Dee Thor Realtor

10/22/2026

Bear with me - this is a long post. But it is a MUST READ.

According to a study highlighted by FOX 9, the average Minnesota home costs $45,167 MORE than it did five years ago. That's a 14.4% increase.

And here's the part that really gets me: the study estimates that the annual income needed to afford a home in Minnesota has increased by 91.3% since 2021. NINETY-ONE PERCENT, Y'ALL!!!

YOUR FIRST HOME HAS ONE JOB: TO GET YOU IN THE GAME. THAT'S IT!!!

Listen. I'm going to say something that some of you need to hear.

IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY A HOUSE, BUY THE HOUSE!!!

Not because I'm a Realtor trying to sell you a house. But because I need you to understand something about this housing market.

Five years ago, buying a home in Minnesota was a whole lot more affordable than it is today. And five years from now? We don't know what prices or interest rates will look like.

But here's what I DO know.

Some of you have been waiting for the "perfect" time to buy.

Waiting for home prices to drop.
Waiting for interest rates to come down.
Waiting for the perfect house to hit the market.

And here's the problem with all that waiting.

When interest rates drop, more buyers may jump back into the market. More competition. More bidding wars. And potentially higher home prices.

When home prices come down? Interest rates might be higher, making your monthly payment just as expensive.

YOU'RE WAITING FOR EVERYTHING TO LINE UP PERFECTLY IN A MARKET THAT HAS NEVER PROMISED YOU PERFECT CONDITIONS.

And can we talk about something else?

Your FIRST home does not need to be your FOREVER home!!!

I think that's where a lot of first-time buyers get stuck.

You're shopping for the house you're going to retire in when you haven't even bought your first one yet. 😂

Baby, your starter home has ONE JOB = TO GET YOU IN THE GAME!!!

Buy a home you can comfortably afford.

Build equity as you pay down your mortgage and potentially benefit from appreciation.

When your life and finances are ready, sell it and use that equity toward your next home.

BUY IT. BUILD EQUITY. SELL IT. UPGRADE.

THAT'S THE PLAYYYYY!!! 👏👏👏

And I have a question for some of y'all.

HOW MANY OF YOU GOT PREAPPROVED THIS SPRING/SUMMER AND THEN TALKED YOURSELF OUT OF BUYING NOW?

You kept saying, "Ehhh, let's wait. Something better will come along."

Three months later, interest rates moved, your buying power changed, and now the house you could've afforded this summer might be outside your budget.

THAT'S HOW QUICKLY THE GAME CAN CHANGE.

Now you're sitting there thinking, "Damnnnn. Maybe we should've bought when we had the chance."

Listen, I'm not telling anybody to go buy a house they can't afford. PLEASE DON'T DO THAT.

I'm telling you that if your finances are solid, your monthly payment is comfortable, and buying makes sense for your life, don't let fear keep making the decision for you.

Because the market is always going to give you a reason to wait.

And while you're waiting for the perfect market, life keeps moving.

BOTTOM LINE: BUY WHEN YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY. NOT WHEN THE MARKET IS PERFECT.

Because perfect might never come.

And I'd rather help you buy a home you can comfortably afford today than watch you spend another year wishing you'd made a move when you had the opportunity.

Now tell me something...

Are you waiting because you're genuinely not financially ready, or because you're scared there might be a better deal tomorrow?

Because those are TWO very different conversations.

Lets talk.
Dee Thor | 651-373-8978
[email protected]

Your Twin Cities Minnesota REALTOR®

A new study compared how much more it costs to buy a home in 2026 than it did five years ago in 2021.

10/21/2026

More homes to choose from… so why does buying still feel hard?

That’s the tension in the Twin Cities market right now. Buyers have more options, while the monthly payment is still making people pause.

Here’s your October 21 market update and what it means if you’re thinking about moving:

Buyers have more choices.
The latest weekly report counted 12,512 homes for sale—12.2% more than a year ago. If you haven’t found the right fit, it may be worth refreshing your search.

More inventory can create opportunities to negotiate price, closing costs, or repairs. What’s reasonable still depends on the home and its competition.

Slower activity hasn’t meant a broad drop in prices.
September’s median sale price was $395,000, up 1.3% from last year, even though accepted offers fell 11.7%.

Sellers received an average 97.7% of their original asking price. That’s a market average, so it doesn’t automatically tell you what discount to offer on a particular house.

Your payment deserves as much attention as the price.
Freddie Mac’s national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage held at 7.40% on October 15. Your lender’s quote may differ.

Before making an offer, compare how a lower purchase price versus a seller credit would affect your monthly payment and cash needed at closing. Those can solve different problems.

My take: Buyers have more room to evaluate their options. Sellers need to give buyers a clear reason to choose their home through price, condition, and presentation.

And if you’re selling to buy? Look at your estimated sale proceeds and your next payment together before deciding what makes sense.

Follow along for weekly Twin Cities updates that help you understand how the numbers affect your real-life decisions.

Dee Thor Realtor | REMAX Results
651-373-8967
[email protected]

Sources: Minnesota REALTORS® September report, released October 16; MAR weekly report, published October 19, covering the week ending October 10; Freddie Mac, October 15.

10/20/2026

Can we stop telling people they're "throwing money away" by renting? 😅

Because renting is NOT always a bad financial decision.

Sometimes renting makes the most sense for your lifestyle, finances, or current season of life.

BUT if you've been renting for years and wondering whether buying could help you build long-term wealth, here's what I want you to know.

Homeownership can build wealth in TWO major ways:

🏡 1. Building equity through mortgage payments.

With a typical principal-and-interest mortgage, part of your payment goes toward reducing your loan balance.

Over time, as that balance decreases, your equity can grow.

🏡 2. Potential home appreciation.

If your home increases in value, that may create additional equity.

But appreciation isn't guaranteed, and property values can also decline.

Here's what people sometimes forget:

Owning also comes with property taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs, and transaction costs.

So buying isn't automatically the better financial decision.

What matters is how long you plan to stay, what you can comfortably afford, and whether the numbers make sense for YOU.

Because the goal isn't just to own a house.

The goal is to own a house that supports your financial future WITHOUT sacrificing your ability to enjoy life today.

📌 SAVE this if you've been debating renting versus buying.

And if you're renting in the Twin Cities, message me "RENT VS BUY" and let's compare the actual numbers. 💗

10/20/2026

How many of you have put off buying a house because you think you don’t have enough money saved?

I hear this ALL the time. And listen, I get it! Buying a house is a BIG financial decision.

But here’s what I want you to know…

You might have more options than you think.

Minnesota has down payment assistance programs that many buyers don’t even know exist. And some people who have owned a home before may still qualify as first-time homebuyers. 🤯

Now, does that mean everyone qualifies? Nope. But that’s exactly why it’s worth having the conversation.

Don’t count yourself out before you even know your options.

You might be closer to homeownership than you realize. 🩷

Save this for when you’re ready to explore buying a home in Minnesota, and follow along!

10/19/2026

PLEASE don't buy a new car because you just bought a house. 😭😂

I'm serious.

Your offer was accepted, you're under contract, and you're already shopping for furniture.

I LOVE the excitement!

BUT here's what buyers need to understand:

Your mortgage approval isn't necessarily final just because you're under contract.

Your lender may verify your finances and employment again before closing.

So until you've officially closed, here are 7 things to avoid without talking to your lender FIRST:

🚫 1. Financing a car. A new payment could affect your debt-to-income ratio.

🚫 2. Opening new credit cards. Yes, even the furniture store card offering 20% off.

🚫 3. Making big purchases on credit. That sectional can wait!

🚫 4. Changing or quitting jobs. Employment changes can affect loan approval.

🚫 5. Moving large amounts of money. Unexplained transfers may require additional documentation.

🚫 6. Missing payments. Protect your credit!

🚫 7. Co-signing someone's loan. It may affect your qualification even if you're not making the payments.

Here's my rule:

When in doubt, ASK YOUR LENDER before making financial changes.

I'd rather answer a quick question than have you deal with an unexpected financing issue right before closing.

📌 SAVE this for when you're under contract!

And PLEASE send it to your friend who's closing next month but already has a furniture shopping cart full. 😂

10/18/2026

You have $15,000 to spend getting your house ready to sell.

Where would you put the money? 👀🏡

New flooring? Bathroom remodel? Fresh paint? Landscaping?

Here's the thing...

Not all home improvements are worth the investment when you're preparing to sell.

If I were helping you decide, here's how I'd prioritize:

1️⃣ Fix what could scare buyers away.
Water damage, safety concerns, broken systems, and visible deferred maintenance.

2️⃣ Address what buyers immediately notice.
Worn carpet, damaged flooring, outdated paint, and neglected landscaping.

3️⃣ Make the home feel move-in ready.
Clean, bright, well-maintained spaces make a difference.

4️⃣ Be careful with expensive renovations.
A $40K kitchen remodel doesn't automatically increase your home's value by $40K.

5️⃣ Study comparable homes.
If buyers in your neighborhood aren't paying a premium for certain upgrades, you may not get the return you're expecting.

Here's what I tell sellers:

Your goal isn't to make your house the most expensive one on the block.

Your goal is to position it so buyers see the value and feel confident making an offer.

Sometimes that means making improvements.

Sometimes it means leaving things alone and pricing strategically.

📌 SAVE this before spending money on renovations!

Thinking about selling your Twin Cities home? Message me "PREP" and let's figure out where to spend and where to save. 💗

10/17/2026

Okay, let's talk about real estate questions people are sometimes too embarrassed to ask. 😂🏡

Because trust me, I've heard A LOT of questions over the years.

And there's no such thing as a stupid question when you're making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life!

Here are a few I get all the time:

Q: Do I need 20% down to buy a house?
NOPE! Some conventional loans allow as little as 3% down, FHA loans may allow 3.5%, and qualifying VA or USDA borrowers may have zero-down options.

Q: Can I buy with student loans?
Possibly! Student loans don't automatically disqualify you. Lenders look at your income, credit, and overall debt.

Q: Can I buy while I'm still renting?
Absolutely! We just need to plan your closing around your lease and understand any overlapping costs.

Q: Do I have to pay my REALTOR® out of pocket?
Not necessarily. Buyer broker compensation is negotiable and may be paid by the seller or another permitted source. Your written agreement explains your obligations.

Q: Should I wait for rates to drop?
That depends on your finances, timeline, and comfortable monthly payment.

And my FAVORITE...

Q: When should I start talking to a REALTOR®?

BEFORE you're ready to buy or sell!

The earlier we talk, the more time we have to build a smart plan.

📌 SAVE this because you'll probably have more questions later.

Now YOUR turn! What's one real estate question you've always wanted to ask?

Drop it below. I might turn it into my next real estate yap session. 🔨😂

10/16/2026

A pretty kitchen can distract you from a $20,000 problem. 😬🏡

And THIS is why I always talk to my buyers about home inspections.

It's easy to fall in love with the countertops, flooring, natural light, and beautiful backyard.

But what's happening behind those walls?

How old is the furnace?

Is there moisture intrusion?

Are there electrical concerns?

What condition is the roof really in?

Here are 5 things every buyer should know:

1️⃣ Even NEW construction homes can have defects.

2️⃣ A home inspection isn't a pass-or-fail test. It's information to help you make an informed decision.

3️⃣ Not every issue is a dealbreaker. Some repairs are minor, while others can be expensive.

4️⃣ Depending on your contract, inspection findings may give you options to negotiate, request repairs, or cancel.

5️⃣ General inspections don't cover everything. Radon testing, sewer scopes, and other specialized inspections may be worth considering.

Here's my philosophy:

I'd rather you know about a problem BEFORE closing than discover it six months after moving in.

And if you're considering waiving an inspection contingency, I want you to understand exactly what risks you're accepting.

Because winning the house shouldn't mean ignoring what could go wrong.

📌 SAVE this if you're planning to buy a home!

And send it to someone who's currently house hunting. 💗

10/16/2026

Your Twin Cities real estate update | October 16

If you’ve been wondering whether buyers have more breathing room this fall, the latest numbers offer a useful clue.

In the metro area, 12,636 homes were for sale during the week ending October 3. That’s 13.1% more than a year ago. Meanwhile, 782 homes went under contract, down 21% from the same week last year.

What does that mean for you? Buyers may have more homes to compare and more room to discuss price or terms. If you’re selling, the homes competing with yours matter more than a broad market headline. Pay attention to recent comparable sales and what buyers are saying after showings.

Affordability is still shaping decisions. Freddie Mac’s national average 30-year mortgage rate rose from 7.28% on October 1 to 7.40% on October 8. Your actual rate will depend on your loan and lender, so an updated quote is the best way to understand your payment.

My advice this week: look at the whole picture before making a move. Buyers should compare the monthly payment and cash needed at closing, including any seller credit. If you’re buying and selling, run the numbers on both homes together. Sellers should use local competition and showing feedback to decide whether their price and terms are working.

Have a question about what this looks like in your neighborhood or price range? Send me a message. I’m happy to help you make sense of it.

Dee Thor, Realtor
651-373-8967
[email protected]

Sources: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® weekly market report, published October 12 · Freddie Mac mortgage rate survey, October 8

10/15/2026

Can we talk about open houses for a second?

Because I KNOW some of you spend your weekends touring houses with absolutely NO intention of buying anytime soon.

And you know what? That's actually okay!

Open houses can be a great way to learn about the market BEFORE you're ready to buy.

Here's why:

🏡 You learn what your money gets you.
A $400K home in Blaine might look very different from a $400K home in Roseville.

🏡 You discover what you actually like.
Maybe you thought you wanted open concept until you walked into one.

🏡 You start recognizing value.
The more homes you see, the easier it becomes to compare condition, layouts, and pricing.

🏡 You discover your dealbreakers.
Small bedrooms? No storage? Busy road? Sometimes you don't know until you experience it.

BUT here's what I want you to remember:

The agent hosting the open house may represent the seller, not you.

And if you're already working with a buyer's agent, let the hosting agent know.

Also, if you're seriously looking, don't rely ONLY on open houses. Some homes sell before the open house even happens.

📌 SAVE this for your next weekend of house hunting!

Now tell me... are you an open-house window shopper, or do you only go when you're serious about buying? 😂