The News is IN! Homebuyers Wanting a Good Deal Need to Move Now!

Just two weeks into 2013 and you’re thinking this is the year to make that move. The Minneapolis St Paul real estate market is on the move again so it you are planning to get that “bargain of the century”. Well, maybe you should have bought last year. Check out the recent Pioneer Press article, which outlines the Twin Cities year to year sales statistics. Prices are on the rise. But there are still deals out there for buyers, even if you do not want a foreclosure or short sale.

Chart from 1/11/13 Pioneer Press article by John Welbes

Traditional sellers are getting houses on the market early this year. What is a traditional seller? Those are the people who own a house and have enough equity to sell it without having a bank involved. Many traditional sellers have been hiding in the woodwork so to speak for the past few years when prices were so unbelievably low. Now that they are on the rise again, they are ready. Homeowners have spent the past few years updating and repairing their properties so they would shine in a changed market. When a traditional seller gets a showing, the home is a joy to enter with a shoveled walk, warm temperature in the home and sometimes a cookie on the counter. When a traditional seller gets an offer, they respond quickly. It’s a joy to work with a traditional seller when buying a home.

So what should a potential home buyer do if they want to make a move in 2013?

• Get PREAPPROVED. Those updated cozy homes offered by traditional sellers are getting multiple offers. Sellers want to know that you can buy the home when they receive the offer. Having a preapproval from a professional, educated loan officer means you will not miss the change to put in an offer on your dream home. Even if you tried to get approved before but were denied, it could be worth talking to a loan officer again. Mortgage preapprovals are up 11% …And the best news, rates are still at all time lows! (If you are not sure where to get pre-approved, call or email me as I have some great contacts!)
• Work with a REALTOR® It is not the time to run around willy-nilly calling every agent that has a home listed to see the property thinking you could save money. While you are trying to connect with the agent of the perfect home that just listed, another REALTOR® could be showing the home to a preapproved buyer who could write an offer that day. Having your own agent, doesn’t cost anything in most cases but can get you into any home on the MLS that you want to see. Plus you can build up a rapport so when it comes time to write your offer, you know your agent is on your side.

What should a potential home seller do if they take advantage of this 2013 momentum?

• LIST NOW! Don’t wait until spring. You will get the best price for your home the earlier you list it. There is less competition now but there are many, many homebuyers in the market. Take advantage of this opportunity!

 

Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

It’s Not Too Late! Make a Real Estate Resolution for 2013

As 2012 came to a close the media was continuing to exalt the good news of a strengthening real estate market in the Minneapolis St Paul area. Home sellers that have their houses priced right are seeing multiple offers again. Home buyers  hoping to take advantage of the extremely low interest rates are starting to struggle to find the perfect new home. Many were confused because the internet sites are full of affordable listings but time and time again when their agent checked availability of the “PERFECT” home, it was “under contract waiting for third party approval”. Yes there are still short sales on the MLS, along with foreclosures…but the pricing isn’t as low as a few months ago. Town homes, single family, split levels, ramblers, two stories, remodels, foreclosures, short sales and new construction are now starting to slowly rise in cost across the Twin Cities.

As a REALTOR® serving White Bear Lake, Lino Lakes, Blaine, 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. Traditional sellers were starting to see their homes being snatched up shortly after listing. Buyers found themselves in multiple offer situations and had to learn that “highest and best” could mean 10-20% above the price listed in the MLS. Negotiations were made and offers accepted. The Minneapolis St Paul metro area’s  real estate market took another positive step toward becoming balanced at the end of 2012.

So what does that mean for those considering purchasing a home or selling their property in 2013? From Ham Lake to Forest Lake and East Bethel to East St Paul we should strive to keep building a strong foundation to our real estate market. Keeping the property value base strong is essential to all Minnesotans. In 2013, we should all Resolve to be Real Estate Savvy!

Resolutions for Sellers

*Team up with a professional REALTOR®

*Price your home right from the start
*Make repairs before listing
*Declutter
*Make each showing count by staging

*Buyers are more educated so be willing to negotiate

Resolutions for Buyers

*Team up with a trusted REALTOR®

*Get Pre-approved and check in with your Loan Officer regularly

*Write realistic offers that encourage negotiation.

*Understand that a well-priced home will sell quickly, often with multiple offers

*Realize that a foreclosure and/or short sale property has many risks that will be assumed by the buyer. Inspections are essential.

Resolutions for Homeowners

*Even if 2013 won’t be the year for you to sell, there are things every homeowner should be doing to retain property value.
*Maintain the interior and exterior of your home by making 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®
*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 do cheap repairs and expect big rewards. 2013 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 home buyers, home sellers, homeowners, investors and real estate professionals alike work together to maintain momentum we saw in the market at the end of 2012, the new year could bring continued recovery for the Minneapolis St Paul real estate market.

Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com