#13 Ask for a written CMA A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is an analysis of comparable homes in a given neighborhood. It shows you the sale prices of comparable homes in the neighborhood, along with asking prices of other homes in the area currently on the market. A Realtor® can request this report for any home and neighborhood.  Ask for this report in writing. With this valuable document, you’ll have solid, reliable information about how fairly a home is priced compared to its real market value. #14 Know the seller Understanding a seller’s reasons for moving could work to your advantage during negotiations.  For instance, a seller who has been transferred to another city may be more motivated to sell than someone who is still shopping for a new home.  A vacant house, or a house th... 10/05/2007

#10 Consider your future needs A move can be a major undertaking.  Take a good look at your current lifestyle and consider the future. Will you need extra space for a home office, a child, or perhaps a child moving back home? Perhaps it may be easier and less expensive if you purchase a home that can meet these needs now, rather than moving up to a larger home a few years down the road. #11 Proceed quickly When you’re ready to buy, act.  Good properties sell.  This is especially true given the current state of most real estate markets. However, when you work with a Realtor®, you have access to the latest technology. As part of the MLS and Agent Handshake networks, a Realtor® has access to properties within hours of when they are listed. Technology works to your advantage. Many Realtors... 10/05/2007

#7 Pay attention to red flags When evaluating a home, be sure you know the difference between acceptable and unacceptable problems. Cosmetic items like peeling paint, worn carpeting, or unattractive wallpaper can be easily remedied, and can be used as negotiation items, as there will be costs involved in updating the home. Major problems, however, are clearly red flags.  Look for items such as major foundation cracks, water damage, outdated electrical systems, and inadequate plumbing. These items could be too expensive to remedy to make the home a worthwhile investment. #8 Hire a home inspector A home inspection is an inexpensive way to gain peace of mind, and guard your pocket book. A proper inspection will cover all areas of the house including foundation, electrical, heating, plumbi... 10/05/2007

#5 Location, location, location It’s still true.  The desirability and resale value of your home depend on location more than any other factor. People want a desirable community that includes character, quality of schools, access to work, major transportation arteries, recreational facilities, etc. On your viewing trips, take a careful look and ask the following questions: How does this home compare to others in the neighborhood? Are yards fenced? Are there many children playing in the streets? Are the front and back yards and the exteriors of the homes properly maintained?  The less expensive houses in a better area tend to appreciate faster than the most expensive houses in a less desirable area. Additional factors that affect the property value of a home include traffic, sounds, sme... 10/05/2007

#2 Get pre-approved Visit your lending institution prior to shopping.  Be sure to get a mortgage commitment in writing. Being pre-approved gives you a solid price range, and lets your Realtor® and potential sellers know that you are serious and not just a browser. #3 Get the right people behind you Buying a home is a complicated process, with many people involved.  Having the right people on your side can make a big difference.  An experienced, dedicated, and knowledgeable Realtor® can put a team of advocates, including lenders, lawyers, home inspectors and movers, on your side immediately. #4 Communicate The more you share with your Realtor®, the better he or she will be able to represent you.  Letting your representative know exactly what you’re looking for, in terms of needs/wants, ... 10/05/2007

Whether you are buying your first home or your fifth, the process of buying a home can be an emotional, time-consuming venture.  Feeling that, in the end, you made the right decision and got a good deal can make all the difference. As with most major decisions, the amount of work and research you undertake before you start shopping can have a dramatic effect on how well you do in the end. #1  Do you really need that backyard tennis court? Everyone can picture their ideal home.  If you haven’t thoroughly prepared yourself prior to viewing houses, chances are that you will find what you think is your ideal home, and will wind up paying too much for it. It is essential to treat the buying process in a slightly detached manner.  Those who fall in love with houses usually pay too much. That... 10/05/2007

4.  Your House Will Also Own You   Buy within your means.   When you get pre-approved for a mortgage, focus on seeing that number as a maximum.    Getting pre-approved for an amount slightly higher than you were considering spending in the first place can be very tempting with the new options that a higher price range opens up.    Buying even a little out of your means can make a big impact on your finances for years to come.  Particularly as a new homeowner, you may be surprised by the increase in utilities, and the burden of expenses like property taxes and maintenance.   Don’t over-extend yourself.   Remember:  “House-Broken” can happen to people, not just pets!     5.  Have Fun!   Despite the potential drawbacks, buying your first house is an exciting, enjoyable, life-changing even... 10/05/2007

1.  Don’t go on Blind Dates   Don’t be set up.  Assess in great detail what you are looking for in a home.  The more strict and structured you make your needs/wants list beforehand, the less likely you are to be blinded when you view a house.   You may get excited by the glass tile tub surround but don’t overlook the fact that one of your requirements was an attached garage.  That tile is pretty, but it’s not going to keep your car warm and dry all winter long!   Set strict priorities and you are far more likely to get a house that you can have a long-term relationship with.     2.  Don’t go Alone   Having a real estate professional on your side will help you during every stage of the home buying process.  From getting advance notice of newly listed properties, skilled negotiation, and... 10/05/2007

6.) Have reasonable expectations. There is a lot of money at stake. No house is perfect. Understanding and remembering these two statements will help diffuse the negotiation stage, the inspection stage and the closing stage. Emotions are high for both buyers and sellers. - The seller may have loving memories and years of sweat equity in the house. Maybe they are being relocated and don't want to go. Understanding their motivations for selling will help you appreciate their situation and predicament during these emotional times. There is a lot of money at stake for all the parties involved (and that includes the realtors) - Just remember that market value (the value of a home) is the price that a willing buyer and a willing seller can agree to. If you can not agree on a price, ask yourse... 09/25/2007

5 . Learn about the neighborhood. Often times the house you find may be in a neighborhood that you're not familiar with, which is ok. It just means that you'll have to do a little more research. If you find a house that you like, ask for a list of the neighborhood properties that sold in the last year. How does your home rank? Is it at the top of the price range? If so, it might be hard to resell. Is it average or on the low end? If so, great - as the other home prices go up in value, they will pull your home's value up as well. Check out the schools - are they sought after? A good school district means your neighborhood will always be valued by families which is a great reassurance to purchase, not to mention the value-add if you have school-age children. Next, contact the police stati... 09/25/2007

3. Find a great buyer's agent. Traditionally real estate agents represent the sellers in a transaction. When you are not working with a buyer's agent, they are less likely to negotiate the best price or contingencies for you. A buyer's agent's job and fiduciary responsibility (meaning legal duty) is to you, the buyer. Before working with an agent, establish if they are a buyer's agent or a seller's agent. After spending a lot of time with a Realtor, it's natural to feel like you're a team. But if they are not negotiating for you, then they are not on your team.      4. Protect Yourself. Ask your Realtor for a copy of the documents you will be asked to sign if you decide to buy the house. Read them ahead of time so that you'll understand the questions ... 09/25/2007

Buying a home can be an emotional, time-consuming, and complex process. There are a few things that you can do to help make the process go as smooth as possible: 1. Check your credit. Before you apply for a home loan, regardless of your credit, it's a smart idea to obtain a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus and review the information. If there are errors or things that need to be addressed, it's easier to address them before you have found a house, than after you have found a house and are trying to close your loan. If you know that there are a few blemishes on your credit, let your lender know what they are, why they are there, and why you are a still good credit risk. Lenders look at your credit to determine how likely you will pay back the loan. If you ha... 09/25/2007

Mistake #9 - Choosing the Wrong Realtor® Selling your home could be the most important financial transaction in your lifetime. As a result, it is extremely important that you select the realtor that is best for you. Experienced real estate agents often cost as much as brand new agents. Chances are that the experienced agent will be able to bring you a higher price in less time and with fewer hassles. Take your time when selecting a real estate agent. Interview several agents; ask them key questions. If you want to make your selling experience the best it can be, it is crucial that you select the best agent for you. 09/25/2007

Mistake #8 - Limiting the Marketing and Advertising of the Property There are two obvious marketing tools that nearly every seller uses: open houses and classified ads. Unfortunately, these two tools are rather ineffective. Less than 1% of homes are sold at open houses, and less than 3% are sold because of classified ads. In fact, realtors often use open houses to attract future prospects, not to sell the house. Your realtor should employ a wide variety of marketing techniques. Your realtor should also be committed to selling your property; he or she should be available for every phone call from a prospective buyer. Most calls are received, and open houses are scheduled, during business hours, so make sure that your realtor is working on selling your home during these hours. Chances ar... 09/25/2007

Mistake #6 -- Being Ignorant of Your Rights & Responsibilities It is extremely important that you are well-informed of the details in your real estate contract. Real estate contracts are legally binding documents, and they can often be complex and confusing. Not being aware of the terms in your contract could cost you thousands for repairs and inspections. Know what your are responsible for before signing the contract. Can the property be sold "as is"? How will deed restrictions and local zoning laws affect your transaction? Not knowing the answers to these kind of questions could end up costing you a considerable amount of money. Mistake #7 - Signing a Contract with No Escape Hopefully you will have taken the time to choose the best realtor for you. But sometimes, as we all know, circ... 09/25/2007

Mistake #5 - Trying to Sell to Lookers A prospective buyer who shows interest because of a "for sale" sign he saw may not really be interested in your property. Often buyers who do not come through a realtor are a good 6-9 months away from buying, and they are more interested in seeing what is out there than in actually making a purchase. They may still have to sell their house, or may not be able to afford a house yet. They may still even be unsure as to whether or not they want to relocate. Your realtor should be able to distinguish realistic potential buyers from mere lookers. Realtors should usually find out a prospective buyer's savings, credit rating, and purchasing power in general. If your realtor fails to find out this pertinent information, you should do some investigating an... 09/25/2007

Mistake #3 -- Failing to "Showcase" In spite of how frequently this mistake is addressed and how simple it is to avoid, its prevalence is still widespread. When attempting to sell your home to prospective buyers, do not forget to make your home look as pleasant as possible. Make necessary repairs. Clean. Make sure everything functions and looks presentable. A poorly kept home in need of repairs will surely lower the selling price of your property and will even turn away some buyers. Mistake #4 - Trying to "Hard Sell" While Showing Buying a house is always an emotional and difficult decision. As a result, you should try to allow prospective buyers to comfortably examine your property. Don't try haggling or forcefully selling. Instead, be friendly and hospitable. A good idea would be to ... 09/25/2007

Mistake #1 -- Placing the Wrong Price on Your Property Every seller obviously wants to get the most money for his or her product. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT to list your product at an excessively high price! A high listing price will cause some prospective buyers to lose interest before even seeing your property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect more than what you have to offer. As a result, overpriced properties tend to take an unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price. Mistake #2 -- Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for the Market Value Unfortunately, a re-finance appraisal may have been stated at an untruthfully high price. Often, lenders estimate the value of your property to be higher than it actually is in order to encourage re... 09/25/2007

                              Our Home Real Estate, Maple Grove Mn 55369 Up to a $1,000 Buyer Cash Back Rebate: for homes purchased above $300,000 or for homes purchased between $180,000- $300,000... $500 or a free Aon 1 year home warranty..Paid at time of closing.   -Avoid overpaying.   -Whether you buy a home to be built or an existing home you will receive the same great service before during and after the sale.   -Would you use your opponent’s attorney? Essentially that is what you are doing when you buy with a listing agent.   -It’s true. In almost every case our fee is paid by the seller. If you take advantage of our Buyer Rebate Program you may actually make money on our service!!Working with a Our Home Real Estate Buyer’s Agent is like working with a real estate advisor, home fi... 09/18/2007

Introducing Our Home Real Estate  Hello Everyone  Welcome to Our Home Real Estate..We are here to Become Your Real Estate Experts..Our Goal is Your Satisfaction..  We Specialize in Client Care.. First Time Buyers.. Investment Properties.. We offer Seller Menu Marketing.. Your Representation.. Your Source of Knowledge and Experience.. We are here to Serve You and get the Job Done Right.. My name is Rick McDeid i am the Broker and Owner of Our Home Real Estate Right here in Maple Grove and it is Very Nice to meet You.. i Started Our Home in Belief of a Dream..I am Here today to Help You Find Your Dream.. We know the Market i have lived in Maple Grove for 14yrs and in the process of selling my second personal home here..We are here to understand Your concerns and make sure that they are ad... 09/18/2007