Our Blog

Summer Travel: Post Pandemic

July 27, 2021

In many households, we have been slowly recovering from the pandemic and families have started to travel again this summer!

For many, life’s feeling “normal” and it feels so good!

We officially still have a month of summer left to enjoy and it is not too late to take a road trip to a different destination here in Minnesota.  My family is personally taking a “road trip” to Duluth and the North Shore.

Here are a few of our own state’s roadside attractions to check out:

* Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox – Bemidji, MN

* Otto the Otter – Fergus Falls

* Pelican Pete – Pelican Rapids

* Jolly Green Giant – Blue Earth

* Cuyuna Lakes Area – enjoy the main street of Crosby & check out mine lake

* Grand Portage – located almost to the Canada border & has the highest waterfall in the state

* Taylor’s Falls – enjoy hiking, paddling & local cafes

Tell us what your first travel experience was like post pandemic. Did you have hiccups, did you feel the appropriate safety precautions were put in place?

Happy traveling!

Darcy Warcken – Realtor

Darcy@AvenueRealtyMN.com

952-500-3166

www.BLGHomesMN.com

Better Living Group/Avenue Realty

Why the 2021 Forecast Doesn’t Call for a Foreclosure Crisis

November 13, 2020

I was recently reading an article and feel this information, published by Keeping Current Matters, has some valuable points.

As the current forbearance mortgage relief options come to an end, many are wondering if we’ll face a foreclosure crisis next year. This is understandable, especially for those who remember the housing crisis that began in 2008. The reality is, plans have been put in place through forbearance to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself.

This year, homeowners are able to request mortgage relief through forbearance. As forbearance expires, homeowners should stay in touch with their lender, because creating a plan for the deferred payments is a critical next step to avoiding foreclosure.

There are multiple options for homeowners to pursue at this point, and with the right planning and communication with the lender, foreclosure doesn’t have to be one of them. When looking at the percentage of people in forbearance, we can also see that this number has been decreasing steadily throughout the year. Fewer people than initially expected are still in forbearance, so the number of homeowners who will need to work out alternative payment options is declining. This means there are fewer and fewer homeowners at risk of foreclosure, and many who initially applied for forbearance didn’t end up needing it.

If you’re currently in forbearance, or think you should be, because you’re concerned about being able to make your mortgage payments, reach out to your lender to discuss your options and next steps. Having a trusted and knowledgeable professional on your side to guide you is essential in this process and might be the driving factor that helps you stay in your home.

Many homeowners have enough equity in their homes today to be able to sell their houses instead of foreclosing. Selling and protecting the overall financial investment may be a very solid option for many. If you are curious about your current home value, reach out to discuss!

 

Darcy Warcken

Realtor, Buyer & Listing Specialist

952.500.3166

Darcy@AvenueRealtyMN.com

BLGHomesMN.com

Better Living Group/Avenue Realty

Update: Current Mortgage Rates

May 13, 2014

When purchasing a home there are many factors to consider. One major factor, is mortgage rates. Mortgage rates are constantly in a state of ups and downs with weekly, if not daily changes. This is something to keep in mind and consider when you are thinking about purchasing a home and/or selling your current home.

In a recent Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey, mortgage rates, for the week of April 17th on a 30 – year fixed mortgage were at 4.27% compared to 4.34% the week prior – still up from 3.42% in 2013. For a 15 – year fixed mortgage, rates fell from 3.38% to 3.33% – still up from 2.64% in 2013.

Speaking with a mortgage lender prior to looking for a home is very important. They are able to give you all of the information needed to make an informed decision on the current interest rates and how they will effect your monthly mortgage payment. They are also available to answer any questions you have regarding the lending side of purchasing a home.

If you or someone you know is thinking about buying a home and/or selling your current home, contact the Better Living Group today! We are here to provide you with information on purchasing a home and a free market analysis for the home you are considering to sell. The Better Living Group are Real Estate professionals in the Twin Cities and Greater Metro areas who are ready and able to assist with all of your Real Estate needs and goals and to provide only the best Real Estate service to all of our clients past, present and future.

Chelsea Knutson and the Better Living Group

Realtor- GRI, ABR, CDPE

Keller Williams Classic Realty NW

RE 2014 | Sellers No Longer In the Driver’s Seat

January 30, 2014

The real estate market seems to always be in a state of ups and downs – you may even refer to it as a rollercoaster ride of supply and demand. In 2013, we saw a low inventory of homes on the market, making it tough to satisfy all the Buyers who were looking to purchase. In turn, this created multiple offer situations for many Buyers looking to snatch the home they love. This has been ideal for residential sales as its been awhile since they had the pleasure of requesting the ‘highest and best’ offer for the property.
Most recently, we’ve seen a slight turn in inventory. More properties are beginning to come on the market and list prices are rising along with them. This combination is forcing Buyers to become more money savvy, taking a closer look at the costs they will incur for the home they want to purchase. Of course the rise in home prices is great for those looking to sell their home, and typically puts a positive spin on the equity issue many have been experiencing.
With all this in mind, and knowing that interest rates are expected to rise in 2014, Sellers still have work to do in order to compete in this market. Many Buyers aren’t looking to purchase the ‘fixer upper’, and if you’re one of the few and brave that are, you’re certainly not looking to pay top dollar. What to do to get top dollar? Clean it, stage it and price it right – this means price it in accordance with the market, not in accordance with what you’d like to get out of it. Also, Buyers are expecting a well cared for and mostly updated interior with a groomed and maintained exterior, and they’re willing to walk away if the home’s condition and price don’t match up.
This is just the beginning of our New Year, if you have questions about how to get the most amount of money out of your home, or are in need of assistance when it comes to purchasing a new one – the Better Living Group is here for you. Let us know how we can help make your 2014, the best one yet!

Chelsea Knutson and the Better Living Group

Realtor- GRI, ABR, CDPE

Keller Williams Classic Realty NW

Just Listed: Move-In Property with Elm Creek Park Reserve Access

January 23, 2014

Our team, the Better Living Group, in Maple Grove, MN has just listed this beautiful single family home! This home has many great amenities including an upgraded kitchen with stainless steel appliances and beautiful granite countertops. It is a 4-bedroom house with 2-bathrooms, equipped with plenty of living space and extra storage.
An easily accessible location with front to back tree coverage, large backyard, a fire pit and a horse shoe pit – all made to entertain on those beautiful summer days & nights that are about to come our way! The backyard backs up to Elm Creek Park Reserve trails, with miles of fun for winter or summer activities.
If you are interested in this property, are thinking about purchasing a home in the Maple Grove area and/or need to sell your home, contact us today! We know the current market trends and have some fantastic and reputable lender referrals available, all who are ready and able to assist you in purchasing your new home.
The Better Living Group are licensed Realtors in MN, working in the Twin Cities and greater Metro Areas and we’re dedicated to providing the very best service to all of our clients – past, present and future.

Chelsea Knutson and the Better Living Group

Realtor- GRI, ABR, CDPE

Keller Williams Classic Realty NW