Buyer Services

SERVICES PROVIDED TO BUYERS

Our company is a member of two Multiple Listing Services (MLS) which allows us to keep you informed of any new listings from any MLS participating company. If you see an exciting ad or a house with a different company’s sign in the yard, we can get the information and show you that property.

We watch daily for the following:
1. Houses that are back on the market because the buyer’s financing did not go through.
2. PRICE REDUCTIONS (sometimes as high as $20,000)
3. New Listings!! The best homes may sell before the ad reaches the paper.

NO PRESSURE: The average buyer may look at several homes before making a decision. We’ll work on your time-line.

If you wish to build a new home we can recommend quality builders for your new construction project and help you find the perfect lot. We can help you explore the options.

We will spend time with you, up front, just learning about your real estate needs. Together, we can determine the style of house you like, how many bedrooms, what size of garage and yard and anything else that’s important to you in a home.

Education. We will educate and counsel you about the buying process, agency and representation, what to look for in a home, inspections, purchase agreements, and the closing process. We’ll guide you from start to finish.

Financing. We can help you connect with a reputable local lender who will be able to meet with you to determine your financing needs.

If you have a house in the area to sell before purchasing, we will do a COMPLIMENTARY Comparative Market Analysis showing you what you can expect to “net” when you sell.

Our buyers and sellers appreciate the frequent updates we provide until the sale closes.

We are professional Full Time Agents with complete support services.

Your purchase is important to us and we’ll work hard to earn your business and keep you as a client.

We enjoy marketing homes and helping buyers find a home they can be happy in. We look forward to working with you, and we will do our best to serve all your real estate needs.

23 Things To Look For In A Home!

It's difficult for buyers who are first starting out to know what to look for in a potential home. I'm including this helpful list as a way to get buyers off on the right foot. In addition to purchase price, buyers should be looking at potential maintenance issues and the costs associated with those items. If you have any questions about buying a home, I'm here to help you through the process. I'd be glad to get you my complete buyer's guide of critical information. You can also check out my website for more information.

23 THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A HOME
BEFORE BUYING!

Exterior
§ From the exterior, view the shingles. Are they in good shape (no curling or missing shingles)?
§ Look at gutters and downspouts, are they in place?
§ Are downspouts directing water away from house to ensure proper drainage?
§ Siding should be in good condition. Note any peeling paint, gaps in siding, or rotting siding.
§ The overall elevation around the home is important. Does the water flow away from the house (not settle into the foundation)?
§ Are the windows in good condition? Are there any signs of leaks or rotting? Do they need to be repainted? Will they require maintenance throughout the year (changing storm windows and screens?)
§ Are the driveway and sidewalks in good repair?
§ Is there any landscaping around the home? Proper landscaping can help keep water away from a home, reducing the possibility of a leaking basement.

Interior
§ Once inside the home, determine the overall appeal of the floor plan. Is it functional for your usage?
§ Are the carpets, and flooring in good condition?
§ Check the condition of the walls and ceiling. Is there any evidence of a leaking roof or windows?
§ Do the walls and ceilings show any cracks? Most are caused by routine settling, but some may be a concern.
§ In the basement, be sure to examine the walls for cracks, bows or curves.
§ Are there signs of water in the basement (smell, mold, water marks, etc.)?
§ Is there proper insulation around the exterior rim joist insulation?
§ What is the approximate age of the furnace and water heater? Do they appear to be well maintained? (Only a professional inspection will be able to tell you whether there are any safety concerns. We strongly recommend a furnace inspection prior to purchase.)
§ Check the under sinks for any sign of leaky plumbing.
§ Flush toilets, run water, check showers and baths to be sure all are in good working order.
§ Check the windows. Do they open and close properly? Do they shut tight and lock?
§ How old are the appliances? Do they stay in the home as part of the purchase?
§ Does the home offer a Buyer’s Warranty? (Ask your realtor for information on the warranty. Many sellers will furnish a home warranty for buyers.)

What's Going on in Owatonna Minnesota?

Here's the buzz for Owatonna's activities and events for the month of March. You can view it on my Active Rain blog, too.

What’s Going On Around Owatonna?

This month there are some informative and fun events taking place in Owatonna, Minnesota.

This last weekend the Minnesota Deer and Turkey Expo was held at the Four Seasons Centre, and this weekend it will be the site of the North American Farm and Power Show. They expect to draw vendors from all over and promise to have interesting exhibits and demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Friday is the night when local business women will be honored at the Women of Achievement Scholarship Fundraiser. It will be held at the Owatonna Arts Center on Friday, the 14th from 6:15 to 9:30.

The Village of Yesteryear is hosting a lecture on the history of Beaver Lake and Ellendale. We have a lake place on Beaver Lake and thoroughly enjoy summers fun at the lake. That program should be very interesting. That will be on March 18th at 1:00 pm.

The Owatonna Chamber’s Business After Hours for March will take place at Manke’s Outdoor Equipment and Supply on March 25th from 5:30 until 7:00 pm. It’s a great way to meet area business people and network.

The KOWZ/KRUE 92 Home & Recreation Show wraps up the month’s events at the Four Seasons Centre running from 3/28 – 3/30. Coldwell Banker Home Connection will have a booth at the show and we’ll be showcasing our listings and providing information about buying, selling, building lots and new construction.

Home Safety Tips

Install a carbon monoxide detector. It could save your life, and it’s the law. Beginning August 1, 2008, all single family homes in Minnesota will be required to have a CO detector, and beginning August 1, 2009, multi-family homes will be required to have CO detectors in their homes. Homeowners who do not have a CO detector could face serious liability charges if someone in their home is injured or killed by carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas. This gas could build up to a toxic level if your appliances are not maintained or a chimney is blocked or not properly vented.

Daylight Saving Time begins March 9 this year. That’s a good day to remember to change the batteries on your smoke alarms, and this year it’s also a good day to install a carbon monoxide detector. CO Detectors are available at most discount and home improvement stores.

CO alarms can be battery powered or powered by plugging into an outlet or by wiring into the home electrical system. Alarms must conform to the Underwriters Laboratory Standards and located within 10 feet of each bedroom. For more information visit the State Fire Marshal's website at http://www.fire.state.mn.us/.

Warning - if you don't like snow you may be offended by my photos - but this year we have plenty of it. I want to show off my community. We've been fortunate to raise our family, make lasting friendships, grow a business, and have fun all while living in Owatonna, Minnesota. Owatonna is a community of 24,000 about 50 miles south on I-35 from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. We are also 45 minutes west of the famed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Here are a few of the photos I have taken around town recently -

This photo was taken at Dartt's park. One of our walking trails goes right through the park. There are ball diamonds, tennis courts, picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, basketball hoops, and playground equipment for everyone's enjoyment.



This is the fountain in Central Park. In the summer kids will dip their toes and grown-ups will toss coins for good luck.

This is a photo of the Central Park band shell. It was recreated to have the same look as the original bandshell. It's a great place to enjoy summer concerts and other community activities.

This imposing building is our city administration building. It also houses the Owatonna Arts Center. This building used to serve as a State School (Orphanage). Children whose families could no longer care for them would be brought in by train from all over Minnesota. There is an orphnage museum on site that provides a wonderful sense of history for the community.


This photo shows off the exterior grounds of the Owatonna Arts Center. It's a wonderful facility that offers a great venue for gatherings and parties. We hosted our Christmas party here for the agents from all three of our offices. In addition they offer classes and showcase art and local talents from area artists.


This view shows the entrance to the trails of Kaplan's Woods. I've spent a lot of time hiking through woods this year. There are plenty of hills, creeks, wildlife for every nature enthusiast to enjoy. Get off the couch and have fun in the winter!

This photo shows off the Lake Kohlmeyer fishing pier. The geese have found the open water and are ready for spring. People fish off the pier most of the year. I always love riding my bike on the trailsnearby in the summer and I get to watch the love of fishing being shared between grandparents, parents, and kids. Families love it. Ther's also a swimming beach and playground. You can even rent canoes and paddle boats here. We had a summer fun day and ran an obstacle course here once with our agents.

As you can see we have a variety of wonderful attractions that can be enjoyed throughout the year - hey don't forget we also have Cabela's about 2 miles north on I-35. Stop in and visit - anytime!