About Crow Wing County, MN

Important Information for home/cabin owners! If you are considering selling, you need to know this:

(This was taken from a press release from Crow Wing County, February 24, 2012)

50% EXPANSION TO NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES SET TO EXPIRE IN 2012.

Crow Wing County is reminding property owners that this year is the time to complete planned expansions to non-conforming structures without the requirement of obtaining a variance. The County’s current land use regulations allow a one-time 50% expansion of non-conforming structures – structures that do not meet current zoning requirements, such as setbacks from water or other “grandfathered” zoning requirements. Such structures may be expanded once by up to 50% without the need for a variance, but this allowance will expire on December 31, 2012

According to Land Services Department Supervisor Chris Pence, “Landowners who have not yet taken advantage of this one-time 50% expansion opportunity to expand the old cabin or other non-conforming structures should be aware that the window is closing. Permits to perform such expansions must be approved by the County in 2012. After that, a variance will be required to expand a non-conforming structure in Crow Wing County.

Current law allows a legally non-conforming structure to be increased one time by up to 50% of the current footprint as long as the expansion does not encroach any closer to the lake or other appropriate setbacks, is not located in shore impact zone 1, and the structure was built prior to land use regulations (1970). However, this provision sunsets at the end of 2012, and thereafter, expansions of nonconforming structures in Crow Wing County will require a variance. Therefore, property owners have until December 31, 2012 to receive an approved permit from the County for these expansions. The approved permit is then valid for two years, during which the construction must be completed.

The Land Services Department is committed to providing excellent customer service while helping landowners make wise choices that protect Crow Wing County’s extraordinary natural resources. Citizens are encouraged to contact the Environmental Services Office at (218) 824-1125 or environmental.services@co.crow-wing.mn.us to discuss expansions of structures or other land use questions before starting building projects. Information about land use in Crow Wing County can be found at www.co.crow-wing.mn.us.

If this information concerns or confuses you, please feel free to call me at my Keller Williams office and I will be happy to help. Keeping my clients and potential clients informed is a huge part of the value-added service I strive to provide.

I look forward to hearing from you-Jamie

218-838-4095 or 218-454-4300

"Millionaire Warren Buffett said Monday that stocks remain relatively cheap compared to other investments as the economy continues to improve."

Houses are another attractive investment at current prices, Buffett said. He added he might buy a couple hundred thousand homes if only he could figure out a way to manage them effectively. He said he isn't very handy.

“Single-family homes are really cheap now too,” Buffett said.

Buffett conceded in his letter released Saturday that he was dead wrong to predict the housing market would recover by now. He said Monday that he believes conditions will improve in 2012.

HAFA is another one of those terms thrown about in Short Sale discussions and pronounced Hoffa or Halfa. It has not been the most successful of the Short Sale program attempts but is far more successful than the loan modification programs. No matter how you choose to pronounce it, the letters stand for Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative. HAFA sets a structured time frame for the Short Sale process but does not always hit their own goals. None the less, the financial incentive to homeowner's is a powerful carrot to dangle as the journey is long and stressful to a successful closing. But when it does happen, it is sweet!

Buying a first home in the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota is a huge step and definitely not an easy decision. Anyone entering into this process for the first time deserves special attention from a real estate professional that is prepared to walk them step-by-step through the process.
I'm here to provide you or any first time home buyers that you know with that exact level of service.

It seems to make perfect sense that as a first time homebuyer, the first thing to do is to shop for homes. Many start by investigating the market in a desirable area and finding that perfect property. Then, they contact a mortgage professional. Unfortunately, this is when the dream can fall apart for potential buyers! Essentially, they've begun the process backward. When a bank or lending institution declines a mortgage loan, for whatever reason, the potential homebuyer can be left frustrated. Buyers then face the prospect of having to start their search again, seeking a new set of properties that fall within the boundaries of the mortgage company's approval. Homes in a lower price range, often do not measure up to what they had been viewing in a higher price range.

The opposite may also be true and they actually qualify to buy in a higher price range! Smiles all around for this.

For the real estate professional, the first question to ask the client isn't, "What kind of house are you looking for?" But rather asking them, "Have you been pre-qualified for a mortgage?" Unless the buyer is paying for the house with cash, a pre-qualification is an essential element in the buying process.

The pre-qualification process isn't difficult, and as a result, buyers will know exactly what they can afford, which in turn clearly defines their choices. This common sense approach can save real estate professionals time, as they can direct clients to homes that fall within their approved price range, rather than those they can't afford. It can also save buyers a lot of potential heartache and disappointment, removing the lure of falling in love with that "perfect home" that's out of reach and replacing it with a home that, instead, will be affordably just right.

In order to make an offer on property here in the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota. we need to include a pre-approval letter from your lender with the purchase agreement, along with earnest money. That shows you are serious and ready to purchase.

I would truly appreciate you passing my contact information their way. I guarantee to take good care of them and to help them on their way to finding that perfect first home.

Rates are at a record low after steadily declining throughout May, primarily due to uncertainty in the global and domestic economies. While these incredible rates represent a significant savings for home buyers, experts note that for the benefits to fully be realized, lending conditions must loosen so more buyers can take advantage of them. As overall economic activity gets back on track, rates will likely rise to keep inflation in check. In other words, the window of opportunity for buyers to lock in these historically low interest rates may not remain open much longer.

In our lovely Brainerd Lakes are of Minnesota, we have homes in every price range, condition and location. Investment properties abound with many duplex and single homes at great prices to convert into rentals.