Nicole Mills Rochester Real Estate

Foreclosure Prevention

Nicole Mills — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:06:00 GMT

If you or someone you know may be facing foreclosure, please follow the links below to learn more about what can be done to prevent it from happening. The foreclosure rates in Minnesota have been steadily increasing in recent years, but there are resources available to help slow that machine down. "One mortgage foreclosed for every 54 households in Minnesota from 2005-2007. — If 2008 foreclosure projections hold true, approximately 28,000 more Minnesota mortgages will be foreclosed by...(read more)

Rochester Area Remodelers Tour Oct. 18 & 19

Nicole Mills — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:26:00 GMT

Looking to get some ideas for a remodeling project you have on your mind? From 10 AM to 5 PM, on both Saturday and Sunday, you can tour homes on the Remodelers Council 4th annual "Remodelers Tour." Tickets are $5, can be purchased at all homes on the tour, and will allow you entry in to all the homes on the tour. Have fun...take note of what you like and don't like...then let's talk about your home and what you have in mind. Home Renovation Consulting...(read more)

Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors Market Statistics Report 12/14/07

Nicole Mills — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:38:00 GMT

There are currently 1115 homes for sale in the City of Rochester, with an average list price of $235,244 and an average market time of 225 days. 18 home sales closed in the past week, with an average list price of $202,076, an average SOLD price of $202,526 and an average market time of 73 days. 17 homes went sale pending, and 13 homes expired off the market. For more information on the current market in Rochester, read the entire report for the week ending 12/14/07. Enjoy your weekend! Buy A Rochester...(read more)

Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors Market Statistics Report 12/07/07

Nicole Mills — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:49:00 GMT

There are currently 1134 homes for sale in the City of Rochester, with an average list price of $235,199 and an average market time of 221 days. 41 home sales closed in the past week, with an average list price of $205,994, an average SOLD price of $202,337 and an average market time of 135 days. 24 homes went sale pending, and 35 homes expired off the market. For more information on the current market in Rochester, read the entire report for the week ending 12/07/07. Enjoy your weekend! Buy A Rochester...(read more)

Single Story For Sale in Lake City

Nicole Mills — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 04:05:00 GMT

• 3,600 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm single story - MLS® #2935918

Lake City, Wabasha County - Privacy will be yours in this wonderfully spacious, superbly maintained home, nestled on 6.5 wooded acres! There's a 21 x 30 main floor family room w/ fireplce that will have you never wanting to leave home again. The dining room and kitchen were made for entertaining the entire family, and include newer, matching appliances. And dining out back, while enjoying nature, will be a breeze as the deck is right off of the kitchen. The four bedrooms are all on the main floor, and have beautiful hardwood floors (the master has a huge walk-in closet!). The lowever level is completely finished with another family room, plenty of storage, and a game room (pool table optional!). Outside you'll find an additional 2.5 car, insulated, heated garage for all your toys! You won't be disappointed in this home!

Property information

Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors Market Statistics Report 11/23/07

Nicole Mills — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 15:46:00 GMT

There are currently 1192 homes for sale in the City of Rochester, with an average list price of $235,437 and an average market time of 211 days. 32 home sales closed in the past week, with an average list price of $204,241, an average SOLD price of $190,202 and an average market time of 133 days. 14 homes went sale pending, and 17 homes expired off the market. For more information on the current market in Rochester, read the entire report for the week ending 11/23/07. A few weeks ago, there were...(read more)

Great news! Rochester is Minnesota's Most Affordable City

Nicole Mills — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:51:00 GMT

Apparently, "Business Week" magazine has released a new survey that reports Rochester offers the most affordable homes in the state. If you don't believe it, watch the news report on KAALtv.com . I've tried to locate the survey on-line, but haven't had any luck, as of yet! See? It's not all doom and gloom in the real estate world. Rochester is its own market...remember this tonight when you're watching the nightly news. It's nice to see the media actually report...(read more)

Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors Market Statistics Report 11/09/07

Nicole Mills — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:42:00 GMT

There are currently 922 homes for sale in the City of Rochester, with an average list price of $215,068 and an average market time of 171 days. 34 home sales closed in the past week, with an average list price of $188,290, an average SOLD price of $181,859 and an average market time of 137 days. 20 homes went sale pending, and 4 homes expired off the market. For more information on the current market in Rochester, read the entire report for the week ending 11/09/07. Have a great weekend! Buy A Rochester...(read more)

Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors Market Statistics Report 11/02/07

Nicole Mills — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:31:00 GMT

There are currently 917 homes for sale in the City of Rochester, with an average list price of $216,272 and an average market time of 169 days. 52 home sales closed in the past week, with an average list price of $171,412, an average SOLD price of $166,919 and an average market time of 109 days. 29 homes went sale pending, and 47 homes expired off the market. For more information on the current market in Rochester, read the entire report for the week ending 11/02/07. Have a great week! Buy A Rochester...(read more)

After leaving the closing table, is it time to say goodbye?

Nicole Mills — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:18:00 GMT

I read a blog post today that really struck home with me (yes, I'm a blog reader...in fact, I know I read too much, and don't write enough, but I'm working on it!). Vicki Moore at Agent Genius described perfectly a situation I find myself in often. While working with clients, I often get quite attached to them. It doesn't always happen, of course, but I can honestly say that it happens more often than not. I learn about them, their families, their pets (a mutual love of dogs is always...(read more)

Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors Market Statistics Report 10/29/07

Nicole Mills — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:10:00 GMT

There are currently 944 homes for sale in the City of Rochester, with an average list price of $219,615 and an average market time of 161 days. 38 home sales closed in the past week, with an average list price of $164,339 an average SOLD price of $160,115 and an average market time of 121 days. 48 homes went sale pending, and 19 homes expired off the market. For more information on the current market in Rochester, read the entire report for the week ending 10/26/07. The average days on market is...(read more)

Cardboard Box City - Friday, October 20th at Soldier's Field

Nicole Mills — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:51:00 GMT

In an effort to raise awareness and money for the organizations that support and house the homeless in Rochester, Soldier's Field will be home, temporarily, to Cardboard Box City. For one night, Rochester citizens are invited to stay in Cardboard Box City (in either a box or tent, which you bring along) to help the estimated 200 homeless people in the Rochester area that find themselves without shelter on any given night. The local organizations (the Dorothy Day House & the Interfaith Hospitality...(read more)

Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors Market Statistics Report 10/05/07

Nicole Mills — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:13:00 GMT

There are currently 979 homes for sale in the City of Rochester, with an average list price of $218,340 and an average market time of 148 days. 46 home sales closed in the past week, with an average list price of $173,467 an average SOLD price of $169,686 and an average market time of 118 days. 22 homes went sale pending, and 28 homes expired off the market. For more information on the current market in Rochester, read the entire report for the week ending 10/05/07. Have a great weekend! Buy A Rochester...(read more)

ARTStoberfest! The Art Walk

Nicole Mills — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:33:00 GMT

I received this announcement from the Rochester Downtown Alliance this morning. I haven't been able to attend the Art Walk for the past few years, so I'm looking forward to going tonight. I used to fancy myself as something of an artist, back in college when I would sit at the liquor store I worked at, drawing portraits of my customer's kids. I entered one of my drawings in an art show once, but didn't even get a nod from the academy, so to speak...it was so disheartening! Anyway,...(read more)

Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors Market Statistics Report 9/14/07

Nicole Mills — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:20:00 GMT

There are currently 951 homes for sale in the City of Rochester, with an average list price of $215,792 and an average market time of 138 days. 17 home sales closed in the past week, with an average list price of $170,606 an average SOLD price of $166,323 and an average market time of 64 days. 35 homes went sale pending, and 9 homes expired off the market. For more information on the current market in Rochester, read the entire report for the week ending 9/14/07. Have a great weekend! Buy A Rochester...(read more)

Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors Market Statistics Report 9/07/07

Nicole Mills — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:08:00 GMT

There are currently 926 homes for sale in the City of Rochester, with an average list price of $215,402and an average market time of 136 days. 29 home sales closed in the past week, with an average list price of $197,568, an average SOLD price of $192,710 and an average market time of 82 days. 33 homes went sale pending, and 9 homes expired off the market. For more information on the current market in Rochester, read the entire report for the week ending 9/07/07. Buy A Rochester Area Home Sell Your...(read more)

Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors Market Statistics Report 8/31/07

Nicole Mills — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 18:29:00 GMT

There are currently 942 single family homes for sale in Rochester, with an average list price of $217,406 and an average market time of 129 days. 48 home sales closed in the past week, with an average list price of $195,979, an average SOLD price of $188,991 and an average market time of 94 days. 37 homes went sale pending, with an average list price of $220,213, and 9 homes expired off the market. For more information on the current market in Rochester, read the entire report for the week ending...(read more)

Open House in Bamber Corner 2nd Sub. on Saturday

Nicole Mills — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:12:00 GMT

Bamber Corner 2nd Sub., Rochester - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 2720 Mayowood Lane SW on September 1 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

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Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors Market Statistics Report 8/17/07

Nicole Mills — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:40:00 GMT

Happy Friday! There are currently 952 single family homes for sale in Rochester, with an average list price of $219,025 and an average market time of 121 days. 32 home sales closed in the past week, with an average list price of $272,063, an average SOLD price of $259,742 and an average market time of 86 days. 29 homes went sale pending, with an average list price of $173,483, and 23 homes expired off the market. For more information on the current market in Rochester, read the complete report for...(read more)

Rochester Area Economic Report - Second Quarter, 2007

Nicole Mills — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:24:00 GMT

Good news! The end of second quarter in June saw Rochester's unemployment rate at 3.9 percent. This is a decrease of four tenths of one percent from first quarter. Rochester's 12 month average (3.7) still remains well below the state (4.5) and U.S. (4.7) averages. For more detailed information, read the entire report . Now, get back to work! Buy A Rochester Area Home Sell Your Rochester Area Home Search All Rochester Area Listings...(read more)

Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors Market Statistics Report 8/10/07

Nicole Mills — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:06:00 GMT

Good Morning & Happy Friday! There are currently 937 single family homes on the market here in Rochester. They've been on the market for an average of 120 days. For the 21 homes that closed last week, there was an average market time of 109 days. 40 homes went sale pending, and 13 expired. For a more detailed look at what the Rochester market is doing, check out the entire report for the week ending 8/10/07 . Have a great weekend! Buy A Rochester Area Home Sell Your Rochester Area Home Search...(read more)

Shannon Benson - Level 3 Registered Sex Offender

Nicole Mills — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 03:39:00 GMT

As of Sunday, Shannon Benson will be a free man, and will be living here in Rochester. More specifically, he'll be living in the 700 block of 1st St. SW (the Dorothy Day House, I presume). He was convicted in the 1990's for four sexually related crimes against minors (he was also a juvenile at the time). He is now 27 years old. His plan is to attend classes at RCTC. Because he served his entire sentence, once released, he will not be under any supervision, although as part of his level 3 status, he will have to make his living situation, and I believe his work status known to authorities for up to ten years. His level 3 status means that he is more likely to re-offend than either a level 1 or level 2 offender is.
The city held a notification meeting Wednesday evening to inform the community of Shannon's release, and to answer questions that people had in regards to his history. Quite a few people from the Kutzky Park neighborhood were in attendance, as they're obviously concerned about Shannon's plans to live in their neighborhood. One gentleman that spoke up expressed his concerns over Shannon's choice of residence as he lives in the immediate vicinity and has three young daughters. I feel for him, and the concern I know he must have for his girls' safety.
I don't have any children, but still nearly lost my mind when I was told just over a year ago that a transitional house for offenders (inclusive of sex offenders) was going to be placed on my street. My neighbors and I quickly rallied to show the City that our street had far too many children, single women & elderly to allow a house such as this. We succeeded in prohibiting the transition house, although we now have a group of people living in the house that I fear may be working their way in to the criminal justice system, rather than staying there on their way out...but that's a whole other story! At the time, the thought of all of our neighborhood children being in any way exposed to the offenders staying in that house....well, it frightened me. Through the education I received while serving on a committee the City organized to propose a zoning solution for dealing with any future proposed transition houses, I can say that I've gone from being frightened to being, I'd say, concerned about the placement of these transition houses. Is this because I know there won't be one on my street...possibly, but I do believe that I've learned quite a bit about the need for offender transition houses, and the likelihood that one of the offenders transitioning there would re-offend against a person or place in the immediate area. I hope it's this information that has reduced my fear to concern, and not merely the knowledge that there won't be one placed on my street.
I've gotten off the topic of Shannon directly, but because of the experience I've had over the past year with the transition house issue, I feel empathy for the concerned (and maybe fearful) residents of Kutzky. They may have some sleepless nights ahead of them, especially the parents who live nearby.
Let's hope that time, an education, and a community with watchful eyes will help see that Shannon becomes a law abiding and respectful member of our city. It was suggested at the meeting that it may be a good idea for neighbors to introduce themselves to Shannon, if the opportunity presents itself, and to let him know that it's their hope that he has taken care of his past problems and also to let him know that the neighbors will be encouraging his reintegration in to the community by maintaining what I'd call a visual relationship with him...in other words, they'll be keeping an eye on him. I thought this was an excellent idea. Yes, he's served his time, paid his debt to society...but, I see nothing wrong in letting him know that we have a vested interest in him choosing to walk the straight and narrow now that he's part of our community again. Once again, let's hope (& pray) that this is what happens.

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Tell buyers that you've hid your delicates!

Nicole Mills — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 20:20:00 GMT

I'm getting ready to list a beautiful home, and while meeting with the sellers, they had questions for me, and my answer to one of them was, "Tell buyers that you've hid your delicates!"

Would I be holding open houses?
Sure, but understand that they do more for me than they do for you, I tell them. I don't know what the statistics are, but I don't believe very many homes sell as a direct result of the buyer walking through an open house that was held at the home. I do know, however, that open houses can be a great way for me to pick up new buyer clients, and I let my sellers know this. I guess it's just my way of telling them upfront not to expect great results from the open houses they want me to hold. I want to sell your home, and will work hard to do so, to the people coming through the open house, Mr. & Mrs. Seller, but understand that the chances of your house being the right house for that potential buyer, on that day...well, they're not great. Once you get past the nosy neighbors, the window shoppers, and the wanna be home builders looking for good ideas, you're maybe left with one honest to goodness potential buyer; one serious buyer that is looking for a home, and thinks that yours just might fit the bill. If so, I consider the open house a success, so I hope you do too!

Should they be home while their home is being shown?
I have mixed emotions on this one. I think that the Sellers being home during a showing can be a great thing. It can also be a bad thing. Really, it depends on how talkative both the potential buyer and seller are towards each other during the showing, and of course, what it is they talk about. I recently sold a home in which the homeowner was there when I brought my buyer through, as she worked from home. She promised to stay out of our way while we were looking at the home and she quickly retreated to her home office. Her listing agent would have been proud! We toured the home on our own, but as we made our way closer to the area of the home in which she was working, she was obviously able to overhear our comments to each other, and she started popping her head out of her office to either answer questions she thought we may have had, or to point out particular details about the home that she wanted us to notice. She was extremely friendly and we immediately found ourselves chatting about all sorts of things, such as why the sellers had built the home the way they did, why my buyer was moving to Rochester, the weather, children...you get the picture. Buyer and Seller got along wonderfully, and before we'd left the home, Seller was holding Buyer's baby and Buyer was visualizing where the furniture was going to go. In this situation, I believe that the Seller being there helped them sell their house. I'd been in the home previously and knew that my buyer would like the home, but having the Seller there to answer immediate questions and to promote their own home to the Buyer made the Buyer's decision to write an offer an easier decision to make. With the market being the way it is, they had many homes to choose from, and they chose this one.

Now, have I had situations where the Seller being home during a showing had a negative influence on whether or not Buyer decided to buy the home? I've had one instance in particular that I remember. Seller had a beautiful home, and being an avid hunter, felt his multiple trophies that adorned almost every wall in his home made his home even more beautiful. Buyer was not a hunter, and in fact, was probably a card carrying member of PETA. Buyer balked at the curled up fawn that looked to be peacefully sleeping as we hit the landing of the beautiful oak open staircase that overlooked the gorgeous living room that boasted a floor to ceiling stone fireplace that was jaw dropingly beautiful (I know "dropingly" isn't a word, but it seemed to fit). Buyer made a derogatory remark about the "sport" that is hunting, and Seller overheard. Seller comments that the fawn had died naturally (or at least not due to being hunted), and he'd had it memorialized so that its beauty could be appreciated by all (he said something like that, anyway!). Needless to say, Buyer didn't buy it, and within moments Buyer and Seller were casting evil glances at one another, and I started pulling out the next listing we were to see, saying a silent prayer that there would be no animals adorning the walls of the next home we toured, and no Seller that proudly comments on the antique rifle he keeps displayed above his fireplace.

So, how should you Sellers handle showings if you happen to be home when the Buyers arrive? Tell them you've hid all your delicates and that they're welcome to open drawers, cupboards and closets! Tell them why you've loved your home, and why you're moving (they're going to ask you or their agent if you don't tell them first!). Buyers always want to know why Sellers are selling...so tell them, in as diplomatic a way as you can. Just be honest, be open to questions, not too "in their face" and let them explore your home. When Buyers and Sellers meet, get along, and get a good feel for another, it can make the entire process of buying & selling much less stressful and enjoyable for everyone involved...including the agents helping them!

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RAEDI Releases The Quarterly Economic Report - First Quarter, 2007

Nicole Mills — Wed, 23 May 2007 13:49:00 GMT

The Rochester unemployment rate at the end of the first quarter was at an average of 4.3 percent. This remains below the state and U.S. averages of 4.9% and 4.5% respectively. Increasing by eight tenths of one percent since December, Rochester has seen a slight increase above its 12 months average unemployement rate of 3.5%.

Rochester has also seen a slight increase of home sales in the first quarter of 2007 as compared to first quarter 2006. The average days on market for homes is 128 days.

Read the full Rochester Quarterly Economic Report.

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The sad side of real estate.

Nicole Mills — Fri, 18 May 2007 04:44:00 GMT

My boyfriend and I decided to show our appreciation for the beautiful weather we had the other day by taking a drive, and we headed east towards Wabasha. We followed Hwy 61 north along the river, passed through Lake City, and ended up in Red Wing. While going through Lake City, we took a short detour to drive by a home I sold just about a year ago, to a couple that moved up here from Florida. I kept in touch with them after the closing, and we even had dinner with them after they got settled in.

A few short weeks later, while on vacation, I received a call from "Mike" and for the next hour, listened to him tell me about his break-up with "Stacey." He told me that he wanted me to put the home up for sale, as he was planning to return to Florida. He seemed genuinely distraught over Stacey's hasty exit from their home, and I found myself doing my best to console him (while also trying to figure out how I was going to sell his house in a timely fashion so that he didn't lose everything he had...which included another home in Florida that he had yet to sell). I was shocked to hear all the dirty laundry that was their relationship, and felt bad that I'd played any part in this sad story.

Knowing that he was going to be upside down at the closing table, we discussed his options for selling. The home had been for sale for almost a year before they purchased it, and while very nice & in good condition....I knew it was going to be a hard sell this time around too, unless he was able to discount the price significantly...and he certainly wasn't in the position to do that. We made tentative plans for me to meet him at the home as soon as I was back from vacation, and we said goodbye. After I returned, I drove out to Lake City, put my sign in the yard, a keybox on the door, and before I'd even turned in the listing the next day, I had a message that all was well with Mike and Stacey, and that they were going to work things out. Whew! What a relief...although I anticipated this may be a short lived reconciliation.

For the next 6 months, I emailed them occasionally to see how things were going. Slowly, the emails came to a stop and when I tried calling, received a message that the number had been disconnected. I drove out to the home one day (curiosity got the cat!), and found it vacant, and obviously abandoned. I was sick to my stomach. I have since tried to contact both Mike & Stacey, and finally received an email from Stacey, informing me that Mike had moved back to Florida and that she had no way to contact him (I'm not sure I believe this). As the house was only in his name (they were not married), she was able to walk away without the financial worry that poor Mike is now experiencing. I contacted the lender who I'd referred them too and he was able to check to verify that payments were no longer being made, and that the home was in foreclosure. I tried locating Mike in Florida but, as he has a very common last name, was unable to locate him.

Today, driving by the home, I saw that it is still sitting vacant, although it is not yet up for sale. I'm hopeful that Mike has made peace with the past year of his life, and that he is working towards re-establishing himself back home in Florida...but I fear that it will take him many, many years to dig himself out of the hole that he's found himself in.

This is the sad side of real estate for me. Seeing relationships crumble, homes abandoned, and finances in ruin...I don't witness it often, but when I do, I just ache for the people involved.

Foreclosure rates are extremely high...read more about the problem at CNNMoney.com. If you find yourself in mortgage default, take action now to prevent a foreclosure of your home!

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