Ask the Realtor

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Meet Rod Tietz, the little guy who helps in big ways!

For the past 15 years he has helped 100’s of satisfied customers buy and sell homes as a real estate agent and broker. 

Through this, he has built a base of knowledge and experience to guide clients through any real estate opportunity with confidence.

Ask Rod your question and he will personally address the specifics of your inquiry.

Thinking of Buying or Selling? Ask the Realtor!

Ask the Realtor Topics

Bankers or Mortgage Brokers?

The financing of real estate can be done with a banker or a mortgage broker. These professionals have different lending objectives and, as purchaser, you need to understand which of these choices is best for you. Sometimes a buyer will be rejected for a loan from one source, and secure financing with the other a short time later.

Rod has explained to clients the benefits of both and helped them choose the best option for their mortgage.

 

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Selecting a Buyers Agent

Many times, buyers call a phone number in an ad or on a sign to tour a home.  Without knowing it, they may become an “in-house lead" in that real estate brokerage.  Then they may be assigned to an agent at a discounted service fee. The buyer may, or may not, receive great service from that agent.

Rod helps buyers understand their value to an agent.  This ensures they get the maximum value from their agent.

 

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First Time Home Buyers

There is nothing more exciting than buying your first home. With limited funds, many set out to buy a house without understanding their true negotiation potential.

Rod has helped many clients become qualified buyers and draft winning offers to secure a home.

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Preparing a Home for Sale

When listing a home for sale, sellers often ask for suggestions on what they should do.  There is a basic checklist that can be followed, as well as in-depth tactics, to secure the desired sale price.  No two homes are alike, and every plan is customized to the characteristics of the property.

Rod has helped numerous people prepare real estate for sale.

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Painters, Plumbers, Roofers

Past clients and home owners who are thinking of selling often call looking for a referral for service contractors.Rod has contacts for just about everything and, when requested, can give a quality referral. All the companies are proven and worthy of the TrueLife endorsement.Request a service referral now.

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"Big" House Problems

Sellers are often fearful of "big" house problems such, as leaky basements, foundation issues, window problems, and bad roofs as they may not have cash for the repair. You have options in these situations that can be a "win-win" for you and the buyer.Rod has helped sellers, and buyers, with creative solutions to address these concerns.

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Maximum Exposure to Sell Homes

Creating a marketing plan that provides exposure and delivers a qualified buyer is what home sellers want.Rod has created a custom marketing platform that uses video to sell properties across the internet 24/7 and is happy to demonstrate videos that have sold homes.

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Selling Your Home on Facebook

Social media offers the latest platform to reach buyers fast. The mechanics of marketing in this new world are continually changing.  This forces realtors to become creators of custom content using print and video.Rod understands social media marketing.

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Rental or Investment Property

The thought of being a landlord and having a tenant make payments directly into your bank to build cash flow and equity appeals to many. The purchase is the simple step of the process. Analyzing a property’s return potential, plus understanding the rules and risks of dealing with renters, is the challenge.Rod has helped many clients purchase investment property.

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Flipping Houses for Profit

Cable TV has numerous programs demonstrating how investors can buy a home and then renovate, or add improvements, to increase the value and make a profit.Rod has helped flipping entrepreneurs buy homes and sell them for a profit. He has also seen people fail.  He can help you analyze your options.

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Building a House

Many times, building a house is your lifelong dream. Questions arise such as:
How do I start?

Do I buy a lot?

Do I need an architect?

How do I pick a builder?

Rod has helped many people start with a sketch and manage the process to arrive at the buyers’ dream home.

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$0 Down Financing, Grant Money and Down Payment Assistance

Buyers are often excited that the path to home-ownership does not always rely on saving for a down payment or relying on gifts from relatives. A strategic advantage to consider is learning what lender resources are available for funding assistance. It’s almost like securing "free money.” Zero Down or Incentive Loans have requirements and conditions.

Rod has helped buyers find and analyze these loan programs.

Ask your question about $0 Down and Incentive Loans now!

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Buying a House with Less than Perfect Credit

Not everyone has "perfect" credit. However, the government believes that home ownership is good for the United States by helping create a vibrant economy. Therefore, consideration is given to credit score, offering options to expand the buying pool. Discussing credit is considered confidential information between a client and a realtor.

Rod understands the minimum credit requirements to purchase.

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Buying after Foreclosure or Short Sale

Many people have lost a house to foreclosure, or short sale, and are renting. They often wonder if they can buy again. There are specific time requirements and credit rebuilding actions that need to occur, but the answer is YES!  It is often faster than one might think.

Rod has helped numerous clients buy after foreclosure or short sale.

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Selling Your House to Wholesale Companies

You will see signs on street corners, receive post cards in the mail or hear radio advertisements for wholesale buyers. These organizations promote cash for a quick sale that relieves the seller of property responsibility. There is a distinct formula these buyers follow, and it may, or may not, be in your best interest to wholesale a property.Rod understands this buying technique being offered and can help analyze if it is right for you.

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The Language of Real Estate

The world of real estate has a vocabulary all its own. It is a combination of slang, legal, financing, and industry-standard terms that can be confusing to those buying and selling homes.Rod has been an interpreter to all his clients, resulting in exceptional understanding of the language.

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The Importance of Titles

Every property has a title showing the rightful owner, or owners. The title, and all matters affecting the title, are recorded at the county Recorders office. Transferring a "clean" title is a requisite for a property sale.Rod understands property titles and has helped buyers, and sellers, with title issues.

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Divorce

Sometimes marriages dissolve requiring the sale of real estate. Trust, and the ability to communicate reliable information between the parties, is a necessity. Rod has helped numerous clients sell property to the terms of their separation agreement.

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Foreclosure

The process of foreclosure is stressful but, in some instances, the process leaves opportunities for people to sell their home and make a return. Rod has helped one client secure $80,000 another $50,000 another $30,000 and even had one person buy his home back from the lender for only $24,000.

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Short Sales

A short sale is an option available to buyers falling behind on mortgage payments.Rod has learned the short sale process and the rights that home owners have in this situation. He has helped buyers analyze if a short sale is the best option for them. Rod has helped clients successfully execute short sales, as well as pursue the other options available to them.

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Planning and Zoning Questions

Every property is under the jurisdiction of a planning and zoning department for a local governing authority. Ordinances are the adopted rules and regulations that govern property and can be difficult to understand.Rod has interacted with government planning personnel on the behalf of buyers and sellers to ensure they have a full understanding of the property in a real estate transaction.

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Living in an Association

Buyers of all ages sometimes opt to purchase association-maintained property with the goal of eliminating lawn mowing, snow removal and exterior maintenance in exchange for a monthly fee. Before signing on the dotted line, buyers need to have a thorough understanding of what they are legally bound to and the risks of noncompliance according the master covenants and rules.Rod has helped many people review the paperwork to MN Commerce Department guidelines and execute successful purchase agreements that are under association management.

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Small Acreage and Hobby Farms

Buyers often want large lots for gardening, animals, or hobbies so they look for rural properties. Country life offers everything from turn of the century farm houses with outbuildings, to exclusive executive homes in planned neighborhoods complete with walking trails, golf courses, and lake access. Well and septic systems are the sources of water and sewer. The governing authority of these properties is usually a combination of county and township planning personnel.Rod understands small acreage.

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Cabins and Lake Homes

MN is the land of 10,000 lakes and many residents own cabins and lake homes.Rod has developed lake property. He has owned and sold recreational lake property. He understands the process for buying lake property and has strategies to help you secure “first looks” on new properties. He knows how to position lake property for a sale. Most importantly, lake properties fall under DNR oversight and he can guide you through their requirements.

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