About Donis Dzialo

My name is Donis Dzialo and I have been a licensed Realtor in White Bear Lake since 1993. I grew up in Buffalo, MN as the oldest of 3 kids and my parents ran a successful floorcovering business that has now been in business for over 50 years! I went on to attend college at Hamline University in St. Paul, fell in love with the Twin Cities and have been here ever since. I majored in Elementary Education and Psychology and went on to teach for several years out of college. In 1993, I decided to make a career move into real estate and really never looked back. I may have learned a few things about running a business while growing up!

A question I am asked quite often is where my parents came up with my first name so let's just get this story out of the way. My mother had a childhood friend with the name and thought it was unusual and interesting. That's it -- end of story. I don't think there was ever a substitute teacher that could pronounce my name correctly the entire time I was in school so I have had many nicknames over the years, most of which I have chosen to forget.

A fun fact about me is that out of all the female agents in our White Bear office, I have been with Edina Realty the longest!

My Family

I have been married for over 23 years and have one 19-year old son named Garrett. We live in rural Hugo on 2 acres and have a great dog named Buddy. My husband Gene is an operations manager with Lennox Industries, grew up just outside of Chicago but attended college in Minnesota. Garrett just completed his freshman year at Winona State University and plans to become a middle school or high school teacher.

Interests & Hobbies

I am so passionate about real estate that my husband and I own two investment properties in White Bear Lake as part of our retirement portfolio. Let me know if this is of interest to you and I would be happy to share what we have learned over the years with you.
As a family we also enjoy traveling, boating, snowmobiling and trying new restaurants and I love to cook, bake, read and listen to podcasts (true crime, anyone?) as well.

Buying A Home

When you decide to hire me as your Realtor to find your next home, I like to start by scheduling a meeting at my office so that we can talk about what is important to you in your next home as well as how to begin the pre-approval process, what type of representation you are seeking and any questions you have about the entire process. I will then set up a search for you so that I can begin e-mailing you properties that match what you are searching for. I will also be checking all pre-listing databases for anything that isn't yet listed that could be a fit for you and networking with other agents to find your new home. I will point out certain features that I think you should see about particular homes but YOU decide what homes you want to see in person and when you want to do this. It's important to me that we move along at a pace you are comfortable with.

Frequently Asked Questions From Sellers

Should I sell before purchasing?

This may be determined by what you qualify for or whether you need the equity in your home for a down payment but another option you may want to consider would be turning your home into an investment property & renting it out. If you like the idea of moving out slowly, buying first & then selling can work out quite well. I can help you with this!

What steps should I take to prepare my home?
First impressions are vital so decluttering, painting, replacing carpet and eliminating odors are a great place to begin! I can help you with this!

What should I disclose to potential buyers?
In MN you are required to disclose anything that could affect a buyer's enjoyment of the home but when in doubt, it's always best to disclose. I can help you with this!

How do you determine what my home is worth?
A "comparative market analysis" is an in-depth look at what has sold in the last six months that is similar to your home. I can help you with this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBCtAkJrNUU

Frequently Asked Questions From Buyers

How much of a down payment do I need?

This will depend on what type of loan you decide on but the minimum is usually 3% (unless you are a veteran) and you can always put more down.

What is earnest money?
This is a deposit made at time of purchase that shows the seller you are serious and it's part of your cash needed to close and allows the home to be taken off the market if your offer is accepted.

What other costs will I have?
Prior to closing, you will have earnest money, inspection fee if you choose to have the home inspected (around $400) and sometimes the appraisal fee (around $500).

What is the first step to buying a home?
Speaking to a loan officer and getting pre-approved! You will learn what you qualify for and what a mortgage payment will look like in your range as well as what type of loan would suit your situation best.

How long can a seller take to respond to an offer?
Believe it or not, there isn't a deadline in the agreement but we can always add it.

https://homeia.com/10-important-features-to-consider-when-buying-a-house/

2019 HGTV Urban Oasis Home

Take a quick tour of HGTV's Urban Oasis home, located in Minneapolis near Minnehaha Park! It was listed in February of 2020 for $650,000 and comes with everything inside! I had the opportunity to walk through it and it's fabulous!

https://www.hgtv.com/sweepstakes/hgtv-urban-oasis/2019/hgtv-urban-oasis-2019-videos

Ask a question

Donis Dzialo