Every short sale is different so this begs the following basic questions…

Why does a short sale happen? The most obvious answer is that a homeowner needs to sell their home but the market no longer supports what they owe on the home.

What is a short sale? Very similar to a traditional sale with the exception that the bank holding the current mortgage needs to agree to the sale along with the sellers.

Why are short sales different? The seller is accepting an offer on the property that is less than what is owed. Therefore bank approval is necessary.

How do they work? Not one is alike. Some banks will only approve a short sale if the seller is behind on payments. Some short sales work more smoothly if the sellers are current on their payments.

While the answers are vast and broad, I found an excellent segment on the Edina Realty website that does a great job breaking it down to the basics and explaining the details of a short sale.

• View the Edina Realty Short Sale Article

The challenges and nuances of a short sale present a real estate process that definitely needs a Realtor’s attention. An experienced Realtor will know how to prepare, navigate and manage the process when buying or selling a short sale home.

If you possibly need to sell your home in Buffalo via a short sale, I can help you through the process. Please contact me to get answers to your short sale questions!

MLS #3852417 is a 5 bedroom, 3 bath home that has been perfectly cared for in the Mills Woods Neighborhood.

Home for sale in Mills Woods Neighboorhood in Buffalo

This Buffalo split entry home feels more like a rambler with its inviting layout. It’s spacious, clean and bright with a unique floor plan starting at the surprisingly large entryway and ending with the lovely family room with gas fireplace and custom built-ins.

Living room with spacious windows and natural light.

Another great feature is the homes location, just a few blocks (walking distance) from Northwinds Elementary School in Buffalo.  Mature trees, a backyard patio and storage shed complete the backyard.

If you are interested in this Buffalo, MN home for sale or any other Buffalo home, please contact me.

102 17th Street South - Buffalo, MN 55313

Just blocks from Buffalo Lake and Wild Marsh Golf Course you’ll enjoy this great location with easy access to Hwy 25.  The house has a newer roof, windows and gutters and is currently listed at $168,500.  This home is incredibly clean and well maintained. This is a great home for family and entertaining with spacious spaces that flow nicely together.

MLS #3846627 - Living room & dining room, walkout to deck

Finished lower level family room is 22x19

• View more photos & details on the Buffalo home for sale

If you want to view this home or any other Buffalo home for sale, please contact me, I’d love to help you find your first home or next home.

Homes eligible for purchase will be:

• located in the target neighborhoods of Buffalo Hills and Grandview
• foreclosed and currently vacant
• owner-occupied/home buyers primary residence
• discounted 1% off current market value through purchase offer and negotiations

Will I be Eligible?
Buffalo home buyers who meet the program income guidelines and can qualify for a first mortgage through a local lender will be eligible to utilize the assistance funding. Income limits are based on family size and are listed below.

Family Size & Annual Gross Household Income Limits
1 Person – $70,500
2 Persons – $80,550
3 Persons – $90,600
4 Persons – $100,700
5 Persons -  $108,750
6 Persons – $116,800
7 Persons – $124,850
8 Persons – $132,900

Please check out the website www.cmhp.net or contact Lenee at the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership for more information: 320-259-0393 or lenee@cmhp.net

As a Buffalo, MN Realtor, I can help you with this program as well.  Please contact me.

2368 Barton Avenue NW in Buffalo, MN 55313

This estate offers exquisite landscaping complete with fountains, rolling hills, mature trees, a fire pit and three ponds.

It’s hard to imagine an estate more set-up for family and friend gatherings.  The property includes a park-size playground, gorgeous in-ground pool (w/ diving board, slide, fountains & lighting), lighted hockey rink, fire pit and a huge 2-tier deck overlooking the pool, playground and beautiful landscapes.

Swimming pool, patio, 2 tier deck and more

Inside the home features a unique use of natural wood, tile granite and stone throughout the 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms.  The home gives a spacious, flowing, yet cozy feeling on each level.

Spacious gourmet kitchen & center island

There is a state of the art audio / video system throughout with a massive home theater, including an outdoor sound system. No expense was spared with attention to every detail on the lighting design both inside and out.

• View more on this incredible listing on my featured listings.

If you have any questions on this home, other Buffalo homes for sale, or are looking to sell your home, please contact me.

Rodeo Hills Neighborhood Entrance on Hwy 25

Rodeo Hills is a development that features many open lots for building as well as current homes for sale.  The development was created just as the housing market downturn hit and thus offers many great home values.  The Rodeo Hills neighborhood offers rolling terrain, some tree coverage, a public park and wetlands.

Just one street of the Rodeo Hills development

Park & pavilion in Rodeo Hills Buffalo

There are currently 4 homes for sale in Rodeo Hills of Buffalo, MN:

• MLS #3684373 – 1903 Cattle Court – $299,900
• MLS #3686093 – 2314 Bronco Lane – $349,900
  
• MLS #3831653 – 2101 Buffalo Run Road – $239,000

If you are interested in seeing any of the homes for sale in Rodeo Hills, or selling your Rodeo Hills home, please contact me.

A new event for this year is The Taste Of Buffalo. The Buffalo Area Chamber of  Commerce is sponsoring the first-ever “Taste of Buffalo” – a combination of Food! Fun! & Music!

• The Taste of Buffalo takes place on Thursday, September 24 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Buffalo Civic Center.

It currently has over 20 local vendors signed up including: A Catered Event, Angenos, BankWest, Bernick’s Pepsi, Bison Creek Bar & Dining, BryanJohn’s Grillworks, Buffalo Wine & Spirits, Coborns, Coffee Connection, Crostini’s Grille, Cub, Custom Roasting, Deer Lake Orchard, Elegant Entrees, Gold’s Gym, Kwik Trip, McDonalds, Petty Brothers Meats, Inc., Red’s Café & Catering, Tastefully Simple, Thorpe Distributing, Wal-Mart and Woodland Hill Winery.

The event is open to the public that night to come out and sample all the available food, wine and beer.

Get Your Tickets
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Must be 21 or older to attend. Purchase tickets at: Chamber, KleinBank, Bankwest, Coffee Connection, Coborn’s, Sole Comfort Shoes and Cub will be selling them after Labor Day.

There will also be live music by the Annandale Community Band, Maple Lake Jazz Band and Mary Lynne Wolfe-pianist.

Great Community Events
Community events, both traditional and new, make Buffalo, MN a great place to live.  If you are interested in homes for sale in Buffalo, contact me. I’d love to help!

1st Missed Payment-Lender calls and sends letter to the homeowner.

2nd Missed Payment-Collections department continues calls and letters (30 day default letter is sent to the homeowner).

3rd Missed Payment-Collections efforts continue; transfer to foreclosure department (‘Notice of Intent to Foreclose’ is sent to the homeowner).

4th Missed Payment- Account is forwarded to foreclosing attorney. Legal fees accrue and attorney sends notice to homeowner.

5th Missed Payment-Foreclosing attorney schedules Sheriff’s Sale date (Sherrif’s Sale date is published for 6 consecutive weeks).

6th Missed Payment-Occupant served with notice of Sherrif’s Sale (4 weeks before the sale).

7th Missed Payment-Sherrif’s Sale occurs (this is the deadline for the homeowner to bring the mortgage current).

Minnesota has a 6 month ‘right of redemption’ period immediately following the Sherrif’s Sale, although this period can be shortened to 5 weeks, if the sale was postponed by the homeowner. During the redemption period, the homeowner retains the right to occupy the house and pay off the entire Sherrif Sale amount, including fees. However, they must pay this amount or vacate the house by the end of the redemption period(or face eviction).

Foreclosure = Opportunity
Clearly, with the large volume of foreclosures in the state of MN…foreclosure homes are rampid in our current housing inventory. This presents a great opportunity for general consumers and investors alike. There are many Buffalo, MN area homes priced at incredible values, some range from needing a little TLC to a massive reconstruction, while others are move-in ready and just great for first time home buyers.

If you’d like to see foreclosure properties in your area, please contact me.

Bella Vista neighborhood entrance

Located to the west side of Buffalo, the neighborhood sits by a small lake and features a neighborhood playground and swimming pool.  Bella Vista offers a great neighborhood setting with a mix of 2-story homes and ramblers.  There are still lots / homesites available for building a custom home as well.

Bella Vista neighborhood swimming pool

A few of the Bella Vista homes on Bella Vista Drive - Buffalo, MN

Bella Vista Neighborhood – Buffalo Homes For Sale
There are currently 3 homes for sale in Bella Vista.  These homes are listed below, with their August 24th price, with a link to their MLS listing on the Edina Realty website:

• 1411 Bella Vista Circle – MLS #3802116 – $239,900
• 1410 Bella Vista Circle – MLS #3683072 – $269,900
• 1409 Allison Way – MLS#3651597 – $439,000

If you would like to view any of these Bella Vista homes or other Buffalo homes for sale, please contact me.

Northwinds Elementary in Buffalo

Buffalo, MN Schools – District 877
With one child entering the school system and 2 more in the future, I feel great about the teachers and staff in the Buffalo School system.  A quality school system is so important to families when considering where they will call home.  Buffalo has 9 schools within their system in the communities of Buffalo, Hanover and Montrose.

Buffalo Senior High School also has great sports and other activities outside of classes for students.  BHS is a very well rounded and respected school.

If you are looking to call Buffalo home, contact me.  I’d be more than happy to share more on Buffalo’s schools and everything else this great community and area has to offer.