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real estate: Make a Great DEAL in this Changed Real Estate Market (And Avoid Being the Biggest Loser too!) - 01/10/09 05:42 PM
Howie Mandle isn't the only one giving people the opportunity of a lifetime....And you don't have to lose weight to be the biggest loser in this real estate market either. Just about a year ago now, I wrote a post about making a great deal in a CHANGED real estate market. As I reviewed the information recently, I realized that the advice is just as true a year later. Here it is again, with a few revisions...Enjoy! Making a GREAT Deal in this CHANGED Real Estate Market! For the past couple of years now, the term "Buyer's Market" has been synonymous with the real (19 comments)
real estate: Ham Lake, MN Real Estate Market Statistics Year End 2008 - 01/10/09 04:49 PM
The City of Ham Lake has a rich history. Incorporated in 1974, Ham Lake became a city after over a hundred years of humble but steady growth. The area was first settled in 1855 by a group of Scottish men on the southwest side of Ham Lake. Though, I can only assume that the lake itself got its name due to its unusual "ham hock" shape, the community started out with a different name. The original name of the community was Glen Carey, which is the Scottish translation of "beautiful valley". Following a prairie fire in 1857, the first settlers moved (6 comments)
real estate: Housing Help Snowballing! Finally They Ask, "Can the Buyer Pay Back the Money?" - 11/12/08 08:57 AM
Simple question. Granted, had it been asked when many initial loans were taken out and the answer acted responsibly on, we might not be in the mortgage mess that our economy finds itself today. It seems the question is being finally being asked again. Not only to new borrowers, but a modified question, "HOW can the buyer pay back the money?", is being asked to assist homeowners at risk of foreclosure.Earlier this week, I read a Newsweek article posted by Daniel McGinn, Focusing on Foreclosures. In the article, McGinn discusses how after the summer takeover of IndyMac, the FDIC introduced a (16 comments)
real estate: A Clear Look at Clear Lake—Lakeshore Market Statistics for Forest Lake, MN - 10/13/08 11:38 AM
A few weeks back I received a phone call from a lovely lady thanking me for my informative post on the lakeshore market in the Twin Cities north metro. She lives in Forest Lake on Clear Lake and was considering selling next summer After reading my article, Think Now is a GREAT Time to Make a DEAL on a MN Lakeshore Home? I Do!, she was concerned about the changing market and wanted more specifics on how homes on Clear Lake were fairing today. She didn't want a market analysis of her home, just some statistics on what was really selling (6 comments)
real estate: Forest Lake, MN Real Estate Market Statistics Third Quarter 2008 - 10/07/08 07:18 PM
Forest Lake, Minnesota in the northeast metro Twin Cities area holds a special place in the hearts of many Minnesotans. Many residents of Minneapolis, St. Paul or one of the first ring suburbs will remember Forest Lake fondly from decades ago as a summer vacation spot or place to go for a drive in the country. Today, the lakeside cabins have been replaced with year round homes and the rural nature is all but a thing of the past in this thriving St. Paul suburb. Though housing growth has slowed down drastically in the past year or two in many northern (2 comments)
real estate: 10 Point Checklist to get Your Home Ready for Fall and Winter - 09/16/08 01:31 PM
Recently, overnight temperatures have been dipping down into the range where all Minnesotans realize that the cold weather is coming soon. Fall is just around the corner. I noticed quite a few yellow leaves on the trees in my yard and the oaks are just beginning to turn. Soon the golds, reds and yellows of autumn will cover the landscape throughout Anoka, Chisago and Washington Counties. Before the snow, ice and winter winds arrive, homeowners in the north know it is time take care of the autumn chores to protect our biggest investment from the winter ahead. As a Realtor in (27 comments)
real estate: Think Now is a GREAT Time to Make a DEAL on a MN Lakeshore Home? It IS! - 09/11/08 05:00 PM
As recently as five years ago, the prices on Minnesota lakeshore were out of reach for many buyers. Prices shot up in the late 1990's. Lake lots on Coon Lake in Anoka County that went on the market in 1998 for $60,000 were re-sold three years later for over three times that at $200,000. Homes on lakeshore saw similar increases. At the time, there didn't seem to be an end in sight to what someone would pay for lakeshore in the Twin Cities. Well times have certainly changed.A couple of years ago, "The Buyer's Market" hit the Twin Cities and communities (16 comments)
real estate: Home Buyer INSPECTION? We Don’t Need NO Stinking Home Inspection! Or Do We? - 08/03/08 03:49 PM
As a first time homebuyer you spent hours finding scouring the internet for the perfect homes that met the criteria of your dream home. You took the time to find a knowledgeable loan officer to get pre-approved for a mortgage. With good faith estimates now in hand, you diligently searched for a REALTOR® who as your buyer's representative would be your advocate in the purchase negotiations. After traveling through Anoka and Washington Counties and seeing homes from Forest Lake to Andover and Blaine to Ham Lake, you decide this is THE house to place an offer on. Your agent in preparing (29 comments)
real estate: Without Nehemiah/Genesis, What will Cause the First Domino to Fall? - 07/28/08 07:59 AM
Most people understand the concept of the domino effect on the real estate market. The starter homes must sell first so the owners of the starter home can move up to the next price level, which allows another home to sell and another; much like a child's game of dominos.Fortunately the real estate market has had continued to have a reasonable pool of first time buyers in the mix these past few months due to low interest rates, home prices and unique assistance programs. Early this year, the government gave the controversial but beneficial programs like Nehemiah and Genesis a reprieve. (37 comments)
real estate: Wyoming, MN Real Estate Market Statistics Mid Year 2008 - 07/05/08 05:24 PM
The City of Wyoming, Minnesota on the northeastern edge of the Twin Cities metropolitan area is a hidden gem! According to the city's website the town was named after the first settlers who in 1855 relocated from the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania. Wyoming boasts its own police and fire departments, city utilities, library, hospital, elementary school and several community parks. Neighborhood shopping is great with a cute coffee shop, drug store and grocery store in the heart of the town.Activities are abundant in Wyoming. Not only is the center of the community located smack dab on the walking/biking/snowmobile trail that runs (15 comments)
real estate: Circle Pines & Lexington, MN Real Estate Market Sales Statistics for Mid-2008 - 07/01/08 12:55 PM
Circle Pines is a small city, approximately 2 square miles, in Anoka County. The neighboring community, Lexington is even smaller encompassing less than one square mile of land. Both little communities are often overlooked since they are sandwiched between Blaine, Lino Lakes just to the north of Shoreview. Circle Pines might be small but is thriving and has a unique history. According to Circle Pines and Lexington History, it was one of the first cooperative communities started in 1946 in an area between the townships of Blaine and Centerville in Southern Anoka County. According to the Circle Pines website, the symbol (10 comments)
real estate: Easy way to Clean Up and Simplify YOUR Move! - 06/30/08 12:27 PM
I think everyone hates those automated electronic messages that are left on voicemail from time to time. I often hit delete before the first sentence of the annoying mechanical voiced tape is complete. However I actually listened to one that I received the other day. It was from the Salvation Army offering to send a truck out to pick up donations.In Anoka County, there are many charities offering pick up service for gently used clothing, furniture and household items. Many of these groups like the Vietnam Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, Lupus Foundation and Courage Center come on a designated route on a (20 comments)
real estate: Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Homeowner Version: Steel Dragon in Blaine - 06/28/08 03:11 PM
A decade ago when we made our move to Anoka County, unique sites along the road often surprised us. There were the little buildings resembling outhouses near the end of every driveway. These of course are shelters for children waiting for the school bus. There were hawks on roadside power lines looking down to the road or a sod field looking for its next meal to run by. And then there would be something amazing to really stop you in your tracks...Something that looks like a steel dragon! When we first saw this Artful Distraction in Blaine, it was nose to (18 comments)
real estate: Understanding Risk of Loss—How Severe Weather Affects Real Estate - 06/02/08 09:48 AM
Spring storms and a busier real estate market are making life very interesting for MN buyers, sellers and Realtors! Just over a week ago, 400-500 homes sustained damage as a severe storm that spawned two tornados and devastated the Twin Cities north metro. Yesterday another storm blew through Minnesota. This time homes in the south and west metro were affected by hail and damaging straight-line winds. 2008 is setting up to be a very active storm season in the Land of 10,000 Lakes as more severe weather is already in the forecast for later this week. Will this affect real estate (18 comments)
real estate: First Time Home Buyer in Anoka County, MN? Low Interest Loans Available! - 05/14/08 08:16 AM
Anoka County first time homebuyers are in luck. More than $5.1 million dollars of low interest funds have been made available through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) to qualified borrowers. Qualifying home buyers can use the funds for a new or existing Anoka County home valued at up to $298,125. Additional funds may be available to help with down payments and closing costs too. The program runs through December 14, 2008 or when the funds are spent. All buyers must use an MHFA approved lender and are strongly encouraged to attend a home buyer education class. The Anoka County (12 comments)
real estate: Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions—Homeowner Version: Grrrr....Black Bear in Columbus - 04/25/08 12:24 PM
Daily trips from Ham Lake to Forest Lake are a part of my routine. If I have to travel to the south part of town my options are limited due to the wetlands in the Carlos Avery Nature Preserve which stretches from Anoka to Chisago County. My favorite short cut through Columbus, Minnesota is well traveled. County Road 19 or Potomac can shave several minutes off a commute to Forest Lake Senior High by avoiding the stoplights on Broadway. My daily travels take me down this 55 mph road but I often slow down when I pass this wonderful piece (22 comments)
real estate: Real Estate Market Statistics Ham Lake, MN 1st Quarter 2008 - 04/12/08 08:33 AM
Even though existing single family home sales in Ham Lake, Minnesota remained sluggish during the first quarter of 2008, there were some indications of better days ahead. The Days on Market (DOM) statistic was reduced slightly from 220 to 214. Conversely, homes in the higher price categories have been worse than stagnant. There is a complete lack of any sales at all! Only 2 in pending and one sold in the over $400,000 price category all quarter. With over 60 listings currently on the market, Ham Lake is over saturated with high end homes.Under $400,000 there is some good activity. Currently (10 comments)
real estate: Beware of Décor! Tips to Declutter Before the For Sale Sign Goes Up on Your Home! - 03/25/08 09:15 AM
As much as Location, Location, Location has been the number one real estate mantra for decades, decluttering and depersonalizing has to be a close second. But what is clutter? Hard to tell in this eclectic world! Martha Stewart has one style and theme restaurants another. Go into any TGIFridays throughout the United States and the décor covers almost every inch of wall space! No wonder when as an Anoka County Realtor, I make a that initial visit to a potential seller's home my response can often be, "Oh my, we have some work to do!" Americans have too much stuff! We (30 comments)
real estate: It's Festive! It's Historically Irish! It's St Pat's Day with a Minnesota Flair! - 03/17/08 08:15 AM
Or Flaherty...In this case! Though many consider Minnesota to be the home of Swedish and Norwegian immigrants, the Irish have very deep roots in Minnesota's soil. Railroads and farming opportunities enticed Irish immigrants in the late 1800's to the state to settle in colonies along the Mississippi. Of course on St. Patrick's Day every Minnesotan has a bit of the Irish in them. The traditional St. Patrick's Day parade in St. Paul was held this past Saturday as to not conflict with holy week but Minneapolis is holding true to a celebration today. Growing up in St. Paul as a Flaherty, (9 comments)
*Almost new home with just finished basement shows like a model! *Beautifully landscaped yard features perennials and underground sprinklers! *Garage is a dream! Completely finished and insulated with a ladder to storage above. Note the lights and shelving in the space above! *Family friendly Lakes Country neighborhood features private little playground area in nearby park.
*Soaring vaulted ceiling in open kitchen, dining, living room area gives a feeling of space to the home. *Almost new kitchen features an (15 comments)
Theresa "Teri" Eckholm/REMAX Specialists assists Minnesotans to find their way home with helpful tips and quality service. Dedication to customer service has made Teri the REALTOR® of choice for families in Blaine, Forest Lake, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and Wyoming areas. Licensed in MN.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.