There can be multiple benefits to interviewing more than one agent, both from the realtors perspective as well as from the consumer's perspective.  There are many agents to choose from, and it's important that all of your expectations are met when choosing the correct one.  Consider the following aspects in choosing a realtor that best fits your needs:

*Are they involved in the market place and have they completed any sales that validate their expertise?

*Based on your expectations, is their business a good fit for what you are looking for?  There are many different ways to run a real estate business, both from a representation and service standpoint, as well as location and niche perspectives.  All can provide great services.  It's important to know this information simply because it will help in identifying a good fit for all parties.

*Has trust been established?  This is a big component of developing a strong business relationship in which everyone will win.  Trust needs to be the foundation in making it a win win scenario.

*Caution on choosing a Realtor based on commission.  The adage "you get what you pay for" can sometimes make this a difficult situation.  There are many scenarios that are taken into account when listing your property.  However, if an agent struggles with negotiating their own commission, how comfortable are you having them negotiate the sale price of your home?

There are a lot of extremely professional and credible realtors that can help in selling your home.  Due your due diligence and make sure that the focus is on choosing the right realtor, based on how they conduct business and how well your needs align with that realtors way of doing business.

This is a loaded question, and really depends on the goals of the client.  There are so many scenarios that may or may not hold this to be ture.  Wells Fargo stated in January that they anticipate an 8% delcine in prices by the end of the second quarter.  This in itself suggests that they may know more than me?  However, Bank of America and Fannie Mae didn't quote a specific percentage, but also anticipated a drop in prices.

You can see where the question can be a simple answer.  A couple questions that you may want to ask yourself include:

1. Why are we moving?  There are different scenarios that can make it a good time to sell or have it make more sense to wait.  If you're happy in your home, have refinanced and really have no real need to sell, it may not make sense.  However, if you need to move or would like to upgrade, financially it may make sense.  There are two things to consider:  PRICE vs. COST!  Affordability rates were just under 15% in December, that is an all time low!  Not only are prices attractive, but interest rates still offer substantial saving long term.  If you upgrade, the money you will save over the life of the loan will be dramatic simply because of the decision you made at this point.

2. Are we willing to wait 3-5 years to sell?  If you decide not to sell now, and prices do in fact decline, you'll likely be waiting a substantial amount of time before the market truly recovers.  If you're comfortable and able to wait, with no real need to move, maybe staying is ok for you.  There is nothing wrong with this decision, it's just good to have the information to make an educated decision.

Ultimately, based on what many of the banks are saying, in addition to various economists, it doesn't seem like there will be any kind of quick rebound.  Stability will be welcomed at this point in the game.  There are huge opportunities out there, simply taking in the information and exploring your options is well worth the time and effort put into it. 

Jake Luehrs

There are plenty of factors that go into making a deal work for both buyers and sellers.  There are also a lot of great ideas that can offer a win-win.  One recently that I was introduced to was having sellers offer a buydown of interest points for the buyer.  With the flood of bank owned inventory on the market, some buyers simply don't have the liquidity to put $15,000 into a property.  However, if a seller is willing to "negotiate" on price through offering discount points to buyers, it offers the buyer a higher qualification to purchase and a seller more potential buyers. 

I can understand that there are a ton of caveats.  The first one being to make sure the buyer is aware and financially capable to pay the mortage in the event it's a temporary buy down. I'm passionate about financial responsibility.  This type of program won't work for those that are financially maxed, it offers a high rate of default, which is what has put us in this position in the first place.  This type of program can offer buyers a home in a condition that is acceptable to them, and it increase possible exposure for the seller.  Each situation needs to be considered on a case by case basis.  And this certainly could be a great fit for some currently in the market. 

Talk to your local loan officer for details and options that may work.  It's worth exploring!

There are some important forums coming up for the ISD 728 that may impact you.  Regardless of your stance on any particular issue, these will be some good forums to attend to stay on top of the current proposals and candidates.

All ISD 728 parents, guardians, students and stakeholders are encouraged to attend one or more of the upcoming forums relating to local public education:

    * ISD 728 School Board Candidates Forum
      7 p.m., Tuesday, October 5, 2010
      Otsego Elementary School
          Sponsored by the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce and the I-94 West Chamber of
          Commerce 

ISD 728 State Legislative Candidate Forum
      7 p.m., Wednesday, October 6, 2010
      Elk River High School  
      Sponsored by the ISD 728 Legislative Action Team, the Elk River Area and I-94 West 
      chambers of commerce, Citizens League and Keller Williams Realty 

ISD 728 Community Levy Forum
      7 p.m., Wednesday, October 13, 2010
      Otsego Elementary School 

ISD 728 School Board Candidates Forum
      9 a.m., Saturday, October 16, 2010
      Elk River City Hall
          

ISD 728 Community Levy Forum
      7 p.m., Tuesday, October 19, 2010
      Zimmerman Elementary School 

ISD 728 Community Levy Forum

      7 p.m., Wednesday, October 27, 2010

      Rogers Middle School

For more information on the potential levies and what they entail, visit http://www.elkriver.k12.mn.us/departments.cfm?subpage=19327&adminActivate=1

There are so many different definitions and assumptions on change.  Many view change as a negative thing.  The type of personality also has an impact on the perception of change.  I've been through a lot of change over the past year, both personally and professionally.  The changes that we as agents get to go through offers a lot of opportunity for future growth.  This industry offers so many dynamics that can match nearly any personality or position.

Recently changing from real estate sales to more of a coaching and training position, I find more purpose in helping others grow their business.  Not just saying that I enjoy it, but I really have the drive to help other succeed.  Do you feel that in your business?  If not, what would give you that drive?  As I've mentioned, we have so many opportunities in this field, it's important for us to take advantage of that, not only for ourselves, but for the benefit of the industry as a whole! 

Here are just a few benefits of change:

1.)Identifies your passions through thought - thought that is triggered by change

2.)Opens the door to new opportunities

3)It's easy to be complacent with ‘what is', change allows to you plan your next move

4.)Looking back, many times change is a blessing in disguise, either teaching you something or provides for more appreciation for things previously taken for granted.

There are many benefits to change, it's our thoughts and perceptions that will allow it to be a positive or negative change.  I challenge everyone to look at what makes them tick.  If you don't have an answer, dig a little deeper until something makes sense.  Starting at that point will allow you to define goals and systems that correlate with your drive and passion.  Just think how successful you can be doing something that you not only say you believe in, but something that you back up through your actions. 

Information provided by I-94 Chamber of Commerce and MnDot

Be aware-ramp and lane closures happen this weekend

We're really cranking on the I-94 projects between Maple Grove and the Crow River, and you may run into some ramp and lane closures this weekend if traveling in the area. Ramp closures will include

*The westbound I-94 ramps to and from Weaver Lake Road in Maple Grove are closed from 10 p.m. Friday, Aug, 20 until 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23 for concrete rehabilitation. Detours will direct you to use Maple Grove Pkwy to exit and enter westbound I-94

*The ramp from eastbound I-94 to Hwy 101 and the ramp from Hwy 101 to westbound I-94 in Rogers are closed between 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22 and 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23 for resurfacing. Detours will direct you to use Hwy 241 to exit and enter I-94

Non-rush hour lane closures will continue in both directions for the concrete rehabilitation project between Maple Grove and Rogers. We're still working on overnight resurfacing of I-94 between Hwy 101 and the Crow River as well. Here's what to expect over the next few days near Rogers:

*Eastbound I-94 will be reduced to a single lane between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. tonight (Aug. 19) and tomorrow night (Aug. 20)

*Westbound I-94 will be reduced to a single lane from 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22 until

5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23

For more information about this project, visit:

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i94bridges/index.html. 

Information Provided by I-94 Chamber of Commerce and MnDot.

I-94 Bituminous Paving

Westbound I-94 paving between the TH 101 and the Crow River continues at night until Sunday, August 15. Traffic will be reduced down to one lane from 10pm to 6am. Eastbound paving operations will begin on Wednesday August 18 for approximately one week, starting from the Crow River towards TH 101. Traffic will be reduced down to one lane from 8pm to 5am.

CSAH 81/Main Street Intersection Improvements

Lane reductions continue to be inplace on CSAH 81, TH 101, Main Street, John Milless Drive and Industrial Blvd within the project area. This work is part of the stage 1 construction of the project that is expected to last through mid-September. Motorists will be able to travel on these roadways as they are under construction, but should expect major delays.

Open meetings for the public take place weekly on Wednesdays from 12:30pm pm 1:30 pm. at the Rogers Community Room. Project personnel will be available to answer any questions you may have related to the project schedule and construction activities for the CSAH 81 project as well as the other projects taking place in the City of Rogers.

I-94/TH 101 Flyover

No new traffic changes.

 I-94 Concrete Rehab

The westbound Weaver Lake Road exit and entrance ramp from I-94 will be closed on Friday August 13 at 10:00pm until Sunday August 15 at 5:00am. These ramps will also be shut down the following weekend from Friday August 20 at 10:00pm until 5:00am Monday morning August 23.

Crews will continue working on westbound I-94 starting at the Fish Lake Interchange and continuing west from 9pm to 2pm.

Eastbound work should resume on Monday August 16 from 9am to 5am and will last a few days.

Please visit the City of Rogers website www.roads.cityofrogers.org <http://%20%20www.roads.cityofrogers.org/> or Mn/DOT's website www.dot.state.mn.us <http://www.dot.state.mn.us/> for more information. You can sign up for email notifications on the City's website to receive immediate information on these projects as they occur.

I have this discussion with each one of my buyers at our initial consultation.  It has become less of an issue with the tighter lending restrictions, however, some still qualify for more than what they can truly afford.  I make a couple suggestions to my buyers to gauge what they can afford AND still live life not married to the mortgage:

*Create a budget - it is amazing to me how many people don't have a budget in place to organize their finances.  I will say that many more people with the turn in values, have given this much more direct attention. 

*Define what spending can be scaled back - without a budget (or for businesses, a business plan), it is very easy to spend money on unnecessary things, while being unaware of how much you're actually spending.  I realized this in my business plan.  I became so busy that I was just spending money without making it accountable to work for me!

*Be prepared for the unexpected - owning a home can be expensive.  It is not only important for homeowners to maintain their home, but you can also be less stressed knowing that you've saved for a rainy day.  Sometimes it's just impossible to know whats at the end of the tunnel!

Ultimately, many of these activities get a way from us when life happens.  Just keeping track of where you stand and where you want to be can make the difference!

I think the current economy has put things into perspective for many people.  Even with these more stressful times, we should be thankful for everything that we do have.  It is so easy to complain about what we don't have or how something didn't go perfectly right.  Well, this is a great opportunity to charish the good things we do have. 

There is nothing more effective than working through "hard" times that make you appreciate that all is good.  It is those tough times that allow us to grow as well as enjoy the good times even more.  Without sadness, there would be no laughter, without heartache, there would be satisfaction.  Take this time to be thankful for what you have and the great country that we live in. 

Wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving!

There was recently a group of realtors in my office that came up with a great idea to get us back to having fun.  As we all know, the market hasn't given us any reason to jump up an down.  However, there is no reason we can't still be positive and have fun.  If you truly think about it, we have two options. 1.) Get out of bed, be positive and do what we should do to run our business or 2.) Find another job since we are so unhappy about this one.  Our clients will know if we are negative in general, and they will also know that we are positive and confident we will come out successful on the other side of this lagging time. 

Keep real estate fun!  Have a friendly competitiion, keep track of the activities you do and meet every week to see what others are doing.  I know, there are agents out there that don't want to share anything with anyone.  I'm happy to share with fellow realtors.....my reasoning?  It's going to take hard work to be successful, and the people looking for a hand out will not commit to the activities that have to be done to succeed, so share, unless your scared! 

Check out this video, hopefully it will give you the extra boost to do just a couple more things that you normally would. 

http://www.thepowerof10percent.com?SRC=NETPOTPMOVIE

Enjoy!