FHFA Extends Refinance Program by One Year

Are you upside down with your home or condo in Elk River, Otsego, Big Lake?

FHFA Extends Refinance Program By One Year

Federal Housing Finance Agency Acting Director Ed DeMarco today announced the extension of the Home Affordable Refinance Program, (HARP), a refinancing program administered by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to June 30, 2011. The program is a key component of the Administration’s Making Home Affordable Program announced last February. The HARP program expands access to refinancing for qualified individuals and families whose homes have lost value. The program was set to expire on June 10 of this year. MORE

Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency

CHAD ELLIOT, REALTOR© The Hennepin Group, LLC Keller Williams Realty 17205 Yale Street NW, Suite D Elk River, Minnesota, 55330	Mobile: (651) 795-1147 Fax: (763) 241-0187 Email: chadelliot@kw.com ElkRiverHomes.com

Increasing your home's appeal

Increasing your home's appeal

Are you thinking about selling your home? Does the news make you scare about what price you will get? Living in Elk River, Big Lake, Otsego, Rogers or Albertville? I am here to help!

Remember the 60-second rule: That's all the time you have to create a winning first impression. Here are some simple to significant ways to maximize your home's appeal.

Exterior

* Keep the grass cut and remove all yard clutter.
* Weed and apply fresh mulch to flower beds.
* Apply fresh paint to wooden fences.
* Tighten and clean all door handles.
* Clean windows inside and out.
* Powerwash home's exterior.
* Ensure all gutters and downspouts are firmly attached and functioning.
* Paint the front door.
* Buy a new welcome mat.
* Place potted flowers near the front door.

Interior

* Evaluate the furniture in each room and remove anything that interrupts "the flow" or makes the room appear smaller. Consider renting a storage unit to move items off-site.
* Clean and organize cabinets, closets and bookshelves.
* Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans.
* Shampoo carpets.
* Remove excessive wall hangings and knick-knacks.
* Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps.
* Make minor repairs (torn screens, sticking doors, cracked caulking).
* Clean or paint walls and ceilings.
* Replace worn cabinet and door knobs.
* Fix or replace discolored grout.
* Replace broken tiles.
* Replace worn countertops.

Special details for showings

* Turn on all the lights.
* Open all drapes and shutters in the daytime.
* Keep pets secured outdoors.
* Buy new towels for bathrooms.
* Buy new bedding for bedrooms.
* Replace old lamps or lampshades.
* Play quiet background music.
* Light the fireplace or clean out the ashes and light a candelabrum.
* Infuse home with a comforting scent, such as apple spice or vanilla.
* Set the dining room table for a fancy dinner party.
* Vacate the property while it is being shown.

If you are in need of advice on selling your home I am here to help! Please contact me if you are in the Elk River, Big Lake, Otsego, Rogers, Albertville or any surrounding city for help selling your home.

CHAD ELLIOT, REALTOR© The Hennepin Group, LLC Keller Williams Realty 17205 Yale Street NW, Suite D Elk River, Minnesota, 55330	Mobile: (651) 795-1147 Fax: (763) 241-0187 Email: chadelliot@kw.com ElkRiverHomes.com

Twin Cities Market Activity Report - WE 2/22
provided by MAAR

The Twin Cities housing market in early 2010 looks pretty much like it did in early 2009. How similar? Over the last three months, there have been 7,189 signed purchase agreements; there were 7,186 a year ago during the same time period. Eerie, no? Robotic precision.

For the week ending February 13, there were 711 pending sales, down 2.7 percent from last year, and new listings posted 1,764 units, up 4.9 percent from a year ago. The only thing that's really changed much is the supply of available homes, which continues to dwindle relative to a year ago. The current stock of 22,271 available homes represents a 12.4 percent decline from a year ago.

For more information on the Elk River, Big Lake, Otsego and Rogers real estate markets please contact me or visit my website at http://www.ElkRiverHomes.com/.

CHAD ELLIOT, REALTOR© The Hennepin Group, LLC Keller Williams Realty 17205 Yale Street NW, Suite D Elk River, Minnesota, 55330	Mobile: (651) 795-1147 Fax: (763) 241-0187 Email: chadelliot@kw.com ElkRiverHomes.com

Overnight Parking now available at NorthStar Stations

We spoke and it looks like they listened! You can now park your car at the Park & Ride lots overnight (up to 7 days!). So feel trip to take that vacation or stay overnight in Downtown Minneapolis knowing your car will be waiting for you at the station.

NorthStar Press Release - Overnight Parking Now Available!

Have you been hoping to take the Northstar Commuter Rail and Hiawatha Light Rail trains to the airport for a business trip or vacation? Or ride Northstar into Minneapolis for an overnight stay? Now you can.

In response to requests from Northstar supporters, Metro Transit added overnight parking in the park-and-ride lots at Northstar's suburban rail stations. The six-month pilot program designates up to 10 spaces each at the Big Lake, Elk River, Anoka, Coon Rapids-Riverdale and Fridley stations. The designated spaces are available for overnight parking only with each car permitted to occupy the space for no longer than seven days at a time. Signs mark the overnight parking spots. For more information, visit, www.metrotransit.com/northstar.

Also this week, the Anoka-Ramsey Community College began providing shuttle service for Northstar commuters traveling to and from its three locations in Coon Rapids.

At the request of students and employees, Anoka-Ramsey Community College is offering free morning and afternoon rides to and from the Coon Rapids-Riverdale station. The shuttle service will run Monday through Thursday on class days only. Visit Anoka-Ramsey Community College for more information about shuttle times and pick up locations.

Northstar has had a great first two months of service and we are pleased to pass these added amenities along to you. We will update you periodically about other Northstar developments, as well as efforts to extend Northstar train service all the way to St. Cloud. Thank you for your continued support.

I heart the NorthStar Rail! ..haha

CHAD ELLIOT, REALTOR© The Hennepin Group, LLC Keller Williams Realty 17205 Yale Street NW, Suite D Elk River, Minnesota, 55330	Mobile: (651) 795-1147 Fax: (763) 241-0187 Email: chadelliot@kw.com ElkRiverHomes.com