What does it take to sell a home in a competitive market – a fresh coat of paint or a kitchen overhaul? Lowering the asking price or offering incentives? From cosmetic to strategic, smart sellers can take advantage of a few simple tips to get the most out of their properties. Here are five suggestions on how to help secure a “sold” sign: Price Point is Paramount When getting ready to put a home on the market, determining the right listing price is the number one most important element... read more

Most home buyers would agree, looking for a bargain and ways to save money on their purchase transaction are important. That is a good attitude to have, and you should think of your home purchase as a business transaction. There are good ways to save money: Begin planning early, shop and compare the terms and loans offered by several lenders, consult with a Coldwell Banker® sales professional about home values and sales numbers. But, there are also some attempts many home buyers make to save mone... read more

Home buyers and home sellers each face their own challenges, but for many, the two processes go hand-in-hand. Most people cannot afford to own multiple homes, so the decision to move generally means both buying a new home and selling your current property. If you are attempting to both sell your home and buy a new one, you may feel overwhelmed and could benefit from turning to your real estate agent for help. While some agents work only with home sellers or home buyers, others may be prepared to help wit... read more

For 42 percent of home buyers, the first step in the homebuying process was searching online. While technology has a number of benefits, it also comes with some potential pitfalls. Below include some of the most common mistakes home buyers made when searching for a home online. Use a Real Estate Agent Even After Finding Your Perfect Home With the vast amount of real estate information available online, some home buyers choose not to hire a real estate agent at all. While you may succeed in finding a home... read more

Here is a look at how the housing market played out for the Albert Lea community this past month. In May, 27 single-family residential homes were sold with an average SOLD price of $97,810. The average days on market for those sold properties were 61 days.  May also brought 48 new homes to the market with an average list price of $132,706 for those new homes added.  Currently there are 104 homes for sale in the Albert Lea community.  (S... read more