There seems to be some confusion about whether off-market properties are a wise idea or a terrible idea, so I wanted to clear this up for you. An off-market property is a home that is not listed on the MLS. Both buyers and sellers often think that an off-market property provides a more “exclusive” transaction. […]

Staging is more popular than ever when it comes to selling a home. But, you might wonder if it’s really worth the inconvenience and upfront costs for you, especially in a seller’s market. Even with a well-maintained (and well-decorated!) home, staging can increase the price you end up getting for your home and decrease the […]

How to Get Your Credit Score Up — Week 4 This series shines a light on the importance of your credit score when buying a home. Most buyers need to take out a mortgage, and that’s when your finances become an open book. Lenders will need to gauge if you’re worth the risk to lend […]

Did you know that you can borrow from yourself if you have a 401k plan?  Getting a 401k loan is one way to get additional money toward a down payment. It’s a lump sum of money that is already yours — not the bank’s!   It’s understandable if you may be wary of using any retirement […]

How to Get Your Credit Score Up — Week 3  Having a high credit score is beneficial regardless of whether you are buying a home anytime soon or not. Your FICO score and credit report are so vital to getting any type of loan. This series will give you the financial strategies you need to […]

How to Get Your Credit Score Up — Week 2  Having a high credit score is imperative all the time, whether you are buying a home anytime soon or not. Your FICO score and credit report are so vital to getting any type of loan. This series will give you the financial strategies you need […]

Buying or selling in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro market requires an understanding of not only the seasonal shifts in market activity but also the weekly flow of the market.   This ebb and flow is not quite so simple to describe. So let’s take a look at it so you can better understand it. Whether you’re […]

Having a high credit score is imperative all the time, whether you are buying a home anytime soon or not. Your FICO score and credit report are so vital to getting any type of loan. This series will give you the financial strategies you need to get your credit score as high as possible. If […]

Did an interest rate catch your attention the last time you were looking online?  You’ve been thinking about buying a home, buying an investment property, refinancing, or getting a line of credit,   But, it’s very rare that the interest rate you see online will be the one you get from a lender. There are many […]

When you bought your home, you might have had to get Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).   If so, you might have been paying it for a while and it could be time to petition your lender to stop this payment requirement. For a quick recap — PMI is insurance that protects the lender in case you […]