Spring Home Maintenance Checklist: What to Do Inside and Outside Your Home This Season What should you include in a spring home maintenance checklist?A complete spring home maintenance checklist should cover both exterior and interior tasks—focusing on routine upkeep, system checks, and small repair

What Should You Know About Downsizing? If downsizing has been on your mind lately, you’re not alone. For many homeowners—especially after being in the same home for years—it’s not really about “going smaller.” It’s about making life easier, simplifying things, and setting up the next chapter in a wa

Are Online Home Estimates Actually Accurate? A Twin Cities perspective on Zillow, Redfin, and your real home value If you’ve ever looked up your home on Zillow or another site, you’ve probably had the same thought: “Is that really what my home is worth?” It’s one of the most common questions we hear

Are Investors Really Taking Over the Housing Market? We’ve had quite a few conversations lately where people are concerned about investors buying up all the homes. And we get it. The headlines make it sound like big companies are out there scooping up everything… which can feel frustrating if you’re

When Should You NOT Refinance Your Mortgage? Refinancing gets talked about a lot when rates move—but it’s not always the right move for everyone. Last week we covered when refinancing can make sense. Today, let’s look at the other side—because sometimes the better decision is to stay right where you

The Best Time To List Your Home This Spring Is Almost Here If selling has been on your mind this year, timing matters—and there’s a window coming up that tends to give sellers a bit of an edge. Based on historical data, the week of April 12–18 stands out as one of the strongest weeks to list. Now, t

When Does It Make Sense to Refinance Your Mortgage? Refinancing is something most homeowners think about at some point. And if you’ve owned a home for a while, chances are you’ve at least wondered if it could benefit you. It’s Not Just About the Interest Rate A lot of people think they should only r

Common Homebuyer Questions (Answered Simply) If you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s normal to have a lot of questions—especially at the beginning. Here are some of the most common things buyers ask, along with simple, straight answers to help you feel more confident moving forward. How much ea

What Determines Your Home’s Value? If you’ve ever looked up your home online, you’ve probably noticed that different websites give you different price estimates. It can leave homeowners wondering: What actually determines the value of my home? The truth is, a home’s value isn’t based on just one num

Should You Wait for Lower Rates? Mortgage rates have already dropped into the upper 5s twice this year. But after just a few days, they ticked back up into the low 6% range. If you saw that and thought, “Great. I missed it,” you’re not the only one. A lot of buyers are treating the 5s like some kind

Should You Accept an Offer Contingent on the Buyer Selling Their Home? When selling your home, one of the most common questions that comes up during negotiations is whether to accept an offer that is contingent on the buyer selling their current home. For many sellers, this type of offer can feel un

Spring Sellers Have an Edge. Here’s Why. Homeowners looking to sell in the Twin Cities real estate market usually want three things: plenty of interested buyers, strong offers, and a short timeline. Historically, spring is the season that most often delivers all three. So, if a move has been on your

When Is the Best Time to Sell a House? Timing can make all the difference when it comes to selling your home. Whether you’re looking to upgrade, downsize, or relocate, knowing the best time to put your house on the market can help you get the best price and a quicker sale. But is there really a “per

Top Mistakes Homeowners Are Making in 2026 (And How To Avoid Them) Let me start with this: homes are absolutely still selling. In fact, thousands sell every single day across the country. But the sellers who are successful right now have one thing in common — they’ve adjusted to today’s market inste

How Long Does It Take to Sell a Home? If you’re thinking about selling, one of the first questions you probably have is: How long is this going to take? The honest answer? It depends. But I can give you a realistic framework so you know what to expect. The Average Timeline From the day you go live o

Winter Restaurant Week Is Back: February 23 – March 1 Mark your calendars — Winter Restaurant Week returns to the Twin Cities February 23 through March 1, and it’s the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy some of the amazing local dining our metro has to offer. Produced by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, this

What NOT to Do When Getting Your Home Ready for Sale Getting your home ready to sell doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. In fact, some of the most expensive updates homeowners consider rarely pay off when it’s time to list. Last week we shared what to do before putting your home on the market.

It’s Getting More Affordable To Buy a Home in the Twin Cities There’s finally a little good news for anyone who’s been priced out or sitting on the sidelines. Buying a home is getting more affordable—nationally and here in the Twin Cities Metro. Monthly payments have started to come down, and the sq

What Should You Do to Prepare Your Home for Sale? How to prepare your home for sale so it attracts buyers, sells faster, and earns top dollar. Getting your home market-ready before listing in the Twin Cities metro isn’t just smart — it’s strategic. With buyers scrolling listings online first and mak

Your Guide to Minnesota First-Time Homebuyer Programs (2026) Thinking about buying your first home in the Twin Cities northern suburbs? You might qualify for up to $18,000 in down payment assistance through Minnesota Housing programs that many buyers don't even know exist. As a real estate team serv