The key to selling your home is finding the right buyer. Obvious? Yes. Simple? No. In order to make the sale happen it’s crucial that your home receive a lot of market exposure. Prospective buyers must be thoroughly examined in order to find the one that will have you and your realtor placing the sold sign in the front yard.

Realtors are able to do more than just cast a large net in hopes of finding the right buyer in the vast sea of prospects hunting for their next home. Realtors know how to qualify buyers. Before they do a private showing they often ask a prospective buyer for a letter from a financial institution stating that they qualify for a home loan in the price range of the home you are trying to sell.

As sales professionals realtors spend a lot of time networking with others in the real estate field including bankers, appraisers, loan officers, home inspectors and fellow real estate agents. This gives the realtor an edge in finding the right buyer for your home. Realtors also spend a lot of time listening to the needs of a wide variety of buyers. When you hire a realtor, you’re really hiring their team of professional connections as well.

During an open house an experienced realtor knows how to connect with potential buyers and focus on the aspects of your home that meets their needs. It is easier for a realtor to listen to critiques about the house they are selling than it is for the seller to hear criticism about his or her home. A realtor may recommend improvements or create staging based on the critiques to better attract the right buyer.

Realtors also have the experience and background necessary to correctly price your home within the market it exists. In these uncertain economic times it’s more difficult than ever to determine what price to list a home. It’s more essential now than it was during the housing boom to price your home right.

There is a buyer for every house on the market. Finding your home’s buyer is easiest done with the assistance of a professional realtor who understands the market you’re selling in. Rochester MN Realtor Julie Fink knows the southeastern Minnesota market and can help you sell your home. To contact the Realty office of Julie Fink call (507) 273-6178 or email at  JulieFink@edinarealty.com.

Buying a home can be an exciting and stressful adventure no matter what your past experience may be. The shifting marketplace and low interest rates benefits buyers like never before. Every home may appear to be the next great deal that must be jumped at without hesitation, however, before making an offer or signing a purchase agreement there are some things you may want to consider.

First, think about how long you plan to stay in the home.  Is this a starter home which you hope to one day sell for a profit so you have the down payment for your dream home? If so, will you be able to invest in the fixes or additions that increase the property’s value without depleting all of your savings? Also, how long are you okay with waiting before selling the home?

Perhaps you’re shopping for a house to call home for as long as your health permits.  In this scenario considerations would include the layout of the home and if it will work with you as you age.  One such factor is the laundry room; is it on the main floor, upstairs or downstairs? If you have to take stairs to get to it but were no longer able to do so, is there space or a feasible remodeling option to move the laundry room to the main level if required?

If you’re purchasing a second home you may want to think about possible maintenance issues, how frequently you’ll be in the home and who you can call on in case of an emergency. Let’s say you’re considering a beautiful lake house as your second home.  With the recent flooding issues fresh in our minds, who would you be able to call on in the event of a flood? Are you able to get flood insurance, and what will it need to cover to protect you and your investment? Depending on your financial situation, a second home may need to be over a certain distance from your first home in order to qualify for a mortgage for it.

Next, you might want to think about where you’d be comfortable living. Do you prefer the active city life that Rochester has to offer, the quiet of the country or something in between? All types of lifestyles and communities can be found in southeastern Minnesota.

Keep in mind, a great deal is only a great deal if it’s the right deal for you. Rochester MN Realtor Julie Fink knows the southeastern Minnesota market and can help you find the right home at the best price. To contact the Realty office of Julie Fink call (507) 273-6178 or email at  JulieFink@edinarealty.com.

Home inspections for buyers and sellers in Rochester MN are an important step in the real estate process. For buyers, a home inspection by a licensed professional will provide an education about your future home and potentials issues or costs associated with the property. For sellers, the home inspection can reveal needed to does that will help the property you’re putting on the market sell better. It can be invaluable to learn about the structure, mechanical, safety, maintenance, repair, and liability issues before you buy or sell any property.

Buying a new home can be scary for even experienced home owners who have been through the process many times. You never know what to expect when it comes to possible defects and maintenance issues in a home. A professional home inspector should walk through the home with you, give you the details of each area of concern, why it is happening, what action should be taken, and if possible, approximate cost of repair.

Selling can be just as difficult in today’s market and having a home inspection report from the beginning will show prospective buyers that you have confidence in the property you are selling. Being proactive about home inspection will help you sell your home quickly and without unwelcome surprises later. Many home sales can fall through shortly before the deal is done because the seller failed to be proactive and the buyer was surprised to see the report, any home inspection report will look worse if the potential buyer has to inquire about it themselves.

Problems that can be uncovered in a home inspection include; previous water damage or mold issues, cracked or shifted foundations, non-code complying electrical or plumbing, deteriorated or unsafe stairs or access issues. Dealing with these and other problems before a sale can save time and money!

Rochester MN Realtor Julie Fink knows home inspections and can help you review the report and understand its content when you are listing or shopping for a home. To contact the Realty office of Julie Fink call (507) 273-6178 or email at JulieFink@edinarealty.com.

In today’s real estate market, REO and Rochester MN short sale properties are growing in numbers. If you are a homeowner suffering from financial problems, such as being unable to pay your monthly mortgage amount, then a short sale may be an alternative to foreclosure.

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Home staging is a must in today’s real estate market. Home staging is the process of helping home sellers present a home in its best light, in order to broaden its appeal to potential home buyers. Staging also helps homes sell faster, more often, and for more money.

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Whether you’re a newcomer, long-time resident, or are only staying temporarily, Rochester Minnesota won’t disappoint you. The city is large enough to entice a fast-track commuter, yet small enough for those who want to stay close to rural areas. And with today’s growing housing market, Rochester is an excellent city for buying or selling your next home or condo.

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When comparing the national averages of home prices online, there is a distinct trend in the location of the most affordable housing options. Compared to home prices in overcrowded coastal cities, homes in the Midwest are consistently lower priced yet maintain an abundance of features.

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When you are trying to fix your credit quickly to buy a home in Rochester MN, there are many credit repair scams preying on people who are in a bind, do not know their rights, nor have the knowledge to fix their credit themselves. While some credit repair companies are legitimate, there are some simple steps you can take to repair your credit yourself.

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Though it may be harder to get a home loan today than in previous years, you should hardly believe the pessimists who say that renting is better or to wait on better times. As a potential home buyer, your best chance to buy a home is when you, personally, are ready for the pride and responsibility of home ownership. If you are ready to take that life step, or if you have a home already and you are ready to move on or move up, your time is now if you exercise the correct option for your situation.

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In today’s volatile housing market, homeowners looking to sell need an ace on their side. When selling a residence that may have been purchased as an investment that would deliver positive returns, it is imperative that top dollar be achieved and time on market minimized. While there are no guarantees in life, a licensed real estate agent is one of the best ways to guard against the unknown.

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