Lessons In Motivation & Life - 11/28/10 08:06 PM
Some of you may have heard of Todd Duncan and others may not.  He is an extremely successful mortgage company owner and trainer.  He went through a tremendous amount of adversity in this past year-both financial and personal.  He shares it with us in this video.  The key to surviving all of this is attitude.  While you can't wish away adversity, it is how you deal with it.  Everyone experiences their share of ups and downs.  Some get more of one than the other.  Take a watch of Todd's presentation.  I think you will connect with it.  He talks about the … (0 comments)

New Rules For Mortgage Qualifying From Fannie Mae On Their Way - 11/27/10 11:42 AM
WOW.  Some big changes are on the horizon with conventional loan underwriting.  The goal of course is to increase home ownership at a level that is affordable.  While that is the goal of these changes, they might not be accomplishing it completely.  Especially when you look at the changes in qualifying for a mortgage if you've had a foreclosure.  While these changes are happening in a few weeks, it doesn't mean that they are going to go into effect with all lenders immediately.  The restrictive features will probably apply, but the more liberal ones, such as down payment assistance-may not be … (1 comments)

Minneapolis Real Estate| St Paul Real Estate - 11/25/10 10:31 PM
 
Our latest real estate and mortgage show.  Updating the Twin Cities on the current real estate and mortgage market.  Now is the time, in my opinion, to do something.  Something means refinance or make a purchase-investment property or a new home.  Indecision is a decision.  Rates are great and housing inventory is high. 
 
… (0 comments)

What Makes A Video A Winning Viral Video - 11/25/10 10:25 PM
Ok, today and yesterday, I was helping my kids pick videos for their blogs.  We went to Youtube and found Annoying Orange.   I have included their video below. 
 
 
 
Did you see the number of views?  These clever little videos have been viewed millions of times.  I'm sure some of you have watched the "Think Big Work Small" videos.  I get them delivered to my inbox daily.  They too have a huge following. 
 
 
The question that I have is,  What Makes A Winning Viral Video Series?   What are the characteristics of a series that could be designed … (3 comments)

Twin Cities Housing Market Mirrors A Majority Of The Country - 11/14/10 04:33 PM
What It's Going to Take
By Rob Minton & John Mazzara
There's probably little argument against the notion that the United States is in a housing slump. There does, however, seem to be some different views on what it will take to "fix" it.
In talking to other real estate professionals, investors and clients, it seems the different ideas are wide-ranging. Some seem to think lending has to become more available. Some believe that home prices still have room to drop, and that's causing buyers to be nervous. Others have conflicting views on what must be done - or not done, … (0 comments)

Buyer Tip #7 - 11/14/10 04:23 PM
Recently I was asked to write a column regarding the "Top Tips For Buyers".  I have compiled seven tips and will be posting them individually.
Tips From The Trenchs-Buying Successfully In MinnesotaJohn Mazzara CFP CLU CHFC MBA MS CMB CEBSBroker Associate-RE/MAX Associates PlusTwin Cities Real Estatehttp://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com952-929-2577  johnmazzara@johnmazzara.com
Buyer Tip #7
•7)     Use an independent title company to do your closing.  The buyer is allowed to choose their title company.  The captive title companies (known as affiliated business arrangements) which are tied to the real estate or mortgage company are often not as competitively priced as outside vendors.  When have you or … (1 comments)

Buyer Tip #6 - 11/14/10 04:22 PM
Recently I was asked to write a column regarding the "Top Tips For Buyers".  I have compiled seven tips and will be posting them individually.
Tips From The Trenchs-Buying Successfully In MinnesotaJohn Mazzara CFP CLU CHFC MBA MS CMB CEBSBroker Associate-RE/MAX Associates PlusTwin Cities Real Estatehttp://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com952-929-2577  johnmazzara@johnmazzara.com
Tip #6
Have a home inspection upon an accepted purchase agreement.  Don't come away from the inspection and expect that everything in the home that is reviewed must be fixed at the seller's expense. An inspection, in my opinion, is to discover hazardous items or items that would require a very large expense to … (1 comments)

Buyer Tip #5 - 11/14/10 04:20 PM
Recently I was asked to write a column regarding the "Top Tips For Buyers".  I have compiled seven tips and will be posting them individually.
Tips From The Trenchs-Buying Successfully In MinnesotaJohn Mazzara CFP CLU CHFC MBA MS CMB CEBSBroker Associate-RE/MAX Associates PlusTwin Cities Real Estatehttp://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com952-929-2577  johnmazzara@johnmazzara.com
Tip #5
•5)     Be prepared to engage technology in your search.  Twenty-five years ago we used MLS books and did open houses.  Today, we use virtual tours, websites, blogs and auto generated emails to deliver properties to your in box.  The internet opens up information to everyone in a very user friendly way.  If … (0 comments)

Buyer Tip #4 - 11/14/10 04:18 PM
Recently I was asked to write a column regarding the "Top Tips For Buyers".  I have compiled seven tips and will be posting them individually.
Tips From The Trenchs-Buying Successfully In MinnesotaJohn Mazzara CFP CLU CHFC MBA MS CMB CEBSBroker Associate-RE/MAX Associates PlusTwin Cities Real Estatehttp://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com952-929-2577  johnmazzara@johnmazzara.com
•4)     If you are an investor or want to become one, seek out agent representation from someone who knows the rental property market.  The rental real estate game can be rewarding but can also cost you a lot of money and aggrevation if you make a mistake.  How can an agent who has never … (0 comments)

Buyer Tip #3 - 11/14/10 04:16 PM
Recently I was asked to write a column regarding the "Top Tips For Buyers".  I have compiled seven tips and will be posting them individually.
Tips From The Trenchs-Buying Successfully In MinnesotaJohn Mazzara CFP CLU CHFC MBA MS CMB CEBSBroker Associate-RE/MAX Associates PlusTwin Cities Real Estatehttp://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com952-929-2577  johnmazzara@johnmazzara.com
Tip #3
•3)     Look to your Realtor as a partner.  Loyalty works both ways.  An agent only gets paid upon a successful closing.  We only stay in business with happy repeat clients and referrals.  Most Realtors will work extremely hard for you if you work exclusively with them.  Agents work on commission, so they … (0 comments)

Buyer Tip #2 - 11/14/10 04:14 PM
Recently I was asked to write a column regarding the "Top Tips For Buyers".  I have compiled seven tips and will be posting them individually.
Tips From The Trenchs-Buying Successfully In MinnesotaJohn Mazzara CFP CLU CHFC MBA MS CMB CEBSBroker Associate-RE/MAX Associates PlusTwin Cities Real Estatehttp://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com952-929-2577  johnmazzara@johnmazzara.com
Tip #2
•2)     Look at all homes for sale.  Don't exclude any specific sector of the market.  Initially, you may have wanted to run away from short sales, foreclosures, and auctions.  Ultimately, once you get a feel for the marketplace, you may actually decide to focus on distressed properties.  When buying in the distressed … (0 comments)

Buyer Tips #1 - 11/14/10 04:12 PM
Recently I was asked to write a column regarding the "Top Tips For Buyers".  I have compiled seven tips and will be posting them individually.
Tips From The Trenchs-Buying Successfully In MinnesotaJohn Mazzara CFP CLU CHFC MBA MS CMB CEBSBroker Associate-RE/MAX Associates PlusTwin Cities Real Estatehttp://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com952-929-2577  johnmazzara@johnmazzara.com

Just to be silly, I had the above photo created.  I recently had it done for me at http://www.Fiverr.com  For those of you who have never been there, I HIGHLY recommend it.  There are a ton of creative and very talented people who will do things in their area of expertise for $5.  … (0 comments)

Why Washington MIGHT Think They Know Better Than Us - 11/05/10 05:20 PM
Survey Shows Troubling Trend
By Rob Minton & John Mazzara
An election in the United States just went by again, and the first and foremost directive of voters to public officials seems to be, "Fix the economy!" The problem is, those voters might not even know what's broken.
Quick question for you: In the past year, has the United States economy grown or shrunk?
Hopefully, you answered that it's grown. Economists have said that the U.S. recession, which is defined as an economy that has contracted for two straight periods, ended in the second quarter of 2009. Since then, the economy … (2 comments)

When Numbers Don't Fully Tell the Story-See What's Behind Them - 11/02/10 06:17 PM
Have you heard of Shadow Stats?  I was recently at a Harry Dent presentation and it was referenced there.  Also, some of their info was quoted and sent to me in an email.  The gist of their information is that there is more to traditional statistics.  In fact, there is a lot more.  Shadow Stats does an excellent job helping you figure out the numbers behind the numbers.  Two of their more scary stats involve unemployment and inflation.  When you look at their "adjusted" numbers, you will see that current government reported numbers might be a little on the "lite" side.  … (0 comments)

Lesson From A Master Investor - 11/01/10 03:27 PM
You Gotta Keep ‘Em Separated
By Rob Minton & John Mazzara
Warren Buffett is often considered the top investor of our time. He recently revealed in an interview, however, that he once made one of the biggest blunders an investor can make. 
In fact, Buffett called this blunder his biggest mistake ever. Strangely, the big mistake was his purchase of Berkshire Hathaway, the mammoth holding company he controls, which is worth about $200 billion.
Buffett said that by buying Berkshire Hathaway in 1964, when it was a struggling textile company, he probably lost out on another $200 billion. From the question-and-answer … (0 comments)

Don't Forget To Vote!! Tomorrow Is The Big Day 11-2-10 - 11/01/10 02:25 PM
We all have the right to vote.  If you don't exercise your right, what's it worth?   Please take a moment and make your way to the voting station.  If you can't make it tomorrow, you can always vote early-like today.  The video below is just a fun upbeat song about life and best sums up my feelings about election day!  Enjoy!
… (2 comments)

 
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John Mazzara CFP CLU CHFC CEBS MBA MS CMB

Edina, MN

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Address: 7300 France Ave S #410, Edina, MN, 55435

Office Phone: (952) 929-2577

Cell Phone: (612) 386-7027

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Information about minnesota real estate, twin cities real estate market, the twin cities, twin cities relocation, and other things that might be fun or of interest. Articles will be posted that describe the real estate and mortgage markets and provide useful information to first time buyers, move up buyers, and investment property buyers. http://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com or http://www.MinnesotaRealEstateBrokerBlog.com NMLS-John Mazzara #332556 NMLS Venture Development #373115


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