2007 brought a changed real estate market to Minneapolis, St. Paul and the extended Twin Cities suburbs. Home sellers counted market time in months rather than days. Home buyers stayed hidden in the woodwork in the first six months of the year. Those who ventured out to open houses or showings with real estate agents were often confused by the smorgasbord of properties available. In every price range and most locations there were several OPTIONS. Town homes, single family, split levels, ramblers, two stories, remodels, foreclosures, short sales and new construction.
As a Realtor serving Anoka County, Ham Lake and communities in the Forest Lake School District, I keep a close eye on the Twin Cities real estate market. During the last few months of the year, I noticed bit of a change in the wind. Activity was starting to pick up. Frustrated sellers were tired of showings and lowered prices. Buyers teetering on the edge of the proverbial pool took the plunge and wrote offers. Negotiations were made and offers accepted. The Twin Cities real estate market took one baby step toward forward at the end of 2007.
So what does that mean for those considering purchasing a home or selling their property in 2008? From Ham Lake to Forest Lake and East Bethel to East St Paul we have a strong foundation to our real estate market. Keeping the property value base strong is essential to all Minnesotans. In 2008, we should all Resolve to be Real Estate Savvy!
Resolutions for Sellers
*Team up with a professional Realtor
*Price right from the start
*Make all repairs
*Declutter
*Make each showing count by staging the home for sale.
*Be willing to negotiate.
Resolutions for Buyers
*Team up with a trusted Realtor
*Get Pre-approved and check in with your Loan Officer regularly to discuss market change.
*Write realistic offers that encourage negotiation.
*Understand the foreclosure and short sale process-While prices can seem like a deal, the assumed risk to buyers on an as-is sale can be great.
Resolutions for Homeowners
*Even if this isn't the year for you to sell, there are things a homeowner should be doing to maintain and retain property value.
*Maintain the interior and exterior of your home and make repairs on a continual basis rather than deferring to time of sale.
*Stay current with your mortgage and discuss any financial problems with lender immediately.
*Be a good steward of your neighborhood.
Resolutions for Investors
*Team up with a professional Realtor
*Take advantage of the abundance of foreclosures that will hit the market in 2008.
*If holding the property, offer a safe and maintained residence at a fair price to the renters
*If flipping or repairing/reselling the property, be realistic with the numbers. Don't over invest in materials and curb enthusiastic inflated resale estimates. 2008 buyers are market wise!
*Be a good steward of your properties and the communities in which they are located.
*Maintain the properties to retain value for portfolio as well as the neighborhood.
If buyers, sellers, homeowners, investors and real estate professional alike work together to maintain slight momentum in the market that started at the end of 2007, 2008 could be the cornerstone of a great recovery for the Twin Cities real estate market.
If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/
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