Crosslake (Brainerd, MN)
By Kathleen Lordbock, Keller Williams Realty Professionals
(Keller Williams Realty Professionals)
Buying a first home in the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota is a huge step and definitely not an easy decision. Anyone entering into this process for the first time deserves special attention from a real estate professional that is prepared to walk them step-by-step through the process.I'm here to provide you or any first time home buyers that you know with that exact level of service. It seems to make perfect sense that as a first time homebuyer, the first thing to do is to shop for homes. Many start by investigating the market in a desirable area and finding that perfect property. Then, they contact a mortgage professional. Unfortunately, this is when the dream can fall apart for potential buyers!  Essentially, they've begun the process backward. When a bank or lending institution dec...
Comments 5
By Kathleen Lordbock, Keller Williams Realty Professionals
(Keller Williams Realty Professionals)
             CURRENT MORTGAGE RATES AS OF 1/19/2011 30-YR FIXED………………………………….. 4.750% 15-YR FIXED………………………………….. 4.125% JUMBO 30-YR FIXED (> $417,000)…………. 5.500% JUMBO 15-YR FIXED (> $417,000)…………. 4.750% Minimum $70,000 loan amount for the following quoted rate: RURAL DEVELOPMENT  (30-Year Fixed)…. 4.750% 30-YR FIXED FHA…………………………….. 4.500%   30-YR FIXED VA……………...……………….. 4.625%   3/1 ARM………………………………………… 4.250%   5/1 ARM………………………………………… 4.990% BARE LAND…………………………………...  6.000% Rates effective as of the date shown above and subject to change.            This is not an offer to enter into a lock agreement Rates apply to loan amounts of $200,000+ unless otherwise stated   Rates are still historically low and we have an inventory that is high- what are you waiting for? Short Sales, fore...
Comments 2
By Kathleen Lordbock, Keller Williams Realty Professionals
(Keller Williams Realty Professionals)
To Quote: "The US Government pushes homeownership in the form of the mortgage interest deduction, low mortgage interest rates and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Most Americans want to own a home, they believe they deserve to own a home and that forces politicians to want the same." As a real estate agent it is my job to help people find and buy the home of their dreams and facilitate the sale and moving on of other dreams. Should everyone buy a home? Does everyone make a good homeowner? If someone can not afford a home or pay for the upkeep, should a home be given to them?   There was a time when I was a renter. I had not decided on a semi-permanent hometown, had no desire to spend my time on lawncare, and had no money to make a large purchase. I rented, I saved, I waited and then years l...
Comments 5
By Kathleen Lordbock, Keller Williams Realty Professionals
(Keller Williams Realty Professionals)
Where has the Twin Cities real estate market been and where is it heading? This monthly summary provides an overview of current trends and projections for future activity. Narrated by David Arbit, audio recorded by Zach Foty and video produced by Chelsie Foty. With graphs and charts the statistics are well displayed for your viewing pleasure. The summer is off to a slow start partially due to earlier increased buying to take advantage of the tax credit.This is the skinny for the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Other areas of the state vary greatly from the figures quoted for the Twin Cities. We are seeing some changes here - in pricing, sales and a small upward climb in interest rates. Seasonally we should be entering our best sales season - with another jump in the Fall right before Wi...
Comments 2
By Kathleen Lordbock, Keller Williams Realty Professionals
(Broker/Short Sale & Staging Specialist)
     By this time we are now well in to the workings of the trillion dollar & still adding spending stimulus package, others beside myself should be questioning what is going on. The majority of the funds  are for future use which does not even qualify it to be a called a stimulus package (call a porker a porker and be done with it).  It should be called what it is - STUPID.      WE should be learning the lessons that history has already given us about using government spending to stimulate the economy and thus create jobs. President Franklin D Roosevelt, during the Great Depression, gave it a try with his New Deal programs.  They never drove unemployment down lower that 20 percent and the rate of unemployment actually climbed during the second phase. World War 2 is the stimulus that ac...
Comments 13
By Kathleen Lordbock, Keller Williams Realty Professionals
(Keller Williams Realty Professionals)
       Statistics say that the best chance for selling your property is within the first seven weeks? Experience has shown that this is true. These studies show that the longer a property stays on the market, the less the seller will net upon the sale. It is so very important to price your property at a competitive market value at the signing of your listing contract.      Our present market is so competitive that even over-pricing by a few thousand dollars could mean that your house will not sell. An Overpriced Home:  Minimizes offers  Lowers agents' response  Limits qualified buyers  Lowers showings  Lowers prospects  Limits financing  Wastes advertising dollars  Nets less for the seller  When you are ready to list, contact me for honest advice on how to get top dollar for your home! ...
Comments 9
By Kathleen Lordbock, Keller Williams Realty Professionals
(Keller Williams Realty Professionals)
October Market Report for the Brainerd Lakes area There were strong home sales in the Greater Lakes region once again in October. For the month there were 242 closed sales, up 14.7 percent from a year ago as low mortgage rates and the federal tax credit for home buyers spurred activity. With the home buyer tax credit extended and expanded, we can expect that first-time home buyer activity will remain strong, but don't bank on the same blockbuster numbers we saw this year. If you were a potential first-time home buyer who was qualified to purchase in 2009, the chances are very good that you already bought. The fact that the income limits have been raised for eligibility does help since it widens the credit's availability. The $6,500 credit for second-time buyers will spur some sellers i...
Comments 2
Brainerd, MN Real Estate Professionals