Two Available Home Buyer Assistance Programs - the PATH Grant Program & the MY HOME Program

The PATH Program can provide $4,000 for down payment or closing costs*.  Funds can be used towards down payment, closing costs and or prepaid items. 

The features of this program include: 

• Available for prospective home buyers purchasing or building a primary residence in eligible counties(Anoka, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington Counties). 

• Available for owner-occupied primary residences, including: 
- Single-family detached homes
- Condominiums
- Townhouses 
- One-to-four unit owner-occupied properties 

• Borrower income and/or purchase area must qualify.  Maximum gross income cannot exceed $68,160.

• Available on fixed rate mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages and construction loans.  No FHA Loans. 

• Eligible for first-time and repeat home buyers.  First-time homebuyers will need to complete a Home Ownership Education Program. 

The My Home Program provides $5,000 towards a buyer's closing costs.  Funds can be used for closing costs to eliminate the buyer needing to pay for them or having to add the costs into the purchase price.

The features of this program include: 

• Available for prospective home buyers purchasing or building a primary residence in eligible counties(Anoka, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington Counties). 

• Available for owner-occupied primary residences, including: 
- Single-family detached homes
- Condominiums
- Townhouses 
- One-to-four unit owner-occupied properties 

• No maximum income requirements. 

• Available on fixed rate mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages and construction loan products.  Available on conventional loans, jumbo loans, FHA & VA loans. 

• Eligible for first-time and repeat home buyers.  There is no Home Ownership Education Program needed for first time buyers.

Call or text 952.200.1994 for more details or email bradandjillsellhomes@gmail.com

Check out THIS ARTICLE on why it's so important to use a professional when trying to sell your home

Check out the article below, written by a local MN blogger...

Minnesota is well-known for its lakes, which are ideal for almost every form of water recreation, like fishing, swimming, boating, skiing, and now even paddle boarding.  Minnesota is certainly an ideal vacation destination and has something for everyone to look forward to.

There are over 900 Minnesota resorts for tourists and travelers to choose from.  The state's abundance of lakes makes it an ideal site for resort vacations.  You may choose from resorts with different types of accommodations, from small family owned resorts, to large lake home reunion accommodations and lodges.  Minnesota resorts have their own unique charm.  Depending on your preference, you can choose from a resort with on-site golf courses, or an in-house spa.  There are also quaint cottages, which have maintained their vintage vibe over the years. Stay at these cozy lodges and get transported back to the old days when people went on real summer vacations.  No rushing about, just time to lay back and watch the children play, enjoy a good book, or take a relaxing boat ride.

Minnesota vacations are best if you are running low on time and funds since everything is usually on-side with some resorts offering family plans.  Some people in your group might want to try canoeing, while those who love shopping can experience unique finds in many of the small towns throughout the state.  Minnesota not only boasts unique small town shopping, but is also home to the world famous Mall of America.  

Of course, something more everyone who stays at a resort in Minnesota loves to do is explore the many state forests which you can either do for free, or by paying a minimal fee. For those who like to hike, bike, or walk, Minnesota state parks are famous for their many connected trails.  If you're lucky enough to be in Minnesota at the end of August or early September, you could visit the Minnesota State Fair. 

Below are some of the top attraction sites or top fun places to visit in Minnesota:

Frontenac State Park:

Frontenac State Park, MN is located at Lake Pepin, a natural widening of the Mississippi River, and is know as one of the best bird watching areas in the country.  The park is home to numerous scenic overlooks and is home to the bluff called "point-no-point". A trick in visual perspective makes the bluff appear prominent from a distance to travelers moving downstream on the river, but vanishes from view as it is approached.  One of the Gerard brothers, the first settlers of the nearby town of Old Frontenac, used to jump from "point-no-point" with his flying machines in an attempt to soar above the river.  The machines didn't work, but he was never badly hurt in his attempts.  Some things to see and do in Frontenac Park are birding, hiking, camping, canoeing and boating.  This park lies along the Great River Road Minnesota, which follows the Mississippi River from the Twin Cities to the Iowa Border.  This is a beautiful drive that you must take sometime.

Scenic State Park:

Scenic Park is located amidst the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota.  The park is home to a forest of virgin white and red pines that were never touched by logging interests, as well as the untouched beauty of Coon Lake, Sandwick Lake, and Lake of the Isles.  Some things to see and do in Scenic State Park include hiking the Chase Point Trail, view the interpretive displays at the historic CCC-built lodge houses, RV camping, tent camping (drive-in, backpack, and boat-in sites available), fishing, canoeing, birding, and taking in the scenic views.

Itasca State Park:

Itasca State Park is Minnesota's oldest state park and home to Lake Itasca, the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River.  In 1832 explorer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft correctly claimed Lake Itasca as the source of the Mississippi.  He named the lake by combining the Latin words for "truth" (verITAS) and "head" (CAput), linking them together and forming a new word, Itasca.  Itasca State Park, MN is located west of Highway 371 near Leech Lake, and offers many things to do such as camping, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, and hiking.

Bear Head Lake State Park:

Bear Head Lake State Park, though little known outside of Minnesota, was voted as America's Favorite Park in 2010. In a contest designed by a major soft drink company in which 5.7 million votes were cast, Bear Head Lake State Park beat out of the likes of Yellowstone and Yosemite to take the title.  The park is located just south of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota and is home to black bears, wolves, deer, and moose.  Things to see and do in Bear Head Lake State Park include tent and RV camping, fishing, 17 miles of hiking trails, and lakes with sand beaches and boat and canoe access.

If you love landscapes as a subject to your photography, here are some places that you may want to pay a visit to on your next trip to Minnesota.

The Jay Cooke State Park or Lake Superior State Parks:

This nature park is situated approximately 10 miles in the southwestern part of Duluth.  You can try your luck by trying to capture photos of the following animal species: 46 mammal species (including black bears, timberwolves, and coyotes), 173 bird species, and 16 reptile species that are non-poisonous.

Moreover, if rock formations are your thing, then you might enjoy the slate and greywacke bedrock of the St. Louis River that is adorned with several shale protrusions.

Super Hiking Trail (SHT):

Do you enjoy mountain climbing as much as you love photography?  If you do, then the SHT is for you.  If you are up to it, you can enjoy the 244 mile trail alongside the Lake Superior.  While enjoying the hike, you can take snapshots of the lake and some breathtaking sights of the trail itself.

Voyageurs National Park:

The name came from the initial French-Canadian tourists who frequent this place via canoes. This national park boasts 30 or so lakes that are adorned with approximately 1000 islands.  Boating, canoeing, and fishing are among the activities you can enjoy.  Of course, on the way, you can take snapshots of the islands as a souvenir of your trip.

Minnehaha (Laughing) Falls:

This unassuming waterfall can be found in the southeastern part of Minneapolis. However, the Minnehaha Falls is not the only attraction that is "photo" worthy.  Tourists and locals alike have found themselves posing beside the statues of Hiawatha and Minnehaha, both of which are famous because of Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha". 

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory:

If you are looking for a haven in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city, the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory can be your best bet.  The park is not only a sanctuary to big cats, other mammals and birds, but in its midst, you can also find a Japanese garden where you can take photographs of manicured Zen gardens and bonsais.  If you are looking for color in your photographs and the flowers and orchids are not enough, you can visit the Enchanted Garden filled with all sorts of butterflies. 

Check out these great tips from a local MN blogger...

Home staging is a popular trend in preparing your home for a sale.  Professional home stagers, as well as real estate agents, can offer valuable advice on how to prepare your home to make it sell faster, and at a higher price. The suggestions that you get from these professionals come from their prior experience and knowledge of why some homes sell quickly, and why others remain on the market for extended periods of time.  The following are some important things that you can do to stage your home on your own.

1. Make Perfect Use of Lighting:

Proper lighting can make your space appear bigger and more appealing to prospective buyers. Let in natural light to make it appear airy and spacious. Dark spaces that look tight are far from making a good impression.  You must do away with those.

2. Use Muted Colors Rather Than Bold Ones:

Muted tones are appealing to a bigger crowd, so if you are looking at sparking an interest among a good number of prospective homebuyers, you must go for greens and browns and yellows rather than oranges and purples and red.

3. De-cluttering, Removing Extra Furniture, and Cleaning The House Are 3 Essential Tasks When Preparing A Property for Sale:

You have to remove as many personal objects as possible.  This is particularly applicable to photographs.  You may want to remove decorative and bulky furniture for the purpose of making the rooms more spacious.  Buyers love to peak into closet and kitchen pantries, so these must be in order.  You must clean the house thoroughly, which includes floor and window cleaning.

4. Refresh The Kitchen and Bathroom By Using Simple Solutions:

You can readily repaint the kitchen cabinets and replace the countertop tiles with new ones.  Adding new knobs to the cabinets and replacing the tap and sink can do a lot to give your kitchen a much more modern and fresher look. Replacing the toilet and vanity is highly recommended if they are old.  The shower/bath area must be perfectly clean and shiny.  You may want to add a new shower curtain, some towels, and candles to improve the bathroom's overall appearance.

5. Major Repairs and Renovations Should Be Made Well In Advance:

If you plan to replace the roof shingles or add an extra bathroom, you have to do this even before you get a professional evaluation of your property.  Buyers must be able to see the finished product.  Nothing else will do.

6. Make The Exterior Of Your Homes More Welcoming:

The first impression always counts especially when it comes to buying a home.  Mowing the lawn and trimming the shrubs and trees are essential things that you must do.  You should also consider planting some yellow flowers for a more cheerful mood.  Painting the mailbox and adding a new welcome mat will also pay off.

7. Paint The Interior:

Painting the interior is one of the most effective strategies to use to prepare a house for selling.  You can DIY it at a very low cost  Just remember to use soft welcoming colors.

8. Take Out Your Personal Items:

Picture frames with your own photos, religious symbols, cultural items, and certificates might turn off your prospective buyer, thinking that you have not moved on from owning the house.  Downplay your personality among the items that will be left behind to make it easier for you prospective buyer to adopt the house as his own. 

9. Organize:

Put in order all those things that are left after you have cleaned up and de-cluttered.  Look at your house as no longer yours, but as a product waiting for a buyer.  Put items in their rightful places, following a simplistic, minimalistic design.  This way, it would be easier for anyone to associate himself with your house and have interest in acquiring it.

If you have children, their toys should go into storage bins or baskets.  The bins/baskets should be in the closet.  Dresser tops should be clear.  The rooms should be almost empty because kids rooms are usually a lot smaller than the master bedroom and all that stuff lying around will make those bedrooms appear smaller than they really are.

10. When Your Realtor Calls To Say There's A Showing, Get Out Of The House:

It's best if you're not there because you'll make the buyers uncomfortable.  They'll be so busy trying to avoid you, trying to talk quietly, that they might not give your house the attention it deserves.  You may think it's a good idea to be home so you can answer any questions the buyers may have.  Trust Me - Your're Wrong.  If there are questions the Realtor can't answer, there are phone in use today.  The Realtor will call the listing agent to get answers.