About Wright County, MN

There has never been, in recent history, a better time for first-time homebuyers to negotiate a sale on any property...bank-owned, owner-owned or short sale. However, there are hazards in the making.

If you think that bypassing a Buyer's Representative and dealing directly with the listing agent gives you an advantage, you are sorely mistaken. It is your choice, however you will be handing over all of your confidential information to the person listing the property. Now, in the State of Minnesota, that constitutes dual agency which means that the agent holds no preference to either party. They cannot, or should not, disclose price, terms or motivation to either party. Do you really want to give up the representation of what could be a bulldog on your behalf to a chihuahua? (Sorry to you dog owners for the analogy.)

You likely won't save money. However, you are giving the agent a double dose of what is best for the agent. A high price with little negotiation means a higher percentage of the sale in the pocket for you-know-who. So, when you are buying, be sure who is representing you. You know best. However, we don't define ourselves as wolves and lambs for nothing. You must be sure you know what you are doing if you go it alone...Just stay safe out there. Especially, these days. Trust me, bank-owned properties and short sales are no easy walk in the park. It was certainly bad enough with one seller-one buyer transactions, but these have cost me sleep and sensibility more than once.

Be safe and hire your own representation. It usually costs you nothing and you will be a lot safer, saner and glad you did in the end.

I really don't quite know how to say this...

Today was really rough. We had a closing on a bank-owned property that had a purchase agreement written on April 10...yes, 3 months ago. BANK-OWNED. Today, it closed, dry. But, it closed. Touch and go all the way down to the wire. The buyer and buyer's agent were among the best people I have ever had the privilege to work with. It has taken every nerve in my body, a couple of drinks and more fortitude than I ever want to muster again in the next few months to get this bloody deal to close. But, the poor buyer and buyer's agent had it much worse.

It was also my birthday. I have had so many nice people send me wishes on facebook and I need to thank them all...and then during closing I got the nicest video birthday greeting from Jeff Turner. How he finds the time to do that is beyond me. But, I have always been a big fan of his, although we haven't communicated much lately. What a guy! I also want to thank Deb Walsh, Ryan Hukill, Petra Norris, Charlie Harden and a bunch of other great friends. I needed this today.....

Want to make someone's day? Whether or not, it's their birthday, just reach out and say hi....sometimes that's all it takes, especially if you know they might be going through a rough spot. I love my friends. Love yours, too.

I have been busy with my buyers. I have been busy with my listings. I have been busy setting appointments for listings and buyer meetings. But, I haven't in a while taken other buyers' agents clients to show properties. It's been two years! I love that that is now the case. And, inventory is shrinking now! We have had multiple offers on our bank-owned properties. And, they are getting above list price!!!! How cool is that? I wished that we could recoup some of our losses for all of us dedicated agents. And, it seems to be coming true. Keep your fingers crossed. Everything could be coming back to life. Go.....Go....Go!

Spring is typically the time that I really come alive...and, believe me, being a redhead, at least by nature, I am always alive!

This weekend the man of the house was busy in his workshop making birdhouses which he puts on pitchforks. I know, it sounds weird but they are very popular for gardens. And, he sells them.

Okay, just picture it, a birdhouse on a pitchfork....I tried for half an hour to import the picture, but it doesn't work so we are moving on now.

At any rate, as I said, he sells them so they are new housing. Yesterday, as I was glancing out the deck door, I see a prospective buyer. No, not a human. A male wren. He was very excited, popping back and forth, peeking in the window. And chirping away...presumably to the wife who was likely nearby. I started to laugh, and he flew off. Then he brought her over to check it out just a short time later. There was no realtor bird nearby that I could see. But, I think they're buying. Unless he can move it quickly.

If the birds are buying, and my buyers are buying, why aren't you buying?