Miracle Jeans Day

Remax has partnered up with the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to make a difference for our local children's hospitals.  One thing that I really like is that the funds are kept within the communities where they are raised.  As of 2011, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4.3 billion—most of which is donated a dollar or two at a time.   It is a great feeling to a make a difference in our communities.  You can make a difference, too.  Check out their website to see if theirs is a charity that you may consider giving to.

http://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/

Here is a link to a great fundraiser they are doing called Miracle Jeans Day.

http://www.miraclejeansday.com/

What to do with your pets when showing your home

Most households have at least one pet.  Most common are dogs and cats but birds, hamsters, rabbits, fish, and guinea pigs also make the list.

Let’s start with the big ones first.  If you have a dog it should be removed from the home prior to your showing if possible.  It is acceptable to crate the pooch and put it in a room that does not warrant a lot of traffic like a garage (if it’s not too hot or cold out) or in the basement.  Just make sure that you let the Realtor know that you will be doing this so there are no surprises.  Keeping the dog outside is OK in a pinch but may hamper the ability for buyers to take in the property from the outside.  If you dog is a big barker, it is best to arrange to have it out of the home.  You don’t want it to distract the attention of potential buyers.

Cats are largely fine in the home.  If possible, confine the cat to a secondary room or if it is an indoor/ outdoor cat, let it out (weather permitting, of course).  Many people have cat allergies so make sure you vacuum and sweep up as much hair as possible prior to the showing.  Also, letting the Realtor know about the animal may be helpful so they can mention it to their clients who can then take necessary precautions.

All other animals that are confined to a cage are good to go.    You will want to make sure that their cages are kept really clean and are in good repair.  Buyers who see messy, smelly, or battered cages or aquariums may unconsciously make a negative association about your home.  The same rule applies to litter boxes.

Your front door

Your front door really sets a first impression to guests and potential home buyers.  Consider that buyers are likely going to be waiting  and looking at it as their realtor deals with the lock.  

Make sure that any glass on the front door or the glass flanking the door is sparkling clean. 

Set out a new, door mat in a classic design.  Remove personal mats with funny images and sayings like “Wipe Your Paws”.  Keeping your accessories neutral in tone appeals to a wider base of buyers and creates an experience more along the line of something you may find in a model home.  

If you have a steel door or one that is easily painted consider a fresh coat of paint.  Consider a color that mirrors your siding for a cohesive look or really make it pop by adding a splash of color like red, black, or deep green.   If you have the budget, consider a whole new door altogether.  Choosing something in a beautiful wood or with a window are both popular ideas.

Door knobs should be polished and in good working order (no sticky locks) and make sure you remedy any squeaky hinges with a bit of oil.  You want passage into your home to be easy and pleasant.  If needed, replace handles and doorbells.

Have pots or urns of flowers which flank the front door.

Consider a new and updated light fixture.

Keep any path or landing around the front door swept and very tidy.

Make sure there is a rug to either wipe or remove shoes on inside the door.

Surprisingly, the return on investment on your front door is nearly 100%.  The door is the gateway to the home and people will pay handsomely for that.  

Why prequalify?

Pre qualify

One thing to consider before shopping for a home is to be prequalified for your mortgage.  Prequalifying is usually done at no cost and lets your lender know about your income, debt, and assets.  After taking these into consideration, the lender will come up with an amount that they would be willing to loan you.

It is important for a few reasons.  First, it is helpful to know how much you can truly spend when you begin your search.   Second, once you find the perfect home you will be able to make an offer immediately.  This can put you an advantage especially if there is another party interested in the property.  Prequalification shows that you are a serious buyer who is looking to close a deal.

One thing to take into consideration is that what a lender prequalifies you for is the maximum amount that they feel you can afford.  It may be prudent to look at homes that cost a little less than your prequalified amount.  If you spend the maximum limit on a home, you may find that the home will eat up a lot of your extra cash each month.  By spending less than you are prequalified for, you will allow yourself some wiggle room each month which can be used for other things like home improvement projects or new furniture for your new home. 

How much should I offer on a home?

How much should I offer?

It can be a bit confusing to know what to offer a seller for their home.   One place to start is by having your Realtor pull the comparables in the general area you are looking at.  By seeing what other houses are listed at and have recently sold for you can get a sense of what a fair offer may be.

If the home has amenities that you really like but are not widely available in other homes in the area, you may want to consider offering a bit more than the comparables. Similarly, if you need to purchase and move in a short time frame offering  the seller what they are asking for, assuming the value is there, is a good idea as you likely don’t have the luxury of time to deal with lots of counter offers and dealing with the potential of losing the house altogether.

Offers that come with contingencies are often less desirable to sellers than those offers that are immediate and straightforward.  If you have a contingency, like having to sell your home first, it may be prudent to offer a little more than the asking price as a goodwill gesture.  This may entice the seller to consider taking the risk associated with your offer since they would now have the worry of two houses selling, yours and theirs.

Giving a lowball offer is ok if you have the time and energy to deal with all the back and forth that comes with it or if you’re ok with a blatant no from the seller. Also consider that you may get into a multiple offer situation which can be stressful.  Finally, if you present too low an offer be prepared to lose the property altogether to a higher bidder. If you are good with these possible scenarios…go for it…try to get a deal.

Making an offer on a property takes a lot of time for everyone involved. Don’t make an offer on a property unless you’re serious about it and willing, ready and able to commit to the purchase of the property.

Area Farmers Markets

After a cold and dreary spring, summer finally looks like it has come out to play.  One way to enjoy the bounty of the season is by shopping the local Farmers Markets.  Not only are you getting the freshest and most healthy food that the community has to offer but you will also be supporting local farmers.  It’s a win/ win!  Below is a list for some of the best markets in the Minneapolis/ St Paul Metro:

Minneapolis Farmers Market

Open 7 days a Week!
North Lyndale
May-December
6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nicollet Mall
Thursdays
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The St. Paul Farmer's Market

On the block at the corner of Fifth Street and Wall Street.

Saturdays and Sundays, April - November.
Saturday hours: 6 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sunday hours: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Minnetonka Farmers Market

Minnetonka Civic Center Campus

14600 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka.

Tuesdays, July 5–Sept. 27

from 3 to 7 p.m.

Excelsior Farmers Market

In the east parking lot of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church

parallel to Water Street

Thursdays at 2 p.m.

Edina Farmers Market

Centennial Lakes Park,

7499 France Avenue in Edina

Thursday afternoons
June 16 through Sept. 29.
3 to 7 p.m.

Maple Grove Farmers Market

Community Center parking lot

12951 Weaver Lake Road

Thursdays, June 9 - October 20
3 to 7 p.m. (June thru September) 
3 to 6 p.m. (October)

Food at the Minnesota State Fair

Minnesota State Fair 2011

Hard to believe but it is almost time for the “Great Minnesota get-together”!  This year’s Fair dates are August 25- September 5.

Since there are so many great things to share about the Fair I thought I would create a series of posts which will be updated as more Fair information becomes available.

Let’s get to the really important topic first…food.  I found a handy link on the State Fair website called “Food Finder”.  It is pretty slick.  Food Finder gives you a list of all food vendors, where you can find them, what they serve, and daily specials.  A great feature of the link is that it is live so information is being updated immediately.

http://www.mnstatefair.org/fair_finders/food_finder.html

What will you eat first?  A Breakfast Lollypop from  acclaimed restaurant, Axels?  A 1/3 pound slice of bacon fried and caramelized with maple syrup at Big Fat Bacon?  Cheese curds?  Flowering onion?  Chicago dog?  Sweet Martha’s Cookies?

My first stop will be for a perfectly roasted ear of MN sweet corn.  Likely I will wash that down with a malt from the Dairy Barn.  For desert, deep fried Snickers or mini donuts???  

If you have a Smartphone, make sure you download the Free State Fair app.  This app also has a Food Finder in addition to a Fun Finder which shows entertainment and event information.  There is even a handy tool to locate your favorite merchants and a map to show you how to get there.