real estate market update: HOW TO PEEL THE BIG ONION WITHOUT CRYING! Part 1 - 01/17/11 02:03 PM
HOW TO PEEL THE BIG ONION WITHOUT CRYING!
When I was a young real estate puppy, many years ago, I had what I would describe as a fear of doing bad things to good people. Basically, I worried about damaging the name my Father gave me, and the look in his eyes when he found out. Then there was the client, the Broker, the lawyers. I knew then how little I knew, and had to balance my desire to learn with my desire to earn!
Mostly things have worked out. I did a few things right, like starting out in a teaching … (11 comments)

real estate market update: "Buy a House... Then Buy Another" - 01/15/11 06:18 AM
"Buy a House... Then Buy Another". Today's home prices are on a par with about 2004 in St. Cloud MN, but the home affordability is probably more like 1996 according to Chris Mayer of Daily Reckoning. Adjusted for inflation he suggests today's affordability is 30% lower than 1996.
Put simply, affordability is the price you pay per month, not the gross sale price. It's how your paycheck is impacted by owning the home, and the mortgage that usually comes with it! The quote was originally attributed to Adam Smith on the Dick Cavett Show in 1971, but it's good advise today, … (4 comments)

real estate market update: Simply, this is an incredible time to be a homebuyer! - 03/17/10 08:37 AM
The Federal Reserve announced Tuesday they are holding the interest rates at record lows. This is being done to promote economic activity in industry and in housing sales. A Buyer today has the greatest set of advantages I have seen in over 25 years in the business. Historically low interest rates, home prices at bottom, and the federal tax credit make up an unbeatable mix of advantages for a buyer. But act quickly! The tax credit is only available through April, and interest rates will go up, with an increase of 1% raising the monthly payment by about 16%. Buy now … (0 comments)

real estate market update: Minnesota Homebuyers -NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT only 48 days left - 03/13/10 02:39 PM
48 days and counting till the end of the homebuyer tax credit. All you have to do is find the home that you want, and have it under contract no later than April 30 and closed by June 30, 2010, and the government will pay you 10% of the purchase price up to $8,000 dollars for 1st time homebuyers. Previous owners are eligible for a credit up to $6,500 if you have owner a principle residence for 5 consecutive years over the last eight years.Now is the time to find your perfect home as there are numerous financing programs, low interest rates and motivated sellers … (0 comments)

real estate market update: UPDATE to scam warning - 09/18/09 05:08 AM
I had posted a warning about a scam being played out in the Minnesota housing market aimed at renters on Aug 24 2009. http://www.stcloudareahomesforsale.com/blogs/elizabeth__steve_baklaich/archive/2009/08/24/st-cloud-area-real-estate-update-this-is-a-warning.aspx 
There has been an update to this story via a youtube video from the Minnesota Association of REALTORS®.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwXID7BFwfY
Hope you find this information helpful and as always if you are planning on buying or selling a home in the central Minnesota area I am here to help.
Steve Baklaich ReMax Realty Source www.stcloudareahomesforsale.com Cell:320 260-3290
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real estate market update: Saint Cloud Minnesota and surrounding area real estate market for the 2008 year in review - 01/08/09 10:55 AM
I have been reading a lot of Doom and Gloom type articles from our illustrious media lately about the 2008 real estate market and wanted to contribute my thoughts. The news should not be all bad. As I am compiling the statistics for my local market in the central Minnesota area there are quite a few positives that need to be heard. First off, according to the data from Flex MLS from the St Cloud Area Association of Realtors the total volume of properties sold in the calendar year from January 1, 2008 thru January 1, 2009, there was over 404 million … (0 comments)