Bogart’s 4th Annual Holiday Bowling Tourney

Looking for something fun to do with your family this holiday weekend? Take them to Bogart’s for a fun night of bowling, dinner, or karaoke. And don’t miss the 4^th Annual Holiday Bowling Tourney happening this Friday. 

Bogart’s Apple Place Bowl features 24 State of the Art AMF HPL synthetic lanes, with the newest in automatic scoring. Then after you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to the Main Street Grill. Where you can choose from a wide variety of all American cuisines. And if you’re not ready for your night to end, they also offer karaoke in the Black Alley Tavern!

So come on down for a night of fun, and happy holidays! For more information, click here. 

Bogart's Place 
14917 Garrett Ave 
Apple Valley, MN 55124 

4th Annual Holiday Bowling Tourney 

Friday December 26th, 2014
Check-In @ 6:00PM
Practice Starts @ 7:00PM (10 Minutes)
Bowling @ 7:10PM  

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

Image courtesy of Ginny/Flickr.com

Money Saving Winter Investments

Having the proper amount of insulation in a home is imperative in saving energy costs.  It is estimated that 65% of American homes are under-insulated, thus raising the estimated energy bills nearly 40%. Insulation is not frequently on a person’s primary list of interests when purchasing a home, or even maintaining their current house.  However, it should be.  Not only does insulation play a huge role in sustaining a comfortable home in which to live, but more importantly it is paramount in potentially saving you a vast amount of money. 

As energy costs are continuously on the rise, it only makes sense to equip your home with the correct amount of insulation. Insulation conserves energy, thus saving you money. Homes built as recently as the late 1970’s have insulation levels far lower than the recommended levels of today.   And should you be looking to purchase a home this winter, be sure it too, is properly insulated. 

Most insulation will pay for itself over a very short period of time.  The best return on your money is to insulate where there currently is none. So, are you baffled on where to begin?  Calling your local real estate agent is a great place to start.  Whether you are looking to purchase this winter, or simply need advice on maintaining your current home, your agent knows the value and importance of home insulation.  They will be able to offer you guidance on who to contact and for what reasons.  Insulation companies can perform energy audits and assessments on your current home, or the home in which you are looking to purchase.  The audit will assure that the home is properly sealed.  And if not, it will report on ways to improve its energy efficiency.  The assessment from the insulating professional will determine the current R-value of the insulation, measuring its ability to resist heat traveling through it.  Depending on the results, suggestions will be made on where, and how much insulation should be added.

Regardless of anything else you do this winter, make it a priority to examine the insulation levels in your current home, or potential purchase.  Adding insulation is an easy step to take as a homeowner, to save up to 20% on your next energy bill.  Working with your insulation professional, you can decide on which variety is most suitable for the home’s particular needs. 

The dread of receiving this year’s winter electric bills could be alleviated. Get in touch with me and I will be happy to help you get started, 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 401K (2012)/Flickr.com 

Rosemount HS Needs More Toys For Tots

Donations for Toys for Tots is at an all-time low this holiday season. With only a hand full of days left before Christmas, time is running out for you to make this holiday special for a child in need. So while you’re out finishing your holiday shopping, don’t forget to pick up something extra for the toys for tots foundation. 

Donations are being accepted at the Apple Valley Rosemount High School warehouse. Donate any new, unwrapped toy. And help bring a smile to a little one’s face this year.

Click here for more information.

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

Image courtesy of themostinept/Flickr.com

Tips for a Fast Winter Sale

Selling your home in the middle of winter does not need to be more stressful than listing it in the spring or the summer.  Yes, in the winter the weather is traditionally bad, and you have less hours of daylight for showings.  However, not everyone has the luxury of picking the season in which to place their home on the market.  And you may find it to be surprising, but winter does have its real estate advantages, and can be a great time of the year to sell your home. The following are a list of tips to follow, for a fast winter sale.

• Team up with experienced help.  Call your local real estate agent first, and foremost.  Joining forces with a professional is paramount.  Your agent comes equipped with years of experience, knowledge, and familiarity in winter home sales.
• Price your home accordingly.  The first few weeks of your home being on the market are the most crucial.  Therefore, your initial list price should be your final price.  A property that sits while the seller shaves bits and pieces of price off, becomes stale.  Your agent will perform a Comparative Market Analysis, providing you with an ideal list price.
• Acknowledge your timing.  The busiest time for home sales is in the spring and summer.  Consequently, off-season listings can get a lot of attention.  If your home is well-maintained and you are willing to price it right, agents will often urge their clients to list in the winter, as the competition is much scarcer.
• Prepare for the house hunters.  De-clutter the inside of your home and warm it up.  Warm and cozy should be your main objective.  Utilize all natural light, start a fire, and have music softly playing in the background.  Outside, keep all ice, snow, and other winter hazards at bay.  If a buyer cannot safely make it into your home, it won’t sell.
• Take pride in your ownership.  When showing your home, ask potential buyers to remove their shoes, or slip into provided shoe coverings.  By indicating that you take pride in the meticulous areas of your home, it suggests that you take care of the large-scale areas.  The buyer immediately acknowledges that they have entered a well-maintained home.
• Consider your area and use the season to your advantage. Baron trees can even work to your advantage.  With the obstruction of trees in bloom out of the way, beautiful views open up.  Remove Santa and his reindeer following Christmas, but allow the wreath to stay hung on the front door.
• Advertise.  Although your real estate agent will be posting your home on their website, place a box of their flyers in your front yard.  Adorn your mailbox with balloons, and hold open houses as often as your agent is free.

We must all face the facts.  Winter is one of the four seasons.  But, the real estate market does not recognize it as any different from the other three seasons.  As a matter of fact, if the proposed tips for a fast winter sale are followed, home sellers should embrace the winter season.  Contact me today for a consultation. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and 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 LEOL30/Flickr.com

A Christmas Carol, The Musical

Enjoy an evening supporting our talented students of Rosemount High School Performing Arts in a holiday classic ~ A Christmas Carol, the musical. For tickets and more information, click here. 

MAIN PERFORMANCES 

Friday, 12/12/2014 at 7:00pm

Saturday, 12/13/2014 at 7:00pm
Sunday, 12/14/2014 at 2:00pm 

Adults $9.00

Students $5.00
Seniors $7.00

Doors open one-half hour prior to curtain

Rosemount High School
Performing Arts Center Box Office
3335 142nd Street West
Rosemount, MN 55068

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

Get Organized Before You Shop for a Home

The process of buying a home has gotten more complicated in recent years. To make sure everything goes smoothly, you’ll want to get organized before you even begin to look for a house. Once you’ve taken care of these things, you’ll be ready to shop for the home of your dreams.

Check Your Credit Score. Examine and fix any blemishes on your credit score, before you apply for a loan. Also, avoid taking on any new debt at this time. This includes buying a new car or other large item on credit.

Look at Your Finances. Take an honest look at your budget and figure out how much home you can afford. There are many online calculators available to help you with this. In general, most loan programs require that your mortgage payment be no more than 28% to 31% of your gross monthly income.

Beef up Your Savings. You should have enough cash saved up to cover your down payment and closing costs. Depending on your mortgage, you’ll need anywhere from 3.5% to 20% down, plus money available for closing.
In addition, mortgage lenders like to see borrowers with a healthy savings account. This shows that you have enough money to pay for your closing costs and any incidental expenses, as well as enough to live on once you move in. Savers aren’t likely to be living paycheck to paycheck, and are good candidates for a loan.

Apply for Your Mortgage. Get pre-approved for a loan before you even start to look at homes. Applying for a loan first gives you a definitive answer on how much mortgage you can afford, and ensures you have financing ready when you find your dream home.

Refine Your Shopping List. Finally, think about the features you really want in a house. You’ll probably live in this house for several years, and you want it to serve your needs the entire time. After all, if you change your mind in a few years, you may not be able to sell this house quickly.

Shopping for a home is exciting. Take the time to organize and prepare before you look at properties, so you can be ready to make an offer when you do find a home that you love. Contact me today for a consultation. 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 Kristja, Stock.XCHNG