Pete Rathjen - Counselor Realty

10/16/2020

Steps to Determine What Your Home is Worth
If you're planning to sell your home, you'll need to know what it's worth so you can price it accordingly. We all may tend to overvalue our houses. With so many memories filling these spaces, it's only natural that we see the property through rose-colored glasses. Unfortunately, one mistake that many...

Use these steps to determine what your home is worth.

10/16/2020

Eight Ways to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Identity theft can happen to anyone, especially in an era when so many transactions happen online and so many of us rely on mobile devices to make purchases. The costs of identity theft are often severe, with lost funds, damage to your credit score, added stress, and extensive time spent addressing the...

We've got eight easy-to-implement tips to help keep your identity safe.

10/16/2020

5 Ways to Buy a Home That Won't Bust Your Budget
Buying a house is one of the most significant financial decisions of your life. Many first-time buyers believe such a decision involves going "all-in." Buying a house does not mean you have to overextend your finances. There are many ways that you can buy a home without busting your budget. With a little...

Use these five tips to buy a home without busting your budget.

10/12/2020

White Bear Lake is the perfect destination for a day of shopping. We share our favorite places for retail therapy.

10/08/2020

Selling Your Home? How to Decide Which Is the Best Offer
Selling your home is quite an undertaking. While the ideal scenario is to find a buyer that is willing to meet your terms and accept your price, many sellers receive multiple offers that are each appealing in their own ways. Fielding too many offers is certainly more preferable than receiving none at...

Here are five tips to help you decide which is the best offer when selling your home.

10/08/2020

Do-It-Yourself Pest Control Tips
If you're plagued by ants, flies, roaches, or other nasty bugs, you'll want to get the situation under control right away! Luckily, there's a good chance you can save some money by taking care of the problem yourself. Start with these simple DIY pest control tips.

Seal Up Your HomeOne of the most...

These simple DIY pest control tips can keep your home free from unwanted visitors.

10/08/2020

What's Included in a Monthly Mortgage Payment?
If you thought the only number you needed to calculate before buying a house was your down payment, think again. Though the down payment is a vital element in the sale, and often one that many first-time homebuyers place the most focus on, it's essential not to neglect the other significant expense following...

Here are a few of the other items which are included in a monthly mortgage payment when you're buying a home.

10/05/2020

The homes for sale in Minneapolis really do have something for just about everyone. And even if you love your home so much you never want to leave, everyone needs a vacation now and then. With COVID-19 concerns, many people are turning to RVs as a possibly safer alternative for those vacations....

Looking to travel the country by RV? You're not alone. Learn more about the pros and cons of a home away from home.

10/01/2020

What is a Short Sale?
Watch any popular real estate show on television, and you've probably heard a lot of different takes on short sales. Some people swear by them, while others avoid them.
But what is a short sale all about?
A short sale is the sale of a property for less than the mortgage amount. Short sales aren't quite...

Get the details about short sales.

10/01/2020

Which Home Improvement Projects Are Booming During the Pandemic?
With most homeowners spending much more time in their houses during the pandemic, it's no surprise that home improvement projects are on the rise. The average home is now the setting for work and school in addition to being a place for relaxing, gathering, and entertaining. While we don't yet know when...

See what home improvement projects have been especially popular during the pandemic.