We Adapt to Benefit You

For Realtors, the ability to adapt is just as important as years of experience.
 Let me explain how we offer you the best of both worlds.
 
Looking to sell your home? Click here to use our home evaluation tool.

Looking to buy a home? Click here to search all local homes for sale.

Let me take a moment to say thank you for giving us the opportunity to help you your real estate needs.

I've been in this business for more than three decades, and as a team, we sell more than 75 homes year in and year out. Our experience is something that you can count on.

We're constantly adapting to stay ahead of the curve, too. We leverage new technology and social media to get buyers from their smartphones, tablets, and computers into your front door. That's what you need in a successful Realtor today.

If we can be of service to you in any way, don't hesitate to call or email us. We'd be honored to help you!

Shoreview Home Sold for over Listing Price

With our free staging services, professional photography and great marketing plan - we are able to deliver results for our sellers! This immaculate Shoreview home sold in just 2 days for over list price! Call to see how we can help you sell for more and in less time!

Seasons Greetings From the Twin Cities

Want to sell a Twin Cities Home?  Click here to perform a full home search  Want to buy a Twin Cities Home?  Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation  Call us at (651) 481-6711 to answer any of your real estate questions.

The Holidays are the time of year when we spend time with friends and family and reflect on all that we're grateful for. I want to thank my staff and partners, Barb, Sangeeta, and Heather. Without them, we could not provide you with legendary service. We want to thank all of you who continue to pass our name to your friends and family. In fact, 75% of our business comes from your referrals! Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Secure Your Online Credit Information to Ensure a Smooth Real Estate Transaction

Looking to buy or sell a home in Twin Cities, MN? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (651) 481-6711 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

Watch Out for Credit Card Fraud / Security Breaches
In light of recent security breaches at major retail stores throughout the country, I wanted to speak about how you can remain vigilant to protect yourself from credit card fraud. 

• Check Your Online Statements: Make sure your online bank statements are correct, and be sure to check up on the last few months of activity on your card.
• Check Your Credit Report: You can check your credit for free once a year from one of the major credit reporting companies.
• You can also add a fraud alert to your credit report. This will make them follow certain protocols before releasing any credit information under your name.
• You can also go one step further by calling a credit agency to freeze your credit information to stop any fraudulent activity. You only need to contact one credit agency to do this, because they will contact the other ones for you.
• Watch Your Bills: If you don't receive a bill for a while, that may be a sign that someone has changed your billing address and is trying to view your information.
• Shred All Statements: Don't put these statements in the garbage can or the recycling, shred them and get rid of them.

These are just a few ways to protect your finances, because it would be terrible to have your home purchase ruined by a hacker getting into your account and destroying your credit.

Also, with the new HeartBleed virus that was just discovered a few days ago, it is always a good idea to regularly change your passwords for email accounts and other accounts that are used for Amazon or Ebay.

As always, if you need any assistance with real estate in the Twin Cities, please do not hesitate to contact me.

5 Key Factors to Prepare You for Market Competition

Looking to buy or sell a home in Twin Cities, MN? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price  Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (651) 481-6711 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

An important thing to consider when selling a home is the competition that you will face in the market. Although there are many different considerations to take into account during this process, you can never underestimate the competition.

1. How updated is your home compared to others? Is your paint fresh and carpeting new and clean? How about your appliances? The more updated everything is, the better edge you will have against competing sellers.
2. You must also take into account the square footage of your home. Do you have a finished basement? If not, would you be willing to invest in one to sell it?
3. How is your curb appeal? Although this will differ from season to season, your home should look as inviting and welcoming as possible whenever you're attempting to sell it. That means plowing the driveway in the winter, raking leaves in the fall, and mowing the lawn in the summer.
4. Location is key, too. Are you near a school or a busy street? Is your home on a corner or in the middle of the block?
5. Is your home updated mechanically? Do you have a new roof or furnace? Different models will have different problems, so be sure to know the aspects of your home's hardware, as buyers will surely want to hear about it.

Buyers will be looking for these 5 features: updates, square footage, curb appeal, location, and general mechanics. These are five important aspects to consider about your competition. By sizing up your 'opponents', you can formulate a winning strategy that will bring potential buyers to your property.

What Can We Expect for 2014?

Welcome to our video blog! 2013 was a wonderful year in real estate and we expect 2014 to be even better. This December marks the 18th consecutive month of continued increasing sales price. What accounts for the increase?

Since last year we have seen a 45 percent reduction in bank owned and bank mediated properties which put a lot of pressure on the average home sale. It helped drive prices up.

As you may remember, in the beginning of 2013 we saw some of the lowest interest rates ever at 3.5 percent, but even at 4.5 percent rates are fantastic.

Our inventory levels have remained around 3.5 months all year. This makes it a competitive market for buyers. Sellers are more confident than ever, receiving multiple offers. Buyers need to come in with a strong bid.

As you can see we've had a fantastic year. We look forward to serving you and answering all your real estate questions in 2014.

Happy Holidays! Have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Merry Christmas!

It’s hardly believable that we are at the cusp of yet another year – and it’s almost 2014! With a fantastic year behind us, we look ahead toward a great future in the coming months. I can’t tell you how much of a pleasure it has been serving our community members with the expert advice, one-on-one care and guidance with real estate endeavors in our communities.

Here’s a warm, resounding “Thank you!” to all our current and past clients. We believe you are more than just clients; you’re our friends and neighbors. We cherish that special relationship we have with each and every one of you.

Whether you have engaged in the purchase of a new home, sold a property or just needed advice and counsel on your real estate transactions – we have enjoyed being a part of the journey with you.

Once again, thank you for trusting us with one of the most important aspects of your life and we wish you a warm, wonderful holiday season – with many happy times to come in the New Year and beyond!

Happy Holidays!

Welcome back to my video blog. Thanksgiving is just a few days away and during this time of year I am always reminded how lucky I am to have clients like you.

I wanted to wish you happiness, peace and prosperity. Remember on Dec. 7th we will have Santa's Reindeer from 1pm-9pm. Bring a toy for tot.

Happy holidays to all of you and your loved ones!

4 Ways to Prepare My Home for the Market

Thanks for joining me! When someone is considering selling their home, a lot of the time they aren’t sure how to get it ready for the market. Do they need to remodel? Should they paint? What do they need to do?

I have a list of a few inexpensive changes that can add tremendous value to your home in the eyes of the buyer. A buyer wants a modern home in good condition. They don’t want to have to do anything to it.

1. Fresh carpet and paint - You wouldn’t believe the difference new carpet and a new coat of paint can make. 
2. Remove wallpaper - Sorry guys, but wallpaper is just not in anymore. Take it down and put a neutral color down.
3. Make sure everything works - Go room by room and check if the doors close properly, are the sliding closet doors on track, are the light switches working, etc. These are all things a buyer will check.
4. Bathroom and kitchens - If you watch HGTV at all, you know that the bathrooms and kitchen are always a main point in the eyes of a buyer. While you don’t need to necessarily remodel, make sure it’s up to date. Replace the cabinet fixtures and door handles. Maybe switch out the faucets for something nicer.

Making your home modern and fresh is the goal when preparing your home for the market. If you have any questions about how to get your home ready, please give me a call. I’d love to help.

Thanks for watching!

Is it Too Late to Get My Home On the Market?

Thanks for joining me today! Can you believe Halloween is just a week away? With winter around the corner, I have a lot of sellers ask if they should wait until next year to list their home.

The answer is no! Now, is a fantastic time to sell your home and I’ll give you three reasons why.

1. Inventory is lower than it has been in five years - The amount of pending homes is highest it’s been in more than nine years. That means there is a strong demand and fewer homes on the market. That’s less competition for you!
2. Interest rates are low - We did see a slight increase, but 4 percent is still incredibly low. Even the slightest increase affects your buying power. If you are looking at a $400,000 property and interest rates increase to 6 percent, you now only have the buying power to purchase a $320,000 home. That’s a significant difference. Don’t wait!
3. The market will remain strong through the fall - With the pent up demand and such low inventory, the market will continue to go strong through the fall and winter months.

Give me a call at 651.481.6711 so we can get your home on the market now. Or maybe you are thinking about buying, we can help find the perfect home for you! Thanks for watching!

Tips to Choosing the Best Real Estate Agent

Welcome back to my video blog! When you choose a real estate agent, you want to make sure they are the best. I have a list of five different things you should look for when hiring your real estate agent.

1. What is their network ability? - Your agent’s network has a huge impact on getting your home exposed and the number of showings you will have. 
2. What is their sales experience? - Our team has consistently sold more than a hundred homes each year. When you interview an agent, ask for their proven track record of transactions. Get the names and addresses to verify.
3. Are they a good negotiator? - Having an agent with good negotiating skills is not only helpful with the purchase agreement, but keeping the sale together all the way until close.
4. What is their marketing strategy? - Did you know that 90 percent of buyers start their search online? What is your agent doing to appeal to those buyers? Do they bring in a professional photographer and stager? 
5. Do they belong to a team? - Teamwork is important; on our team each individual has an area of specialty but all help one another out. When there is a team behind you, you know that every detail is being taken care of for you.

These are five basic things to consider when hiring your real estate agent. If you have any questions, or are ready to buy or sell, please give me a call!

Thanks for watching!

Staging Your Twin Cities Home

 

What are some things you need to do in order to stage your home correctly to make sure that it is ready to sell?

A lot of people get confused when we use the word staging. Sellers think we mean redecorating. A stager doesn’t redecorate your home; rather they arrange the room in a way that accentuates the best features of your home.

How the home is displayed for a showing is different from day-to-day living. We will arrange furniture to focus on the architecture of your home. Sometimes we will bring in accent pieces to add color and draw the buyer’s eyes around the entire room.

The buyers out there now are very into the Pottery Barn feel. So, when we stage your home we keep that in mind. It may sound like a simple step, but it makes a tremendous impact on how your home sells.

If you have any questions on how to get your home ready to sell, please give me a call at 651.481.6711. I’d be more than happy to help you!

What are the main things a seller can do to increase their curb appeal?

What are the main things a seller can do to increase their curb appeal?

First, you might be wondering what curb appeal even is. Curb appeal is the attractiveness of your home from the exterior. Having a home that is appealing on the outside helps make a great first impression on potential buyers.

Why is a good first impression so important? Studies show that 90 percent of buyers start their search online. If you don’t have quality pictures, they may not even visit!

If they do like your home, often they will drive by and through the neighborhood. That’s why it’s important to have your lawn trimmed, landscape kept up and toys and bikes put away.

Keep your garage door closed and consider putting lighting around to accent the home. You would be amazed at how a few inexpensive updates can add such tremendous value to your home.

If you have questions specific to your home, please give me a call! I’d love to help get your home in the best selling shape!

What Do People Need to Do Before They Go On Vacation?

Welcome back to my video real estate blog!

What do people need to do before they go on vacation?

That’s a great question! The first thing you should do is put your newspaper on hold. Last week, I drove by a home that had 8-9 newspapers sitting out front; this is a red flag for intruders.

One of the other things people often forget about is turning off your water.  It’s very simple. Just turn off that valve. You wouldn’t believe the amount of water damage that can happen when there is a leak from an ice-maker hook up just for two or three days.

You also want to make it appear that someone is home. Set your lights on a timer.  Lower the shades so that people can’t see into the house.  Put your mail on hold. Also turn down the volume on your ringer so that it’s not ringing all day with no one answering.

A few years ago, we lived in a neighborhood where several homes were broken into on Easter Sunday. The sheriff said the intruders stayed away from the homes that had a sign for a security system. So if you do have a security system, make sure that sign is prominent in our front yard.

Let someone you trust know you’re gone and ask them to keep an eye on your property. Make sure someone is cutting your grass. A big red sign that you aren’t home is having a wild, overgrown yard.

These are just a few simple things you can to do make your home more secure while you are away.  If you have any questions please call me at 651.481.6711!

Thanks for watching!

Lakeshore Home Tour

Hello! I wanted to tell you about a couple upcoming events happening this weekend. This Saturday and Sunday is the Vanneste Group Annual Lakeshore Home Tour. We will be featuring five properties on three of our premier lakes in the Shore View area. The tour is open from 1pm – 3pm both Saturday and Sunday.

The second event is the Annual Slice of Shoreview hosted at Island Lake Park! Rock It Science will be performing on the main stage from 4pm – 7 pm. There will be games, prizes and even fireworks at 10pm Saturday night!

If you’d like more information please visit www.sliceofshoreview.com

Thanks for watching! We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please give me a call at 651.481.6711

Twin Cities Summer Market Update 2013

Call me if you have specific questions about your neighborhood market at 651.481.6711!

Welcome to my blog! I wanted to give you an update on how the housing market is going and answer a couple questions I’ve been hearing a lot!

What’s happening in our current market compared to this time last year?

Pending sales are up 10% from where they were just 2-3 months ago. They are up 18% from this time last year. So the market has definitely seen a lot more activity!

What price points are selling fastest?
Homes that are priced under $200,000 are selling very quickly. It’s not uncommon for a good property in that price range to see anywhere from 3-6 offers. The reason for this is there is a lot of pent up demand from first time home buyers. They are noticing that prices are going up and interest rates are creeping up, so there is this sense of urgency now to get the best price and rate possible!

I hope this answers some of your questions! Make sure to check out my next videos on what specific things you should do to maximize your profit during a sale and some tips on how to protect your home while you are away on vacation!

Thanks again!

Now's the Time to Sell

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Would you like to get multiple offers the week you put your home on the market?  That’s what we’re seeing. It’s an impressive situation because buyers are outbidding each other trying to get good homes, and they’re spending more than what the home is listed for! No surprise because there are 31% fewer homes on the market than a year ago. With the dwindling supply, it would take less than three months to sell all of the homes currently on the market. 

Another sign of a surging market is home prices. When the supply goes down, it helps push prices up. In fact, the median home price in the Twin Cities rose 17% from last year at this time. Now this may not be true for every neighborhood or price range, but prices are solid across the board.

What does this mean for the seller? If you’ve thought of selling your home, the time is now. Since there are fewer homes on the market, there’s more competition for available homes. Low inventory often translates into multiple bids, high list-to-sale price ratios and being able to negotiate better terms. It’s a great time for sellers. 

So what does this mean for buyers? Buyers are entering a competitive market with multiple offers helping to drive up home sales prices. Be aggressive. When a home that you’re interested in hits the market, plan to see it as soon as possible and make the best possible offer that’s at an appropriate price point for the seller. Remember, inventory is low. If you hesitate, the property could be gone because others will be making offers. 

Keep in mind that mortgage loan rates are extremely low, which makes buying a home more affordable than ever, but the rates won’t last forever. Interest rates are still below 4% with some as low as 3% for a 15- or 20-year fixed-rate mortgage. If you wait and interest rates rise, you could get locked into spending a few hundred extra dollars a month on your payment.  

Give us a call so we can tell you where to be positioned and how to be successful in this market. Please contact us at (651) 481-6711 or email us at TheVannesteGroup@gmail.com.