About Wright County, MN

I just read a post from one of my best buds. He reminded me that we are all doing what we are called to do but from our own viewpoint. Where is yours?

Do you need an "attitutude adjustment"? Is there still some concern for the client in all your decisions, or have you gotten to the point that you need that paycheck?

We all at the end of the day want to be able to provide for our families, but, with any luck, we still have within our dwindling group a stand of REALTORS who will still compete with fairness and a sense of deceny. Who will make certain that, whatever the cost, the client receives the best representation and the best of everything the REALTOR can deliver.

Let's make certain that whenever you deal with the public and each other, we all treat each other fairly, respectfully and with the most courteous and ethical conduct we can. Our reputations rely on it!

2008 may well be remembered as the year of the foreclosure. There is a rumor that 1st graders now know how to spell foreclosure before they can spell thier own name. Wright County, Mn had it's share of foreclosures as well. A large majority of these were new construction that were never lived in. There is some good news as well! The fourth quarter of 2008 saw fewer newly listed lender mediated properties. That is the first quarter to quarter decrease since 2003. I am not calling it a trend yet, but I am very optimistic.

2008 Lender Mediated Homes Sold in Wright County (foreclosure & short sale)

City Total homes sold Lender-mediated % Lender Mediated

Annandale 64 20 31.3%

Buffalo 255 129 50.6%

Cokato 48 13 27.1%

Delano 82 15 18.3%

Hanover 40 16 40%

Howard Lake 23 10 43.5%

Maple Lake 28 11 39.3%

Monticello 201 85 42.3%

That gives you a snapshot of what happened in 2008. Keep in mind that some of these homes are very very good deals for the right buyer. When I say the right buyer I mean one that is not afraid of delays, extra work, buying a home as-is, and what sometimes is known as the waiting game. Don't get me wrong, there are great homes that are great deals out there right now! Make sure you talk to a Realtor that has experience with lender mediated properties as you start your search. Because...there are also so many excellent deals to find in the traditional market, make sure to ask your agent the differences and potential pit-falls of lender mediated properties before you start your search. Compare and contrast. Look at both and understand what you are buying.

2009 will be fine! That's the tag-line I am using, and I expect it to come true.

Talk to you next time!

Buffalo, Wright Co. MN	2008	2007	Δ Change
# Homes Sold	265	252	+4.91%
Average Price	$199,081	$227,974	-14.51%
Median Price	$172,500	$198,750	-15.22%
Total Volume	$52,756,629	$57,449,640	-8.90%

Based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OF MINNESOTA, INC. For the period of January 1, 2007 thru December 31, 2008

Buyers: Receive a CASH BONUS of 2% of the sale price up to a maximum of $10,000.00 after closing when you purchase a home through me.

To find out more, call Patti Ann Kasper at 763-548-1418 today!

Sellers: Your home SOLD in 39 days or less GUARANTEED, or I'll pay you up to $10,000 after closing!

*National Real Estate Stimulus Program* Participant

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Patti Ann Kasper, Your Minnesota, North Metro Twin Cities, and Buffalo MN Real Estate Expert!
© Copyright Patti Ann Kasper 2009 All Right Reserved.

I remember in the way back days (anyone remember that phrase??) , I used to get ready for open houses by first placing an ad in the paper, putting together flyers, getting them out to the neighborhood, knocking on doors and preparing food to get buyers in the door, setting up signs either the night before or early in the day and hoping for good weather. That was just two short years ago. Now, I throw an ad on the MLS and 50-60 other websites with the click of a couple of computer keys, tell the sellers to tell the neighbors and if I throw food in the car, it's for ME! Opens are a thing of the past! I will hold one open if the seller is alive and kicking...kicking me in the butt to do one. But, only if it is in the first week it is listed. Life has changed. I miss the "open house" experience, but have come to learn that today's savvy buyer is not interested in them anymore. If, and when, they want to see a house, they will do it on their timetable, not yours. So, if you are still running your real estate business model based on two years ago, it's time to re-examine your business practices and get up to speed.

Whether you voted in the last election, whether you voted for Barack Obama or not, today is an historic day. Today will change the world. This is the day that America will not have a white man leading our country.

It appears from the news coverage that we are rediscovering Camelot. I remember the first Camelot. (Yes, Virginia, I am old. But, not yet dead!) I know that there were a number of good Americans who couldn't believe we had actually elected and Irish CATHOLIC. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I certainly want to believe that this new administration can change our economic direction. We are losing families to poverty right and left. I met with a family just yesterday again who are losing their home to disease. It almost made me cry. I had hoped that one of our senators could help, but now that we are down to just one senator representing us, she is too busy with her "official" business of serving spam puffs and potato chips.

Let us hope that we really will see change we can believe in and not more rhetoric and business as usual.