Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

Common Home Inspection Findings

After searching for a few months, you've finally landed the home of your dreams. Then comes the 60+ page inspection report, probably the most overwhelming aspect of the home purchasing process. Understanding which inspection items need immediate attention versus what can be part of routine home maintenance can help you make informed decisions, and prevent you from panicking about the state of your next dream home. We like to think of the home inspection report as a guide to owning your new home, a homeowner's guide to maintenance and repairs. Here's a practical guide to common inspection findings and their typical timeframes for repair.

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

Home Sweet (Smaller) Home: Why America is Downsizing

Seeing a house come back on the market can seem like a huge red flag for many buyers. Over the past couple of months, cancellations have become more commonplace and buyers may find themselves considering a home that was previously under contract with another buyer. However, there are several common reasons why this might happen. Here are the top three reasons.

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

November and Twin Cities Real Estate

Seeing a house come back on the market can seem like a huge red flag for many buyers. Over the past couple of months, cancellations have become more commonplace and buyers may find themselves considering a home that was previously under contract with another buyer. However, there are several common reasons why this might happen. Here are the top three reasons.

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

September and Twin Cities Real Estate

Seeing a house come back on the market can seem like a huge red flag for many buyers. Over the past couple of months, cancellations have become more commonplace and buyers may find themselves considering a home that was previously under contract with another buyer. However, there are several common reasons why this might happen. Here are the top three reasons.

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

Why Homes Come Back on the Market: The Top Three Reasons Explained

Seeing a house come back on the market can seem like a huge red flag for many buyers. Over the past couple of months, cancellations have become more commonplace and buyers may find themselves considering a home that was previously under contract with another buyer. However, there are several common reasons why this might happen. Here are the top three reasons.

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

Elevating Your Home's Appeal: The Crucial Role of Staging

When preparing to sell your home, remember that first impressions matter—a lot. In fact, on average 94% of buyers find their next home first online. That's where staging steps in. It's not just about throwing up some decorations; it's about creating an atmosphere that resonates with potential buyers. You want them to step inside and immediately envision themselves living there, lounging on the couch, or cooking dinner in the kitchen.

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

How to Compete in a Competitive Buyer's Market

While spring is traditionally a competitive time for buyers, the combination of pent-up demand and low inventory has intensified competition in recent weeks. Here are five tips on how to compete for your next home when facing multiple offers.

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

(Single Family) Home Highlights of 2023

Interest rates dominated the headlines in 2023, putting the brakes on the rollercoaster ride of buying and selling that followed the record-low interest rates in 2021 and 2022. This month is a nosey neighbor highlight reel of 2023 of the seven-county metro area – Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties. Explore the most and least expensive homes sold, and offer a glimpse into what you can expect for the median single-family home price point in each county.

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

Navigating the Pros and Cons of New Construction Homes

When it comes time to purchase your next home, the idea of a new construction home might capture your interest. There are two primary types of new construction homes to consider: the first is commonly known as a "spec home" or "model home," signifying a build that is either already completed or set for completion by a builder with a predetermined design. The second type is the more envisioned scenario: a new build that allows you to design from scratch.

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

End-of-Year Twin Cities Market Update

As we wrap up a rollercoaster of a 2023 real estate market, let's take a look at where the market currently stands and what it could mean for you if you're contemplating buying or selling before the year's end (or heading into spring 2024).

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

Your Top Homebuyer Questions, Answered!

If you're embarking on the exciting journey of buying your first home or making a move to a new place, you probably have a slew of questions swirling around in your head. Fear not, below are the most common homebuyer questions:

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

Frequently asked buyer and seller questions

If you’re an interested buyer or seller thinking about wading into the property waters, below are common questions clients want answers to. These eight questions are a great start to building your knowledge of the housing market.

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

What is the Best Season to Sell or Buy a Home?

If you're thinking of buying or selling, the season or month can influence both demand and pricing. Two major factors influence the market regardless of where you live; weather and school district schedules. Of course, your timeline will dictate the ultimate decision you make, whether you're downsizing, relocating, or needing more space for a growing family. 

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

I Found My Dream Home, Should I Purchase A Home Warranty?

As the temperature cools off, so does all the heat‌ generated by the summer selling season. Just‌ because it’s no longer the busiest time of year in the‌ housing market doesn’t mean your best chance to‌ buy or sell a home has passed. When you purchase a home, there are several expenses you may expect: down payment, closing costs, moving expenses, etc. You typically plan and save for these expenses because you know they’re coming. But you quickly learn about all of the unexpected expenses – usually when a major appliance or essential system in your home breaks and you need to shell out a large amount of money in a short amount of time to have it repaired.

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

Protecting Your Home Investment

You're ready to place an offer but you want to take just one more tour before you do. I speak from my own experience when I say that it's easy to get blinded by the aesthetics of a home and forget that if your dishwasher doesn't work when you move in, it's going to be an issue. Below are some major and minor things to confirm before making the big step and purchasing your home. It will make your home inspection more seamless and help to ensure that there are no surprises when you move in.

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Kelly Wilen Kelly Wilen

How to Compete in a Multiple Offer Situation

In Minneapolis/St. Paul we are currently very much in a seller's market, meaning that there are far more buyers than sellers. As a result, homes are selling quickly with offers coming from multiple buyers.As a buyer, this can be an overwhelming prospect. Winning in a multiple-offer situation is attainable and sometimes does not require the highest offer but rather a better understanding of the seller coupled with a strategic approach. Here are some of the tactics that can be utilized to ensure your offer is the winning one:

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