Downsizing Your Home

In 2010, the average size of a new home was 2,169 square feet. That’s over a 1000 square foot increase in the last 30 years. A large home can be nice, especially when you’re raising a family. However, if your kids are now grown or you’re just tired of cleaning and maintaining all that space, you may be thinking about downsizing to a smaller home.

However, selling your home and buying a smaller one is a big commitment. To be sure that you are ready to move to a smaller place and before putting your home on the market or shopping for one, take an earnest look at your reasons for making this change.

You may have rooms you never use. Do you find yourself wondering why you even have a formal dining room, or when you’ll ever use that fourth bedroom again? Your home should suit your lifestyle. So, if your formal dinner party days are over and your current home no longer makes sense, it might be time to downsize.

Upkeep on a larger home is time consuming.  Extra rooms and a large yard need regular cleaning and maintenance.  Significant dollars spent on hiring help for extensive landscape and lawn care, systems inspections and other maintenance or repairs can be a cash drain for spaces rarely used.

Your family and friends may have already moved out of your neighborhood and into smaller homes or city condos. When the people you care about and socialize with have moved on with their lives, it may be time for you to move on, too.

Accessibility will eventually become an issue. That second floor master suite may no longer be optimal and a smaller, one-story home, designed for easy access, could be exactly what you need for prolonged independence.

Fortunately, if you are ready to downsize, now is a great time to do it. Contact me today if your downsize time has arrived and you’re ready for a new chapter of life in a new home, we can discuss how I can help you to make that transition more easily and find the home of your dreams. 

The Long Group with RE/MAX Results 
Daniel.Long@Results.net 
Rachel.Long@Results.net 
(952) 240-8821 
http://www.TLGhomesMN.com/ 

Photo courtesy of Lonnie Bradley, Stock.XCHNG.

Best Buy Camera Experience Workshop

This weekend, Best Buy in Bloomington’s Mall of America, is providing a complimentary Digital Photography workshop. Those attending will get the chance to learn all the tricks and techniques professionals use to capture that amazing photo. It’s the perfect time to get out that camera you received over the holidays, and learn how to use it to its fullest! 

Bring your DSLR camera to the workshop, or if needed, a camera will be available for you to use during the workshop.

Admission is free. Every class is limited to 30 people, so be sure to register in advance! You can register here. 

Mark your calendars for - Sunday, January 4, 2015 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. And enjoy the workshop!

Mall of America

340 West Market

Bloomington, MN 55425

For further information, please click here.  

The Long Group with RE/MAX Results 
Daniel.Long@Results.net 
Rachel.Long@Results.net 
(952) 240-8821 
http://www.TLGhomesMN.com/ 

Photo courtesy of unsplash/pixabay.com

New Year, New Home

If you have been longing to join the ranks of other homeowners, make this upcoming year the time to achieve your dream of buying a home. We have reached the end of the year and you may have been pondering, “What will my New Year’s resolution be this year?” Now is the point in the year in which you should be getting your “ducks in a row”, in order to achieve a New Year’s resolution that you can stick to.  

Begin by contacting the experts. Your real estate agent will provide you with all of the information about your local real estate market, and will be valuable in guiding you through the lending process.  

Even though you may have allotted a specific amount of money for a down payment, you must also consider additional upfront costs incurred when purchasing a home.  These include charges such as inspection and closing costs. A qualified lender will work closely with you in determining the many programs and loans that will be applicable to your particular financial situation. Be smart and practical about your finances.
 
Once you have concluded where you stand financially, it is time to determine your preferences.
 
Your agent’s website should become your number 1 go-to resource.  E-mail alerts can be set up to notify you of new listings.  In addition, their site will allow you to view multiple photos of homes, view school and neighborhood information, and even supply you with newsletters containing real estate articles and weekend events. Working with your agent, you can search for homes that meet your criteria, and information about specific neighborhoods, community life, and the convenience to shopping, hospitals, and transit.  

At this juncture, you should also be confident of the price you are willing and able to pay. Before embarking on viewing any homes, be sure to have a clear idea and understanding of what your wants and needs are.  Be aggressive in obtaining both, yet practical in focusing on homes that meet the standards and measures that you must have. 
 
Contact me today for help with making your dream of becoming a homeowner a successful New Year’s resolution. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and/or help you find your dream home. 

The Long Group with RE/MAX Results 
Daniel.Long@Results.net 
Rachel.Long@Results.net 
(952) 240-8821 
http://www.TLGhomesMN.com/ 

Photo courtesy of Christine Zenino/Flickr.com

One Level Living. Town House for sale in Apple Valley

Are you looking for a one level home for sale in Apple Valley MN? Looking for a home for your self that has no stairs on the inside or out side of the house? Maybe for yourself, or for a loved one who has limited accessibility. Well, look no further! This home for sale on 14503 Eureka Ct Apple Valley MN has all of that and more! This end unit town home is in great condition and has a fabulous open floor plan concept. The laundry room, bathrooms and bedrooms are all on the main level. The master bedroom comes equipped with a 3/4 Master Bathroom and a large walk-in closet which will accomodate all of you personal wardrobe and belongings. There is a large guest bedroom and a full guest bathroom. This is great for inlaws and/or friends that are in town for a weekend.

First Time Home Buyers in Apple Valley MN

If you are a first time home buyer there are some key point that you should try to focus on when buying you first home Apple Valley

What can you afford?
Before you get out there and physically start looking at homes you should talk to a Loan Officer and get a Pre Approval Letter.  You will need this for two reason. First of all, why start looking at homes if you are unsure what a bank will lend you money on.  It is always unfortunate when a buyer finds the home of their dreams only to find that that are not qualified to purchase.  A lender will run your credit score and weigh your Debt to Income  to see what you can afford.  Second, when you are ready to write an offer on a home, all offers must be presented with a "pre approval" letter or "proof of funds" if you are paying cash.  Any one that is selling their home will want to see that a prospective buyer is capable of doing so before they pull their home off the market with a pending sale.

What are your "Must Haves" in buying a home in Apple Valley?
Make a list of 5 thing that you must have e.g; Location, Style of House,Yard Size, Kitchen Size, Master Bed, number of bathrooms etc.....  Keep in mind, that you may have to sacrifice one thing to get another but 4 out 5 is great.  Narrow your search down with your must haves.  With so many homes on the market, it is important to do this, other wise you could end up looking at 30-50 homes.  I have seen it time and time again, with out understanding what you really need in a house, the home buying process can drag out to the point where it becomes more of a chore for the buyer and it takes out the excitement. Identify what you need vs what you want and focus on those needs.  The average home buyer looks at 15 homes before writing an offer.

What should I expect from my Realtor?

• Trusted resource for answers about the process
• Expertise about neighborhood features
• Ability to target home searches
• Strong negotiation skills
• Support through the closing and beyond

When working with my clients, I pride myself in providing all of the necessary resources to help them with a smooth transition into the world of home ownership. 

Please feel free to contact Danny Long with The Long Group with any questions that you may have.  Whether you are first time home buyer are have been through the process before, I can help!