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You’ve saved for the down payment. Does that mean you’re financially ready to buy a home? Maybe — but there are a few other expenses you'll want to plan for. One of the biggest misconceptions I see with first-time buyers is thinking the down payment is the only cash they'll need to purchase a home. Then suddenly they're hearing terms like earnest money, inspection, appraisal, closing costs, prepaid taxes and homeowners insurance. It can feel like a lot. But here's the good ne

“My credit score is ___… can I buy a house?” It’s one of the most common questions buyers ask me. And my answer is usually: Your credit score matters, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. When you apply for a mortgage, lenders look at much more than a three-digit number. They’re evaluating your overall financial picture and your ability to comfortably repay the loan. So before you decide your credit is “too low,” assume you're automatically approved because your score is hi

Brand-new home or an existing home with a little history — which one makes more sense right now? It’s a question I’m hearing more often from Minnesota buyers, especially as builders offer incentives to attract buyers and the resale market gives buyers more homes to choose from. And the answer? It depends on what matters most to you. Price is important, but it’s not the only factor. Your monthly payment, location, timeline, maintenance expectations, neighborhood, and even how

Wait for mortgage rates to come down. Wait for home prices to change. Wait for more homes to hit the market. Wait until 2027 and hope everything looks a little better. I understand why buyers are asking. Buying a home is a big decision, and no one wants to look back six months from now and wonder if they should have waited. But here’s something I remind my clients all the time: You don’t need to perfectly time the housing market. You need to determine whether the timing makes

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines because you’re worried about high home prices, mortgage rates, or getting into another bidding war, there’s something happening in the Minnesota housing market you should know about: Buyers have more options — and in some situations, more negotiating power. According to Minnesota Realtors®, the number of homes for sale statewide was up 10.3% year-over-year in August, with more than 20,000 homes on the market. Homes were also taking an a

Have you noticed how two people can talk about the housing market right now and have completely different experiences? One seller may tell you homes are taking longer to sell. Another may tell you their neighbor listed, had multiple showings, and was under contract almost immediately. Both can be true. That’s because today’s housing market isn’t moving the same way across every price point. And if you’re thinking about selling your Minnesota home, understanding where your hom

When I talk with buyers about new construction, one of the first things I often hear is: “Isn’t building new more expensive?” Historically, that’s been a pretty fair assumption. But today’s market is creating some interesting opportunities — and in some cases, a brand-new home may actually cost less than an existing home. That’s why I don’t want Minnesota buyers automatically crossing new construction off their list before we’ve looked at the numbers. New Construction Is Comp

Is it a buyer’s market or a seller’s market? That’s one of the questions I’m hearing a lot right now, and the answer isn’t quite as simple as the headlines make it sound. It depends on where you’re looking. Today’s real estate market isn’t moving in one direction across the country—or even across Minnesota. Some areas and price points are giving buyers more negotiating power. Others are still seeing strong competition and giving sellers the advantage. And sometimes, those two

Inflation has been making headlines again, and whenever that happens, it's natural to wonder what it means for the housing market. The good news? A few economic headlines shouldn't determine one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. Let's break down what rising inflation could mean—and why having a strategy matters more than trying to predict the future. Why Is Inflation Back in the News? Inflation measures how much the cost of everyday goods and services has incre

If you've been thinking about buying a home, you've probably wondered... "Can I really afford to buy right now?" It's a fair question. With mortgage rates staying higher than many hoped, it's easy to feel discouraged. But affordability is about much more than interest rates alone. Let's take a look at what's really happening. Yes, Mortgage Rates Are Higher There's no avoiding it—mortgage rates have remained elevated, and they've been more unpredictable than many buyers expect

When people hear the housing market has "slowed," it's easy to assume that applies to every home at every price point. The truth is, the luxury market is telling a very different story. If you own a luxury home and have been waiting for the right time to sell, today's market may be creating an opportunity that's worth taking a closer look at. Luxury Homes Continue to Outperform Luxury homes—typically those in the top 5% of home values within their local market—are continuing

For the past year or two, we've heard a lot of headlines predicting falling home prices and a slowing housing market. While price growth did cool, that's very different from a market crash. Now, we're beginning to see something interesting. Home prices appear to be gaining momentum again. It's still early, but several national reports are showing signs that the market may be shifting into a new phase. What the Data Is Showing Over the past couple of years, home price growth s

If you've been searching for a home and wondering how anyone can still afford to buy, you're not alone. Many buyers are feeling the pressure of today's housing market. Home prices remain strong in many Minnesota communities, mortgage rates continue to influence monthly payments, and affordability is still one of the biggest concerns for families considering a move. But here's something many successful buyers are discovering: The answer isn't always waiting for prices to fall.

Selling your home on your own may sound like a great way to save money. After all, if you don't hire a real estate agent, you won't have to pay a listing commission…right? That's often what attracts homeowners to the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) route. But here's what many sellers don't realize: Selling a home isn't just about putting a sign in the yard or uploading photos online. It's about negotiating dozens of important decisions that can directly affect your bottom line. The

If you've been following real estate headlines lately, you've probably seen stories saying more homeowners are taking their homes off the market. At first glance, that sounds concerning. It's easy to wonder if sellers know something the rest of us don't. Is the market about to take a turn? Is this the beginning of another housing crash? The reality is much less dramatic. Here in Minnesota—and across much of the country—the housing market isn't collapsing. It's simply shifting

One of the biggest myths I hear from prospective buyers is: "I need to save 20% before I can buy a home." That belief has kept many people on the sidelines far longer than necessary. The good news? Recent housing data shows that the average down payment buyers are making is the lowest it's been since 2021. While every buyer's situation is different, today's financing options are helping many people become homeowners with much less money upfront than they expected. If buying a

Every time mortgage rates make the news, it seems like people put their plans on hold. "I'll wait until rates come down." "Maybe next year will be better." "What if I buy now and regret it?" These are honest concerns, and if you've been thinking the same thing, you're not alone. The truth is, none of us can control where mortgage rates go next. Economists, lenders, and financial experts all make predictions, but no one knows exactly what tomorrow's rates will be. What you can

For the past few years, many buyers have felt like they were running uphill. Home prices climbed rapidly, mortgage rates increased, and affordability became one of the biggest challenges facing anyone hoping to purchase a home. For some, the dream of homeownership felt farther away than ever. But today's market is creating new opportunities. In many areas, we're seeing more sellers adjust their asking prices to align with current market conditions. While headlines about price

If you're thinking about making a move to the Twin Cities area, one of the biggest questions you'll face is: Which suburb is the best fit for my family? The good news is that the Minneapolis metro offers a wide variety of communities, each with its own personality, amenities, schools, parks, and lifestyle opportunities. Whether you're looking for top-rated schools, a strong sense of community, easy access to outdoor recreation, or a shorter commute, there's a suburb that can

One of the most common questions I hear from aspiring home buyers is: "Is my credit score good enough to buy a home?" The short answer? Maybe! Many people assume they need perfect credit to qualify for a mortgage, but that's simply not true. While a higher credit score can open the door to better loan options and interest rates, there are loan programs available for buyers across a wide range of credit profiles. If you've been waiting to start your homeownership journey becau