brainerd real estate: The Doctor is Still Making Fair Visits
- 08/03/13 03:53 AM
I dashed out from my Keller Williams Realty Professionals booth at the Crow Wing County Fair to see the parade and I was able to get this great shot of a very old Doctor's car complete with the medical satchel on the running board. It is reassuring to know that should an emergency arise here on the Fair grounds, it will be attended to promptly.
We are having the perfect weather for fair going and people seem to be enjoying themselves as always.
It is always fun to see clients and former clients and make new friends! Stop by (2 comments)
brainerd real estate: Should You Shop On Your Own or Have a Personal Shopper?
- 03/03/11 03:03 AM
Real Estate websites such as: Trulia.com, Zillow.com, and REALTOR.com, are fun to explore sites with a wealth of information at your fingertips but it may not necessarily be accurate and is certainly not timely. When the prospective homebuyer searches those sites, the information they are viewing on the site has a time lag from postings and changes in our Multiple Listing Services (MLS) The information that you are able to access is just general in nature and any important documentation such as disclosures are not available. A home with a leaky roof and interior damage may not seem like (5 comments)
brainerd real estate: Overpriced Homes-Sell Slower and For Less
- 08/07/10 05:33 AM
In our present market buyers, if not looking for a bargain are certainly looking for good value. They can easily find that with our present vast inventory - at least in the Brainerd Lakes area. I know you love your home and think it is worth much more than others because of the memories, hard work and everything that you have done. Buyers are just looking at your home and many other homes - your home is in a beauty pageant and a price war- are you winning?
Overpriced Homes-Sell Slower and For Less If there’s anything we can (4 comments)
brainerd real estate: Crow Wing County Fair Joke
- 08/04/10 02:51 AM
While working in my Keller Williams/ Re$ale Design booth at the Crow Wing County Fair, this bit of humor came my way. The fair is an interesting place with many fashion and cause statements being made and jokes flying. Yesterday was HOT with a Heat Index of 101 outside. I was in a metal building with little ventilation and many people. Hopefully today will be cooler and maybe I will hear another joke for you. A DEA officer stops at a ranch in South Dakota, and talks with an old rancher. He tells the rancher, "I need to inspect (4 comments)
brainerd real estate: Miss Coon Rapids- Quality of Life Semi-Finalist MAO
- 06/07/10 04:39 PM
My daughter and Home Staging partner, Allison Lordbock, is Miss Coon Rapids 2010 and the former 2005 Miss Brainerd Lakes. Along with that title comes the privilege of participating in the Miss Minnesota pageant. It is June 17-19, which will be here soon. Most people are unaware of how hard these young women work on their platforms throughout the year. Allison is especially busy now making appearances, working in community events and preparing for the pageant with many opportunities to help lives change. Her platform is entitled "Write Your Own Story - the future begins today". Instead (6 comments)
Performers of the 60's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers. They include: Bobby Darin --- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash. Herman's Hermits --- Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker .
Ringo Starr --- I Get By With a Little Help From Depends.
The Bee Gees -- - How Can You Mend a Broken Hip.
Roberta Flack--- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face.
Johnny Nash --- I Can't See Clearly Now.
Paul Simon--- Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver
The Commodores --- Once, Twice, Three Times to (9 comments)
I am continually being amazed by the brilliance of the talking minds. Joe the Plumber and others have demonstrated a level of intelligence and common sense that is just somehow escaping others. I see those who are capable of great speeches, lying through their teeth and just plainly reiterating what they have been told with no understanding of what that means. We should expect that the so called experts sent out to help our ailing economy should have some comprehension of the subject that they are "helping" on. Is that really to much to expect? Where are these (10 comments)
From the New York Times: Michael S. Barr, Treasury’s assistant secretary for financial institutions, said in an interview Friday that the government would try to use shame as a corrective, publicly naming those institutions that move too slowly to permanently lower mortgage payments. The Treasury Department also will wait until reductions are permanent before paying cash incentives that it promised to mortgage companies that lower loan payments. “They’re not getting a penny from the federal government until they move forward,” Mr. Barr said.
I am wondering if shame is the new step to take (8 comments)
brainerd real estate: Have you Fallen?
- 11/28/09 10:50 AM
Life is like that sometimes, things happen and we do not know how we will make it through. You are not alone – there is help, there is hope. If you are falling behind on your mortgage payments or fear you soon will be, then perhaps we need to explore your options. A Short Sale may be one of them and is a far better choice that walking away. If you want to get more information and find out how Short Sales work, give me a call or email. The definition of a Short Sale is: A Short Sale is (3 comments)
brainerd real estate: Minnesota Lawsuit Blocking Foreclosures Dismissed
- 11/27/09 02:41 AM
A group of homeowners sought to block foreclosures in Minnesota, but their class action suit has been dismissed by US District Judge Ann Montgomery. The lawsuit claimed that homeowners were not given proper notice when they were rejected on the right to appeal when dealing with the Home Affordable Modification Program. The attorney for the homeowners stated that new regulations have been adopted since the lawsuit was filed in July that address some of the raised concerns but that the process is not as transparent as it should be. What has your experience been working with this program? (4 comments)
brainerd real estate: We Need to Price Your Home to Sell
- 11/25/09 04:47 AM
Statistics say that the best chance for selling your property is within the first seven weeks? Experience has shown that this is true. These studies show that the longer a property stays on the market, the less the seller will net upon the sale. It is so very important to price your property at a competitive market value at the signing of your listing contract. Our present market is so competitive that even over-pricing by a few thousand dollars could mean that your house will not sell. An Overpriced Home: Minimizes offers Lowers agents' response Limits qualified buyers Lowers showings (9 comments)
brainerd real estate: Brainerd Lakes Area Market Report for October 2009
- 11/11/09 02:51 AM
There were strong home sales in the Greater Lakes area of Central Minnesota once again in October. For the month there were 242 closed sales, up 14.7 percent from a year ago as low mortgage rates and the federal tax credit for home buyers spurred activity. With the home buyer tax credit extended and expanded, we can expect that first-time home buyer activity will remain strong, but don't bank on the same blockbuster numbers we saw this year. If you were a potential first-time home buyer who was qualified to purchase in 2009, odds are pretty good that you already (3 comments)
brainerd real estate: Brainerd Lakes Area Expected to Grow!
- 11/09/09 02:30 AM
The Brainerd Lakes area according to state demographers is expected to be the top growth area in the state. Area counties such as Aitkin , Cass and Crow wing Counties are projected to grow by 65% between 2000 and 2030, which makes it the fastest growing pocket in the state. The counties which are North of the area are projected to grow by 55% in that same time frame. Following the recession, according to George Orning a community planner, it will take about 5 to 10 years to catch up and our lakes area will have more competition with other (4 comments)
brainerd real estate: 921 12th Street SE Brainerd, MN 56401 - Reduced to $114,000
- 10/23/09 06:15 AM
This home in Brainerd,MN is everything you could want in a starter/family home. The backyard is entirely fenced with sparkling white tall PVC panels that are attractive and functional. Let the kids and/ or pets roam freely. The two car garage with paved driveway has plenty of room for a car plus toys or two cars, if you please. A full bathroom on the main and a 3/4 in the basement, along with the utility room. A home theater/game room is ready for family fun and movie nights. How about the big game? The main level is open and light (4 comments)
brainerd real estate: October's Story
- 10/20/09 02:19 PM
October’s big Real Estate story will be the expiration of the $8,000 tax credit on November 30th for eligible first time homebuyers. Since most transactions are taking a minimum of 30 – 45 days to close after an offer is made, buyers who need financing will need to sign a purchase agreement by the end of October 2009 in order to close their loan by the Nov. 30 deadline. Buyers who are hoping to utilize the $8,000 tax credit should be only making offers on properties that are able to close quickly and do not require bank approval. We (4 comments)
brainerd real estate: Do You Do The 50% Ratio?
- 10/08/09 05:41 AM
In reading a blog on the net , I came across the idea of the 50% Space to Stuff Ratio This was new to me but may be old stuff to some of you. The concept is that you are to evaluate the floor space in your home. If it is almost completely covered, there is no room left for new opportunities to come in. Reduce what is on it by 50% and there will be room for movement and the ability to change out what you want for now and for the future. When you have an open house (6 comments)
brainerd real estate: Prepare to be Cornmazed
- 09/29/09 11:52 AM
Here in the Brainerd Lakes of Minnesota, 2 special corn fields have been silently growing and planning for the Fall. Soon these innocent looking fields will be sculpted and designed into twisty labyrinths for the sole purpose of making you walk in circles. You can spend an afternoon winding your way through the towering stalks and the evening on a hayride drinking cider. There are special days for families with small children and appropriate age crafts. Several nights will be for those who like a little excitement with their confusion. Scary creatures will inhabit the maze ready to make (10 comments)