Character Squeaks

Featured Properties

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 12:02:34 -0500

Nice to see so many pet friendly realtors!

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:14:20 -0500

This is our lead magnet, Fizzbo. Yes, we are realtors with a dog named Fizzbo. He's a great conversation starter. When we tell people his name they give us a funny look and then ask if we are realtors. What better way to get the ball rolling and get contact information.

His first client happened to be walk-ins on a weekend when we had him in our office. He was just a pup and was laying quietly at my feet. I had forgotten to shut our office door all the way and when I looked around he was gone. Since we realize that not all people are dog people I was horrified to think that he might be bothering someone in the lobby. I raced out front to find four adults on their hands and knees playing with him. The young couple and a set of parents had walked in to talk to a realtor. My husband took them back to a conference room however they also requested that Fizzbo come along too. Fizzbo's first deal closed just a few months later as the young couple purchased their first home. This little guy is a great asset to our team!

Check out our listings

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:41:20 -0500

We are now up and running on RealBirdTV with our own channel.

http://www.kyte.tv/AskTheAndersons

We will be posting slide shows for all of our listings so check them out and if you know of anyone who may be interested in these properties have them give us a call.

For more information on any of our listings simply go to http://www.AskTheAndersons.com and click on "Our Listings"

Minnesota Well & Septic

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:32:15 -0500

Minnesota still offers home buyers the opportunity to live in a rural setting while maintaining close proximity to the Twin Cities where they often have better employment options as well as many recreational activities. Rural households typically will feature wells and septic systems in our "collar counties". Anoka, Washington, Dakota, Scott, Carver, Wright, and Sherburne are of the counties comprising the ring around the more urban counties of Ramsey and Hennepin.

State law requires home sellers to disclose the location of the two systems, and to draw a rough illustration of their proximity to each other, and to the home they serve. The distance required between the well and septic system varies from one county to the next--from 50-100 feet. Each well, whether in use or capped, will have a unique well number which is on record at the Minnesota department of health. To determine the required distance between fresh water and septic systems, I advise a phone call to the county in which your home is located, or ask your Realtor to get the required information

Counties and municipalities may also have compliance regulations regarding well and septic which must be observed prior to the transfer of real estate between buyer and seller. Non-compliance may result in the postponement and/or cancelation of a transaction, which may prove to be very costly!

D-Day Remembrance

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:12:06 -0500

The Memorial Day weekend shot past me and I find I have a moment or two to make a post on my blog on June 6, 2007, the 63rd anniversary of D-Day. This is my opportunity to offer thanks and a hearty "well done" to those surviving veterans who participated in the cataclysmic events of June 6th, 1944 and beyond. This morning I heard a recording of FDR addressing the nation to ask for all to join in prayer for the success of the endeavor and for the souls of the fallen. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who fought on our behalf that we may enjoy the preservation of our way of life! Take time to visit with a war veteran--take them out for pie and coffee, or bring them something nice if they reside in an assisted living facility. Help them to remember they are not forgotten!

Hey, graduate!

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Wed, 23 May 2007 11:24:20 -0500

Congratulations! You've made it through to the next level of the game. Like the video games many of us enjoy, life has it's graduating levels. Perhaps you're graduating from high school with average grades, and unsure about whether to give college a try, or to enter the work force. Or maybe you're leaving college, degree in hand, faced with the prospect of putting that degree to use in the field in which you were trained.

A word of advice: Be sure to celebrate this latest great achievement in your life...for five minutes. Though it seems your whole life is laid out before you, decisions made today, even the trivial ones, have a lasting impact on your life. Your financial standing, for instance, requires some immediate attention. If you've found that job after high school or college, the smart move is to start collecting the names of professionals who will positively impact your life. Included in this group is a Realtor, mortgage lender, accountant, and financial planner. When is the time to search these people out? Once you're established in your new position--either through the granting of permanent job status, or after the successful lapse of an employment probation period.

Don't make the very common mistake of thinking you're too young to get started on this road, because this is the time to learn good habits, and how wealth is earned and distributed. If you have a feeling of intimidation, keep in mind this feeling is natural, borne out of our typical fear of the unknown...precisely the reason to seek out good people to trust and to learn from.

So...what are you waiting for? Grab life "by the horns" and live! Call us today for a friendly conversation. We promise to be much less boring than that econ teacher you had junior year!

Whew!

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Mon, 21 May 2007 14:39:52 -0500

May is a rollicking month for real estate. There seems to be no end to follow-up work, but it needs to wait until tomorrow, due to lead generation activities, and the final band concert tonight for our resident clarinetist. That said, everything is running along smoothly, though to be honest, there can never be enough work for a real estate professional...the pipeline must be filled.

Page two of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has a nice article about the economy continuing to be strong, even in the housing sector. Home inventory is still high, and we expect a new batch of homes coming on the market. The number of homes nationally has flattened out, indicating the market is showing signs of (at least) a moderate surge. Note to prospective home sellers: Price your goods according to your local market pressures! Choose a Realtor who will be both honest, and hard working. The valuable Realtor is the one who emphasizes pending sales and actual sold listings that have closed over the past six months. Why is the six month time frame important? Because it's reflective of the most current local trend for comparable properties to yours. Just as a four bedroom, four bath colonial style home cannot be compared to a two bedroom, two bath condominium, the same is true for market periods.

Let's use an example of a family with two children in elementary school that wants to sell their existing home, change school districts, and be in their new home by the beginning of the fall term. Because a finite time frame exists, our sellers would be smart to price their home just below the most recent sold listings in their area, assuming comparable style and condition. This family will likely be reducing their time on the market, or even find themselves in a multiple offer situation, which has the tendency to drive up the eventual sales price.

Regardless of motivation to sell, this is not a good market for greedy sellers. Be realistic, and find a Realtor who will negotiate a fair price for the home your selling, and for the next one you want to buy.

Paperwork

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Mon, 07 May 2007 15:47:14 -0500

To anyone who may have missed me...I've been very active lately negotiating sales and purchases, and though the negotiating process can take time to complete, the document processing has a time element all it's own.

For you readers not in the real estate business, much of what we do as Realtors is "behind the scenes" work, all designed to ensure the transfer of property from seller to buyer happens according to plan. Did you know more than 60% of people surveyed cited the change of the time and/or date of closing as the number one stress inducer of those people buying or selling real estate?

Savvy Realtors, despite false notions to the contrary, work hard and effectively for their clients. Yes, some Realtors fit the type behavior as those who love to play golf (myself included). Work however, takes precedent and comes at the cost of play. Successful agents possess the discipline to put pen to paper-even on calm and cloudless, 78 degree days when the golf course looks especially green!

Time to process the documents for another excited home buyer. Talk to you later.

www.asktheandersons.com

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Tue, 01 May 2007 12:48:26 -0500

We just emerged from a four hour meeting concentrating on the advance of technology. The real estate industry has made it very simple for consumers to employ a variety of useful tools, just over the past several years. Today we learned about some truly awesome enhancements that will allow home buyers and sellers greater access to both listing inventories and to Realtors themselves.

Real estate agents used to be highly suspicious of internet technology-and for good reason. Computer pundits boldly stated the internet will render Realtors obsolete, and in the future consumers will broker their own transactions. Of course, the opposite proved to be true. While the internet brought a greater selection of houses to the desktops of home shoppers, it also exposed shoppers to the highly complex business of selling and buying real estate. Just as you would (or should) be reluctant to perform a tooth extraction on yourself, arrange your own legal defense, or even build your own car from the wheels up, you should seek out the services of a licensed real estate professional to handle your transactions.

Visit our website to begin your search. We'll soon be adding new tools to aid your search. If you feel we could provide a better site, please drop us a line or give us a call.

Sellers...accurate pricing is critical!

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 16:00:48 -0500

Here is a question to ponder: Should a home seller set a high price and wait for a buyer to make an offer, or sell at a fair price to one of perhaps several interested buyers?

Since price is, by far, a home buyer's number one objection, it becomes abundantly clear that a home sold for a fair price is the best option. However, many seller are continuing to make the critical error of establishing a sales price well ahead of their market value. Some factors which contribute to this potentially disastrous decision (with my reasonings against such strategy in italics):

1) The seller needs x in the way of sales proceeds. Buyers don't care about the seller's needs.

2) The seller wants more money because the next house they want costs more. Do not buy beyond your means.

3) A neighbor says the house should be worth x. Perhaps the worst advice a seller can receive...unless the neighbor is a real estate professional.

4) Steve from XYZ Realty told me the house is worth x. How long ago did Steve say that, is Steve still in business, and have you had a look at current area statistics?

Homes are commodities, albeit emotional ones. We tend to assign feelings to these objects, as heard in the often repeated phrase "we just love our house". As such, we may also tend to place an artificial value on our homes when circumstances change for the worse. Due to death or divorce, the heirs/owners often make the mistake of deciding to try to "see if the market will absorb fees and expenses". They embark on this strategy because they don't want to see a lessening of their own bottom line following probate/settlement. Actually, the "gold mine" found after property liquidation is most often the stuff of Hollywood scripts and trashy novels.

The reality is, a house is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. Price it right, see it sold, and move on to the next adventure.

Youth must be served...

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:28:53 -0500

...so goes the old saying. The opportunity that currently exists for first time home buyers is nearly unprecedented. One of the great beauties of our economic system is there is always some balance to be found. For example, when stocks are down, the bond market is up. When the dollar is strong and foreign investment cools, our money goes further for goods bought overseas. So it is also true when it comes to real estate. Sellers are experiencing a double whammy in the form of high housing inventory coupled with an unusually high foreclosure rate. The effect of this combination is lower prices for homes.

We're currently showing homes to smart young buyers who have quickly come to the realization that their dollars spent on rent may be better spent on equity building home ownership. Just yesterday we spoke to a young man who has recently relocated to the Twin Cities from a rural part of the state. Within 15 minutes of our conversation, 18 single family property listings were sent to his computer for his review, and he was provided with the name of a lender to assist him with determining his price range. Yes, it's that easy to get started!

If you're young, have a job, and ready for an exciting stage in your life, call us now! 651 307 4020.

BEDROOMS GALORE!

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:05:10 -0500

A LOT FOR THE MONEY!

146 Church Hill Road, Somerset, WI 54025

$150,900

Property Type:	Single Family
MLS Number:	3327484
Year Built:	1930
Square Feet:	1600 - FINISHED
Bedrooms:	5
Bathrooms:	2
Lot Size:	132 x 80
Stories:	2
Company:	Keller Williams Premier Realty
Agent:	Mark and Laura Anderson
Office:	(651) 426-SELL
Email:	Click Here

SPACIOUS HOME WITH LOTS OF CHARM. THIS ROOMY WELL MAINTAINED HOME FEATURES UPDATES TO THE KITCHEN, FRESH NEUTRAL PAINT PLUS A GREAT DECK FOR OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING. THE OFFICE WAS A FORMER FIFTH BEDROOM WHICH COULD EASILY BE CONVERTED IF NECESSARY. THE EAST/WEST EXPOSURE BRINGS IN LOTS OF NATURAL LIGHT. CLOSE TO CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS AS WELL AS AN EASY COMMUTE TO THE TWIN CITIES. THIS IS A GREAT HOME AT A GREAT PRICE!

Central Air	City Water - Connected	Deck	Dishwasher
Forced Air Heating	Main Floor Laundry	Microwave	Porch
Range	Two Stories	Washer/Dryer

The information presented here is deemed reliable, though not guaranteed.

STOP RENTING - BUILD EQUITY!

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:57:52 -0500

MANOR HOME MARVEL!

4328 Evergreen Drive # #705, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127

$142,900

Property Type:	Town Home
MLS Number:	3360203
Year Built:	1986
Homes Attached:	4
Square Feet:	1008 - FINISHED
Bedrooms:	2
Bathrooms:	1
Garage:	1
Stories:	1
Company:	Keller Williams Premier Realty
Agent:	Mark and Laura Anderson
Office:	(651) 426-SELL
Email:	Click Here

COME HOME TO VADNAIS HEIGHTS AND MAKE THIS TWO BEDROOM ONE BATH UNIT YOURS. BEAUTIFUL, WELL MAINTAINED HOME IN A QUIET COMMUNITY. SOME FEATURES INCLUDE: WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE, APPLIANCES AND AN EAST/WEST EXPOSURE FOR LOTS OF NATURAL LIGHT. ENJOY THE VIEWS OF THE GREENSPACE FROM THE SPACIOUS DECK. THIS HOME IS PERFECT FOR THE FIRST TIME BUYER OR EMPTY NESTERS!

Central Air	Deck	Dishwasher	Disposal
Exaust Fan/Hood	Fireplace	Forced Air Heating	Garage Stalls: 1.00
Refrigerator	Stove	Washer/Dryer

The information presented here is deemed reliable, though not guaranteed.

LIBERTY ON THE LAKE!

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:46:14 -0500

POTTERY BARN PERFECT

3625 Pine Hollow Place, Stillwater, MN 55082

$417,900

Property Type:	Town Home
Year Built:	2005
Homes Attached:	4
Square Feet:	2257 - FINISHED
Bedrooms:	2
Bathrooms:	3
Garage:	2
Stories:	2
Company:	Keller Williams Premier Realty
Agent:	Mark and Laura Anderson
Office:	(651) 426-SELL
Email:	Click Here

AT OVER TWO THOUSAND FINISHED SQUARE FEET, THIS BREATHTAKING TOWNHOUSE BOASTS AMENITIES AND UPGRADES FOUND IN THE FINEST UPPER TIER RESIDENCES. LOCATED IN ONE OF STILLWATER'S FINEST COMMUNITIES, THIS "LIBERTY ON THE LAKE" PROPERTY IS SITUATED NEAR THE TWIN CITIES METRO AREA, YET MAINTAINS ACCESS TO NEARBY WALKING AND BIKING TRAILS. A FEW OF THE QUALITY UPGRADES TO THIS HOME INCLUDE: NINE FOOT KNOCKDOWN CEILINGS, CUSTOM CHERRYWOOD CABINETRY AND RAILING, ENAMELED TRIMWORK, CORIAN/MARBLE SURFACES, CUSTOM PAINT AND CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS.

IN ADDITION TO AMPLE MAIN FLOOR LIVING SPACE, THE UPPER LEVEL FEATURES ANOTHER BEDROOM AND BATH, PLUS A GENEROUS AREA DESIGNED TO HOUSE A HOME THEATER SYSTEM. THE LOWER LEVEL AFFORDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE THE HOME'S OVERALL FINISHED SQUARE FOOTAGE BY OVER ONE THOUSAND FEET. THIS AREA IS DESIGNED FOR ANOTHER BEDROOM, BATH AND EXERCISE AREA, WHILE MAINTAINING AMPLE STORAGE SPACE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK OUT WHILE IMAGINING THE POSSIBLITIES? THE HOIST V5 EXERCISE SYSTEM IS INCLUDED, AS WELL AS ALL THE LOWER LEVEL SHELVING, PLUS THE CUSTOM WALL TREATMENTS YOU'LL FIND IN THE ATTACHED TWO CAR GARAGE.

THIS "POTTERY BARN PERFECT" HOME IS STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL...LIKE WALKING INTO A DREAM. THIS TRULY TURNKEY TOWNHOUSE AFFORDS EASE OF LIFESTYLE AND ABUNDANT LIVING SPACE, WHILE MAKING ALL HOME MAINTENANCE DUTIES A THING OF THE PAST. CHANGE YOUR LIFE, CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS BY CALLING TODAY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A PRIVATE SHOWING OF THIS REMARKABLE PROPERTY.

The information presented here is deemed reliable, though not guaranteed.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER VIEWS!

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:34:09 -0500

LUXURY LIVING-MAINTENENCE FREE!

340 Spring Street # 501, St Paul, MN 55102

$559,000

Property Type:	Town Home
MLS Number:	3314645
Map Coordinate:	108 B4
Year Built:	2003
Square Feet:	2511 - FINISHED
Bedrooms:	2
Bathrooms:	4
Garage:	2
Stories:	3
Company:	Keller Williams Premier Realty
Agent:	Mark and Laura Anderson
Office:	(651) 426-SELL
Email:	Click Here

ELEGANT TRI-LEVEL TOWNHOUSE NESTLED NEAR THE HEART OF ALL DOWNTOWN ATTRACTIONS. THIS QUALITY, 2003 BUILT RESIDENCE FEATURES TWO BEDROOMS, FOUR BATHS, AND ATTACHED TWO CAR GARAGE. THE HOME STUDY MAY EASILY ACCOMMODATE ADDITIONAL SLEEPING SPACE. THIS CORNER TOWNHOUSE ALSO BOASTS STUNNING VIEWS OF THE MISSISIPPI RIVER AND HARRIET ISLAND AREA, AS WELL AS THE HISTORIC AND RENOWNED RIVER BLUFFS. DRAMATIC HIGH CEILINGS AFFORD GREAT AMOUNTS OF NATURAL LIGHT. THE KITCHEN IS A COOK'S DELIGHT WITH UPGRADED CABINETRY AND A FULL ARRAY OF APPLIANCES. CUSTOM WALL SURFACES, WINDOW TREATMENTS AND GORGEOUS WOOD FLOORS ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY UPGRADES AND IMPROVEMENTS FEATURED IN THIS EXCEPTIONAL HOME. CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR PRIVATE APPOINTMENT TO VIEW THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME.

Air-To-Air Exchanger	Central Air	City Bus (W/In 6 Blks)	City View
Deck	Dishwasher	Disposal	Dryer
Fireplace - Gas	Garage Stalls: 2.00	Hardwood Floors	Kitchen Window
Lawn Sprinkler	Microwave	Patio	Pets-No Restrictions
Range	Refrigerator	River View	Tiled Floors
Vaulted Ceiling(S)	Washer

The information presented here is deemed reliable, though not guaranteed.

Foreclosure's hidden cost

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:57:59 -0500

Everyone knows foreclosures are bad...no news there. Besides getting set back at least four years and denied home ownership (perhaps longer is a bankruptcy is involved), there is yet something else to think about. The IRS views the gap between the owed amount and the actual sale as gain. In other words, if a person owes $200,000, experiences foreclosure, and the bank eventually sells the property for $170,000, then that person is "credited" with $30,000 of taxable income. How is this possible? The IRS calls this "phantom" income, and guess who gets to claim it? That's right...

Late fees, owed interest, attorney's fees, tax on a net loss...now factor in the emotional cost of humiliation and the time lost due to renting while recovering from a foreclosure...well, it isn't a pretty picture. If you're discovering the mortgage payment is getting harder to make each month, call a Realtor NOW. Do not wait a month or two to see if "things get better". You have too much to lose by waiting.

Everyone's specific case is different, so in addition to your Realtor, be sure to talk with your tax consultant.

Chicago Cubs

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 15:19:42 -0500

For those of you who don't know me, I was born and raised in the Chicago area, and have the fortune (misfortune?) to be a fan of the Cubs baseball team. My daily mood is often predicated by the Cubs' success, which means I have a tendency to be grumpy most of the summer, since winning baseball has proved elusive on Chicago's north side.

Today, Mark Prior, once a promising young pitcher, had shoulder surgery and will not pitch again until (at the earliest) next year. Uff da...oh, well. Maybe the Twins will be as fun to watch as they were last year.

Soft market for FSBO

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 15:04:19 -0500

Several reports out in the media about the continued downturn in the Twin Cities housing market. Check out your favorite local media website for more details. A housing expert from St. Thomas advises sellers to spruce up and paint their homes in an effort to get their homes sold. He also advocates cutting the price, if necessary.

Minor repair is a good idea--I mention this to all my listing clients, however I draw the line at major renovations. It isn't worth the expense and effort to, for instance, do a kitchen remodel as an incentive to buy the home. Instead, price the home accurately for it's condition. Spend your dollars on your next home, if necessary.

FSBO...hire a good Realtor. This is not a market where amateurs will succeed.

Why go FSBO

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 11:13:21 -0500

We often hear prospective FSBO sellers say they don't want to pay brokerage fees, so they're going to do the job themselves. The first question a seller considering FSBO must ask themself is Who is going to want to buy my house? The answer is the opportunist who spots a home made for sale sign on the corner. This buyer immediately assumes the seller is saving money on brokerage fees, so they will accept a low offer. In other words, FSBO sellers are attracting the very people they'd rather avoid.

Why go FSBO?

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 16:08:55 -0500

The real estate market certainly has it's share of dynamics. The actual buying/selling exercise is essentially mundane contract law, however people bring their emotions along for the ride. Small wonder--with each sale, many are either making an important investment or cashing out their previous investment.

If the house investment is so important, then why do people choose to go the for sale by owner route (FSBO)? At first blush, my thought is FSBO's want to save the dollars spent on Realtor commissions. While this is a valid reason, Realtors provide a necessary service, and are compensated for the work they do, just like any other professional. More tomorrow.

JUST A TEST....

Mark & Laura Anderson (Keller Williams Premier Realty) — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:47:25 -0500

This is just a test. Mark will be with you shortly.....