Twin Cities Real Estate Blog

This just came through my email… is it down due to a problem with the vendors web site or due to unprecedented demand?  Only time will tell…
Office of Energy Security, Minnesota Department of Commerce
ENERGY STIMULUS UPDATE
Monday, March 1, 2010
Rebate Web Site Unavailable
 
We are aware that Appliance Rebate website is currently unavailable.
We are working with the [...]

The Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Office of Energy Security (what a mouthful) has just released more information on their energy star appliance rebate program.
On March 1 @ 8am the website and a phone number will launch with a rebate reservation system – residents will have to pre-register for the rebate and receive a specific reservation [...]

The IRS released the tax form required for claiming the new version of the home buyer tax credit on January 15th.  If you’re planning on claiming the credit, know that the IRS will require documentation proving you purchased the home in the eligible period.  Since this documentation will not be electronically submittable, you will have [...]

The housing boom brought us a slew of new community developments including condos, townhomes and retail/condo buildings.  While financing on townhomes is still doable, financing options for condo & mixed-use buildings is becoming very difficult.  The developments with the hardest time getting financing are the ones that have had the highest rates of foreclosure.
So many condos built from 2005-2008 in [...]

As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed new legislation that:

Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010.
Expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners [...]

This is the latest information available (as of 1/4/2010) from the State of Minnesota’s “Office of Energy Security” web site.  With an expected program start date of March 1, 2010 and money available for only approximately 25,000 homeowners, it will be important to keep a close eye on this!
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Trade-in & Save Appliance Program
Targeted for a [...]

My friend Ed Nelson over at the Minnesota Home Ownership Center (MNHOC) posted information about their new program to help homeowners AFTER their foreclosure on their blog.  Here is an excerpt from that post:
The Minnesota Home Ownership Center is pleased to announce a new pilot program that may assist families AFTER the foreclosure of their [...]