Sold by Jared Jacobs – Rochester MN Real Estate Blog

In order to hold a real estate license in Minnesota you’ve to take an average of 15 hours of continuing education per year. Certain classes are required but the balance of the credits can be from electives (so to speak). This past week I attended “Septic System Introduction and Advanced Topics for Realtors” which was put on by the University of Minnesota. I have to say I’m not sure I’ve ever learned so much from a continuing ed class in my roughly 10 years in real estate!

I’ll admit the prospect of sitting in a room listening to someone speak for 4 hours about septic systems wasn’t something I woke up very excited about. However, the topic was one I knew I needed more education on to better serve my clients so had to grin and bear it. I was actually very surprised at how interesting the topic was and the speaker, Sara Heger, was exceptional to say the least! I walked out of the class with a much better knowledge of the subject which will not only benefit myself but, more importantly, the clients I represent on a daily basis.

Working with a professional Realtor in Rochester MN is the one of the most beneficial steps you can take on your journey towards finding a new home, or selling your old home. A local Realtor can also help you search the Rochester MN MLS.

If you would like to explore the possibilities of purchasing Rochester MN real estate, contact us at (507) 421-6845 or email us at info@soldbyjaredjacobs.com today!

According to local MLS data there were 1,005 properties on the market at the end of February. 281 listings were added to the market in February and 68 properties sold. There is roughly 7 months worth of inventory currently on the market.

Active median list price was just under $175k while new median list price was just under $170k. Sold median sale list price was just under $150k while sold median sale price was just over $147k.

Working with a professional Realtor in Rochester MN is the one of the most beneficial steps you can take on your journey towards finding a new home, or selling your old home. A local Realtor can also help you search the Rochester MN MLS.

If you would like to explore the possibilities of purchasing Rochester MN real estate, contact us at (507) 421-6845 or email us at info@soldbyjaredjacobs.com today!

Just listed in Rochester MN 1822 Deerhaven LN NE #11 has plenty to offer! Property features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, heated garage, vaulted ceiling & much more! MLS #4018618 listed by Jared Jacobs REALTOR Counselor Realty of Rochester.

Working with a professional Realtor in Rochester MN is the one of the most beneficial steps you can take on your journey towards finding a new home, or selling your old home. A local Realtor can also help you search the Rochester MN MLS.

If you would like to explore the possibilities of purchasing Rochester MN real estate, contact us at (507) 421-6845 or email us at info@soldbyjaredjacobs.com today!

Just listed in Rochester MN 1445 Graham Ct SE has plenty to offer! Property features 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, completely fenced in yard & much more! MLS #4018238 listed by Jared Jacobs REALTOR Counselor Realty of Rochester.

Working with a professional Realtor in Rochester MN is the one of the most beneficial steps you can take on your journey towards finding a new home, or selling your old home. A local Realtor can also help you search the Rochester MN MLS.

If you would like to explore the possibilities of purchasing Rochester MN real estate, contact us at (507) 421-6845 or email us at info@soldbyjaredjacobs.com today!

According to local MLS data there are currently 977 residential properties on the market in Rochester mn. There are 132 residential properties in the Pending status. 84 residential properties have closed so far in 2010.

As of January 2010 we had 6.13 months of inventory available in Rochester MN. Average days on market was 129. Sold median sale price was $139.9k. Active median list price was $169.9k.

Just listed in the Rochester MN real estate market this 3 bedroom 1 bath condo with soaring vaulted ceiling and beautiful fireplace in popular Deerhaven is sure to please! Tucked in a beautiful wooded area in NE Rochester MN this upper level condo features open floorplan, abundance of storage, main level laundry, nice sized rooms, great wooded view, deck, 2 heated garage stalls and much more!

Working with a professional Realtor in Rochester MN is the one of the most beneficial steps you can take on your journey towards finding a new home, or selling your old home. A local Realtor can also help you search the Rochester MN MLS.

If you would like to explore the possibilities of purchasing Rochester MN real estate, contact us at (507) 421-6845 or email us at info@soldbyjaredjacobs.com today!

I can honestly say this is as busy as I’ve been this time of year in my nine years as a realtor in Rochester, MN.
In years past January has tended to be a month to plan for the upcoming busy spring selling season and maybe sell a home or two. If the pace of the year keeps up I may well be looking at my best year ever, our Counselor Realty of Rochester office seems to be hopping as well.

One of the reasons for the recent activity has been the extension of the $8,000 home buyers credit offered to first time home buyers. The expension of the tax credit to certain current home owners has helped as well.   The tax credit is set to expire at the end of April of this year.  We are all hoping the market continues to improve in the months following the tax credit expiration.

Working with a professional Realtor in Rochester MN is the one of the most beneficial steps you can take on your journey towards finding a new home, or selling your old home. A local Realtor can also help you search the Rochester MN MLS.

If you would like to explore the possibilities of purchasing Rochester MN real estate, contact us at (507) 421-6845 or email us at info@soldbyjaredjacobs.com today.

There is a home for sale in my neighborhood that has been on the market for about four months. The home has had an open house almost every weekend. We are talking double digit numbers of open houses and counting! Why would a seller and/or listing agent continue to hold an open house every weekend when it appears (in this case) they are not working? In short, do open houses sell homes?

Is your open house selling your home?

To answer this question, I think we first need to look at who attends open houses. Attendees may include:

Competition – other homeowners whose houses are also for sale. They’re checking out how their home compares.
Dreamers – people who would like to live in the house (neighborhood), but don’t qualify financially.
Seller Spies – friends of the seller, or the seller himself/herself, who want to see how the open house is going. Hint to sellers..let your agent do what you hired him/her for.
Looky-Loos – neighbors looking for interior design, landscaping, or remodeling ideas.
Nosy people – these attendees have waaayyy too much time!
Actual bonafied buyers who are ready, willing and able to purchase the home – these are the target market for an open house.
Seller Benefits: Market Exposure

An open house allows buyers and potential buyers access to the home to see whether it is the right home.
Some agents can’t show their buyers a home due to scheduling conflicts and an open house provides accessibility for these buyers.
Open houses allow buyers who have already seen the home the opportunity to go back and spend more time evaluating the property and neighborhood.
An ancillary benefit to the seller is the listing agent may get feedback from open house visitors that might help in the ongoing marketability/sale of the home.

Seller Drawbacks:

Security – prescription drugs, electronics, jewelry, cash and other small items have been stolen during open home showings. Thieves have been known to “case” a home during the open house only to come back later and steal items from the home.
Hassle factor – the homeowner has to be away from the home for 4-5 hours on a Saturday, Sunday or both.
Agent Benefits:

Allows agent to pick up buyers/sellers who have not committed to another real estate agent.
Allows agent to maintain a high profile in the neighborhood of the open house.
May sell the home off of the open house. NAR statistics show that 2-4% of all home sales are initiated from an open house. Not a great percentage!
Shows the seller that the agent is “actively” marketing the home. Many of the duties performed by agents aren’t easily “document-able.” An open house provides a verifiable example to the homeowner that the agent is doing something to sell the home.

Agent Drawbacks:

Inefficient use of time – many listing agents have newly hired agents sit at open houses for them because their time is better off spent elsewhere.
Personal security issues – agents have been assaulted/killed while hosting open houses.
Prior to the rise of Internet use in the home search process, open houses were vital in allowing buyers to browse/view homes. As online home searches evolve, the function of the open house has also evolved. Virtual tours/multiple photos have become more commonplace. Open houses are used by savvy Internet buyers to confirm that the house they saw online is the dream house they have been looking for. Unfortunately, the Looky-Loos still keep coming…

Lastly, holding open house too often tends to show to potential buyers that the home is market worn and/or a tough property to sell. So give it a rest.

How Often Should You Have an Open House? My recommendation!

The first two weekends of the initial listing period.
No more than once every three weeks after the initial listing period series of open houses.
The first weekend after any price adjustment.

Working with a professional Realtor in Rochester MN is the one of the most beneficial steps you can take on your journey towards finding a new home, or selling your old home. A local Realtor can also help you search the Rochester MN MLS.

If you would like to explore the possibilities of purchasing Rochester MN real estate, contact us at (507) 421-6845 or email us at info@soldbyjaredjacobs.com today.

New to the Rochester, MN real estate market! Well maintained 4 bedroom, 3 bath home with loads of living space! Very open kitchen features abundance of cabinetry and countertop space. Property backs up to large park.

Amenities include:Cable; Ceramic Tile; Deck; Eat-in Kitchen; Kitchen Center Islnd; Kitchen Vent; Kitchen Window; Master Bathroom; Mud Room; On Bus Line; Tile Floors; Vltd/Cthrdrl Ceiling and much more!

Priced at $219,900. MLS #4016974

Working with a professional Realtor in Rochester MN is the one of the most beneficial steps you can take on your journey towards finding a new home, or selling your old home. A local Realtor can also help you search the Rochester MN MLS.

If you would like to explore the possibilities of purchasing Rochester MN real estate, contact us at (507) 421-6845 or email us at info@soldbyjaredjacobs.com today.

New to market, very well kept home with loads of amenities and newly remodeled kitchen. Home features abundance of storage, very open & inviting floor plan, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, over 2,800 sq ft of living space, lower level kitchen, wet bar, wood burning fireplace, lots of cupboards & counter top space. Includes hot tub, large deck, 7×10 Master bedroom nook, laundry areas on both main and lower levels & much more.

Property features include Brick/Stone Accent; Cable; Ceramic Tile; Deck; Eat-in Kitchen; Hot Tub; Laminate Floors; Master Bathroom; On Bus Line; Patio; Security System; Walkout; Wet Bar; Wood Burning Stove and much more!

Priced at $194,900. MLS #4016876

Working with a professional Realtor in Rochester MN is the one of the most beneficial steps you can take on your journey towards finding a new home, or selling your old home. A local Realtor can also help you search the Rochester MN MLS.

If you would like to explore the possibilities of purchasing Rochester MN real estate, contact us at (507) 421-6845 or email us at info@soldbyjaredjacobs.com today.