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“So, how’s the market??”
 
I was asked that question last week while playing rec hockey in Morris last week. (Yes, I still put the skates on from time to time, and most of the time even stay upright!) It seems to be the most common question I get asked when I tell someone I’m a REALTOR. Everyone seems to be curious – just out of general curiosity, or simply because we are all hoping that the largest asset we own is going up in value!
 
The answer for the past while has caught mostpeople by surprise - THE MARKET IS HOT!
 
In most communities, we find ourselves with many more willing buyers looking for a home, than houses actually on the market. The houses that are priced correctly and have been well maintained, are snatched up within days in many cases.
 
So what does that mean for you?
 
Well, if you’re looking to buy, connecting with a trusted real estate agent (aka: me of course!) early in the process is important. I can keep you up to date when new listings hit the market (or even homes that are available off-market), and also guide you to be best prepared to put in an offer that will be accepted when the right house comes your way!
 
If you’re considering selling… now is a great time to get your house on the market! Many reports are saying that this year will be another record year for home sales – getting your home in front of buyers early could give you the best chance of getting top dollar and have less homes to compete against when the traditional spring market hits in the next couple of months!
 
If you’re just curious what your home is worth, I’m happy to provide an informed opinion on what today’s market value could be, given recent sales and properties currently on the market. You know what - I’ll even do that for free!
 
Reach out if you’re considering making a move – I’d love to help you navigate how to get there!
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Thursday Thoughts - February 22, 2024
Twenty-One.
 
For many of us, we have that number that we may consider “lucky” or “ours”. It may have started in sports or it may be just a number that we think looks cool. For a long time, I never really had THE number for me, but over the past while, it has become more and more clear.
 
21.
 
For those that know me, yes, that’s my birthdate. Makes sense, right? But there’s a few things over the past couple of years that have affirmed that it just fits.
 
First and foremost, I got married in ‘21. Secondly, I became a real estate agent in ‘21, taking a huge step in making a career change after twenty years in financial services. In fact, when I started at Coldwell Banker Preferred Real Estate, I was the 21st agent to join the office.
 
A coincidence, I think not. The fun part - it doesn’t end there.
 
But before I get to that, I’m thankful. Thankful for the belief in me from my wife, Emma. From my family and friends. From my colleagues at the office who encouraged me this past year to continue to push through some bumps in the road, and have faith that the hard work will pay off.
 
I am especially thankful for all the friends and clients that have trusted me to guide their real estate decisions, I am truly grateful.
 
As a result of that belief & trust, I am humbled and excited to announce that this past year, in my 2nd full year as a Realtor, I ranked #21 out of the over 100 agents within our brokerage! In addition, I received the International Sterling Society Award which places me in the Top 11% of Coldwell Banker agents Worldwide! WOW!
 
Once again, thank you! Here’s to you having your “lucky” number, and being as fortunate with it as I have been.
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Sunshine! Finally!
 
I’m pretty sure I’m somewhat solar powered. I think many of us are. The past couple of weeks of cloud & fog has been tiring, dull, and finding the extra oomph to keep things going has been tricky.
 
I’ll take a colder -15°, if it means sunshine.
 
Weall have that thing that energizes us. Maybe we don’t really notice it when it’s happening, but when it’s gone for a while is when it really hits us. What’s that thing for you?
 
Sun? Family? Music? Family? Sports? Dancing?
 
Whatever your thing is, go find it. Recognize it and energize yourself and those around you. Because after the past couple of weeks of dull, I think we could all use that extra bit of zing.
 
For those of us with kids in sports & activities or you’re simply just a fan of your local team, the playoff push is around the corner. I’ve got a few things on my hockey playoff schedule -- last night was the High School Mavs, tonight it’s the Senior Wild, and we’re only days away from U13 Girls Selects & U11 Girls Wild!
 
It’s gonna be busy and I need all the energy I can get to cheer them all on.
 
See you at the rink, hopefully with shades on
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A picture is a worth a thousand words.
 
For the past 10 or so years, we’ve all had a camera in our pocket. Some of us don’t use it very much to capture all of life’s moments, and others, well… we might as well call them the paparazzi.
 
Regardless, when we decide to post those photos out there for the world to see, we can be quite selective as to what hits that social media page. We all want to look our best – a good angle helping us to look slim, pushing our jaw up to avoid thedreaded double chin, sometimes even using a filter to make our complexion look like we’re on the cover of a magazine.
 
We all just wanna look good and have those thousand words be an amazing story.
 
You know what? When your house is ready to find a new owner, you want it to look its best too! Time and time again, I look through listings where the photos have been taken with an iPhone. Don’t get me wrong, the camera on that thing is great, but in my humble opinion, it’s just not good enough to show off your most valuable asset.
 
That’s the reason why I use a professional photographer for all of my house listings! She does an amazing job, makes homes look bright and fresh, and I do believe it brings a better return for my clients, as sellers.
 
When it comes time to sell your home, you can be confident that the thousand word picture story we tell is going to be great. If that’s as important to you as it is to me, call me when the time is right for you to market your home in the most professional way possible.
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Three degrees. In February.

Seems like some pretty awesome weather when moving to a new home in the winter! Some of you might be saying – who the heck moves in winter?!? Well, five of my clients are doing just that over the next 10 days – so apparently quite a few!

Sure, dealing with colder temps, snow and occasionally icy roads may not be the perfect situation (I may or may not have slipped a U-Haul cube van into the ditch during a February move of my own..), but regardless, there are people moving at all times of the year.

Simply put, that means there are buyers… at all times of the year!

Currently, there are VERY few houses for sale, especially in the Red River Valley corridor, and believe me, there are buyers looking every single day, hoping to see that right home come on the market so they can jump at the opportunity.

If you’ve been considering selling your home sometime in the next year, RIGHT NOW may be one of the best times to put the For Sale sign in your front yard. Spring-like weather, low inventory and interest rates being down all make for a great situation to bring it all together.

Enjoy Spring #1 of 2024, and while you’re out for a walk in the slush, picture my sign in your front yard – and then give me a call, I’ll take you through the process step by step.
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