Why are some agencies not on this list? Because they are not countrywide or global...
Not like Century 21 is!
Read on!
(Click on the jpeg below to see a larger, more clear copy of information.)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Links and cool tools for new buyers!
Check out these links for cool tools for new buyers!
What houses are out there? What are todays rates? Where should I go for a mortgage? What agents work in my area?
http://www.realtor.com/?source=a15699&refcd=MSg926447642e_minnesota_real_estate&tsacr=MS17449056&s_kwcid=TC-2615-926447642-e-17449056
How much can I afford?
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/Loan/HomeAffordabilityCalculator.aspx
What kinds of loans are out there?
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/The5MinuteGuideToHomeLoans.aspx
What houses are out there? What are todays rates? Where should I go for a mortgage? What agents work in my area?
http://www.realtor.com/?source=a15699&refcd=MSg926447642e_minnesota_real_estate&tsacr=MS17449056&s_kwcid=TC-2615-926447642-e-17449056
How much can I afford?
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/Loan/HomeAffordabilityCalculator.aspx
What kinds of loans are out there?
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomeFinancing/The5MinuteGuideToHomeLoans.aspx
Friday, August 29, 2008
Advice for first time buyers
Buying a Home for the First Time
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Are you scared? I know I was the first time I bought a house. I remember it very vividly. I was overwhelmed and undereducated. Later on in life, I took my classes to become a real estate agent and I realized exactly how under informed I really had been. It was then that I vowed, even if I talk too much, I will try my very best at all times to tell a first time home buyer as much as I could think of to help them understand the process. I also vowed to explain, in detail, the purchase agreement they are signing.
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Step one-Get to the bank. Find out what the lender will give you, how much you can afford. If you need it, get credit counseling to improve your credit score. Think ahead at least a year. It may take you that long to get ready to buy that house. Find a lender you can trust, try to go with someone local. It helps to have someone you can meet with in person.
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A tip-It pays to be informed about the process of buying a new home — especially when it's your first time buying. It can be overwhelming but one thing that really helps is keeping an open and honest relationship with an honest and knowledgeable agent- and you will get you through it easier.
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Finding the Agent for you-Finding the right real estate agent can make all the difference in your home buying process, especially if you're a first time home buyer new to the whole process. A good real estate agent can guide you through the buying process and help you avoid costly mistakes. Start by asking your family and friends for the name of a good real estate agent. You should get a good vibe from the Realtor you plan to select.When you sit and meet with him or her, you want to make sure they are really listening to you and trying to get an understanding of what your ideal home will be.The more open and honest you are with the Realtor, and the more receptive they are to hearing your needs, the easier it will be to find and choose the right home.
Find out who is paying the agent's fees. In many cases, the seller will pay the buyer agent's fees, but you need to find out for sure before signing any paperwork. I personally do not charge buyers to look at homes, and am paid by the seller at closing. Be sure that whoever it is that is paying your agent is disclosed to you.
Make sure you understand all the provisions of any paperwork you sign. Your chosen Realtor should make you feel comfortable enough to ask questions, and he or she should not rush you through the paperwork process. I have felt many times I talked too much when signing a purchase agreement with buyers, only to find out later how much they appreciated all of the knowledge I shared with them.
And remember, behind every good agent is a great broker.
-
Checklist please-A checklist is a useful tool when buying a new house. Email me for a free home buying checklist to print off on your computer. It will come in very handy!
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Other Home buying tools-With so many tools and sites and so much advice, where does one go? Try our tools on our sites at www.century21.com and www.century21kandirealty.com
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Foreclosures-In our current market one major change from the recent past exists- the influx of foreclosure homes on the market. Though it's not for everyone, buying foreclosure properties can be a way to get a home for less than market value. However, many first time home owners may not qualify for a foreclosure because of the minimum guidelines their mortgage has on quality and condition of the home they are buying. Your agent must be experienced in dealing with foreclosures from both the buyers and the seller’s side to understand this process and be sure they are by asking!
-
Are you scared? I know I was the first time I bought a house. I remember it very vividly. I was overwhelmed and undereducated. Later on in life, I took my classes to become a real estate agent and I realized exactly how under informed I really had been. It was then that I vowed, even if I talk too much, I will try my very best at all times to tell a first time home buyer as much as I could think of to help them understand the process. I also vowed to explain, in detail, the purchase agreement they are signing.
-
Step one-Get to the bank. Find out what the lender will give you, how much you can afford. If you need it, get credit counseling to improve your credit score. Think ahead at least a year. It may take you that long to get ready to buy that house. Find a lender you can trust, try to go with someone local. It helps to have someone you can meet with in person.
-
A tip-It pays to be informed about the process of buying a new home — especially when it's your first time buying. It can be overwhelming but one thing that really helps is keeping an open and honest relationship with an honest and knowledgeable agent- and you will get you through it easier.
-
Finding the Agent for you-Finding the right real estate agent can make all the difference in your home buying process, especially if you're a first time home buyer new to the whole process. A good real estate agent can guide you through the buying process and help you avoid costly mistakes. Start by asking your family and friends for the name of a good real estate agent. You should get a good vibe from the Realtor you plan to select.When you sit and meet with him or her, you want to make sure they are really listening to you and trying to get an understanding of what your ideal home will be.The more open and honest you are with the Realtor, and the more receptive they are to hearing your needs, the easier it will be to find and choose the right home.
Find out who is paying the agent's fees. In many cases, the seller will pay the buyer agent's fees, but you need to find out for sure before signing any paperwork. I personally do not charge buyers to look at homes, and am paid by the seller at closing. Be sure that whoever it is that is paying your agent is disclosed to you.
Make sure you understand all the provisions of any paperwork you sign. Your chosen Realtor should make you feel comfortable enough to ask questions, and he or she should not rush you through the paperwork process. I have felt many times I talked too much when signing a purchase agreement with buyers, only to find out later how much they appreciated all of the knowledge I shared with them.
And remember, behind every good agent is a great broker.
-
Checklist please-A checklist is a useful tool when buying a new house. Email me for a free home buying checklist to print off on your computer. It will come in very handy!
-
Other Home buying tools-With so many tools and sites and so much advice, where does one go? Try our tools on our sites at www.century21.com and www.century21kandirealty.com
-
Foreclosures-In our current market one major change from the recent past exists- the influx of foreclosure homes on the market. Though it's not for everyone, buying foreclosure properties can be a way to get a home for less than market value. However, many first time home owners may not qualify for a foreclosure because of the minimum guidelines their mortgage has on quality and condition of the home they are buying. Your agent must be experienced in dealing with foreclosures from both the buyers and the seller’s side to understand this process and be sure they are by asking!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
August 2008 special: Past Client Testimonials
"Our customers deserve, and will receive, the finest service ever
offered by any real estate organization!"
From the Century 21 Vision Statement
"We want to express how much we enjoyed working with Becca. We are 450 miles away from Murdock where the sale took place and we did it all over the phone. She got all our info + sold it within 2 weeks. We can't think of anything more she could have done- she did all the work and made it easy for us. We trusted her completely. We haven't even met in person. We just saw her ad on the internet for another house in Murdock and called her immediately. We would reccomend her 100% to anybody looking for an agent. Thanks again Becca, you're awesome!"
Nash Family, Illinois
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"Becca was great! I have and will continue to refer her. She is very nice and easy to talk to. Very smart about the real estate stuff that I wasn't real knowledgeable about. Thanks Becca!"
S. Erickson, Willmar
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"My entire family was impressed with the service that Rebecca gave us. She was knowledgeable and kept us informed as to the process. We felt she was very easy to work with."
S. Johnson and family, Willmar
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"Becca- Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I know you are a hard worker and worked very hard for me!"
D. Williams, Willmar
Thursday, July 3, 2008
NAR reports modest gain in home sales!
forget all the bad press, here is the skinny:
The National Association of Realtors reports "increased 2.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate 1 of 4.99 million units in May from a level of 4.89 million in April." (http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2008/may_home_sales_show_gain)
What does this mean to you? It means the buyers are coming back into the process, and taking some of that inventory off the market. Buyers are feeling like they are getting "good deals" on everything from the terms of the sale- such as their interest rate to the purchase price of the home, and the sellers are satisfied with their sales prices and the amount of "action" they are receiving on their property. It is becoming a balanced market again!
These are existing home sales, meaning not new construction.
If a seller takes advantage of the current trend in rising home sales by doing things to help their home stand out, such as staging, curb appeal, etc... they stand a better chance of getting a better sales price and less market time on their home now more than any time so far in 2008.
Get into the game at just the right time! List you home now!
The National Association of Realtors reports "increased 2.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate 1 of 4.99 million units in May from a level of 4.89 million in April." (http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2008/may_home_sales_show_gain)
What does this mean to you? It means the buyers are coming back into the process, and taking some of that inventory off the market. Buyers are feeling like they are getting "good deals" on everything from the terms of the sale- such as their interest rate to the purchase price of the home, and the sellers are satisfied with their sales prices and the amount of "action" they are receiving on their property. It is becoming a balanced market again!
These are existing home sales, meaning not new construction.
If a seller takes advantage of the current trend in rising home sales by doing things to help their home stand out, such as staging, curb appeal, etc... they stand a better chance of getting a better sales price and less market time on their home now more than any time so far in 2008.
Get into the game at just the right time! List you home now!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Housing Trends: What is IN style, and What is OUT in 2008
HOUSING TRENDS:
Whats in style, and whats out….
What Is In?
1.) Living Green.
High efficiency furnaces, new windows, strongly sealed doors.
2.) Outside Spaces.
Patios with comfortable outdoor furniture, large decks built with decorative elements, patio heaters, outdoor fireplaces, and more.
3.) Integrated Appliances.
The less you see of the dishwasher, stove, and refrigerator, the better. Hidden behind the cabinetry, they are completely concealed from view.
4.) Bathroom Suites.
Complete with flatscreen televisions in plain view from the super-deep freestanding bath tubs, some of these newer suites have mini bars and coffee makers.
5.) Elevators.
Baby boomers (retirees) do not always want patio homes or one-level living. Elevators help them stay in the homes they love.
WHAT IS OUT?
1.) Living Rooms.
Forget about them. Go straight for the large family room.
2.) Vaulted and High Ceilings.
The wasted space and the trend for “going green” is removing these ceilings from newer home plans, and they are being replaced with a more toned-down version of still tall ceilings with less vault.
3.) Tiny Balconies.
Bathroom sized balconies are useless and not as much of a selling point as one would think.
4.) Large Homes.
A.K.A. “McMansions”. Smaller and more sensible is becoming the norm.
Color trends for the current year:
Off-white, sand, browns and warm greys.Navy blue, almost black.
Influences from Morocco, China, Latin America- reds, yellows and pinks.
Source: Realtor Magaizine, April 2008 issue
Whats in style, and whats out….
What Is In?
1.) Living Green.
High efficiency furnaces, new windows, strongly sealed doors.
2.) Outside Spaces.
Patios with comfortable outdoor furniture, large decks built with decorative elements, patio heaters, outdoor fireplaces, and more.
3.) Integrated Appliances.
The less you see of the dishwasher, stove, and refrigerator, the better. Hidden behind the cabinetry, they are completely concealed from view.
4.) Bathroom Suites.
Complete with flatscreen televisions in plain view from the super-deep freestanding bath tubs, some of these newer suites have mini bars and coffee makers.
5.) Elevators.
Baby boomers (retirees) do not always want patio homes or one-level living. Elevators help them stay in the homes they love.
WHAT IS OUT?
1.) Living Rooms.
Forget about them. Go straight for the large family room.
2.) Vaulted and High Ceilings.
The wasted space and the trend for “going green” is removing these ceilings from newer home plans, and they are being replaced with a more toned-down version of still tall ceilings with less vault.
3.) Tiny Balconies.
Bathroom sized balconies are useless and not as much of a selling point as one would think.
4.) Large Homes.
A.K.A. “McMansions”. Smaller and more sensible is becoming the norm.
Color trends for the current year:
Off-white, sand, browns and warm greys.Navy blue, almost black.
Influences from Morocco, China, Latin America- reds, yellows and pinks.
Source: Realtor Magaizine, April 2008 issue
Monday, April 28, 2008
QUICK TIPS FOR SELLERS
Are you much like me, and not very handy in the home? Do you need to sell but simply cannot afford to have alot of work done or to hire a "stager" to get the work for you? Here is a quick tip to help your home sell a little bit faster!
Evaluate your closet space!
Keep the closets clean. Start by pulling everything out. Are the walls dingy and dirty? Sometimes before you put everything back it is a good idea to paint the walls.
THROW STUFF AWAY!!! Throw out the old clothes you never wear, give those dozens of extra pairs of shoes to the Goodwill. Make it look more spacious by not having it crammed from top to bottom with stuff you never use! Do not leave anything laying on the floor of the closet, it gives a potential buyer the impression that the home lacks storage. Storage is a chief concern to any new home buyer. Pack up the little odds and ends and put them into newer matching storage containers with lids. Neatly stack and arrange the storage containers.
Stand back a little and reevaluate again, does your closet still look overly full or does it now look only slightly full? If it still appears a little crammed, it is time to look elsewhere for some storage. Pack those things you never hardly ever use, and put them in the attic, the garage, or maybe even a storage rental space until the house sells.
The real question is this- "Do people really not buy an entire house because they feel it lacked storage space?" The answer is a resounding YES.
To help your home sell, create the storage space. It really will help.
Evaluate your closet space!
Keep the closets clean. Start by pulling everything out. Are the walls dingy and dirty? Sometimes before you put everything back it is a good idea to paint the walls.
THROW STUFF AWAY!!! Throw out the old clothes you never wear, give those dozens of extra pairs of shoes to the Goodwill. Make it look more spacious by not having it crammed from top to bottom with stuff you never use! Do not leave anything laying on the floor of the closet, it gives a potential buyer the impression that the home lacks storage. Storage is a chief concern to any new home buyer. Pack up the little odds and ends and put them into newer matching storage containers with lids. Neatly stack and arrange the storage containers.
Stand back a little and reevaluate again, does your closet still look overly full or does it now look only slightly full? If it still appears a little crammed, it is time to look elsewhere for some storage. Pack those things you never hardly ever use, and put them in the attic, the garage, or maybe even a storage rental space until the house sells.
The real question is this- "Do people really not buy an entire house because they feel it lacked storage space?" The answer is a resounding YES.
To help your home sell, create the storage space. It really will help.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Help your home sell faster for less than $200.00
All sellers should ask themselves what can help them make their home sell faster. Often, the improvements that should be made to help a home sell faster are very inexpensive and easy for a seller to do- and well worth the time it takes to do them!
1.) In my opinion every wall in every house that is on the market should and must have a fresh coat of paint. If the exterior is painted, it should also be a fresh coat of paint. If the exterior is vinyl or steel it should be washed to brighten its curb appeal. Fresh coats of paint creates a lighter and brighter atmosphere. If the right neutral light shades are chosen, it can create a feeling of warmth. Inexpensive and something almost everyone can find the time to do- it is a MUST. If you do the work yourself, most homes can have fresh coats of paint throughout for less than $200.00
2.) Spot clean dirty carpets, rent a carpet cleaner. Face it, if you have a clean spot where the couch used to be, it is time to clean that carpet. Many buyers in todays market are looking for a good deal on the property. Carpets that are stained or have very obvious high traffic areas although they still may be in great condition- will be used as a way for a buyer to offer less on the property. Simply take the reason away by cleaning or spot cleaning the stains.
3.) Switch plates, switches, plug-ins that are painted, dirty ceiling fan blades, dusty light fixtures... etc... ALL need to be cleaned and replaced before your home goes on the market. The fingerprints by the light switch (we hope you have painted the wall instead but if you have not) that wall needs to be washed. The dirty streak down the stairwell? Paint or wash. You know where you light switches are so you do not look but someone who is a stranger to your home will be looking RIGHT AT the dirty hand prints by a light swtich.
Dirty light fixtures make a room appear more dingy. Wash them or replace them if they are outdated and old.
4.) Rent a storage unit. If you have lots of junk and no storage, rent a storage unit. Nothing points out "lack of proper storage" like seeing a bunch of boxes and old ice skates stacked up on the floor of the only walk-in closet. Make the house appear as functional as possible. better yet, borrow your mother and father-in-laws locked garage for a few weeks. Buy them supper to say thank you!
5.) Clean, clean, clean! Buy the toilet bowl cleaner, the scrubbing bubbles in a can, the windex and the paper towels and get on your hands and knees and CLEAN. Nothing says "don't buy me" like dingy dirty windows, soap rings in the bathtub, dirty dishes in the sink and dust bunnies on the brand new laminate flooring. Get that "ick factor" out of your house. Make the flush handle of that toilet SHINE. Get the soap scum off that glass shower door. Clean until you think it cannot get any more clean, and then look for more to clean again! A most prefectly built, expensive house can look very bad if it is dirty and looks too "used". Clean, clean, clean! And to top it off, if you do the cleaing yourself, it will cost less than a hundred bucks!
1.) In my opinion every wall in every house that is on the market should and must have a fresh coat of paint. If the exterior is painted, it should also be a fresh coat of paint. If the exterior is vinyl or steel it should be washed to brighten its curb appeal. Fresh coats of paint creates a lighter and brighter atmosphere. If the right neutral light shades are chosen, it can create a feeling of warmth. Inexpensive and something almost everyone can find the time to do- it is a MUST. If you do the work yourself, most homes can have fresh coats of paint throughout for less than $200.00
2.) Spot clean dirty carpets, rent a carpet cleaner. Face it, if you have a clean spot where the couch used to be, it is time to clean that carpet. Many buyers in todays market are looking for a good deal on the property. Carpets that are stained or have very obvious high traffic areas although they still may be in great condition- will be used as a way for a buyer to offer less on the property. Simply take the reason away by cleaning or spot cleaning the stains.
3.) Switch plates, switches, plug-ins that are painted, dirty ceiling fan blades, dusty light fixtures... etc... ALL need to be cleaned and replaced before your home goes on the market. The fingerprints by the light switch (we hope you have painted the wall instead but if you have not) that wall needs to be washed. The dirty streak down the stairwell? Paint or wash. You know where you light switches are so you do not look but someone who is a stranger to your home will be looking RIGHT AT the dirty hand prints by a light swtich.
Dirty light fixtures make a room appear more dingy. Wash them or replace them if they are outdated and old.
4.) Rent a storage unit. If you have lots of junk and no storage, rent a storage unit. Nothing points out "lack of proper storage" like seeing a bunch of boxes and old ice skates stacked up on the floor of the only walk-in closet. Make the house appear as functional as possible. better yet, borrow your mother and father-in-laws locked garage for a few weeks. Buy them supper to say thank you!
5.) Clean, clean, clean! Buy the toilet bowl cleaner, the scrubbing bubbles in a can, the windex and the paper towels and get on your hands and knees and CLEAN. Nothing says "don't buy me" like dingy dirty windows, soap rings in the bathtub, dirty dishes in the sink and dust bunnies on the brand new laminate flooring. Get that "ick factor" out of your house. Make the flush handle of that toilet SHINE. Get the soap scum off that glass shower door. Clean until you think it cannot get any more clean, and then look for more to clean again! A most prefectly built, expensive house can look very bad if it is dirty and looks too "used". Clean, clean, clean! And to top it off, if you do the cleaing yourself, it will cost less than a hundred bucks!
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