Three M's of Homeownership

Among the many reasons people have to own home, they include having a place of their own, to raise a family and to share with friends. Additional benefits include security, investment, peace, pride and enjoyment.

Together with the benefits come the responsibility to take care of the home for its livability and viability as a sound decision. A homeowner’s concerns can be broken down into three areas.

The maintenance on the property is something that every homeowner deals with. Changing filters are easy to handle yourself. Other things might require a skilled professional but identifying the “right” one can be challenging.

Minimizing expenses can reduce the cost of living in the home. It’s good to recognize when a repair is appropriate compared to a replacement. Reputable and reasonable service providers are key to keeping expense low.

Managing debt and risk becomes the financial side of the effort. Taking advantage of low interest rates or shorter terms for refinancing, making additional principal contributions are just a few ways to manage debt. Home warranty programs and homeowner insurance tips can reduce risk.

We sincerely want to be a resource for you not only when you buy or sell but all of the years in between. It is actually the reason we send this newsletter to you.

Homes for sale - 5510 River Bluff Drive, Bloomington, MN 55437

Grilling Safety

More people grill in July than any other month. While grilling is all about good food, fun, friends and celebrations, it is important to make sure that accidents don’t interrupt your activities. Approximately half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns. If you work with fire, there’s a chance of getting burned.

• Only use BBQ grills outdoors and in ventilated areas.
• Place the grill away from home or anything that could be flammable. 
• Keep grill stable.
• Keep fire under control.
• Keep children away from grill.
• Never leave the grill unattended.
• The grill lid should always be open before lighting it.
• Grease should not be allowed to build up in the grill. 
• Use long-handled utensils.
  
  Gas/Propane
• Check the tank hose and connections for leaks before using it for the first time each year by using a light soapy water solution to see if bubbles appear.
• If you smell gas when the grill is lit, move away from the grill and call the fire department.
• If the flame goes out, turn off the gas for 15 minutes and open the lid before re-lighting it.
  
  Charcoal
• Never add any starter fluid or other flammable liquid to a fire.
• Only use charcoal starter fluid and not gasoline, kerosene or other flammable liquid.
• Keep starter fluid away from heat sources and out of reach of children.
• Electric charcoal starters do not use fire but have a coil to ignite the coals.
• When finished cooking, close off the grill vents to suffocate the fire and save some of the remaining charcoal.

 Practice safe grilling and enjoy the occasions to cook outdoors and share with your family and friends.

3849 Windcrest Court Eagan, MN 55123

Property Site: http://tour.remax-northcentral.com/home/EFYU3E

This light-filled home is perfectly located close to all that Eagan has to offer, including Cascade Bay Water Park, the library, and the ice arena! There's also plenty of shopping and dining nearby and major roadways are very accessible!

There is a large green space with trees at one end of the building for privacy and room to play.

Vaulted ceilings in the living, kitchen, and dining area give this home a spacious feel, and the space is filled with natural light from the large front window and the sliding glass door, which provides access to the deck.

The master bedroom features a walk-in closet and a pass through bath.

The walk-out lower level has a spacious family room, which is open to the office area. The sliding door opens out to a patio and side yard. The laundry/mechanical room is also on the lower level.

A one-year HMS Home Warranty is included for the buyer of this fantastic home.

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2.00

Square feet: 1,513

Price: $164,900

For more information about this property, please contact Jon Hoffmeister at (952) 942-3480 or jon@hoffmeisterhomes.com. You can also text 2882072 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.results.net/jon.hoffmeister

MLS ID: 4618065

16682 Hudson Avenue Lakeville, MN 55044

Property Site: http://tour.remax-northcentral.com/home/3HQSSF

This immaculate home has an open design with vaulted ceilings for a very spacious feeling. The home is filled with natural light, adding to it's wonderful ambiance. The living, dining, and kitchen area was renovated in 2014, and features hardwood flooring. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, Silestone countertops, and subway tile backsplash. The sliding door in the dining area walks out to a sizable deck overlooking the large back yard. Beautiful stone tile is the feature of  the large foyer. On the upper level there are three bedrooms, all with built-in closet organizers. The master bedroom has a makeup vanity, and a walk-in closet. The beautiful pass-through bath has stone tile flooring and a new vanity with Silestone vanity top. The combination of subway and glass tile throughout the bathroom is stunning! The lower level features a very large family room, a finished laundry room, and a 3/4 bath. Other updates include a new garage door (2009),roof (2010), water softener (2013), and insulation added to the roof. This home has easy access to major roadways, and is conveniently located near schools, parks, trails, and shopping. A one-year home warranty is provided for the buyer of this fantastic home!

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.00

Square feet: 1,878

Price: $264,900

For more information about this property, please contact Jon Hoffmeister at (952) 942-3480 or jon@hoffmeisterhomes.com. You can also text 2879876 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.results.net/jon.hoffmeister

MLS ID: 4617347

Eliminate Mortgage Insurance

Why would you consider refinancing if your mortgage is only two or three years old and the rate is not considerably higher than what is currently available on new loans? Because you may be able to eliminate the mortgage insurance and have significant monthly savings.

Many homes have seen their values rise in the past few years. The current loan-to-value ratio may be low enough to no longer require mortgage insurance. In some cases, a homeowner might actually pay a little higher rate than they currently have but lower their monthly payment dramatically because the mortgage insurance isn’t required.

A rough rule of thumb is that mortgage insurance is not needed on loans at or less than 80% of value. There could be programs available that would allow a higher LTV than 80%.

Careful consideration should also be given to the fees required to refinance. Lenders differ in not only the rates they charge but also the fees associated with the loans and the process. If you’d like a recommendation of a trusted mortgage professional, we’d be happy to make a recommendation.

Monthly Skinny: June