FM REALTORS-Fargo Moorhead Area Association of Realtors

First-Gen Minnesota Homebuyers: Get up to $32,000 in loans to support your down payment and closing costs when you apply to the MN FirstGeneration Homebuyers Community Down Payment Assistance Fund; built to cultivate vibrant, safe, and inclusive communities across the state. Learn more here: https://www.firstgendpa.org/

FM REALTORS® Member Spotlight featuring Jana Swenson!

How long have you been in this industry?
"5 years"
What committees, task forces, and/or leadership positions are you part of, in 2024?
"Professional Development"
What was your first job?
"Hardee's - the old one in North Moorhead when they still made charbroiled burgers!"
What is your favorite restaurant? Why?
"Mango's or Guadalajara's - love Mexican food"
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
”Dog - dogs get the ultimate VIP treatment! You’d have humans catering to your every need, feeding you gourmet kibble, giving you belly rubs on demand, and even picking up after you. Plus, you could take naps anytime and anywhere, and nobody would judge you for it. You'd also get away with barking at the mailman for no good reason, and people would still call you a "good boy." And let's not forget the joy of sticking your head out of a car window, ears flapping in the wind, living your best life. Who wouldn’t want to be a dog, living in the lap of luxury and getting endless love and attention?"
What is one fun fact about yourself?
"I play in the ND Co****le league twice a week plus participate in tournaments."
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
"A fun superpower to have would be the ability to speak and understand all animals. Imagine being able to chat with your dog about their day or getting gardening tips from the birds in your yard. You could ask a squirrel about their acorn stash secrets or get the latest gossip from a neighborhood cat. This superpower would open up a whole new world of communication and hilarity as you navigate life with a chorus of animal friends offering their unique perspectives. Plus, you'd be the life of any party with your incredible stories of animal antics and insights!"

REALTOR® SAFETY TIP
www.nar.realtor/safety

Home Sales through the end of October 2024! They are broken down into Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo and the FMR RMLS Service Area.

The path to homeownership is becoming a reality for First-Gen homebuyers in Minnesota, thanks to the MN First-Generation Homebuyers Community Down Payment Assistance Fund. Receive up to $32,000 in loans to help cover down payment and closing costs. Created to enhance vibrant communities across our state, homeownership in safe, inclusive, and thriving neighborhoods is now a reality. Learn more today: https://www.firstgendpa.org/

Today, November 8, is the LAST day to sign up for a 2025 FMR Committee! Apply today, you'll be glad you did.

Go to bit.ly/FMRCommittees to learn more.

During today's MLS Association Executives Session at NAR NXT, NextHome CEO James Dwiggins shared an important insight: Sellers can earn 5-17% more by listing their property on an MLS.

The MLS isn’t just a tool—it’s a game changer when it comes to getting the most value for your home. 🏠

FM REALTORS® Member Spotlight featuring Business Partner Patrick Buell!

How long have you been in this industry?
"9 years"
What committees, task forces, and/or leadership positions are you part of, in 2024?
"Communications Committee, Current Business Partner of the Year!"
Why did you choose this career?
"I love the excitement about the real estate industry. Being in the closing room with people on one of the most memorable days of their lives is reason enough to love being in the Title & Escrow business."
What is your favorite place to visit? Why?
"Anywhere I can relax on a beach with my family "
What was your first job?
"delivery driver"
What is your charity of choice? Why?
"TNT Kids Fitness- Over the years, I've had the privilege of seeing first hand, how people of all abilities can unlock their potential through movement."
What is your favorite restaurant? Why?
" Taco Johns, Potato Ole's! Because you never know what you had, till it's gone"
What are you most passionate about?
" In 2022, I became a dad. At that single moment, everything in life changed. Getting to watch a tiny human grow, learn to talk, learn to walk and develop a personality has been the greatest experience of my life. "
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
” Penguin!"
What is one fun fact about yourself?
"I've been to all 7 continents"
What did you want to be when you grew up?
" Airline Pilot"
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
" Easy- I would have the superpower of being able to lower interest rates"

It's Election Day! 🗳️ Make a plan, double-check your polling location, bring your ID, and get to the polls. Make your voice heard!

More info for Minnesota residents: www.sos.state.mn.us
More info North Dakota residents: www.sos.nd.gov

The first-time homebuyer market share decreased to a historic low of 24%, while home buyers’ ages hit all-time highs of 56 years overall, 38 years for first-time buyers and 61 years for repeat buyers, according to NAR's 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.

First-Time Home Buyers Shrink to Historic Low of 24% as Buyer Age Hits Record High First-time ($97,000), repeat ($114,300) and typical ($108,800) buyer incomes hit all-time highs.

Owning a home in a safe, inclusive, and thriving Minnesota neighborhood is a dream for many First-Gen homebuyers, and is now within reach! The MN First-Generation Homebuyers Community Down Payment Assistance Fund offers up to $32,000 for down payment and closing costs. Begin your journey now. Learn more and apply today! https://www.firstgendpa.org/

Congratulations to Ryan Mullikin on earning your GRI designation!

Congrats to Ryan Mullikin Beyond Realty! Your hard work and commitment to earning the GRI designation set you apart as a leader in real estate.

FM REALTORS® Member Spotlight featuring Isabel DenOuden!

How long have you been in this industry?
" About 1 year "
What committees, task forces, and/or leadership positions are you part of, in 2024?
" Communications committee "
Why did you choose this career?
" I have always been so interested in the benefits that homeownership can bring Americans. It is such a powerful investment that I feel is not taught enough to individuals and the youth. I want to spread my knowledge to individuals who may not have known before and give them a power to better their future!"
What is your favorite place to visit? Why?
" My favorite place to visit is anywhere with my family"
What was your first job?
" As early as I remember I was helping and working for my parents as they owned their own small business. Basically you could say that I was working since I was in diapers."
What is your biggest fear?
" Living a life with regret... (or heights)"
What is your charity of choice? Why?
"Move United or Bison Stride - both of these organizations fight for individuals with disabilities to gain physical activity. Not only do they provide an environment for these individuals to succeed but they also advocate for the importance of physical activity in all individuals no matter their disability."
What is your favorite restaurant? Why?
" I absolutely love either Spitfire or Blackbird Woodfire because they both have such phenomenally fresh, unique food right here in Fargo!"
What are you most passionate about?
" I am so passionate about the human purpose. Each individual is put on this earth for a reason, and that is such the beautiful part of listening, learning, and teaching other individuals."
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
”DOG, hands down! They live such happy, loving lives!"
What is one fun fact about yourself?
" I got my real estate license at the age of 20!"
What did you want to be when you grew up?
" I wanted to be someone who made a difference. (I still want to be this) "
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
"Mind reading/ Mind control. I would love to know what people are thinking or feeling!"

Yesterday, some of FM REALTORS® staff joined the Home Builders Care of Fargo-Moorhead Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley to build bird feeders, helping garner future interest in the trades!

FM REALTORS® Member Spotlight featuring Kim Schlotfeldt!

How long have you been in this industry?
"16 years"
Why did you choose this career?
"Initially I was working full time in another profession and started with Real Estate to help our kids through college and saw myself working exclusively in Real Estate when I retired."
What was your first job?
"Babysitting of course was first, but my first "paycheck" job was working at Stave's store at the north entrance of Itasca State Park."
What is your biggest fear?
"Snakes"
What is your charity of choice? Why?
"Cass Clay Community Land Trust. The CCCLT's mission is to help people attain home ownership when traditional means are not available. Home ownership has benefits that go so much further than brick and mortar and that is good for our community, especially the kiddos!"
What is your favorite restaurant? Why?
"Doolittles. The food is great. The servers are attentive and happy."
What are you most passionate about?
"Trying to find one thing was very difficult because I am passionate about a lot of things. But, if I have to pick one, it's "Do the right thing, ALL the time". Sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's very hard, but it's our name and our reputation at stake and nothing is worth tarnishing that!"
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
"A hummingbird. Hummingbirds get their nutrition from flowers, so I would be surrounded by beautiful flowers. They go south in the winter to keep warm and fly north in the summer to enjoy the north country."
What is one fun fact about yourself?
"I donated a kidney to my girlfriend in 2005. We have talked every day since our transplant and we continue to look forward to our daily conversations."
What did you want to be when you grew up?
"I am not sure what I want to be when I grow up. I don't feel like I'm there yet!"
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
"I would like to have a wand that when I tap people they would love God, and follow his 2 most important commandments: Love your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. Just think how much better our world would be."

Today's Connection event featured Karli Moch from The Dream Project as our speaker and New Member Induction. Thank you to all who attended and Congratulations to all of our New Members!