The truth about the real estate market!

5 Real Estate Myths for sellers!

Myth #1: Now’s the absolute worst time to sell.
Not necessarily. It depends upon where you live.
Many of the worst hit markets, like Las Vegas,
Phoenix or San Diego, are already beginning to
turn around. And if you’re a homeowner who wants
to trade up, the loss you’ll take on your current
home will be more than offset by the bargain
you’ll get on the next one.

Myth #2: Never respond to a low bid.
All buyers today feel obligated to put in low-ball
offers to see if the seller bites. If you respond with
a reasonable counter offer, most buyers can be
convinced to come up in price and make the deal.

Myth #3: The first offer is never the best offer.
Most sellers believe that it’s smart to hold out for
something better. But four times out of five,
the first offer is the best you’ll ever see.

Myth #4: ‘I can always reduce my price later.’
Sellers often price their home high for a few
weeks just to test the market. But buyers shop
by price bracket and if your house is in the
wrong one, you’ll just help sell everyone else’s
home while yours sits there overpriced.
Reducing your price later in small increments
puts you in the position of chasing the tide as
it goes out.

Myth #5: Before you refinance, shop around.
You can if you want, but you’ll usually get the
best deal from your current lender. And you’ll
be able to negotiate your closing costs.
Source: Barbara Corcora

If you are thinking that now may be the time to sell…give us a call. We specialize in helping sellers get their home sold!

Call us for a free market analysis on your home!

Tony Ashworth
952-997-8899

www.homesbytonyandlori.com

Thinking of buying a home? Time to get off the fence!

Buyers Shouldn’t Wait on Falling Prices. Advice for Buyers who are on the Fence.

Fear of overpaying for property is common these days, especially in places like New York where prices continue to be unstable.

If you encounter potential buyers who are frozen because they are concerned that they will pay too much, here are some factors to point out:

*Waiting for the right time can be expensive. Some buyers would have more equity today, despite falling prices, if they had bought when they were first considering it, instead of continuing to pay rent.

*Financing is fickle. Some people who were highly qualified last year can’t find financing this year because the credit market has tightened or their personal financial situation now makes them an undesirable borrower.

*Interest rates are headed up. If prices decline by another 10 percent, but interest rates increase by 1 percentage point, the monthly payment will be the same.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Douglas Heddings (07/27/2009)

If you are thinking of buying a home in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area, give us a call. We would love to earn your business!

Tony & Lori Ashworth
952-997-8899

How to buy a short sale in MN!

Often times in this real estate market, buyers and even agents are hesitant when it comes to buying a short sale or a foreclosure.

The main reason is often times education! Many agents are afraid of dealing with a short sale because they don’t know how!

The process of writing an offer on a short sale listing can be frustrating. It often times, takes over two months to even get a response from a bank. The wait is not fun for anyone involved. The buyer is emotionally involved with the home already, but as time goes on, the emotions that we were once there, have diminished over time.

Buying a foreclosure is often an easier & faster process, however this process is also a risky option for a buyer. An “As Is Addendum” is almost always required by the bank. What does this mean to the buyer? It simply means that the “unknowns” are now the buyers responsibility after closing.

Buying any home in any market is a big step, and one that should not be taken lightly. If you are a buyer and are thinking of purchasing a home, do yourself a favor, and use a Realtor.

When choosing an agent, choose one that is reputable! Ask around! Ask for testimonials! And often times, go with your “gut feeling”.

There has never been a better time to buy a home in MN. The $8,000 tax credit for 1st time buyers is just icing on the cake!

If you are thinking of buying, and are looking for an agent to help, please give us a call.

We love helping buyers find their dream homes!

We look forward to earning your business!

Tony and Lori Ashworth
www.homesbytonyandlori.com

We need listings!

The market continues to improve, and homes in Dakota and Scott County are selling.

If you are currently thinking of selling your home and live in the southern subarbs of Minneapolis / St. Paul please give us a call.

We have had great success already this year in Credit River, Prior Lake, Lakeville, Apple Valley, Rosemount, Burnsville, and many other areas!

If you have a home that NEEDS to be sold, call us today!

Tony & Lori Ashworth
952-997-8899

NEW listing in Eagan MN

Attention buyers!

If you are looking for an immaculate townhome in Eagan, here it is!

Stunning 3 bedroom 4 bath on a quiet cul-de-sac. Wooded lot with pond views! Two story great room offer floor to ceiling windows. Gorgeous hardwood floors. Relaxing gas fireplace with slate tile surround. Cozy four season porch offer wonderful views.

Large kitchen with an abundance of counter and cabinet space, hardwood floors, and breakfast bar.

Upper level offers a spacious master bedroom with luxurious master bath – a 2nd bedroom, an upper level laundry, 3/4 hall bathroom, and a large loft/office.

Walkout lower level features a family room, bedroom, and a bathroom.

Pottery Barn decor! Simply stunning!

A great opportunity for any buyer! 1st time home buyer….use the $8,000 tax credit on this propoerty.

For additional information, view ourwebsite at www.homesbytonyandlori.com

587 Crane Creek Lane

Tony & Lori Ashworth
952-997-8899

Former A Maas model…open Sunday 7/19

If you are looking for a “deal” in the Credit River area…here it is!

Stunning luxury home!

Instant equity!

7915 Bent Tree Circle

Frank Lloyd Wright inspried rambler in Credit River Territory. Rich details throughout! Nothing was overlooked in this amzing family home. Lakeville schools, community pool, main floor master, wet bar, plus much more.

Open Sunday 1-3.

Not bank owned! Not a short sale! Just a GREAT value.

For photo’s and more information view my website at www.homebytony.com

Tony Ashworth
952-997-8899

Sold in less than a week!!!

Last week we listed a great family home in Apple Valley….it sold!

If you are thinking of selling your home and live in the Minneapolis area, please give me a call.

We specialize in selling homes just like yours.

Acreage home in Credit River….no problem!
Single family home in Lakeville….no problem!
Townhome in Burnsville…no problem!

We need homes to sell!

Tony & Lori Ashworth
www.homesbytonyandlori.com
952-997-8899

We are looking for home buyers…

We have several GREAT homes currently on the market.

We have entry level townhomes, we have great entry level single family homes. Both of which would be great for first time buyers! Burnsville, Rosemount, and Eagan

We have move-up homes…several great family homes! Eagan, Lakeviile, Rosemount, and Apple Valley!

We have luxury townhomes…Apple Valley built by Charles Cudd.

We have several upper bracket listings… Credit River, Lakeville, Eagan, and Prior Lake

We have several lake front homes available…on Prior Lake, on Kingsley Lake, on Rush Lake and on Lake Latoka.

Want acreage, we have that too…several acreage properties in the Credit River, Lakeville area.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, think of us…The Ashworth Team!

View our website @ www.homesbytonyandlori.com

Feel free to stop by my open house on Sunday 12-3…14756 Cove Avenue…a luxury home on Prior Lake

Tony Ashworth

Live on Prior Lake…

Want to live on Prior Lake?

Located just minutes from Mystic Lake Casino, The Wilds Golf Course, and The Legends Golf Club…

Come visit our open house Sunday 7/12/09…12-3PM.

Custom built 6BR 5BA home is located at the point of a quiet cove.

Rich details throughout! Reclaimed hardwood floors, marble countertops and bathrooms, top of the line appliances, and amazing views of Prior Lake.

Completely remodeled in 2008, this luxury home is a must see!

Matching boat house and sport court.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of the nicest homes in Scott County!

For additional information please view my website… www.homesbytonyandlori.com

Tony Ashworth
952-997-8899

Propert address is 14756 Cove Avenue

Don’t miss out on one of the best times to purchase a home in years

First Time Buyers:

By now almost everyone has heard of the possibility of the onetime $8000.00 tax credit available to first time buyers, however, many people are unaware of the other benefits which may be available to first time buyers.

For instance, there is also a “Mortgage Credit Certificate” (MCC)program. The MCC program allows the buyers to not only take advantage of the $8000.00 credit, but also take an additional 20% annual tax credit for the life of the loan. (A dollar for dollar reduction in the taxes paid)

What this means is that you would take a normal deduction of 80% of the interest paid on your mortgage, while the other 20% becomes a tax credit.

Here’s an example: Annual Mortgage Interest Paid $9500.00
80% IRS 1040, deduction $7600.00
20% MCC Credit $1900.00

If your yearend tax liability was $2000.00, you would subtract the $1900.00 credit reducing your tax liability to $100.00

Here’s another example: Mortgage amount $175,000
Interest Rate 5.5%
Monthly P&I $994
Total 1st Year Interest $9566
MCC Credit X.20
MCC First Year Savings $1913

As a new home owner, you could reduce your withholdings thru your employer, thereby taking more money home with each paycheck to subsidize your payments.

Wait there’s more:

Down payment assistance programs are also available, potentially reducing you’re out of pocket expenses to as little as $750.00 to buy a home.

We also participate in the Mpls/St Paul heroes program where $15000 grants are available for buyers who are employed in the Military, Firefighters, Police Officers, Teachers, Public Employees and more.

To not miss out on these great opportunities, or for additional information, please contact Tony Ashworth at 952-997-8899 or Blaine Peterson at 651-905-6207.

Please view www.homesbytonyandlori.com for all of your real estate needs!