Should you wait for mortgage rates to go lower before buying a house?  Talk to a professional real estate agent and get their opinion.  While real estate agents do keep tabs on the market and develop an understanding of pricing and interest rates, most would agree that these interest rates are unprecedented. There is nothing to measure them against or correlate them with.

If you are financially prepared for the responsibility of owning a home, nothing in the market should stop you from finding the home of your desires and buying it.  There are many excellent homes on the market in Southeastern Minnesota.  The market has never been better for the home buyer and interest rates have never been lower.  To get a showing contact Julie Fink, a Realtor you can trust in Southeastern Minnesota.

If you currently own a home and are thinking of buying into something bigger and better this may be the best time to make your move.   If your finances are in order and you’re prepared to price your current home to market demands then don’t hesitate to begin the buying and selling process.  If you’re concerned about how much you will make on your current home in Southeastern Minnesota, contact a real estate agent who knows the area and neighborhoods and what properties similar to yours are selling for.

Contact Real Estate Agent Julie Fink at Edina Realty to find out what you could list your property for and expect to sell within a reasonable amount of time.  You can reach Julie Fink by calling 507-273-6178 or by e-mailing her at JulieFink@edinarealty.com.

If you’re selling your home, the first paperwork you’re likely to encounter when working with a real estate agent is the listing agreement.  This is a signed agreement between you and your real estate agent.  It lets your agent know that you have put your trust in them to sell your home exclusively.  Typically a listing agreement states the amount you have agreed to sell your home for and the length of time it will be listed on the market.

One document often referred to in real estate is the Purchase Agreement.  In a Purchase Agreement property details are listed making it clear what all is included in the sale.  Oftentimes there are addendums to the Purchase Agreement.  An addendum is created to clarify some aspect of the purchase agreement but may also be put in place to accommodate a buyer’s request.  If you’re a buyer it’s important to know what you can ask for from the seller.  If you’re a seller it’s good to know before the paperwork is in everyone’s hands what you’re willing to negotiate on.

Whether you are a buyer or a seller, your real estate agent is there to coach you through the process.  If you’re selling your home, your real estate agent can prepare you by letting you know what buyers most often request and what is in your best interest to negotiate on.  If you’re buying a property and would just love to buy the house you looked at “if only” the seller agrees to make a certain change, an addendum can be added to address that “if only.”

If you’re buying, there’s a lot of financial documentation required.  To view a home when there is not an Open House, you’ll need documentation stating that you qualify for a loan for what the house you want to view is worth.  You may need pay stubs, bank account statements and other documentation of your financial life.  Real estate agents work closely with loan officers and know what you are most likely to encounter.

Other paperwork you may encounter includes, but certainly isn’t limited to: Property Disclosures, Counter Offers, Escrow Instructions, Environmental Disclosures, Title Policy, Grant or Warranty Deed and HUD-1 Settlement Statement.  Your real estate agent can educate you on the details of the papers, many of which require your signature.  Make sure your agent goes through all required documentation until you are comfortable in your knowledge of them.  Your real estate agent is there to help you.

In Rochester, Minnesota, your go-to real estate agent is Julie Fink and she will gladly help guide you through all of the required paperwork.  You can reach Julie Fink by calling 507-273-6178 or by e-mailing her at JulieFink@edinarealty.com.

In Robert Frost’s poem “Mending Wall” the neighbor says, “Good fences make good neighbors.”  When it comes to real estate law, there is some truth to the saying so long as the fence accurately reflects the property lines.  There are real estate laws concerning property lines that buyer and seller alike should ask their real estate agent about.

When a property line is trespassed on by a neighbor’s property it is called encroachment.  Encroachment in real estate can affect property value.  How?  If a neighbor has managed to encroach for long enough, he may own some piece of land that belonged to the seller.  Encroaching is often done with fences or other structural intrusions.  There are specific lengths of time one property owner must encroach on another before gaining the property through adverse possession.  The time varies from area to area.  It’s best to check with your realtor in Southeastern Minnesota about how the area’s encroachment rules apply to real estate in Southeastern Minnesota.

Encroachment can be more challenging to determine in rural settings where fences are less common.  It’s easy to see where property limitations exist when fences are well maintained and can’t be moved without obvious damage or indication.

However, in rural Southeastern Minnesota neighborhoods, where property lines aren’t as noticeable to the naked eye as they are in the city, a neighbor may put some landscaping up in his neighbor’s yard and gain access to a larger slice of land.  It is no small thing when the slice of land can equal thousands of dollars if not more to the home owner.  It’s best to keep the survey of your land and at least check your property lines once every year.  Be observant.  If you think your real estate is being encroached on it might be worthwhile to contact a Southeastern Minnesota surveyor to check the property lines.

For more details on protecting your most valuable investment, contact Julie Fink, your Southeastern Minnesota realtor. You can reach Julie Fink by calling 507-273-6178 or by e-mailing her at JulieFink@edinarealty.com.

Do you think you need to remodel your house before you sell?   No need.  Home staging isn’t about redesigning your home to fit what is on trend at the moment.  If you’re looking to sell your home in Southeastern Minnesota, it just takes some attention to detail to meet the needs of today’s buyers.

Pay attention to the relationship between color and mood.  A Google search pulls up an abundance of articles describing the influence color has on mood.  While red inspires power, passion and appetite in people, blue has long been known for its relaxing effects, orange for its warmth, and green is known as fresh and calming.

Before you paint all of the walls or rip-up and replace the carpeting in your home, talk with your Realtor.  Your realtor has the experience needed to advise on select changes that give you, the seller; the biggest impact for your investment.  Rather than changing the walls, a couple of decorative pillows or a bedspread might be all that’s required to create a welcoming environment and influence a potential buyer.

Creating a spa-like atmosphere in a bathroom needn’t be a huge expense.  Simple square vases, candles and river rocks from a craft store might make all the difference in the world.  Your Southeastern Minnesota Realtor is there to coach you through the changes needed to put the Sold sign in your front yard.  As a seller it’s great to bring ideas to the table as far as home staging goes, but make sure you also listen with an open mind.  Your realtor is there to help you with their years of professional experience and personal understanding of buyers and sales trends.

To learn more about what home staging can do for you contact Julie Fink at Edina Realty. You can reach Julie Fink by calling 507-273-6178 or by e-mailing her at JulieFink@edinarealty.com.

There are a few things you can do before you have a child.  These pre-baby precautions can save you time and stress when the child comes.  Make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors in your home, especially if you use gas or oil heat or have an attached garage.  Install and maintain working smoke detectors, and check your local ordinances to see if your home is required to have a certain number or either detector and where and how they are to be located.  Keep a fire extinguisher on hand, and plan a fire escape route.  Assemble a first-aid kit for babies, and keep a list of essential emergency numbers next to your telephone. Put childproof locks on all cabinets containing poisons, glass, and sharp objects.  Cover sharp furniture edges with padding or bumpers, and place non-slip pads under any area rugs. You can also set your water heater to go no higher than 120 degrees and purchase an infant bathtub with slip resistant features.

When your child begins to crawl childproofing becomes a bit more challenging.  As children become more mobile the entire household environment becomes a wondrous world of exploration and curiosity.  Crawling eventually leads to the child pulling themselves up in order to achieve a standing position, which means your tables and other low surfaces and what may be on them are no longer out of their reach. Taking simple precautions such as keeping hot food and drinks away from the edges of tables, and turning the pot handles toward the back of the stove are good ways to prevent accidents.  Use doorstops and holders to protect the child’s fingers or keep them from opening doors, drawers and cabinets.  Put safety plugs or outlet covers over unused outlets or block them with furniture.  Hide your electrical cords behind furniture or use a hide-a-cord device.  Remember to use window guards and window stops around windows, and cut any looped window-blind cords which the child could become entangled in.  Use safety netting on decks and landings and make sure to install gates to block stairways at both the bottom and the top.

These are just a few examples of what can be done around your home to protect your kids.  If you are not a do-it-yourself kind of person there are professionals who can be hired to childproof your home for you.

These home safety tips are courtesy of Julie Fink, to contact the Realty office of Julie Fink call (507) 273-6178 or email at JulieFink@edinarealty.com.

Prepping your home for a sale that creates a positive cash return is high on your real estate agent’s list.  A real estate agent can guesstimate a fair market value for your home without charging the fees an appraiser does.  Since a real estate agent works with buyers and sellers every day, they know what potential buyers are willing to spend on your home as-is or what buyers would be happy to spend a little more for in regards to improvements.  You need to know what Southeastern Minnesota buyers are looking for before you put your house on the market.  No one knows what buyers are looking for better than a Southeastern Minnesota real estate agent.

If you are a homeowner remodeling and plan to live in your house for the next thirty years, concern over being upside-down on your home mortgage is less relevant. It’s always important to take resale value into consideration, but barring any drastic life events, the market will change before it’s time to sell.  If you want to add a swimming pool and a tennis court for your enjoyment, go for it.

However, for those looking to remodel strictly to sell, building a swimming pool, tennis court or a dramatic addition will do little to increase your home’s value relative to the expense of investment.  Adding a garage or a stall to a garage might get you more for your money.  Modern kitchen appliances, updated bathrooms or an additional bathroom can do wonders for your home’s resale value.  It all depends on your house’s situation.  It’s important not to do too much and raise the value too far above the prices of your neighbor’s homes.  It could adversely affect your ability to sell.

Before making any big decisions, turn to a real estate agent you can trust. Contact Julie Fink at Edina Realty, your Southeastern Minnesota Realtor. You can reach Julie Fink by calling 507-273-6178 or by e-mailing her at JulieFink@edinarealty.com.

When looking at an investment property pay careful attention to the location.  Location is paramount when it comes to how profitable a property can be for you.  Whether it’s a residential or business rental property the location will determine the type of renters your property will attract, and how much you can charge for rent.  A property in a desirable location may also appreciate in value over time.

Generally speaking the time for buying and flipping property has passed.  If you are looking at buying an investment property you should consider it a long term investment. This is not necessarily a bad thing; owning and renting a property for five to ten years can earn you a lot of income in that time.

There is no need to go overboard when fixing up your investment property.  Every kitchen and bath probably doesn’t need marble counter tops or every room boast hard wood floors.  Most renters are happy with a simple and clean rental property.  Just remember that you will be dealing with wear and tear whenever a renter moves out, and proper maintenance is essential to keeping happy renters and avoiding potentially costly repairs as time passes.

Make sure you do the math.  Calculate the cost of ownership before you buy and all the costs associated with the property such as mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, maintenance, vacancies, and repairs.

When looking for the right investment property for you, don’t look past a building just because it appears a bit rough around the edges.  Since you should always hire professionals to work on any investment property, they could help you discover that under an unsightly coat of paint is a building with much potential.

If managed well an investment property can become a wonderful source of passive income.  Having an investment property also opens you up to many amazing tax benefits that can help your investment pay off even more.

For questions about buying investment property in Rochester MN, contact Julie Fink at (507) 273-6178 or email at  JulieFink@edinarealty.com.

Things to consider when thinking about location include; proximity to schools: If you have children this is an obvious and important question, and if you don’t have children this will still be an important issue when it comes time for resale. Public transportation in your area: Is it easy to access the public transportation system? How important is that to you? Proximity to shopping, restaurants and other services: How far will you have to travel for your entertainment needs? Proximity to work: How long will your daily commute be? What about the crime rate in your area? Is the area as safe as other areas in town? Tax rate: Are you going to have to pay both city and county property taxes? Zoning is also something to consider: What is going to be built next to your new home in the future? Or what kind of restrictions will you face if you want to do something with your home? Is there a homeowner’s association in your area that is active? Homeowner associations or developments with similar covenants can help to maintain and improve the area, or add to the cost of maintaining your home.

When buying a home there are so many decisions to make, but one of the first and most important decisions is choosing the location of your new home. Research, and ask your realtor questions about the quality of the neighborhoods you are interested in. For more information about choosing a great location to live contact Julie Fink at 507-292-4050, or email JulieFink@edinarealty.com.

There are many different things that you can do to best present your home for sale, including targeted repairs. If you have any damaged tiles in your kitchen or bathroom, replacing individual tiles can be a cost effective way to alleviate obvious problems. Painting is another option in the staging process that can quickly and inexpensively freshen up your home. When painting remember that neutral colors sell homes, because neutral colors will fit with whatever style the buyer has in mind, while dramatic colors may put the buyer off. While replacing carpeting sinks or countertops are more expensive improvements, they can also pay off big by enhancing the appeal of the home.

It may seem obvious, but make sure your house is clean! A home that is really clean will impress and leave a positive impression with home buyers.  You may want to hire a cleaning service to come in to clean every surface of your house. This will impress potential buyers and make them feel more comfortable as they look at the house.

De-cluttering your home is another important part of the staging process. Over time most people fill the space in their houses with sentimental things that make our house feel like home, however, to a potential buyer a nice open and inviting space with no clutter is much more esthetically pleasing. This allows the potential buyer to imagine the space as their new home, and leaves room for them to imagine what changes they may make if they purchase the house.

As we all know first impressions are very important, and that goes double when someone is buying a home. The very first thing a person will see when looking at your home is the exterior. There are a number of things that you can do to improve this first impression and create a welcoming environment. Planting flowers, repainting, replacing the front door, clearing clutter away from the driveway or garage, moving old cars, all of these steps can make a world of difference when selling your home.

De-personalizing your home is also a smart move when you want others to envision themselves living there. This can cover anything from removing certain art pieces or family photos, to putting away religious or political items that the potential buyer may not identify with. If your potential buyer can’t identify with the space it can make it hard for them to picture themselves living in it. De-personalizing is the perfect way to avoid that all together.

For more information about staging your home for sale contact Julie Fink: phone 507-292-4050, or email JulieFink@edinarealty.com.

With deep roots in the health care and technology fields, Rochester has become a central hub for business conventions and company gatherings of all sizes. Rochester is home to a state-of-the-art, 120,000 square foot event center facility, 5,500 hotel rooms, and numerous unique restaurants and downtown shops, all connected by an elaborate skyway and subway system.

Rochester has over 100 individual park areas where a variety of activities can be enjoyed, including 81 playground areas, 15 picnic shelters, one indoor and two outdoor pools, a beach, 36 tennis courts, 34 horseshoe courts, 54 ball diamonds, 37 football/soccer fields, 15 basketball courts, two dog parks, 19 sand volleyball courts, two archery ranges, two disk golf courses, two community garden sites, three groomed cross country ski trails, nine outdoor hockey rinks and six indoor hockey rinks. As you can see, Rochester has something for everyone including those of you who like to stay active and enjoy taking advantage of these public recreation areas.

Rochester also has a nightlife scene that includes clubs and bars like the Wicked Moose, Beer Bellyz, Top Shots, Kathy’s, and many more. Even as Rochester’s party scene heats up, safety has not suffered, Rochester’s police department does an excellent job of keeping the city and its citizen’s safe so that you can fully enjoy your nights out on the town.

Rochester is an accommodating city for people of all kinds, no matter what you’re looking for in a place to live, chances are Rochester has it. To explore Rochester more and get a better feel for the city contact Julie Fink via website www.livinginrochester.com, phone 507-292-4050, or email JulieFink@edinarealty.com.