With rates trending up in 2022 we are seeing the trend of clients paying down with funds and "locking in" the interest rate. Plan some extra money for locking in your rate when house shopping. If a seller is hoping for time to find a home you may need an extended close date. Once under... Continue Reading →
Thinking of buying? Know your MSN
Walkers Buyer Packet Final 2022.pdfDownload My trusted lender Lisa Walker with Cross Country Mortgage has some great resources for buyers in 2022. Tracking our expenses isn't always easy but it is meaningful and important. I remember buying my first home as a young professional and needing to consider what my must haves vs. nice to... Continue Reading →
Luxury Home Trends
Elegant lighting, open kitchen, beautiful neutrals.
Woodbury, Stillwater, Lake Elmo – New Construction
Sunday was Vikings Football - so while my family watched another win!!!! I toured some new construction developments in the east metro.  It was a windy but beautiful day to be out.  Can't believe it is November in Minnesota. Lake Elmo developments are pulling new construction buyers from Woodbury per the Pioneer Press...article Savona by Lennar... Continue Reading →
Short sale, foreclosure what it means for buyers and sellers
Many consumers are confused by the current real estate market and the terminology. Here is a little info about terms to consider when buying. Short sale - The seller first considers the offer and if accepted it goes on to the lender(s). The lender(s) will need to review and accept the offer. Even if a... Continue Reading →
Buying bank (lender) owned. Is it always a good value?
For many buyers, a bank* owned listing is a better option than a short sale. This is because you will typically hear if the bank accepts or counters your offer within a few days. A short sale can take months before you know if the bank(s) will take your offer or counter. Bank owned may... Continue Reading →
Short sale, foreclosure what it means for buyers and sellers
Many consumers are confused by the current real estate market and the terminology. Here is a little info about terms to consider when buying. Short sale - The seller first considers the offer and if accepted it goes on to the lender(s). The lender(s) will need to review and accept the offer. Even if a... Continue Reading →
Preparing to buy your first home, like training for a marathon
Last summer my husband Mike trained for and completed his first marathon - Twin Cities. Â In doing so there were decisions he needed to make every week - when to run, how to cross-train, how to recover and how to stay motivated. Â I took on the role of #1 fan pre-race and on race-day, which... Continue Reading →
Ready to buy Real Estate
2011 is right around the corner and you may be contemplating a New Year's Resolution or two. If one of them includes buying property I encourage you to take a look at this 3 page document that I have created. Â Buyers I use this document when meeting with buyers to provide a real estate transaction... Continue Reading →
Purchase apps on the rise? Perhaps an early indicator that buyers are coming back, let’s hope!
Purchase Applications Rose for Third Week http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2010120801?OpenDocument Applications [for mortgages] were up 12 percent compared to the same week a year ago. There have been so many reports about the real estate market being down and anticipation that it will continue to drop.  But will it really?  Could the bump in purchase apps be an early indicator that the... Continue Reading →
Ingrid Friel, Realtor 