jkgoode

Does the public have access to the thumbs down also??

Jody Goode - Thu Jul 17 2008, 10:28

Hi Leslie,

Online searching is the best way to start. Sites like this are good, the only thing is that sometimes current information is delayed in posting and not all available properties are listed. A good way to get ALL the available listings as they are listed is though a larger Real Estate company website like my broker's site CBBurnet.com. The search capabilites have a broader range, too. You can also create your own account and have the same MLS on my personal website below. A good place to start in the south half of the Twin Cities may be Eden Prairie, Eagan, Minnetonka, Edina, West Bloomington, Burnsville and Mendota Heights.

Realtors have direct access to the MLS allowing more search criteria and more property information that is available to the public. I did a quick search and there are absolutely beautiful homes in fantastic areas that fall within most of your search criteria. If you would like to send me your email, I can send you this saved search or even set you up with an automated search that will send you new listings with chosen criteria as they are posted on MLS for an indefinite length of time.

Good luck on your search and feel free to contact me diretly at any time!

Jody Goode
Coldwell Banker Burnet
CBBurnet.com http://www.JGoodeHomes.com
Email: jkgoode@CBBurnet.com
cell: 612-978-2488
I tried sending an answer earlier but it doesn't appear to have gone through. I appoligize if 2 show up in the answers!) - Thu Jul 17 2008, 10:19

Jennifer,

I've look back at your questions you've submitted. There is a good possibility for you to buy a home at a lower price. You seem hesitant to actively move forward to buying your 1st home. Yeah...it's scary! If you are serious about buying in the near future, there are certain steps you should take even before seriously looking at homes, if you haven't done already:

1. MEET WITH A MORTGAGE CONSULTANT & obtain a Pre-Approval letter (showing how much you can be approved for on a loan). Even if you are unsure if you can get a loan or are a bit leary to find out what your credit score might be...ALL YOU CAN DO IS TRY AND FIND OUT, it looks like you are ready to try now. There's lots of 1st time home-buyer programs out there available, you may easily qualify for one. I can give you names of fantastic people to work with. Initial consultations are free and at my company and you can even do it online with a quick response. All you can do is give it a shot, you may be suprised! Then you will know which direction to go from there and what price range you can look at. It's not as scary as you may think.

2. ENLIST A REALTOR YOU TRUST and are comfortable with and feel that they are working in your best interest. I feel I could help you out tremendously, you remind me of my step-daughter and more than happy to teach you the ropes of home buying. Don't worry, the buyer doesn't pay the realtor commission (unless you are dealing with a bank owned property or short sale, I will explain as the need arises). In a regular home purchase the only extra fee beyond your own home closing costs (taxes,etc) you pay is a Broker Administration fee to the company of the agent you enlisted to help you find a home. This is under $400 and taken out at closing. Believe me, you will save thousands in the end by signing on with a realtor. The realtor, with honesty & integrity, backed by the licensure law of duties, represents only YOUR best interest when signed on. Whether you choose a family/friend referral or me,
please-please sign on a realtor to assist you on your first home. There is so much that goes into a purchase and would hate to see you get gouged because of lack of knowledge and experience.

3. IT'S TIME TO GO SHOPPING...SERIOUSLY! You know your mortgage limit, you know your own comfortable monthly payment (remember to allow for assoc. fees and utilities). Now it's time to find the home you love that falls within your budget. Let your realtor research homes and sort out the best value within your criterea ahead of time, even ones that aren't on the market yet. Preview homes ahead of time and together. Let your realtor be the eagle eye to point out things to watch out for thing that need attention and negotiate the best price for your new chosen home!

Jennifer, I don't know your current situation but would love to assist you. Contact me if you'd like some help.

Sincerely,

Jody Goode
Coldwell Banker Burnet - Burnsville
c) 612-978-2488
o) 952-435-3030
d)952-435-4260
emails: jkgoode@cbburnet.com
jody@JGoodeHomes.com
webs: http://www.CBBurnet.com
http://www.JGoodeHomes.com - Wed Jul 16 2008, 22:30

Hi Jennifer,
I agree completely with needing a realtor to represent you in this situation. Have you spoken to the listing agent about the association situation? The MLS shows it as $160/month. If there is no association I would be wary regarding your return on investment. A similiar neighboring townhome recently sold for around $130,XXX with similar circumstances surrounding the sale ( Bank owned, needs cosmetics, 2/2). I have run the recently sold comparable properties within a 1/2 mile and would gladly email them to you. If you would like further assistance, feel free to contact me!

Sincerely,
Jody Goode - Tue Jul 15 2008, 08:49

Hi,

Signing with a realtor who knows your area is extremely important at this point in the market. Shakopee is in the down side on the selling market as compared to some other surrounding communities. Corrent initial pricing, preparing your home for sale and fast & effective marketing are crucial in selling your home at it's best possible price. Trying to save on the commission will only hurt you on your net pocket money if do actually sell on your own. Refer to the statistics below on trying to sell on your own, there are many more stats that confirm that selling on your own means less money in the end and even less chance of actually selling at all.
The marketing required to sell in todays market is key and takes a lot of time, money and effort. You need to know what works and where to put your marketing dollars. A knowledeable realtor can give you the most effective marketing plan, effective exposure in print and e-marketing, and realtor networkworking within MLS, intra-company and other realtors. In my company alone, approx. 8% of homes are sold before being listed! As for unbeleivably low commissions and the help-yourselve's, you get what you pay for ; unbelievably low everything, including net profit.
From recent reports, sellers can net profit up to 20% more when using a full service realtor than than selling on their own. I know the Shakopee area well and can give you a comparable market analysis with a saleable list price, top notch marketing & service, and sell you home at it's highest possible value in today's market in the shortest amount of time possible.
Feel free to contact me if you have interest in obtaining a better net profit, I'd love to help you out!

Jody Goode
Coldwell Banker Burnet
Burnsville, MN
612-978-2488
jkgoode@cbburnet.com - Wed Jul 16 2008, 20:07

Shoua,

Did you know that you have other options to try sell your home with a SHORT SALE either prior to the Sheriff's sale during pre-foreclosure and even during your Homeowner' Redemption Period (6 months after the Sheriff's Sale)? Minnesota allows homeowners to try to redeem their property after the Sheriff's Sale and sometimes will allow a short sale. At the Sheriff's sale, or auction, the person or entity (more often than not is your lender buying it back in the amount you owed) that purchases the home only holds the RIGHT TO THE TITLE ONLY IF AFTER THE HOMEOWNER'S 6 MONTH REDEMPTION PERIOD EXPIRES WITHOUT SATIFYING THE MORTGAGE DEFAULT. This may still be possible with a Short Sale. A Short Sale is the bank allowing you to sell your home for less than what you owe and then either; "without recourse" & is accepted where the lender does not hold you liable for the balance forgives you on the amount or allow you to make small payments to pay off the outstanding balance after the sale of the home. Honestly, most lenders wouldn't choose foreclosure over working something out. Foreclosure on your credit history is very long term & damaging mark on your credit and will stop you from being able to buy another home for a very long time and in many instances, not be allowed to rent when a credit history is run for rental purposes.

I am not sure what stage or concern you are at today but if you have interest in trying to correct this please contact me right away and I will help you out.

Hope I can help!
Jody Goode
Coldwell Banker Burnet
190 Cobblestone Rd
Burnsville, MN 55337
612-978-2488
jkgoode@cbburnet.com http://www.JGoodeHomes.com - Wed Jul 16 2008, 19:04