Tami and Steve's I-94 Minnesota Real Estate Blog: February 2010

Come home to spectacular views to this year round lake home! This home features two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a walk-out lower level, a deck, and a full appliance package. The lower level features a family room and a rec room. You will enjoy over half an acre and an insulated and heated garage along with a storage shed. View this listing at: 17031 Downy Drive, Grey Eagle, MN, 56336

This fully finished St.Cloud home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a triple garage. The conveniences of this home include: a spacious kitchen with formal dining, a full appliance package and an attached breezeway. The main level features: hardwood floors, an open living room, and a main floor family room with access to the deck overlooking the patio and fenced backyard. This rambler offers a spacious family room in the lower lever, a rec room, and a master bedroom with a walk-in closet. View this listing at: 812 22nd Avenue North, St.Cloud, MN 56303

This spacious and secluded home offers plenty of privacy, tranquility in a picturesque natural setting. A blend of contemporary and traditional design this home features: a center island, corner sink windows, maple cabinets, walk-in pantry, and glass block accents in the kitchen. You will also enjoy a spacious living room with 17' vault matching windows and gas fireplace, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a master bedroom with adjoining partnered walk-in closets, jet tub, and a step in shower. This home features a Helo sauna, forced air and in-floor heating, and an insulated and heated garage. Come home to 2.8 wooded acres and master gardens!! View this listing at: 8449 112th Street SE, Clear Lake, MN, 56379

This fully finished Sauk Rapids home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a double garage with an attached porch. This rambler offers a kitchen with dining, hardwood floors in the living room and upper bedrooms, a spacious lower level family room, and a forced air gas furnace. Enjoy central air in this home along with an attached car-port, and a private and open backyard. View this listing at: 31 8th Street South, Sauk Rapids,MN 56379

This fully finished Sartell home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an insulated and heated garage. Some conveniences of this home include: a kitchen prep isle, vaulted living room, dining room and kitchen, and a full appliance package. This home also offers a spacious lower level family room with a gas fireplace. Enjoy a new deck, garden shed, and an insulated and heated garage in this Sartell home. View this listing at: 96 8th Street North, Sartell MN 56377

This fully finished St. Cloud home has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a heated triple car garage. Other conveniences include: a spacious kitchen with center island, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and an attached dining area. The main level features: a spacious front foyer, hardwood floors, an elegant living room with gas fireplace, and a bright sunroom with access to the deck overlooking Territory Golf Course. The master suite includes a jet tub, shower, and walk-in closet, and the lower level boasts a spacious family room with gas fireplace and rec room. View this listing at: 5840 Tee-To-Green, St. Cloud, MN 56304

40.38 acres, heavily wooded, with open meadow. Platted and surveyed. Electric and phone to the property. Adjoining homestead on 5 acres also available. View this listing: XXXX NE 15th Ave., Sauk Rapids, MN, 56379.

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Tami DeLand and Steve Hansen
Saint Cloud and Central Minnesota REALTORS
Coldwell Banker Burnet
(320) 258-6675
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St. Cloud Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
Central Minnesota Real Estate
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Labels: real estate

I have always believed that our best customers are the ones who take the time to learn about the market from experts and firsthand experience. Our philosophy of educating consumers about the market and how to adapt to changing market conditions has led to a decade of successful sales. I started my real estate career educating first-time buyers on home values, negotiation strategies, and the benefits of ownership. Today, I have expanded my lessons to include the opportunities a down market offers to move-up buyers, retirement planners, and possible solutions for those owners who must move but cannot afford to sell. Our marketing education takes on several shapes but always includes four important inquiries:

• What is it they want?


• What do they need to know to accomplish what they want?


• Who can get them where they want to be?


• What is the benefit to them for doing business with us?

No matter what shape the consumer takes, be it first-time buyer or move-up seller, the process is more successful when the focus is on educating the consumer rather than selling, selling, selling.

Six questions to consider if a short sale is in your future:

1. Do you understand the difference between a short sale and a foreclosure?


2. Have you considered a loan modification?


3. How would you find a qualified team to assist you?


4. What documentation do you need to prepare?


5. How much time do you have?


6. Will a short sale solve all your financial problems?

If you are contemplating a short sale, the above questions suggest a process with very specific steps. It is important to be aware of the potential benefits as well as the risks and ramifications of a short sale. In a nutshell, here are the answers to these six questions:

1. A short sale exists for when the net proceeds from the sale of your home will not cover the costs of your current mortgage(s) and the costs to sell. If you do not have the other assets to cover the difference, then a short sale may be an option. In a foreclosure, the lender takes title of a home through a lengthy legal process and then sells it.


2. A loan modification may work for you if you are having financial difficulties and your lender offers a program to assist you.


3. Typically, a short sale team will be compromised of a real estate professional, a real estate attorney, and a tax advisor. Be sure the professionals you select are experienced in short sales.


4. Lenders provide short sale packets with a list of the necessary documents.


5. The process can take a couple to several months.


6. There are many implications a short sale may have on your future financial status, but it is not a guarantee it will solve all your problems.

It is important to be well-informed and diligent when pursuing a short sale. Our best advice is to get the best possible professionals to assist you. There are many services available to assist individuals and families who are considering a short sale, and the Tami & Steve team is well-versed in all of them.

When times are uncertain, as in today's real estate market, consumers can become paralyzed by the bombardment of doom and gloom messages. Two major media bombs seem to be the cause of consumer decision-making paralysis: The first is the belief that we have lost our nest-egg of savings, or equity, in our homes. The second is the possibility of rising unemployment.

Ok, I have to admit it. Since arriving back in Minnesota from my trip to Portland and Seattle I have shoveled my driveway, sidewalk, and patio no less than four times. And the truth is, I miss the break-through sunshine and the drizzle outsiders refer to as rain. While scooping snow yesterday, I compiled a statistical summary of my trip to Seattle and Portland: Six hours in the air, five hours and forty-five minutes in airports, fifteen hours driving, five hours and thirty minutes meeting and greeting Realtors, eighteen hours presenting, answering questions, and sharing Minnesotaisms, and three hours emailing, phoning, and texting my Minnesota team. What a week.

This spacious country home, seated on 4.6 acres in Watkins, offers plenty of privacy and tranquility. The inside is fully remodeled and features a center island in the kitchen, a spacious living room, three bedrooms, two baths, hardwood floors, a newer roof, and an insulated and heated garage. View this listing at: 38272 642nd Ave, Watkins, MN 55389

Enjoy a great room-style main level, perfect for entertaining and experiencing beautiful lake views. Windows on three sides make the living room bright and cheerful, and built-in seating encourages lounging or provides extra sleeping space for guests. Among this lake home's many other features are a newly designed kitchen, a new living room, new flooring and lighting, a new bath with tiling, new cabinets and a high sink.