Rethink the Bridal Registry! A Dream HOME Could Make the Happy Couple VERY Happy!

When I was married we didn't have a fun barcode readers to capture and share our favorite towels, toasters and china patterns but they seem to make life simple for today's bride and groom. But wouldn't it be awesome to point that thing beyond the department store wares and head out to the nearest neighborhood of cozy bungalows and tag something that a the happy couple also needs, their first home? Imagine engaged couples browsing the internet listings on realtor.com or dropping by an open house and using a scanner to click the QR-type code on their favorite new home so the front door key could be handed over as the bride is carried over the threshold. AWESOME idea, right?

It is an off-the-wall idea but couples getting married this year may have a tough time finding first time buyer financing. Zero down loans have all but disappeared from the landscape and first time buyers need cash in their pockets to put toward a new home. As mortgage programs continue to change and evolve, it is essential to save for that down payment. A forward thinking young couple might want to divert some of their wedding funds and gifts into an investment in a new home, in which they can begin their lives together.
 Buyers wanting to purchase this spring will NEED a down payment for a house. Not just a few bucks either. In most cases a buyer will require a minimum of 3-5% to put down. With an average Minnesota starter home in the $175,000 price range, today's brides and grooms will need to save at least $5,000-$10,000, plus closing costs.

All is not lost for first time buyers, but a little forward thinking is in order. There is a lot of money involved in most weddings; both on the party planning and the gift recipient side. A savvy bride and groom might be able to figure away to have the perfect wedding AND a dream home.

New Home Gift Registry Young couples getting married register for gifts to let their friends and family know exactly what they want and need. If you need a house, why not let your guests know? Maybe the insert in the wedding invitation should read:“The couple is registered for a small number of necessities at Target, JC Penneys and Macys. If you would prefer not to shop, they are also saving for a down payment for a new home and would a appreciate monetary gift toward their dream.”
I don’t know what Miss Manner’s would say about but I think a financial wiz like Suze Orman would applaud the idea.

Wedding Budget With the average dream wedding going for over $20,000, maybe a little arranging of the budget is in order. Those saved dollars from the dream wedding can go toward that dream home instead. Now, I am not suggesting "cheaping out" on anything or everything. But it would be prudent to take a look at where you can economize on your budget. Maybe you can go fore go the fancy invitations or select a less expensive dress. Is it possible the honeymoon trip to Hawaii would be a better choice for your fifth anniversary and a road trip to Duluth, MN to create newlywed memories along the north shore of Lake Superior could be considered instead? Whether on wedding details, reception or the honeymoon, if just 25% could be saved on the average wedding, approximately $5000 cash that could go toward your dream home.

So brides and grooms start thinking about your future lives together and create a plan for your dream home. Though those scanners will not work outside of the department stores, I do! As a professional REALTOR® , I have helped many young couples find the first home of their dreams. I know the north and east Twin Cities housing market and can help you spot a deal whether want a dream home in Maplewood, Forest Lake or Blaine. I will assist you in writing a fair offer and negotiate a deal so your dream can become a reality. And having your OWN agent doesn't cost you any additional fees--The seller pays my commission! Working with an agent to find your first home, takes the stress out of the home buying process so you can focus on making your wedding day special rather than moving in details too. 

Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

Bridal Registry Out of the Box! Newlyweds Want Dream Home!

Why can't a bride and groom take that little bar code scanner from Target or Macy's and scan a photo of a new home instead? I know couples need the department store stuff like blenders, coffee makers and blankets but they will need a first home too!  

What if brides and grooms could  browse the internet listings on any real estate website or drop by a neighborhood open house and use a special "dream home scanner" to click on a favorite home. Then they could receive the keys to their dream home just in time to be carried over the threshold. THAT, my friends, would be a fairy tale ending or beginning; a really start to happily ever after.

It may sound off the wall but newlyweds are going to face a tougher time finding a loan without a down payment.  Zero down loans have all but disappeared from the landscape and first time buyers will need cash in their pockets to put toward a new home. As mortgage programs continue to change and evolve, it has become imperative to save for that down payment. Forward thinking young people might want to divert some of their wedding funds and gifts into an investment in real estate.

In this changed real estate market, new home buyers NEED a down payment for a house. Not just a few bucks either. In most cases a buyer will require a minimum of 3-5% to put down. Minnesota starter homes run about $150,000 in the north and east Twin Cities metro. So,  newlyweds today will need to save up a minimum of $5,000-$10,000, plus closing costs before making a first home purchase.

All is not lost for first time buyers, but a little forward thinking is in order. There is a lot of money involved in most weddings; both on the party planning and the gift recipient side. A savvy bride and groom might be able to devise a plan to have the perfect wedding AND a dream home.

New Home Gift Registry Young couples getting married register for gifts to let their friends and family know exactly what they want and need. If you need a house, why not let your guests know? How about adding a note to the invitation stating your gift preference?

“The couple is registered for a small number of necessities at Target and Macys. If you would prefer not to shop, they are also saving for a down payment for a new home and would a appreciate monetary gift toward their dream.”

I don’t know what Miss Manner’s would say about but I think a financial wiz like Suze Orman would applaud the idea.

Wedding Budget With the average wedding pushing $20,000, maybe a little rearranging of the budget could be a way to find some funds. Those saved dollars from the perfect wedding can go toward that dream home instead. Now, I am not suggesting going the bargain basement route on anything and everything, just economize where it makes sense. Maybe you can go opt for less fancy invitations or choose a less expensive dress. Maybe that cruise to the Caymans would be a better choice for a future anniversary and a honeymoon in Duluth, MN creating newlywed memories along the north shore of Lake Superior would be be a budget friendly change. Whether on wedding details, reception or the honeymoon, saving 25% of an average wedding bill would be $5000 cash toward a new home.

So young couples start planning your future with a plan for your dream home too! While the current technology does not allow a scanner to work outside of a department store, I do! Adjust the budget to come up with the down payment and I can assist you with finding your dream home.

As a professional REALTOR®, I have helped many young couples find their first home.. I know the north and east Twin Cities metro area and can help you spot a dream home deal whether you are looking in Lino Lakes, Blaine, Andover or anywhere in the Forest Lake school district. I can assist you in writing a fair offer and negotiate a deal so your dream can become a reality. And (more budget friendly advice here)....Having your OWN agent doesn't cost you any additional fees--The seller pays my commission! Working with an agent to find your first home, takes the stress out of the home buying process so you can focus on making your wedding day special rather than moving in details too. 

Copyright 2012 Teri Eckholm 

Rethink the Bridal Registry! Today's Bride & Groom Want a First HOME!

Wouldn’t it be great to take one of those little barcode readers beyond the department store towels, toasters and flat screens and head out to the nearest neighborhood of cozy bungalows and tag something that a new bride and groom really need, their first home? Imagine browsing the internet listings on realtor.com or dropping by a Sunday Open House and using that scanner to click on your favorite new home so you could receive the front door key just in time to be carried over the threshold. Only in a perfect world, right?

I know it is a crazy idea but brides and grooms getting married this year are going to face a tougher time finding a loan as first time buyers. Zero down loans have all but disappeared from the landscape and first time buyers will need cash in their pockets to put toward a new home. As mortgage programs continue to change and evolve, there is a reality to saving for that down payment. A forward thinking young couple might want to divert some of their wedding funds and gifts into an real estate investment in which they can begin their lives together.

In this changed real estate market, new home buyers NEED a down payment for a house. Not just a few bucks either. In most cases a buyer will require a minimum of 3-5% to put down. With an average Minnesota starter home in the $175,000 price range, today's brides and grooms will need to save at least $5,000-$10,000, plus closing costs.

All is not lost for first time buyers, but a little forward thinking is in order. There is a lot of money involved in most weddings; both on the party planning and the gift recipient side. A savvy bride and groom might be able to figure away to have the perfect wedding AND a dream home.

New Home Gift Registry Young couples getting married register for gifts to let their friends and family know exactly what they want and need. If you need a house, why not let your guests know? Maybe the insert in the wedding invitation should read:“The couple is registered for a small number of necessities at Target, JC Penneys and Macys. If you would prefer not to shop, they are also saving for a down payment for a new home and would a appreciate monetary gift toward their dream.”
I don’t know what Miss Manner’s would say about but I think a financial wiz like Suze Orman would applaud the idea.

Wedding Budget With the average dream wedding going for over $20,000, maybe a little arranging of the budget is in order. Those saved dollars from the dream wedding can go toward that dream home instead. Now, I am not suggesting 'cheaping out" on anything or everything, just take a look at where you can economize on your budget. Maybe you can go forego the fancy invitations or select a less expensive dress. Maybe that trip to Hawaii would be a better choice for your fifth anniversary and a road trip to Duluth, MN to create newlywed memories along the north shore of Lake Superior should be considered instead. Whether on wedding details, reception or the honeymoon, a 25% savings on the average wedding is $5000 cash that could go toward your dream home.

So brides and grooms start thinking about your future lives together and create a plan for your dream home. Though those scanners will not work outside of the a department store, I do! As a professional REALTOR, I have helped many young couples find the first home of their dreams. I know the north and east Twin Cities housing market and can help you spot a deal whether you are looking in Forest Lake or Andover. I will assist you in writing a fair offer and negotiate a deal so your dream can become a reality. And having your OWN agent doesn't cost you any additional fees--The seller pays my commission! Working with an agent to find your first home, takes the stress out of the home buying process so you can focus on making your wedding day special rather than moving in details too.

I

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm

Rethinking the 2008 Bridal Registry—China, Silver and a New Home?

Wouldn’t it be great to take one of those little barcode readers beyond Target’s towels, toasters and flat screens and head out to the nearest neighborhood and tag something that a new bride and groom really need, their first home? Shopping the Parade of Homes or at a Sunday Open House, you could click on your favorites and receive the front door key just in time to be carried over the threshold. Only in a perfect world, right?

I know it is a crazy idea but brides and grooms getting married this year are going to face a tougher time finding a loan as first time buyers. Zero down loans have all but disappeared from the landscape and first time buyers will need cash in their pockets to put toward a new home. As mortgage programs continue to change and evolve over the next year, there is a reality to saving for that down payment. A forward thinking young couple might want to divert some of their wedding funds and gifts into an real estate investment in which they can begin their lives together.

Starting this year, new home buyers are going to NEED a down payment for a house. Not just a few bucks either. In most cases a buyer will require a minimum of 3-5% to put down. With an average Minnesota starter home in the $200,000 price range, 2008 brides and grooms will need to save at least $6,000-$10,000, plus closing costs.

But all is not lost for first time buyers, but a little forward thinking is in order. There is a lot of money involved in most weddings; both on the party planning and the gift recipient side. A savvy bride and groom might be able to figure away to have the perfect wedding AND a dream home.

New Home Gift Registry Young couples getting married register for gifts to let their friends and family know exactly what they want and need. If you need a house, why not let your guests know? Maybe the insert in the wedding invitation should read:

“The couple is registered for a small number of necessities at Target, JC Penneys and Macys. If you would prefer not to shop, they are also saving for a down payment for a new home and would a appreciate monetary gift toward their dream.”

I don’t know what Miss Manner’s would say about but I think a financial wiz like Susie Orman would applaud the idea.

Wedding Budget With the average dream wedding going for over $20,000, maybe a little arranging of the budget is in order. Those saved dollars from the dream wedding can go toward that dream home instead. Now, I am not suggesting cheaping out on anything or everything, just take a look at where you can economize on your budget. Maybe you can go forego the fancy invitations or select a less expensive dress. Maybe that trip to Hawaii would be a better choice for your fifth anniversary and a road trip to the Duluth to create newlywed memories along the north shore of Lake Superior should be considered instead. Whether on wedding details, reception or the honeymoon, a 25% savings on the average wedding is $5000 cash that could go toward your dream home.

So brides and grooms start thinking about your future lives together and create a plan for your dream home. Though those scanners will not work outside of the Parade of Homes, I do! As a professional Realtor, I have helped many young couples find the home of their dreams. I know the north and east Twin Cities housing market and can help you spot a deal from Forest Lake to Andover. I will assist you in writing a fair offer and negotiate a deal so your dream can become a reality. Working with an agent to find your first home, takes the stress out of the home buying process so you can focus on preparing for your big day.



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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/