp Fine sea salt

½ Tsp Baking soda

2 cups Buttermilk or regular milk works too

6 Tbsp Melted butter

½ Cup Sourdough Starter

2 Medium Eggs

Instructions

Step 2: In a large bowl - mix all the dry ingredients

Step 1: Preheat that old-school waffle iron and get ready to rumble.

Step 3: In a separate bowl - mix all the wet ingredients

Step 4: Pour the wet mix into the dry and finish your batter

Step 5: Spray the waffle iron with non-stick spray or brush with butter - pour batter and let the fun begin. This should make about 12 waffles. Add your favorite toppings but don’t forget the whipped cream!!!

CONTINUATION OF HOLMES ON HOMES

The Spring Market has SPRUNG!

Well this has certainly been an interesting winter with no snow for the holidays and 60+ degrees in February!! I was planning on taking the lawn mower out with my santa hat on for a Christmas photo opportunity but didn’t get to it. Ahh, only if I could’ve been “that guy”. My kids are happy that I got distracted!

The weather isn’t the only thing hotter than usual as our real estate market is certainly geared up for what looks to be a busy year. I’m not sure if that’s a product of the nice weather or a carryover from what seemed to have been a more active 4th quarter of ‘23… but it’s gearing up to be competitive for buyers.

For perspective on timing, this is one of the last pages we’re writing for this magazine and it’s February 28th. I mention this as market conditions can change fast and want to make sure that’s taken into perspective. Take for example today’s 30 year fixed rate of about 7.375%,,. Up from 6.75% just a few weeks ago. By the time you read this, it could be late March and a little different landscape.

SPRING DATA:

Enough small talk though.. . Let’s get to it. We ended the year with just about 4,800 listings at a 43% contract ratio in the 7-county metro. We watch the “contract ratio” as one of the more immediate and telling signs of buyer demand. Contract ratio being defined as the number of pending properties over the number of active properties. If we have a contract ratio of any particular area at 50%, there would be twice as many active listings as pending listings. If it’s 100%, then there is an equal amount of active vs. pending listings and a completely different market. So this % is important to watch for general market trends - OH and by the way, we get very micro with this concept when pricing your home - but more on that later.

We were at a 43% contract ratio on the 1st of the year and today we’re at 67%.. Oh, and we have the same amount of listings in the 7-county metro at about 4,800. So that means there’s been a 50% increase of buyer demand since the beginning of the year and what I mean when we say - Spring has Sprung!

MICRO-MARKETS:

What does that look like with real area market information? Well, here are a few scenarios that have played out recently…

In chatting with a work friend in the office - a recent listing in Oakdale was literally smashed by the market. In a good way. Priced at about $325,000 it had 31 offers in just a few days with several offers over $355,000. That is nuts for February and has remnants of our covid-era real estate all over it.

I recently put together a pricing analysis for a home in Rosemount and determined the value range around $325,000. In the micro-market research we do, I found there were about 28 other properties in the general area (Rosemount, Apple Valley, IGH, etc) and within that price range. Get this - 25 of the 28 were contingent with buyers already. Meaning a buyer is under contract and simply completing their inspection, financing or other contingencies. That means if you’re shopping at that price, in that area - get ready to rumble! On the flip side, sellers can push a bit and see what terms they can get or a sales price to test.

Is that just with moderate home prices? No. Our office put a $1.3M

listing in Dellwood on the market recently and it sold in less than a week. $500k in Lakeville - sold in a few days and so on. Do we have listings that don’t perform as quickly, of course, but you see the picture of today’s market. I want to stress that this is literally TODAY’S market as this can change quickly from week to week. However it’s shaping up to be competitive as long as you price according to the home and the micro-market that you’re in.

On that tangent of a micro-market and how the above information works into our listing strategy - we certainly let the data-geek out to play. Don’t worry, that’s just one of Joe’s personalities and not actually a person (most days). The data geek says to take the price range from your market analysis and apply it to your micro-market. You have to gauge how a listing will fit in with its competition and that’s what this is - checking contract ratios, showing activity, inventory trends and all kinds of fun to figure out the best approach for a seller’s needs.

SUMMER TRENDS:

But back to the spring market.. Will this trend continue and will we see a more competitive market than last year? The early trends suggest that will be the case but

there’s a long way to go and plenty of factors that can change things. One thing to watch for sure are rates. If we can see sustained rates in the mid- 6%’s, it’s going to feel pretty good. With 7% and even as high as 8% in a recent rearview mirror, it’ll make 6.5% feel like a blessing.

Don’t forget about the inventory challenges and of course you know where we’re at on that from the first article. We see inventory up 20% from last year at this time but it’s not enough to put a dent in the buyer demand. We’ll see how many sellers get on board this year and no telling what that will look like. Again on perspective - last year we peaked out at around 6,800 listings in the 7-county metro at any given time. This year should be a bit higher but over the course of the last ten years - the high listing count was around 15,000. So it’s going to take some time for inventory to come around.

That said - look for a competitive real estate market and hang on for the ride.

For more information on your micro-market or how we price homes call 651-491-2151 or email JoeHolmes@KW.com

PEEK INSIDE

FORT SNELLING’S UPPER POST FLATS

Minneapolis-based BKV Group announced the completion of the development project, which repurposed historic Fort Snelling buildings into affordable apartments and townhomes for veterans and their families.

BY ELLA ANDERSON

Minneapolis-based design firm BKV Group announced the completion of the final phase of the Upper Post Flats development project, which repurposed the historic Fort Snelling Upper Post into affordable apartments and townhomes for veterans and their families.

Fort Snelling’s Upper Post Flats are officially fully open to residents, with preference being given to military members, veterans, first responders, and their families. The project took several years of combined efforts in a private-public partnership between the site’s owner, the Minnesota DNR, the National Park Service, Hennepin County, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and the Minnesota Historical Society, which operated the historic fort. According to the developers, low-income housing tax credits contributed $70 million of the project’s $160 million total cost, making the below-market-rate rents affordable for households earning up to 60 percent of the area median income.

The Upper Post Flats center around providing an affordable hous -

ing community where household income and student status limits apply. The community has modern living spaces with newly reduced rents for hundreds less than other communities nearby.

Additionally, the Fort Snelling Upper Post, which once hosted soldiers from both world wars, keeps veterans a priority by offering a Military and Veteran Preferred Program. As of last fall, the Upper Post Flats now also offers homes to those who have not served, encouraging everyone looking for low-income housing to come and see the beautiful historic homes.

The BKV Group salvaged and reclaimed 26 buildings from the 42-acre site. Barracks, an admin-

istration building, a gymnasium, a morgue, and a hospital were all returned to their roots as a residential community.

“It took more than a year to understand the historic details of the buildings and how they could be adapted for modern housing,” said Mike Krych, a managing partner and senior design leader at BKV Group, in a press release.

Although many of the buildings were found in poor condition, several of which remained vacant since the 1970s, the project team was able to reuse original walls, doors, windows, entryways, and staircases from many of them. The Upper Post Flats feature 192 units ranging from studios to four-bedroom apartments, a clubhouse with a bar and fireplace, a gymnasium and swimming pool, and numerous infrastructure improvements such as new roads, sidewalks, and garage parking.

“The successful restoration of this underutilized landmark, using sustainable materials and reclaimed building envelopes for the purpose of affordable housing for veterans and their families, is a testament to the viability of adaptive reuse,” said Krych.

CURRENT LISTINGS

9886 Lake Mist Drive

Grasston, MN 55030

$469,000

Haeley Newman

Keller Williams Premier Realty

Looking to get on the lake? Here is the perfect opportunity! This adorable, one-level, twobedroom home was renovated in 2022 and had all new flooring, kitchen cabinets, and stainless steel appliances put in. A new roof was also put on in February of 2022. This home sits on approximately 80 feet of lake shore and has a gradual hill to Lake Pokegama, so no stairs are needed! This home is also located on a quiet, dead-end road and is within walking distance of a local restaurant and bar. Enjoy all of the recreational activities with access to over 3,000 boatable acres on Pokegama and Cross Lake. Home is currently used as an Airbnb rental and has had great success!

33 Spyglass Place

Dellwood, MN 55110

$1,289,000

Connie Bossard

Keller Williams Premier Realty

Amazing and rare opportunity to enjoy a Dellwood Country Club golf course view! This stately home is tucked away in the private neighborhood in The Greens of Dellwood. Beautiful finishes throughout the home, nothing has been overlooked. The bonus room over the garage just off the back stairway provides a great space for a quiet office or game room. The gourmet kitchen and hearth room provide perfect spaces for enjoying a casual evening with friends, while the majestic dining room & living room just off the front entry provide a more formal, yet comfortable gathering area. Enjoy morning coffee on the eastern deck off the main ensuite. Large recreational room in the lower level with a kitchenette opens to a large fenced in backyard with a swimming pool.

2427 Nebraska Avenue E.

Maplewood, MN 5511

$550,000

Pat Kinney/Lisa Madison

Keller Williams Premier Realty

Not your ordinary Modified 2 Story by any means. This 5-6 bedroom home is tastefully decorated, with almost 3800 SF finished, 4BR’s , 2 baths and a laundry room on the upper level, 2 additional legal bedrooms that are currently used as home offices, a spacious L shaped family entertainment area in the basement along with an oversized 3 car garage. Kitchen has updated countertops and SS appliances, the furnace and water heater are newer, roof and siding replaced last year, comfortable low maintenance deck overlooking the spacious and private back yard . This home is located on a quiet cul de sac with close proximity to North/ Tartan/Hill and Mounds Park Academy(all within 10 minutes) . Great condition, curb appeal and value so if you are looking for that special home, this is the one.

7705 470th Street Harris, MN 55032

$675,000

Sarah Larkin Hoff

Keller Williams Premier Realty

Experience luxury on 10 acres in your new custom executive home, blending elegance & comfort in a serene rural setting. The openconcept living space is designed for convenience with main-level living boasting 9-ft ceilings and a captivating brick gas fireplace. In-floor heating on LVP and tile floors adds warmth, while black-trimmed double-hung windows illuminate the space. Bathrooms feature quartz counters,custom-tiled showers, & double sinks. The gourmet kitchen is a masterpiece with granite counters, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, gas stove, and a farmhouse sink. A screened-in porch overlooks the private backyard. The private main suite offers a soaking tub, a walk-in shower, and an oversized walk-in closet. The above-garage bonus room is a cozy retreat with a gas fireplace. Embrace a lifestyle of sophistication, comfort, and privacy on this expansive property offering a rural oasis.

31212 Cedar Ridge Drive Lindstrom, MN 55045

$510,000

Sarah Larkin Hoff

Keller Williams Premier Realty

This meticulously cared-for home has so many updates inside and out for you to enjoy for many years to come. The welcoming southeasternfacing front porch overlooks the updated landscaping. Relax in the private backyard with multiple lounging areas including a new deck in ‘20 that borders Allemansratt Park. The main level features gleaming hardwood floors in the entry, dining room, and living room. The kitchen updates include tile floors, stainless steel appliances, and granite counters. The living room leads you to the tongue-and-groove sunroom. Upstairs you have 3 bedrooms including a remodeled primary bedroom with a private ensuite bath. The walkout lower level boasts a family room with a gas fireplace, wet bar, and a large bedroom. Renewal by Anderson windows @ 3.5 years old, new HVAC offering 3 zones, Central Vac, and the gutter system drains out to the backyard. This beauty is in the highly sought-after Cedar Ridge neighborhood and includes a 10 ft easement to North Center Lake.

CURRENT LISTINGS

30685 Nystrom Lane

Lindstrom, MN 55045

$725,000

Amy Lametti

Keller Williams Premier Realty

Immerse yourself in this beautiful lakefront home in the sought-after community of Lindstrom, MN featured on Twin Cities Live. The home boasts 2600 finished square feet, 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. North Center Lake is a wonderful bass and walleye lake with channel access to South Center Lake that gives you access to nearly 1500 acres of water and 24 miles of shoreline to enjoy sunset boat rides. When water levels are ideal, you’ll have additional access to three other lakes in this wonderful chain of lakes. Numerous activities abound in the area from winery visits, craft beer, roasted coffee, restaurants, state parks, an art sculpture park, ski resorts, snowmobile trails, and a location that will keep you close to metro area events. Two zones of in-floor heat to keep the toes comfy, a newer roof, and solar added in 2018 with a contract selling your unused solar energy back to the utility. Come start your next chapter on the lake making memories with your family.

&Q A

Joe answers questions he received from clients. Feel free to submit your own question.

Email us: joeholmes@kw.com

What are some emerging trends in real estate investment? - Ashley S.

Great question, Ashley! There always seems to be change in the world of real estate investing, however, an underlying staple is creativity especially when it comes to financing. “Subject To” purchases have been around for a long time but seem to be gaining popularity… most likely due to the difference in interest rates today vs. a few years ago. Buying a property

“Subject To” means you’re buying the home subject to you taking over the payments for the seller. You (or an in-between loan servicer) would be making the payment directly to the seller’s lender. This allows you, the buyer, the advantage of the rate, reduced closing costs, no loan applications, etc. We’re seeing more attempts at this these days with such appealing rates from a few years ago.

Why would a seller allow that or feel comfortable with somebody else paying their mortgage directly?

- f/u from Ashley S.

RIght?! Now that’s really a good question. The advantages for the seller may be fewer or harder to see than for the buyer. A seller won’t be getting all of their proceeds up front as their loan isn’t fully paid off. Additionally, they have the risk of the buyer not paying the mortgage payment as well. So why would they go for it? - The advantage for the seller could be a large upfront/non-refundable down payment. Think of it being large enough where you’re HAPPY if the buyer misses a payment and you have to remove them and sell again. Generally speaking 20% down is a pretty safe deposit to work with. Additionally, a seller can expect an offer at OR ABOVE market value if they’re supplying a better-than-market rate. Personally, if I can get my hands on a 3% interest rate, I would be willing to pay over market value for the property with the right term.. Maybe as long as 10 years. Here’s what this concept boils down to - there is such a thing as GOOD DEBT! And if you have good debt, it can be a tool to allow somebody the opportunity to pay for it when you’re done.

Ok, but what about the bank? Why would the bank be ok with somebody else steppin in? - f/u from Ashley S.

Ah yes.. The fly in the ointment. A bank has what’s called a “Due on Sale” clause that triggers the loan payoff if you sell. This challenge also applies when selling on a Contract for Deed. For all our Wisco friends - you call a Contract for Deed a Land Contract. Same challenges apply there and the concept to work around it are the same. You can record the sale on the “Subject To” financing and see if the bank even notices. Keep in mind, they’re still getting paid monthly and that’s what they expect to happen. More times than not, the bank doesn’t even know of the sale and they just keep on collecting. If they do take notice and issue a statement for a full loan payoff, you can call and talk through the sale and see if they’d like to continue with scheduled payments. If not, there are ways to unravel the purchase and get it back in the sellers name, while executing a new sale - that would be unrecorded the 2nd time around to avoid that issue. It gets complicated but that’s what we’re here for!

Where are rates today and where are they trending for the year? - Jeff W.

The million dollar question.. Where are rates trending? It’s a huge question.. It has so much impact on how much a buyer can afford, how many buyers are willing to purchase, which in turn affects the listing inventory and on and on and on. The answer is simple - I don’t know. I hear and read many different opinions… one recent article was based on Cathie Wood’s (ARK Investments) opinion that we’re going to see deflation this year and many Fed rate cuts. If you want to jump into a completely different side of what’s out

there - 2024 is an election year and there’s a theory out there that rates are always favorable or trending the right direction in election years.

Either way you cut it.. I don’t see ANY information, articles or otherwise that suggest rates are going up. I think we’re going to trend lower but unsure of a move by the Fed. If I were a betting man (besides a craps table), I would bet on lower interest rates by the end of the year but it may take until late summer to see it in action.

What’s a good rate of return for an investor when buying a property? - Zach B.

This is a great question and each person is different so it’s hard to put a label on what somebody feels is a “good” rate of return. The return can be viewed in a combination of ways and there are 4 streams of profit for an investment property. Cash flow is king for most people but don’t forget about debt reduction, tax savings and appreciation. Those are the more silent benefits.. essentially not putting cash into your pocket monthly BUT they are the hiding gems of any investment property. Some investments don’t see cash flow for years after a purchase with the benefit being in debt reduction, capital improvements & appreciation. Some investors won’t buy unless cash flow is hitting their minimum requirement and we see everything in between. Either direction you go, it’s best to have your investment parameters set and stick with them.

If any readers are interested in our Investment Property Calculator - email Joe at JoeHolmes@KW.com and we’ll share that with you and show you how to use it. It’s a multi-tab spreadsheet that will show returns on just about any scenario!!

Puzzle B - Medium

Down

1. Motif

2. Respect

3. Gandhi's nation

4. Monster's loch

5. Painters' stands

6. Unattended

7. RR depot

29.

32.

36.

46

47 Rents

49

8. Highest price (2 wds.)

52

9. Appraise

10. Unenthused

11. Eternities

12. Haul

13. Ship's pole

21. Fables

23. King, e.g.

26. Concealed

27. Like Satan

29. Adore

30. Not nearby

31. Festive event

32. Siestas

33. Region

34. News bit

35. Objective

36. Small tastes

38. Fire residue

40. Highways

43. Rainbow shape

46. Ironed fold

47. Rents

48. Roadside eatery

49. Therefore

50. Throw

51. Tiny landmass

52. Mixes

53. Corn units

54. Rock's Clapton

55. Decorate again

57. March date

60. Lennon's Yoko

Puzzle A - Easy