Spring Meet-UP In Otsego, MN May 2nd, 2012 - 04/30/12 07:38 PM
It's time to get together and mingle with fellow AR members, and anyone else within the real estate industry. 
Learn who's that per person writing those blogs. This event is open to anyone within the real estate industry!
TIME: Wednesday, May 2nd 6-8pm
LOCATION: Rockwoods Grill, 9100 Quadry Ave. NE, Otsego, MN 55330
WHO: Anyone within the real estate industry!
WHAT: Time to meet fellow real estate professionals and AR members.  
Please RSVP me or Lindsey Hasford, we would love to have as many people possible attend.
… (5 comments)

Sandhill Cranes On The Mahnomen Trail:Sherburne County, MN - 04/29/12 08:32 PM
Getting that once in a lifetime wildlife Kodak moment photo, isn't as easy as it seems. For some reason I just don't think the phrase, "Can you just sit still while I adjust my camera," is something they understand, or even care about.
I drive-by Sandhill Cranes all of the time, but as soon as you stop the car to take a picture they mosey on off. I was fortunate for this photo that it didn't see me right away, but by the time I was able to take the photo it had already started to walk away. I have a … (4 comments)

Market Update: Coon Rapids, MN March 2012 (Prices are Stable for Rambler Design Homes) - 04/29/12 08:32 PM
The City of Coon Rapids, MN | Market Update For every appraisal it's important to determine as to whether values are increasing, decreasing, or are remaining stable (click here for detailed article on how this is done).
The MLS indicates that prices for the city of Coon Rapids, MN decreased for the month of March, as well as year to date. This is for all types of properties that have sold within the city of Coon Rapids, MN. This is not what is happening for rambler design homes over the past 12 months (see below) in the selected neighborhood area.
… (0 comments)

Inspiring Story:Teen Comes Back From The Dead - 04/27/12 12:22 PM
This story should probably be more appropriately titled "Amazing Story." Steven Thorpe from Warwickshire, England was declared brain dead after a car accident. His doctors recommended that his parents pull the plug, and even recommended donating his organs.
His father pushed for yet another opinion, this time from a private doctor, Julia Piper, who was able to detect some very slight brain waves, and said there was a slim chance of recovery. The hospital brought Steven out of his chemically induced coma, and amazingly he started to recover. He left the hospital 7 weeks after being brought out of the coma; … (6 comments)

Wizard of Oz-Elk River, MN 2012 - 04/27/12 12:21 PM
Youth Theatre Workshop presents:
The Wizard of Oz
All the performances will be at:
Little Theater @ Elk River High School
900 School St
Elk River, MN 55330


Showtimes:
Friday April 27th @ 7pmSOLD OUT
Saturday April 28th @ 2pm & 7pm
Sunday April 29th @ 2pm
Thursday May 3rd @ 7pm
Friday May 4th @ 7pm
Saturday May 5th @ 2pm & 7pm
Sunday May 6th @ 2pm & 7pm
For more information follow this link.
… (1 comments)

Ramsey Business & Environmental Expo Day, April 28th 2012 - 04/27/12 12:21 PM
Ramsey Business &
Environmental Expo Day
Saturday April 28th, 9:00 am -2:oo pm
Business Expo Location:
The Fountains of Ramsey
7533 Sunwood Drive NW
Environmental Expo Location:
Ramsey Municipal Center
7550 Sunwood Drive NW
There will be many displays and events, something for everyone
to see and do, admission is free.
For a detailed brochure follow this link.
… (0 comments)

Peek-A-Boo Little Deer I See You - 04/25/12 07:38 PM
Hiking the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is something that I thoroughly enjoy; being in the outdoors is a passion for me. I always bring my camera with a telephoto lens, thinking that someday I'll get that "Ansel Adams" wildlife photo or scenery shot.
Hiking the trail this week I spotted two deer grazing in a small field, and for some reason they didn't notice me right away. I tried sneaking up on them, bobbing and weaving like George Foreman behind trees and brush, getting ready for that perfect picture.
And then.......thinking that I was the invisible man stepping out from … (10 comments)

Passport To The World Concert Monticello, MN 2012 - 04/25/12 07:38 PM
Passport To The World
Annual Spring Concert & Silent Auction
Sunday, May 6th, 2012
Monticello High School
Gourmet Dessert Reception
& Silent Auction @ 1:30 pm
Concert @ 3:00 pm
Adult Ticket Prices $20
Senior/Student/Child $15
For more information and ticket
availability call 763/213-8105
or follow this link.
… (0 comments)

Hello Houston-I Think We Have a Water Problem! - 04/24/12 06:12 PM
I'm not a home inspector, and I've never pretended to be one in real life, or in a movie for that matter. But it doesn't take a brain surgeon to realize that we definitely have a water problem with these walls. It always amazes me the "wait and see" attitude people have before an appraiser comes to inspect their home. This appraisal was for a conventional mortgage (Fannie Mae), which doesn't require that the appraiser inspect the attic. Only FHA requires that an appraiser inspect an attic area (follow this link for a detailed explanation of FHA's requirements). However, for this … (25 comments)

Land of Lakes Choirboys with The All-American Boy's Chorus - 04/24/12 06:12 PM
Land of Lake Choirboys with
The All-American Boy's Chorus
They'll be preforming one night only at:
St. Andrew's Catholic Church
428 Irving Ave NW, Elk River, MN 55330
April 27th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
For more information about the Land of Lakes Choirboys and what
they're all about please follow this link. There is no cost to attend this
event, however, there will be a freewill offering to help defray some of the costs.
… (0 comments)

Evening of the Arts Elk River, MN - 04/23/12 07:54 PM
Evening of the Arts
Thursday, April 26th 2012 5-8 pm
Elk River High School
Event Description:
This event is an opportunity for students and staff to showcase their many talents. It is also a great chance for the community to become immersed in the fine arts and cultures of Elk River High School. Families and friends are encouraged to join us in supporting the creative energy at ERHS.
… (4 comments)

More Uses For Can Insulation - 04/22/12 10:29 PM
It never ceases to amaze me with all of the clever uses people come up with for that foam insulation in a can. I was doing an appraisal for a home recently, which for the most part the house was in pretty good condition until I got to this bedroom. The draft must of been more than they could take so they removed all of the base trim and starting plugging holes. Obviously this will have to be addressed.
… (8 comments)

The Mystery Mountain Boys Coming To North Branch, MN - 04/22/12 03:05 PM
Come and see a live performance of The Mystery Mountain Boys!
They will be preforming at the Spring Lake Lutheran Church
8440 Erickson Rd NE, North Branch, MN
Sunday, May 6th at 3:00 pm
This is a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Come enjoy the music and offer your support by purchasing goodies
at the bake sale.
For a location map follow this link.
… (2 comments)

Market Update: Champlin, MN March 2012 (Prices are Stable for Split Entry/Level Design Homes) - 04/22/12 03:05 PM
The City of Champlin, MN | Market Update For every appraisal it's important to determine as to whether values are increasing, decreasing, or are remaining stable (click here for detailed article on how this is done).
The MLS indicates that prices for the city of Champlin, MN decreased for the month of March, as well as year to date. This is for all types of properties that have sold within the city of Champlin, MN. This is not what is happening for split entry/level design homes over the past 12 months (see below) in the selected neighborhood area.
The data … (0 comments)

Active Rain Spring Meet-UP In Otsego, MN May 2nd 2012 - 04/22/12 11:30 AM
It's time to get together and mingle with fellow AR members, and anyone else within the real estate industry. 
Learn who's that per person writing those blogs. This event is open to anyone within the real estate industry!
TIME: Wednesday, May 2nd 6-8pm
LOCATION: Rockwoods Grill, 9100 Quadry Ave. NE, Otsego, MN 55330
WHO: Anyone within the real estate industry!
WHAT: Time to meet fellow real estate professionals and AR members.  
Please RSVP and let me know if you can attend. Special thanks to Lindsey Hasford and Chuck Carstensen for helping getting this rolling. Look forward to meeting all of … (0 comments)

7th Annual ATV Fair 2012 Anoka County Fairgrounds - 04/21/12 06:23 PM

******7th Annual ATV Fair 2012******
May 5-6th At The Anoka County Fairgrounds
Gate Admission is $5- (13 and older)
Come test drive your favorite dream machine!
Side x Side Mud races by Northwoods Racing series in the grandstand.
The ATV Fair will be the season opener for the 2012 racing series.
ATV Pull ran by Goodhue-Bellchester Railriders
with competition for all classes.
(Click here for for information)
… (2 comments)

Market Update: Brooklyn Park, MN March 2012 (Prices are Increasing for Split Entry/Level Design Homes) - 04/21/12 06:23 PM
The City of Brooklyn Park, MN | Market Update For every appraisal it's important to determine as to whether values are increasing, decreasing, or are remaining stable (click here for detailed article on how this is done).
The MLS indicates that prices for the city of Brooklyn Park, MN increased for the month of March, and also have increased year to date. This is for all types of properties that have sold within the city of Brooklyn Park, MN. This is similar to what is happening for split entry/level design homes over the past 12 months (see below).
The data … (0 comments)

Mahnomen Trail-Sherburne County,MN Is Now Open - 04/19/12 04:01 PM
The Mahnomen Trail in Sherburne County, MN had been closed earlier this spring, and was just recently re-opened. They cleared some, well a lot, of the oaks along the trail. The goal is to try and restore it back to the "Oak Savanna" that it once was. Oak wilt has really taken it's toll on the oaks scattered throughout the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.
They also did a prescribed burn, which combined with the cleared trees reminds you of a bomb scene from a movie. There was still some areas that were still burning, which really gave it an eerie feeling. … (6 comments)

Longevity Expo Maple Grove, MN 2012 - 04/15/12 08:22 PM

Longevity Expo
April 28, 2012
Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
Maple Grove Community Center
12951 Weaver Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55369
2 Stages - FREE Seminars
Aisles and aisles of NEW products
Free Samples,
Free Health Screenings, Goodies for Everyone!
Follow this link for further details.
… (1 comments)

St. Francis, MN 2012 Business & Community Expo - 04/15/12 08:05 PM
The city of St. Francis, MN is having its 5th Annual Business & Community Expo this April 21st, 2012. The expo will be running from 10 am-3 pm, and the admission is free. There are vendor booths still available if your looking to promote your business, which would be a great way for the community to learn more about what you do. For further details please follow this link.
… (0 comments)

A Night With Stevie Ray's Cabaret At The Chanhassen Dinner Theatre - 04/15/12 12:11 PM
 
Last night I went and seen Stevie Ray's comedy improv show at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater, located in where else, Chanhassen, MN.
If you've never been to a live improv comedy show, you need to put it on your list of things to do. Improvisational comedy is done on a whim, and if you have a good audience it can be a great time, I highly recommend it.
… (4 comments)

Market Update: Zimmerman, MN March 2012 (Prices are Increasing for Split Entry/Level Design Homes) - 04/15/12 07:02 AM
The City of Zimerman, MN | Market Update For every appraisal it's important to determine as to whether values are increasing, decreasing, or are remaining stable (click here for detailed article on how this is done).
The MLS indicates that prices for the city of Zimmerman, MN increased for the month of March, and also have increased year to date. This is for all types of properties that have sold within the city of Zimmerman, MN. This is similar to what is happening for split entry/level design homes over the past 12 months (see below).
The data for this market … (3 comments)

Top Of Blue Hill Sherburne County, MN - 04/12/12 07:49 PM
We don't have much for mountain vistas, or beautiful rolling hills in our neck of the woods, but I sure love the view from atop of Blue Hill. This is a great place to get a view of the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. It's a fairly steep climb, however, there's a viewing station once you reach the top to rest your tootsies; its well worth the short climb.
 
… (5 comments)

Spring AR Meet-UP In Otsego, MN - 04/12/12 07:39 AM
It's time to mingle with fellow AR members, and anyone else within the real estate industry, and learn who is that per person writing those blogs. This event is open to anyone within the real estate industry!
TIME: Wednesday, May 2nd 6-8pm
LOCATION: Rockwoods Grill, 9100 Quadry Ave. NE, Otsego, MN 55330
WHO: Anyone within the real estate industry!
WHAT: Time to meet fellow real estate professionals and AR members.  
Please RSVP and let me know if you can attend. Special thanks to Lindsey Hasford and Chuck Carstensen for helping getting this rolling. Look forward to meeting all of you … (6 comments)

A House Or Hotel For The Birds - 04/08/12 08:43 PM
At first glance it would seem pretty harmless to have just one piece of siding missing on a house, but that's unless the birds decided to turn it into their own hotel. All along the back of this house were several holes that the birds burrowed through the sheathing to build their nests. This would seem harmless and an easy fix, that is until you go inside the house. The smell was hardly bearable, and I'm assuming that it has to be from the all of the bird nests in the side of house.
This is an REO property that I … (18 comments)

Anoka County 4-H 2nd Annual 5-K Run - 04/08/12 08:20 PM
The Anoka County 4-H is having their second annual 5K run & 2 mile walk on April 28, 2012. The race starts at 8:30 am, and the walk to follow at 8:40 am. 4-H is an advocate for healthy living, and this is a great way of promoting that. This event will also help to raise funds to teach others about making healthy lifestyle choices. Follow this link for further info and a registration form.
… (3 comments)

Comedy Night at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres - 04/08/12 08:15 PM

If you're looking for a night of improv comedy, then you'll want to check out Stevie Ray's Comedy Cabaret show at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. They're are shows every Thursday through Sunday night in the Playhouse Theatre, and are approximately two hours long with one intermission.
For a list of show times click the following link to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.
… (0 comments)

Market Update: Becker, MN (Prices are Increasing for Split Entry/Level Design Homes) - 04/08/12 07:16 PM
The City of Becker, MN | Market Update
For every appraisal it's important to determine as to whether values are increasing, decreasing or are stable (click here for detailed article on how this is done).
The MLS indicates that prices for the city of Becker, MN increased for the month of February, and also have increased year to date. This is for all types of properties that have sold within the city of Becker, MN. This is similar to what is happening for split entry/level design homes over the past 12 months (see below).
The data for this market … (0 comments)

Inspiring Story: Teacher Helps Student's Dad - 04/07/12 06:40 AM
This is really a great story; it has so many elements that defy the typical stereotypes that we're lead to believe. If you stop and really think about this unselfish act that this wonderful woman did, well I think it's AWESOME! This is truly a must read story, it makes you think about how far would you go to help someone out in need, let alone a stranger.
“Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Martin Luther King
I have to admit that I've been so preoccupied with work lately, that I tend to forget those things … (10 comments)

Lafayette Woods Development|Elk River, MN - 04/07/12 06:02 AM
Lafayette Woods Development| Elk River, MN
Lafayette Woods is located between Proctor Rd and Elk Lake Rd just west of Highway 169 in Elk River, MN. This is a newer development with a mix of several different designs of homes. For every appraisal I analyze what's happening within a particular neighborhood or marketplace, the following is from a current analysis I did of Lafayette Woods.
As you can see by the graph above there was a precipitous decline in values from 2006 to 2010, and now prices appear to be leveling off. There has been only one closed sales so far … (0 comments)

3 Ways To Help Determine If Values Are Declining Or Increasing - 04/05/12 03:42 AM
For every appraisal done on the Fannie Mae Form 1004 appraisers have to figure out what's happening with current values (the past 12 months) within a given properties neighborhood and/or market area. Short term market trends differ from long term trends, but Fannie Mae tends to be more concerned with what's been happening in the past 12 months.
Given the current real estate climate, getting this right is more important than ever. If it's been determined that the values are declining and/or there's an over-supply of homes, most lenders may require the following:
At least one to two similar comparable active … (53 comments)

Laughing Is Important To Your Health - 04/03/12 05:47 AM
I think laughter is such an overlooked part of living a healthy life. Many focus on eating right, but don't realize that too much stress and can do more harm than eating one too many "Big Mac's." For the record, I'm a health nut, I work-out 5-6 times a week, eat lots of vegetables and fruits as well as lean meats, but I always make sure to get a dose of daily laughter. Just like anything else it's a learned behavior, but once you get in the habit it's easy to do. Here are some of the things that I do … (13 comments)

March Was An AWESOME Month! - 04/01/12 06:16 PM
 
THANKS!
March turned out to be my busiest month in over three years. I set a goal two years ago to re-brand myself, and move to doing more non-mortgage related appraisals. For the month of March only 15% of my business was mortgage related. This has been a lot of work, and much more still has to be done, but I'm liking it! I'm really grateful to all of my new clients, it's been very rewarding. Thank You!
 
… (9 comments)

Housing Trivia: Who Invented Sheetrock - 04/01/12 03:13 PM
Who invented Sheetrock is kind of a trick question, because Sheetrock® is really a product brand invented by United States Gypsum Company, and patented in 1917. However, Augustine Sackett is recognized as the the actual inventor of gypsum board (drywall) in 1894.
History Timeline Here's a brief timeline of the development of drywall as we know it today:
1894 Austine Sackett is credited with inventing gypsum board (drywall). 1902 The United States Gypsum Company (USGC) is formed. 1909 USGC purchases the Sackett Plaster Board company 1917 USGC patents Sheetrock® brand 1925 Cloth mesh tape for concealing joints 1953 Sheetrock® Ready-Mixed … (0 comments)

Wexford Market Update-Coon Rapids, MN April 2012 - 04/01/12 12:36 PM
Wexford Market Update-Coon Rapids, MN
Wexford is located within the northeast corner of Hanson Blvd. and Main street in Coon Rapids, MN. This development also abuts Bunker Hills Golf Course. This is a newer development of single family design homes. For each appraisal I typically research what's happening within a properties neighborhood; the following statistics for this analysis are for all single family homes within Wexford over the past 7 years.
As you can see by the graph above that values have varied over the past several years, but are generally on the decline. The decline in values does appear to … (0 comments)

 
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Michael S. Bolton-MN Appraiser

Zimmerman, MN

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Michael S. Bolton,Inc.

Office Phone: (612) 599-2581

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