How to Maximize Space in a Smaller Home

Welcome to the cozy charm of smaller homes! Whether you’re downsizing, moving into your first home, or simply embracing a simpler lifestyle, smaller spaces come with their own unique advantages—and a bit of creativity can make them feel as spacious and functional as a much larger home. As your local realtors, we know how important it is to make every square inch of your home work for you. That’s why we’ve put together these tips to help you maximize space and fall in love with your home, no matter its size.

1. Start with a Fresh Canvas

The first step to making the most of your space is to declutter and organize. Think of it as a chance to create a fresh start in…

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Pros and Cons of Buying a Fixer-Upper: Is It Right for You?

Buying a home is a big decision, and for many, the idea of purchasing a fixer-upper can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you're drawn to the potential of creating your dream home or intrigued by the prospect of saving money upfront, there’s a lot to consider before diving in. Let’s explore the pros and cons of buying a fixer-upper to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you!

The Pros of Buying a Fixer-Upper

1. Lower Purchase Price
Fixer-uppers typically cost less than move-in-ready homes, making them an appealing option for buyers on a budget. You can often get more house for your money, even if it needs some TLC.

2. Customization Opportunities
One of the biggest…

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In the bustling world of commercial real estate, effective landlord representation is crucial for maximizing property value and ensuring smooth operations. Whether you’re a seasoned property owner or new to the commercial real estate scene, understanding the role and benefits of landlord representation can significantly impact your investment’s success.

What is Landlord Representation?

Landlord representation in commercial real estate refers to the services provided by a real estate professional or agency that represents the interests of the property owner. This role encompasses a range of activities designed to attract, negotiate with, and retain tenants while managing the property’s leasing and operational aspects.

Key Responsibilities of a…

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The Essential Guide to Tenant Representation in Commercial Real Estate

In the complex world of commercial real estate, tenant representation plays a crucial role in helping businesses find and secure the ideal space for their operations. Whether you’re a startup searching for your first office or an established company looking to expand, understanding the benefits and processes of tenant representation can make a significant difference in achieving your real estate goals. Here’s what you need to know about tenant representation and how it can work for you.

What is it?

Tenant representation is a specialized service provided by commercial real estate brokers who act solely on behalf of tenants, rather than landlords or property owners. These…

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We are so thrilled to have Emajean Hanson-Ford, Executive Director of Douglas County HRA, joining us September 25th for our Investor Meetup! Douglas County HRA, or Housing and Redevelopment Authority, owns 28 public housing located in various communities throughout Douglas County. The agency also owns 5 apartment buildings and 6 duplexes. They provide rental assistance by way of a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, Bridges, and Bridges-like programs. They also have various home improvement and business rehab programs available.

Emajean will be speaking about these programs and the barriers that Landlords and Developers face when utilizing the programs or offering units to HRA clients. 

Bring your questions and join us in a couple weeks to…

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Join us August 28th for our next Lakes Area Investor Meetup! Free to attend and we encourage you to bring friends with you. Aaron will be speaking about things to consider with partnerships, how to potentially structure them, and what to keep in mind. Bring your questions and any deals that you'd like to analyze! It's always a good time :)

As always, we are meeting the 4th Wednesday of the month at 6pm in the third floor conference room at Creative Touch Boutique.

Join us for light appetizers, great networking and an amazing discussion on strategic partnerships!

Not able to make it and looking to reach out to Aaron, give him a call or set up a meeting! 507-841-3398

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Join us July 24th with the one and only, Greg Bowen!! Greg is going to be speaking on all things storage developments! He completed a local 43 unit condo storage development where he took raw land from the planning stages to completion and has sold the units. He will talk about his experience, the steps that he took, and the advice he has for anyone looking to do something similar! Bring your questions and he will dive into them!

As always, we are meeting the 4th Wednesday of the month at 6pm in the third floor conference room at Creative Touch Boutique.

Join us for light appetizers, great networking and an amazing discussion on storage!

Not able to make it and looking to reach out to Greg, give him a call or set up a meeting! 320-304-1010


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This coming Wednesday, April 24th, at 6pm we will have our in-house industry expert and agent, Aaron Conn, leading our Meetup! One of the things we repeatedly get asked is how to analyze deals so he will be discussing the different ways to complete an analysis and then going to run through a few deals! This will be audience lead so bring your questions and any deals you'd like to run through! Join us - 3rd floor conference room of Creative Touch Boutique building!504 Broadway St, Alexandria This is a free, community event so invite others you think could benefit from this event! See you next week!

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The settlement statement is a document used in real estate transactions to outline all the fees and charges associated with the purchase of a property. It includes details such as the purchase price, loan amount, closing costs, and any other expenses related to the transaction. The statement helps both buyers and sellers understand the financial aspects of the deal and ensures transparency in the closing process.

Some items you may find on your settlement statement are -

1. Purchase price: The agreed-upon price for the property being purchased.
2. Loan amount: The amount of money borrowed from a lender to finance the purchase, if applicable.
3. Closing costs: Fees associated with the closing of the transaction, such as title insurance, appraisal…

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