Dee Thor Realtor

11/04/2026

Girl, I know you've already saved 47 houses on Zillow. 😂

You've picked your favorite kitchen, mentally decorated the living room, and figured out where the Christmas tree is going.

But can I give you one piece of advice?

Before you fall in love with a house, fall in love with a monthly payment you can actually afford.

Because the last thing I want is for you to find your dream home and then realize the payment would leave you stressed every single month.

And I'm not just talking about qualifying for a mortgage.

I'm talking about what feels comfortable for YOUR life.

You still have groceries to buy.
Kids' activities to pay for.
Vacations you want to take.
Retirement accounts to fund.
And a life outside of your mortgage.

Here's what I'd do BEFORE seriously house hunting:

1️⃣ Talk with a lender and understand your financing options.

2️⃣ Decide on a comfortable monthly payment, not just your maximum approval amount.

3️⃣ Factor in property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, utilities, and maintenance.

4️⃣ Know your estimated cash needed for closing.

5️⃣ THEN start looking at homes that fit your financial picture.

Buying a home should help you build a future, not make you feel financially trapped.

Save this before your next Zillow scrolling session.

And tell me honestly... how many homes are currently saved in your Zillow account? 😂

11/03/2026

That 2.75% mortgage rate has some of us in a chokehold. 😂

And I completely understand why.

Imagine buying your house a few years ago, locking in an amazing interest rate, and now realizing your family needs more space.

The kids are getting bigger. The house feels smaller. You'd love another bedroom, a bigger kitchen, or maybe just a little more breathing room.

But then you look at today's mortgage rates and think...

“Absolutely not. We're staying right here.” 😭

Here's what I want homeowners to consider, though.

Your mortgage rate is ONE part of your financial picture. Not the entire picture.

If you're thinking about moving, look at:
🏡 How much equity you've built.
🏡 What your current home could sell for.
🏡 How much cash you'd have for the next down payment.
🏡 What the actual monthly payment difference would be.
🏡 Whether staying or moving better supports your family's goals.

Sometimes moving makes financial sense.

Sometimes keeping that low rate and remodeling is the smarter decision.

And sometimes the numbers tell you to stay put for another year.

I'm not here to convince you to give up a great mortgage.

I'm here to help you figure out whether that mortgage is helping you build the life you want or keeping you in a house that no longer works.

Save this if you've been having the “Should we move?” conversation at home.

I'm curious: What interest rate would make you seriously consider moving? 👀

11/02/2026

🚨 Twin Cities Homeowners — thinking about selling?

Before you list your home… there are a few things you really need to know first.

I’m hosting a FREE live online class where I’m breaking down exactly how to prepare your home to sell for top dollar in today’s Twin Cities market 🏡✨

📅 Tuesday, November 10th
⏰ 7:00 PM (online)

Here’s the truth…
A lot of homeowners leave thousands on the table without even realizing it — simply because of small mistakes in pricing, prep, or timing.

In this class, I’ll show you:
✔️ The biggest mistakes Twin Cities sellers are making right now
✔️ What buyers are actually looking for in today’s market
✔️ How to position your home so it stands out (and sells faster)
✔️ Simple strategies to maximize your home’s value before you list
I’ve helped many local homeowners navigate this process, and I’m pulling back the curtain on what actually works — no fluff, just real strategy.

✨ If selling is even on your mind… this is for you.

Save your spot here:
https://stan.store/deethorrealtor/p/selling-your-home-avoid-these-5-mistakes-6qs78ter

11/02/2026

Raise your hand if you've checked your home's value on Zillow just to see how rich you supposedly are. 😂🙋🏻‍♀️

Listen, I get it. I would too.

But here's where I need homeowners to be careful.

An online estimate is not the same thing as what someone is actually willing to pay for your home.

Those algorithms are looking at data. They're not walking through your house.

They don't necessarily know that you:
✔️ Replaced your roof two years ago.
✔️ Finished your basement.
✔️ Completely updated your kitchen.
✔️ Have a better layout than the house down the street.
✔️ Back up to a beautiful wooded lot instead of a busy road.

And here's the other side of it.

Sometimes an online estimate is HIGHER than what the current market will support.

That's equally dangerous because you could make financial decisions based on equity that isn't actually there.

When I evaluate a home, I'm looking at recent comparable sales, current competition, condition, location, buyer demand, and how homes in your price range are performing.

The goal isn't to give you the highest number. It's to give you a number you can actually make decisions with.

Because your next move, your down payment, and your financial plans could depend on it.

💗 Save this before relying on an online home value.

Curious what your home might realistically sell for in today's Twin Cities market?

Comment PRICING and I'll help you look at the actual comparable sales.

And tell me... have you ever looked at Zillow and thought, “There's no way my house is worth THAT much”? 😂

11/01/2026

Before you spend $20,000 updating your house to sell it, PLEASE read this. 😅

You do not need to make your house look like a brand-new construction home to attract buyers.

But you DO need to understand what buyers are comparing it to.

Here are 5 things I'd prioritize before listing:

1. First impressions.
Buyers are judging your home before they even walk through the front door. Landscaping, exterior condition, and cleanliness matter.

2. Paint and lighting.
A fresh, neutral paint color and brighter lighting can completely change how a space feels.

3. Decluttering.
Buyers need to picture their own furniture and belongings in the space. Give them room to imagine.

4. Address obvious maintenance issues.
Leaky faucets, damaged trim, broken fixtures. Little things can make buyers wonder what bigger problems they're not seeing.

5. Price it for the competition.
You can have the prettiest house on the block, but if buyers can get more for less somewhere else, that's a problem.

And here's something important: Not every improvement gives you a dollar-for-dollar return.

That's why I always recommend evaluating your home BEFORE you start spending money.

Save this checklist before you start your pre-listing projects.

And tell me: What's ONE thing you'd want to fix before selling your home?

10/31/2026

Can we talk about something that doesn't get discussed enough when selling a house? 😅

Just because your home is listed doesn't mean buyers are going to want it.

I know. Not exactly what homeowners want to hear.

But buyers today have options, and they're paying attention to EVERYTHING.

The price. The photos. The condition. The layout. The other homes they can get for the same money.

And sometimes the difference between a home that sells and one that sits isn't a $30,000 kitchen remodel.

It's the strategy behind how that home is presented and priced.

That's why I put together my home selling tips for Twin Cities homeowners.

Inside, you'll learn how to prepare your home, understand what buyers are looking for, and avoid common mistakes that can cost you time and money.

Because selling your home should involve more than putting it online and hoping somebody falls in love with it.

💗 Comment SELLER and I'll send you my free guide.

Save this for when you're ready to start planning your move!

10/30/2026

If you're thinking about selling your home next spring, I'm going to tell you something most homeowners don't realize.

The work starts months before the FOR SALE sign goes up.

And no, I'm not talking about packing boxes or repainting every room in your house.

I'm talking about knowing:
🏡 What your home could realistically sell for.
🏡 Which improvements are worth your money (and which aren't).
🏡 How much equity you could walk away with.
🏡 Where you're going AFTER you sell.
🏡 How to time everything without feeling like your entire life is in chaos.

Because here's what I see happen all the time.

Homeowners wait until they're ready to move before they start asking questions. Then suddenly they're trying to figure out pricing, repairs, financing, and where they're going to live. All at once.

You don't have to do it that way.

Even if you're 6–12 months away, we can start putting a plan together.

Save this if selling is somewhere on your 2027 vision board.💗

And if you want to get ahead of the spring market, DM me SPRING. We'll figure out what makes sense for your situation.

— Dee Thor | Twin Cities Minnesota Realtor®

10/29/2026

More homes are for sale in the Twin Cities. So why are buyers still taking their time?

Here’s what I’m watching in this week’s market update:

The latest local report counted 12,600 homes for sale, about 13% more than a year ago. But during that same week, 683 homes went under contract, about 19% fewer than last year.

If you’re buying, that could mean more homes to compare and, on some properties, room to discuss price, closing costs, or repairs. It doesn’t mean every seller will negotiate. The home’s condition, price, and local competition still matter.

If you’re selling, buyers have options. Look closely at the homes they’ll compare with yours, and pay attention to what you hear after showings.

There was also a little relief on the financing side: Freddie Mac’s national average 30-year mortgage rate fell from 7.40% to 7.32% on October 22. That’s a small move, but it’s a good reason to ask your lender for an updated payment estimate if you’re actively shopping. Your actual quote may be different.

And for my friends planning to sell one home and buy another, let’s look at both sides together: what you may take away from your sale and what the next home would cost each month.

My advice this week: Use the extra selection to make a thoughtful decision, and negotiate based on the specific home. If you want to know what this looks like in your neighborhood or price range, message me. I’m happy to walk through it with you.

Dee Thor, Realtor | 651-373-8967
[email protected]

Sources: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® weekly report, published October 26 for the week ending October 17⁠ · Freddie Mac mortgage rate survey, October 22⁠

10/22/2026

Bear with me - this is a long post. But it is a MUST READ.

According to a study highlighted by FOX 9, the average Minnesota home costs $45,167 MORE than it did five years ago. That's a 14.4% increase.

And here's the part that really gets me: the study estimates that the annual income needed to afford a home in Minnesota has increased by 91.3% since 2021. NINETY-ONE PERCENT, Y'ALL!!!

YOUR FIRST HOME HAS ONE JOB: TO GET YOU IN THE GAME. THAT'S IT!!!

Listen. I'm going to say something that some of you need to hear.

IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY A HOUSE, BUY THE HOUSE!!!

Not because I'm a Realtor trying to sell you a house. But because I need you to understand something about this housing market.

Five years ago, buying a home in Minnesota was a whole lot more affordable than it is today. And five years from now? We don't know what prices or interest rates will look like.

But here's what I DO know.

Some of you have been waiting for the "perfect" time to buy.

Waiting for home prices to drop.
Waiting for interest rates to come down.
Waiting for the perfect house to hit the market.

And here's the problem with all that waiting.

When interest rates drop, more buyers may jump back into the market. More competition. More bidding wars. And potentially higher home prices.

When home prices come down? Interest rates might be higher, making your monthly payment just as expensive.

YOU'RE WAITING FOR EVERYTHING TO LINE UP PERFECTLY IN A MARKET THAT HAS NEVER PROMISED YOU PERFECT CONDITIONS.

And can we talk about something else?

Your FIRST home does not need to be your FOREVER home!!!

I think that's where a lot of first-time buyers get stuck.

You're shopping for the house you're going to retire in when you haven't even bought your first one yet. 😂

Baby, your starter home has ONE JOB = TO GET YOU IN THE GAME!!!

Buy a home you can comfortably afford.

Build equity as you pay down your mortgage and potentially benefit from appreciation.

When your life and finances are ready, sell it and use that equity toward your next home.

BUY IT. BUILD EQUITY. SELL IT. UPGRADE.

THAT'S THE PLAYYYYY!!! 👏👏👏

And I have a question for some of y'all.

HOW MANY OF YOU GOT PREAPPROVED THIS SPRING/SUMMER AND THEN TALKED YOURSELF OUT OF BUYING NOW?

You kept saying, "Ehhh, let's wait. Something better will come along."

Three months later, interest rates moved, your buying power changed, and now the house you could've afforded this summer might be outside your budget.

THAT'S HOW QUICKLY THE GAME CAN CHANGE.

Now you're sitting there thinking, "Damnnnn. Maybe we should've bought when we had the chance."

Listen, I'm not telling anybody to go buy a house they can't afford. PLEASE DON'T DO THAT.

I'm telling you that if your finances are solid, your monthly payment is comfortable, and buying makes sense for your life, don't let fear keep making the decision for you.

Because the market is always going to give you a reason to wait.

And while you're waiting for the perfect market, life keeps moving.

BOTTOM LINE: BUY WHEN YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY. NOT WHEN THE MARKET IS PERFECT.

Because perfect might never come.

And I'd rather help you buy a home you can comfortably afford today than watch you spend another year wishing you'd made a move when you had the opportunity.

Now tell me something...

Are you waiting because you're genuinely not financially ready, or because you're scared there might be a better deal tomorrow?

Because those are TWO very different conversations.

Lets talk.
Dee Thor | 651-373-8978
[email protected]

Your Twin Cities Minnesota REALTOR®

A new study compared how much more it costs to buy a home in 2026 than it did five years ago in 2021.

10/21/2026

More homes to choose from… so why does buying still feel hard?

That’s the tension in the Twin Cities market right now. Buyers have more options, while the monthly payment is still making people pause.

Here’s your October 21 market update and what it means if you’re thinking about moving:

Buyers have more choices.
The latest weekly report counted 12,512 homes for sale—12.2% more than a year ago. If you haven’t found the right fit, it may be worth refreshing your search.

More inventory can create opportunities to negotiate price, closing costs, or repairs. What’s reasonable still depends on the home and its competition.

Slower activity hasn’t meant a broad drop in prices.
September’s median sale price was $395,000, up 1.3% from last year, even though accepted offers fell 11.7%.

Sellers received an average 97.7% of their original asking price. That’s a market average, so it doesn’t automatically tell you what discount to offer on a particular house.

Your payment deserves as much attention as the price.
Freddie Mac’s national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage held at 7.40% on October 15. Your lender’s quote may differ.

Before making an offer, compare how a lower purchase price versus a seller credit would affect your monthly payment and cash needed at closing. Those can solve different problems.

My take: Buyers have more room to evaluate their options. Sellers need to give buyers a clear reason to choose their home through price, condition, and presentation.

And if you’re selling to buy? Look at your estimated sale proceeds and your next payment together before deciding what makes sense.

Follow along for weekly Twin Cities updates that help you understand how the numbers affect your real-life decisions.

Dee Thor Realtor | REMAX Results
651-373-8967
[email protected]

Sources: Minnesota REALTORS® September report, released October 16; MAR weekly report, published October 19, covering the week ending October 10; Freddie Mac, October 15.