Posts Tagged ‘minnesota mls’

Important First Steps When Buying a Home

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Jul 09 2010

First time homebuyers will get a lot of benefits if they do their research the minute they decide to no longer rent. While most real estate agents can advise and guide you through the home buying process, identifying exactly what you want and being clear about what you’ll settle for – and won’t settle for – will help you make the best decision for your long-term home investment.

First time home buyers will discover that there are a lot of decisions to make during the home buying process and it may cause them to be overwhelmed. Questions like the distance of the house from your work place or if the house is livable enough to move into pops up in your mind when you start your home buying process. Making sure you’ve asked yourself the right questions and creating a ‘wishlist’ for your ideal home will make the home buying process much easier, and also help you get over many of the challenges involved in finding that perfect home. Your wishlist should include these considerations:

1. What are the essential amenities you’re looking for? These are things that you would like your new home to have, like a swimming pool, fireplace, an attic or maybe even a gazebo. Prioritize these so you can simply say ‘no’ to the prospective homes for sale if it doesn’t meet the basic amenities criteria. When creating your wishlist, be as detailed as possible so you can use this as a guide in finding your dream home.

2. Be specific about your desired location. When you are considering the different homes for sale, location is the most important factor, explains the author Ilyce Glink of ’100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask’. You’ll need to think about where the home for sale be located in relation to schools, places of worship, shopping venues and even your friends and family. Your final location will determine how much you may need to drive each day – and if it’s worth the extra effort.

3. What is the ideal size? Do you need more than three bedrooms? Is your family growing? If you know that you will need extra space in the future, invest in a home that will suit your future space requirements. Project your home needs for at least the next three to five years so you select the right size.

4. Are you willing to invest in renovating or refurbishing the home? How much is your budget and what you are willing to spend for renovations and other maintenance causes if the house you are planning to buy is not in moving-in condition? You will be able to cross out some of the real estate property from your list when you set up some guidelines and follow them.

5. Will safety and security be an issue for you? If you have small children or are living alone, safety and security may be a top priority. Ask yourself what you will need in order to feel safe in the new neighborhood so you can eliminate homes that don’t meet the criteria. You will be able to trim down the wide range of choices by setting goals and being specific about what you want so you can easily find the right home for sale.

When looking for MN homes for sale, searching online is one of the fastest ways to find the types of property your looking for. People use the Minnesota MLS to view most of the homes that are currently on the market.

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First Time Homebuyer Tips for Property Searching

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Apr 12 2010

If you are a first time homebuyer, the home buying process may seem tedious and lengthy, but there is a way to manage it to ensure that you will be able to buy your dream home without headaches or regrets when you make your final purchase. There are some steps that you can take to ensure that your home purchase is the right one for you, and that you have scouted around for a sufficient amount of real estate property to choose from.

The first visit to the property involves more than just taking a tour with the realtor. You need to be prepared with a checklist and a few tools. Eric Tyson and Kevin Brown, authors of the book “Home Buying for Dummies” point out the importance of becoming an “educated buyer”. Here’s what you need to know before you head out to the properties on your search list:

1. Take pictures of the homes for sale you visit. Capturing still images of the entire home from all points of view and the areas inside the home will greatly aid you to recall every single home for sale that you get to visit. Even if you can access a picture of the house on the internet, it is best to have your own personal file. Take close-up shots of the rooms, the back yard, the basement and the other areas so that you have all the material you need on hand when the time comes for you to decide which of the homes for sale to buy.

2. Study a map of the property and surrounding landmarks. What are the assess points to the property? How near is it to your place of work? To local schools? To the facilities that you need like grocery stores? It is possible to get a bird’s eye view the area using an online interactive map to easily identify where the major roads and landmarks in the community are. Knowing these things will help you make a better decision on what area would be a suitable location for you to live in.

3. Take a good look at the surrounding area. How close is the home to the neighbors? Is there a fence between your prospective home and the adjacent property? Take the time to observe the other properties, the parked vehicles, and the lawn maintenance and landscaping features of the other homes nearby. This will allow you to get a general idea of the lifestyle of the community and the environment you might be moving into.

4. Identify three to four unique features of the property. Since you might be visiting several homes for sale, this activity will be an effective way to recall each and every home that you get to inspect. Identify the features that make the house for sale stand out, like if there is a pool, a gazebo in the garden, an island in the kitchen, or a loft-style bedroom. This will help you keep track of the benefits of each of the homes for sale that you visit.

5. Rate each home for sale. Set up your own rating system so you can remove from your list homes for sale which do not meet with your criteria. A scale of 1 to 10 can be applied to the homes that you visit, and you can give a high rating like 9 or 10 to the ones that are to very much to your liking. This can help a first time home buyer make the home buying process shorter and easier.

A first time homebuyer can find the right home with complete confidence with the aid of these vital tips, a reliable real estate agent, or by means of searching the internet for homes for sales listings by state and city. Prepare for the real estate property visits that you will be doing so that you will be able to have compiled data to use for your important decision of which of the homes for sale to buy.

When looking for MN homes for sale, searching online is one of the easiest ways to find the types of real estate your looking for. People use the Minnesota MLS to view most of the homes that are currently on the market.

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Things to Consider as a First Time Homebuyer

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Mar 01 2010

Finding the perfect home may take several months, and a first time homebuyer will greatly be aided in the home buying process by making a plan to sort through all the financing details, conducting research about the prospective neighborhood, and to finding a reliable real estate agent to work with. With a step-by-step plan or drafting up a checklist, you will be able to keep everything related to your search for the right home to purchase become organized and on track.

“The Home Buyer’s Question and Answer Book”, authored by Bridget McCrea, explains that it’s very important to create a plan both for your financial side, and in terms of what you want and need in your home. This means that when your plan for your new home, you have to make a budget analysis, and list down the amenities, rooms, themes of the home and other features that you would like your new home to have.

If you are a first time homebuyer, here are some essential items that you can include in your checklist or plan that will help you have an easier time with your home buying process:

1. List down the different housing types of your prospective neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has at least 5 to 6 different types and styles of housing. It is to your advantage to know what the various styles and classifications are, unless you are building a new structure.

2. Start reviewing online listings. Working with a good real estate agent will give you a strong idea of available properties, but you can do a lot of homework on your own. Don’t be afraid to review FSBO listings in the local newspaper, or jump on the Internet to search for properties in your area.

3. Learn about the home inspection process. Home inspections can be lengthy and fairly complex, but they are well worth the effort when you narrow down your choices of properties. Learn about the different stages of the home inspection, and don’t forget to create your own DIY home inspection checklist when you’re visiting several properties.

4. Use a scorecard to compare different homes for sale in a neighborhood. Design your own scorecard to rate and keep track of all the prospective homes for sale that you find or visit. Items that you can include would be the asking price, key benefits, drawbacks, number of rooms, accessibility to highways, and any other top priority items that will suit your requirements.

5. Decide upon your ideal location. Knowing the ideal location of your new home will greatly aid you in eliminating homes for sale that will be able to suit your requirements. You can conduct your internet search by typing in the state you wish to live in, and then placing in buy homes for sale. A few of the factors that you would have to take into account when deciding where to buy is the neighborhood’s proximity to your work, to schools, to parks or it’s access to public transportation. It is a good thing to be aware of these things because even if you don’t get to buy your new home in your desired locations, you will still get to find one that will adequately suit your requirements on the purchase of your new home.

6. Map out your budget. You can meet with a personal financial advisor at your local bank or credit union for some budgeting advice, or you can draft up your own home budget to get a strong idea of what you can and can’t afford. Making a budget and then sticking with it regardless of how much you are preapproved for is a much more intelligent choice than waiting to ‘hear’ from your lender about your options from your lender.

Are you a new homebuyer looking for homes for sale in Minnesota? Searching online using the Minnesota MLS is an excellent way to find the kind of home you’re looking for.

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Finding the Best First Time Homebuyer Programs

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Feb 04 2010

Buying your first home can be an exciting and very rewarding experience, but it does involve a significant amount of research time. Not only do you need to evaluate your financial situation and meet with different lenders to obtain financing, but you’re also responsible for meeting with real estate agents, and doing research about the neighborhood.

A lot of people do not know that there are first time home buyer programs being given by several community and government facilities that will help them in the financial aspect of their home buying. Almost all states have some type of community development department that helps match buyers with homes and financing programs, though this may vary per state and region. If you are looking for financial assistance so you can procure your first home, here are some of the first time home buyer programs that may be able to help you:

First Time Homebuyer Program from the Housing Finance Authority: several banks and community assistance programs offer this program to their clients, and eligibility is usually based on your income level and location of the home. The program provides financing for the purchase of new or existing homes for moderate, middle and lower-income families.

Low Interest Mortgage programs: some lending facilities will extend low-interest mortgage to moderate or low-income families, and this based on household income, family size, and credit history. Programs may differ based on state and region, but most established financing institutions offer it.

Down-Payment Assistance programs: many first time homebuyers simply don’t have enough funds to make a reasonable down payment. According to author Bridget McCrea of “The Home Buyer’s Question and Answer Book,” these programs provide financial assistance in the form of interest-free second mortgages to cover the cost of the down-payment. These are typically offered to low and moderate-income households, and in some cases, the loan can be deferred for up to five years.

First Time Home Buyer Counseling: many financial institutions and real estate agents offer free workshops and seminars to first time home buyers to educate them about the process. Attendees of these events are usually given a special rate for financing or other incentives, and will get a wealth of information about the home buying process, and even sometimes gain some financial rewards.

Seller Financing: many home buyers neglect to look into this option when they require a larger loan than what a lending facility has approved for them. Seller financing is a loan agreement between the property owner and the buyer. Loans are negotiated between the two parties, and the buyer will make the monthly payments as per the provisions of the loan to the seller. Getting the financing this way may be a better alternative from availing of bank and credit union loans.

Many people are not aware of the several financing options open to first time home buyers and will be unable to get the assistance they need. A qualified real estate professional can assist first time home buyers in finding the right program to match their need. It will be to your advantage to take the time to check with the local community assistance or the development board for specialized programs and other incentives given to moderate or low-income families.

Looking for MN Homes for sale? A great resource for searching properties online is the Minnesota MLS, which enables you to search by price, neighborhood and many other criteria.

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How to Make the Most of the 2nd Showing as a First Time Home Buyer

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Dec 10 2009

To be properly prepared for the challenge of buying your first home or another house, you will be able to get a better investment by first conducting intensive research without first seeking the aid real estate agent. One of the important steps involved in buying a house is the showing, and the ideal way to go about it is to have at least 3 showings per house to facilitate proper inspection and do detailed inquiry. Since you are already considering the house after the first showing, take notes while examining each area of the house for any physical defects during the second showing.

“100 Questions Every First Time Home Buyer Should Ask”, book author, Ilyce Glick recommends that first time home buyers should use the time of the second showing to reconfirm what they had found appealing during the first showing and to identify any problems that it may have to be able to save time and money. Here is a list of things to do a closer inspection of during the second showing:

Check the roof. Ask the property owner or the agent how old the roof is, and if there have been any renovations or repairs made to it. The cost of having to place a new roof or repair an old one is quite expensive, so knowing what condition the roof is in can prepare you for any future expenses that you may have if you decide to continue with the purchase.

Inspect the wear and tear of the interior. The things that you can look out for are wall cracks, creaky floorboards, shaky stairs, peeling paint and other similar defects that may not cost too much to fix, but need to be planned for.

Checking the mechanical systems. Are the water heaters and furnaces functioning? What type of insulation has been installed throughout the home? Ask the agent or home owner to provide details on the mechanicals so you’re not left with any surprises later in the home buying process.

Assess the area. Go to the front and back area of the house to look around. Are the views to your liking? What is the noise level? These significant details can only be assessed doing an on-site inspection, and give you an idea of the environment that you will be living in.

Look for signs of pests. Are there any rat holes or termite tracks? Do you see any cockroaches or other kinds of bugs? You have to know if there is any need for pest control or if there is a pest infestation that you cannot handle so you can avoid living in a unpleasant situation.

Visualize yourself in the house. Imagine yourself in the house doing your daily activities. Does the furniture you have go with the house? Try to see yourself living in this house and see if it will truly be fit to be your home.

Take full advantage of the second showing to conduct your preliminary inspections and to help you already decide if the house will suit you. Make a list of the positive and negative things about your investment so that when you sit down to make your final choice, it is ready for your review.

Are you a new homebuyer looking for homes for sale in Minnesota? Searching online using the Minnesota MLS is a great way to find the type of property you’re looking for.

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First Time Homebuyer’s Guide to Calculating the Reservation Price

Real Estate Advice | Posted by homesforsaleinminnesota
Nov 20 2009

One of the most important elements of the home buying process involves making the right offer for your home. Experts encourage all homebuyers to take the time to research prices in the area and create their own reservation price, or the highest price they are willing to pay for the home. A reservation price helps you to bid more effectively and stay within your budget, making it easier to negotiate with the seller or seller’s agent when it comes to making the offer.

Barron’s ‘Smart Consumer Guide to Home Buying’ explains that it is customary for buyers to discount their offering price to create some negotiating room when making the offer; there is no rule on how much this discount needs to be, but it will depend largely on market conditions and how much you really like the home.

Here is a basic process for calculating your reservation price so you can negotiate the best price for your dream home:

1. Write down the amount you can afford to pay each month. This may be close to what you are paying now, or what you are comfortably willing to spend per month on housing costs.

2. Compute for tax and insurance costs. Barron’s ‘Smart Consumer Guide to Home Buying’ gives these suggestions for computing tax and insurance costs: Use a factor of .68 for regions with high tax and insurance rates; .85 for areas with inexpensive tax and insurance rates; or use the typical factor of .75 to get a rough estimate. Your loan P&I payment that you can afford can be computed by multiplying the factors above to the amount in Step 1.

3. Calculate your typical loan term and interest rate. Write down the loan term in years and the interest rate. You’ll need to locate the appropriate payment from the loan payment tables that are applicable to this loan term and interest rate.

4. Know your total loan amount. This information can also be found in the loan payment table, or you can simply ask your mortgage lender.

5. Add your cash available for the down payment. This will give you a final figure of the amount you can afford to pay for the home.

You then have to compare the calculations you made on Step 1 with the amount on Step 5. The difference between the two will give you your negotiating range when making an offer. If the amount in Step 1 is larger than the amount in Step 5, you can offer a higher price for a home to secure the bid. If the reverse is true then you need to negotiate to bring down the final price into the range that you can afford.

Calculating your reservation price is an important part of the homebuying process and can help you negotiate the best possible deal for your situation and get the home you want. Consider using the above calculations for each home you are considering so you have the confidence to overbid or negotiate for a lower price with your budget in mind.

When looking for MN homes for sale, searching online is one of the fastest ways to find the types of real estate your looking for. People use the Minnesota MLS to view most of the homes that are currently on the market.

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