New Principal Reduction Plan Could Save The Industry and the Economy - 04/15/10 05:02 PM
There are thousands, maybe millions of Americans who owe more on their homes than they are worth.  Most of these homeowners have good jobs and good credit, and many are comfortably making monthly payments.  They are "DROPOUTS" from the real estate and refinance markets because of their negative equity.  On average, it will take ten to fourteen years of regular monthly payments to get them back to even.
Now, there's a plan that will help homeowners eliminate their negative equity and give them the freedom to sell their homes and trade up, or to refinance.  Here's how it works:  The homeowner … (8 comments)

Burnsville first time home buyer funding still available - 04/13/10 03:47 PM
If you're a first time home buyer, almost, and need a little help, this could be a great opportunity.
According to the Dakota County Community Development Agency, there is still funding available for their downpayment and closing cost assistance program.  There are a few qualification criteria, but they are not extremely prohibitive.  For instance, maximum annual income for a one or two person household is $83,900, and more for larger families.  This is an excellent way for a renter to move up to home ownership.  Depending on your income and the price of the home purchase, as much as $10,000 may … (0 comments)

Help still available for first time Lakeville home buyers - 04/13/10 03:42 PM
According to the Dakota County Community Development Agency, there is still funding available for their downpayment and closing cost assistance program, making home ownership a possibility for more residents.  There are a few broad qualification criteria, but they are not extremely prohibitive.  For instance, maximum annual income for a one or two person household is $83,900, and more for larger families.  This is an excellent way for a renter to move up to home ownership.  Depending on your income and the price of the home purchase, as much as $10,000 may be available to you.  For more information, contact Dakota County … (0 comments)

Funding for Farmington first time home buyers still available - 04/13/10 03:32 PM
According to the Dakota County Community Development Agency, there is still funding available for their downpayment and closing cost assistance program.  There are a few qualification criteria, but they are not extremely prohibitive.  For instance, maximum annual income for a one or two person household is $83,900, and more for larger families.  This is an excellent way for a renter to move up to home ownership.  Depending on your income and the price of the home purchase, as much as $10,000 may be available to you.  For more information, contact Dakota County CDA. 
For information on available homes, call me at … (0 comments)

Apple Valley Down Payment Assistance still available - 04/13/10 03:29 PM
According to the Dakota County Community Development Agency, there is still funding available for their downpayment and closing cost assistance program.  There are a few qualification criteria, but they are not extremely prohibitive.  For instance, maximum annual income for a one or two person household is $83,900, and more for larger families.  This is an excellent way for a renter to move up to home ownership.  Depending on your income and the price of the home purchase, as much as $10,000 may be available to you.  For more information, contact Dakota County CDA. 
For information on available homes, call me at … (0 comments)

Last chance to get a government grant for growing up - 04/13/10 02:55 PM
Are you still living in Mommy and Daddy's house?  Or, maybe you're pretending to be a grown-up and renting a place from a landlord who thinks you're still a toddler.  Maybe you like being told what to do, when to do it, and how to live.  Seems a little weird to me, but I guess it's your choice.
Here's a reminder to you folks who are old enough to vote and old enough to take care of yourselves.  If you're capable of making your own decisions, you have just a couple weeks left to collect a government grant if you can … (0 comments)

Who needs parents when you have a landlord? - 04/04/10 10:21 AM
How long are  you going to live in someone else's house?  Where are you on the "grown up and independent" scale?
1. Live with Mom and Dad for free.
2. Live with Mom and Dad and pay rent.
3. Go away to school and live in student housing.
4. Get a job and rent an apartment, town home, or house.
5. Your own place.
Numbers 1, 2, & 3 tend to be age-limited for most of us.  Somewhere beyond reaching puberty, we easily move through the first three stages.  Parents never understand that we aren't still children, and schools either graduate … (5 comments)

Northfield Minnesota -- take a look - 04/03/10 12:19 PM
The perfect commutable escape from the Twin Cities congestion, Northfield is a cut above all other outer ring municipalities.  Anchored by two prominent Colleges, Carleton and St. Olaf, there is a level of continuity and sophistication that cannot be duplicated by any other city.  Charm is balanced by convenience, and the result is a uniqueness that must be experienced. Do yourself a favor and drive out to Northfield sometime soon.
While you're here, you may want to drive by my newest home listing at 2317 Harbor Drive.  It's a five year old home adjacent to a lake-like pond ringed by a … (0 comments)

First time homebuyers, proceed with caution - 04/02/10 05:30 PM
This is a great time to buy, maybe. There is an $8,000 first time buyer tax credit waiting for just about everybody who doesn’t already own a home. Dakota County’s first time homebuyer’s assistance plan will help you make up to half of your downpayment and closing costs when you buy your first home inLakeville. Interest rates couldn’t be lower and can only go up from here. Home prices are near bottom. You have to buy now, maybe.
Buy if you can, but don’t be reckless. Don’t let all the incentives fog the lens and lead you into a bad decision. … (0 comments)

Apple Valley renters, are you really ready to buy a home? - 04/02/10 05:25 PM
This is a great time to buy, maybe. There is an $8,000 first time buyer tax credit waiting for just about everybody who doesn’t already own a home. Dakota County’s first time homebuyer’s assistance plan will help you make up to half of your downpayment and closing costs when you buy your first home in Apple Valley. Interest rates couldn’t be lower and can only go up from here. Home prices are near bottom. You have to buy now, maybe.
Buy if you can, but don’t be reckless. Don’t let all the incentives fog the lens and lead you into a … (0 comments)