Monday, January 14, 2008

January Thaw Brings Out Home Buyers in the Twin Cities North Metro—Is Real Estate Making a Comeback?

With the Minnesota Vikings out of the playoffs, Sundays are once again a good opportunity to sell real estate. At my first open house of the year yesterday, I wasn’t able to sit down for a minute and read a chapter in the great novel I had brought with me. As soon as the sign was placed on the snow bank at the end of the drive, buyers started coming through the door.

What?!! Buyers???

On NBC's Today Show this morning, a real estate expert implied that there are no homebuyers to be found. Well that so called expert wasn’t in Forest Lake, Minnesota yesterday. The beautiful sunny day and well priced split level brought out several interested parties.

First time buyers

Move up Buyers

Empty Nesters

Sure some could have been tire-kickers, killing time on a Sunday afternoon. But it is my expert real estate opinion that most were seriously considering making a move. Will any of them write an offer on that particular house? Possibly, but that is not the point. The good news is I believe almost everyone I spoke with yesterday will be making a move this year! It is exciting to see the market charging up for a great 2008!

People, NOW
is a great time to move!

Sellers, NOW is the time to start getting your home ready for the spring market. Ignore the naysayers! It is time become educated on how to get your home priced and prepared properly to be sold quickly. A quickie, internet market estimate for pricing just won’t do.
Call a real estate expert in your market to pave the way to your new home.

As an expert in the northern Twin Cities suburbs, I have been successfully listing and selling homes throughout Anoka, Washington and Chisago Counties last year. I know what it takes to get a home sold in this changed market. My list to sold ratio was 71% last year—Yep, I sold 5 out of 7 homes I listed in 2007!

Buyers, NOW is the time to write that offer. With so many wonderful homes on the market, you really have a chance to be selective. But don’t wait too long as more buyers are getting that spring buying fever, homes will start disappearing from the active MLS and go into pending sales. It happens every year whether we are in a slower market or not, spring fever and the real estate market go hand-in-hand in Minnesota.

Buyers get educated and sign a buyer's representation agreement! Yesterday almost all of the buyers that came into my open house were not represented by a Realtor. I had the opportunity to educate several people on why having a Realtor working for you does not cost anything and can actually SAVE money.


Don't let the media dictate whether you make a move in 2008 or not. Team up with a good Realtor and make 2008 the year that your housing dreams come true!

Additional Articles for Home Sellers:
Top 10 Ideas to Get Your Home Ready to SELL!
Open Houses—Do they Work in a Buyer’s Market?
What is your Realtor’s List-to-sales Ratio?
Is the "Busy Road Factor" Affecting the Sale of Your Listing?

Additional Articles for Home Buyers:
Rent VS Buy? It's Time to Revisit the Question!
Real Estate Agent Selection Primer—How to Choose to the Right Realtor for You!
First Time Buyers: Helping Define YOUR Dream
Dreaming of life on MN Acreage? What YOU need to know Before You Make Your Move!

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If the January thaw gave you a bit of spring moving fever and you 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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