Pending Home Sales Down

by | Aug 18, 2010 | Blog, Buyers, Market Data, Sellers

July pending home sales in the Twin Cities are down from last year.  Most likely due to July buyers making their purchase in the Spring prior to the tax credit expiring.  I expect activity to pick up after Labor Day.  Although, most think it will remain...

5 Tips for Choosing a Neighborhood

by | Aug 18, 2010 | Blog, Buyers

Excellent advice from the pages of Inman News: You’re not just buying a house — you’re also buying a neighborhood. Sometimes, though, one resident’s “neighborhood glories” are another resident’s “neighborhood...

Down Payment Resource

by | Aug 16, 2010 | Blog, Buyers

This is a great tool that will let you know how many down payment assistance programs are available for the area or property you are looking at, and of those, how many assistance programs you could qualify for based on the information you enter about yourself! Check...

NAR: Home Prices Are Firming

by | Aug 16, 2010 | Blog, Buyers, Market Data, Sellers

The trend in firming home prices solidified in the second quarter with more metropolitan areas showing increases from a year ago, aided by a surge in home sales driven by the home buyer tax credit, according to the latest survey by the National Association of...

7 Secrets for Bargain House Hunting

by | Aug 12, 2010 | Blog, Buyers

Some great advice from the pages of Trulia: 1.                  Get – and stay – clear on what “bargain” actually means.  Learn the difference between the asking price and the fair market value of a home. Many buyers think a bargain is any sale price below...

Dangerous Home Buyer Misconception

by | Aug 12, 2010 | Blog, Buyers, Market Data

By Dave Hill Prime Mortgage  Misconception: If you pay list price, you’re paying too much. If you don’t know what the current market value is for homes in the area and whether the market is appreciating or depreciating, you don’t know what a fair...