Is a Townhome a Smart Buy? For many first-time buyers, purchasing a single-family home can feel out of reach right now. A townhome may not be where you imagined starting, but it can be a practical way to get your foot in the door and begin building equity through homeownership. Townhomes can also ap

  There’s been plenty of talk about whether home prices are going to fall. Some buyers are worried about buying before a housing crash, while others are waiting and hoping prices come down enough to make buying more affordable. So, what are housing experts actually predicting? Experts Aren’t Forecas

How Can I Lower My Home Buying Costs? With mortgage rates moving higher recently, buyers may be looking at the numbers and wondering if buying a home still makes sense. The good news is there may be more ways to lower the cost of buying than you realize. At the Sandy Erickson Real Estate Team, we en

Why Fall Could Be a Great Time To Buy a Home If you’ve been waiting for the housing market to become a little more buyer-friendly, fall may bring some opportunities worth paying attention to. Mortgage rates tend to get most of the attention, but they’re only one part of the equation. The time of yea

Frequently Asked Questions About The Appraisal If you’re buying or selling a home, you’ll likely hear the word “appraisal” once you’re under contract. It’s an important part of many real estate transactions, especially when the buyer is using a mortgage. So, what exactly is an appraisal, and why doe

Condo Financing Rules Are Changing: What Buyers & Sellers Need to Know If you're planning to buy or sell a condo or certain townhomes, there are some important financing changes happening that could affect your next move. Beginning August 3, 2026, lenders are required to take a much closer look at t

If you’re a buyer still watching the market and wondering if now is the wrong time to make a move, this 4th of July pocket may actually be worth paying attention to. Historically, summer can bring strong activity in real estate, but there are also pockets where things slow down. The weeks around the

What Does an HOA Actually Cover? If you’re looking to buy a townhome, condo, or even some single-family homes, chances are you’ll run into a homeowners association (HOA). One of the most common questions buyers ask is: What does an HOA actually cover? The short answer? It depends. Not all HOAs are t

How to Compete in Multiple Offers Without Overpaying If you’re shopping for a home right now, you may be wondering: How do I compete in multiple offers without overpaying? It’s one of the most common concerns we hear from buyers, and for good reason. No one wants to miss out on a home they love. At

Is Now the Wrong Time to Make a Move? With the cost of just about everything going up lately and news headlines constantly talking about inflation, it's understandable to feel concerned. Groceries cost more. Gas costs more. Insurance costs more. Mortgage rates remain higher than many people would li

Top 10 Questions to Ask a Homeowners Association During Your 10-Day CIC Review Period Buying a home in a homeowners association (HOA) can offer many benefits, including reduced maintenance responsibilities, shared amenities, and a sense of community. But it also comes with rules, fees, and financial

What Is the Cost of Having a Buyer's Agent? One of the most common questions we hear from homebuyers is: "What does it cost to have a buyer's agent represent me?" It’s a smart question, and the answer often surprises people. In Many Cases, the Cost Is Minimal Having your own buyer representation oft

Why Should I Use a Buyer’s Agent? It’s a common question—and a good one. With so much information online, it’s easy to wonder if you really need a buyer’s agent when purchasing a home. The short answer? Having the right representation can make a meaningful difference in your experience, your outcome

What Are All the Costs of Buying a Home? If you’re thinking about buying a home, one of the most common questions we get is: what does it actually cost? Most people immediately think about the down payment—but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. There are a few other costs to plan for so you can mo

Getting a Tax Refund? Here’s How It Can Help You Buy a Home If you’re getting a tax refund this year, it might be worth looking at it a little differently. Instead of treating it as extra spending money, it could actually help move you closer to buying a home. A lot of buyers don’t factor their refu

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

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

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

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

The A, B, C’s of Real Estate: An A–Z Guide for Buyers and Sellers What do all the terms used during a real estate transaction actually mean? Whether you’re buying or selling a home, understanding the language of real estate can make the process feel far more manageable. This A–Z guide offers real es