Mike Carlier's blog

Noah Levy, a real estate professional from the north Chicago area suburbs, has given some good advice for any homeowner.  As Noah suggests, the optimal time to prepare your home for sale may actually be a few years before you intend to move.  If your furnace is limping along but still works, why ...

Apple Valley MN Residential Sales Increased 15% In 2011 Apple Valley has had a substantially improved year for sales of residential real estate.  According to the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, there were 711 residential sales in 2011, which is approximately 15% more than the 617...

A sure sign of spring in even numbered years is political activity, and Iowa has the distinction of being first out of the gate.  Tonight, Republicans will gather in hundreds of locations to tally their preference for the person to oppose the President's reelection bid.  It looks like a horse rac...

 Apple Valley Short sale advice and representation Has your home outgrown your income? Do you owe more than your home’s value? Would you like some help sorting out your options?     If you’re having financial problems, there are a number of home-related choices you can make that will help you get...

Eagan Residential Sales Increased 21% In 2011 Eagan, Minnesota has had a substantially improved year for sales of residential real estate.  According to the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, there were 775 residential sales in 2011, which is approximately 21% more than the 640 talli...

Last year, my state of the industry post  followed the state of... addresses by the President and heads of various states.  This year it's my turn to go first, and like last year, the following are opinions that are based only on my personal perception.  The industry is almost the same as the beg...

Tell anyone that you're in the real estate business and many will immediately engage you in discussions about the market.  The discussion usually leads to their revelation of why they feel that this is the wrong time for them to buy and/or sell a home.  Most of the time, the reason is either that...

2012 Earlybird House Hunting Starts Today The Christmas cheer and celebration has come and gone, and the last week of the month is an enjoyable time to exchange gifts, shop for clearance bargains, and extend the spirit of the season through the week.  It's not as hectic as last week, with most of...

Help for underwater homeowners The housing market is a little like a disabled submarine, sinking first fast, then slowly as it finally hits the floor of the ocean.  It has bottomed, and like the housing market, it could lay there forever, or maybe it will be rescued and towed to the surface.  May...

James Surowiecki is a writer for the highly regarded financial publication The New Yorker.  He was interviewed on CNBC's Squawk Box this morning, and he feels that more people need to consider strategic default as a solution to their underwater home loans.  He cites the fact that American Airline...