Need a little sunshine? - Here's some winter light - 01/31/11 10:23 PM

For the sake of some sunshine on this crazy cloudy and snowy day - I thought I'd post something cheery and full of color. The storms today are heading south and no one is immune from the snow...So, just imagine these little bulbs shining through the ground and you'll know that you are just a couple of months it will be truth.These beautiful Tulips are inside the house right now, but won't be come spring! Can't wait to get them into the ground...If you are looking for a garden plot of your own this spring... give me a call and … (5 comments)

warmly paying it forward - 01/30/11 10:43 PM
I am a person of many hobbies and projects. Always I have a box full of yarn, material and patterns waiting for my attention and rarely do I seem to find time to work on them.This winter I have made a point to finish a blanket that I have been working on! Today was the day. I set the crochet needle aside after stitching the last stitch and happily sat back and studied my work. It isn't a perfect work of art, but will hopefully bless a new mama in the area. Tomorrow I will drive it and a box full … (3 comments)

Coloring the picture of your new home... - 01/29/11 10:27 PM
Sometimes when you see a house it's clear as mud if it's for you or not. It might be size... it might be shape... it might be number of bedrooms or the size and feel of the kitchen. If it doesn't fit your personality it can be quite obvious right away. Sometimes it's a matter of what your mind has already drawn... But, then, there are those homes that need some imagination. You may have to imagine your furniture inside, or the current furniture and belongings vacated... Maybe you need to get your color palette out and see it in a … (1 comments)

A little spring a little early! - 01/28/11 10:25 PM
Long around the end of January we Minnesotans start itching for the warmer weather and a little green to shine underneath the white snowy blanket. It's probably why Groundhog's day lands in the first week of February - we just need a little assurance that the weather will change and for the warmer. A couple of weeks ago my Daddy bought me a flower bulb for a really early spring flower and I'm pleased to see it blooming very very early today! The most beautiful red... on a cloudy afternoon! In about two months I'll be able to plant it in … (3 comments)

Get out your binoculars... - 01/27/11 11:08 PM
If you are on the lookout for a great home in 2011 you have found a great place to start! It's about more than just digging out the binoculars and looking out the window. Though there are homes in every neighborhood on the market right now... it takes a professional to help find the greatest deals.
From bank deals to short sales... estates to plain ol' sellers. There are some great deals to be had and a lot of it is watching the market. Daily there are new listings and daily there are properties selling at great prices.
If you are … (5 comments)

Oh kitty kitty.... - 01/26/11 10:54 PM
Here Kitty Kat sits... on top of a fence post. Little do you know that he is preparing to pounce the broom. Or... the next person that walks close enough for him to land!Kitty Kat entertains us often. He's outside and he's young so he hasn't been de-clawed which is good and bad. He loves pouncing.... most often our 3-year old. And climbing the window screens. And all the trees directly in front of the house. Our house sits a the perfect height for him to watch from the window as the boys play. Kitty Kat has good hearing too because … (9 comments)

Winter Picnic - 01/25/11 10:20 PM
Okay, so honestly.... I should have cropped the picture better. Nothing like seeing our wood bins and fireplace stuff in the background but it's my reality. Tonight the boys and I decided that instead of moving my 'work' to another table for dinner that we would just move our dinner to a different table. It's one of those beauties of having our own home.... we can be really creative!My five year old loves candles so the table ambiance is for him. The fireplace in the background just seemed like it would be a really great place for a warm and fuzzy … (6 comments)

A little moremore about meme... - 01/22/11 11:21 AM
Saturday morning and I'm thinking about all the loads of things that I didn't finish this week which means that next week's list has grown to gigantic proportions. As I lazed about reading my novel I specifically decided to put aside the 'must dos' for a little me time. That's when I decided it was time to fulfill my MeMe for Deborah "the Bzybee" Bryon. This is round two of the Meme's for me so we're going more family related on the info.... because I can. Enjoy!
Here's Eleanor's MeMe Rules (please paste the following paragraph into your post as you … (6 comments)

A little about MeMe.... - 01/21/11 11:20 AM
Having been tagged by Scott Hayes.... I figured it's about time to get started on my Memes! Yes, I said Memes.... In twenty four hours I was tagged three times and I've been figuring out how to go about this. Should I share fifteen things? Share five and note all three taggers? Share three Meme Posts? I am opting for three posts over the next couple of days. One Meme will be about Meme specifically, one about my family and one strictly my business. Figured that it might be fun! Hope that you enjoy.
Here's Eleanor's MeMe Rules (please paste the … (5 comments)

Wordless Wednesday.... on Thursday - 01/20/11 10:52 PM
This may not look like much, so let's "imagine" that the temp is 8 degrees and the windchill is about -10. The wind is blowing so strong that it looks like it should be snowing... Welcome to Minnesota!Winter has truly arrived. At least four days of negative temps with schools closing in the morning with frostbite warnings.Gotta love it.

If you need a home to keep you out of the cold...give me a call and let's get you into something of your very own.
… (14 comments)

A few good reasons that an apartment wouldn't work for me.... - 01/17/11 04:49 PM
Sometimes I wonder if living in an apartment would be so much easier than what we do. Having five acres and a house isn't easy to upkeep - at all. With gardens and garages and animals to watch after there is constantly something 'to do' which leaves little time for just sitting around staring at the walls (or stars) if you can see them.
We don't have a large house... just a rambling one level with no basement but it is WELL used space. Every day every room is used in some way and not forgotten.
Like now? If we were … (2 comments)

Who new is coming to town? - 01/16/11 11:09 PM
(PLEASE NOTE! THIS IS WRITTEN AS PART OF MY BLOG - IT IS NOT JOANN'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE.)
Read the Elk River Star News today. It's always interesting to read the paper. It's a necessity to read the local newspaper because I have many conversations about what's going on in town every day. So, in effort to stay on top of 'it' I read everything from the police reports to the foreclosure notices. Today was no exception to my weekly ritual and I'm so glad that I did!Elk River finally has something really interesting coming to town - at least by my … (3 comments)

How far north before you start seeing igloos? - 01/15/11 11:38 PM
I saw about three minutes of the news this evening and it was more than plenty. It was just enough time to catch three minutes of the weather and hear that we are expecting another round of snow... starting tomorrow and going right through Tuesday.They continued with their statistics and mentioned that we have only had TWO days without any snow this year. 13 days out of 17...What are the odds.Usually January in Minnesota is so cold that all a girl can do is think about moving south....But this year has been different.I am beginning to wonder if I should start … (9 comments)

Wordless Wednesday: Lovin' the winter in Elk River - 01/12/11 10:58 PM
Haven't done a wordless day in awhile... and I couldn't resist. This is a great reason to live in Minnesota! My son is a pro - his first time on the ice and he we skating without anyone holding on!Gotta love the ol' Hanke Pit in Elk River - they are celebrating 100 years this year!If you have time to skate or sled it's worth the effort to head on down there for some fun!The warming house is open and ready to take you on.

 
… (9 comments)

Love iceskating? Now's the time to buy your own pond.... - 01/11/11 11:05 PM
As I've been collecting ice skates for my little ones I've been doing a lot of thinking. It's one thing to take the kiddos skating once, but this whole ordeal of fun would be a lot easier if I had a pond in my backyard! I know that I could take the time and flood my own skating pond (which we might do down the road) but for now it will be a drive into an already prepared rink for us.
The rates are so great right now that buying a house with an incredible payment isn't out of the … (1 comments)

Bear at Home (a kid's book review) - 01/10/11 10:37 PM
Bear At Home                                                        by: Stella Blackstone
 
Wow! It's been awhile since I've written one of these!  This book is cute. My boys like it's simplistic pictures and have discussed Bear's house at length. It seems that even four year olds can and do enjoy home plans. The overlooking blueprint of Bear's house at the end is the highlight of their discussions. They wonder often at his rooms and the layout.
This isn't exactly a book about 'moving' but I can see it as a conversation starter with a youngster about a move. Easily I could see it as a reason … (3 comments)

From frigid numbers to icy issues.... - 01/09/11 11:15 PM
So, you all have heard me whine a bit about the frigid north that I happen to live in. Today would probably wouldn't be an exception to that, but I ran into a 'snow' issue that really put the frigid weather in the background.
Earlier this week I set up open houses for properties that I'd never been in. No big deal. I've done it before... but it's what I didn't think to ask that caused the hiccup.
Most of Elk River is flatter than South Dakota so you can imagine my surprise when I drove up to a driveway that … (2 comments)

Love those negatives. - 01/08/11 11:12 PM
This post is for all my lovely southern friends. I'm sending you smiles from the frigid north and wondering which one of you all I should visit first! Texas? Florida? California? The reality is that I'm really trying to stay away from whining right now. I've been doin' all right this winter, but the windchill just about blew me over today. I wore three layers of shirts and snowpants to my open house. It took twenty minutes for my car to really warm up and then it was time to turn it off. It just isn't right for a Minnesotan to … (8 comments)

OPEN HOUSES: January 8th & 9th - 01/07/11 10:47 PM

 
 
SATURDAY, January 8th12-3pm
 26228 8th Street WZimmerman, Minnesota 55398
$74,900
4 bedroom, 2 bath rambler with detached 2 car garage.Clean 1700 FSF+ Rambler on large quiet lot features 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, oversized 2 car detached garage, neutral decor, city sewer/water, hardwood floors, and is conveniently located. Great price and won't last long!!! Hurry.rage.
 
 

 
SUNDAY, January 9th1-4pm
19386 King Circle NWElk River, Minnesota 55330$167,900
4 bedroom, 3 bath four level split on 1.4 acres in Elk River!Secluded acre lot with large 4 level split home close to shopping. 22x38 garage, fresh paint throughout, refinished … (0 comments)

Only for today... - 01/06/11 10:20 PM
I heard someone talk about their New Year's Resolution this week that said that it was summed up in this phrase, "Only for today..." They went to the extent of typing it out and framing it. If you visit their home you will find it sitting on their end table in the living room. It's not just their resolution, but their new mantra for life.
Some examples of it go like this....Only for today I will work at finding a job that suits my needs.Only for today I will let go of the bitterness that I feel toward so and so … (4 comments)

How a Realtor can be a Superhero! (A pay it forward story) - 01/05/11 10:33 PM
I had a client call today and express her deep gratitude for jumping on an issue that was quite timely. She continued to question me about my REALTOR training and wanted to know if it's typical for us to discuss the following circumstances in our meetings. Some things in life can just mean the difference between life and death - and even and AGENT can be a superhero.... or maybe, just maybe.... it's all in a day's work.
Here's my story:Last week I dropped a listing and needed to pick up my lockbox. I tried on Friday, but brought the wrong … (8 comments)

Minnesota's winter wonderland of snow. - 01/03/11 01:42 PM
If you've ever wondered why it's a great reason to live in Minnesota during the wintertime... you only need to experience the fun! Though there are some who suffer the wintertime blues, but there are others that are able to overcome the bitter cold and cloudy overcast to enjoy the gifts that are available.
Skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sledding, hockey, iceskating.... and the list goes on.
Typically the coldest month of the year we need to pick and choose our outside moments, but we will take our turn outdoors.
Elk River alone houses 7 ice rinks and many sledding hills. We've taken … (7 comments)

Is your calendar broke in yet? - 01/03/11 01:11 PM
Have you broken open your new calendar? Is your January filled up yet with meetings, marketing, family, to-do's and fun? Did you start your new calendar on January 1st or are you yet to crack it's binding?
I love the calendars that start a month early (including December) because I love moving to the new book before the year is out. The anticipation for the "new" always gets me moving and I love the fresh feeling! This year my 2011 calendar was being written in far before the New Year hit..... but I didn't actually "switch over" until December 26th. Yes, … (3 comments)

Is buying a home your New Year's Resolution? - 01/01/11 09:39 AM

The rules of real estate have changed over the last few years making it more challenging for some buyers to purchase homes.... even though they are priced better than ever.
If you are a buyer finding it challenging to purchase and want to buy in 2011 there are a few things that you can do to make it a greater possibility.
The FIRST thing is to get out your good ol' piggy bank. Remember your pink friend from childhood that you stuck every penny you could find in? That's the one. Dig him out and dust him off. More and … (0 comments)

 
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Lindsey Hasford

Elk River, MN

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Coldwell Banker Vision

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