Buying a home can be a daunting task, but a good real estate agent can be incredibly valuable –especially as it relates to finding the right home and helping to negotiate price. Recognizing a Real Estate Agent’s Expertise Since you are the one who will be living in the home, it’s hard to imagine that anyone will understand your needs better than you. However, it is important to remember that real estate agents are experts when it comes to buying a home, often with years of experience. They also h... read more

Congratulations! You’ve decided to list your home on the market. You know it’s a well-cared-for house and you feel confident you’ll be able to sell it for asking price. Well, maybe “confident” isn’t the right word. You hope you’ll be able to get your asking price, but you wouldn’t mind having an extra push to help put the odds in your favor. You know, just a tiny boost to help you sleep more peacefully at night. Your home deserves to be shown in the best possible li... read more

It can be a challenge to find the right real estate agent. How do you know if you’ve found the right one? What qualities should you look for when selecting an agent? We’ve put together the ultimate list of 7 critical qualities your real estate agent should possess. 1. Licensed This sounds basic, but you’d be surprised by how many people market themselves as “agents” when they don’t hold a valid, current real estate license. Licensed agents are held to the standards and respon... read more

So you’re ready to sell your home – but is your home ready? These quick and easy steps to stage your home are inexpensive, but will really stand out to buyers and increase the appeal of your home. 1. Clean Up The first step to staging your home is storing away the clutter. This will depersonalize your home and allow potential buyers to picture themselves living in the house. This is also a great opportunity to get rid of or donate items you don’t want to transport to your new place. 2. A Fresh ... read more

Here is a look at how the housing market played out for the Albert Lea community this past month.June, 48 single-family residential homes were sold with an average SOLD price of $125,725. The average days on market for those sold properties were 60 days.  June also brought 35 new homes to the market with an average list price of $164,070 for those new homes added.  Currently there are 97 homes for sale in the Albert Lea community.  (Statistics reporte... read more