Posts with tag 'Buy a house'

Housing 

Despite elevated demand for housing, construction of new homes fell in April, with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau reporting a 9.5% decrease in housing starts from the previous month. Rising building costs continue to hinder affordability and inventory for many homebuyers, although shortages in labor, issues with the U.S. supply chain, and lasting impact from late winter storms have also contributed to the decline in new construction activity, putting some projects on pause for the time being.  

Provided by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.

Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates are down below three percent, continuing to offer many homeowners the potential to refinance and increase their monthly cash flow. In fact, homeowners who refinanced their 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in 2020 saved more than $2,800 dollars annually. Substantial opportunity continues to exist today, as nearly $2 trillion in conforming mortgages have the ability to refinance and reduce their interest rate by at least half a percentage point.

~Provided by www.freddiemac.com 05-27-21

Have you decided that it's time to move? You may have been looking at some beautiful Glenwood homes for sale or perhaps the Maple Grove homes for sale and are getting ready to take the leap into a new place. Looking around at your current home, you may decide to hire movers to help. Before you do, there are a few important steps you need to take. 

1. Purge 
   Now is the time to get rid of all of the things you might have a use for someday but can't remember what that is. Organize into toss, donate, sell, and keep. Movers can't make these personal decisions for you. If you don't do it, you'll find yourself taking that collection of fast food cups to your new place.

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Whether you're most interested in Minneapolis homes for sale, Saint Paul homes for sale, or homes anywhere else throughout the Twin Cities region, one key fact remains the same: There are plenty of little details that can make your homebuying journey much easier … or much harder!

All in all, buying a home isn't as intimidating as it might look in the beginning. But the process can have its twists and turns, and the best way to navigate is with the help of an expert. Your real estate agent is your staunchest ally, getting you to closing day with the minimum number of surprises.

No matter what questions you have – and most first-time buyers understandably have plenty of them – your Realtor can help. He or she is always thinking two steps ahead, so you're never in the position of feeling lost or not knowing what to do next.

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You can't skip a stone these days without hitting some fabulous Minneapolis homes for sale and Saint Paul homes for sale right on the water. If you have always wondered what waterfront living was like around the Twin Cities, now is a great time to find out. For buyers looking to make a splash with their next home, the following are five reasons that waterfront living at White Bear Lake and other lakes in the region is the right way to go.

1. Waterfront Homes Appreciate. Waterfront properties are always premium properties. There are only so many lakes and rivers, and over time, the number of available properties becomes scarcer. This makes them ideal for investment properties as well as potential rentals.

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Preparing to move can be overwhelming, especially in the last few weeks leading up to the big day. Many people with Minneapolis homes for sale make a checklist for what to do in that last month before a move. There are plenty of things you can do well in advance to make your life easier, but things like shutting off or transferring utilities typically need to be done closer to your moving date. Whether you've found the home of your dreams or you're still looking at St. Paul homes for sale, these tips can help make any move run smoothly.

• Pack Non-Essentials
  About a month before your moving date, begin packing items you don't use frequently. Starting with closets, cabinets, the basement, and the garage is a good way to get going. Non-essentials include clothing that's out of season, family photos, heirlooms, art, books, and anything else you won't use until you arrive at your new home. If you have a guest room or other areas you don't frequent too often, pack up everything that's in them. You can also pack up non-essentials from your office or art studio. After all, you're not going to have much time to do any extra work or create a masterpiece – you'll be too busy getting ready to head to your new home.

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