Homeownership is part of the American dream, whether the home is a log cabin in the woods, a traditional Suburban home, or a city condo. Owning a home does come with some significant costs, but fortunately, some of those costs can be offset with tax savings.
Purchasing a home is a significant investment that can be exciting and scary at the same time. According to the National Association of Realtors, 89% of buyers recently purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker. But how do you decide which realtor to work with? Here are four tips for choosing a real estate agent. Read More...
Home equity is the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and what your home is currently worth if you were to sell it. Home equity is desirable because it is an asset and is considered part of your net worth. Here are four ways to build equity in your home. Read more…
Many homeowners are choosing fixed-rate mortgages when buying a new home or refinancing their current one because of the current low rates. But, there are some instances where you might want to consider an adjustable-rate mortgage. Read more…
So you’ve purchased some property -- congratulations! Whether you’re looking to build a home or use it for hunting or recreation, you probably have big plans. Here is a list of four things you’ll want to prioritize as soon as you take possession of your new property. Read more…
You've probably said it before: “Someday I'd like to buy my own cabin.”
Buying a cabin might feel like it’s a long way off. With most vacation property financing solutions requiring big down-payments, buying a lake lot, second home, hunting land, or cabin seems financially out of reach for most people.
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Leaf-peeping is a favorite activity for many in the fall. Nature sure has some gorgeous colors! Road trips are more popular than ever right now. You may find some inspiration in this article about the best places to see fall foliage.
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As fall approaches, may people feel inspired to give their home a warm and cozy feel. There are many simple, cost-effective, and easy ways to welcome fall into your home. Here are four ways to warm up your home with fall décor when you start to feel that chill in the air.
Using reclaimed barnwood in your home is trendy for a reason right now: it’s beautiful and adds gorgeous character to the inside of your home. If you’re a DIY-type of person, it can be fairly simple to install once you locate the wood (which might be the hardest part if you’re looking for authentic reclaimed wood!). Here is a handy guide on how to install reclaimed barnwood in your home.
Rural land sales have surged recently due to multiple factors, including historically low rates, a volatile stock market, and an increased interest in being outdoors. Check out this article for interesting statistics and some very compelling reasons why now is a great time to sell your rural property if you’ve been thinking about it.
If the outdoor lover in you thinks this is a great time to buy hunting property, but your wallet disagrees, you might consider pooling your money with hunting buddies, friends, or family. Dividing the cost between a group of owners can make an out of reach dream a possibility. Here’s what you need to know before purchasing hunting land with a group.
In a time of such considerable uncertainty, investors crave stability. One thing that historically has been a stable, long-term play for investors is land. Check out this in-depth article on why now is good time to consider this age-old investment vehicle. Read More...
It’s the dead of winter. You’ve been cooped up in the house for some time now, and depending on where you live, it may not be halfway through winter. On those cold days where there is no better place than your favorite chair with a cozy blanket, there are plenty of things to do to prevent cabin fever from setting in.
If your neighbors aren’t attuned to whitetail management practices, then your efforts are likely going to waste. While ample food, water and cover are important, don’t rely on these factors to hold deer on your property. Deer have a large home range, which can be up to a square mile. Unless you own that kind of acreage, it's a good idea to get everyone around you on the same page to ensure the health and quality of the herd.
"Some hunters have a couple treestands in reasonable locations and call it good. Then, some find themselves scratching their heads during the season. Here's a plan for high-percentage locations that can apply to each phase of the hunting season."
New hunting or farmland? Congratulations! Get ready, there are things to know before you begin the work ahead!
Purchasing land is widely considered a good investment. Whether you’re using it for hunting, recreation or to build, you probably have clear ideas on how you want your property to look. You may want to jump in and start on those projects right away, but there are some priorities you need consider first.
Whitetail hunters aspire to buy 400 acres in a famed big-buck county with the right mix of agriculture and timberland. That’s the dream. And while it’s certainly attainable, there are plenty of small properties out there with big buck potential.
Many of us prepare our property for the hunting season by posting No Trespassing signs. By taking these precautions we can avoid becoming victim to poaching and theft.
You can have the best house plan in the world, but if it’s not in a place where you want to wake up every morning, then what’s the point?
Buying land for hunting can turn into one of the best financial investments you ever make.
Soft and furry doesn’t always mean cute and cuddly. No one likes to have pesky vermin invading their living space and when it comes to your hunting cabin, it can be even more annoying.
Even strategically planted trees may need trimming and winter is the time of year to do so.
Septic system compliance inspections are becoming a very important part of most property transactions. Point of sale inspections are usually required by counties and townships, but more buyers and lenders are requiring them as well.
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I don’t know about you but I absolutely love this time of the year. The birds are returning, the Maple sap is flowing, and the sun is still out in the evening.
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The nights are crisp and the days vacillate between freezing, warm, and close to freezing - it's spring in Minnesota!
This year my family and I took part in one of the great time-honored spring traditions as we tapped some of our maple trees and made some liquid gold (maple syrup for the uninitiated). Many vacation property owners have at least a few trees they can tap on their property and it makes for a great family experience. In fact, my kids are convinced that our syrup tastes better than any other they've tried. Also, in these days when we seem to hear of food recalls every week you will at least know where your syrup came from.
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Spring is a wonderful time as we watch the lakes and streams open up, witness the return of the migratory birds, and witness the color returning to the landscape.
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There’s a chill in the air and snow on the ground. The coffee was prepped the night before, guns cleaned and oiled, and the alarm is set for an hour and a half before dawn—yes, it’s deer season.
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Northern Minnesota got cold early this year, but that frigid air came with a big upside: early season icefishing. This year icefishermen were able to get out on Red Lake with their vehicles in November. A friend of mine named Chad Benson guides up there on the Red. He said he’d never seen ice this thick in November.
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Greetings, and welcome to Vacationpropertyloans.com. It’s been an interesting summer up north—some people wonder if we even had one.
Read more ...There are many considerations to look at when buying vacation property. I believe four of the more important questions are: What will its primary use be? Who will use it? Can we afford it? and Who will we finance it with?
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In my 30 years as an insurance agent, I have seen the seasonal cabin evolve from a one- or two-room structure passed down through generations to beautiful, sprawling, multi-level buildings nicer than many people’s primary homes. No matter the square footage or vintage, cabins are always special to those who choose to own them. Family memories are created there: traditions are created and passed on from generation to generation as peaceful times are spent together.
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At Northview Bank we have seen the year begin with a bang. Applications, inquiries, and closings have all been strong. The question we all want to know is “How long will it last?”
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I began to reel in my bobber. Spice, my springer spaniel, cavorted on shore: my only witness. I thought I would cast again since nothing was biting.
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Yes it is true, mortgage lending is changing again! We all remember the “mortgage meltdown” that started in 2008. As a result of the mortgage meltdown, Congress signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. One of the most important aspects of the Dodd-Frank reform laws was the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, also known as the CFPB.
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There’s a yearly tradition my family cherishes. When it approaches the kids count down the days like they’re counting down to Christmas. It’s a time of fish fries, challenging our abilities against weather and the wilderness, and relaxing while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. I am speaking about our annual trip to the Boundary Waters.
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The previous article on the TILA/RESPA Integrated Disclosures (or “Know Before You Owe” mortgage initiative) was a description of how and why we got to these changes. This article will offer a description of the finer details of the new regulations and the required waiting periods. My next article will discuss the steps Northview Bank has taken to help ensure we can offer a smooth transaction in the real estate financing process.
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Septic systems can be very confusing to many prospective homebuyers, especially if you currently live in an area served by city sewer. Septic systems and municipal sewer systems are similar that they both dispose of and treat wastewater.
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This will be my third and final installment on the pending TILA/RESPA/TRID changes the CFPB is implementing effective October 3, 2015. This may be the most relevant of the series for you.
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I remember my first hunting trip to the Dakota territory well. It was mixed with humor, cold weather, and most memorably........Birds, and lots of them.
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The Vacation Property Market Has Experienced a Dramatic Recovery.
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One of the many advantages to owning vacation property is the ability to create memories in different settings that are consistent with your families values and goals. I know many families that choose to spend Christmas at the cabin because it allows them to unplug and focus on each other.
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It appears that we are soon entering a real seller’s market. The average listing time in the Twin Cities is currently only four days.
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One of the best and most meangful investments you can make is in recreational property, and this may be the best time to buy, ever.
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Sunset on Fire. Sunset and fireweed near Floodwood MN.
Maybe you’ve seen our new billboard on Interstate 35. This shot didn’t make the final cut, but we think it’s fun and wanted to share it with you.
