There are some people who have not purchased homes because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize, however, that unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s.
As Entrepreneur Magazine, a premier source for small business explained in their article, “12 Practical Steps to Getting Rich”:
“While renting on a temporary basis isn’t terrible, you should most certainly own the roof over your head if you’re serious about your finances. It won’t make you rich overnight, but by renting, you’re paying someone else’s mortgage. In effect, you’re making someone else rich.”
Christina Boyle, Senior Vice President and head of the Single-Family Sales & Relationship Management organization at Freddie Mac, explains another benefit of securing a mortgage as opposed . ...

Every homeowner wants to make sure they maximize their financial reward when selling their home. But how do you guarantee that you receive the maximum value for your house?
Here are two keys to ensure that you get the highest price possible.
1. Price it a LITTLE LOW 
This may seem counterintuitive, but let’s look at this concept for a moment. Many homeowners think that pricing their homes a little OVER market value will leave them with room for negotiation. In actuality, this just dramatically lessens the demand for your house (see chart below).
Instead of the seller trying to ‘win’ the negotiation with one buyer, they should price it so that demand for the home is maximized. By doing this, the seller will not be fighting with a buyer over the price but will instead have multiple buyers fighting with each other over the house.
Realtor.com gives this advice:
“Aim to price your property at or. ...

When it comes to real estate factoids, we’ve all heard our fair share of information from friends, relatives, and the media, but it pays to stop and think: how much of that is true, and how much of that is hearsay. Today we’re here to separate fact from fiction and debunk some of the most popular real estate myths. Read on to get the scoop!

Myth #1: Make sure to cover bright paint colors with a neutral shade when preparing to sell your home.
Truth: Why old school wisdom may suggest that you need your walls to be blank slates in order to not turn off potential buyers, don’t rush for the white paint too quickly. You can save yourself the trouble of painting your entire home by simply adding some neutral accessories to offset the bold colors. Depending on the color you’ve chosen, it may even make the home look cozier and more attractive, so buyers can actually visualize themselves living there.

Myth#2: When buying a home, always present your lowest offer ...

If you are embarking on buying a home in Brainerd, MN for the very first time, you may be wondering what to expect. While this is an exciting and adventurous moment in your life, it can also be very stressful. The best way to have a smooth and seamless transition from renting to buying is by getting all the facts ahead of time. If you are concerned about breaking the bank, make sure to read up on our picks for five common sleeper costs, so you can make room in your budget for these potential expenses and be prepared.

1. Paint – Out of all the expenses out there, many home buyers don’t even bat an eye at the thought of painting all the rooms inside their new property. However, if you have just purchased a large amount of space, you may be looking at an unexpectedly high bill once all the paint cans, brushes, and other tools have been purchased.

2. Lawn Maintenance – Oftentimes, home buyers are focusing solely on the costs of the property itself, and forgetting ...

Are you planning a move to Brainerd, MN and wondering if all your gastronomical needs will be met? This gorgeous city is not only full of beautiful housing options and tons of things to see and do, it also has an impressive array of dining options to choose from. Read on to find out more about the top restaurants in Brainerd in 2015!

1. The Barn – This small, old-timey traditional restaurant is right in the heart of Brainerd lakes, making it a convenient stop for visitors and residents. Famous for its homemade pies, you can find tons of mouth-watering desserts along with lots of savory offerings too! Make sure to try the Maid-Rite sandwich which is made up of seasoned ground beef, sliced onions, mustard, and a fresh, toasted bun.

2. Prairie Bay  - If you are looking for haute cuisine and delicious New American style food, the Prairie Bay really delivers. The elaborate menu includes creative plates like the whisky smoked beef brisket, blacked ahi tuna and wilted spi! ...