Some days it just does not pay. - 02/29/12 05:45 PM
Ok, 14 inches of snow isn't big news for us, but I know many people are very happy.
It doesn't bother me. I plow snow for a few neighbors, it pays for my fishing habit!
Well today started off bad and ended worse. First I had trouble with the plow truck. a gear in the steering failed. The mechanic said her rarely sees this happen.
So, I worked around home with the tractor. One of the chains on the back tires broke, and then proceeded to cut a hole in the sidewall of the same tire. Now the tube is sticking … (11 comments)
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Should I trust the Weatherman... - 02/28/12 01:15 PM
All winter long the Weatherman kept saying that we had "SNOW COMING" Then the next day after a dusting, it fell apart or some other lame excuse.
I have heard agents cancel showings only to find a foot snowfall become an inch at best.
Now for the last 4-5 days the weatherman again talking 'Major snow fall'.
Now they are back tracking and making excuses and moving the lines of where the snow might fall.
I am keeping my showings for tomorrow! My clients are only here a couple days and we need all the time we have. Worst case … (10 comments)
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Rent to own. - 02/25/12 08:15 AM
This is more for the sellers. Should you rent your property to someone that is going to buy it.
Scenario...I have a seller who received an offer. The buyer wants to rent the house until they sell ther home out of state. My sellers think this is great because they don't need to sell in order to move.
Problems we need to make sure are covered...
Price for the home is agreed upon.The list price for the buyers home is in the market price range for the area.The area the buyers home is has a market that is fairly active.The buyers … (6 comments)
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I Love Minnesota and that is why I can laugh at Myself... - 02/24/12 04:03 PM
I see so many stuffed shirts today. I think the P. C. police have taken the fun out of life. They have made us so serious that we can't even laugh at ourselves.
WELL...NOT ME.
"You Betcha" you're from Minnesota when...
You own only 3 spices, Salt, Pepper and KetchupYou have more miles on your snow blower than your car (except for this year)You know Ole and Lena personallyYou design your Halloween costumes to fit over snowmobile suits.You know which leaves make good toilet paperYou know the 4 season...Winter, Still winter, Almost Winter and Not WinterYou owe more on your snowmobile … (9 comments)
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Make sure you make time for the kids. - 02/23/12 06:00 PM
I was real busy this evening. I was trying to get some work done so I could just relax and catch up on my reading.
As I walked pass my Grand Daughter who lives with us, she said..."Come and Play my new racing game, Grandpa."
Maybe later, I said and I kept on moving. Well, maybe about 10 steps and I thought...What a simple request. My work can be done a bit later with no problem and I can always read my books and magazines.
So, I told my Grand Daughter...Sign me up and I sat down.
I got the … (12 comments)
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Are you biting the hand that is trying to help you? - 02/23/12 03:46 PM
CUSTOMER SERVICE!
An area of business that so many people complain about.
Yesterday I was having some problems with my cell phone. (I was bit by technology again)
I was standing around as the guy in the store was working on my problem. Meanwhile, some young twit came in and started to rant loudly about the junk phone the store had sold her. The other person attending the store was very nice.
He took the phone and started to work on the problem. It had been maybe 5 minutes and she started to get more agitated and louder. Then she … (5 comments)
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Some fun for Wednesday. - 02/22/12 11:01 AM
All work and no play makes me really DULL. So here are some fun facts to lighten your day.
COOL Facts about the Human Body.
The average dream lasts 2-3 seconds.
Scientist say that the more you dream the higher your I.Q.
A full bladder is about the size of a softball.
Men without hair on their chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver than men with a lot of hair.
When you look ate someone you love your pupils dilate.
When you look at someone you hate your pupils dilate.
So the person that you … (6 comments)
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If you are primping your listing past what it really is, you could be hurting your seller! - 02/21/12 02:53 PM
"I am looking forward to this house we are looking at. It looks to be spacious and just what we are looking for."
That was the comment from Mrs. buyer yesterday. When we walked in to the home, There was an "ah, this isn't what the pictures look like."
The photo's were taken with a wide lens making the home look much bigger. The dimensions were all rounded up and my buyers were not pleased.
"Are you still as interested after seeing this home as you were before?" I asked. Mrs buyer responded quickly..."We still like the home. We like the … (8 comments)
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Sellers...where are your pictures? - 02/19/12 04:17 PM
This is geared to anyone where the seasons change a lot, especially if you have snow on the ground.
I have buyers wondering all the time what the yard looks like without the snow. Is it green, is there flowers. Is the yard full of dog droppings.
Showing some year round pictures can be the difference in selling to an interested buyer or having them pick a home where the sellers have shown off the other season around the home.
In this digital age, the cost of a half dozen pics is very minimal.
Do yourself a favor and set … (9 comments)
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My client is walking around in a fog. - 02/18/12 02:41 PM
I met with a new client today. Nice young lady. Knows just what she wants.
We look at a house and she points out the good and the bad,
We go to the next house and she points out the good and the bad.
She does the same at the 3rd home but now some of the good was some of the bad in the first house. The more I talked with her, I found she really didn't' know what she wanted.
She is a first time buyer and is having a problem of knowing what she really needs and wants.
… (10 comments)
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Minnesota State Slogans. - 02/17/12 02:03 PM
WE have a lot to offer in Minnesota besides lakes and Mosquito's.
Depending on the area you visit, you may see many different slogans that pertain our our great state. So Here Goes...
MINNESOTA STATE SLOGANS
I came, I thawed, I transferred.Survive Minnesota and the rest of the world is easy.Save a Minnesotan, Eat a Mosquito.Where the Elite meet Sleet.Land of two seasons...Winter is coming and Winter is here!Minnesota...Come fall in Love with a Loon.Land of many cultures...mostly throat.Land of the Ski, home of the Crazed.Land of 10,000 Johnson's.Minnesota, Land of Blonde hair and Blue ears.Minnesota, where visitors turn Blue with … (10 comments)
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Mr. and Mrs Seller...just because it is good enough for you... - 02/16/12 01:23 PM
I run into this a lot especially from the older gen.
"It has been good enough for us for 30 years, it is good enough!
Yes, that may be true, but it isn't 'good enough' to attract today's buyers at the price you think it is worth.
Many people live with an issue that has been there for years and think nothing of it. many times it is even a code violation or even dangerous.
Making sure that everything is up to snuff is very important if you want your price. That is why I am telling you this.
You are … (11 comments)
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This has Absolutely NOTHING to do with Valentines's Day! (Humor) - 02/14/12 11:29 AM
I have some down time today so I am doing some housework. I am cleaning my desk! (Sorry ladies)
I have been throwing out a lot of old papers, magazines and a bunch of stuff just making a mess. I even grabbed a pile of Birthday Cards I got this year. I mean, what do you do with the cards after a few days. I know people who save all of them in boxes. WHY?
Oh well, it is their space they are cluttering up.
I was reading some of them and got one that I know many will find … (10 comments)
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Frozen water Fishing.... - 02/13/12 06:54 PM
Well, it was a great day yesterday to spend some time with an old friend.
We had not seen each other in a while and because I had an appointment not far from him, I called.
When his wife answered the phone and said he was not home I asked where did he go.
There was a moment of silence..."Bill, do you really need to ask?"
That was all I needed. After my appointment I drove to the frozen water near his home. I am still a bit chicken about the ice, so I walked out to his house about a … (10 comments)
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What not to say to your Valentine! - 02/12/12 06:51 PM
I am getting a head start on this Hallmark/Hershey's Holiday that was made strictly to punish us men and make huge profits for the makers.
If you want to stay married or want to keep your girl friend, I would suggest you stay away from a few of these when she is around!
It doesn't matter how many times a man changes jobs, is still has the same Boss!
They call our language the Mother tongue, because the father seldom gets a chance to speak.
One woman's hobby is another woman's hubby.
I recently read that Love is entirely chemistry, that … (11 comments)
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It has been a fruitful day...time to R and R. - 02/11/12 07:52 PM
3 clients, 11 homes shown, one 2nd show set for tomorrow...it has been a great day.
I even had time to do a bit on the 'honey do' list.
But now it is time to settle in for the night.
I know that a bag of something that will harden my arteries is step one and then something to wash it down.
My buddy here has the right idea...
I like his approach.
… (11 comments)
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Don't think you can get caught lying on your disclosures? - 02/09/12 08:32 PM
Had a call from a recent buyer today...
Bill, we are having sewer issues. .
"There was a septic inspection done and it came back good. Any ideas?"
"Yes...The neighbor said they have been having issues with backups for several years."
ON the disclosures the seller said they had had no problems with the septic, but we are finding out that is not true. The septic inspection is not fool proof especially when the issue is the drain field.
I have had sellers say, "Well, how would they find out?"
This is how. Neighbors, same pumper, I even had a … (9 comments)
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You never know what you will find in your yard in Rural America. - 02/09/12 11:35 AM
I heat my home with an outdoor wood furnace. Last night I went out to load the furnace before hitting the sack for the night.
Walking across the yard I saw a larger black colored figure. I thought it was a cat. I yelled, but it didnt' move. So...I walked a bit closer.
I was careful because I had no idea what it was and many animals hibernate at this time of the year. Those that should be asleep but are up and around are usually sick with Rabies being one of the reasons.
Upon closer examination of this critter I … (8 comments)
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Save 10% on your car insurance! - 02/06/12 07:07 PM
Ok, I did forget to say that this is a Senior thing.
Most Insurance companies will give Seniors 10% off their car insurance, In Minnesota anyway, for taking a 55 and Alive class.
Tomorrow at the Senior Center in North Branch you can take the first part of the course or the 4 hour refresher.
This is great information and just a great refresher on the current rules of the road.
$15 for the refresher and $16 for the full first time course.
Call 651-674-8658 to register.
… (6 comments)
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OWLS - 02/04/12 05:44 PM
Nope, not the bird...OWLS stands for...
Older Wiser Laughing Souls
I am proud to be a member of the OWLS! Here is some of the things we believe in..
Whether a man winds up with a nest egg or a goose egg, depends a lot on the chick he marries.
Trouble in a marriage many times starts when a man is so busy earning his salt that he forgets his sugar.
To many couples marry for better, or for worse but not for good.
When a man marries a woman, they become one. The problems start when the try to … (14 comments)
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Are you taking a Bath when you sell your home today? - 02/04/12 09:20 AM
That is a question every seller needs to clear in their minds and deal with it accordingly.
After selling, are you buying a different home. If so, are you buying similar, upgrading or downsizing. The market is down and if you downsize, you will most likely be getting less in the deal because of the lower prices. If you are upgrading...you will be coming out on top. If you stay with the same home just in a different area it will most likely be a wash.
When you buy the next home, is your new bank loan a better interest … (23 comments)
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I think we need a laugh today! - 02/03/12 02:29 PM
It has been a long week with little that has gone well or as planned. So, I am starting the weekend with a smile...
Mary walked up to the Minister after church service on Sunday...
"Pastor, I have some bad news..."
Seeing she was in tears, "What is so terrible Mary?" he asked.
Sobbing she replied..."Fred died last night."
"That's terrible, was he ill, did he have any last requests?"
"Yes he did, Pastor...he said...Please Mary, put down that gun!"
Have a great weekend everyone.
For the sun will come out tomorrow...At least in my neck of the woods!
… (4 comments)
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Low Ball offers are being accepted LESS and LESS in North Branch, Mn - 02/02/12 03:02 PM
If you are looking for a steal...Ask you agent where you may be able to find one. North Branch Mn. is not a good place to look for a steal.
Why?
Because, our inventory is low. Many homes that are in good shape are selling near or above list.
Now to qualify that just a bit. If you find a home price 25% over current market and can get it for near market...that may be the steel you keep hearing about.
North Branch, Mn is on two major highway arteries and is an easy commute to the twin cities.
… (11 comments)
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Do you cry in the face of adversity? - 02/01/12 08:14 PM
When things go wrong, do you just sit down and cry, or do you forge ahead and fix the problem.
Ponder this for a moment...
A Farmers son was heading home with a crate of chickens he was entrusted with from the market. The crate fell and all the chickens scurried away. Scared but undaunted, the boy searched the neighborhood and caught the chickens and went home fearing the worst.
"Pa, the chickens got away, but looked all over and found all 12 of the."
You did well my son. You only left with 7!"
When a problem comes up you … (13 comments)
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