Real Estate Blog 
Thinking about buying your first home? The first steps for first time home buyers to get started.
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 at 3:30pm. 250 Views, 2 Comments.
Buying your very first home can be exciting and rewarding. It is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make and a big milestone in most people's lifetime. So it is important to feel educated and ready to purchase a home before making the plunge in becoming a homeowner.
A common inquiry I get when working with first time home buyers is, "What is my first step I need to take on my journey to purchasing my first home?" Some may think the first step is to schedule showing appointments for some houses they found interesting online and get started in finding a home they like and dream of owning.
But, in fact, there are several crucial first steps to take when beginning your home search that HGTV's "House Hunters" completely skips over and is not…
Otsego- A Growing River City for Young Families
Friday, November 4th, 2011 at 4:53pm. 2001 Views, 0 Comments.
Otsego is a former agricultural city that has grown into a thriving area for young families in mind just 25 miles northwest of Minneapolis. It is uniquely situated along the Mississppi River bordering the north and east banks of the river. It's easy acess to I-94 and State Highway 10 allows for a quick commute to both Minneapolis and St. Cloud. Otsego conveys a country atmosphere while still having the benefits of a suburban lifestyle.
Otsego is a young city as it was only incorporated from a township to a city just a short 21 years ago in 1990. When Otsego officially became a city back in 1990, the population was 5,218 and there were 1,558 households within the community. The recent 2010 U.S. Census has reflected significant growth since 1990 with a…
City of Delano a Great Place to Call Home
Thursday, November 18th, 2010 at 5:58pm. 4788 Views, 1 Comments.
When purchasing a home, not only do you look for a home that fits your needs and wants, but you're also looking for a neighborhood and community you can enjoy and sustain a great quality of life. The residents in Delano feel they have found just that in a recent 2010 survey conducted by Delano city officials.
In fact, in the recent 2010 survey, 66% of residents feel the "quality of life" in Delano is good and another 25% feel it is excellent. When surveyed what residents "perception of community" is for Delano, 85% call it home while only 9% call it just a place to live. And 77% feel the city is "heading in the right direction" with their award winning school district, park systems, and steady growth. Another positive to living in Delano is that 54%…
Forbes Ranks Minneapolis/ St. Paul #1 as America's "Most Relaxed City"
Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 at 2:51pm. 8779 Views, 1 Comments.
Feeling stressed all the time? It may be because you are living in the wrong city. Cities with high unemployment, snarling traffic, and long working hours can have a major impact on your physical health and well being. Stressful environments can take its toll on your health causing everything from headaches, back pain, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
So where can you escape from stress and live in a more relaxed environment? A recent Forbes study suggests the Minneapolis/ St. Paul metro area. This metro area of roughly 3.2 Million people boasts lower unemployment at 7% compared to the current national unemployment average of 9.6%. Less than 5% of commuters spend their morning in traffic and 84% of the population reported recent exercise- the…
Zero Down Payment option for Minneapolis and St Paul First Time Home Buyers
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 at 6:47pm. 27273 Views, 0 Comments.
Affordable Advantage - Zero Down Payment Loan
Can’t Save the 3.5% for an FHA Loan? Can You Save ZERO?
It’s back and in style, the true Minneapolis and St Paul MN zero down payment program. For a few years now, the most minimum down payment you can do is 3.5% with FHA. And FHA has had its fair share of hurdles, from appraisal issues to a pretty major upfront mortgage insurance premium that you finance over the term of your loan. I am not bashing FHA. It’s a great program. I am here to say that there just may be a better one now!
Thanks to MN Housing putting their collective brains together with US Bank, we have Affordable Advantage ! CONVENTIONAL alternative to FHA and one that will benefit you way more! It is true; minimum down is available on…
Do you have RADON in your home?? Get it Tested!
Monday, June 7th, 2010 at 1:28pm. 3451 Views, 1 Comments.
We have all heard in the news of high levels of radon being found in homes. As a real estate agent, I strongly encourage my buyers to not only get a home inspection, but to also have their potential future home tested for radon. So you may ask, WHAT IS RADON? Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically surfaces up through the soil to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside and can over time build up inside your home. According to the EPA, radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancers a year. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking!
I recently had my own…
Carolyn Capablo Is Reclaiming Her Name
Sunday, June 6th, 2010 at 6:03pm. 3466 Views, 0 Comments.
For real estate agents, their name is the basis of their reputation. It is how the community recognizes their business. Often, their name is the centerpiece to their brand. A REALTOR's success can actually be determined by whether or not potential clients know their name. When something tarnishes that name, it can have a serious impact on that agent’s reputation. When it happens to an agent through no fault of their own, it’s downright heartbreaking.
Usually a REALTOR’s dream, North Virginia real estate professional Carolyn Capalbo's phone has been ringing like crazy. Unfortunately, the reality is that Carolyn Capalbo is living a nightmare for two years. Her identity has been mistaken for a different Carolyn Capalbo, whose name has been associated with a…
Rockford...A Quaint "Up and Coming" Western Suburb
Monday, April 26th, 2010 at 10:32pm. 3364 Views, 1 Comments.
Rockford, MN is situated just west of Plymouth along the beautiful Crow River. The city's rolling hills and mature trees offer a multitude of affordable options for home buyers in comparison to many other western suburbs of the Twin Cities.
Rockford's downtown area is booming with everything from bars and resturants to small businesses and the city's largest park and library. It also boasts a "state of the art" school district where the elementary school has taken a unique approach to adopting an art's inquiry-based curriculum. Neighboring Rebecca Lake Park Reserve offers year-round fun with a public beach on Lake Rebecca, canoeing access on the Crow River, and miles of biking and horse riding trails throughout the park.
One of the newest…
23 Days Left!
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 at 2:22pm. 3238 Views, 0 Comments.
Home Buyer Tax Credit Expiring
Just a reminder that the home buyer tax credit will expire at the end of this month. Don't miss out on the chance for an $8,000 tax credit just for buying the home you want to purchase anyway!
Have We Hit The Bottom?
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 5:03pm. 3847 Views, 0 Comments.
The Question I Most Often Get
Many people ask me, "Have we hit the bottom of the real estate market? Are prices going to go lower?". The answer is clear as mud. One thing is for sure, hind sight is 20/20 and you will be kicking yourself if you don't buy into this market!
Even within one geographical area, like the Twin Cities, the bottom will hit at various times. Each market is different, from neighborhoods to types of housing and every combination. What is consistent, is the general upward or downward movement in housing prices.
Our market has taken quite a hit. Our prices are the lowest they've been in several years. Has the exact type of home you would like hit rock bottom? It might already be on the upswing, or it might not quite be at the very…
Thinking about buying your first home? The first steps for first time home buyers to get started.
Buying your very first home can be exciting and rewarding. It is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make and a... 3Comments Read MoreOtsego- A Growing River City for Young Families
Otsego is a former agricultural city that has grown into a thriving area for young families in mind just 25 miles northwest o... Add Comment Read MoreCity of Delano a Great Place to Call Home
When purchasing a home, not only do you look for a home that fits your needs and wants, but you're also looking for a n... 1Comments Read MoreWe're always on the lookout for talented real estate agents to join our growing team.
Contact Us
