As of April 13, 2012, Bank of America will require several additional steps in order to initiate short sales as well as change the way in which communication takes place. These changes will attempt to streamline and expedite the short sale process. FORMS REQUIRED TO INITIATE SHORT SALES The following forms will need to be [...]
On the fence about a new home or home loan in Carver County Minnesota?
July 6, 2012 By
Mortgage rates have currently hit all time lows and the housing demand and sales have continued to increase. Look to see rates begin to inch up as we move towards year end. Although the Fed continues to remain committed to keeping rates low over the next year a move of ½ to 1 point in [...]
HOME AFFORDABLE FORECLOSURE ALTERNATIVES (HAFA) Extensions June 12 2012
June 15, 2012 By
The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) Program is a government-sponsored initiative overseen by the US Treasury Department and administered by Fannie Mae assisting all Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP)-eligible homeowners in avoiding foreclosure, specifically through short sales or deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure. Recently the government changed it’s requirements in order to qualify for HAFA. Occupancy Requirements [...]
Are you Thinking of Selling Your Home in the West Metro Area of Minnesota?
June 12, 2012 By
Re/Max syndicates listings to the top real estate websites. This puts your home in front of millions of people, more active homebuyers than any other company. Our website rankings of the most visited real estate websites. Zillow #1 Yahoo Real Estate #2 Realtor.com #3 Trulia.com #4 Homes.com #5 MSN Real Estate #6 AOL Real Estate [...]
Market Activity Report in the Twin Cities Area April 2012
May 10, 2012 By
It seems there are generally fewer homes on the market but are selling quickly. Prices are also stabilizing. Sellers are feeling more confident because of this, getting closer to the asking price for their home. Interest rates at 50-year lows doesn’t hurt either. In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending April 28: • [...]
To Buy or Not to Buy? Is The Housing Market at the Bottom?
April 17, 2012 By
To buy or not to buy? Sentiment is starting to be consistent that the market may have come close to bottom. Multiple offers are becoming common, rates have seen a slight tick up, and overall there are glimmers of optimism in the economy. For those in either the new home market, sale market, or refinance [...]
Carver County Minnesota Market Report for March, 2012- Chanhassen, Chaska, Norwood Young America
April 16, 2012 By
A few days ago I gave statistics for Cologne, Victoria, Waconia market. Over the warm winter, buyers were more active due to low interest rates and affordable prices. Below are statistics from March for Chanhassen, Chaska and Norwood Young America. Chanhassen 2010 2011 New Listings 67 59 Median Sales Price 272,000 357,000 Days on Market until sale [...]
Carver County Minnesota Market Report for March, 2012- Cologne, Victoria, Waconia
April 15, 2012 By
According to the Minneapolis Association of Realtors, March reported that the median sales price of Twin Cities homes was higher than a year ago. Price per square foot increased for the first time since June 2010 as well. Pending home sales were up 20.4 percent, higher than any of the months in 2007, 2008 or [...]
Where is the Twin Cities real estate market heading?
March 24, 2012 By
Every month The Skinny, a housing market insight blog, provides information about the twin cities area. There is currently a monthly summary available providing an overview of trends and projections for future activity. Take a minute to watch this informative video.
Home Interest Rates Rising? Maybe So
March 21, 2012 By
If you have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the ultimate lows in home prices, rates, and the “perfect combination” for your next move or refinance you may want to get off that fence and begin the hunt. Votality was a word that was not just bandied about last week but lived up to its [...]
Great news for FHA Borrowers That May Be Trying To Refinance!
March 13, 2012 By
Great news for holders of FHA loans that may be trying to refinance! Similar to the Conventional HARP program for consumers that may have Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac back loans, FHA announced in their newest Mortgagee letter a new Streamlined Refinance programs for Consumers whose prior FHA loan was “Endorsed” by FHA on or [...]
Upcoming Changes Impact Consumers with FHA
March 8, 2012 By
This last week brought forth a number of upcoming changes that will impact consumers from a payment and qualifying standpoint with FHA. Over the last several weeks we have been eluding to the fact that in the payroll tax bill there were a couple of components that could directly impact the homebuyers bottom line with [...]
Still Many Foreclosure Alternatives in Waconia
March 1, 2012 By
If you are a Waconia homeowner struggling because of an unaffordable mortgage it can make you feel like you are in a box with no way out. But you do have options. REMEMBER: DOING NOTHING DOES NOT SOLVE ANYTHING! However it does cause worry, stress, fatigue, irritability…and on and on. Foreclosure results from non-payment of a mortgage. This can [...]
National Association of Realtors® Wants Extension to Help Homeowners
February 22, 2012 By
NAR is asking for help. Watch for more information on Mortgage cancellation relief.
January Market Report for Waconia, NYA, Cologne and Chanhassen
February 15, 2012 By
Waconia Jan-11 Jan-12 Average Sales Price $172,909 $144,509 Days on Market Until Sale 83 196 Inventory of Homes for Sale 81 70 NYA Average Sales Price 157,375 $50,525 Days on Market Until Sale 416 144 Inventory of Homes for Sale 39 30 Cologne Average Sales Price $202,000 128,850 Days on Market Until Sale 259 189 [...]
Minnesota Housing Increases Assistance to those Who Qualify for Home Help
February 15, 2012 By
Minnesota Housing lowers rates this week and increases assistance to those borrowers who may qualify for the Home Help program to $10,000. Home Help offers an interest-free, deferred loan to help with downpayment and closing costs through the Homeownership Assistance Fund (HAF). The City of Minneapolis and St Paul are still offering assistance on FHA and VA [...]
Housing Interest Rates affected by Congress Extension of Payroll Tax Cut
January 30, 2012 By
Although the housing market in Minnesota saw a bit of an uptick this week, overall mid to high 3’s remain the flavor of the day. News on the horizon for the consumer, however, are the upcoming changes affecting mortgage interest rates that have nothing to do with the world crisis but one on our own [...]
Long-term Mortgage Rates Have Once Again Hit All Time Lows
January 17, 2012 By
Last Friday the 13th has proven to be a lucky day for today’s homebuyer. Long-term mortgage rates have once again hit all time lows and the affordability has never been better. With 30 year rates now in the mid 3’s we have hit 60 year low interest rates. Did you know that .5% in interest [...]
Optimism for Waconia Home Sellers in 2012?
January 15, 2012 By
If you watched KARE 11 news last night there was an interesting story about the 2012 Real Estate Market showing some signs of improvement. Looking closely at the Waconia real estate market I definitely agree with the reports about depleting inventory levels. We have consistently seen over the last year the amount of homes on the [...]
Using Voicepad to Sell Your Home Provides More Exposure, Faster Sales
January 5, 2012 By
In today’s real estate market with so many homes for sale, yours needs to stand out from the rest. REALTOR®’s need to go above and beyond to get your home sold. Using the internet is great, but there should be more. One new concept is Mobile Search which will greatly enhance a REALTOR®’s ability to grow their business [...]
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