Buyers ... Stay Informed on the Local Market

It is best not to use this as an excuse to try and get a better deal, but it can be a great way to get the seller to help with the cost of some of the repairs that may be needed to be completed for closing.

If there are repairs that need to be completed on your Twin Cities home you will want to get some estimates on the costs for these repairs and weigh the costs of having them done before the closing as opposed to doing them at a later time yourself.

Keep in mind that the lender may have repair requirements that they need completed themselves to process the loan.  After the appraisal the lender will let you know what has to be repaired before you can get the loan.

When your inspections are out of the way it is time to have the appraisal of your house in Twin Cities scheduled.  The lender needs to be contacted and informed that the appraisal needs to be ordered.

The appraisal is one of the costs that will have to be paid up front (along with any inspections that need to be done on the property.)  The quicker all these steps take place the quicker you can close on the house.

If you are not working with a Realtor, it is best to contact your mortgage broker or lender once a week just to make sure they are not missing any documentation that you may need to get them, and that the process is moving ahead smoothly.

Once a week you will also want to contact your escrow officer that is in charge of the closing at the title company.

They are very busy, but just let them know it is important that you stay notified of anything you can do to help with the loan.   Like any other business it is the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

At this time you will also want to call your insurance agent and inform them you will be buying a house and will need coverage for the closing of the loan.  The title company will send you out a form that you will fill out with your insurance information, but it is a good idea to contact your agent up front and get the wheels moving as fast as possible.

Whenever the title company or the lender calls you requesting information get it to them in a timely manner.  The quicker you respond the quicker the loan process will take place.

You can generally expect a closing to take about 30 days from the time an offer is accepted,  If you have all your ducks in a row you can move the closing forward about a week.  But that is about the quickest you can expect the closing to happen.

You can talk with your mortgage broker and get a figure from them as well on what their average closing time is in the Twin Cities.

There are a lot of people involved in any single home purchase in the Twin Cities, but by understanding the order in which things take place, it will help you to make sure you will get the keys to your property in a timely manner and that you will have made the process as easy as possible.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing inTwin Cities real estate. For complete information about theTwin Cities real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please www.steveschneeberger.com visit the most complete website online dedicated to everythingTwin Cities real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate questions and I will me more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 612-581-7313 or email me at steveschneeberger@edinarealty.com.

What To Do After Closing: Real Estate Expert Steve Schneeberger Provides You With A Useful Checklist.

When you have just closed the sale and became a new Twin Cities homeowner, you will probably be very happy with your purchase and looking for ways to help protect your new investment. This is not a difficult task if you follow some basic tips, many of which are simple common sense.

The first thing to do when acquiring a new house is to change the door locks. Even if it is a newly built house, you have no way of knowing who may have a key in their possession. It is better to have all the locks in your home changed at the same time. A locksmith can even key all the locks to work with one master key.

The documents that you have received when closing the sale are very important. Ensure that they are kept in a safe place that is easily accessible should you ever need to refer to them. If an issue arises where you need to refer back to them, having these documents readily accessible can avoid you many headaches.

Approximately two to three weeks after the sale, get in touch with the county records office to verify that the title has been recorded under your name. In some cases it may take a bit longer, however you should be in touch with them until this issue is confirmed.

Be sure that the utilities are worked out completely. If you bought a house from another person, transferring the utilities to your name instead of having them disconnected and then reconnected can avoid delays and interruptions in service. It can also save you money, as many companies will not charge you a fee to transfer utilities. If you bought a new house, builders can often arrange for this transfer if you inform them prior to closing.

You should document all your belongings after you have moved in. Instead of simply making a list, you should make a video of everything in your house as well as the building itself. This can be very useful should something happen, such as a fire, burglary or natural disaster. You should keep a copy of the list of your possessions and of the video outside of your home, such as in a safe deposit box at the bank.

If you need more advice on having a smooth closing, get in touch with Twin Cities real estate expert Steve Schneeberger with Edina Realty at 612-581-7313.

So you have decided to hire a Twin Cities home inspector to examine your potential home. Smart decision. And you have also gone through the walk-through with him, asking him all the necessary questions, and making your own notes of what should or shouldn’t be replaced or repaired. Now, you’re just waiting for his written report to arrive shortly. And when you get it, now what?

A Twin Cities home inspector’s report is a long document that a summary of every observation that he made. It can be intimidating, if not overwhelming, especially if you’re worried about whatever repair costs you might have to consider after the Twin Cities home inspector lists them down.

But you don’t need to be alarmed. This is just another reason why you must be present during the inspection. You see, it is one thing to hear about various small problems while you are walking around the property with the Twin Cities home inspector. As your Twin Cities home inspector gives you all the run-down of what the problem areas are and other safety issues, the real context might probably be modified with reassurances that “this is just a maintenance issue” or “it would be good to fix when you get around to it.” You feel relieved when you hear these words, and you should be, because they are designed to make you feel exactly that way.

However, the situation can be entirely different once you read a long list of problems that would make your home less like a dream home and more like a dump. How on earth are you ever going to pay for all this?

Relax. Don’t panic. After you read your Twin Cities home inspector’s report for the first time, take a deep breath and drink if you must. Then, sit down and read it again, this time with a pen and paper at hand.

Okay, now take it one step at a time. Look at each “problem” item on the Twin Cities home inspector’s report first, then ask yourself the following questions:

Is this a minor maintenance problem or a major repair?
Is this an issue related to the age of the house? Because if it is, then it might just be part of the “charm” of the home, especially if your house is an old one. You might include floors that slope a bit from settlement or door and windows that are slightly out of plumb on the list of your home’s old charm.
Is this a problem that must be dealt with immediately? Or is it just something that should be done eventually?
Give what you know about house prices in your locality, might this problem have already been taken into consideration in pricing the house?
Does this problem merit further investigation?
Are you wiling to walk away from the house because of any or all of these problems?

If you find any minor items in your Twin Cities home inspector’s report, suck it up and forget about it. You should know by now that no house is perfect. It is enough that you take care of the really bad ones, or walk away when the cost is just too steep.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Twin Cities real estate. For complete information about the Twin Cities real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Twin Cities real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your mortgage questions and I will me more than glad to answer your queries. Call me on my cell at 612-581-7313 or email me at steveschneeberger@edinarealty.com.

During the home buying process, itís important to get advice and expertise from experienced individuals. The three most important advisors youíll find during the home buying process are: An experienced real estate agent, your loan officer and your home inspector. In this article, weíll talk about about what each of these professionals can do for you.

Your Real Estate Agent

Your real estate agent is the single most important real estate professional youíll be working with throughout your home buying process. Your real estate agent is the person whoís responsible for finding properties you might be interested in, educating you on the buying process, and finally helping you negotiate a great deal on a property.

Choosing a good real estate agent is absolutely vital. The best real estate agents to work with are the agents that are experienced and have your best interest at heart.

Your Loan Officer

Your loan officer is the ìgo betweenî person between you and the lender. For example, your lender might be ìWashington Mutual,î and the loan officer is the person from Washington Mutual who deals directly with you about your loan.

Having a good loan officer is absolutely essential to the mortgage process. Your loan officer is the person whoíll make sure that your loan goes through. Your loan officer is also the person who will educate you on the different types of loans available and your mortgage options.

Loan officers are paid on commission. Itís important to have a loan officer who looks out for your best interest rather than a loan officer whoís trying to make the highest commissions.

Real Estate Inspector

Your real estate inspector is another important professional in the home buying process. The inspector is the person who will inspect your property and let you know if anything is wrong before you make your purchase.

Make sure you ask a lot of questions during the inspection process. Remember that youíre paying for a professional service, so make the most out of it. Ask questions, even if they seem stupid.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Twin Cities real estate. For complete information about the Twin Cities real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Twin Cities real estate at www.steveschneeberger.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 612-581-7313 or email me at steveschneeberger@edinarealty.com.

How To Find The Right Twin Cities Home

You have decided that it time to look for a new home in Twin Cities.  With so many homes out there you want to be sure that you don't miss any.  So where do you start?

It would be a good idea to employ the services of a MN real estate professional.  They can act as your buyer's agent and since their commission is paid by the seller they will, in essence, be working on your behalf for free.  Some people will argue that not having an agent will mean you can reduce a home's price by the amount of their commission, but this is not true. 

When a home is listed with an agent the listing agreement clearly states the total commission that the seller will pay.  This total is usually split between the two agents 50/50.  If there is no agent representing you the seller is still obligated to pay the entire commission per the agreement.  So the listing agent gets paid more and you have no one to negotiate on your behalf.

Using a real estate agent means that they have up to date access to all of the information available.  Unfortunately, if you try to rely on the internet you will come across homes that are no longer available.   You will also certainly miss homes that were not even placed on the internet at all.  Some Twin Cities agents only list homes in the listing services that agents have access to.  They totally rely on agents to find their listings in these services.

An agent can also do all of the legwork for you.  This includes setting appointments, gaining access to any home and knowing what to say and what not to say to sellers and agents.

Don't try to find your home by driving around, either.  You are not only going to miss something, but you may see a home you like and it might already be under contract.  Then you have gotten excited for nothing.

Newspapers and magazines are even worse.  The information is outdated in magazines and newspapers may delay publishing an ad until a certain date.  By the time you see it in the paper it may already be gone.

To learn more about the process of buying a home in Twin Cities, you can contact Steve Schneeberger with Edina Realty at 612-581-7313.

During the home buying process when youíre seeing house after house every day, the houses can sometimes seem to blend together. What exactly should you be looking for in a home? In this article, Iíll go over the top 5 things you should look for based on my experience with Twin Cities real estate.

Factor #1  Location

The most important factor in considering a home purchase is its location. You can always remodel the kitchen or improve the lighting, but the location can never be changed.

Factor #2  The View

For many, the view is a key factor when purchasing a home. Does your home overlook a beautiful mountain top or does it face a busy, dusty road?

Factor #3  Overall Feel of the House

How does the house feel overall? Does it feel bright? Homely? Lively? Remember that how your house feels right now will always be in the ìbackgroundî once youíve made your purchase decision.

Factor #4  Kitchens & Bathrooms

The kitchens and the bathrooms are often important considerations for buyers. If you want a beautiful kitchen with dazzling countertops and a bathroom to match, then donít settle for anything less when youíre looking at houses. If you do, it may turn into someone you always regret later on.

Factor #5  The Neighborhood

This is another very important factor. What are your neighbors like? Are there community centers, parks or schools nearby? How near or far are the closest restaurants and grocery stores? Before you make your purchase decision, make sure you know your neighborhood.   

These 5 things are some of the most important things to consider when youíre looking through Twin Cities properties. Having your criteria in mind can help a lot, but in the end you want to go with the house that you really fall in love with.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Twin Cities real estate. For complete information about the Twin Cities real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Twin Cities real estate at www.steveschneeberger.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 612-581-7313 or email me at steveschneeberger@edinarealty.com.

Receive the best type of loan for your investment property in the Twin Cities. It doesn't matter if your getting a loan for a rental property or another type of property in the Twin Cities that you are going to keep or one you fix up and flip for a profit. This exclusive series of reports will help you to discover the starting point in your journey for investment financing.

READ EVERY WORD BELOW:

Steve Schneeberger Discusses How to Finance Your Investment Property in the Twin Cities.

Looking for good real estate investment properties in the Twin Cities can be a lot of fun. It is a pleasure to go into a property just dreaming of the profits that the house could bring you in the future. Before you begin earnestly searching for properties you must have your financing plan ready.

If you are planning on financing a rental in the Twin Cities It is best to start by contacting a mortgage broker that works with many different lenders so you have a lot of options.

You will need to locate a mortgage specialist in the Twin Cities that understands the complicated process of getting loans for investors.

If you are working with a real estate agent you can ask them for a referral. You can also check out some of the investment clubs in the Twin Cities that will be filled with professionals that can help you find the financing that you require.

One of the worst things that can happen during the home buying process is to finally find your dream home, only to discover that someone else is already bidding on it. When this happens, how can you win your dream house without losing your shirt in the process? In this article, weíll cover some of the more important points to winning a multiple offer property in the Twin Cities

Tip #1 - Know Your Limit

Itís tempting to increase your bid based on emotions during a bid war. Buyers are often willing to pay more out of competitiveness, feeling that something they want is being taken away, or just plain rationalization.

This trap can cost you thousands of dollars. Instead, do your comparative analysis of the properties nearby, choose the highest number youíre willing to pay for this property and stick to it.

Tip #2 - Have a Real Estate Agent That Is Looking Out for You

Remember that real estate agents are paid based on the selling price. There are agents that will look out for you and have your best interest in mind, while other agents would rather increase their commissions by convincing you to place a higher bid.

Itís important to have a real estate agent you can really trust during the process.

Tip #3 - Make an Impression on the Seller

Be more than just Buyer #2. Meet the seller and make sure they know what you love about the house. They usually love their house as well and want to sell to someone whoíll love it just as much.

Have the seller know who you are. Even if your bid is slightly lower, a seller may sell you the property just because they like you.

Tip #4 - Remove Conditions

The less conditions you have on your contract, the better. Call up your loan officer and make sure you can get approved for the loan and remove the financing clause. The cleaner your contract, the more appealing it will be for the seller.

These four tips will help you bid on a property in the Twin cities without losing your shirt. Keep them in mind if you find yourself in a multiple offer situation.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Twin Cities real estate. For complete information about the Twin Cities real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Twin Cities real estate at the Twin Cities So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 612-581-7313 or email me at steveschneeberger@edinarealty.com.

It is best not to use this as an excuse to try and get a better deal, but it can be a great way to get the seller to help with the cost of some of the repairs that may be needed to be completed for closing.

If there are repairs that need to be completed on your Twin Cities home you will want to get some estimates on the costs for these repairs and weigh the costs of having them done before the closing as opposed to doing them at a later time yourself.

Keep in mind that the lender may have repair requirements that they need completed themselves to process the loan.  After the appraisal the lender will let you know what has to be repaired before you can get the loan.

When your inspections are out of the way it is time to have the appraisal of your house in the Twin Cities scheduled.  The lender needs to be contacted and informed that the appraisal needs to be ordered.

The appraisal is one of the costs that will have to be paid up front (along with any inspections that need to be done on the property.)  The quicker all these steps take place the quicker you can close on the house.

If you are not working with a Realtor, it is best to contact your mortgage broker or lender once a week just to make sure they are not missing any documentation that you may need to get them, and that the process is moving ahead smoothly.

Once a week you will also want to contact your escrow officer that is in charge of the closing at the title company.

They are very busy, but just let them know it is important that you stay notified of anything you can do to help with the loan.   Like any other business it is the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

At this time you will also want to call your insurance agent and inform them you will be buying a house and will need coverage for the closing of the loan.  The title company will send you out a form that you will fill out with your insurance information, but it is a good idea to contact your agent up front and get the wheels moving as fast as possible.

Whenever the title company or the lender calls you requesting information get it to them in a timely manner.  The quicker you respond the quicker the loan process will take place.

You can generally expect a closing to take about 30 days from the time an offer is accepted,  If you have all your ducks in a row you can move the closing forward about a week.  But that is about the quickest you can expect the closing to happen.

You can talk with your mortgage broker and get a figure from them as well on what their average closing time is in the Twin Cities.

There are a lot of people involved in any single home purchase in the Twin Cities, but by understanding the order in which things take place, it will help you to make sure you will get the keys to your property in a timely manner and that you will have made the process as easy as possible.


There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Twin Cities real estate. For complete information about the Twin Cities real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Twin Cities real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate questions and I will me more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 612-581-7313 or email me at steveschneeberger@edinarealty.com.

Get the best price for your new home purchase in the Twin Cities.   These negotiating tips will put you in the driver’s seat when arbitrating the purchase of any property.


SPECIAL REPORT:

6 tips on Negotiating the Price of Your Home in the Twin Cities.


Negotiating the price of your home in the Twin Cities can be a strenuous process.  How do you know you are getting the best price for your new home in the Twin Cities].  There are many ways to help put you in control of the negotiating process while still creating a win/win situation for yourself and the seller.

There are two places to negotiate.  One is on the loan itself.  The other is on the purchase details of the house you will be buying.

Now a lot of people in the United States especially in MN are not used to negotiating.  We get very used to going to the store and paying the given price tag on the item we are purchasing.

With your home there is a lot more to consider.  The deal you negotiate will determine what you may be paying for the next 360 months.  You want to be comfortable with the payment you will be making and it is determined by the
purchase price you agree on.

Think of it this way.  You could be knocking thousands of dollars off the overall payments on your house with each point you negotiate in your favor.  So here are some tips that can help you in negotiating the best price for your home in Twin Cities.

1.On your first offer, offer less than the asking price.  In most cases houses sell for less than what is being asked for the home in the Twin Cities.  In general you can ask for around 5% off the purchase price.  Always ask for more off than you want to pay.  Many times negotiations will end up right in the middle of the asking price and the first offer because you have bracketed their price.

2.Look at many houses in the Twin Cities area before making an offer to get a feel for what houses are selling for.  The more research you do on homes that have recently sold in the area you want to buy, the better armed you will be when you come across a house that you want to make an offer on.

This will also help you to determine when you come across a bargain.  Every once in a while someone will put their property on the Twin Cities real estate market under the fair market value for a quick sale.

In this case it is best not to jump on the property and get your offer in.  You will want to put in your contract that the property purchase is subject to a home inspection.

If you decide later that this isn’t the house in the Twin Cities for you or the home inspection uncovers some other problems with the house (sometimes what looks like a bargain can end up being a money pit) you can get out of the contract and keep on searching for another property.


3.This brings up another negotiating point.  There are generally two times you have to negotiate.  Your second negotiation comes after having a home inspection done.

Home inspections usually turn up unseen problems with the property.  If after the home inspection you decide you are ready to move forward you can either move forward with the contract you already agreed upon or you can renegotiate based on any problems or defects that were found during the home inspection.


4.Always make it a win/win situation.  You want to make sure everyone is happy with the transaction.  A good negotiator always leaves the other party thinking they won the negotiation.

5.Always ask for more than you want.  Maybe the roof really needs to be replaced and so you decide to ask for that in your offer.  If that is the only point that is to be decided then someone has to lose.  As soon as there is only one point to negotiate over someone has to concede.

As long as there are multiple items to negotiate over there is still room for each party to win in the negotiation.

Instead you can ask for additional items. You could lower the purchase price $3000 and ask to add the existing appliances to the sale.

The other party has no idea you only want a new roof.  You now have two items to concede to the seller so that they feel they got the best of the negotiation.  (You asked for three items and only got one.)  And you get what you want.  This is all part of a win/win negotiation.

There is a saying that “if you don’t ask you don’t get.”  You may be surprised and get more than you bargained for in a negotiation.  Maybe the seller is really anxious to sell and will accept your offer as is.  It is always possible to get a better deal on a house in the Twin Cities than you would settle on.


6.Always weigh how much you actually want the house and how long the house has been on the market against what you are willing to offer.  There is almost always more activity around a house in the Twin Cities when it first goes on the market or when it first gets listed. 

If you do fall in love with a house in the Twin Cities and the price looks right you may just want to make your negotiation be offering a full priced offer on the house before someone else beats you to it.

Negotiating is an art that you can always learn more about.  If you are interested in finding more about negotiating you can pick up the book Secrets of Power Negotiating by Roger Dawson.  Whether you want to become a power negotiator yourself, or if you just want to know some of the tricks that sales professionals may use in their negotiating, this is one eye opening book on negotiating skill.

A buyerís agent is a real estate agent thatís representing the buyer rather than the seller. Hiring a buyerís agent can be tricky, especially when there are so many real estate agents in the Twin Cities. What are some questions you can ask to make sure you make the best choice? In this article, Iíll show you five of the most important questions you should ask when hiring a buyerís agent.

Question #1 ñ Whatís the Most Youíve Negotiated from a Purchase Price in the Last Year?

Perhaps the most important skill a buyerís agent should have is the ability to negotiate. The differences in skill in this area will cost you or save you thousands of dollars. Make sure the buyerís agent you work with is able to negotiate well for you.

Question #2 ñ How Familiar Are You with the Twin Cities Real Estate Market?

Itís very important to work with a buyerís agent thatís familiar with the Twin Cities area. After all, this person is going to be responsible for showing you houses and purchasing a house in the Twin Cities area.

Question #3 ñ How Much Experience do You Have as a Buyerís Agent?

Generally, you donít want to work with a new buyerís agent. Youíre making whatís possibly the biggest investment of your life, so itís tantamount that you work with someone who can best assist you in the process.

Question #4 ñ How Strong is Your Real Estate Network?

Another reason itís important to work with someone experienced in the the Twin Cities area is that you can take advantage of their contacts.

For example, what if you needed a good recommendation for a lender? Perhaps you need a home inspection, or a home appraisal?

A good buyerís agent should have a strong network of contacts that you can tap into.

Question #5 ñ How Many Transactions Have You Completed in the Last Year?

Real estate agents sometimes work part time and sometimes work full time. Ideally, you want to work with a buyerís agent thatís fully immersed in the business. This gives you access to more experience as well as more dedication power.

Hiring a good buyerís agent can save you a lot of time, mental energy and save you money as well. Choosing a good buyerís agent in the Twin Cities might take some upfront work, but its well worth the effort.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in the Twin Cities real estate. For complete information about the  Twin Cities real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything  Twin Cities real estate at www.steveschneeberger.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 612-581-7313 or email me at steveschneeberger@edinarealty.com.

Purchasing a new a home has often been your dream. But more than this, it is maybe the largest investment you ever have to make. That is why when you do make a decision to get a new home and have the finances to back it up, you want all the resources you can get to make a smart call. This is where [Twin Cities] home inspectors come in. [Twin Cities] home inspectors play a particularly vital role in home purchasing.

The character of their roles provides you with the ideal ground for making a smart decision when you buy a new home.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in [Twin Cities] real estate. For complete information about the [Twin Cities] real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything [Twin Cities] real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your mortgage questions and I will me more than glad to answer your queries. Call me on my cell at 612-581-7313 or email me at steveschneeberger@edinarealty.com.

You have decided that it time to look for a new home in the Twin Cities.  With so many homes out there you want to be sure that you don't miss any.  So where do you start?

It would be a good idea to employ the services of a MN real estate professional.  They can act as your buyer's agent and since their commission is paid by the seller they will, in essence, be working on your behalf for free.  Some people will argue that not having an agent will mean you can reduce a home's price by the amount of their commission, but this is not true.  

When a home is listed with an agent the listing agreement clearly states the total commission that the seller will pay.  This total is usually split between the two agents 50/50.  If there is no agent representing you the seller is still obligated to pay the entire commission per the agreement.  So the listing agent gets paid more and you have no one to negotiate on your behalf.

Using a real estate agent means that they have up to date access to all of the information available.  Unfortunately, if you try to rely on the internet you will come across homes that are no longer available.   You will also certainly miss homes that were not even placed on the internet at all.  Some Twin Cities agents only list homes in the listing services that agents have access to.  They totally rely on agents to find their listings in these services.

An agent can also do all of the legwork for you.  This includes setting appointments, gaining access to any home and knowing what to say and what not to say to sellers and agents.

Don't try to find your home by driving around, either.  You are not only going to miss something, but you may see a home you like and it might already be under contract.  Then you have gotten excited for nothing.

Newspapers and magazines are even worse.  The information is outdated in magazines and newspapers may delay publishing an ad until a certain date.  By the time you see it in the paper it may already be gone.

To learn more about the process of buying a home in Twin Cities, you can contact Steve Schneeberger with Edina Realty at 612-581-7313.

Your real estate agent is someone who’ll be working side by side with you on one of the biggest financial moves of your life. Your agent will be negotiating with you, educating you and helping you buy or sell your property. It’s absolutely crucial to make sure you choose a good real estate agent. In this article, we’ll go over 6 powerful tips for choosing a good real estate agent in theTwin Cities area.
Tip #1 - Look at Their Website
You can tell a lot about a real estate agent based on their website. This is where they’ll “showcase” the highlights of their service.
What sets them apart from the competition? How long have they been in business? Browse your potential agent’s website and see if who they are resonates with you.
Tip #2 - Trust your first impression
A working relationship with a real estate agent is based on trust. Trust that your agent will have your best interest in mind, not just a quick commission.
Often times your first impressions will be dead on. Can you trust this person? Do you feel comfortable doing business with this person? Usually you’ll be able to answer these questions in just a 15-30 minute conversation.
Tip #3 - What will be your marketing plan (Seller) or negotiation strategy (Buyer) for me?
A good real estate agent will have a plan for getting you the best price possible, whether you’re buying or selling.
When you’re considering working with an agent, ask them: What will be your marketing plan or strategy for negotiating for me?
Tip #4 – Work with a Residential Expert
If you’re looking for an agent in the Twin Cities area, generally you want to work with someone who knows the area very well.
Make sure your agent has been local for some time and has completed several transactions in the local area. Your agent should have a good idea of the approximate home values in all the different areas of the city.
Tip #5 – How reachable are you? What will working with you be like?
What hours does your agent work? Will you be dealing directly with your agent, or will you have to go through an assistant every time?
How long will you have to wait each time you make an appointment? Can you call up a couple days before, or do you have to make an appointment a week in advance?
Know what it’s like to work with your agent before you decide whether or not to move forward.
Tip #6 – Can Your Agent Provide References?
Satisfied clients will oftentimes provide references, letters of recognition or a phone number where other potential clients can call to see what it was like working with this agent.
If your agent has been in business for some time, they should have some references you can look at. Look into these references and see if your agent is someone you want to work with.
If you’re considering an agent in the Twin cities area, it’s important to work with someone who’s experienced and knows the local area. If you don’t already have an agent, feel free to give me a call for a free consultation on buying or selling your home. I can be reached at 612-581-7313 or steveschneeberger@edinarealty.com.

Six hints for selecting a Real Estate Agent

Your real estate agent is someone who’ll be working side by side with you on one of the biggest financial moves of your life. Your agent will be discussing business with you, teaching you and assisting you with purchasing or selling your property. The most important thing you can do is to choose a real estate agent that has quality and experience. We will go over six tips to help you chose a good real estate agent.
Tip 1 - Visit Their Website

There is quite a bit that you can find out just by taking a close look at a real estate agent's website. This allows them to display the most flattering parts of the services that they provide.
What qualities make them stand out from their competitors? How long have they been in business? When it comes to picking the right agent; checking the potential agent's website can be a key to making the right decision.

Tip #2 - First Impressions are everything

A good relationship with your real estate agent must be built on a foundation of trust. Trust that your agent is not just looking for quick commission but that they have your best interest in mind.
Often times your first impressions will be dead on. Can you trust this person? Are you comfortable engaging in business with him or her? On average, it should only take you fifteen to thirty minutes to answer these questions.

Tip #3 - What will be your marketing plan (Seller) or negotiation strategy (Purchaser) for me?

A good real estate agent will adhere to a strategy that will land you the best price that the market can bare, whether you're in the market to buy or to sell.
When you’re considering working with an agent, ask them: What will be your marketing plan or strategy for negotiating for me?

The Fourth Tip- Seek out a real estate agent
If you’re looking for an agent in the Twin Cities market. Generally you want to work with someone who knows the area very well,area. Make sure your agent has been local for some time and has completed several transactions in the local market. Your agent should be aware of the estimated home values of the market in each area of the city.

Tip 5- Can they be reached?

What will working with them be like?
What specific hours will your agent be available to work? Will you deal direct with an agent, or will you go through another person, such as an assistant, each time? How long is the wait time for your appointments? Is it possible to call a few days in advance, or is it necessary to schedule an appointment a week in advance?

Know what it’s like to work with your agent before you decide whether or not to move forward.

Tip #6 - See if your agent is able to provide a reference

To get a better idea of the style of the agent, look for signs of approval in the form of referrals from other customers.

If your agent has been working for the company for awhile now, they should have several references for you to see. Explore these references and find out if your agent is somebody you're comfortable working with.

If you are considering agents in the Twin Cities area, it’s important to work with someone who’s experienced and knows the local market. If you have not employed an agent yet, you can call me for a no cost consultation about purchasing a house or putting a house on the market. You can call me right now at 612-581-7313 or steveschneeberger@edinarealty.com.