About Aitkin County, MN

There seems to be some confusion on housing market statistics and as usual , it all depends on who is paying for the report. In my area of the Brainerd Lakes in Minnesota, the sales of homes under $150,000 is picking up. The median priced range homes have slowed and we are seeing a dip in the luxury home market. With that said - buyers are still buying lake homes on desirable lots, tearing them down and building even bigger and "better". Homes are still selling and people are still buying. It seems that more people are putting their homes on the market to test the waters and then pulling them off or not renewing their listing contracts.

For this reason, I am only interested in motivated sellers - need to sell or really are determined to make that move. I have now received certification through two programs on Short Sales and REOs as that seems to be what we will be dealing with more and more. To not be educated on these and to work them is a big No No in my mind. However, after the studying you do need to go for it. I see others comment that only agents experienced in Short Sales/REO should do them. They were not always experienced, but that is a good way to cut out any competition.

I am enrolled in the Harris Real Estate University Coaching program and have found that they do keep me up to date on any changes and hints of changes, along with the ins and outs of the processes. Let the 2010 games begin !

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I am sneezing, coughing and congested. So are other members of my family including those who came home from Florida with me. I feel fine but am tired (probably a lack of sleep). They, however are just miserable and have additional symptoms that I thankfully am not sharing. Fever, chills, thick mucus, aches and a total lack of motivation (so they say). I think that my problems are due to allergies and they have a cold or the flu. If you are wondering about your symptoms here is a great link to About.com that will give you some help in sorting things out. Of course, a visit to the doctor may be in order for some and do not let the Internet be a substitute for good health care!

At my house, these young and healthy individuals should bounce back quickly but since Mom (that would be me) is taking care of them and they are on vacation this could take a while.

photo by Flickr

When your home is for sale, things need to change in a big way. If you want to leave the lid/seat on your toilet seat up - that is for you and your wife to work out. However, when your home is listed and people are touring - the seat and lid need to be down. Seems like a small matter and it is. It is also only one of a list of things that need to be done to get your home the most showings, the most offers and sell in the shortest amount of time.
All my signed listings receive a detailed staging consultation and great advice for getting your home prepared for the market. This is a market that is packed with competition. Unless your home is priced competitively and shows above the competition - it will linger on the market while the others sell.
Do you want to sell or do you want to stay ? Decide now and then lets get going. This is a great time to get started. I will advise you every step of the way and offer low or no cost ways to make your home the shining star.
Buyers are looking for move in ready properties that they can quickly personalize in their own way.

Call 218-831-8001 if you are in the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota and desiring to sell your property!

photo by flickr

From the New York Times:

Michael S. Barr, Treasury’s assistant secretary for financial institutions, said in an interview Friday that the government would try to use shame as a corrective, publicly naming those institutions that move too slowly to permanently lower mortgage payments. The Treasury Department also will wait until reductions are permanent before paying cash incentives that it promised to mortgage companies that lower loan payments.

“They’re not getting a penny from the federal government until they move forward,” Mr. Barr said.

I am wondering if shame is the new step to take in getting the banking industry to do what the government wants them to do? It worked when I was young and my Mother used it, but I think there really may be a more adult way and I am wondering who the adult in this situation really is?

Last month it was reported that fewer than 2000 of the 500,000 loan modifications that were then in progress had become permanent. Has the Making Home Affordable program worked with any of your clients? We throw the term “loan modification” out there but who has seen real progress in this? I know of only a few and then not personally but “someone who heard of someone who”.

I am seeing progress in the time frames of processing Short Sales and the ease of doing so. By 2010, I do think that there will be a more standardized system and would welcome that. I certainly prefer a Short Sale over a foreclosure.

Until then “shame on you” – feel better now???