Lakeville

Which Real Estate Agent Helps the Most with Downsizing in Lakeville, MN?

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Thinking about downsizing in Lakeville? Maybe the kids are gone, you’re tired of maintaining a big house, or you just want something simpler. Whatever the reason, downsizing isn’t just about finding a smaller place. It’s about making sure the move actually improves your life instead of adding stress to it.

That’s where I come in.

Why Downsizing in Lakeville Makes Sense Right Now

Lakeville has some of the best downsizing options in the South Metro. You’ve got low-maintenance townhomes, active adult communities, and smaller single-family homes in great neighborhoods. You don’t have to leave the area you love just because you don’t need four bedrooms anymore.

The challenge? Coordinating the sale of your current home, figuring out what to keep and what to let go of, and finding a place that actually fits your next chapter. It’s a lot to juggle, and most agents treat it like any other transaction.

I don’t.

How I Help Lakeville Homeowners Downsize Without the Stress

Downsizing isn’t just about square footage. It’s emotional. It’s practical. And it requires a different approach than selling to a family moving up.

Here’s what working with me looks like:

We Start With Your Goals, Not Mine
Some people want to stay in Lakeville. Some want a ranch with no stairs. Some want to be closer to grandkids or farther from lawn care. I’m not here to push you into something. I’m here to figure out what you actually want and then make it happen.

I Know the Downsizing Market in Lakeville
I know which townhome communities have the best HOAs, which neighborhoods have walkable amenities, and which properties are low-maintenance in name only. That knowledge saves you time and keeps you from making expensive mistakes.

I’ll Help You Sell Your Current Home for What It’s Worth
Your home has probably appreciated quite a bit over the years. I’ll make sure you get top dollar for it so you can move into your next place without financial stress. That means smart pricing, professional marketing, and honest advice about what updates matter and what don’t.

I Make the Transition Easier
Downsizing means dealing with decades of stuff. I can connect you with estate sale companies, movers, organizers, and anyone else you need to make this less overwhelming. You’re not doing this alone.

What Downsizing Clients Say About Working With Me

“Travis was very understanding and patient with me. I started my search about a year ago. My wants and needs were all over the place at that time. I was having a hard time trying to decide if I wanted to purchase another house, If a townhome or a condo would better suit my needs, or, maybe I should just rent an apartment somewhere. After a month or so, I gave up and decided to stay where I was until I could finally decide what I wanted to do. Travis continued to keep in touch throughout the months that followed. I never felt he was putting any pressure on me to make up my mind. I finally decided that I wanted a condo. Travis considered all of the things that were most important to me and found a perfect place within a very short time. He helped me every step of the way and coordinated my closing exactly when I needed it to be. He was always very responsive to all my calls and put my mind at ease every step of the way. Thank you, Travis!” – Linda I.

Common Questions About Downsizing in Lakeville

What’s the best type of home for downsizing in Lakeville?
It depends on your lifestyle. Townhomes and condos are popular because they’re low-maintenance, but some people prefer a smaller single-family home with a yard. We’ll talk through what makes sense for you.

Should I sell my house first or find my new place first?
Usually, I recommend selling first so you know exactly what you’re working with financially. But every situation is different, and we can build a plan that works for your timeline.

How do I know what my current home is worth?
That’s where I come in. I’ll give you an honest market analysis based on current data in Lakeville, not some random Zillow estimate.

Let’s Talk About Your Downsizing Plan

Downsizing is a big decision, and you shouldn’t have to figure it out alone. Let’s sit down and talk about what you want your next chapter to look like. Call or text me at 612-887-9716 to set up a complimentary consultation.

Who’s the Best Real Estate Agent for Selling Your Home in Lakeville?

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Look, if you’re selling your house in Lakeville, you probably want two things: top dollar and as little stress as possible. Fair enough.

I work with sellers all over the South Metro, and Lakeville is one of my favorite markets. Why? Because I know what buyers are looking for here. I know which updates actually move the needle on price and which ones don’t matter. And I know how to position your home so it stands out instead of sitting.

Why Lakeville Sellers Work With Me

Selling isn’t just about throwing your house on Zillow and hoping for the best. It’s about pricing it right from day one, making sure it looks its best, and getting it in front of the buyers who are actually ready to move.

Here’s what that looks like when we work together:

  • I price homes based on current market data, not what Zillow says or what your neighbor thinks. That means you’re competitive from the start.
  • Every listing gets professional photography, staging advice, and a targeted digital marketing plan. That’s standard, not an upsell.
  • I know Lakeville. I know which neighborhoods are hot right now, what buyers care about in this area, and how to talk about your home in a way that gets attention.
  • You’ll always know what’s happening. I don’t disappear after the sign goes up. You get regular updates, honest feedback, and a clear plan from listing to closing.

You’re not just getting a sign in your yard. You’re getting a strategy built around your home, your timeline, and your goals.

What a Recent Seller Said

We feel so lucky to have met Travis by chance at the first house we had interest in when beginning the search for our new home. He made himself available immediately to stop by our current house to help us determine next steps and was very quick to help us submit offers. He’s also great with negotiation and so knowledgeable about the entire home selling and buying process. We found our dream home with his help and got a heck of a deal thanks to his guidance! We are relieved to finally be home sweet home but will definitely miss his friendly and professional services that are of the highest quality!responsive, honest, and really fought for us during negotiations. We got a great price and closed on our timeline.” – Molly. V., Lakeville

Let’s Talk About Your Home

Want to know what your home’s worth and how we’d sell it? Let’s talk. Text or call me at 612-887-9716 and we’ll set something up.

Top Questions About Selling Your Home This Winter

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Top Questions About Selling Your Home This Winter | MyKCM

There’s no denying the housing market is undergoing a shift this season, and that may leave you with some questions about whether it still makes sense to sell your house. Here are three of the top questions you may be asking – and the data that helps answer them – so you can make a confident decision.

1. Should I Wait To Sell?

Even though the supply of homes for sale has increased in 2022, inventory is still low overall. That means it’s still a sellers’ market. The graph below helps put the inventory growth into perspective. Using data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), it shows just how far off we are from flipping to a buyers’ market:

Top Questions About Selling Your Home This Winter | MyKCM

While buyers have regained some negotiation power as inventory has grown, you haven’t missed your window to sell. Your house could still stand out since inventory is low, especially if you list now while other sellers hold off until after the holiday rush and the start of the new year.

2. Are Buyers Still Out There?

If you’re thinking of selling your house but are hesitant because you’re worried buyer demand has disappeared in the face of higher mortgage rates, know that isn’t the case for everyone. While demand has eased this year, millennials are still looking for homes. As an article in Forbes explains:

“At about 80 million strong, millennials currently make up the largest share of homebuyers (43%) in the U.S., according to a recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) report. Simply due to their numbers and eagerness to become homeowners, this cohort is quite literally shaping the next frontier of the homebuying process. Once known as the ‘rent generation,’ millennials have proven to be savvy buyers who are quite nimble in their quest to own real estate. In fact, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say they are the key to the overall health and stability of the current housing industry.”

While the millennial generation has been dubbed the renter generation, that namesake may not be appropriate anymore. Millennials, the largest generation, are actually a significant driving force for buyer demand in the housing market today. If you’re wondering if buyers are still out there, know that there are still people who are searching for a home to buy today. And your house may be exactly what they’re looking for.

3. Can I Afford To Buy My Next Home?

If current market conditions have you worried about how you’ll afford your next move, consider this: you may have more equity in your current home than you realize.

Homeowners have gained significant equity over the past few years and that equity can make a big difference in the affordability equation, especially with mortgage rates higher now than they were last year. According to Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American:

“. . . homeowners, in aggregate, have historically high levels of home equity. For some of those equity-rich homeowners, that means moving and taking on a higher mortgage rate isn’t a huge deal—especially if they are moving to a more affordable city.” 

Bottom Line

If you’re thinking about selling your house this season, let’s connect so you have the expert insights you need to make the best possible move today.

* This post first appeared here.

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Home Equity: A Source of Strength for Homeowners Today

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Home Equity: A Source of Strength for Homeowners Today | Simplifying The Market

Experts agree there’s no chance of a large-scale foreclosure crisis like we saw back in 2008, and that’s good news for the housing market. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, says:

“. . . don’t expect a housing bust like the mid-2000s, as lending standards in this housing cycle have been much tighter and homeowners have historically high levels of home equity, so there likely won’t be a surge in foreclosures.”

Data from the Mortgage Bankers Association(MBA) helps tell this story. It shows the overall percentage of homeowners at risk is decreasing significantly with time (see graph below):But even though the volume of homeowners at risk is very low, there is still a small percentage of homeowners who may be coming face to face with foreclosure as a possibility today. If you’re facing difficulties yourself, it can help to understand your options. It starts with knowing what foreclosure is. Investopedia defines it like this:

“Typically, default is triggered when a borrower misses a specific number of monthly payments . . .Foreclosure is the legal process by which a lender attempts to recover the amount owed on a defaulted loan by taking ownership of and selling the mortgaged property.” 

The good news is there are alternatives available to help you avoid going through the foreclosure process, including:

  • Reinstatement
  • Loan modification
  • Deed-in-lieu of foreclosure
  • Short sale

But before you go down any of those paths, it’s worth seeing if you have enough equity in your home to sell it and protect your investment.

You May Be Able To Use Your Equity To Sell Your House

Equity is the difference between what you owe on the home and its market value based on factors like price appreciation. In today’s real estate market, many homeowners have far more equity in their homes than they realize due to the home price appreciation we’ve seen over the past few years. According to CoreLogic:

“The total average equity per borrower has now reached almost $300,000, the highest in the data series.”

So, what does that mean for you? If you’ve lived in your house for at least a few years or more, chances are your home’s value, and your equity, has risen dramatically. In addition, the mortgage payments you’ve made during that time chipped away at the balance of your loan. If your home’s current value is higher than what you still owe on your loan, you may be able to use that increase to your advantage. Rick Sharga, Executive VP of Market Intelligence at ATTOM Data, explains how equity can help:

“Very few of the properties entering the foreclosure process have reverted to the lender at the end of the foreclosure. . . We believe that this may be an indication that borrowers are leveraging their equity and selling their homes rather than risking the loss of their equity in a foreclosure auction.”

Lean on Experts To Explore Your Options

To find out how much equity you have, work with a local real estate professional. They can give you an estimate of what your house could sell for based on recent sales of similar homes in your area. You may be able to sell your house to avoid foreclosure. If you find out you have to pursue other options, your agent can help with that too. They’ll be able to connect you with other professionals in the industry, like housing counselors, who can look into your unique situation and offer advice on next steps if selling isn’t your best alternative.

Bottom Line

If you’re a homeowner facing hardship, let’s connect so you have an expert on your side to explore your options and see if you can sell your house to avoid foreclosure.

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3 Trends That Are Good News for Today’s Lakeville Homebuyers

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3 Trends That Are Good News for Today’s Homebuyers | MyKCM

While higher mortgage rates are creating affordability challenges for homebuyers this year, there is some good news for those people still looking to buy a home. This is especially true here in Lakeville, MN where we are seeing more new construction homes available to buyers.

As the market has cooled this year, some of the intensity buyers faced during the peak frenzy of the pandemic has cooled too. Here are just a few trends that may benefit you when you go to buy a home today.

1. More Homes To Choose from

During the pandemic, housing supply hit a record low at the same time buyer demand skyrocketed. This combination made it difficult to find a home because there just weren’t enough to meet buyer demand. According to Calculated Risk, the supply of homes for sale increased by 39.5% for the week ending October 28 compared to the same week last year.

Even though it’s still a sellers’ market and supply is still lower than more normal levels, you have more to choose from in your home search. That makes finding your dream home a bit less difficult.

2. Bidding Wars Have Eased

One of the top stories in real estate over the past two years was the intensity and frequency of bidding wars. But today, things are different. With more options, you’ll likely see less competition from other buyers looking for homes. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average number of offers on recently sold homes has declined. This September, the average was 2.5 offers per sale. In contrast, last September, the average was 3.7 offers per sale.

If you tried to buy a house over the past two years, you probably experienced the bidding war frenzy firsthand and may have been outbid on several homes along the way. Now you have a chance to jump back into the market and enjoy searching for a home with less competition.

3. More Negotiation Power

And when you have less competition, you also have more negotiating power as a buyer. Over the last two years, more buyers were willing to skip important steps in the homebuying process, like the appraisal or inspection, to try to win a bidding war. But the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the percentage of buyers waiving those contingencies is going down.

As a buyer, this is good news. The appraisal and the inspection give you important information about the value and condition of the home you’re buying. And if something turns up in the inspection, you have more power today to renegotiate with the seller.

A survey from realtor.com confirms more sellers are accepting offers that include contingencies today. According to that report, 95% of sellers said buyers requested a home inspection, and 67% negotiated with buyers on repairs as a result of the inspection findings.

Bottom Line

While buyers still face challenges today, they’re not necessarily the same ones you may have been up against just a year or so ago. If you were outbid or had trouble finding a home in the past, now may be the moment you’ve been waiting for. Home buyers in the Lakeville area have plenty of options between new construction and existing homes on the market. Let’s connect to start the homebuying process today.

* This post was first published here.

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