Real Estate Information

Currently there are 1230 home for sale in the Rochester Minnesota area. The average days on market is 137 with an average listing price of $244,848. The area showing the most activity were homes listed in the price range of $130,000 to $150,00. These homes had an average of 80 days on the market.

4 Easy steps to reclaim your home from the clutter and disorganization.

Amid the endless piles of laundry, dishes, forgotten bills, and overdue library books, you have a house. A house you would desperately love to show off with pride. It makes you depressed even to think about how to get this mess organized. You feel your only hope now lies in the chance that one of your horrified relatives will recommend you for a cable show home makeover. While you are waiting for that lightning bolt to strike, let's try instead some simple steps and ideas to help you make your home into a place that allows cleaning and organization to be easily achievable.

Step 1: Analysis of Areas

Grab a spiral notebook and a pencil. Take a few minutes and mentally survey each room. In your notebook, jot down the problem areas in the room, putting one problem on a page. You will need the rest of the space on that same page for the following steps. The items on the paper should be parts of the room that really bug you, or that your family finds impossible to keep neat.

2: Analysis of Reasons

For each of the problem areas in a room, figure out why the disorganization and mess is happening. I find this most easily done if you are actually in the room you are surveying. All answers are acceptable here, including the fact that you live with slobs. Usually there is more than one reason why an area of your home is continually unorganized.

Step 3: Solutions

Now comes the fun part. Lets find ways we can fix the problems. Think about habits, behaviors, and tools that can make those messes disappear. Do you need some sort of a tool for organization to help your problem? Is the problem a habit that just needs to be enforced and practiced? Is it a combination of containers or tools and habits that need to be changed? Many of the problems you will encounter will require organizational tools and behavioral changes. Keep in mind that the best organizing system of shelves, hooks, and labels does no good if it isn’t utilized.

Step 4:Implementation.

Begin by making a list of the tools needed from your lists of solutions (Step 3). Buy the tools that you need and set them up in their new home. Warning: organizational tools will not help if you do not use them! You must also start to implement the behavior changes associated with keeping the mess clean.

Keep yourself and your family honest by reviewing the room with your list in hand once a day. It may be best to do this at the same time each day. If it was done right before dinner, the family could then discuss problems or successes over the meal.

If you have substantially more work to do, do not expect that you will be able to instantly do the changes that you desire, especially if your solutions involved hundreds of dollars of organizing equipment. It may be necessary for you to pick one room at a time to overhaul. Follow the same steps for the overachievers above who are already almost perfect. If you have a lot to do in one room you may have to set aside a Saturday to put together and install shelves, racks, etc. Try to involve your family as much as possible. Add other rooms and areas of your home as you see how you and your family maintain the ones that you have begun. If you are diligent there may actually be a day when someone says, “Have you seen my…” and you will be able to answer, Yes!”

Here's a very interesting article from Kare 11: http://www.kare11.com/news/investigative/extras/extras_article.aspx?storyid=241979 If you have time watch the "Extended interview with Glenn Dorfman with the Minnesota Realtors Association" click under the photo of Glenn Dorfman on the same page. I highly recommend it!

The increase in the number of home inspectors has made choosing the best one more difficult. While more competition could mean better prices, you should be wary of inspectors who cut prices to get your job. Saving a few dollars on this very important step in the buying or selling process may not be in your best interest. Do some homework up front by prequalifying a few inspectors. Ask your friends, neighbors, and Realtor for referrals. Then talk directly to a few of the referred inspectors to see if they follow a standard of practice and a code of ethics. Ask them to give you a printed copy of those items. If they cannot do so, they may not be the inspectors for you. Finally, do some research on the web. Go to www.ashi.org to gain an understanding of the home inspector's work. All of these steps will help you decide which inspector is right for you!

Take the time to explore your options so you will be certain that you have chosen the right inspector.

Spring is really here, the weather is warm, and your thoughts are probably returning to your home improvement list. If you plan to use a contractor for any of your projects, do some homework to weed out potentially fraudulent contractors. Did you know that more than 800,000 home improvement contractors and handymen work in the U.S.? Many of them have limited experience and/or questionable histories. Before you hire a contractor, consult the following list:

1) Make a list of your projects, then shop to learn the options for materials and prices to complete the projects.

2) Get recommendations for suppliers and contractors from family, friends, and neighbors.

3) Check with the Better Business Bureau and the state consumer protection office for complaints that have been filed against your potential contractors.

4) Get written evidence that the contractor is licensed, bonded, and covered by workers compensation and liability insurance as you interview him.

5) Get three written estimates that give detailed specifications of materials and costs, labor charges, and start and completion dates.

As you plan your projects, keep in mind last week's list of projects that add appeal and value to your home. If you would like additional recommendations of referrals, please contact me.

Since the snow has pretty much melted and many new listings are on the market, it's the perfect time to begin looking for your next home. Your home search doesn't have to be an overwhelming task though. By following a few helpful hints, you'll simplify your search and win the house-hunting game.

1) Know Your Budget Avoid the frustration of spending days looking at homes that are $50,000 over your price range. Begin the process by talking with a mortgage loan officer to determine your mortgage limits and the best mortgage for your situation. The time you take at this step will save you countless hours later.

2) Know Your Housing Needs Before you start looking, make a list of your requirements. How many bedrooms and bathrooms? Garage space? Amenities such as air conditioning or fireplace? Schools? Area of town? Knowing what you need before you start your search will save you tons of time and energy.

3) Research the Neighborhood Once you find the home that meets your needs, get the facts about the neighborhood. You may wish to talk to neighbors, check with the police department, and visit the neighborhood at various times of the day.

4) Limit the Amount of Advice Once you've found that perfect house, you'll probably want to ask everyone you know what they think of it. Don't do it! Your home is a personal choice, not a group project. If you need support, ask one or two qualified, objective people who can give you an honest opinion.