Some people believe they shouldn’t refinance more often than once every two years. The determining factors are if you’ll lower your payments and plan to stay in the home long enough to recapture the cost of refinancing. If so, you should consider refinancing. Interest rates have actually come down significantly in the past 12 months […]

FHA loans require mortgage insurance premium to cover a possible loss to the lender if the property has to be foreclosed and sold. The premium is substantial and eliminating the MIP would reduce the payment considerably. The MIP must remain in effect for five years but after that, when the balance is 78% of the […]

A quick once-over of the items on this list may improve the safety and security of your home and could protect your family and friends. It is important to periodically pay attention to these things because things change over time. Security Does each exterior door have a deadbolt? Does the lock on each window work? […]

It can be unsightly and upsetting when a home in a neighborhood isn’t being maintained like the others. It might be an overgrown yard, a fence in need of repair, paint peeling on the home or even a car parked in front of the home that hasn’t moved in weeks. I believe most people want […]

Knowing the current value of your home is important when you’re considering a move, refinancing or getting a home equity loan. Prices are determined by recent sales and the supply and demand of current inventory. The process of selecting comparable properties involves matching similar features like bedrooms, baths, square footage and updates. In addition to […]

The American Dream of owning a home is still alive. People still want a place of their own; where they can raise their family; share with their friends; feel safe and secure. Homeownership creates emotional and financial benefits. The government supports that dream by allowing deductions for mortgage and home equity interest as well as […]

Most people agree that homeownership rules! When asked, people say they want a home they can call their own, to raise their family, share with their friends and to feel safe and secure. It also accounts for the majority of most people’s net worth. These rules can help protect your investment and make homeownership more […]

Twin Cities Property Finder · David Olson, Broker · License #BK3603584Independent neighborhood guide, not affiliated with any homeowners association, property manager, city or official board.Updated October 23, 2026 Practical notes for Twin Cities buyers, sellers and owners You may not be ready to move into your retirement home yet. But some people buy it early, […]

The purpose of insurance is to shift the risk of loss to a company in exchange for a premium. Most policies have a deductible which is an amount the insured pays out of pocket before the insurance starts covering the cost of the loss. In the process of managing insurance premiums, policy holders often consider […]

Single-family homes used for rental property have distinct advantages over other types of investments. An investor can borrow 75-80% at fixed interest rates on appreciating assets with definite tax advantages and reasonable control. The financing alone is attractive compared to some investments that require 50% cash and have floating rates at prime plus for one […]

What your home is worth depends on why you ask the question. It could be one value based on a purchase or sale and an entirely different value for insurance purposes. Fair market value is the price a buyer and seller can agree upon assuming both are knowledgeable, willing and unpressured by extraordinary events. This […]

Our American flag is obviously the symbol of our country but it has come to remind us of every man and woman who has fought for the freedom that we enjoy. The emotions that are stirred by images of our flag can run from happiness to sadness to even anger and everything in between. Most […]

While a principal residence and a second home have some similar benefits, they have some major differences. A principal residence is the primary home where you live and a second home is used for personal enjoyment while limiting possible rental activity to a maximum of 14 days per year. The Mortgage Interest Deduction allows a […]

We’ve probably all said or at least thought “if I knew then, what I know now, I would have done things differently.” We should have stayed in school longer. We should have listened to our parents. We should have bought Apple stock in 2002 for $8.50 or gold in 2000 for $300. Years from now, […]

Transferring the title of a home from one person to another may seem simple but it could have a significant tax implication. When a person inherits property, the basis is “stepped-up” to fair market value at the time of the decedent’s death. On the other hand, a gift has a carry-over basis which means that […]

The low interest rates secured by borrowers recently on FHA mortgages may become valuable in a different way in the future. FHA and VA mortgage are assumable at the existing interest rates subject to buyer qualification. Buyers wanting to assume an existing FHA mortgage must be owner-occupants and meet the current FHA guidelines. Applicants should […]

Home is a place you should feel safe and secure. Sometimes, we take it for granted and unfortunately, we do need to remain vigilant about things we do that could compromise our well-being. Here are a few tips you might want to consider. Everyone loves an inviting home including burglars. Make sure it looks occupied […]

Twin Cities Property Finder · David Olson, Broker · License #BK3603584Independent neighborhood guide, not affiliated with any homeowners association, property manager, city or official board.Updated October 23, 2026 Practical notes for Twin Cities buyers, sellers and owners Getting pre-approved before you shop helps everyone: you, the seller and the agents on both sides. It saves […]

Whether you’re refinancing your current home or buying a new one, something worth considering is a 15 year loan rather than a 30 year term. The payments will be a little higher but you’ll get a lower interest rate and you’ll build equity much faster. Let’s look at an example of a $200,000 mortgage with […]

“Anyone may arrange his affairs so that his taxes shall be as low as possible…for nobody owes any public duty to pay more than the law demands.” Judge Learned Hand This opinion refers to federal income tax but the logic and spirit can easily be applied to any tax including property tax. Most property tax […]

Some residents of Augusta, Georgia have purchased tickets to the Master’s for years but have never attended the famous golf tournament. It’s because they include the tickets as a bonus to the people who rent their home during the event. Each year, owners rent their home for a big premium during the Masters and make […]

Automatic thermostats can lower your monthly utility costs while conveniently regulating your comfort by adjusting temperatures on your heating and cooling systems. These can be particularly effective in homes with zoned systems where you live in one area during the day but sleep in a different zone. There are programmable thermostats available at home improvement […]