I would like to invite Michele Bachmann to St Cloud MN to have a sit down with the community and the area REALTORS® about the housing market. I feel that at this time that it is very important for our representatives in Washington to hear from us the citizens about how things are actually affecting individuals who are living with this everyday. I would also ask that there be a large showing from the REALTORS® in the area as we are the people with their feet on the ground in this situation. We are hearing the stories day in and day out.

This came to mind after receiving a call from Michele doing her teleconference town hall meeting and hearing the concerns of the other people who were willing to stay on the line to ask her questions during this meeting.

Brian from St Cloud called in and wanted to let her know that he felt that she was doing a good job, she responded by asking him to write a few lines to the editor of the times and state the same and if he felt strongly about certain things that she was doing in a positive manner to mention those items specifically.  

Frank in Elk River had questions about what was happening in the mortgage industry. He believed that congress was working on passing a bill that would enable everyone to become a home owner. Michele then spoke of the "crisis with Foreclosures" and stated that we are in a "downturn" currently but that she firmly believed that there were people out there with money and when the crisis hit bottom that they would return to the market and start buying homes which would in turn get the market going again and we would see prices start increasing. She did not have any recollection of any program that would allow for everyone to afford a home.

Frank also wanted to know if there were any plans to alleviate the foreclosures and the rate of bankruptcy, Michele expressed concern about over regulating the market. She is unsure about where the economy is going to go and is taking it very seriously. She was wondering what could be done without causing more difficulty.

Linda in Elk River commented about having 4 children in their 20s. None of them own their own home as they were not sure that they could afford to buy at this time. She did not want there to be a bail out of the banking industry and have the burden fall, thru taxes, upon her children to pay for the mistakes of others. Michele stated that she is aware that we do not want to continue to support "pork barrel spending" and then mentioned how a teapot museum was built with tax dollars while currently the DeSoto Bridge is closed.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/07/06/eveningnews/main3025025.shtml

She seems to be aware of the problems facing her constituents, she made mention of her increasing grocery bill. I think that it is wonderful that she understands rising food and gas costs and our concerns about current govt. spending, I would like to have her understand what is actually going on with the foreclosures and the mortgage mess.

Michele, you said that you try to come to St Cloud fairly regularly, would you please on one of your trips allow for a meeting to discuss the housing market and viable solutions? 

Steve Baklaich

RE/MAX Realty Source
Steve's cell - (320) 260-3290
Offfice - (320) 258-5766
steve_baklaich@yahoo.com
http://www.stcloudareahomesforsale.com/