Invest in an outdoor living space, invest in your happiness!

Hey all you DIY'ers! Thinking about a project that will help you enjoy the Minnesota weather but also get you a great return on your money? Outdoor Living space is KING! Investing in that type of project can be very fulfilling if you use it, and who doesn't like to relax outside in beautiful weather! We recently completed a patio addition and deck at our home and want to share it with you because we love it and it may inspire you to think about a project that you have wanted to do! Take time to think about what you want, how much you will use it, and GET TO IT! Whether you hire a contractor (we know some if you don't) or if you tackle it yourself*, the possibilities are endless if you let your imagination take hold!  Hopefully our pictures will inspire you, and remember if you need referrals for contractors or just have questions about how we did something please be in touch!!

Be Inspired and Like our Facebook page!

If you want to see more pictures click on the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/rebyjd#!/media/set/?set=a.233749889991512.70311.114419638591205&type=1

 *If DIY please contact local authorities to ensure you do not need permits and follow local building codes and regulations.

Short Sales: What they mean to you as a Buyer or Seller

Short Sales are prevalent in the Twin Cities and could be an option for you Buying or Selling a home. Read up on some of the main points to become better educated on todays market.


A short sale is a sale of real estate in which the sale proceeds fall short of the balance owed on the property's loan.^[1] It often occurs when aborrower cannot pay the mortgage loan on their property, but the lender decides that selling the property at a moderate loss is better than pressing the borrower. Both parties consent to the short sale process, because it allows them to avoid foreclosure, which involves hefty fees for the bank and poorer credit report outcomes for the borrowers. This agreement, however, does not necessarily release the borrower from the obligation to pay the remaining balance of the loan, known as the deficiency.(wikipedia)

As a Buyer:
-potential to get a better price on a home
-longer waiting period, 3-9 month process after offer is presented to the bank
-occupied short sales may have less deferred maintenance on home

As a Seller:
-possibility to avoid foreclosure
-minimize damage to credit
-faster recovery to qualify for a new mortgage, lower interest & insurance rates

Short Sales can be a complicated process that can work in your favor. If this is an option for you there are many other details to go over that can affect the purchase or sale. Let us know if you would like more information or need our help with a Short Sale.

Outdoor Projects to Improve the Value of Your Home

JD and I have been talking about our Summer Projects and wanted to share some ideas with you about how to improve your home. We have some something for everyone at any level. Do it Yourself or let us know if you need a referral for some help. The sooner the better so you have all Summer to enjoy!


Easy: Spruce up your garden or create one! Plant some Perennials (they come back every year!) and lay some new mulch. Flower pots always look great too and can be placed just about anywhere. Make some flower boxes for your windows, this will really make your house stand out!

Medium: Do some exterior clean up! Set the standard for your street and show you care about curb appeal! Power wash and paint where you can; exterior doors, trim, shutters, gutters, sidewalk, and more.  If you are trying to sell your home, peeling paint can be one of the major hold ups for buyers with FHA financing.

Hard: Create an outdoor living space! Install a deck or patio area where you can enjoy the weather with friends and family. Build a fire pit/place or buy a non-permanent one. Install exterior lighting along walkways or add accent lighting to spotlight a feature of the home or yard!

Talk to you soon-

Welcome to our Real Estate Blog!

Justin and I have started a blog! We are so excited to start sharing our knowledge and experiences with you about Real Estate. This is a work in progress so be sure to subscribe to catch all our updates.
In our blog you will find posts about improving your home, real estate news, home financing, buying, selling and investing and any other information we find useful. We would like this blog to be interactive so comment or ask questions on the information we post.