Current levels of inventory steadily declining for the year of 2008.  Although it seems like a tougher market homes are still selling.  The lending industry has tightened up but buyers are still there. Current inventory levels for St. Cloud MLS June 737 New listings 291 Sold homes with 17.38 months of inventory This is the lowest invenotry of the year.  Lets keep this current market moving! 07/11/2008

This is my first entry into my new blog. Is there anything that someone might be interested in knowing about the Real Estate market that i can try to answer for you.  I love to work with first time home buyers.  We always tell our clients when looking at homes, that when you walk into the house you will know it is the one for you.  It is truly amazing out emotional buying a home can be.   07/03/2008

Ok, now that the holidays are over and everyone is back in the swing of things or better known as normalacy!  Valentines is right around the corner!  I know a fabulous gift idea!  Jewelry!!!!  Many people may have heard of Lia Sophia. It's a great jewelry line that offers a wide variety of color, silver, gold, and stone fashion jewelry.  It is high quality and very stylish.  I myself wear the jewelry.  For those of you who think that might be right up your alley for a great Valentine gift or any other special event I'd like to recommend Amber Morrighan.  She is an advisor with Lia Sophia and delivers great customer service.  I only recommend people who give as good as service as my team gives! Amber can come into your home for a personalized party to invite your friends and family and h... 01/15/2008

INTEREST RATES DROPPED!  For all those buyers who were on the fence on whether they should buy take a giant leap and dive in!  FHA 30 yr mortages with 0pts went to 5.5% and 30 conventional 0pts went to 5.75%.  This means you SAVE!!!!! We've not seen these interest rates in almost a year. This is the time to get that house you've had your eye on but thought it was just out of reach.  Call you lender and check it out.  In my area I recommend Julie Brix with Burnet Home Loans (however she can originate anywhere in the US).  She is top notch for lenders!  She knows the ins-and-outs like no other lender I know.  Call her today for an estimate at 320.258.6701.Carissa Hopkins-Hoel 12/05/2007

It's a busy time of year!  The hustle and bustle has begun with Holiday shopping, decorating, and last minute runs to the stores. Don't forget to take time out to sit back and relax and enjoy our time with family and friends.  Remember to be thankful for all that we have and share it with others!  From our family to all of yours Happy Thanksgiving!Carissa & Jesse Hopkins-HoelYour St. Cloud Area Realtors! 11/21/2007

Great news came today from many fronts in the St. Cloud area Real Estate market. First, and most obvious, Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke announced a 1/2% key short-term interest rate cut! There is wide acceptance that this cut was meant to re-energize the housing and mortgage markets to help curb the fall in recent months and to help maintain health in the overall economy. "The half-point reduction was double the quarter-point move that many economists had been expecting," says © 2007 CNBC.com today. LOOK FOR LOCAL MORTGAGE RATE IMPROVEMENT IN THE COMING DAYS!For loan preapproval or current loan rates in your respective programs from Burnet Home Loans, email me today at jshoel@cbburnet.com ! You will then be contacted by local award winning Loan Officers, Julie Brix and Marty Br... 09/18/2007

                                                                                                                                                           photo by JRGould  I have not seen this term used for a while, but when I did - it brought on a blog.  (I seem to have that reaction often, nowadays.)  A key component that  buyers are searching for is a home that is spotless and yes, squeaky clean.  I believe that would be the noise a finger would make rubbing over a surface that has no dust or grime.     Rarely does anyone achieve this high level of perfection in a home they live in, but it is to be a goal for home sellers.  Your home is a product in a very competitive market and needs to be the best of the best.      "Impossible! "- you are thinking.       "Not so says I - after a f... 09/10/2007

                                                                                                              photo by tOkKa photo by Baston    Soon all the nation's schools will be back in session, changing the lives of everyone with children still in a school of any type.  My youngest recently left for college in Florida and that is a long way from Minnesota - hence a big change for all of us.     Notebooks, pens and other school supplies are crowding out the garden sections in stores.  If you got your counter cleared off this summer - make way for the incoming notices, schedules and hot lunch money reminders.      Driving by the football field, I see our Brainerd Warrior team already suited up and listening to a lecture on something.  In my daily walk on a quiet nature trail, I was p... 09/03/2007

People always ask me, how is the real estate market in St. Cloud.  Depending on which realtor or broker you talk to, you will probably get different answers.  Here are the numbers for the St Cloud MLS, year-to-date for this year vs. last year.  Check back for daily for updated numbers & other info.Property Type Year to Date Activity ReportFor 01/01/2007 To 7/27/2007Property TypeAreaCurrent ActiveNewPendSoldSold VolumeAverage Sales PriceDOM% Of ListCoop SalesCoop VolumeExprWithdrawnResidential0001 - N. St. Cloud 1743163316422,198,887135,35910497.814619,309,385764Residential0004 - E. St. Cloud 10015011457,328,469162,85511198.3396,142,969430Residential0007 - S. St. Cloud 2463532913226,917,952203,92412797.711222,273,552824Residential0008 - Waite Park & Vicinity 45708345,020,843147,672118982... 07/27/2007

Wondering if it's too hot to go look at houses in Central Minnesota during the summer? Does the heat and humidity have you saying, "We'll just look next week, when it gets cooler?" If this is the case, think also about the money that you could save as a buyer in the hot season. Just as it is in the holiday months of Winter, the Real Estate market is affected by buyer activity-and activity usually dips on the hottest days and weeks. And finding your favorite home or vacation property during this time can mean that you may not have to compete for the best picks of the summer. Competing doesn't just mean making offers at the same time as others-it is ALSO buyer activity on a home (showings). Usually, when sellers consider offers on their home, they also consider the likelihood of another o... 06/25/2007