Why YOU should become a Real Estate Agent

In today’s uncertain job market, you may be searching for (or curious about) a new job venture with more security. Are you looking for a way of making more money or having freedom and flexibility at your job? A real estate profession may be the answer to this.

2020 was a record-hitting year for the real estate market. Nationally, home sales increased by 27% and buyer demand remained stronger than ever. Low mortgage rates, which dropped from 3.90 to 2.90 over the year, were offset by low inventory. Because of these factors, home prices rose an average of 16%! In Minnesota specifically, there were over 83,824 home sales last year, a nearly 10% increase over last year, according to the Minnesota Association of Realtors (MAR).

Real estate agents were busier than ever in 2020 and many saw their own personal best year. Strong growth is expected in 2021 for housing sales, rents, and home prices - national surveys have suggested that as the economy begins to improve, buyers are looking to spend more money. What does all of this mean? The new year is a very good time to become a real estate agent - and here are the reasons why you should consider becoming one yourself.

1. You get to be your own boss

A real estate profession is one of the very few that you are your own boss and work on your own terms. You have a flexible daily schedule and can decide what you do and when you do it - as well as a flexible vacation schedule in which you can vacation and return whenever you decide. Say goodbye to limited PTO! Becoming a real estate agent also gives you location independence, so you can work from home, your office, your car… anywhere you want! You decide how to manage your time, priorities, and how you reach your goals.

2. Choosing real estate can be a quick process compared to other careers, and you don’t need a college degree

Compared to other careers, such as becoming a lawyer or surgeon, becoming a real estate agent is less-time consuming and no college degree is required. This doesn’t mean that it’s an easy choice, but simply that there are accessible educational opportunities that people of varied backgrounds can use to their advantage. All you need is to be 18 years old, have a social security number, and a few other basic requirements. You can even take classes online for further convenience!

3. There’s earning potential, and your business is scalable

One of the best parts about real estate is that there is no limit to how much you can make, like a typical salary-based job. Because you are your own boss and decide how much (and how hard) you work, you are in total control of your earnings. Success will not come overnight, or easily. Real estate is hard work, but if you put in the effort and time it will show. Your real estate business has potential to grow beyond a five- or six-figure income - the sky's the limit!

4. Real estate professionals help people during major life milestones

If you are someone who likes to help others, you will find much satisfaction in real estate. From a new couple buying their first house to families buying a vacation home, you will help people through a new stage in their lives and you can truly be part of a community. When working with clients in real estate,

you sometimes have to wear multiple hats: part counselor, part life coach, and sometimes part mentor. That can be rewarding for those who have a passion for giving back.

5. Real estate is always changing and you never stop learning

Many people dread the idea of sitting in a cubicle doing the same thing every single day - but real estate is far from that. Although an office setting may be a part of your daily work routine, you will always be out in new settings and environments, showing different homes or scoping out new neighborhoods. The real estate industry is also ever-changing in terms of information and trends. As a real estate agent you are constantly adapting to different markets, new trends, and different types of clients with various personalities and challenges. For some, this can be incredibly exciting! No day is the same when working in real estate.

6. Real estate allows you to meet new people and opens doors to unique opportunities

One of the most significant advantages of getting your real estate license is that you will have the opportunity to meet all types of people - including people you otherwise would never ordinarily meet. A career in real estate is the perfect way to be social, network, and learn about people from all different walks of life. In real estate, networking is a crucial part of becoming successful and making more money. As your sphere of influence grows, you will meet more people and acquire more leads. You never know who you might meet, and what opportunities they potentially might have to offer you!

If you are a social, hard-working person who wants to make a difference in others’ lives while bettering your own, real estate is for you! Now is the time to start reaching your full potential and do something rewarding. Don’t wait! If you are interested in going for your real estate license and have questions about being an agent or about the process to become one, we are here to help.

Itasca County MN Oct 2020 real estate market numbers

New Listings Oct. 2020 - 96 listings vs  Oct. 2019 - 120 listings a decrease of 20% Year to date numbers show a 20.4% decrease in new listings.

Pending sales Oct. 2020 - 122 pending sales vs Oct. 2019 - 104 pending sales, an increase of 17.3% year to date, shows a 17.3% increase.

Closed Sales - 179 Oct. 2020 closed sales vs Oct. 2019 - 123 closed sales. An increase of 45.5%. Year to date, 15% increase in closed sales.

Avg. Sale Price Oct. 2020 - $244,556 vs Oct. 2019 Avg. sale price of $181,368. Year to date there is an increase of 8.1%.

Inventory - Oct. 2020 we have 279 active listings vs Oct. 2019 - 733 active listings, a decrease of 61.9%.

This is a great time to sell. Low inventory equals higher sales prices.

These numbers are provided by the Itasca Board of realtors.

5 Tips For Getting Your Home Ready For The Winter Months!

It’s already November and you know what that means, the Winter months are approaching! That being said, it is crucial that you get ready before the unpredictable snowy weather. There are plenty of home maintenance tips that will save you big time and we have the list! 

The list contains plenty of must-do’s, which are the ones that will save you not only money on your energy bill, but also the cost of any expensive repairs down the road if you do not get ready beforehand. 

Are you ready for the list? Well let’s go -- 

1. Take care of your wood floors

The snow and dirt can cause a complete mess on wood floors. Before you let that happen, be sure to mop, sweep, or dust regularly or place mats and rugs in the highest traffic areas in your home. If not, rock salt can cause serious damage to your floors such as serious scratches and cracked floorboards. 

2. Clean your oven

It’s to no surprise that homemade food is even more popular in the Winter months so this is a big tip that should not be overlooked! Make sure to DEEP CLEAN your oven and stovetops. The oven and vents can easily turn into the dirtiest feature in your kitchen because they collect a lot of grime and grease. Not only should you deep clean your oven once and awhile, but clean it regularly between every home cooked meal. 

3. Check out your home’s heating and air conditioning system(s)

Before the weather turns cold, this is the perfect time to change your filters at the very least. Or, if you have a programmable thermostat, you should set your temperatures for the winter to save on heating costs. Make sure to also check the batteries and change them if needed!

Extra tip: Weatherproof your windows to save even more on heating. You can do so by removing any old caulking.

4. Consider a roof inspection

It is important to check for missing shingles, roof tiles, and damage as part of winter roof maintenance. A damaged roof can not only cause high energy bills during the winter months, but can also cause water damage in your attic or top-room floors. If you can, reach out to professional roof repairs and inspections because they will know exactly what to look for.

5. Clean your gutters

Once the leaves stop falling, you know it’s time to clean those gutters! If not, it could create all kinds of problems. You wouldn’t want to miss out on this because if you do, the water running down your home can speed up the deterioration of your exterior. This may be the last tip, but it sure is one of the biggest tips you need to follow!

These are just 5 of the most crucial tips you should follow when preparing for the Winter months. If you’d like some more tips, or are in need of hiring professional help, we are happy to assist! 

8 Things I like about being a realtor

1. You're able to set your own schedule. Work nights or days or weekends it's up to you. 

2. You get to meet lots of nice people of all walks of life. Some of these will become lifelong friends.

3. You get to see beautiful homes and properties for sale. You will always see something in a home that gives you ideas of things you can do in your own home. 

4. Unlimited income potential. You decide how much you can make by  how you run your business.

5.You get to work with some other great real estate agents. It's always fun to work with a great agent on a transaction. It makes the process go smoothly for all parties. 

6. You get to be part of the joy of a first time home buyer closing on their new home. Seeing their smiles and enjoyment is priceless. 

7. You can work remotely. If you have kids or have a longer commute this helps with the flexibility of your schedule. 

8. It's never boring. Things are always changing. Each day brings something new. You're constantly learning. 

Itasca County MN Sept 2020 Real estate Market numbers.

New Listings 155 in Sept. 2020 vs 141 in Sept. 2019. This is an increase of 9.9% Year to date we are still down over all on new listings by 20.6%

Pending Sales 161 in Sept. 2020 vs 122 in Sept. 2019 an increase of 32%

Closed Sales 165 in Sept. 2020 vs 113 in Sept. 2019 an increase of 46%

Avg Sales Price $214,314 in Sept. 2020 vs $176,559 in Sept. 2019 an increase of 21.4%

Homes for sale 349 in Sept. 2020 vs 816 in Sept. 2019 a decrease of 57.2%

These numbers continue to show that its a sellers market. Buyers are still very active and your home may be worth more now than it was a year ago. If your looking to sell or just want to know what your home is worth, give us a call. 218-326-0323.

These numbers are from the Itasca Board of Realtors.

August 2020 Real estate market overview.

New Listings Aug. 2020:  166  vs Aug. 2019: 187 a decrease of 11.2%

Pending Sales Aug. 2020: 176 vs Aug. 2019: 168 an increase of 4.8%

Closed Sales Aug. 2020: 195 vs Aug. 2019: 190 an increase of 2.6%

Avg Sale Price Aug 2020 - $228,910 vs Aug 2019- $204,019 this is an increase of 12.2%

New home listings are still down for the year and the buyers are still very active making it a sellers market for the Grand Rapids MN area.

If you thinking of selling give us a call at 218-326-0323.

These numbers are from the Itasca Board of Realtors.

Itasca County July 2020 market report.

New Listings: 210 for July 2020 a decrease of 9.9% vs July 2019 a decrease of new listings by 25.3%

Closed Sales: 190 July 2020 an increase of 32.9% vs July 2019

Avg sale price July 2020: $198,367 a slight decrease of .3% vs July 2019

We have buyers for lake homes on Deer, Moose, Wabana and Pokegama lakes. If you are thinking about selling now is a great time. 

Give us a call if you or if you know someone is thinking of selling. 218-326-0323

HOW I GOT STARTED IN REAL ESTATE

I have always had an interest in real estate. My dad is a general contractor who builds houses and when I was growing up I was able to visit him on different job sites. I loved imagining how the 2 x 4 walls would look when a house was completed.

After seeing his work, I would go home and draw “blueprints” of my dream home. I thought maybe I would be an architect, but my life took a different turn.

My career journey led me to the medical field and I am currently a Medical Laboratory Technician, along with a Realtor. I really do enjoy my job and coworkers, but I am always wishing I could have a more flexible schedule.

A little over two years ago, my husband, daughter, and I moved to Grand Rapids. We had been searching for a home for a long time before we found one that checked off most of our “boxes”. Even though we were relieved to find our home, I still wished I could go look at homes. I loved envisioning how I could personalize them.

As fate would have it, my sister-in-law decided to write a course for Real Estate Virtual Assistants, along with a Realtor and his VA. I took the course hoping to land a job where I could work from home. 

After meeting with a few Realtors in the area, I met Deb at Century 21 Land of Lakes who convinced me to go get my Realtor’s license. 

I took her advice and met with Michelle and Jim, my brokers at Century 21 and felt like it would be a good fit. I am very glad that I took this journey, and am looking forward to working with my clients to make their buying and selling journeys as seamless as possible!

Megan Porth, Realtor®

Century 21 Land of Lakes

March 2020 Itasca MLS Market numbers

New Listings March 2020 - 128 vs March 2019 - 128 no change year over year.

Pending Sales March 2020 - 81 vs March 2019 - 68 an increase of 19.1%

Closed Sales March 2020 - 57 vs March 2019 - 56 an increase of 1.8%

Avg Sale Price March 2020 $182,593 vs March 2019 - $165,454 an increase of 10.4%

Homes for sale March 2020 - 461 vs March 2019 - 698 a decrease of 34%

Inventory is low on certain types of properties resulting in higher sales prices. This is a good time to list your home. Give us a call 218-326-0323

These numbers are provided by the Itasca County Board of realtors.

February 2020 market over view

New Listings Feb. 2019 - 115 listings vs 81 in Feb. 2020 a drop of 29.6%

Pending sales Feb. 2019  - 56 pending vs 55 in Feb. 2020 a drop of 1.8%

Closed sales Feb. 2019  - 42 closed sales vs 57 in Feb. 2020 an increase of 35.7%

Avg. sale price in Feb. 2019  - $122,888 vs $157,561 in Feb. 2020 an increase of 28.2%

We are still short on inventory of certain types of properties. This is one of the reasons the Avg sale price is increasing. If you're thinking about selling your home now is the time to capitalize on the higher sales price. If you are a buyer now is the time to start looking because the interest rates are at all time lows. 

The above numbers are from the Itasca Board of Realtors.