About Olmsted County, MN

I work a lot with people who haven't been successful in selling their home with other agents. Last night I was at a house in NW Rochester that's been on the market for quite some time. Great location. Pretty good overall condition. Price not incredibly inflated. Previous marketing not necessarily a detriment. Why hasn't it sold?

"Congratulations, you are the highest bidder for your home presently!" No seller wants to hear an agent say that. However, that's exactly what's happening. What many of us don't realize when we go to sell our home is that we unintentionally cover up the very reasons we fell in love with the home in the first place. It's true, sometimes I've worked with buyers that fell in love with other people's furniture more than they did the house...and ended up buying the house (the furniture went in the moving truck). But more often than naught, there's been something extra that placed a house on a different plane than others.

I've showed homes to buyers who smelled the brownies in the oven, walked freely amongst the house with the lights already on, enjoying the light music in the background, and said to me almost immediately that it felt like home. Cobwebs in the corners of the windows weren't noticeable, because there weren't any. Dirty laundry wasn't strewn about the floor, but instead placed neatly in drawers for the potential buyer not to worry about. Pet "land mines" weren't an issue as we stolled through the back yard, and my shoulder didn't go out of joint as I opened the sliding door leading to the deck.

Staging really isn't that important...if you don't care about how much money you get for your house, and you don't mind staying for a while. And make no mistake--there are buyers purchasing homes right now, despite what you may hear. The question is, who will be the next to move--you or the neighbor down the street?

I've been a pastor now for 17 years. I'm entering my 5th year as a Realtor. Some don't see the two as being compatible, especially in a cynical world. I beg to differ. Some think that by resigning my position as a Senior Pastor in a growing church I was running away from ministry. I didn't see it that way. In fact, I viewed the transition as one of the great faith moments of my life.

My desire was to help people in defining moments that reach beyond church walls. Moments that are joyful as a young couple looks to buy their first home and begin life together. Moments that are problematic as a job transfer is forcing a family to uproot and consider a new place to live. Moments that close the chapter on points in life as someone downsizes to a townhouse from the place they have raised their children. We all have time of transition where we need guidance in our investments, in our choices, in our perspectives on life. I've found that as a real estate agent opportunities have arisen to minister in ways I could have never imagined. I've tried to honor that gift by serving with integrity and trust coupled with sincere hard work.

I've always been a Realtor. Some of the real estate I've sold has been on this earth. In many cases it's been helping others invest in eternal homes constructed by the Greatest Builder I'll ever know. But either way, it's a priviledge to do both in a way that provides a sense of dignity to the client, sound service, and the hope of great things to come.

My wife and I put up a new backboard this evening at our quiet abode in Stewartville. We say it's for the kids, but Deb then subsequently beat me at "pig" shortly before we put our kids to bed. I begin my career as a "bricklayer" tomorrow!

We live on a cul de sac with some great neighbors. As we were putting that backboard up, one neighbor stopped by and offered us some more tomatos from her overflowing garden. Deb already canned several of their offerings yesterday. Another neighbor came out to help us with the project & we chatted about his son visiting from CA. We also caught up with the news on still another great family as they look at adopting two children from overseas. I pray for their travels and the blessings they will receive in a couple of wonderful additions to their family in this time of change.

School is here. My kids run off to Bonner and ride the bus to Central and enjoy it every step of the way (on most days). When they come home, they're excited to be involved with sports like soccer & flag football that the Stewartville Youth Athletic Association does a great job of organizing. This summer we had the pleasure of enjoying the new pool with water slides and all the perks.

If you're looking for a place where the neighbors are friendly, the schools are sound, and the future is bright--come on over & join us. I happen to know a pretty good Realtor who could find you the right place:)

Over the weekend, I took the family to the Minnesota State Fair. It's a great tradition my kids enjoy. We sampled Grandma's Cookies, visited the animals, wandered the exhibits, and enjoyed the rides on the Midway. It began to heat up in the afternoon, so we took out our bottles of water from our backpacks (we came prepared) and headed for a cool place. We came across a great exhibit on environmental issues including some great resources to consider regarding water sources in the state.

So often as Realtors, we enter "city water" or "well" on the MLS without considering the source. These links provided by the state offer some insight that goes beyond a shared well or a certain taste. It goes right to the core, and can provide meaningful information for both buyers and sellers. If you're licensed in Minnesota--check them out sometime, it may be that extra step ahead. If you sell in a different state, check with your local and state officials to discover sources near your areas of business. In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, water's always an issue:) Here's some sites to try:

http://www.mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/spills/incidentresponse/disclaimer.htm

http://www.pca.state.mn.us./backyard/neighborhood.html

While the news you hear and read speaks loudly of the looming recession, economic downturn and poor real estate market; Rochester's real estate market has held strong. It is hopeful that Rochester's economy and real estate sector will not only be stable in 2008, but grow. The job growth predictions and the low interest rates will provide buyers the ability to hold good jobs and to afford homes.

A total number of 1674 single family homes sold in 2007 within Rochester city limits. While that number is not as high as 2006 sales (1769 single family units sold), the Rochester market still proves to be very stable.

Would you believe that 62% of the 1674 homes sold, were priced between $100000 and $200000? The next largest sales category was between $200000 and $300000 with 22% sold.

With 654 single family homes on the market as of today, it is hopeful that 2008 will bring buyers to the sellers and that Rochester's market will continue to be stable, prosperous and growing.