announcements: Minnesota is a great place to live! - 07/12/10 09:08 AM
I have been posting wonderful reasons to love St Cloud MN, as part of my hyper-local challenge to myself. I am very happy with where I live, and so is my wife who has a much broader basis for comparison having lived across this great country in many different areas.
It is one thing to hear from a local real estate agent that the city that they work in is a great town, but how about views from a disinterested 3rd party. Well how about Money Magazine for a source?
Money Magazine just selected 5 Minnesota cities for the top "100 Best Places … (4 comments)

announcements: There is a WHAT hidden downtown? - 07/10/10 08:58 AM
Really? Someone hid a $10,000 diamond ring downtown St Cloud? YES! Really.
No there is not a wealthy crazy person running around downtown St Cloud, at least that we know of, and no the diamond fairy is not in the area. This is the 2nd Annual Kruse'n for Diamonds treasure hunt, a St Cloud MN city wide search.
As if there were not enough wonderful reasons to love St Cloud, here is one more!
You must register to participate, and clues will be sent via text messages. The 2nd annual Kruse'n for Diamonds hunt starts at 11:00am on Sunday July 18th so … (7 comments)

announcements: The Great River Regional Public Library of St Cloud - another wonderful reason to love St Cloud - 07/06/10 11:47 AM
   
The Great River Regional Public Library of St Cloud was built in 2008 on the old site of Miller Pontiac in downtown St Cloud MN. This impressive building is highly visible and lends great visual style to the downtown area and is one more wonderful reason to love St Cloud MN. The location is very accessible from Highway 23 or St Germain Street, the building is centrally located on the west side of the central business district and is walking distance from all the government buildings and St Cloud Technical High School.
 
The St Cloud Public Library building itself … (1 comments)

announcements: Independence Day July 4, 2010 - Celebrating our free nation with family, friends, food, fun and festivities in St Cloud Minnesota - 07/02/10 06:23 PM


 
 
 
 
The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, we get to celebrate the fact that we live in a free nation. Add to that the part where I get to spend some time with the people I care about and catch up. Then add the part where generally the festivities involve loud celebratory explosions and fireworks, and well, it is just the proverbial icing on the red, white and blue cake.
The Freedom Fest will be held in downtown St Cloud from 2:00 to 10:00pm. At 8:00pm the St Cloud Municipal Band will hold a concert at Hester Park.  The St … (3 comments)

announcements: Munsinger Gardens - another wonderful reason to love St Cloud MN - 06/29/10 05:08 PM
Munsinger Gardens - another wonderful reason to love St Cloud MN

 
Many cities have a landmark, site or feature that you simply must see while you are in town. Set along the banks of the Mississippi River under mature oak and pine trees surrounded by lush shade gardens with winding stone lined walking paths is Munsinger Gardens and for St Cloud Minnesota this is the must see attraction.
The land was originally a saw mill, and in 1915 was purchased by the city and turned into a park. It was named Munsinger Gardens after the superintendent of parks Joseph Munsinger who directed most of the work creating the gardens.
… (3 comments)

announcements: St Cloud MN is featured in a national commercial - 06/28/10 04:28 AM
I think the St Cloud MN area is a great place and I am not the only one. St Cloud MN is featured in a national commercial for the Tempur-Pedic Cloud. I was surprised to see some very local places featured on a commercial the other evening including a home I sold.
 

I really enjoy living in St Cloud MN, and when you sell real estate in an area for a while you can really get to know a town. Most of the places featured in the commercial are well known in our area and easily identifiable, the Dutch … (3 comments)

announcements: Hemsing's Delicatessen - another wonderful reason to love St Cloud MN - 06/26/10 07:04 PM
The best place to stop in St Cloud MN for a quick bite on the go is  Hemsing's Delicatessen - another wonderful reason to love St Cloud MN - Day 5
Hemsing's Delicatessen est.1967 and located in the historic area of downtown St. Cloud, is an island in a sea of franchises, and has long been my favorite stop for a sub sandwich. Back in my bartending days, Hemsing's back door was, right out the back door of my work. I would get done at 1:30 am and go across the alley to see Clarence Jr. and get a pizza cheese steak sub before … (2 comments)

announcements: Minnesota Grown Farmer's markets! - another reason to love St Cloud MN - 06/25/10 07:03 PM
Minnesota Grown Farmer's Markets - Wonderful reasons to love St Cloud, Sauk Rapids, and St Joseph MN - Day 4 
Nothing is sweeter than biting into a fresh berry and knowing it was grown locally in Minnesota. In St Cloud we are blessed to have farm land all around us, and farmers who grow fresh produce for us to enjoy. Starting in the spring and going all the way into early fall we have an abundance of local Farmer's Markets to gather fresh ingredients for our meals and snacks.
On Wednesday you can find our local Minnesota farmers gather at Hennen's Furniture on Hwy 15 … (3 comments)

announcements: The Great Minnesota Air Show featuring the Blue Angels - another reason to love St Cloud MN - 06/24/10 05:21 PM
"There is nothing like living in the flight path of F/A-18 fighterjets for a day or 4."
 The Great Minnesota Air Show featuring the Blue Angels - another reason to love St Cloud MN - Day 3

My love of flight and planes began early, with projects like building models. For a while as an adult I persued aviation as a career and to this day I am still in awe watching maneuvers like you see in the picture above taken during their practice today at the St Cloud Airport.
My wife Liz emailed me mid-day saying there were interesting planes in the sky (we … (10 comments)

announcements: St Cloud Granite City Days - another wonderful reason to love St Cloud MN - 06/23/10 06:08 PM
St Cloud Granite City Days - another wonderful reason to love st cloud MN - Day 2
Every year here in St Cloud Mn "Granite City" we have a Huge city event known as Granite City Days. This fun filled schedule of events is filled with live music, a 5K run, the Saint Cloud historic home tour, the parade, a hot air balloon rally, the lemonade concert and art fair and much much more.
This year the opening ceremonies will begin today June 24, 2010 at 7:00pm featuring St Cloud's own Mayor Dave Kleis' Rock on Awards. At 8:00 live music from our own St … (2 comments)

announcements: Motivation, fun and comments - A real estate blog posting challenge in the rain - 06/22/10 05:36 PM
Motivation, fun and comments - A real estate blog posting challenge in the rain
I have been mulling around what I should post to my blog to have people understand why I know the central Minnesota area of St Cloud is such a great place to live. The tag line for St. Cloud is "A Most Livable Community", but if you do not know Saint Cloud Minnesota, you might find yourself asking "WHY?".
I have come to the conclusion that there are a LOT (to many to mention here) of reasons St Cloud is a wonderful place to live, and that every one deserves a post of its own. So here … (4 comments)

announcements: HUD and Foreclosed deals you might have missed! - 06/14/10 05:06 AM
HUD and Foreclosed deals you might have missed!
There might be a super deal that you missed on the perfect home for you. I am finding with some pretty substantial regularity that there are features of both HUD and Bank owned homes that are being missed by the listing agent. I am not faulting them for this, they are buried under a huge list of house keeping chores from the sellers of these homes.
In the last 24 hours I just located another prime deal. This home is not yet in the MLS, but because I have started to tour all of the … (1 comments)

announcements: Website lead - million dollar cash buyer? Not really - NEW SCAM WARNING - 06/08/10 03:47 PM
I went into the back office section of my real estate website for St Cloud MNand found that the new buyer lead was from a person named Mr Hu Sang the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) CMEC LTD who would be relocating to Minnesota and was looking for a reliable real estate agent, found our firm and wanted to work with me to purchase his retirement home. The description of the home was very simple "I need a 2 or 4 bed room home or apartment of $500,000.00 USD - $1,000,000.00 in nice neighborhood in your location. The home will be a … (18 comments)

announcements: Open House at 127 Juno Place on June 6 - 06/01/10 04:38 PM
We invite everyone to visit our open house at 127 Juno Place on June 6 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
This beautiful home is in brand new condition the sellers went through everything with a fine tooth comb prior to listing this home. If you are looking for a nice size home in move in condition you have found your wish come true here. Please stop in on Sunday you will be very pleased with what you find.
Property information
Steve Baklaich RE/MAX Realty Source www.stcloudareahomesforsale.com
Cell:320-260-3290 Saint Cloud Minnesota Real Estate
… (0 comments)

announcements: Open House St Cloud MN real estate for sale - 1860 Eastern Star Loop Sauk Rapids MN - Reduced! - 05/19/10 02:20 PM
Open House St Cloud MN real estate for sale - 1860 Eastern Star Loop Sauk Rapids MN - Reduced!
Spacious well appointed home at 1860 Eastern Star Loop is being held open on Sunday May 23 from 2:30 to 4:00 pm. This is a very well loved home in a great location, Sauk Rapids MN.
The home features 5 bedrooms (3 on one level) 2 full baths large living areas a great working kitchen with plenty of storage, a breakfast bar, double wall pantry, desk area, upgraded appliances dishwasher, side by side refrigerator, glass top stove, spacious dining area leading to the huge 20 x 20 deck.
Lots … (1 comments)

announcements: Approved Short Sale - St Cloud MN area real estate for sale - 1060 N Borgert Ave Saint Cloud - 05/19/10 06:18 AM
Approved Short Sale - St Cloud MN area real estate for sale - 1060 N Borgert Ave Saint Cloud
Approved for short sale! This is a screaming deal on a fantastic Centennial rambler in North St Cloud MN located at 1060 Borgert Avenue. The asking price was just reduced to $130,000 as per the bank and is now available to receive purchase agreements from qualified buyers. This home can close quickly.
Large rambler with privacy fenced backyard all located in a great neighborhood with approval on the short sale. This home sold last time for well over its current asking price of only $130,000. … (0 comments)

announcements: St Cloud MN area Real Estate - Open House - 127 Juno Place Rice MN - 4 bedroom 3 bath 2 story - 04/27/10 06:46 AM
St Cloud MN area Real Estate - Open House - 127 Juno Place Rice MN - 4 bedroom 3 bath 2 story
This grand home is loaded with all the goodies: granite counter tops in the large chef style kitchen with spacious center island stainless steel appliance package, ceramic tile flooring, wonderful master suite with a huge walk in closet and a master bath fit for royalty, a separate office with French doors, fabulous 2 story stone fireplace, finished main floor laundry with front load washer and dryer, impressive staircase leading to the upstairs with 3 same floor bedrooms, triple garage with easy access to the kitchen, and … (0 comments)

announcements: St Cloud MN area real estate - Open House - 1860 Eastern Star Loop Sauk Rapids MN - 04/27/10 05:44 AM
St Cloud MN Area Real Estate - Open House - 1860 Eastern Star Loop Sauk Rapids MN - 5 bedrooms
Are you looking for a great deal on a spacious 5 bedroom home in the St Cloud MN area?  I have the perfect home for you. I will be holding an open house at 1860 Eastern Star Loop in Sauk Rapids MN on May 1, 2010 from 11:00 to 1:00 pm.
From the great curb appeal to the oversized family room this home will suit your needs. Features include 2 full baths with ceramic tile, open main level perfect for entertaining, … (0 comments)

announcements: Minnesota Real Estate - Price Reduced on 1860 Eastern Star Loop in Sauk Rapids - 03/24/10 06:19 AM
Sauk Rapids, Benton County  -  Announcing a price reduction on 1860 Eastern Star Loop, a 2,480 sq. ft., 2 bath, 5 bdrm 2 story split "open floor plan". Now MLS® $209,900 - Beautiful 5 bedroom home.
Property information
Steve Baklaich REMAX Realty Source www.stcloudareahomesforsale.com Cell:320-260-3290
… (0 comments)

announcements: Consider all your facts when buying a home in Saint Cloud Minnesota - 01/21/09 05:05 AM
I read an article in the St. Cloud Times Sunday edition (1-18-09), titled "Bad Time To Buy", off the wire from Boston. This article strongly suggested that buying a home now would be a mistake, but fails to weigh all the factors.
There is a great difference between Boston, Ma. and Saint Cloud Minnesota. The prices are lower here, and the market more conservative. In fact, there are vast differences between the best and the worst market areas in this country.
In my 25 years as a licensed Realtor®, I have never seen better conditions to buy a first home. A … (0 comments)