Here you will find helpful Real Estate information for home sellers and buyers, such as how to negotiate offers, how to avoid mistakes before and during closing, home maintenance issues and tips, housing trends and more. Scroll down to view recent articles or use Search for specific topics.
Common Mistakes When Closing on a Home
Ever notice that when you’re unprepared, it heats up stressful situations? Take the preclosing stage of the home-buying process. You may keep thinking about the money at stake, while forms, disclosures, and reports fly at you. It’s enough to overwhelm anyone. Anyone who isn’t well prepared, that is. You can get a head start, though,…
8 Simple Rules for Negotiating Your Offer and Getting That House
Here’s the dream: Your offer is perfect, you don’t need to negotiate, and you can spend the next few weeks addressing more pressing home-ownership questions, like “Why is it called wainscoting?” and “Do I want a new couch in blush or emerald green?” And it could happen. Many sellers accept the best offer they receive,…
12 Simple Home Repair Jobs to Lift You Out of Winter’s Funk
Like that annoying squeaky floor board. Easy as tossing a ball to fix! Accomplishments — even little ones — go a long way toward a sunny outlook. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy, quick home repair chores you can do when you’re mired in the thick of winter. For max efficiency, make a to-do list…
13 Tips for Home Wildfire Protection
How do most homes ignite during a wildfire? A floating ember or piece of burning wood touches down on a roof, gutter, in a vent, under a deck, or on a porch and ignites leaves and debris, says the National Fire Protection Association. Or else, a surface fire simply takes the fast lane to your…
You’ll Be Glad You Did These 4 August Tasks When January Comes
Go ahead and get that energy audit. And schedule snow plowing. Take a few minutes out of your pool time this month to do these four tasks. Then you’ll have more time to eat popcorn in front of the fire next January. #1 Call the Snow Plow Now If you live in snow-prone areas, now’s…
United Against Racial Injustice
My heart goes out to the family and friends of our fellow Minnesotan George Floyd, and to everyone deeply affected by this grave injustice. We know there is much work to do, and we must awaken to that fact and never turn away. Here’s a message from Edina Realty’s CEO Greg Mason: Statement from Edina…
How to Disinfect Your Home in the Time of Coronavirus
There’s everyday clean, guest clean, and then there’s COVID-19 clean. To get down the absolute nitty gritty on how to disinfect your home, you’ll want your big guns: bleach, rubbing alcohol, and hot water. The Best Disinfectants For your high-touch surfaces, the Centers for Disease Control recommends a bleach solution diluted with water, or a…
Is Your Home Older Than Its Years?
Would you throw away $20,000? You are if you’re letting your home age faster than it should. Here’s a simple maintenance strategy to keep your home young. You know how Dr. Oz says that if you keep your body fit and your mind nimble, you’re likely younger than your chronological years? The same principle applies…
What You Need to Know to Get Coronavirus Mortgage Relief
Mortgage lenders, and the federal agencies that regulate lenders, are putting coronavirus mortgage relief measures in place to ensure homeowners have options if they’re unable to make payments. Your first stop in the face of financial hardship is your lender or bank. Just keep in mind lenders are working to figure out and implement the…
My commitment to you during COVID-19
I understand there is a vital need for many to purchase and sell homes or refinance amidst the pandemic. Real estate services are considered an essential business in both Minnesota and Wisconsin during this time, but please be assured that we are making every attempt to do things virtually whenever possible. The health and safety…
What Home Buyers and Sellers Should Know about COVID-19
I know there is still a need for many people to purchase and sell homes during this time, even during this COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic that is affecting us all. Your safety is a top concern and we are taking several precautions as we continue to provide the highest level of service possible during this…
How to Use Comparable Sales to Price Your Home
Before you put your home up for sale, understand how the right comparable sales help you and your agent find the perfect price. How much can you sell your home for? Probably about as much as the neighbors got, as long as the neighbors sold their house in recent memory and their home was just…
Saint Paul Home & Patio Show Ticket Giveaway
I’m happy to giveaway a limited number of tickets to this upcoming show where you can review home-related products and services, experience stunning project displays, connect with industry experts and enjoy informative presentations from renowned home professionals that can help you conceptualize your next home project. Hurry, you can request up to four free tickets…
The Best Time of Year to Buy Things for Your Home
Buying stuff can be stressful. Cheap out, and you could regret it. Overspend, and you’ll cut into your budget. Knowing the best time of year to buy appliances and other household items can lessen the anxiety. Here’s a list of the best time of year for sales — or download the one-page calendar here. Furniture: January and July You could save…
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Brian Bernard 