Merriam Park Homes Blog

NAR (National Association of Realtors) released its latest pending home sales index figure last week and for the second month in a row the index is up. But more than that, the index has broken 100. This is significant because the only time since the housing boom collapsed that the index has broken 100 is when the home owner tax credit was in effect. The fact that the index has returned to that level a year since the credit has been in effect means the housing market is strengthening completely on its own, without any stimulus.

Click HERE for more information!

Way to go Keller Williams Premier Realty of Woodbury, MN!
I am proud to be a part of the Keller Williams family!
2012 will be an amazing year! The real estate market continues to shift! The Rochelle Allison Real Estate Team stays on top of these trends and is dedicated to keeping our clients updated.

With interest rates still very low and great values to be had, buyers have a great opportunity now!

Sellers need a highly competent team to guide them through today’s selling process.

Let our 52 years of combined experience and knowledge of real estate trends in today’s market guide you through all of your buying and selling needs!

~ Rochelle Allison

Click on The 200+ and see what is going on in your neighborhood!

Call or email today!
651-259-4683
rochelle@rochelleallison.com

The government will release a new mortgage refinance program later this month. This program will enable many homeowners with minimal or negative equity (current loan balance is higher than current value of their home) to lower their monthly mortgage payments. This program is actually an enhanced version of the existing Home Affordable Refinance Program (“H.A.R.P.”).

The basic program qualification requirements outlined below:

* Homeowner’s current mortgage must have been originated prior to June 1, 2009

* Homeowner’s current mortgage must have been sold to Fannie Mae (FNMA) or Freddie Mac (FHLMC) by their loan servicer. Customers can verify ownership of their loan online at: www.fanniemae.com/loanlookup or www.freddiemac.com/mymortgage

* The outstanding loan balance of their existing mortgage must be >80% of the current estimated value of their home (loan to value ratio – LTV). There is no maximum LTV on this program and no new Appraisal is required

* Homeowner must have no late payments (30 days or greater) on their existing mortgage in the last 6 months and no more than one 30-day late in the past 12 months

* If homeowner has more than one mortgage on their property, the mortgage holder of their 2nd mortgage or home equity line must be willing to re-subordinate that loan to the new H.A.R.P. loan

* Homeowner must be employed or have verifiable monthly income

* Primary residences, 2nd homes and residential 1-4 family investment properties are all eligible

* Jumbo loans not eligible

Call or email today and we can discuss this in more detail!

Rochelle Allison
651.259.4683
Rochelle@RochelleAllison.com

Get ready to fill those pillowcases with sweets. The data heads at Zillow have taken a break from churning out serious research briefs and Real Estate Market Reports to rank the 20 best cities to trick or treat this Halloween. Now in its third year, the Zillow Trick-or-Treat Index is designed to help kids (and parents) use data to identify cities that will boost their Halloween haul.

Real Estate Market Updates for 205 Twin Cities Communities! See what the market is doing from the northern suburbs to the downtown twin cities and south to the southern ‘burbs.

Click HERE to see what the market is doing in Your city!

Well – it is that time of year again already!   The Great Minnesota Get Together… warm, muggy days, cool, buggy nights and of course – everything to eat on a stick!   This is  a list of what I have found so far this year that will be waiting for you at the fair:
(Please comment back and let me know if I have missed any! It is always fun to see what kind of craziness one can eat on a stick!)

Alligator Sausage
Baby Potatoes
Breakfast Lollipops
Catfish
Cheese
Cherries
Cheese
Chicken Breast
Chocolate Covered Cheesecake
Chocolate Covered Watermelon
Corn Dog
Cotton Candy
Deep Fried Bologna
Deep Fried Candy Bar
Deep Fried Catfish Tid-bits
Deep Fried S’mores
Deep Fried Hard Boiled Egg
Deep Fried Jalapeno Cheese
Frozen Grapes
Frozen Key Lime Pie
Grilled Shrimp
Gyro
Hot Dago
Jerk Pork Chop
Kufta Kabobs
Lobster
Maple Sausage
Meatballs
Northwoods Salad
Olives
Papa Pups
Pickles
Porcupine Meatballs
Pork and Cabbage Egg Rolls
Pork Chops
Potato Spiral
Pronto Pups
Puff Daddy
S’mores
Salmon
Scallops
Shrimp
Spicy Szechuan Shrimp
Steak Dinner
Stuffed Grape Leaves
Swiss Cheese
Taffy Pop
Teriyaki Chicken
Teriyaki Ostrich
Walleye

Groveland Night Out will be Wednesday, August 10th starting at 6:00 p.m.   This popular community and family-focused event will take place at Groveland Park (at the corner of St. Clair and Prior Avenues).

Outdoor movie (Despicable Me) will begin at dusk! Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, bug spray and enjoy the movie! If it rains, head to the Groveland Park Elementary School and it will be shown there.

• Free Root Beer Floats (while supplies last) donated by Groveland Tap and Widmer’s
• Hot Dogs, Chips and other Treats will be sold by the Groveland Booster Club
• Inflatable Castle for the kids
• FOOD DRIVE! Bring your cans or non-perishable items (cash donation accepted as well)

See you there!
Rochelle

The Emergency Homeowners Loan Program (EHLP) www.ehlpminnesota.com

The Emergency Homeowners Loan Program (EHLP) offers a zero interest, forgivable loan to eligible homeowners. You must meet strict eligibility requirements, for example, you must be unemployed, underemployed, or have experienced a medical condition. Eligible homeowners are selected through a lottery. An EHLP loan will pay some back payments and fees and provide monthly assistance for your monthly first lien mortgage payments (including payments of principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, PITI). Assistance is available for up to 24 months or a maximum amount of $50,000. An EHLP loan is secured by a lien against your house and is forgivable over 5 years if you continue to meet the requirements of the program.

EHLP is a program of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act  through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In Minnesota, EHLP funds are being administered by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.Time is of the essence! Apply between July 5 & July 22   “ information from: www.ehlpminnesota.com

Not everyone who applies will receive assistance. You do have options, however. If you or someone you know is behind on  a mortage payment, pass my name and number along.  I know that each situation is  unique and you may have other options!

Rochelle Allison
651-259-4683

Where has the Twin Cities real estate market been and where is it heading? This monthly summary provides an overview of current trends and projections for future activity.

Watch this video for information on the latest movements and trends in the Real Estate Market!

Thank You for taking the time to read my blog today!

 Rochelle Allison  

Keller Willaims Premier Realty

651.259.4683

Rochelle@RochelleAllison.com

RochelleAllison.com