Marta Beckett Homes Blog

Ocean Home

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 16:25:00 -0600

The way of the future? Would you move into one of these or would you be terrified of living directly on the ocean?

Design Colors what do you think?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 7 Feb 2018 07:18:00 -0600

You don't see yellow chairs often, but they do add a pop of color to this dining space! Would you go yellow with your chairs?

3 Questions for First Time Homebuyers

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 23:36:00 -0600

The real estate market is constantly changing, so of course DO YOUR RESEARCH! DO NOT jump the gun on this one! Unbiased advice from family and peers may be kind, but you are the only one who knows what your needs are when it comes to buying a home.

WHAT MADE YOU CONSIDER OWNING A HOME?

Forget finances for a minute and focus on what made you consider even buying a home in the first place!

· Is your family expanding?

· Does your family feel safe?

· Is there a STELLAR school system in the area so your children can get the education they deserve?

· How about that unbearable landlord?

WHICH WAY IS THE REAL ESTATE MARKET GOING?

DON’T SLEEP ON YOUR DECISION TOO LONG! Home prices are on the rise! Not only are they on their way back up, but these increases are happening monthly.

Don’t believe us? According to Existing Homes Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average price of homes in May 2017 went up 5.8% from last year.

If you wait until next year to buy, you might be scrapping for change in the cushions to say the least! Not only will it cost you more to buy, but you will also need to increase your down payment to account for the higher price of the home.

WHAT IS THE MORTGAGE FORECAST?

The initial process of purchasing your home may seem easy and quick, but THERE IS MORE TOO IT! The ‘long term cost’ of buying a home WILL haunt you if you buy at the wrong time! Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and NAR have projected that mortgage interest rates will DEFINITLEY increase over the next twelve months. The smallest increase in mortgage rates can have a huge impact on a home owner.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you and your family feel it is the right time to buy a home then GO FOR IT! Consider these points when making the final decision.

Don’t forget, this move is FOR YOU

Don't Replace Your Agent With The Internet

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 08:25:00 -0600

With the influx of new technology and web based solutions, it isn't a surprise that everything is moving fast into the era of the internet. From sites like Uber to Grubhub, we generally can pull up our phones or laptops to order what we want with ease. And with every industry being revolutionized by technology, the same methods are "attempting" to be applied to the real estate industry.

We could all agree that the simplification of the process through paperwork would be much appreciated by agents and buyers/sellers alike; but the attempt of replacing the agent by sites like

Zillow and other third party resources, can lead to a snowball affect of disaster. Think about real estate being smack dab in the middle of fast food and a doctor. You can use your mobile device to quickly place your order for a $20 meal, but when it comes to getting a surgery, you'll want to put that phone down and visit a professional. Now think of your real estate agent being in the middle of all of that. You can use your devices to look for a home, look at market data the way you look at WebMD, knowing not to take it too seriously because you need a real professional's input, but it's fun and gives you a general idea of what to expect. But there in lies the issue, the data online is an oversimplified version of what goes into the process of buying and selling. The same way it oversimplifies medical diseases and surgeries, you'd still expect to get a professional's diagnosis.

Although a real estate agent isn't quite like a doctor, the industry in it's legalities, contracts, and processes is similar in the sense that it needs to be taken seriously. Looking for a house online and wanting to put an immediate offer on one can be exciting and fun, but the issues that require a professional's guidance comes after the initial contract is written up and the hard work comes into place to actually make the home your own. Same for sellers, if you decide to put your home on the market and want a website that will give you an automatic offer, how do you know you're not being taken advantage of in the price? But most importantly, how do you know you're not being taken advantage of in other aspects of the contract? Because there is a lot more to the sale of the home then just agreeing on a number.

The next time you're digging through public sites for homes for sale, and getting instant home valuation estimates, keep in mind that this is a simple process to give you an idea of your market. A very general idea. But after you've found the perfect house, or after you've decided that the numbers make some sense for you to sell, call your favorite real estate agent and make sure they give you a more detailed look into the market and assist you through the full process, not just the exciting first parts. Because it's going to be in the middle of a contract when the lending is falling apart, or negotiations can't be made on repairs and emotions are at an all time high, that you are going to wish you had put down your laptop and had an agent fighting for you by your side. Use the internet, have fun with it's amazing resources, but don't let it replace your agent. We aren't in an age, just yet, where technology can do everything a professional can.

Why You Need An Agent For New Construction

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 19:53:00 -0600

Are you ready to buy a home and considering going in the route of new builds? It may seem like an easy enough process, where you get to call the shots of how you want your dream home to be, but there is a lot of risk when it comes to new construction if you are going in blindly. It's unfortunately not as trouble free as we'd like to hope, if you don't have the right representative by your side to help with the things that need to be looked out for from a professional's eye. Below, we'll dive into the many reasons you need a professional buyer's agent representing you in the sale. They are, after all, on your side. And it's their role to ensure you aren't taken advantage of by the builders and their representatives in the transaction.

1. HIRING THE RIGHT BUILDER

The most important part of finding an agent is having a professional's perspective to finding a builder with a great reputation. You get to benefit from your agent's network of vendors, lenders, and home builders. They have the industry expertise to connect you with a builder that matches your needs, and more than likely, have already had experience with the builder with a past client. Or, if they haven't worked with a builder you want to use directly, they can gather person-to-person recommendations from other agents to know the expected experience with said builder. They will help you find one, that not only delivers exactly what their clients want, but in a timely fashion.

2. THE RIGHT LOT IN THE RIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD

The lot yu choose to go with in a new build can either be a positive to your new home, or detrimental. In the excitement of the process, we tend to overlook important features of a property. It's important to have a professional to ensure you make a purchase that will best serve you. They'll be able to find a neighborhood that best fits your lifestyle and a lot that has a location that works for you. Whether you're single with pets, or a family with children, the lot location can really make a huge impact. Especially when it comes time to selling it in the future. These are important things your agent will be able to help walk you through, so your decisions work in your favor in the long term, as well as now.

3. UPGRADES AND PLAN MODIFICATIONS

Not only will your agent be able to ensure you get the upgrades and modifications that will best suit your lifestyle, but will also help you make decisions that will increase the value of your home in the long term. They are working for your best interest long term, and with an agent's guidance, you can be sure to make changes that end up benefiting you.

4. HANDLING CONTRACTS AND PAPERWORK

Your agent will handle the contract and all of the paperwork, and they will be sure to review it to ensure that it is in your best interest. They will be able to help you break down the best loan types, purchasing processes, and steps to take that benefit YOU, not the builder. They are, after all, working for you. They'll make sure there are no overlooked terms in a builder's contract that could end up hurting you after you move in. Or even during the building process. You want to make sure you have a professional who is experienced with the paperwork and contracts and knows how to make revisions that work in a way that make you happy.

5. NEGOTIATIONS

It is imperative in the purchasing process to have an agent that is able to represent you and negotiate for you. The building process is so much more than having the builder put in your favorite counters and floors. They will be able to get you a price that actually benefits you - not the builder. They will be able to run a comparative market analysis to ensure you are paying a fair price for the property. You don't want to end up overpaying for the home - it could put you in a tough spot when it comes time to sell. They'll also be able to negotiate terms around building time frame, closings costs, and so many other aspects of a contract that you may otherwise overlook.

6. BUILDER'S AGENT REPRESENTS THEM, NOT YOU

It may seem easy just to pop into an office of a new build, or a builder's office, and use the onsite agent. But keep in mind that this agent works FOR the builder, NOT for you. So they will be working to make sure the builder gets the best deal at the end of the day. By having a buyer's agent of your own, you can ensure there is a professional on your side that can walk you through the process and avoid being taken advantage of during the transaction. They will also have a better handle on things when you hit bumps along the way. If you end up working with a builder who isn't holding their end of the deal, they will have the power to make connections that ensure the builder holds their end of the contract terms.

10 Staging Tips To Get Your Home Sold

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 19:50:00 -0600

Ready to sell your house? Here is a few staging tips to get your home prepared for the market. When listing a home that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions, you want to make sure it's presented in the best light. You wouldn't buy a $50,000 dollar car if it was filled from top to bottom in someone's personal content and trash. This is the same mindset you need to carry into selling your home that will be worth well over a $100,000.

1. SAY BYE TO CLUTTER

The best thing you can do for your home for sale is to get rid of all of your clutter! Make a rule for your home that for every new piece that comes in, one must go. One of the biggest factors to a cluttered home is too much furniture. Generally, in a professional staging, half the home owner's furniture is removed to make the house look much bigger. Look around your house and see what you can pack away. It'll be worth the investment to get a storage unit for a couple of months to store away a lot of your furnishings and goods.

2. FURNITURE GROUPINGS

It's largely misconceived that furniture pushed directly up against walls make a room look bigger, but this is far from true. Instead, you'll want to float your furniture in reach room and away from the walls. Position your sofas and chairs into cozy conversational groupings. Be sure the furnishings are placed to make the traffic flow in a room obvious. This will make the room more user-friendly and will make it look larger.

3. TRANSFORM ROOMS

If you have a room that has only served to collect boxes or other junk, it's important to purpose the room to something that is functional. You can make it into an extra bedroom, a small cozy nook/reading room, etc. If it's in the basement, hid the boxes and turn it into a gaming room or family area.

4. HOME LIGHTING

Great lighting is the trick to making a staged home look warm and welcome. Most homes are improperly lit, which makes rooms look dark and dreary. There is a quick fix to this issue. Increase the wattage in your fixtures and lamps, aiming for about 100 watts per 50 square feet. Add three different types of lighting to each room: ambient (general overhead), task (under cabinets or pendants), and accent lighting (table lamps and wall accents).

5. GO NEUTRAL

The simple trick to toning down dated finishing in any space is a little bit of fresh paint. You don't want to go stark white, but look into neutral grey and beige colors. Beige colors can also consist of warm honey like colors, soft blues and greens, and a variety of undertones that add a little life to a general neutral color. If you do want to use bold colors, be sure to only keep it on accent walls to help enhance structural features.

6. MAKE IT LOOK BIGGER

If you want to make a room bigger than it is, paint the room the same color as an adjacent room. For small kitchens and dining rooms, a seamless look will make the space feel like one, open it up, and make it seem much larger. Using drapes that match the wall colors can also add an emphasis to the room's size.

7. USE YOUR GARDEN

Staged homes have an emphasis in fresh flowers and pricey floral arrangements. If you don't have the money to go all out on florals, you can get this same effect by raiding your garden space. You can DIY beautiful pieces with fern fronds, magnolia clippings, and more. Use the spring and summer months to find cheerful flowers and use them in your arrangements.

8. GET A FACELIFT

So you can't afford new cabinets? Then you can just get new doors and drawer fronts. Then paint everything to match and add new hardware to them. Instead of replacing the entire dishwasher, you may be able to get a new front panel, go for stainless steel if you can pull it off. Check with the manufacturer to see if replacements are available for your model.

9.MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS

Unfinished home projects can really scare off potential home buyers, so you'll want to be sure to make required repairs. Missing floorboards and large cracks in the sidewalk on the way to your door tend to be a red flag. Holes in walls and scratched up door frames can really look unattractive. These repairs cost you less to fix than buyers might deduct from the asking price.

10. CLEAN YOUR HOME

Aside from de-cluttering, the most important step to staging your home is to clean it. A dirty house is a quick turn-off for potential buyers. Most homes, especially with children and pets, and smokers, have a smell that may go undetected to home owners, but are quickly picked up by strangers. Be sure to have your home professionally cleaned prior to staging to appeal to all buyers that your home is nice and fresh.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 16:00:00 -0600

Ready to take a hilarious trip down memory lane to a time when cell phones were almost as big as your head and a Walkman was THE must-have accessory?

Check out this Best Buy flyer from 1994 and be prepared to laugh, groan, and feel old. It’s kind of crazy to see how much technology has changed in our lifetimes and how the things that seemed cool and innovative back then are completely obsolete now. I mean, what good is a cell phone if you can’t text or take photos with it, right?

Anyway, I hope you find this as amusing as I did. If I can do anything for you, just email me (another thing your cell phone couldn’t do in 1994).

A Home for a Buck

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 3 Nov 2017 12:00:00 -0500

http://www.realtor.com/news/trends/fort-worth-dollar-home/

I’ve seen all kinds of houses listed at all kinds of prices. Fixer-uppers. Cute cottages. Townhomes. Mansions. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a house in the $1 price range, though. I love this story because it really illustrates what happens when someone thinks outside the box with their marketing. And, even better, it’s saving a piece of history (in this case, a 112-year-old, 2,800 square foot home).

I Love Star Wars! A Powerful Stormtrooper for your floor!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 1 Nov 2017 11:49:00 -0500

Are you bored with your Roomba’s round, unexciting shape? If so, I think you definitely need one - or both - of these:

Yes, these are actual vacuums and my inner Star Wars geek is rejoicing. Not only do they do a great job cleaning your floor, they actually talk! How cool is that? When Darth Vader goes into turbo cleaning mode, he says, “You are powerful,” and when he goes back to his charger, he plays the Imperial March. When my Roomba speaks, all it wants to do is give me an error message so this is way better!

What do you think? Would you want a Stormtrooper to clean your floor?

Goat is ready for Halloween --dressed as a Goat!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 12:00:00 -0500

http://mashable.com/2016/11/28/polly-the-goat-duck-costume/#GEqnfmW4qGqp

Hi, I’ve got to admit, life gets a little stressful sometimes. There are a number of suggested techniques to combat that, everything from exercise and meditation to comfort food and wine. Next time I get kinda anxious, though, I’m going to reach for my duck suit instead. Hey, if it works for Polly the goat… (Have you seen anything cuter?!) How’s life been for you?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 19:22:00 -0500

I am normally a forward thinking person, but with real estate it is important to look at the past.

Here is a comparison of Carver county cities Chaska and Waconia Cities I am familiar with and where I sell a lot of real estate.

Here are the stats for the 3rd Quarter 2017:

Single family homes were on the market an average of 22 days Metro Wide. The total number of homes down 23% from the 2nd Quarter. Waconia and the Metro area down 15%.

The 3rd Quarter Median Sales price:

Metro Wide $256,00
Chaska $289,000
Waconia $299,000

The Highest sales price in Waconia in the 3rd Quarter was $875,000 4/3 bath on 18 acres.

The Highest sales price in Chaska in the 3rd Quarter was $658,000, 5/5 on .43 acres.

Do you have any questions about a specific area? I would love to provide the data you need. Ultimately real estate is local and this data gives you a picture of what is happening in your area. If you would like to know. Call Me! 612-840-1293. I would be happy to help.

A Home for Your Furry Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 11:46:00 -0500

I just read that IKEA is rolling out a new line of furniture and accessories just for pets. I love this idea because I always come home and find my dog lounging on my couch - maybe if she had one of her own, she’d lay there (but probably not). Their new collection features more than 70 items with everything from dog beds to cat houses, along with leashes, food dishes, and litter boxes. I think I see a trip to IKEA in my future!

Get Your home Ready to Sell!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 11:40:00 -0500

There are a few things you can start doing around your home now that the weather’s starting to cool. It’s a great time to cast a critical eye over your home, either to prep it for winter or to get it ready to sell.

Refresh any paint that needs touching up. You’ll be amazed at what a coat of paint can do for a room, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a brand-new house.

Replace any broken lights and repair any electrical connections. In the darker winter months, you’ll appreciate the extra light…and you’ll preventing fire hazards.

Introduce some greenery. Bringing the outside inside helps with some of the winter blues, and gives your home more life.

If you haven’t already, call the exterminator for another round. Mice and bugs like to find areas in your warm house if you don’t set barriers to keep them out.

All of these tips will not only make your home a more enjoyable place to live, they’re also great steps to take when you’re first getting your home ready for the real estate market. If you’d like more suggestions or would like another set of eyes to look over your house, send me an email or call me at (612) 840-1293.

Here Comes the Bus! A New Trend in Real Estate?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 16:58:00 -0500

Can you imagine living in a school bus? What if it looked like this? Is this a new trend in Real Estate?

Come to think of it, this looks a lot nicer than my first apartment! It was designed by a builder in Denver who also happens to know a thing or two about buses. He spent about $27,000 turning this bus into a home, complete with a full kitchen, living room, and yes, a bathroom. Plus, it actually runs so when he wants a change of scenery, all he has to do is jump into the driver’s seat and go.

What do you think? Could you live in a bus, or would the quarters be a little too tight?

Humans of New York

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 16:47:00 -0500

http://www.humansofnewyork.com/Click Here for Website

Have you heard about Humans of New York? It’s a really neat project that gives us a peek into the lives of a wide variety of New Yorkers these stories are not all happy ones so be forewarned. You can visit it here or just search for their Facebook page. The reason I bring it up is because I read some of these interview that reminded me of our mission statement at Keller Williams, which is: “To build careers worth having, businesses worth owning, and lives worth living.” Working on to living up to this mission by helping as many people as I can buy sell or invest in Real Estate! What are your goals?

Silliest Bowl Games

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 16:54:00 -0500

I know college football season is just getting underway, but it’s never too early to start thinking about bowl games. Or at least making fun of some of their ridiculous names, right?

I recently came across this article about the top 10 silliest bowl game names and it definitely made me laugh. You’ve gotta love a sporting event called the “Roady’s Truck Stops Humanitarian Bowl.” Or if you’re on a diet, perhaps the “Salad Bowl” or the “Raisin Bowl” might be more to your liking.

What do you think of the list? Which one is your “favorite?"

Lets Dig to China

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 18:11:00 -0500

Do you remember trying to dig to China when you were a kid?

I was thinking about that the other day when I came across this really cool website. It’s an Antipodes Map, and if you don’t know what an antipode is, don’t feel bad - I didn’t either. Basically, it’s the two points that are the exact opposite of each other on earth. Using this handy map, you can identify your location and see where you’d end up if you were to successfully dig your way through the earth’s crust. I ended up somewhere in the middle of the Indian Ocean!

What about you? Where did you turn up?

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 2016 ART WANDER STUDIO TOUR

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 14:00:00 -0500

The days getting shorter and cooler and I am so looking forward to the ART WANDER STUDIO TOUR in Carver County this coming weekend September 22, 23, and 24th I am proud to be one of the sponsor this lovely weekend of art!

Click here for the Art Wander 2017 Brochure!

Moving to Chaska? Check this out!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 10:30:00 -0500

222 N Hickory Street, Chaska

Beautifully Updated home, 2 bedroom, 2 baths, 4 car garage.

UltimateMan Cave

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 3 Mar 2017 18:00:00 -0600

One of the biggest trends in real estate I’ve seen in the last 10 years or so is the man cave. A few key elements of a cave usually are: a big-screen TV, a bar and comfortable seating.

What if I told you, though, that there were whole houses based around man caves?

I ran across these 6 former bars that have been transformed into homes. Some of them sound really amazing, with historical touches that nod to their former lives.

What do you think - would you consider living in a former church or bar?

SOLD. But Still Have Buyers in Waconia

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 18:17:00 -0600

Do you want your home to sell quickly for top dollar call me! this home in Waconia sold in one day and I have serious buyers looking
In Waconia! Call me to list 612-840-1293
http://1425hunterssquare.thebestlisting.com

Just Listed Rambler in Waconia

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 15:05:00 -0600

1425 Hunters Square, Waconia, MN

Get Directions Click Here

Description

Photos

Maps & Local

Schools

Walk Score

$ Click for current price

4 BEDROOMS

3 BATHROOMS (1 full, 1 half, 1 ¾ bath)

Many updates to this rambler . The Kitchen has stainless steal, custom cabinets and a breakfast bar. Large dining room leads to a covered deck overlooking a private back yard,. Hard wood floors, Mudroom , Insulated Garage. Waconia Schools!- Southdale Elementary A friendly active community- Waconia at its Best. Hurry this will not last long!

Mound Homes For Sale

Search All Homes For Sale

Avoid Foreclosure

Free Home Values

Marta Beckett

Realtor

Keller Williams Realty Elite

612-840-1293

martabeckett@KW.com

L2L

The Myth About Vitamin C

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 16:05:00 -0600

A lot of us have grown up thinking that megadoses of Vitamin C help to ward off common colds. Bad news... it doesn’t! Vitamin C is necessary for a strong immune system, but taking more than your body can use each day does nothing for you (except providing you with occasional bouts of gas and diarrhea). Click here for the text and audio of an NPR report on the subject. How do you get your Vitamin C?

HGTV Fantasy or Reality?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 16:11:00 -0600

If you occasionally tune into HGTV television programs like House Hunters or Love It or List It, I think you’ll get a kick out of this. If you want a sneak preview, here is the first of 17 Things that Have a Totally Different Meaning on HGTV. 1. CARPETING What it is – A soft fabric floor covering meant to add comfort and style to a room. What it means on HGTV – Literally one step up from homelessness. Like, who actually has carpet in their house?! Gross. Are you laughing yet? If so, click here and enjoy!

Cricket Flour the new Food of the Future?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 6 Jan 2017 18:25:00 -0600

I’m not much of a foodie, but I enjoy learning about new foods and recipes. So I was pretty enthused when I heard about something billed as ‘the food of the future’...until I learned what’s in it - crickets. What do you think? Are you brave enough to give it a try? Best Regards, Marta Beckett HAHAHAHA- Crickets? As food? Never! ;-)