Real Estate Resolutions for Minnesota Home Buyers and Sellers in 2012

As 2011 comes to a close, I noticed a change in the real estate market across the north and east Minneapolis/St Paul metro area.  Home sellers were seeing a more active market during the last quarter and many received purchase agreements. Home buyers who for several years had the luxury of the upper hand in negotiations, suddenly found they were in multiple offer situations when they submitted a contract for a seller's consideration. While there still is a good range of inventory in the higher priced categories, first time buyers had less options than a year or two ago.  Yet a tenacious Twin Cities home buyer can still find good options in almost every price range throughout the metro area. Town homes, single family, split levels, ramblers, two stories, remodels, foreclosures, short sales and new construction.

As a REALTOR® serving Lino Lakes, Ham Lake and communities in the Forest Lake School District, I keep a close eye on the north and east Twin Cities real estate market. During the last few months of the year, I noticed bit of a change in the wind. Activity has continued to improve. Motivated sellers are pricing their homes to be attractive to the more educated home buyers of the current market. Buyers teetering on the edge of the proverbial home buying pool took the plunge and wrote offers as interest rates hit record breaking lows. Negotiations were made and offers accepted. The Minneapolis/St Paul real estate market took one tentative step toward as 2011 came to a close.

So what does that mean for those considering purchasing a home or selling their property in 2012? From Ham Lake to Forest Lake and Lino Lakes to Shoreview, we have begun to build a strong foundation in our real estate market again. Keeping the property value base strong is essential to all Minnesotans. In 2012, homeowners should  RESOLVE to be Real Estate Savvy!

Resolutions for Home Sellers

*Team up with a professional REALTOR®
*Set the right price when first listed
*Make all necessary repairs
*Declutter
*Make each showing count by staging the home for sale.
*Be ready and willing to negotiate.

Resolutions for Buyers

*Team up with a professional REALTOR®
*Get pre-approved for a mortgage  before you start your home search. Check in with your Loan Officer on a regular basis to discuss any change in your financial status or the loan market.
*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 is great.

Resolutions for Homeowners

*Even if you do not plan to sell your home in 2012, there are things a homeowner should be doing to maintain and retain property value.
*Keep the interior and exterior of your home in good repair on a continual basis rather than deferring until 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®
*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. 2012 home buyers are educated in the value of real estate and won't over pay!
*Be a good steward of your properties and the communities in which they are located.
*Maintain the properties to retain value for your 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 2011, 2012 could make additional strides toward recovery for the Twin Cities real estate market.

Copyright 2011 www.terieckholm.com

February 2009 Video Update on the Twin Cities Real Estate Market

The Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors uses the Dicken’s Classic, A Tale of Two Cities, to provide a backdrop for another interesting look at the current real estate market conditions in Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding suburbs. The February Monthly Skinny gives a quick look at how the sale of lender mediated homes (i.e. bank owned foreclosures and pre foreclosure short sales) have had a positive affect on the affordability index and number of home sales in the Twin Cities area. Keep informed with a informative quick look at the current real estate market. Enjoy!

Copyright 2009 terieckholm.com

January 2009 Video Update on the Twin Cities Real Estate Market

The Minneapolis Association of Realtors just posted their first video update of the year on YouTube yesterday. The January update on the Twin Cities real estate market discusses of the increased affordability index in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Housing affordability combined with amazing low mortgage rates makes it a very attractive buying environment in the metro area. Several indicators are down but there is still “an elephant in the room” with the foreclosures and lender mediated homes. Another quick and fun view of real estate market conditions in the Twin Cities. Take a look...




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 or Homebuyers Success 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.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2009 terieckholm.com

Foreclosures! Not Just for Investors Anymore…First Time Buyers also get DEALS!

This past spring I asked readers if they were ready to take on the challenge of buying a foreclosure or short sale home. Test Yourself--See If YOU are Ready to buy a Foreclosed Home! was a tongue-in-cheek look at the average homebuyer purchasing a pre-foreclosure or bank owned property. I have thought of that post often in the past few months …At the time, I was seeing overpriced pre-foreclosures and trashed REO houses, in many cases buyers were better negotiating with traditional sellers for their dream homes. But, as they say, that was then and this is now. NOW, I think it is time to take a serious look at foreclosure properties.

In the past few weeks, I had the opportunity to visit several dozen bank owned properties in the $100,000 to $150,000 price range throughout Anoka County. Though several were trashed, my buyers and I were pleasantly surprised to find many REO homes in move-in condition. The fear of AS-IS purchasing was still a concern, but not so dramatic as when the homes literally had holes where the appliances should have been.

Now, I am finding tremendous deals on bank-owned homes throughout the north and east metro on a daily basis. Many properties are going back to the bank in extremely good condition and being put back on the market quickly and at unbelievably affordable pricing.

So what do you need to know if considering purchasing a foreclosed home? Here are a few key points to consider….

Understand the difference between short sale and REO. A short sale or pre-foreclosure is a home where the seller is selling but owes more to the bank than the home is worth. A REO property has been returned to the bank and is now bank-owned.

In a short sale, the seller lists the home on the multiple listing service, MLS, for what they believe the home to be worth even if the list price is less than they owe. When an offer is received on the property, the bank is sent the offer for approval as they will have to write off thousands of dollars to attract a buyer. It can take months to receive an answer from a bank (or banks if there is a second or third mortgage on the home) and the answer is not always positive.

I recommend to most buyers that it is better to keep looking at other properties and wait and see if a particular short sale home goes back to the bank. If it becomes an REO property, it is usually relisted at a much lower price. Because the bank now knows exactly what it wants for the home and only one bank or division of a bank is involved, answers come much more quickly; usually within days, if not hours. This is a much smoother process.

Get Representation. Dealing directly with the bank is extremely risky. If you are going to be looking at foreclosures, find an agent you trust and sign a buyer’s representation contract. Then that REALTOR is working for you! When I represent a buyer, it costs nothing to that buyer because my commission is paid for by the seller. I can help a buyer understand if the list price by the bank is a fair price for the property and in its current condition.

When you find that perfect foreclosure, I, as your agent, assist you in putting together the best offer for the situation and negotiate on your behalf. Good homes are seeing multiple offers. If you find an almost perfect foreclosure, chances are several other buyers will like the home too. In November, I wrote offers on three move-in condition foreclosed homes. All three had multiple offers just days after the home listed. A listing agent is working for the bank. Don’t you think you deserve to have a professional REALTOR working directly for you?

Get Ready to Waive Goodbye to your Right to a Disclosure. Minnesota requires that the seller of a home disclose all known defects to the property. Most banks will require you to sign a seller’s alternative to the disclosure where you will waive your rights to receiving a homeowner’s disclosure. This is not negotiable as the bank representative did not live at the home and does not have any way of knowing the condition of the property.

Inspections are Critical. Buying a foreclosed home means buying a home in AS-IS condition. That means the bank will not warranty that anything in the home is working and will not make repairs to any part of the home. A complete home inspection is designed to give you a picture of the current condition of the property and if any major repairs will be required to make the home habitable.

Rethink a Home Warranty. Many buyers do not want to spend the additional dollars on a home warranty. However in the case of an as-is purchase from a bank or other corporate-owned property it could be a smart investment for that first year. If something is missed at the inspection or is not visible, a home warranty might be able to cover the defect. For example, central air conditioning cannot be tested during a Minnesota winter so come spring, you might find your home full of hot air and no blower to help you cool down. Most home warranties will cover central air conditioning.

Don’t Overlook Traditional Sellers. Homes being sold by a traditional home seller in this market are in most cases priced to sell! This is good news for FHA and VA buyers as many foreclosed homes will not qualify for these programs due to the poor condition of most properties. Sellers understand they are competing with banks that have only a financial not emotional interest in the property. So homeowners needing to sell have to check their emotions at the door and price their home accordingly. A lovingly maintained property with a full disclosure at a rock bottom price could still be the best deal for a buyer.

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 or Homebuyers Success 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.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2008 terieckholm.com

December Video Update on the Twin Cities Real Estate Market

The Minneapolis Association of Realtors just posted their December Twin Cities real estate market update video today on YouTube. This month's snapshot talks of the phenomenal affordability of homes in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Housing affordability combined with amazing low mortgage rates is quite a story for first time homebuyers. Additionally, the association provides an explanation of how bankowned and foreclosed homes compare to the sales of the homes sold by traditional sellers. It is a quick fun snapshot of real estate market conditions in the Twin Cities. Take a look...


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 or Homebuyers Success 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.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2008 terieckholm.com

November Video Update on the Twin Cities Real Estate Market

November's video Twin Cities real estate market update was just posted this past week on YouTube from the Minneapolis Association of Realtors. It gives a very good snapshot of condition of the Twin Cities real estate market and explanation of where it is today. It is cautiously optimistic about the housing market conditions this fall. Take a look...




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.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2008 terieckholm.com

October Video Update on Twin Cities Real Estate Market

I came across this market update posted on YouTube from the Minneapolis Association of Realtors which is a very good explanation snapshot of condition of the Twin Cities real estate market today. It is cautiously optimistic about the housing market conditions this fall. Take a look...









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 terieckholm.com

Is NOW the Time to Consider a Minnesota Townhome? You Betcha!

The media reports can be confusing and contradictory about the changed real estate market. One day a report comes out showing declining values on Twin Cities houses and a day or two later, reporters are indicating it is the time to jump off the fence and buy that first home. Meanwhile, the average Joe (or Josephine) sits in the apartment paying the landlord’s mortgage wondering if there will ever be a good time to buy a house! Just like buying any investment, there is no sure thing and no one answer. But from the prices on townhomes I am seeing as a Realtor working in the north and east metro, townhomes might be one segment of the market where someone on the fence will want to jump into the fray!

Townhomes are Affordable—Amazing DEALS!

Throughout Anoka, Chisago, and Washington counties in the late 1990’s there was a shortage of affordable alternative homes for the first time homebuyer. Transitioning out of an apartment where the landlord took care of maintenance also weighted heavily on those considering home ownership for the first time. Downsizers who also wanted a maintenance free lifestyle in their old neighborhoods increase the demand. There was a need and in the early 2000’s townhome development exploded from Hugo to North Branch and Forest Lake to Coon Rapids.

Unfortunately, the explosion was a little too big compared with the pace of buyers entering into the market. This overabundance of newly constructed townhomes has lead to high inventory levels in this segment of the real estate market. Developers recognizing the slowdown indicators and with dozens of projects in the works, started cutting prices and offering deals on financing as far back as 2006.

Now fast forward to today. Many townhome owners have life changes since they bought in the early 2000’s. Townhome and condo owners throughout the Twin Cities are forced to sell their well maintained and much loved properties in this changed market in order to accept that perfect new job out of state or have enough room for a second child. These homeowners face competition from the specials offered on new construction units by developers and compete with the discounted prices of distressed properties like foreclosures. Time after time, I witness homeowners choosing to sell at tens of thousands less than their county assessed value or even the price they paid a few years ago to attract today's buyer!

This is a GREAT opportunity for today’s townhome and condo buyer! Wonderfully maintained townhomes are available throughout the north metro at discounted prices!

Here are two AWESOME Examples:

Mint! 2BR/2BA Rambler Townhome in Coon Rapids with Basement and private 2 Car garage attractively priced at only $181,900

Model Perfect! 2004 Built 4BR/4BA/2 Car with Master Suite & ALL the Upgrades and Extras in Circle Pines. Unbelieveably priced at just $204,900! Over 2200+ Square feet finished. 

*************************************************

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 terieckholm.com

Close Look at Short Sale & Foreclosure Market—Twin Cities Homeowner Equity Safer than Indicated

Most media reports have been exclaiming the double digit drop in housing values in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area since the beginning of 2008. The RMLS numbers showed a drastic decline in the values of homes from Anoka to Ramsey to Washington Counties. It seemed that no area in the 13 county Twin Cities metro area was completely immune to the pressure the reported up to 2% foreclosure rate was putting on the housing market.

The numbers are staggering when looked at as a whole…but what if the foreclosures and short sales could be filtered out? Reality is that in most areas few than 2% of properties are in foreclosure in the metro market. But many more homeowners are sitting at home nervously watching the news reports touting the ‘gloom and doom’ and believe the equity is draining from their homes like a flood prone levee. Is this picture accurate?

Intuitively, I knew the answer was no. Or at the very least it was incomplete. Homes being sold in the market by a traditional seller, without a bank or corporate entity involved, are appearing to hold their value somewhat better than other homes. But I had no way to back up what I believed I was seeing until now.

A local Minneapolis Realtor, Aaron Dickinson and Jeff Allen, the research manager of the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors (MMAR) teamed up to find the answer. They created a report entitled Foreclosures and Short Sales in the Twin Cities Housing Market. This report shows that significantly more bank-owned and mediated homes are currently listed than two years ago…nearly 10 times more! The report also goes on to show that while the median sales price for the foreclosed homes are down almost 16%, homes sold by traditional sellers is only down about 3.5% from 2006 to 2008. 

This is awesome news for Twin Cities homeowners frightened that their largest single investment is draining in value daily as more foreclosures hit the market. Rest assured that while this changed housing market IS affecting the property values during this time of correction, we are not in a freefall throughout the metro area.

Other Real Estate Related Articles that might be of interest:

• Anoka County Foreclosures Rate Highest in Metro—How Does this Affect Homeowners?


• Why Some House Flips are Flops


• Think You are Ready to Buy a Foreclosed Home?—Take the Quiz!


• Foreclosure Disclosure—Do I Really Need An Inspection?


• Doctor! Doctor! Give Me the News! I’ve got a Bad Case of Real Estate Blues


• A Snapshot of Real Estate Across the Twin Cities and the US


• Real Estate Resolutions for Home Buyers and Sellers in Minnesota

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor to better understand this changed real estate market, 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 terieckholm.com

Are Homes Really a Good Investment?—Is NOW the time to Buy a House?

Annual housing numbers were released this week and there were no surprises that the housing market was down in 2007. I say there were no surprises because the double digit increases in value seen a few years ago throughout the Twin Cities and Minnesota could not continue. Everyone working in the real estate industry knew the market was ready to correct.

In the north and east metro counties (Anoka County, Chisago County and Washington County), I have notice the market correction building for the past few years. In the northern suburbs we feel the trend sooner than in the heart of the metro. So the slower market is no big news bulletin. **View Twin Cities Housing Statistics Here**

The real news is that the real estate market is poised to turn in the other direction. Who wouldn’t want to get in on the ground floor of a historically-solid performing entity?

Though real estate has peaks and valleys, it is still a good investment. Even with the recent price drop, Twin Cities home values are up significantly from where stood in the mid-1990’s. The astronomical, unrealistic pricing is gone but the core value is holding strong. Real Estate remains a good investment if people once again start treating it as such.

Glenn Dorfman of the Minnesota Association of Realtors (MAR) suggests we all look at the real estate market with a dose of realism. His recent podcast, “Not optimism, not pessimism, but REALISM...” explores the idea that everyone must look at real estate as the long term investment that it is.

Facts and common sense are what a strong real estate market is built on. Outrageous increases in property value are an abnormality in the market. Historically, housing has shown continuous, MODERATE increases. Due to the outrageous increases in the past decade, the market needed to correct.

So what does this mean to the average home owner? Think of your home purchase as a LONGTERM investment. Almost every financial planner I have ever met would strongly advise against ever borrowing against a 401K program. It is a long term investment for your retirement and the penalties are harsh if not repaid.

Borrowing against the equity in your home has similar consequences. So why would anyone think that removing equity from their home is a smart option?

So is NOW a good time to buy? In a word, Yes! Smart buyers will get in the game! Low interest rates, negotiating sellers and massive inventory give a savvy buyer options! There is no way of telling whether any market has hit bottom until the prices start going up again. Work with a Realtor, knowledgeable in your community to find a good deal!

As Dorfman says, “residential homes are long term investments in the same way that stocks are...flipping, greed and making fast money is mostly myth.”

*************************************************************************************************************

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/

Real Estate Resolutions for Home Buyers and Sellers in Minnesota

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/

And the Winner is….The One Who DIDN’T Enter!

Ever hear the saying, "You can’t win if you don’t enter?"

Well, maybe you can. Before you enter that next drawing at your local department store, sporting event, or county fair, think twice.

Yesterday, I was listening to a local radio program as I cruised home from showing homes listed throughout Forest Lake and Ham Lake. In between Christmas carols, the DeeJays were fielding phone calls from people who had been scammed.

One gal called in with a story that got my attention. She had entered to win a prize at Spookyworld, a Halloween event in the Twin Cities, a few years back. A few days after the event, she received a call announcing that she had won the grand prize. What she didn’t realize was the caller had stolen the box of entries. She was told to claim her prize they needed her personal information. I don’t know if it was to direct deposit a cash prize or to notify the IRS of her winnings, but she was asked for and provided personal account personal information. She was scammed for thousands of dollars and it took over two years to straighten out the mess.

We are all certain that we wouldn’t be dumb enough to give out a credit card or social security number…but would we? This lady was convinced the call was legitimate by the fast-talking scam artist. After all, the caller knew she had entered to win a specific prize at Spookyworld and the day she had entered. He was very good; she was totally convinced she had won.

As a Realtor, I have often thought of putting a prize drawing box into businesses to collect names of people interested in learning more about buying a first home or relocating to Anoka County, Minnesota. Now I am no longer certain that is a great idea.

What if someone took that box and pretended to be me? I would feel terrible if a similar situation occurred. From this point on, every time I collect names and addresses, I will be vigilant to protect them as this scam was an eye-opener. I have always protected my clients' personal information as if it were my own and potential clients are no less important to me.

If the box is not locked down, think twice about that entry. And if someone calls saying you won a prize, don’t give out ANY personal information over the phone. Be cautious. Don’t get caught up in the excitement of winning and lose your identity!


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 2007 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

A Snapshot of Real Estate Across the Twin Cities and the US

This week I took part in a real estate experiment of sorts. Actually it was more of a survey of days on the market (DOM) for homes sold across the US. Several of my colleagues and I are tired of the gloom and doom numbers being touted by the national media. While things are slower in certain areas of the nation, the overall numbers are not as bad as the talking heads on the nightly news suggest.

See, real estate is local. Remember the real estate mantra…Location. Location. Location? We have to consider the location to get a true picture of the real estate market place.

Based on this theory, Ashley Drake Gephart, Keller Williams Realtor in Albuquerque, New Mexico compiled current information from Realtors throughout the US for her post, US Real Estate Agents Weigh In. Ashley wanted honest numbers from communities across the nation from actual agents. So as she puts it, “without any fluff or twisting of numbers, here they are…”

Looking at these numbers without the added analysis from someone working the market, you might be concerned about a 248 DOM for November. But what I pointed out to Ashley is that Ham Lake is a very specific area in the north end of the Twin Cities. Only dozen or so properties sell each month. During November, three high-end properties were sold. These homes list priced at $475,000-$750,000 take a significantly longer time to sell as I have indicated in previous Ham Lake market posts. The fact that three high end properties sold in one month, though skewing the DOM, is actually a good sign for the Ham Lake market.

Here is a picture of how the Ham Lake DOM stacks up against the county DOM for the north and northeast Twin Cities metro:

**All Statistical information based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE of MINNESOTA, INC. for the period of 9/1/07 through 11/30/07.

DOM numbers are cumulative meaning that if a home was re-listed several times with the same or a different Realtor, ALL of the days on the market counted. It also includes every residential property whether in foreclosure or new construction; townhome or single family. When unique situations or designs are broken out, the numbers can change dramatically. Townhomes are taking longer to sell as are homes in foreclosure. New construction homes can be on the market for one day when a buyer sees a model but selects a different lot not currently MLS listed.

Note the other anomaly in Chisago County in October with a 229 DOM. Out of the 39 homes sold, one had a 1083 DOM. Yes, that is nearly 3 years! Some homes for whatever reason, can take that long to sell but it does not present a true picture of the market. Notice that in November, the Chisago County DOM was back to 130 days.

In my market, I tell people considering selling their home that the average time on the market in the north and northeast metro is approximately 4 months. The further from the Twin Cities and the higher your price, the longer it will take to sell your home. If your home is not in the optimal condition, it will take longer.

I also tell buyers looking to buy that first home or move into something bigger, it is a great time to buy! Just look at all of the options you have with so many great homes on the market AND low interest rates. A great combination for home buyers!

Bottomline here is this: If you want a true picture of the real estate market call an experienced Realtor who works in that community and ask. It’s not gloom and doom all over.

Need more information on the Albuquerque market or any of the other markets listed? Here are the links to the agents that provided the information for Ashley’s article.

• Ashley Drake Gephart Albuquerque NM real estate


• Missy Caulk Ann Arbor MI real estate


• Terry McDonald Charlotte NC market reports


• Cyndee Haydon Clearwater Beach FL real estate


• Chris Tesch College Station TX real estate


• Susie Roscoe Brandon, FL real estate


• Stephanie Edwards-Musa Houston, TX real estate


• Janis Gagliardi Port Orange, FL real estate
  

FEATURED Listings in Ham Lake and Forest Lake Minnesota:

• 3608 Woodland Drive, Ham Lake


• 20685 Georgia Ave N, Forest Lake

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 2007 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

Sticking with Home Buyers until the Dream is Reality

It’s a bright sunny early spring afternoon in 2006, my cell phone rings.
“Hi my name is Ben Johnson and you worked with my in-laws a few years back. They are in that great home in Scandia.”

“Sure, Ben, I know who you are. I spoke with your wife, Kim, a few years back but you weren’t ready to make a move then.”

“Well we are now! Could you show us a few homes tomorrow? We are interested in a few horse properties that are on the market in Isanti and Anoka Counties.”

“Great! I will set them up!”
So began the journey to the perfect home for the Johnson family. This story does have a very happy ending but the middle was rather a long drawn out process. Ben and Kim had a home to sell. When they sold their first home a decade before, it sold in a matter of days. Like most Twin Cities homeowners a few years ago, they were certain that their home would sell quickly, even in the slower market. Many people had said they were interested in the two-story, centrally located St. Paul home. But FSBO is not as easy as it would seem. After exhausting their contacts, they listed with me at the end of the summer of 2006.

From our first meeting, the Johnsons opted to sign a buyer’s representation agreement with me. I represented the couple in the search for their dream home. Kim and Ben’s dream was to live on acreage so they wouldn’t have to board their daughters’ horses. The Johnson’s wanted land to ride on and prairie views of beautiful private sunsets. Driving from North Branch to Linwood and Stacy to Scandia, we scoured the countryside. We found many perfect places for this family while they waited for their home to sell so they could write a non-contingent offer.

Over the holidays, the Johnsons chose to remove their home from the market. Their busy schedule included celebrating with a number of children and grandchildren. Showings didn’t fit in the plan. During the time their home was temporarily off of the MLS, a buyer contacted me as my sign was still in the yard. She was ready to buy and love the home from the outside and the photos online. The day the house re-listed, she wrote an offer which was accepted.

Of course this was the first big snowstorm of 2007 and the Johnsons and I trekked out in the elements to see new homes. After viewing properties from East Bethel to Chisago, the perfect home was found in Forest Lake. Unfortunately, the person buying their home wasn't a good buyer; the earnest money check bounced. So we were back to the drawing board.

A few weeks into March and my clients were more dedicated than ever to find the perfect home. Kim and Ben had just had a new roof put on the house and made every repair recommended by the truth-in-housing inspector. They decided to offer a warranty on their home so a new buyer wouldn’t have to worry about an older dryer or boiler. They lowered their list price and showings picked up. The home they had their eyes on in Forest Lake sold but new homes were coming on the market to consider.

As spring turned to summer, my clients were home sellers frustrated with the market. The Johnsons dropped the price again. Weeks later, we were contacted by an agent that another offer was coming in. Out we headed again to find a perfect place to call home. This time there were homes in Scandia, Stacy, Columbus, North Branch and Linwood to consider. Again a perfect Scandia home was located.

The offer did arrive by fax the next day. It was from an investor who wanted to close within days. When the sellers countered with a new closing date, the investor rejected the counteroffer and bought a different home. A week later the Scandia home went into pending. Another dream faded away.

As August approached, Ben and Kim remained positive and determined to have a new home for the school year. Another price adjustment and another offer came in. Third time was definitely the charm!

Now, it was crunch time! A perfect horse property was available. It was a second choice to the Scandia home. An offer was written, accepted and on a bright sunny fall afternoon, both homes closed. Their dream was finally a reality.

See, the lesson here is a professional Realtor is in it with you for the long haul. I stuck with my clients through flighty buyers and a rough market. I showed them homes in four counties and several communities for over a year until the timing was right.

When I checked in on the Johnson family a few weeks after closing, Kim and Ben were happy with their new home. Of course there were hiccups that need to be resolved but overall the family was satisfied and at home. Their children were adjusting well, the horses were grazing in the back and life was returning to a new normal on 10 acres in the country.

This is why I am a Realtor. I make dreams reality no matter how long it takes.

*The story is true though in interest of my clients’ privacy, I did change the names.


More Articles on Buying Real Estate that might be of interest:
Are You a BUBBA?
Rent VS Buy? It's Time to Revisit the Question!
How to Choose a Realtor—Why a Good Friend is Not Always a Good Option
How to Choo-Choose a Realtor and Avoid a Train Wreck!

****************************************************************************

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 2007 www.terieckholm.com

Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions—Hometown Version: The North St. Paul Snowman

North St. Paul in the 1970’s was a typical small town suburb. It was family and kid-friendly. We could walk to downtown North St. Paul (or “uptown” as my best friend, Roxanne, called it ) for a Coke at Perrault’s Ice Cream Shop, a hamburger at Mac’s Dinette or a plate of hot fries at Village Pizza. Downtown has changed as only Village Pizza remains from those days but the wonderful huge, iconic snowman remains.

Originally this guy was constructed behind the old bank building on the corner of 7th and Margaret. I remember when the first rebar steel was set in cement resembling a round cage that motorcycle daredevils use in the circus. We would stand inside and try to figure out what the heck it was going to be. I think it was years before the snowman finally took shape and became the icon that it is today.

The move of the snowman in the early 90’s to its current location at the corner of Highway 36 and Margaret is just as memorable. It was so large that it was moved in two pieces. The snowman sat headless for months on the side of the road. Its smiling face just yards away from his two snowball bottom. Finally, the city heard the plea of a resident to “Please Put Frosty’s Head Back On!” in the Review!

Only in Minnesota!

Look for other Hometown and Homeowner Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions in upcoming posts.

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage properties! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 www.terieckholm.com

Is NOW a Good Time to Buy a Twin Cities Home? YES!!

CNBC’s Jim Kramer may have ignored one of the cardinal rules of real estate last week. Location, Location, Location. Many in real estate industry have heard and discussed the infamous statement “now is the absolute worst time to buy!” made by Kramer last week during a segment on national real estate.

At Keller Williams our co-founder and chairman had something to add to the debate in our weekly newsletter. His comments are timely and I believe more accurate. Keller points out three key problems with a blanket statement on the national real estate market. Here’s what Keller has to say about waiting out the current market:

First, residential real estate is not a national market product — it
is a local one. To say from a national position that this is either a good time
or a bad time to buy real estate is like saying the national forecast for the
U.S. today is 92 degrees — it is a useless and irrelevant perspective. What is
happening in your local market is all that matters.

Second, trying
to predict when it is a good time to buy, or not, means you’re trying to time
the market. Staying on the sidelines is the surest way for most people to never
time anything correctly.

Last, and maybe most important — there are
always two markets in every market. There is the market of properties that are
good buys and there is the market of properties that are not a good buys.
Interestingly enough, this is true in either buyer or seller markets. To
categorically say that this is the time to buy or not is absolutely ignoring the
fact that every market really has two markets inside it.

All three points are valid in the Twin Cities real estate market. There are a handful of communities in the southwest metro where homes continue to sell a few days or weeks after being posted on the MLS. These areas have seen modest appreciation this past year while most Minneapolis and St. Paul suburbs have been flat. Some have even seen slight depreciation. Homes in the Twin Cities metro are taking an average of 4 months to sell but the days-on-market stats for Linwood and North Branch are definitely longer than for homes in White Bear Lake and Maplewood.

As a Realtor working in Ham Lake and the Forest Lake school district, I would never make a blanket statement regarding the whole Twin Cities. But Kramer made a statement regarding the market across the entire US. When I am asked by potential clients if it is a good time to buy a home in the north and east metro of the Twin Cities, the answer is “Yes”.

As Keller states, there are two markets in every market and this is truer than ever currently in the Twin Cities. There are many homes that are over priced. Short-sale homes where the sellers are upside-down on the financing, owing more than the home is worth. Those are not necessarily a good deal. Likewise there are always a few sellers in every market that have higher expectations than what buyers in the marketplace want to pay. Those homes should be avoided.

But what I am seeing in the Twin Cities market is a good portion of sellers WANT and NEED to sell their homes. When sellers want to sell, the homes are in tiptop condition, priced incredibly well. And, sellers are willing to negotiate. Builders are having unprecedented incentives and price concessions so a new construction dream home can be a great buy too.

To find that well priced, dream home in the Twin Cities, it is imperative that buyers work with a Realtor. Through market analysis and experience, a real estate professional will help you determine which category a home falls; overpriced or good value. Just like we have done in every market—buyer, seller or in-between—for years.



If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage properties! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 www.terieckholm.com/

Buyers Continue to Have the Upper Hand in the Twin Cities Real Estate Market

The Statistics are out for August and the numbers show that in the 13 County Twin Cities metro, home buyers continue to have the edge over sellers in the real estate market. Affordability is up. Closed sale prices are down. Home inventory per buyers remains in the 10 to 1 range. The good news for sellers is that homes are continuing to sell but at lower prices.

Opportunity is knocking. Have you seen the new ads by the Twin Cities Builders Association? In the television spot, there are doorknockers gone wild--knocking endlessly to get out the message that it is time for buyers to buy. It is more than a promotion for their new blog/website, it emphasizes the fact that the market hasn’t been this good for buyers in years. Buying now is a great investment opportunity.
Compound the increased inventory with the Federal Reserve cutting the interest rates by half a percentage point yesterday; it is an awesome time for buyers to step into homeownership!
As a Realtor working in the north metro counties of Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington, I see these trends first hand. From Ham Lake to White Bear Lake and Blaine to Forest Lake, homes are selling when sellers take the time to prepare the home for sale AND price properly. With an abundance of inventory on the housing market, buyers have literally dozens of options. Overwhelmed, they will weed out the overpriced, overlook homes with bad photos, and take time to consider all options prior to writing an offer.


2 truths of the current real estate market:

1. It is a Great Time to Buy a Home!


2. Selling a Home takes Preparation, Patience and Willingness to Negotiate.

AWESOME Featured Listings:

• 1988 Robin Lane N, Centerville, MN 55038
• 3608 Woodland Dr. NE, Ham Lake MN 55304
• 20685 Georgia Ave N, Forest Lake, MN 55025

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage properties! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 www.terieckholm.com/

Century College—Community Asset in So Many Ways!

Most people living in the communities of White Bear Lake, Oakdale, Mahtomedi and North St. Paul are aware of Century College and the asset it is to the community. Some long time residents still refer to the college by its original names of 916 Vo-Tech and Lakewood Community College (though now referred to as the east and west campus, respectively). Almost every area residents knows one, if not dozens, of attendees and graduates of this educational facility in northeastern Ramsey County.

Certainly Twin Citians are all aware of the wonderful educational opportunities at Century College. But some may not be as aware of the wonderful services offered on campus to the community. Here is just a sample of how Century College gives back to the communities in the North Metro.

Lunch Anyone? Two campus cafeterias offer affordable and delicious lunch entrees including soups, chili, pizza, beverages, and desserts. The campus setting is alive with people of all ages from around the community as the public is always welcome. If you’re and early riser, breakfast is available too! Having a Party? Check out the catering service. For more information, please call 651-779-3482.

Manicure, Pedicure, Facial or New Hairstyle? All are available without the high salon pricing. Call 651-779-5756 for an appointment.

Brighten Your Smile! Teeth cleaning, whitening, x-rays, sealants and fluoride treatments are available on campus. To make an appointment or for additional information, call 651-779-5794.

Busy Bees Child Care Center Children aged 33 months to 11 years can be enrolled for part-time, full-time or hourly child care in the on-campus center. Care is available during the school year and much of the summer for children of students and members of the community on a space available basis. If space permits, drop-in care can be arranged. Call 651-779-3468 for additional information.

Check Out a Good Book The two campus libraries, one on the east campus and one on the west, are open to the public and books can be checked out with your community library card.

Need a High Quality Video to Promote Your Business? The Media Production Services can assist you to create a high impact ad without the high cost. Consultations are FREE! Call 651-779-3370 to set up an appointment.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side! Or just the Scenic Wood Duck Trail. Skate, jog or stroll down the public nature trail that winds through the wildlife area of the west campus.

Featured Real Estate Listings available near Century College:

• 2335 Cedar Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110
• 1988 Robin Lane N, Centerville, MN 55038

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage properties! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 www.terieckholm.com/

Twin Cities Forecast Calls for Excessive Heat--Dial 211 for Safety Tips

The summer heat will be cranking up again in the Twin Cities area this next week. Starting tomorrow a 7-10 day stretch of extreme heat 90+ is forecasted for the Twin Cities.

The United Way wants to get the word out that assistance is just a phone call away. For tips on how to deal with the heat, residents of the Twin Cities metro can dial 211 on a land line to be connected with the First Call for Help information line. Operators are trained and ready to answer callers’ questions on where they can go for to escape the heat, what are the symptoms of heat stroke and tips on the best ways to cool off. Stay cool and stay safe in the heat!
Cell phone user? Call 651-291-0211.
And don’t forget that kids and pets should not be left in hot vehicles in this weather…Cars heat up very quickly and can be deadly!

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage properties! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 www.terieckholm.com/

Hello 811? I have a Date with a Fence Post!

Is a new fence on your list of projects to beautify your home? How about landscaping the yard with a few new trees? Maybe you plan to replace your mailbox. Whatever the project, if you need to dig, you need to know about 811.

As a Realtor in the northeast Twin Cities Metro area, I know it is time for spring and summer landscaping projects. Whether it is home owner replacing that worn rusty mailbox with a shiny new one prior to listing their house or that brand new buyer wanting to plant trees to landscape their new home, shovels will be coming out in full force. Before you install that white picket fence of yesteryear in your backyard, you have one important call to make; Call 811 and know what’s below.

Making a risky assumption of where a utility line is can be very expensive. It can hit the homeowner in the pocketbook for repair costs and potential fines. It can cause entire neighborhoods to be without service. And most importantly, it can put the homeowner and others in physical danger and even cost lives. Every digging project requires a call to 811—No matter how small!
In an effort to help property owners across the U. S. dig safely, the Federal Communications Commission designated the 811 abbreviated dialing code as the only number to remember before excavation projects. It is a way to effectively replace all the various 10-digit local numbers used prior. Making it easy will help property owners remember to make the call.

Here is the painless process:

1. If you plan to dig or excavate, call 811 at least two business days before you plan to start your project. This call will alert Gopher State One Call in Minnesota to have all underground public utilities marked with no charge to you. That’s right! The service is completely FREE! (Note that if you live in the country and have private lines underground to garages or other outbuildings, these will not be marked.) Not in MN, no problem. 811 will connect your call to the local utility marking service.



2. Wait the required two working days to allow all utility companies sufficient time to mark their lines.



3. Respect the flags, stakes and/or painted lines that indicate underground utilities.



4. Dig with care and avoid all marked areas. Hand dig only within 18 inches of any marker.

So enjoy summer! Landscape and dig to your hearts content. Just remember to Dial 811 first!

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage properties! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.


Copyright 2007 terieckholm.com