Friday, February 29, 2008

How to Remove Markers from Hardwood Floors...


This fall I hosted a gathering for the children and families of Zachary’s pre-school class at Sunny Hollow Montessori. I learned an important lesson! Never have out Sharpie markers at parties for pre-schoolers! SOMEHOW some permanent marker ended up on our hardwood floors. No worries—I was able to get the market off of the floor with a “magic eraser” from Mr. Clean. These things are great all purpose cleaners. Be careful with them though, because they tend to take the gloss off of things. Use them sparingly on hardwood floors and avoid paint with a gloss finish. Most of our sellers have heard me rave about this product - it is GREAT for cleaning up in bathrooms and cleaning in general. I just received another floor cleaning hint from my mother-in-law - put a diagonal cut in a tennis ball put a pole of some sort into the hole and then use the tennis ball to clean marks up off the floor. Keep those handy hint ideas rolling in!

The Winner of our February Contest

Jen Zanner is the proud new owner of the $25 gift certificate to Longfellow Grill. Keep entering the contest and some day you'll be a winner too!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Market Activity Report

From The Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors:

With mercury dropping, snow falling, lips cracking, wet hair freezing, and cars stalling, February has mostly been an exercise in old-fashioned winter hibernation for those of us brave (or foolish) enough to live in the Twin Cities. The weather is by no means the only explanation for the lackluster showing of area home buyers—the uncertainty in the credit markets and dampened consumer confidence are obviously playing their own crucial roles—but it certainly isn't helping. That's why the uptick in temperatures seen in recent days is a welcome sight for home buyers, sellers and real estate brokers alike.

New listings for the week ending February 16 posted 1,859 units, down 8.3 percent from the same week in 2007. Signed purchase agreements (pending sales) declined from last year by 17.8 percent for the same time period comparison, posting 624 units. Despite the general decline in seller activity, the total number of homes for sale is ahead of this time last year by 12.1 percent.

Friday, February 15, 2008

February Contest!


D'oh - Interest Rates Creep up again

Rates are still great, but they have crept up a bit again.

Conveional Fixed
30 Year - 6%
20 Year - 5.874%
15 Year 5.5%

FHA/VA 30 Year Fixed
FHA - 5.75%
VA - 5.75%

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Interest Rates Creep up....

Interest rates are like a yo-yo with a little tiny string right now. This week they are up a tiny bit. FHA loans are definitely gaining favor recently. Check out those FHA rates!

Fixed Conventional
30 Year - 5.625%
20 YEar 5.5%
15 Year 5.125%

FHA/VA Fixed 30 Year
FHA - 5.5%
VA - 5.5%

Friday, February 1, 2008

Interest Rates Creep Down....

Interest rates have creeped DOWN a bit after the fed funds rate went down another .5 point. Stay tuned for more volatility.

Fixed Conventional

30 Year - 5.5%
20 Year - 5.5%
15 Year - 4.875%

Fixed FHA/VA

FHA 30 Year - 5.25%
VA 30 Year - 5.375%