Monday, February 17, 2014

Ten Tips to Consider When Buying a Minnesota Vintage Home

Vintage homes are very prevalent throughout the Minneapolis and St Paul metro area. Whether in a big city or small community, there are many homes that come on the market that were built at the turn of the century...20th Century that is. To own a piece of history can be a powerful draw to home buyers. Some like the history and some fall in love with the unique rooms, window sizes, dormers, front porches, attics, stone fireplaces and hand crafted woodwork. Finding an affordable vintage home that has been properly maintained and updated can be challenge. Sometimes the search can take a home buyer across the Twin Cities metro area from MacGroveland or Highland areas in St. Paul to homes along the St. Croix River in Stillwater to quaint neighborhoods in North St. Paul. And there are acreage properties with classic farm and vintage barns scattered throughout Anoka and Washington county too.
There are historic homes in every style and price point in the north and east Twin Cities Metro. Whether you seek a lovely old duplex, traditional two story or grand Victorian mansion (the original executive home), there are some key considerations in purchasing a vintage home.
  1. Updated with Style—Not current style but did the updates reflect the style of the era when the vintage home was originally constructed. If the updates to the home do not blend well with original home, the value of the home can be compromised.
  2. Upgraded Plumbing and Electrical—If the furnace resembles and octopus and you need fuses for the electrical panel, there will be major updates required to the home at some time in the future. 
  3. Charming Windows—Decorative leaded glass and stained glass windows are beautiful. Many vintage homes will not only have beautiful window details but often there will be odd sized windows too. While this adds to the charm, it costs to have custom windows replaced. 
  4. Odd Sized Doors—Just like with the windows, often doors are not a standard size. This can lead to additional expense when repairing and/or replacing a door as it will have to be cut to measure. 
  5. Mouldings & Trim—Beautiful woodwork can be one of the attractions of a vintage home but like other features, mouldings, columns and wood trims were often custom. These can be irreplaceable if damaged. Yes, almost anything can be replaced but the cost would be astronomical to have replaced with the same quality of hand workmanship.
  6. A Good Foundation—When homes were constructed a century ago, there wasn’t a building code or city inspector. Often a corner of a home would be a “root” cellar without a foundation wall or floor. Sometimes the builder would just skim a thin layer of cement over the wall to make it look nice rather than use cement blocks. Though they have stood fordecades, walls can deteriorate over time. 
  7. Garages and Sheds—Very few families owned cars or the lawn equipment we require today so when vintage houses were constructed there often weren’t garages. Look closely at any older detached garage as many can be unstable. Finding a vintage home with an attached garage means it was probably added on as a remodel. If this is the case, make certain it fits well with the existing structure of the home. 
  8. Closets—Homes in the early 1900’s were insured by the number of doors so bedrooms were often constructed without closets. Some closets or dressers were added later under the eaves in the upstairs of a home. Because people did not have the extensive wardrobes that we have today, closets were much smaller than what is expected today. 
  9. Original Hardwood Flooring—Properly refinished and maintained, vintage hardwood can be extremely beautiful and a top feature of the home. If the home has carpeting, what is the best way to check to see if the flooring underneath is hardwood ? Start by opening a closet or check the edge of the floor under a vent for clues as to what might be underneath.
  10. Fireplaces and Chimneys—While beautiful and a focal point, be certain to have any original brick or stone fireplace inspected by a professional chimney expert prior to purchase. Over time bricks can loosen and linings crack which can be costly to repair.
This list is not all inclusive but a starting point of things to consider when searching for a vintage house to call home. The charm of a historical home is that it was crafted by hand and not necessarily perfectly constructed.


 
Copyright 2014 www.terieckholm.com

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Real Estate Word of the Day--Septic System

Buying a home is often a once or twice in a lifetime experience. There are often lots of things to learn. Buying a home on acreage has it's own set of unique terms that the average city-dweller might not have heard before. 
From time to time I am surprised that a simple term I use everyday as a REALTOR® is like a foreign language to some home buyers. It is not unusual to see a glazed look come into a buyer’s eyes when I talked about escrow or earnest money but also when I mention well water, septic systems and compliance tests. The confusion is totally understandable because most home buyers do not buy houses on acreage everyday.

There are so many terms that could possibly confuse a home buyer that I thought an online glossary of real estate terms might be helpful. So I am continuing my series of posts for the first time homebuyer with explanations of the most often used (and sometimes confusing) real estate terms. This way you can skip buying that big “how to buy a house” book or attending that
First Time Home Buyer Class and have a quick resource at your fingertips. Today’s Real Estate Term is:

Septic System—If a home is not connected to a public sewer, there will be a private system that will hold and/or process the waste called a septic system. There are several types of systems. They can be a holding tank where all the waste must be pumped out or a tank that releases the waste water back into the environment via a drain field or mound. A private septic system can be owned by the individual property owner or shared by a number of homes. 

It is important to know what type of septic system is on a property. All systems will require maintenance but the type of system, indicates to a buyer how often the maintenance will have to take place and how much it will cost. Shared systems usually are part of an association where fees are collected on a periodic basis to pay for pumping out and maintaining the sewage system. 

It is also important to understand what can and cannot go into a private sewer system in order to keep it in the best condition possible. The cost to replace a private septic system can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Proper maintenance and care can extend the life of the system by many years.  For additional information check out the University of Minnesota Extension Service's guide to Understanding Your Septic System.
 

Copyright 2014 www.terieckholm.com

Friday, January 24, 2014

Is Buying a Home a Good Investment in 2014?

How good of an investment is a home in 2014?" This question can be a tough one to answer in this slowly stabilizing economy. A couple of decades ago, the answer was a no-brainer. Buying a home had been regarded one of the safest  and most important investments a person could make. Owning a home was equated to realizing the American Dream. But now first time buyers can be confused even as home values and average sales prices have rebounded. Many potential homebuyers continue to wonder,  "Is home ownership a solid financial investment?
 The National Association of Home Builders posed that question in a 2012 survey and MOST AMERICANS answered a resounding, YES!   "74 percent said that despite the ups and downs in the housing market, owning a home is the best long-term investment they can make." That is 3 out of 4 voting Americans who still believe in the value of home ownership!

And I agree,  buying a home is a wise investment. I make this statement not just because I am a REALTOR®, but because I, too, am a homeowner. The key to successful home ownership is to treat your home like the investment it is. It takes discipline and time for any investment to grow in value. And like any other investment, whether it is a stock, bond, mutual fund or a home,if you have to sell in a down market,  you might not realize as much profit as you may have expected.

Key Points to Buying a Home as an Investment
 
There are several things to consider when investing in your first home. Don't buy just with your heart, buy with your head too.
  • Buy Smart
**Price **Interest Rate **Type of Mortgage **Resale Potential **Equity Builder?
  • Maintain and Protect Your Investment
**Home maintenance **Insurance
  • Don’t Put in Your Asset in Jeopardy
The best way to have a healthy balance sheet when you sell your home is to Buy Smart in the first place. Buying smart is not just about getting the home at an extremely low price. It also means getting a mortgage that you can afford. Consider a fixed rate loan rather than an adjustable rate, so it doesn't fluctuate into something that you cannot afford. Interest rates are still at very low rates. The first thing I recommend to my homebuyers is to talk to a knowledgeable loan officer and find out what options are available. There are hundreds of special programs out there and an experienced loan officer can help you find the best for your situation.

But buying smart goes beyond the price paid and the loan used to finance a first home. It is also buying with resale in mind. Many, who purchased homes in the price climbing frenzy of a few years ago, snatched up any home they could after submitting multiple purchase agreements on several homes. They often overlooked an unusual floor plan or that the home was railroad tracks with several trains passing by at all times of the day and night. They adjusted their needs to accept the power lines in the backyard or the noise from Interstate 35 just a few blocks away. But now if these same families are faced with trying to relocate, they are frustrated that buyers refuse to compromise on same aspects that they overlooked.


With the current low housing inventory in the lower price ranges, we are seeing multiple offers on homes once again. It is still important to keep calm and inspect a home thoroughly before purchasing. As a REALTOR® who loves to work with first time home buyers, I spend time helping my them to understand the positives and negatives of the location of each property we view. I point out how something quirky like having no basement or having a hot tub built in to a bedroom could affect the resale value by limiting potential buyers. Paint and wallpaper can be easily changed but foundation, plumbing and property location are much more expensive to deal with. Oddities it a home can drastically affect value when it is time to sell.

The final tip to buying smart is to determine whether equity can be increase with a little good old fashioned elbow grease! If the home hasn’t been updated, a good sprucing up could raise its value. A house that has an unfinished basement, could build equity if it can be done at a reasonable cost. Don’t take shortcuts and avoid required city permits. It will cost you  when you go to sell because that must be disclosed. Is gardening your hobby? Look for a home with a yard that can be upgraded over the years. Just be frugal and realistic in what your resale will be in the end.

Beyond a smart buy, maintenance is essential as is proper insurance to be certain a home owner can afford the required repairs should the unexpected happen. Time after time I have to bear the bad news when presenting a market analysis at a home where the interior and/or exterior has not been repaired or replaced in decades. It can be nearly 20% less, than the value of a well maintained home in the same area.  Doing several projects over time allows a homeowner to enjoy the improvements while retaining the property value. Likewise, not insuring a home properly can be a huge risk. Worse yet, are the homeowners that make a home insurance claim and receiving payment for a repair but opt to use the money for something else.

Finally, it is important for a homebuyer to not put their investment in jeopardy. Many of the people who lost their homes in the market downturn put their homes in jeopardy but taking risky loans against the equity. Some people took home equity loans at reasonable rates but didn’t use the funds to improve their home. Some of these loans were at very high adjustable rates and as the payment rose, the homeowners just couldn’t make the payment. When I was growing up, I remember learning to never take a risk with anything you couldn’t afford to lose. I think a home falls into this category.

Like any investment, a home’s value will fluctuate. But a house is unique as an investment because it serves a dual purpose: It is a your place to live as well as a way to increase your net worth. By using the money that would be paid for rent and putting it toward a house you can afford with a plan to protect and maintain your property, a home purchase is still a good investment. 
 

 
Copyright 2014 www.terieckholm.com

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

What Does AGENCY mean to the First Time Homebuyer?




So you are planning to buy a home soon. Maybe you have even stopped in at an open house or two. If you did, the hosting REALTOR® may have started talking about buyer's agents and seller's agents and possibly even a dual agent. But what does agency really mean? And why should you as a Minnesota homebuyer care? 

In Minnesota, real estate brokers and salespersons are required to disclose the type of working relationship they have with the parties in a real estate transaction.  As a homebuyer, there are different types of relationships available to you.  It is important to understand these before you sign a contract or purchase agreement for a home.  These relationships are called  “agency” relationships and carry with them legal, fiduciary duties and responsibilities for the broker as well as for the buyer and seller. 

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 this so Important?

When you look for a home, every house listed on the MLS has some agreement between the seller and the listing broker. If a buyer does not sign a contract and attends an open house, the nice agent asking all the questions at the open house about your financial ability to purchase is under contract to share everything you say with their seller. 

But if a homebuyer signs a contract with a 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.


Copyright 2014 www.terieckholm.com

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Should I Buy or Rent a Home in 2014?

January is a time for making resolutions, decisions and taking stock of one's life. It is a time when many resolve to make a change for the better or their future. It is no wonder there is an uptick in real estate activity the first week of any new year. Finances are one of the things many resolve to put in order and since housing expense is one of the biggest part of any budget, it follows suit that many consider the age old question, "Is it better to buy or rent a home?"

Why should anyone consider buying a home? It is hard to tell whether the economy is good, bad, improving or declining these days. Some media reports say things are improving while other indicate the immediate future is not so rosy. One statistic I recently read in REALTOR Magazine can put things into perspective for the individual. In an article written by Lawrence Yun he states, "On average, home owners have a median net worth of nearly $200,000 while renters are essentially living paycheck to paycheck, with only $4,000 in net worth on average". That is a HUGE difference. 

Location, Location, Location In determining whether it is best to rent or buy a home, location is a factor.  Real estate web search company Trulia, issued a full report last summer on the rent versus buy dilemma. One of the tools they shared is an interactive map of the US showing what metro areas are most affordable.Because length of time you plan to live in a home and tax bracket are key to the equation, these variables are included. The Minneapolis/St Paul metro area is a good place to buy in many circumstances. And, in my opinion based on the average price per square foot, buyers considering a purchase in the very affordable north & east metro, might consider it an excellent opportunity.
By the Numbers If indicators are good geographically, that provides only part of the answer. To determine whether to buying a home is the best option, price of the home, taxes and interest rate on the mortgage need to be considered. Another very helpful tool is a Rent Versus Buy calculator  It is simple to use: Enter your current rent, the price of the home you are considering, and a few other details to receive a detailed report. The calculator will provide an indication of where you will stand financially 6 years after purchasing a home if you have to sell. An interesting feature of the tool is the sliding scale that allows you to adjust the estimated property value increase (or decrease). 


 

Copyright 2014 www.terieckholm.com

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Resolution for 2014--Buy a First Home! (And a Class to Help You too!)

Did you make a new year's resolution? 

Maybe it was to workout more, eat healthier, be happy or spend more time with friends and family. Or maybe you resolved that 2014 is going to be the year to buy YOUR first home

What a great decision! Owning a home is still the American Dream and with housing affordability in the Minneapolis/St Paul area, this can be a very realistic aspiration. Home ownership is not just for older, wealthy Americans. People of all ages can afford to be homeowners in the Midwest. In fact, many young people are buying homes in today's market.

In 2013, I sold several starter homes to people just a few years out of high school. The homes these clients purchased were in all cases, move in ready, solid houses in the north and/or east metro. It is not unusual to find a nice home in a price range that makes owning a home as affordable as rent if you know where and how to look for them.

Intrigued? Wondering what is the first step to buying your DREAM home?  

Find a REALTOR® you can trust! 

As an agent, I help my first time buyers through the entire home buying process from pre-approval until closing day. But, it would be hard to trust someone without having met in person.  Give me a call and we can set up a meeting. I am very easy to talk to so call me anytime.

 
Copyright 2014 www.terieckholm.com

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

It Might Not be Santa's Workshop...But it Could be YOURS!


Available in Plymouth MN, a workshop that would make Santa envious...and a 4BR/3BA home too! Lots of space for making toys, double doors that open for easy sleigh loading, adjoining office for checking the list, this home has a lot to offer. Perfect home to entertain too...Spacious open kitchen for baking cookies, formal and informal dining rooms for serving cocoa & cider to the elves, 3 living spaces (one formal & two family rooms), a traditional brick fireplace for toasting chestnuts and a 2nd gas fireplace to warm up quickly after a day of sledding or making snow angels. This is a traditional two story home with 4 bedrooms on the upper level with a newly remodeled private master bath. There's a brand new roof for reindeer to land as well as new siding, water heater and kitchen appliances. Located just a few miles from Arbor Lakes shopping center in case Mrs. Claus wants to do a little shopping too. 



You might not want to wait though, Santa will be dropping by in a couple of weeks and may just want to relocate.




Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

Monday, December 9, 2013

Let Jack Frost Nip Your Nose—Winter IS a Great Time to BUY a Home!


Brutal subzero temperatures came early to Minnesota this year. This is the first time in nearly 20 years the Minneapolis/St Paul metro has had to deal with bone chilling weather in December. Add a fresh blanket of snow covering the landscape from North St. Paul to East Bethel and Lino Lakes to Scandia and most home buyers will jump in bed and cover up their heads until spring. 
But wait, winter is not the time to hide from the elements if you are pre-approved and ready to buy a home. Although making a move in a Minnesota winter’s snow and ice is not ideal, the timing could not be more perfect to buy a home and get a GREAT DEAL!

Here are the Top Ten Reasons to Buy a Home THIS Winter!
Reason 10—Holiday Décor. Touring homes during December really puts a home buyer into the holiday spirit. Many homeowners take this opportunity to deck the halls with hopes that there will be a purchase agreement in their Christmas stockings!

Reason 9—Check Window Efficiency. Frost on the window sill is not a holiday decoration! Subzero temperatures really put windows to the test. Some windows will fog between the glass panes, others will ice up on the interior and then there are those that stay crystal clear despite the cold outdoors. This energy efficiency test can only be done when the temperatures are extreme outside.

Reason 8—Less Competition. While many Minnesotans seeking the perfect gift at the Mall of America for gifts or attending “A Christmas Carol” at the Guthrie Theater, savvy home buyers are visiting homes with their REALTOR
®!


Reason 7—Your REALTOR® has Time. Most real estate agents are not juggling several clients during the holiday season and can spend more time scouring the MLS to find the perfect home for the ones that want to be in a new home in January.

Reason 6—Assess the Community. Home buyers touring houses in the winter will get a good idea of how well various communities maintain roads and keep the streets free from ice and snow.

Reason 5—Check the Heating System. Whether the home is heated with a forced air furnace or a hot water boiler, checking out the heating system in the summer is hard to do. With our current subzero temps, a furnace problem would be very obvious!

Reason 4—Icicles. Snow on a roof can create icicles that might appear festive but also are an indicator of improper attic insulation. A home with significant ice dams might require additional maintenance and/or repairs.

Reason 3—Affordable Interest Rates. Rates continue to be very affordable but as the market heats up in the spring, rates could go higher too.

Reason 2—Significant Inventory Though the number of homes coming on the market is not as high as in the spring, the market is pretty balanced and new homes continue to hit the market every day. Whether you are looking for a starter town home, a single family home, a private country estate, a McMansion or a lakeshore paradise, there is a good selection of properties for a buyer to select from. 

And, drumroll please, The Number 1 Reason for Buying in the Winter—Motivated Sellers. Homes that stay on the market in December and January in Minnesota are homes that need to be SOLD! If sellers are motivated enough to suffer through a Christmas Eve showing, they probably are willing to negotiate on the price as well!




Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Waiting Until Spring to Sell Your Home? This Could be a Mistake.

There was a big improvement in the real estate market in 2013 across the nation. And, while all real estate is local, the Minneapolis/St Paul market was no exception. We also saw prices rebound quite a bit in communities on both sides of the Mississippi. But when where sellers able to score the best deals? Let me give you a hint. It wasn't in the spring.

Many people do think that spring is the best time to sell a home. And yes, it is a good time to buy and sell a home. More home buyers are out looking to make a move when the weather warms up. But surprisingly buyers also move in the winter. And because most sellers are waiting for spring, there are less options for them. 

Early in 2013 is when most home sellers were seeing multiple offers in the Twin Cities. There were few good homes on the market in January and tons of home buyers, pre-approved and hoping to take advantage of the low interest rates. This created a seller's market, where the seller had the upper hand in the negotiations. Home sellers scrambled to get their homes listed and by April, inventory was abundant in most price points. Great news for home buyers, but not for home sellers hoping for a quick sale at asking price.

Not Just a 2013 Phenomena

Low housing inventory after the holidays has been a trend I have noticed over the last several years. Homes that were overlooked by buyers in the fall market, suddenly had offers in January/February. And sellers didn't have to "give away" their homes either. It was just simple supply and demand. The lower housing supply combined with a strong buyer demand as soon as the holidays are over, makes it an ideal situation for a home seller listed at the beginning of the year. But the scales almost always are balanced again by late March. So a savvy home seller  might think twice about waiting until spring. If you are ready to sell, now might be the best time to put your home on the market to make the best deal.



Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Quick Tips for Home Sellers--Show and SELL during the Holidays!

 
We just had the first measurable Minnesota snowfall so that means the winter holidays are just around the corner. But if what if the house hasn’t sold yet? What should a seller do?

At first inclination many sellers opt to cancel their listing and withdraw their home from the multiple listing service believing that the preoccupation with the holiday season puts the brakes on most home purchases. While many home buyers will be distracted, sellers can be ignoring a real opportunity: ANY buyer looking at houses during the holidays is VERY serious about buying a home.
There are not many tire-kickers running around with a REALTOR® when there are presents to buy, cookies to bake and gifts to wrap. November, December and January showings are a seller’s opportunity as most homes that buyers visit at this time of the year are vacant. Quite often, a buyer’s choices are down to model homes, vacated relocation properties and foreclosures. Providing the opportunity for a buyer to visit a home filled with the colorful sights, delightful sounds and wonderful aromas of the season is a great option for those wanting to sell.

Tips for Showing and  Selling During the Holidays
  1. Decorate! But don't go overboard with the lights and decor! This is not the time for a Griswold inspired display of lights as in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but a decorated tree, candles and wreaths can add a special touch.
  2. Bake Christmas Cookies. Share a few with the buyers and agents viewing your home. Why should Santa have all of the extra calories?
  3. Make sure the fireplace is burning bright, warm and welcoming!
  4. Play holiday music. Leave out the nerve-grating "Santa got Run Over by a Reindeer" type carols and go for instrumentals or uniquely Minnesota regional artists like The Blenders.
  5. Shovel and salt the driveway as necessary. No one wants to spend the holidays in the emergency room with a twisted ankle and bruised tailbone.
  6. Turn the heat up for showings…Show visitors how well the furnace works. Warmth is such a treat after visiting vacant homes with the thermostat turned way down!
  7. Leave the front light on! Don’t forget it is dark out during those early evening showings. Make certain buyers and their agents are able to see their way to your front door and open the lockbox.

Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

Friday, November 1, 2013

Selling a Home AS-IS can Cost Thousands


Most home sellers today do their homework. There is a vast array of information on how to prep a home to sell for top dollar on the internet and cable TV. Most savvy sellers have watched an occasional HGTV program or YouTube video showing how to stage a home and flip a house. They know that to get the highest price possible for their home, it will take a bit of elbow grease and organization. Sellers expecting optimal dollars need to understand that buyers want optimal condition.

Sometimes I still run into someone who balks at making repairs to their home. They say, “Let the buyer tackle that project. I want the home sold AS-IS.” 

Sometimes it does make sense to hold off on an expensive repair that would be nice but not necessary. These are more expensive cosmetic repairs like new siding or windows. However anything that would prevent a buyer from getting financing or insurance is a must like a new roof if the shingles are showing extensive wear or septic system if it is not compliant. These issues will not be overlooked by any buyer. 

Cosmetic and minor repairs will definitely reflect in what a home buyer offers on a property. Replacing doors with holes, broken glass in windows and settling cracks in a ceiling make a huge difference in a buyer’s perception of a home. Damage like this is always noticed by the buyers 

4 Reasons to Make Home Repairs Before Listing

  1. Less Buyer Distraction. Buyers will be able to focus on the positive attributes of your home rather than needed repairs.
  2. Homebuyers Inflate Repair Costs. My rule of thumb is: If it will cost a seller $100 to fix an issue, the buyer will ask for a $1000!
  3. Easier Negotiations. When a purchase agreement comes in, it doesn’t come with a “laundry list” of things the buyer will have to repair to justify the low offer.
  4. Faster to SOLD! Homes that are in optimal condition do sell quickly. Homes that need repairs often can sit on the mark for weeks or months longer waiting for a buyer willing to accept the home in its current condition. Longer market time can mean having to reduce the price significantly to keep buyers interested.



Copyright 2013 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 ...