A Realtor Who Sees Homes From Two Angles

Alex Mysinek welcomed Tiffany Waalen to the podcast to talk about what it takes to serve buyers and sellers in the North Metro while raising a young family. Tiffany is a full-time realtor, a mom of four girls all under six and a half, and she has an advantage most agents do not: her husband has been a home builder for twenty years. He is able to join her on site visits and new build walkthroughs and offer another perspective that helps protect her clients’ interests.

From Financial Services to Real Estate

Tiffany has been a full-time realtor for almost two years and in the business for about three. Before that, she spent roughly fifteen years in financial services at a large firm, working in everything from sales to project management. She lives in Andover and has resided in the North Metro all her life, but she serves buyers and sellers across the Twin Cities, from Andover to Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, and beyond. She says her earlier career, and even her years waiting tables through college and graduate school, taught her to serve people and juggle many tasks at once.

The Sewer Scope That Saved Buyers Thousands

When Alex asked about a deal where her perspective made the difference, Tiffany shared a recent story. She always encourages buyers to get an inspection, and for most homes she also requests a sewer scope, since sewer problems can hide even in newer homes and are usually costly, often in the three to five thousand dollar range. Her buyers were purchasing an older home in St. Paul, and the scope found a crack in the sewer line. The sellers agreed to fix it, which was expected to cost about $3,500. But when contractors began the repair, the entire sewer line collapsed, and the bill grew to more than $22,000. Had the buyers skipped the scope, that expense would have landed on them after closing. The scope cost only a few hundred dollars. Tiffany notes that older homes are especially prone to sewer issues, so a scope is well worth it. Alex shared that he has dealt with roots in his own sewer line, and that quick fixes do not always hold.

Looking Past the Cosmetics

Tiffany says her background with a custom builder’s family helps her look beyond the surface. Buyers, especially first-timers, can be drawn to a beautiful backsplash, redone bathrooms, or new flooring, but she looks at the bones of the house. She checks for stains on ceilings, reviews disclosures, looks for foundation cracks, and examines the grade and gutters. She is clear that she is not an inspector, which is why she always recommends a professional inspection. Cosmetic items are often easy fixes, while structural problems are not. Her goal is for her husband to join her full time within the next few years. Alex adds that catching issues early can save clients from paying for inspections on multiple homes before finding the right one.

Running a Business With Four Girls Under Six and a Half

Tiffany says being proactive is the key. She keeps a weekly to-do list and a hot list, stays in touch with clients, and plans ahead so that, for example, clients can see a new listing the day it hits the market. She works early while the house is quiet, has sought out nanny help during the week, and is not shy about asking for it. For organization, she uses her brokerage’s CRM but also keeps her own Excel spreadsheets for contacts, leads, sales, and events. Her tip for agents is to keep your own copy of your data so you never lose it if you change brokerages. Alex, a former chef, shared that the systems from his culinary career carried over well into mortgage.

Family Time and What She Hopes Her Girls Learn

On weekends, the family reserves Sundays for church and a family dinner, visits his family’s cabin up north, and enjoys the backyard, swing sets, walks, and crafts, with snowmobiling in the winter. The girls love hanging sold signs. Tiffany hopes her daughters see that they can do anything they set their minds to, run a business, and have a family at the same time. She tries to be intentional about not being on her phone and sets boundaries with clients, such as when she is putting the kids to bed. Alex agrees that being present as a parent while serving clients is one of the hardest parts of the job.

Advice for Minnesota Buyers This Season

Tiffany’s advice for families buying right now is to look within your means. Connect with a lender you know and trust, get pre-approved, and understand what payment is comfortable, including room for priorities like family trips. Alex stressed doing this early. He often gets calls on a Saturday night for offers due the next day, only to find a buyer is approved for less than the offer they want to write. Pre-approval and scenario planning ahead of time make buyers more competitive. Program rules and approval amounts vary by borrower.

Maui, Dogs and Travel Tips

Tiffany’s family loves Maui, where they own a timeshare and enjoy simple beach days and whale watching. She has plenty of tips for traveling with a large family. They also have two Westies at home, while Alex has a Great Dane and a French bulldog.

How to Reach Tiffany Waalen

Anyone looking to buy or sell in the North Metro and Minnesota suburbs, including new construction, can find Tiffany on Facebook and Instagram, where she is active. Her contact links and email are in the show notes.

Alex Mysinek helps Minnesota buyers with mortgage financing and encourages you to get pre-approved early so you can move with confidence. Reach out to Alex to start planning your next purchase.

Sources

NAR.realtor
ASHI.org
ConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau.gov
Realtor.com
HUD.gov