September is REALTOR® Safety month when special attention is focused on the security of having a home on the market and the concerns for the well-being of owners is a day-to-day effort. The following list may help sellers secure their home and minimize risk. Locks – doors and windows should be locked at all times. […]

A common expectation of homeowners is to want the components and systems in their home to work when they need them. Periodic maintenance is just as important as having a trusted service provider to make necessary repairs. Victims of Murphy’s Law can attest that their air conditioner goes out on the hottest day of the […]

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 Mortgage insurance helps a lot of people buy a home with less than 20% down. That’s a good […]

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 Years ago, plenty of real estate investors bought properties that lost money every month, betting on a big […]

A dirty air filter decreases the effectiveness of your HVAC system because it inhibits airflow and allows dirt, dust, pollen and other materials to blow through the system. The challenge is how often it should be changed to keep the system working efficiently and extend the equipment life. Too often and you’re wasting money and […]

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 Quick: how old is your bedroom furniture, and what did you pay for it? When did you buy […]

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 Veterans and service members earned a valuable benefit: the VA home loan. It’s called a benefit for a […]

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 It’s often said that more money has been lost to indecision than to wrong decisions. In real estate, […]

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 Before you sign a lease, know your options. Buyers often spend weeks researching before they buy a home. Renters often spend far less time before signing a […]

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 Most buyers choose a 30-year mortgage, and for good reasons: a lower payment, stability and flexibility. But if […]

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 It’s disappointing when you lose a home you love. In a low-inventory market, writing an offer doesn’t guarantee […]

In a study released by TD Bank, 65% of buyers with mortgages that required mortgage insurance said the higher monthly payment was more than they originally expected. Private mortgage insurance is required on loans that exceed 80% of the home’s value. For conventional loans, the premiums range from 0.5% to 1% annually. The PMI could […]

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 A seller’s market is when conditions favor sellers: demand is high, supply is low and the economy is […]

Planning a summer trip is usually focused on what you’ll do, see and experience. Enjoy it even more by spending a little time before you leave to make sure your home is safe while you’re gone. Consider these suggestions along with your other normal efforts: Tell your neighbors you’ll be out of town and to […]

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 Your IRA may help with a first-home down payment. Most people know there’s usually a 10% penalty for taking money out of an IRA before age 59½. […]

There is a significant difference in how the money you spend on your home is treated for income tax purposes. Repairs to maintain your home’s condition are not deductible unlike rental property owners who can deduct repairs as an operating expense. On the other hand, capital improvements to a home will increase the basis and […]

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 When people compare renting with buying, they usually compare rent with the mortgage payment. But that leaves out […]

One of the most common reasons buyers want to deal directly with the seller is because they feel they can save the commission. It’s a valid consideration but interestingly, it’s the same reason the seller isn’t employing an agent; they feel they can save the commission. Both parties cannot save the commission. The buyer feels […]

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 In a contract, “consideration” usually means price and terms. But a little ordinary consideration, being kind and courteous […]

Paying cash for a home seems like a huge advantage to qualifying for a mortgage and an appraisal. However, for the fortunate few who don’t need a mortgage, there is a question they should answer before they make that decision: Do you think at any point in the future, you might put a mortgage on […]

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 Most buyers choose a fixed-rate mortgage, and the peace of mind is real. But if you expect to […]

Section 1031 exchange for rental and investment real estate is a tool that allows investors to move the gain from one property to another without immediate income tax consequences. An instant benefit is to postpone the tax due which gives the investor a larger amount of proceeds to invest. In the example shown, the investor […]