About Benton County, MN

Originally posted at www.StCloudEdina.com/blog on January 9th, 2009:

I am wrapping up some of the initial numbers for the real estate sales from the St Cloud MLS and one stat jumped out at me recently. It looks like the average payout that home sellers are willing to give to an agent who finds them a buyer (Compensation to Buyer's Broker) has gone up quite substantially in the past few years.

According to the St Cloud MLS, commissions paid to a Buyer's Broker for a real estate transaction have gone up 15% in the last 4 years.

What does that mean? People are more willing to pay a premium in order to get their homes sold.

It kind of goes against the ordinary flow of business during a recession. Most people flock to the Walmarts, McDonald's and other quality (but cheap) businesses during tough times. In real estate, they flock to who does the job best.

It makes sense. If selling real estate is tougher than ever, you would want to use the real estate agent who is the best. If that means spending an extra percent or two, so be it. It is better than making payments on a home you no longer want and getting less for your home when it does finally sell.

Look for my year end "Tangen Report" to be posted here in the next week. For those of you who don't know, the "Tangen Report" is a quarterly breakdown of the real estate activity in St Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, and Waite Park in Central Minnesota.

Jason Tangen - GRI, e-PRO - Real Estate Broker Associate with Edina Realty in St Cloud

http://StCloudEdina.com - Home of the e-Market Analysis (Free home value estimator)

http://JasonTangen.EdinaRealty - Search homes for sale in St Cloud MN

Originally posted at http://StCloudEdina.com/blog on 11/01/08:

We have seen the end of a crazy period of time both in the real estate market and in the stock market. It is truly amazing how things can change so fast. Click on the file below to see the overall real estate sales statistics for St Cloud, Waite Park, Sartell, and Sauk Rapids Minnesota. Please note that this file is intended for personal knowledge. If you are planning on using any of the information contained herein, please acknowledge its author (Jason Tangen - e-PRO, GRI - Broker Associate with Edina Realty in St Cloud) properly.

Download file

The one big item of concern that I touch base on is the fact that real estate values (both median and average) showed approximately a 7% decline from the 3rd quarter of 2007. Something to think about if you are preparing to sell your home.

If you would like to view previous Tangen reports, visit http://stcloudedina.com/blog/the_tangen_report/.

If you would like me to break down the statistics for your specific neighborhood or area in Central MN, please post your request here for everyone to see and use in the future.

Jason Tangen - GRI, e-PRO - Real Estate Broker Associate with Edina Realty in St Cloud MN

http://StCloudEdina.com - Home of the e-Market Analysis (free home value estimator).

Looking to sell? Use the real estate agent who is the best on the web for advertising real estate.

Originally posted at www.StCloudEdina.com/blog on September 15th, 2008:

I would like to congratulate Spencer Buerkle on his primary victory this past week in his bid to become the County Commissioner for Benton County in District 4. I know Spencer as he works at Edina Realty with me and wish him nothing but the best in his efforts.

If you would like to know more about Spencer Buerkle or have questions regarding Benton County, you can visit Spencer's blog at www.SpencerBuerkle.Blogspot.com.

Jason Tangen, GRI - Broker Associate with Edina Realty in St Cloud MN.

www.StCloudEdina.com - Search real estate in St Cloud MN and surrounding

Originally posted at www.StCloudEdina.com on September 4th, 2008:

I just got done sending my oldest off to her first day of kindergarten today. She was very exicited to go. I, on the other hand, was very sad to see her get on the bus like such a big girl. Mississippi Heights Elementary School in Sauk Rapids MN (more specifically Mrs. Maas) is getting a good kid today. It seems like only yesterday that she was just barely walking. What's next? College?

It is amazing how the time flies by when we look back on things. I hope that I can always remember this day and how it felt to see my little girl all suited up with her backpack, heading out to learn and do great things.

To Abbie on Her First Day of School:

Have fun, try your hardest, say "Hi" to everyone you meet, and remember that you will always be my little girl.

Jason Tangen

www.StCloudEdina.com