Friday, May 22, 2015

How Do I Sell My North St Paul Home?





Are planning to sell your home in North St. Paul, Minnesota soon? Do you need more information on where to start? 

When you need to sell a home in the North St. Paul area, I will help you get the process started quickly. My innovative marketing and top notch negotiating skills will get you the best possible price too.  A market analysis by a professional REALTOR® is your first step in the home selling process.

The North St. Paul market is HOT! Home buyers are looking for homes right now because affordable housing inventory is extremely low in the north and east Minneapolis/St. Paul metro. Since April 1, 2015, 33 homes have sold in the city of North St Paul and 29 homes have sold in neighboring north Maplewood. The average days on the market was 43 for homes in the 55109 North St. Paul/Maplewood area. Prices ranged just under $100,000 for entry level starter homes to the mid-$200,000's for single family and townhomes.

For additional information about working with me, visit my website and read testimonials from past satisfied clients. Or better yet call me, Teri Eckholm/Boardman Realty 651-336-7073 and arrange a no cost/obligation market analysis on your home today.

FYI-- I do answer my own phone so when you call, you will be talking directly to me!


(Sales statistics from Northstar MLS/Minnesota real estate listings as of 5/22/15).


Need to know more about buying or selling a Twin Cities home? Let me be your professional guide. If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of Boardman Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. 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 2015 www.terieckholm.com

Friday, May 8, 2015

Hometowns and Neighbors—Rock On!


Living in the suburb of a big city in the 1970’s was quite an experience.  I moved a few times but from 4th grade on, my family lived in North St. Paul, a city north and east of Minneapolis/St Paul.  The kids on our block were our friends and at times enemies. We played games, rode bikes, sledded on the hill and grew up, knowing our neighbors…and sometimes their dreams.

In my North St Paul neighborhood, we played kickball and ice skated in Hause Park. We walked to Cowern School and rode the bus to Maplewood Junior High. We shopped at Keindels, Ben Franklin and Harry’s Drug Store and sometimes had a pizza at the Village or burger at Mac’s Dinette. We’d stop and look at the huge frogs in Neumann’s Bar window when mailing a letter at the post office. It was a great place to grow up.


I doubt that there was any neighborhood in the country in the 70’s that didn’t have someone that wanted to be in a garage band. But as Bryan Adams lyrics reminisced, most of those bands didn’t get far.  Our neighborhood was no different.  One such band (and dreamer) lived next door to me.  Brynn Arnes and I were neighbors and sometimes friends. We didn’t really hang out after grade school but we were always cordial. His band was kind of annoying at first…The first part Smoke on the Water can only be played so often before being annoying but at the time I was a very bad clarinet player so I think we are even. His band was invented and reinvented over the years. I heard at one point they played the State Fair talent show. And remember coming home from college and seeing his band's Ghostbuster inspired white hearse parked in front of his parents’ house. 

I have only run into Brynn a few times since high school graduation; once at the Friday Night Car show and at one high school reunion. Both times he was hard to miss since he was the only one rocking pink hair, which is not so uncommon anymore.  I heard that Brynn became a successful musician. (My niece told me she would go to his concerts in Minneapolis when he was with the band Obsession or something.)  I was impressed that someone I knew from my hometown had achieved his dream. 


Facebook has allowed me to reconnect with my old neighbor and many others from the neighborhood.  I saw that last summer Brynn’s newest classic rock band, The Oddfathers, played at the Twins Stadium. And just recently, he collaborated directly with a southern musician, Clay Howard on a solo album is quite a hit on Amazon.  There is a North St. Paul friends group  on FB where neighbors and residents, past and present discuss history and current happenings. One thread connected just about every boy I remember from my 6th grade class discussing their participation in these noisy, summer escapades. They all dreamed about making music for a living, but only a handful of people can say they achieved it. Hats off to you Brynn for achieving your childhood dreams!


I sell real estate. It wasn’t my dream when I was in 6th grade learning math and social studies from Mr. Grossman, but I do like what I do today. It is interesting to me how much growing up in a neighborhood like North St Paul goes into my advising my home buyers. I do try to get people to think about the home and neighborhood, not just what it will be worth in a few years.  Value is important but if you put down roots and become part of the community, your return will be more than just in dollars.  


Ready to make memories in North St. Paul (or another Mpls/St Paul suburb? Email, Call or Text me...I can help!   If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of Boardman Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. 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 2015 www.terieckholm.com

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Why you really NEED a REALTOR to Buy a First Home!



Buying a first home is a very exciting time in a person's life. Whether you are coming from an apartment or a basement bedroom in your parent's house. the idea of venturing into owning real estate for the first time is quite an undertaking. With all the online shopping tool and real estate sites, a homebuyer can virtually tour many homes and even be pre-approved for a mortgage without setting foot outside your current residence. Many home buyers might question why a REALTOR® would even be required at all. Of course this course of action could work for you until want to see a home in person or write up an offer. But, did you realize that calling the listing agent of the property can put you at a HUGE negotiating disadvantage? It all comes down to understanding the concept of agency. 

In Minnesota, real estate brokers and agents are required to disclose the type of working relationship they have with parties in a real estate transaction.  Homebuyers have different types of relationships available to them.  It is important to understand these before you call a real estate agent to see a home or sign a  purchase agreement for a home.  These relationships are called  “agency” relationships and carry with them legal, fiduciary duties and responsibilities for the broker/agent as well as for buyers and sellers. 

The 3 most common agency agreements are the buyer's agent, seller's agent and dual agent. 

Buyer’s Agent 

A Buyer’s Agent acts solely on behalf of the buyer and owes duties to the buyer including the utmost good faith, loyalty, and fidelity.  The agent will negotiate on behalf of, and act as an advocate for, the buyer.  The buyer is legally responsible for the actions of the agent when that agent is acting within the scope of the agency.  The agent must disclose to sellers all adverse material facts concerning the buyer’s financial ability to perform the terms of the transaction and whether the buyer intends to occupy the property.  A separate written buyers’ agreement or contract is required which sets forth the duties and obligations of the parties.

Seller’s Agent

A Seller’s Agent acts solely on behalf of the seller and owes duties to the seller which includes the utmost good faith, loyalty, and fidelity.  The agent will negotiate on behalf of, and act as an advocate for; the seller.  The seller is legally responsible for the actions of the agent when that agent is acting within the scope of the agency.  The agent must disclose to buyers all adverse material facts about the property that are known by the broker.  A separate written listing agreement or contract is required which sets forth the duties and obligations of the parties.

In both buyer and seller agency, the following fiduciary duties are owed to the client: 

FIDUCIARY DUTIES
Loyalty
Obedience
Disclosure
Confidentiality
Reasonable Care
Accounting


DUAL Agent 

A dual agency is created when both the buyer and seller have signed representation agreements with the same broker. The parties may have two different salespersons or they may be the same person. All duties and obligations to the buyers and sellers remain the same in a dual agency.

Because it is impossible to disclose all information AND be confidential at the same time, dual agency must be disclosed and agreed to in writing.  All material facts regarding the property must be disclosed regardless of agency. 

Why is Agency Important to a Homebuyer? 

When you look for a home, every house listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) has an agreement between the seller and listing broker all ready in place. If a buyer does not sign a contract and attends an open house or calls the listing agent, the nice REALTOR(R) asking all the questions about your financial ability WILL share everything you say with their seller. They are contractually obligated to do so. 

But when a buyer signs a contract with their own REALTOR® before viewing any homes, their private information stays private. 

AND the best part for MY buyers is that signing a contract does not cost ANYTHING! All fees are paid at the closing and the commission is paid for from the seller so there is NO OUT of POCKET cost to have a REALTOR® in your corner.  

Still have Homebuying Questions? Email, Call or Text me...I can help!   If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of Boardman Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. 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 2015 www.terieckholm.com

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

How Do I Sell My White Bear Lake, Minnesota Home?



Are planning to sell your home in White Bear Lake, Minnesota soon and need more information on where to start? 

When you need to sell a home in the White Bear area, I will help you get the process started quickly. My innovative marketing and top notch negotiating skills will get you the best possible price too.  A market analysis by a professional REALTOR® is your first step in the process.

The White Bear Lake market is HOT! Home buyers are looking for homes right now because inventory is extremely low in the north and east Minneapolis/St. Paul metro. Since April 1, 2015, 46 homes have sold in White Bear Lake and 18 homes have sold in White Bear Township The average days on the market was 63 for homes in the 55110 White Bear Lake area. Prices ranged from the affordable starter homes to luxury, executive lakeshore homes.

For additional information about working with me, visit my website and read testimonials from past satisfied clients. Or better yet call me, Teri Eckholm/Boardman Realty 651-336-7073 and arrange a no cost/obligation market analysis on your home today.

FYI-- I do answer my own phone so when you call, you will be talking directly to me!


(Sales statistics from Northstar MLS/Minnesota real estate listings as of 5/6/15).


Need to know more about buying or selling a Twin Cities home? Let me be your professional guide. If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of Boardman Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. 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 2015 www.terieckholm.com


Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Forest Lake Minnesota School are Full of Ranger Pride!




Most people have no idea how many communities are a part of Forest Lake School District #831.  The district with the motto, “Inspire the Learner…Ignite the  Potential!,” is geographically huge. Located 35 minutes northeast of the downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, this district encompasses one of the largest areas in the state with over 240 square miles. Forest Lake schools are the educational home of 12 communities in 3 different counties. Students come from Columbus, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Linwood in Anoka County. Other attendees are from Wyoming and Stacy in Chisago County. Many children are from homes in New Scandia Township, Forest Lake, Hugo, Marine on the St. Croix or May Township in Washington County.

As a REALTOR® that works throughout the north and east Minneapolis/St. Paul metro, I have sold a number of homes within District #831. Many residents love the fact that the schools are structured with kindergarten through 6th grade in the elementary schools, 7-9 grades in the junior highs and 10-12th grades in the senior high. It may be “old school” but preferred by many in the area.

There is one high school, Forest Lake High School. Students have many options whether on a college or vocational track. Advanced placement classes, advanced technical/vocational classes and College in the Schools are popular programs at FLHS. With awarding winning sports, theater, speech, music and other extracurricular activities, there is no end to Ranger Pride!


The two junior high schools, Century and Southwest are both located in the heart of Forest Lake. Century Junior High is located across from the high school on highway 97 and Southwest Junior High is on 10th street just south of the business district.

There are 8 traditional community elementary schools (two featuring Spanish Immersion) and one tuition-free Montessori school that are a part of the Forest Lake district. Columbus Elementary, Forest Lake Elementary, Forest View Elementary, Lino Lakes Elementary, Linwood Elementary, Scandia Elementary and Wyoming Elementary are all schools in district #831. Several of these primary schools have been named Minnesota Schools of Excellence. Central Montessori is one of the gems of the district. It provides public elementary education based on Montessori teaching methods and is available tuition-free to all elementary students in the Forest Lake district. Another attractive option is the Lino Lakes Elementary with its STEM education, focusing on a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum. A Spanish immersion primary education is also offered at either Lino Lakes or Forest View Elementary.

 


Need to know more about buying home in the Forest Lake Minnesota area?
Let me be your professional guide. If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of Boardman Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. 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 2015 www.terieckholm.com

Rent Continues to Rise in Minneapolis & St Paul MN

The September Rent report just released by ABODO shows te average rate to lease a one bedroom apartment in St Paul to be increasing ...