Good Day and Thanks for Visiting! Since 2006 I have been working in real estate and helping buyers and sellers of all types of property including vacant land, lots, farmland, commercial property, multifamily units, lake property, rural and city homes. In 2007 I set up my own office with Sky Lodge Properties, Inc. and then in 2010 I started Sky Lodge Properties MN, LLC and became the broker for that company. The area I serve covers Eastern North Dakota and West Central Minnesota.
Currently I live in Hawley with son Eddie born in 2009; and daughter Ingrid born in 2013. Long before starting a family my first goal was to become a teacher. I attended the University of North Dakota while getting my teaching degree and playing football there for 4 years. After graduating I taught school near Seattle, Washington and then in Anchorage, Alaska. After my teaching days I worked in Bozeman, Montana as a wild land firefighter and in Scottsdale, Arizona as supervisor at the Phoenician Resort. Following those stops I landed back in the Hawley area and worked as a house framer and dry wall tape/texture/painter. These last occupations led me to have a great interest in housing and all the details that go into homes. Real estate and all its components are my passion. I look forward to an opportunity to serve you for all your real estate needs.
Memberships/Affiliations:
Currently I live in Hawley with son Eddie born in 2009; and daughter Ingrid born in 2013. Long before starting a family my first goal was to become a teacher. I attended the University of North Dakota while getting my teaching degree and playing football there for 4 years. After graduating I taught school near Seattle, Washington and then in Anchorage, Alaska. After my teaching days I worked in Bozeman, Montana as a wild land firefighter and in Scottsdale, Arizona as supervisor at the Phoenician Resort. Following those stops I landed back in the Hawley area and worked as a house framer and dry wall tape/texture/painter. These last occupations led me to have a great interest in housing and all the details that go into homes. Real estate and all its components are my passion. I look forward to an opportunity to serve you for all your real estate needs.
Memberships/Affiliations:
The Real Estate Process
The purchasing of a home or vacant land involves many steps even some before you begin your search for just the right property.
Step 1) Get Pre-approved. Get pre-approved for a loan or if paying cash get a letter from your bank verifying you have funds available to purchase. This step is important so you can see exactly how much you can afford or how much you feel comfortable paying for a property. In the past I have worked with people that looked at homes in the $100,000 price range. After they finally got pre-approved they realized they could afford homes in the $150,000 price range. We looked at a lot of homes and they had to start the searching process all over again. The links below are a few good options for lenders.
Step 1) Get Pre-approved. Get pre-approved for a loan or if paying cash get a letter from your bank verifying you have funds available to purchase. This step is important so you can see exactly how much you can afford or how much you feel comfortable paying for a property. In the past I have worked with people that looked at homes in the $100,000 price range. After they finally got pre-approved they realized they could afford homes in the $150,000 price range. We looked at a lot of homes and they had to start the searching process all over again. The links below are a few good options for lenders.
Step 2) Decide if You Want to Build or Buy an Existing Home. Depending on your taste, size of home and location of the lot, building just might be an option. Below is a the contact information for some local builders.
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Justin Martin Construction
218-790-2385 |
Eric Wermager Contruction
701-540-7627 |
D & U Construction
218-233-7739 |
Step 3) Search for the Area You Want to Live In. Once you have settled on a community or area of town that fits your needs Sky Lodge Properties can focus the search to find you just the right place. I personally look everyday to see what new properties have come on the market and what properties have lowered their prices. This strategy ensures you will be one of the first to know what is happening in your housing market. Being a member to 2 different Multiple Listing Services (Fargo/Moorhead Area and Lakes Country Association in Detroit Lakes) provides the best opportunities to follow and react to the ever changing real estate market.
Step 4) Writing a Purchase Agreement/Negotiating/Coming to Terms. The Purchase Agreements used by Sky Lodge Properties help protect both buyers and sellers interests by conforming to state, city and county laws. The Purchase Agreement itself is "A Promise to Buy & A Promise to Sell." By comparing the home involved in the sale to other homes that have sold which are similar to the subject property Sky Lodge Properties can show you true market value of any home. Once both parties come to agreement on price and terms we start moving toward "Closing" or the date of the sale. Most purchases or sales take between 30 to 45 days to complete as further steps need to be taken before the transaction can be complete.
Step 5) Get a Home Inspection. Home inspections are always recommended which gives buyers a non-biased look at all components of a home. From foundation inspections to walking on the roofs, home inspectors check out all aspects of a property's condition. The final report given to the home buyer will contain great feedback on all aspects of a home and possible upcoming repairs that the property may need. Below are links to area home inspectors.
Step 4) Writing a Purchase Agreement/Negotiating/Coming to Terms. The Purchase Agreements used by Sky Lodge Properties help protect both buyers and sellers interests by conforming to state, city and county laws. The Purchase Agreement itself is "A Promise to Buy & A Promise to Sell." By comparing the home involved in the sale to other homes that have sold which are similar to the subject property Sky Lodge Properties can show you true market value of any home. Once both parties come to agreement on price and terms we start moving toward "Closing" or the date of the sale. Most purchases or sales take between 30 to 45 days to complete as further steps need to be taken before the transaction can be complete.
Step 5) Get a Home Inspection. Home inspections are always recommended which gives buyers a non-biased look at all components of a home. From foundation inspections to walking on the roofs, home inspectors check out all aspects of a property's condition. The final report given to the home buyer will contain great feedback on all aspects of a home and possible upcoming repairs that the property may need. Below are links to area home inspectors.
Step 6) Get an Appraisal. An appraisal justifies a sales price. The appraiser looks at other sold properties similar to the subject property and verifies that the price is reasonable. If you are using a bank or lender they will order this for you and this cost will be a part of the closing costs you pay on the day of closing. If you are paying cash for a property you are not required to have an appraisal. Some local appraisers are below:
American Appraisal Company: Jason LaCuta 218-439-3940
Tinjum Appraisal Company: Marilynn Tinjum 218-847-1368
Genz Appraisal Service: Jeff Genz 218-847-3443
Alland Appraisals: David Alland 701-388-1447
Step 7) Get Homeowner's Insurance. Be sure when you shop around for homeowners insurance you let your insurance agent know your day of closing and especially remember to contact them if the day of closing changes. If you forget this you could be losing money. The companies below are some good options for insurance agents.
Mike Nordby 218-844-3590
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Deb Rundle 218-483-3418
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Jill Henning 701-237-1178
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Step 8) Closing/The Date of Sale. Be sure to have contacted all your utility companies including providers of natural gas/propane, electric, water, sewer, garbage, television/internet/phone providers to let them know the day you are purchasing or selling. Below are some links to closing company websites that will walk you through the proper documents to ensure your closing is done right.