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Maple Grove, MN Real Estate News

It is a buyer's market, making home selling a challenge that can range from relatively simple to downright frustrating. Boosting ones' chances of selling their home can be done in a number of ways. One simple way is to utilize the art of Feng Shui - an ancient Chinese art, used to manipulate the flow of energy in your home. Feng Shui can be as inexpensive or as costly as you would like. Using what is already on hand is one way to keep it free, but sometimes a simple coating of paint on the front door or a few decorative pieces can make a big difference in the room. The Entry Way: First impressions are everything, so one of the most important rooms in the home is the one that is entered into first by potential buyers. If the entry way is followed by a hallway, making the hallway look as ...
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  If you are nearing retirement, a reverse mortgage might be right for you. This type of mortgage essentially allows you to turn your home equity into cash. If you find yourself with little money, a reverse mortgage could be the perfect solution, and here's why. No Worries About Monthly Payments: After taking on a mortgage, there are many costs that you have to worry about. One of these problems is mortgage insurance premiums. Add interest and fees from lender service providers to the mix, and you've got yourself many costs. All of these fees can create tremendous headaches, as a large chunk of the loan amount goes into covering these costs. When you undertake a reverse mortgage, you don't have to worry about any of that. The loan is paid back with home equity, not ongoing cash flow, so...
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When purchasing a home, there are a number of considerations that need to be taken into account. One of those considerations is the foundation of the home. No matter how perfect or suitable a property looks, taking the time to properly inspect the property for foundation problems can save you thousands of dollars in repairs later on. While foundation cracks are usually present in older homes, that does not mean that newer and even brand new homes are not susceptible to them. When choosing a property, the following tips can help homebuyers find signs of foundation problems and take the right action if any are found. Concrete Weakness: One of the easiest ways to check for a damaged foundation is to check the concrete of the home. When the foundation is strong and safe, the concrete is not...
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By David Kosmecki
(American Pacific Mortgage)
When taking on a new mortgage, it is important to know that you can afford to carry the debt load involved, as many people find themselves in financial trouble by spending more on real estate than they can comfortably maintain. Your mortgage budget can be calculated to determine just how much you should spend on your next mortgage. Mortgage Rates And Today's Market Conditions: Mortgage rates change every day, and in times of high volatility can even fluctuate more than once in a twenty-four hour period. The market reflects a number of economic variables, including relevant world news and events. Wall Street also directly affects the real estate market. By researching and watching mortgage rates closely you will be able to secure your mortgage at the best rate possible. With so many diff...
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By David Kosmecki
(American Pacific Mortgage)
For both buyers and sellers, choosing the right real estate agent is an important and difficult decision, but making the right selection is critical. Consider the following essential characteristics for a real estate agent before signing a contract: Experience: An agent must understand the real estate market as well as the practices and processes of buying and selling. While a new agent may have energy and desire, experienced agents will be able to offer insights and experiences which are likely to give their clients the edge in their deal. Experience also indicates negotiating skill. Of course an agent must be licensed, but they must also be knowledgeable about the specific neighborhoods and types of property their clients are interested in buying or selling. Commercial properties are ...
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One of the most significant factors home buyers and sellers focus on when buying real estate is the negotiated sales price in the purchase contract. While the sales price is undeniably important, the reality is that other terms in the sales contract may have more far-reaching and significant effects on the transaction. In fact, with a closer look at some of the most important terms, you will see why you and your agent should actively negotiate for improved terms rather than a lower sales price. Closing Costs: Some buyers and sellers will haggle over a few thousand dollars in the sales price without paying attention to the closing costs, but the fact is that the closing costs for a typical transaction may cost the buyer between two to five percent of the sales price on average. A sales c...
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By Steve Wilhelmy
(Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest)
Homes for Sale in Rolling Prairie Maple Grove, MN Looking for a Home in Rolling Prairie?Rolling Prairie is a subdivision of Maple Grove built between 1988 and 1992. The neighborhood has mature lots, exquisite landscaping and overlooks wetlands. There are many parks and trails in the area and the convenience of Maple Grove amenities and highway access is just minutes away. This is an ideal neighborhood for a growing family. The neighboring subdivisions are Steven A Meyer, Timber Bay Estates, and Highpoint Hill. Interested in finding Homes for Sale in Rolling Prairie Maple Grove MN? Click that link to see the current available homes and lots for sale in Rolling Prairie. What are the Homes Like?The homes here are two story homes that sit on lots varying in size from a quarter-acre to a li...
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By David Kosmecki
(American Pacific Mortgage)
Are you shopping for a home or a new mortgage? If you are interested in finding the best possible financial product, it is important to consider the benefits of selecting a Qualified Mortgage. With so many different types of loan products to choose from and financial terms to learn, schooling yourself on the mortgage market before you buy your first home or apply for your first refinance mortgage may seem like a daunting task. Luckily, there are resources that are designed to help you learn the basics of products and terms so that all consumers have the power to inform themselves before securing a loan. What is a Qualified Mortgage? There are many different categories of home loans that individual loan products can fall into and one of these categories is simply referred to as a Qualifi...
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Both seasoned homeowners and first-time buyers know making the decision to purchase a new home is not one that is taken lightly. There are so many things to consider, from choosing a home with growth potential to finding a community to support a family's interests and lifestyle. While the decisions may seem endless, don't be discouraged. Develop a strategic approach to buying a home with our definitive guide to selecting a home and property that will suit a growing family's needs. Use this guide, along with advice from a trusted real estate professional in your area, to get started on the path to home ownership. Look For Neighborhoods With Growth Potential: Choosing the right location is one of the most grappled with decisions when it comes to buying a home. While some home-buyers aspir...
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By Steve Wilhelmy
(Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest)
Homes for Sale in the Timber Bay Estates Maple Grove, MN Looking for a Home in Timber Bay Estates?Interested in finding Homes for Sale in Timber Bay Estates Maple Grove, MN?The neighborhood of Timber Bay Estates is quiet and stately with a fantastic Maple Grove location on Edward Lake. The area is surrounded by parks and trails. Timber Bay Estates is a small subdivision with less than 60 lots located just south of Bass Lake Rd. Glacier Lane N accesses the community. The surrounding subdivisions are Schmidts Highview, Rolling Hills North, Highpointe Hill, and Rolling Prairie.  What are the Homes Like Here?The homes here are one and two story builds, built between 1987-1994. You will find 3-6 bedrooms, 2-5 bathrooms, and 2-3 car attached garages in this neighborhood. The lots here are go...
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By Steve Wilhelmy
(Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest)
Homes for Sale in the Tuckaweye Neighborhood Maple Grove, MN Looking for a Home in Tuckaweye?Interested in finding Homes for Sale in the Tuckaweye Neighborhood Maple Grove MN?Tuckaweye is a subdivision in Maple Grove, the ever popular northwestern suburb of Minneapolis. Located east of Vicksburg Lane N and south of Bass Lake Rd, the community seems to be tucked away behind other subdivisions...hence the name Tuckaweye. Residents of Tuckaweye enjoy mature lots, a friendly community, and many close by ammenities. What are the Homes Like?The Tuckaweye neighborhood consists of two-story homes built between 1996 and 1999. The lots these homes are built on range from .14 to .5 acres. There is anywhere from 2-6 bedrooms, 2-4 baths, and 2-3 car attached garages. The finished square footage ran...
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By Steve Wilhelmy
(Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest)
Homes for Sale in Steven Meyer Neighborhood Maple Grove, MN Looking for a Home in Steven Meyer?Interested in finding Homes for Sale in the Steven Meyer Neighborhood Maple Grove MN?Steven Meyer is a small subdivision located just southwest of Bass Lake Rd in Maple Grove. It's neighboring subdivisions are Blongen, Rolling Prairie, and Timber Bay Estates. The benefit of living in this community is that you have a quiet neighborhood with mature, rustic lots with major highway access right down the road. What are the Homes Like?This neighborhood consists of ramblers built between 1980 and 1985. The finished square footage varies from 1,704 to 3,080 sq. ft. in these homes. The lots in here are a little less than a quarter acre to half acre lots. You will find homes here with 3-5 bedrooms, 1-...
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By David Kosmecki
(American Pacific Mortgage)
The S&P Case-Shiller Index for April shows that while home prices continue to grow, they are doing so at a slower pace as compared to April 2013. The Case-Shiller 20 city index reports that home prices expanded at a year-over-year annual rate of 10.80 percent as compared to 12.40 percent in April 2013. Month-to-month data showed that home prices rose for the second consecutive month. The seasonally- adjusted month-to-month growth rate for the 20 city home price index was 0.20 percent against March's month-to-month home price growth rate of 1.20 percent. Slower Home Price Growth: A Silver Lining? According to the Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index 19 of 20 cities posted slower growth rates for home prices in April. Analysts say that this may not be all bad news as rapidly rising home ...
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By David Kosmecki
(American Pacific Mortgage)
Those who are looking to buy a home may want to start by shopping for a loan first. Having financing ahead of time may make it easier to get sellers to take a buyer seriously and help move along the closing process. For those who are looking to get a mortgage, the most important factor for having a mortgage application approved is the debt-to-income ratio of the borrower. What Is a Debt-to-Income Ratio? A debt-to-income ratio is simply the percentage of debt compared to the amount of income that a person brings in. If a person brought home $1,000 a month and had $500 worth of debt, that person would have a DTI of 50 percent. To improve the odds of getting a home loan, experts recommend that potential borrowers keep their DTI under 43 percent. What Debt Will Lenders Look At? The good new...
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By David Kosmecki
(American Pacific Mortgage)
The FHA offers many new programs and incentives for new homebuyers to take advantage of so that they can be part of the effort to ease the credit crisis. If you are in the process of shopping for a mortgage prior to shopping for your new home, it can benefit you to learn about programs that you may qualify for that are being created by the Federal Housing Administration and piloted. One such plan, which is has been approved as a four-year pilot program, is referred to as the FHA HAWK Program. Read on to learn how this program works and how it can affect mortgage insurance premiums. What Is The HAWK Pilot Program? The FHA HAWK program, which stands for Homeowners Armed With Knowledge, is designed to help first-time homebuyers make educated decisions when borrowing and buying a home. Indi...
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By Steve Wilhelmy
(Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest)
Homes for Sale in Sunset Ridge Farms Maple Grove, MN Looking for a Home in Sunset Ridge Farms? Sunset Ridge Farms is a small subdivision in the southwestern corner of Maple Grove. There are 22 lots in the development. It is located east off of Lawndale Ln N just north of County Rd 47. The neighboring subdivisions are Whistling Pines, Elm Creek Acres, Edgewater Estates, and Bonaire across Lawndale Ln.This small neigborhood is in high demand because of it's beauty and great location. Backing up to the Elm Creek, the development has beautiful terrain, ponds, trails, nearby parks, and major highway access is only five minutes away! Nearby restaurants and shopping centers are plentiful and the school district is phenomenal! Interested in finding Homes for Sale in Sunset Ridge Farms Maple Gr...
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By Steve Wilhelmy
(Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest)
Homes Near The Maple Grove Hospital Maple Grove MNLocation:9875 Hospital Dr. Maple Grove MN 55369(763) 581-1000 Looking For a Home Near The Maple Grove Hospital?Interested in finding listings of Homes Near The Maple Grove Hospital Maple Grove MN? Click that link to find all the currently available homes for sale near the hospital. Our 'for sale' property information is a direct feed from the Northwest MLS and is updated multiple times per day. Living Close to the Maple Grove Hospital is Not Only Convenient...There are many other reasons to live here too! The area is full of restaurants from take-out to fine dining, there is great shopping in the area, many places of worship, coffee shops, and you don't have to travel very far for major highway access. There are many lakes in the area. ...
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By David Kosmecki
(American Pacific Mortgage)
Distressed real estate is real estate in need of serious repairs. These properties are often called "handyman specials." If you have the skill or the money to complete the repairs, you can often find great deals. Here are some dos and don'ts of buying distressed real estate. DO Get A Home Inspection: Distressed homes need repairs. Some of these repairs, like broken floor tile, are easy to see. Others, like water damage in the attic, can be easily hidden. The only way to know for sure what you're buying is to have the property inspected by a professional home inspector. DO Pay Attention To The Home's Market Value: You don't want to buy a home and spend your hard-earned money for repairs only to find out the home is worth less than what you paid for it. Have your agent complete a comparat...
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By David Kosmecki
(American Pacific Mortgage)
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) determined that current economic conditions warranted another $10 billion reduction in the Fed's asset purchases. Citing improvements in economic indicators including labor markets and national unemployment, committee members said that further tapering of its quantitative easing (QE) asset purchases was warranted. The Fed will now purchase a total of $35 billion monthly in treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities. While continued reductions in the Fed's asset purchases could contribute to rising mortgage rates, the FOMC statement said that the Fed's "sizeable and still increasing" holdings of long-term securities is expected to hold down long term interest rates including mortgage rates. The FOMC statement included its standard caveat t...
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By David Kosmecki
(American Pacific Mortgage)
You've decided to put your home up for sale. Now, how are you going to make the most money selling it and get it sold the fastest? Perhaps you should consider providing owner financing, also known as seller financing.  Why Isn't The Buyer Getting Bank Financing? Usually a buyer gets bank financing when buying a home. If the buyer approaches you with a deal that involves you doing the financing, you'll want to ask why.  It could be that they can't afford a big down payment, and can't be approved for a loan without it. Or, they may not be able to get financing at all, due to no credit or bad credit. In that case, you'll want to evaluate if you can afford the risk. Can you make the monthly mortgage payment in the event they default? If you determine that the deal isn't too risky, you can f...
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