There was a time in the 'not too distant' past when children grew up with a different set of rules and circumstances than they do today. Many became who they were not through schooling, but through apprenticeships. Horsemen became good riders by working on ranches, lawyers became lawyers by working as the 'go to' for a lawyers office, a nurse learned by working in a doctor's office and a blacksmith learned by smithing tools with his boss.

Maybe it isn't the best way to learn.... or is it?

The thought of apprenticing got me to thinking about myself. Out of high school I worked at a flower shop. I got the job because I was constantly there and asking what I could do to help the owner. Eventually she started paying me. Then two jobs later I started at the real estate office. First as a receptionist, then a secretary, then doing odds jobs for the Realtors (taking photos, processing paperwork, virtual tours). I NEVER intended to become licensed to sell homes. Honestly. But, I very much appreciate learning the business from the bottom up and knowing the work it took to be successful before jumping in with both feet.

Nearly eight years, a hubby, and two kids later I am finding myself thinking about growth and apprenticing once again. As I have the privilege of training the kids as I see fit I know that the best way to teach is through immersing. Both my boys could take anyone on a home tour and point out some positives and negatives. They could probably run the camera and provide decent MLS photos for the property as well. Either of my children can do some mapping with a GPS - as they love to follow it's directions.... And, once they can write fluently they will have the creative skills to explain a home in detail. They both have an understanding of the time it takes to run a business (as both hubby and I are self employed). And, both boys, though young, are already showing interest in becoming independent and earning their own way through life.

The question then remains....

Do you involve your children in life decisions? The big decisions like buying or selling a home? I posed the question on Facebook this morning and received positive feedback. It seems that in a home purchase it is important to involve the little ones. They get to look at the homes, give their input, possibly pick their own bedrooms. I personally agree that it's important to get a child's view on buying a home. If they are going to live there you want them to feel comfortable.

The selling of a home? It becomes more complicated. There are financial woes, struggles and factors that may keep it a better decision to leave them out of the process as best possible. It is a rare situation that the children sit at the table and participate in the decision to sell a home, but personally I do my best to help them understand the adventure. There are ways to give children ownership in selling too... like helping to measure the home, prep for photos, or even putting away toys that they don't use often to declutter.

Whether buying or selling a home I think that it's a great idea to involve the children at some level. It is a very rare circumstance that I would recommend leaving them out of the fun all together. So rest assure that as your Minnesota Realtor I will do what I can to help you have a family friendly experience. Because just as I apprenticed for my job, I feel that it's important for children to gain understanding through immersing.

If you are ready to sell or buy in Minnesota give me a holler! I'd be happy to meet with you and discuss your options.

Getting ready to look for a house can be daunting and overwhelming. Chances are that you have given it a 'little' thought and know the basics of what you want... like bedrooms, bathrooms and location. For me it seems like first time home buyers are easier to please, but they don't have much to compare what they are buying to.

Over the years I have created this mental shopping list of what my next home will have and I think that it's a great idea for anybody that might be looking to buy a home now or in the future. Whether it's mental only or written on paper thinking about your shopping list is worth the effort.

There might be two lists that you maintain... the "have to have" and the "ultimate dream" lists. The have to have is a list that you will not compromise. Location, bedroom and bath count, for me it'd be cupboard and storage space, acreage... And the ultimate list might be things that would be the icing on the cake but not necessary... perhaps for you it'd be window count, dining room setup, basement structure?

For each of us this very list will vary depending on our families, our personal tastes, our jobs and our entertaining needs. For a prominent figure who houses guests often that extra guest suite and formal dining room might become "must haves" while the closet space isn't necessary. For a larger family perhaps it's the sheer number of bedrooms and closets that become important.

Whatever the case may be I suggest taking the time to think about your wants and your needs. You don't want to go into the process of buying a home with a blind eye. Taking the time to really figure out what you have to have could save you a lot of headache, time and ultimately keep you from making a snap decision and buying a home that isn't right for you.

So, when you are ready to buy a home and you whip out your shopping list... I will be pleased! As long as you know the difference between want and need and are willing to remember that some things just aren't possible... it'll make the whole experience a more efficient, less stressful and overall more enjoyable experience for you.

If you are getting ready to buy and would like me to set up a search criteria based on your shopping list (in Minnesota) please give me a holler! I'd be happy to help you find the home that best fits your wants and needs.

Couldn't resist.... just lovin' the memories of my drive into town this morning. It was beautiful watching the fog settle over the snowy scenery. It felt like spring in our 40 degree weather and I could have hung out in the beauty all morning. Too bad I had to take the mandatory leasing class for my real estate career! :)

It's okay to admit it. Don't worry... I'll let you. The truth is we know. Realtors everywhere know you do it, and we know because we do it too. There is no shame with it either. It's really no different than going shopping for clothes or groceries... just a lot more expensive.

Studies show it's true so rest assured... we know the truth.
The question is - Do you look perpetually or just when the time is near? I'd really like to know.

Just remember that searching for your dream home online will only get you so far. It's what you can't see as a consumer that can make all the difference in the world.

Sure, you can find the right price and the right location with the right number of bedrooms and bathrooms but will it won't tell you the nitty gritty. Things like whether the home has a purchase agreement accepted on an inspection, whether it's short sale, foreclosure or homeowner selling.


Searching online can be fun, but oftentimes there is a delay between what your trusted Realtor sees and when it hits your in-box. Is it a big deal? Perhaps only if you are serious about a move.... but....

What I really really want to know is what you are searching for. Second homes? Lake homes? Investment properties? Mansions? Things in your reach or out?

The thing that I love about working with buyers is that I have the ability to make online searching easy. It's just a phone call away (and a few mouse clicks). Whether you are 'serious' or not... I can help make your online looking a little more smooth. Wanna know how?

Just let me know that you are interested. It doesn't take long to set you up and I'd be happy to start your home search in Minnesota. Runs on a constant loop. Let my computer work for you! All you hafta do is log on and your search is at your fingertips. Sounds cool right?

Happy searching... and shhhhh.. the secret is between you and me!

As a Realtor and representative for sellers and buyers I have come to notice a great trend. Sellers HAVE to trust their Realtor... but buyers? The thing I don't understand is why not. As a Realtor I am not the greatest at pulling out a contract upon my first visit (or even second) with my buyers, but I always have them sign the mandatory state form understanding Agency. Trust for the contract seems to formulate over time, but never that early on.

The question I have always asked myself is why it's sooooooo hard to ask a buyer to trust me enough to sign the contract in the early days of working together. I expect it every time I work with a seller so why can't I find it in myself to ask for the same commitment from my buyers.

Perhaps it's a little 'old school' of me, but I really like the concept of 'shaking on it'.... If it were up to me the complexities would be made simple. You meet me - I show you houses - you trust me to represent you through the whole buying process.

Buying real estate is a complicated process. Trust is built from the word "go" in a search for homes and it really needs to be. Why you ask? Let me explain....

* When you meet a Realtor for the first time you have to tell them what you want, what you can afford, what your motivations are. If you move from Realtor to Realtor without a commitment? It's like dating 50 girls and telling them all your inner most secrets. Eventually it might work against you. What if - in the end - you really want to buy a home that belongs to one of the previous Realtors? They will know everything... and your negotiating powers. Are you willing to risk that?

* When you commit to a Realtor and find that the journey to the 'perfect home' is a long one (for me the longest client took two+ years)... you know that they've got your back. If you flirt with a Realtor with no commitment they aren't going to find it necessary to hang on and keep your search going for quite so long. They might get 'bored' with you and move on. Much like a boy always dating and never proposing to a girl. That'd really stink in a buyer/Realtor scenario. All that trust built and then let go do to a lack of commitment.

* Once you find the home who's going to bat for you? When a buyer signs a contract and commits to a Realtor it's like signing on to a team. Kind of like baseball. You don't want to start the game with a pitcher and a hitter. What if they hit the ball? Who's going to catch it? With a Realtor signed contract you not only have the Realtor, but the brokerage and often their backup hitters. If you go it alone who will you turn to when the ball is in the air?

* When you take the time to commit to a Realtor it's like validating your cause. They know you are serious. It's like writing earnest money on a house. You might back out, but it's gonna be for a good reason. Gas is expensive. Time isn't any cheaper. Would a Realtor rather spend time with their growing children or a buyer that may or may not buy a house? With a contract it validates a buyer's need and want. It pushes the level of commitment from a Realtor to the utmost. It shows that you are serious and so will they be.

Perhaps the biggest reason to sign a contract is simple. They are your Realtor... they are with you from the beginning to the end fighting the battles in between. Showings, purchase agreements, negotiating, lending, title issues, and the like. Without your Realtor you are a boat in a river without a paddle. How do you get to shore?

Take the time - interview. Find out who you want to work with and sign a contract. Then there is no question to who's sticking with who. It's worth the effort because it's your Realtor that has your back!

If buying a home is on your radar, but you don't know how far that radar stretches? Let's see if I can answer some of your thoughts and questions because knowing what is expected really goes a long ways in timing and planning.

Once you have your finances in order... and you've started on your second set of steps the ball can really start rolling in fast order. The most exciting part of the process (and most intimidating) can be figuring out which house you want. Staying in the price ranges that have been laid out by your lender the possibilities can seem endless.

The best way to start is looking at your options online. Thinking about things that are important to you and cutting out the options that just won't work. Never fear! That's why Lindsey the super agent is here! I can set you up with listings online in an easy to use and save format. No searching for you... just filtering what I send that is in your area and price until you have a better idea of your must haves.

Really though. The looking is so much fun. Getting into the properties to imagine yourself there and see how it fits for you and your family is really so much fun. The looking part of your process can be short or long depending on the particulars. Sometimes a buyer can find a house in a day... sometimes it takes a lot longer.

In a perfect world a buyer would find their perfect home and the rest of the process would go like peaches. But, we know that doesn't happen so the rest of the post is supposition of a 'perfect' process.

Easy peasy goes like this:

1. Find a house.

2. Write a purchase agreement. At this point your Realtor (me) will submit the offer to the seller's Realtor and things "should" run smoothly in a reasonable time (a couple of days at most)... but sometimes home purchases don't go perfect. If you are looking at a short sale or a bank owned property the process might take a bit longer.

3. Once you are negotiated and your purchase agreement is settled you will need about a week to work through your home inspection. Sometimes the inspections get done in a day or two, but you are probably looking at a five day turnaround.

4. Then you have an appraisal (or your lender does). Realistically it should take a 'short' time from appraisal order to completion, but there can be complications like the appraiser's workload that might slow the process down.

5. As long as there are no work orders on your appraisal it's off to underwriting. Depending on your type of financing will really depend on days to closing. If you are underwriting conventional it's going to take a lot less time than underwriting through rural housing. There are many reasons for this but the basic concept says a 'couple of weeks' should do it.

During all of this there are other things running in the background.... mortgage payoffs, title work, moving arrangements, homeowner's insurance setup and much paperwork that you will likely have to deal with your lender on.

Taking out all obstacles of the home being bank owned, vacant, foreclosed, short sale, in redemption and work orders..... a Realtor or lender will typically set up a closing between 30 and 45 days out from the day that you write your purchase agreement.

Mind you... this is not a post with rules or even typical because every deal is very different. BUT - if you are looking at purchasing a home and you are 'ready to go'..... you can plan on a good month to two months to close on a home once you are in purchase agreement.

For more information on buying... give me a holler. We'll look at your particular details and set you on your own plan toward purchase! Having a home purchase in your radar is a good plan! The options are awesome right now and with a little effort owning a home can be quite rewarding.

If you ever wondered.... this is what we look at everyday. It seems that Otsego should be on that list as well, but this does not surprise me in the least. Our area pockets many neighborhoods that were built on top of the market. It's truly sad to see how they are hurting, but it can only get better from here.

Do it 'really' matter where you live? How much does the old adage really count for? You know the one... "Location, Location, Location". You chose where you live and you like where you live so how can it really affect the price? Is it possible? And if it's possible why didn't you tell us when we bought the house?

As a Realtor I've heard these questions over and over and over and it's usually at the table of a seller. Though once in awhile I hear it while working with buyers, but it comes out in a different tone and circumstance.

For a buyer they have concerns about location but as a Realtors we are often stuck and bound by rules of steering. So, when a buyer asks "Is this a good neighborhood?" or "Which neighborhood do you think we should live in?" or "Is this a high crime area?" we might just close our mouths and smile. Because really.... what else can be said. On the other hand, some buyers DO come with shopping lists: school districts, acreage, town and city specific, on or off water, near or away from the highways, and so much more.

But.... does area really matter?

For a seller? It might be more obvious. Sitting down and looking at a bottom line certainly brings location into the lime light. Even on BPO's for banks we have to spell out the location and how it affects the situation. The difference really can be as simple as what side of the tracks a home sets on. Seriously.

Sometimes it hurts as a Realtor to go over the affects of location with a seller because it reaches so far into the pocketbook. It can be as short sighted as the community or as narrow minded as the street the home is on. I used to think that it was outward affects that made the greatest difference - like size of the homes, neighborhood upkeep, noise pollution, amenities - but I've come to realize over the last few years that there is something about 'location' that can be far more reaching than all of that and crime included.

Perhaps in our current real estate market one of the greatest determiners for sellers and buyers alike is the amount of foreclosures. Some of the highest end neighborhoods throughout the country have been hit the hardest in foreclosure and driven the prices the lowest.  In can be neighborhood wide or community wide... and it's talked about.

Seriously, if you've ever sat in a meeting with Realtors and heard a conversation about a house being sold in X City you might just hear another say.... "Too bad it isn't across the border in Y City because I could have sold it then." We aren't allowed to steer from one area to another and I wouldn't. The general area that we live in is great! But, in all honesty, some neighborhoods, communities and towns have been hit doubly hard with the amount of folks losing their homes.

In talking bottom line with sellers we go off statistics. It's not a 'gut' feeling and it isn't our personal thoughts about a location. We watch the MLS, look at the sold comparables and the listing comparables and see what the causes are for the prices. As do Appraisers we price alongside other similar comparables and a lot of that deals with location. We use comparables like the home that are in a close proximity because it's what drives the area price.

So if you ask me if location makes a difference? I'd answer with a resounding YES... and that yes isn't always about the trains, planes, automobiles, amenities and crime... Sometimes it's purely about location and what is happening in and around the area. That is why it's so important to have a detailed market on your home before deciding to make a move.

If you are thinking of moving in the near future and are wondering what your home would be worth... please let me know. I'd be happy to help you with it.

Late last year I decided that open houses weren't cutting it for me and that I'd rather spend my time supporting neighborhoods, enhancing streets and giving back to the community that raised me. Soooooo... I've started my quest. Today was the first of many planned neighborhood 'events' that I have planned for my area through the spring and summer months.

We spent our afternoon at Meadow Park in Elk River today. 20 degree weather and keeping warm with layers and layers of bundled up clothing and hot chocolate. We might have looked like a bunch of dough boys going up the hill, but it was well worth the workout!

Turnout? Really good. I've had this event on the calendar for two months and it finally snowed so I could advertise it. Twenty-four hours later and a handful of neighbors... I know I've made the right choice. Not one real estate conversation in the mix.... but a whole neighborhood knowing that I support them. That's good enough for me.

Gone are the days of boring for me. Not that I won't do another open house, BUT I like the new innovative and creative aspect of marketing that I'm pursuing. It's just sooooo much fun!

To those that showed up today I have to say thank you! You made my afternoon great!

Who knew? Who knew that not only is being thankful a good thing to be....  but it is a month long quest driven by someone who must be oober thankful! Paying it forward, giving back, and letting others know that we care can go a long way to make someone's day so why not a simple "thank you"... Thanks Connie for the head's up! What a great attitude to carry for the final days of January.