Happy New Year!

December 31, 2011

As I think back on this past year I am thankful for many things!

So often we look back on our lives and are too often only thankful for the good things that have happened to us. This year as I reflect, I am thankful for the low points!

The past few years in the real estate industry have been trying to say the least! If you have not heard – the real estate industry is NOT what it used to be! I have been at “forks in the road” that I never thought that I would be at. I have been forced to make decisions that I never pictured myself having to make. As I have made these decisions I realized that I was growing through each one. I never appreciated the valley when I thought I was on top of the mountain! But it is in the valley that I have appreciated so much more in my life. I am thankful that I have been forced to go through the fire as it has refined me and made me who I am today!

I am thankful for my faith! I believe that God has given me all that I have, and helped show me what I no longer need!

I am thankful for my family! Being the father of four small children and the husband to a great wife is a blessing that I can’t describe!

I am thankful for my friends! We are fortunate in our business to have friends that are clients, and more importantly, we have clients that become friends!

I am thankful for you! Your business and your referrals are what continue to make us successful in our industry!

As you go into the New Year appreciate where you have come from; appreciate the trials and low points because once you get through them you will soon realize they were not as low as you once thought!  

I hope that 2012 is an amazing year for you and I hope that it brings you all that your heart desires…

If moving is in your plans for the coming year, I hope that you keep us in mind as we would love to earn your business!

Happy New Year!

Tony

http://homesite.obeo.com/700188

http://homesite.obeo.com/700188.

What do you think?

A FRESH look at the Twin Cities RE Market

Take a look at the video for a fresh look at the Twin Cities real estate market!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5yuEUEkX0k&feature=email
The market IS improving in certain areas, and of course at certain price points!

If you are thinking of selling your home, or buying a home…please give us a
call…we would love to earn your business!

Tony Ashworth

Cost Effective Updates for Today’s Market!

Hello, it’s Lori Ashworth!!

As a HOME STAGING CONSULTANT, I always say….LITTLE THINGS MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!! Take a look at these tips to Boost Your Home’s Value on a BUDGET!!!

10 Upgrades Under $100 to Boost a Home’s Value

Your clients might assume that only big-budget home renovations will produce valuable results. But there’s good news for homeowners on a budget. Plenty of inexpensive upgrades — like these — can pay off when it comes time to sell.

1.Add a fresh coat of paint. At about $30 a gallon, paint is one of the least expensive ways to spruce up your living space. Add paint in neutral, earth-tone colors to bring out the best in each room.

2.Explore energy updates. Evaluate your home’s energy efficiency by going to the U.S. Department of Energy website. There, you can get tips to make improvements that sellers will appreciate.

3.Fix minor plumbing and electrical problems. It’s worth your while to take care of these problems before a potential buyer uncovers them during a home inspection.

4.Add storage. Lack of closet space can be a deal breaker for some buyers. Adding a DIY wire or laminate system to all closets will give them the appearance of being more spacious and organized.

5.Let light in. Ditch dark and heavy drapes for simple wood blinds and/or upholstered cornices. Update or add lighting fixtures — wall lights, lamps, ceiling fans with lights — to give the rooms a bright, more updated look.

6.Give kitchen appliances a facelift. Mismatched appliances can make a kitchen look outdated — but that doesn’t mean you need to replace them. Many appliances can be updated with new doors or face panels.

7.Don’t neglect the bathroom. Simple fixes can make a bathroom look more modern in no time. Get a new shower curtain, switch out the old toilet seat with a new one and replace drab or damaged flooring with vinyl tiles.

8.Update your front door. It’s the first part of your house that potential homebuyers see. Give it a fresh cost of paint and consider switching out your current lock-and-handle set for a sturdy, more modern piece of hardware.

9.Power up. Rent a power washer — it’s less expensive than hiring someone to do it — and thoroughly clean your house’s exterior.

10.Curb appeal. When it comes to your yard, definitely sweat the small stuff. Clean up clutter and have it hauled away or store it in the shed. Get rid of weeds and add some in-season plants and flowers to your walkway or in pots on your front porch. Make sure to mow your lawn as needed — potential homebuyers frequently drive by unannounced.

American Home Shield

Another Happy Client…

A few months back, a past client called regarding selling one of his townhomes. We educated him on the market and the fact that he was most likely in a short sale situation.

Although he did not like the idea of doing a short sale, he did realize that it was the best option for him.

We listed the home, marketed it, and received an offer.

My team negotiated with both his first and second mortgage companies, and we made it to the closing table!

See his comments below…

Joe & Tony,

Thanks again, guys. The past few years have been a constant financial burden and I feel a tremendous amount of relief for the first time in awhile.

I appreciate your hard work & professionalism throughout the process. I would have gone crazy trying to do this on my own…

I’d highly & confidently recommend your services to anyone.

Regards,

BL

If you are looking for the same results, call me today!

Tony Ashworth 952-997-8899
www.homesbytony.com

2011 RE Housing Predictions…

2011 Real Estate Housing Predictions:What should we expect in the world of real estate in 2011? Many people are hoping that we are near a rebound, or at least hoping we’re not losing ground anymore. If that’s you, it’s time to take your heard out of the sand. Real estate is still in a huge decline.

I’ve preached several times over that we’re not out of the woods and that we’ll see another 20% drop in home prices, at minimum over the next few years. It seems some others are thinking the same way now. I’d sure like to take credit for these other predictions but we all know they have no idea who I am or what this blog is. They simply put the obvious facts together and came to the same conclusion as me. Clear Capital is predicting an average of a 3.7% housing drop nationally. This does take into account some areas that will see an increase, but unfortunately, The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul aren’t in those areas.

So what can you do? Well – if you’re planning on a long term home, then you really have no worries. Housing prices will eventually recover and with you paying the home down, you’ll be just fine. If you’re struggling financially or have a hardship like a job transfer or loss of income etc, maybe it’s time that you review the choices that are available so you can get back on the track of financial independence.

The Twin Cities Short Sale Realtor is happy to discuss your personal situation at a time acceptable to you.

Is HAFA A Good Thing For Short Sales?

We’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about what HAFA is or how HAFA effects a seller during a short sale. First and foremost – for those of you that just thought: “What the heck is HAFA?”, it is the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives. I’ll summarize the positives of this program and try to break it down as must as possible.

Fist and foremost, it’s important to note that this program is designed for home owners to actually work with the lender as opposed to just walking away from the home. In actuality, even though the lender doesn’t want to take a loss during the short sale (which they will), it’s more difficult for them to have to foreclose on the home and sell it themselves. After all, lenders make money on interest, not owning and selling real estate. Also, as previously written about, Fannie and Freddie are getting serious and making an effort to actually chase down homeowners who just bail. Making an effort to work with the lender through the HAFA program will actually stop this “chase” from the giants.

So what’s in it for the homeowner to actually go through this process? Well – there’s a couple things: First, the homeowner can get up to $3000 in relocation assistance. I would say this is somewhat of a positive. Think about it, you owe the bank thousands of dollars more but they are willing to pay you for the short sale. That seems like a decent deal. Here is the big one though: If you’re approved for HAFA, there can be no deficiency judgment for the outstanding balance. That’s huge. So for example if you owe $200,000 for your home and the bottom line is $150,000 – you don’t owe them the extra $50,000 and they can’t ask you for it! The third positive is that Fannie and Freddie will be satisfied that you worked with them to avoid foreclosure on the home. You won’t have to worry about a letter showing up asking for settlement or payment on your home loans anymore.

Feel free to contact us to discuss your personal situation.

Tony Ashworth
952-997-8899

Relocating….we can help you anywhere!

I CAN FIND YOU THE PERFECT REALTOR®, NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE MOVING!

Whether you are moving across town or to a completely different state, I can find a superior Realtor® to help you with all of your real estate needs.

Coldwell Banker Burnet Relocation is associated with the Cartus Broker Network, the largest and most successful real estate referral network in the nation. This network is comprised of the nation’s top real estate brokerage firms, including Coldwell Banker, Century 21, ERA, and Sotheby’s International Realty. The Cartus Broker Network makes up more than one-third of the top 500 performing brokerages in the United States.

Contact me when you are ready to make a move and I can help you find a Realtor for any destination.
Owned And Operated By NRT LLC

Tony Ashworth
www.homesbytony.com

APPLE PICKING ORCHARDS….

THE SEASON HAS COME…..so if you are looking for Apple picking around Dakota County this year? Look no further as we have collected some of the best Dakota County Minnesota apple picking orchards, apple farms, apple festivals around Dakota County and the state of Minnesota.

With our apple picking guide you will find ‘pick your own’ apple orchards and apple farms in Dakota, Hampton, Hastings, Hastings, Hastings, Hastings, Hastings, Lakeville, Lakeville, West St. Paul, and around Dakota County. These apple farms offer the best apple picking so get some friends or family together and start picking apples in Dakota County!

Southwind Orchards
P.O. Box 206
Dakota, Dakota County, MN
(507) 643-6255

Sunshine Orchard
6315 250th St E.
Hampton, Dakota County, MN
(651) 442-4095

Afton Apple Orchards
14421 South 90th St.
Hastings, Dakota County, MN
(651) 436-8385

Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center
12805 St. Croix Trail South
Hastings, Dakota County, MN
(651) 437-4359

Fischer’s Croix Farm Orchard
12971 St. Croix Trail S
Hastings, Dakota County, MN
(651) 437-7465

McDougall’s Apple Junction
14325 110th Street So.
Hastings, Dakota County, MN
(651) 480-4701

Whistling Well Farm
8973 St. Croix Trail So.
Hastings, Dakota County, MN
(651) 998-0301

Applewood Orchard
22702 Hamburg Avenue
Lakeville, Dakota County, MN
(952) 985-5425

MacKinnon’s Apple Creek Orchard
Lakeville, Dakota County, MN
(612) 469-1851

Orchard Hill
131 Wentworth Avenue W.
West St. Paul, Dakota County, MN
(651) 457-2321

Enjoy the FALL from the ASHWORTH TEAM!!!