mn: Septic Systems Maintenance is No Joke! Slogans are Another Story
- 09/26/13 07:39 AM
Every three years like clockwork, I put in a call to Olson's to have our septic pumped out. It’s a dirty business and somebody’s gotta do it. The City of Ham Lake where we live, does not have a public sewer system. We all have individual sewage disposal or septic systems in our yards. The septic pumping and inspection is mandatory every three years. Getting your septic pumped and inspected is a requirement of most Twin Cities metro municipalities. State and county codes are not specific on the subject of on-site or individual sewage disposal systems (ISDS) or septic systems, … (2 comments)
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mn: Understand the Risk of Loss Clause--Know When a Contract be Cancelled if the Roof Blows Off YOUR Dreamhome!
- 06/22/09 02:48 AM
Imagine for a moment the following scenario: After months of searching for the perfect place to call home, you wrote an offer on a picture perfect lakeshore rambler in Ham Lake, Minnesota. After a little negotiation, the offer was accepted and with the inspection over, you are on schedule to close in 60 days.
Three weeks prior to the closing, straight-line winds blow through Anoka County. Concerned, you drive up to your dream home and see that the picturesque oak trees that had given the home character have been uprooted. Worse yet, one of the huge trees fell onto the … (12 comments)
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mn: Wordless Wednesday (Almost)--Sleeping Spring Surprise
- 04/29/09 01:16 AM
Last spring we stumbled upon this hours-old sleeping fawn in our firepit. Read about our Memorable Memorial Day HERE.
If you are buying or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
Buying a Home? Check … (25 comments)
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mn: Forest Lake Minnesota’s Jazz and Blues Music Connection
- 12/28/08 04:03 AM
Music is a known eclectic force in throughout the Midwest. Notably, Minnesota is the home to Prince, Jonny Lang and Soul Asylum to name just a few. There always seems to be a new band on the horizon just waiting to be discovered in the undercurrent of talent in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area. In the area where I live and sell real estate, few would consider looking in Forest Lake or Taylors Falls for an upcoming Jazz/Blues/Rock sound but thanks to a musical profile on local cable access programming, I found one that deserves to be heard.Many who move … (15 comments)
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mn: Congrats to “The Parlour” on an Anniversary of an Andover/Ham Lake Dream Come True!
- 12/15/08 01:10 AM
A year ago last summer, I was in my favorite Blaine hair salon getting my hair expertly cut and colored by my stylist and friend, Jill Jarvi. As she worked to make me look my best, she told me she was about to embark on her dream of opening her own salon and boutique. It was going open before the end of the year in the Ham Lake/Andover area. Her excitement and drive was evident as she described her dream of an upscale, full service hair salon for women and men. And by the fall of 2007, her dream had … (8 comments)
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mn: Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions—Homeowner Version: Skol Vikings! Minnesota Viking in Roseville, MN!
- 10/11/08 11:43 PM
One of my favorite parts of being a Realtor is in December when I make my way through Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties making my holiday visits to the homes of my past and present buyers and sellers delivering two foot tall, live Christmas trees. The trees are a beautiful holiday centerpiece and in the spring can add value to a homeowner's landscape. Last December, as I made my holiday trek through the north and east Twin Cities metro, I was distracted by a Viking!
In Minnesota, there are many fans of the purple and gold hometown football team but … (20 comments)
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mn: Is It Harder to get a Home Loan? Minnesota Public Radio Would Like YOUR Opinion!
- 08/20/08 08:57 AM
With all of the seemingly continuous changes in the mortgage industry recently, Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is asking the question, "Are home loans harder to get?" As part of their Public Insight Network, MPR wants real answers from real people like you. It is an opportunity to share what you know with others about this important financial topic.
I find this question extremely interesting as I am certain other professional REALTORS® will as well. I will be even more interested in tuning in to hear the stories and subsequent discussions that arise from the survey. I want to hear stories from first … (7 comments)
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mn: NEW Website to Check for the Deadliest Roads by Your Home in Ham Lake, Minnesota or ANYWHERE in the US!
- 08/08/08 09:41 AM
Last week a driver's education car was broadsided on Highway 8 in Chisago County. The student driver was making a legal left hand turn and was hit by another driver who ran a red light. The instructor was killed. (Link to the Story) In the spring, two drivers perished in a head-on crash just a few miles east of this same intersection.A few days prior to school ending this past June, a mother and son heading north on Highway 61 through White Bear Township to a graduation party. They were hit in a head-on accident and died at the scene. (Link … (12 comments)
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mn: High Quality Service Is Well Worth the Price Paid When it’s Hot-Hot-HOT!
- 07/16/08 02:34 AM
Looking for a discount with a Realtor or any other service professional? If you think that going for the lowest price is the best way to save money in a tough economy, I have a story for you. Good service has value...especially when it's hot...hot...HOT!It's Hot and Humid in Minnesota today...Okay nothing like the heat in California or Arizona but heat near 90 with tropical dew points after our so far wimpy summer, the heat is noticeable. The heatwave is forecasted to stretch into the weekend! Thankfully, I am comfortable in my lovely air conditioned Ham Lake home. We had suffered … (21 comments)
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mn: Is NOW the time to BUY a Townhome In Minnesota? You Betcha!
- 07/09/08 02:13 AM
The media reports can be confusing and contradictory about the changed real estate market. One day a report comes out showing declining values on Twin Cities houses and a day or two later, reporters are indicating it is the time to jump off the fence and buy that first home. Meanwhile, the average Joe (or Josephine) sits in the apartment paying the landlord's mortgage wondering if there will ever be a good time to buy a house! Just like buying any investment, there is no sure thing and no one answer. But from the prices on townhomes I am seeing as … (14 comments)
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mn: Closer Look at Twin Cities Foreclosure/Short Sale Market—Homeowners Retain More Equity
- 06/18/08 05:02 AM
Most media reports have been exclaiming the double digit drop in housing values in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area since the beginning of 2008. The RMLS numbers showed a drastic decline in the values of homes from Anoka to Ramsey to Washington Counties. It seemed that no area in the 13 county Twin Cities metro area was completely immune to the pressure the reported up to 2% foreclosure rate was putting on the housing market.The numbers are staggering when looked at as a whole...but what if the foreclosures and short sales could be filtered out? Reality is that in most areas … (23 comments)
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mn: Coon Rapids, MN Real Estate Market Statistics May 2008
- 06/13/08 09:37 AM
In spite of the real estate slow down Coon Rapids continues to evolve as it has for over 150 years. It has changed from the community's humble beginnings of a dirt road farm community to the 9th largest city and 5th largest suburb in the state of Minnesota. The affects of the real estate market change on Coon Rapids is tempered by its convenient location to downtown Minneapolis and its easy access to Interstate 35, Hwy 65 and Hwy 47/10 for a commute to a lakeside cabin. Coon Rapids is a community with something for everyone: encompassing 23 square miles it … (19 comments)
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mn: Understanding Risk of Loss—How Severe Weather Affects Real Estate
- 06/02/08 02:48 AM
Spring storms and a busier real estate market are making life very interesting for MN buyers, sellers and Realtors! Just over a week ago, 400-500 homes sustained damage as a severe storm that spawned two tornados and devastated the Twin Cities north metro. Yesterday another storm blew through Minnesota. This time homes in the south and west metro were affected by hail and damaging straight-line winds. 2008 is setting up to be a very active storm season in the Land of 10,000 Lakes as more severe weather is already in the forecast for later this week. Will this affect real estate … (18 comments)
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mn: East Bethel to Discuss Hwy 65/Viking at Council Meeting Wednesday June 4
- 06/02/08 12:56 AM
Attention East Bethel, Ham Lake and Wyoming residents interested in the Hwy 65/Cty 22 intersection development!
The Community of East Bethel adopted the comprehensive plan in August 2007 that was submitted to the Met Council. Included in the plan is a city sewer and water proposal centered on the development of a town center at Hwy 65 and Viking Blvd. (County 22).
Now the real work is beginning! The proposed development of this intersection is on the agenda at this week's city council meeting-June 4 at East Bethel City Hall, 7:30 PM. As always these meetings are open to … (2 comments)
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mn: Gone in 30 Seconds--Tornado Changes Lives in Anoka & Washington County, MN
- 05/28/08 03:27 AM
In under a minute, life changed for so many Twin Cities north metro residents this past weekend. Several of the communities I serve as a Realtor, from Coon Rapids though Blaine, Lino Lakes and Centerville, ending in Hugo, were hit out of a beautiful blue sky by a tornado. Minnesotans should have been on alert all week that conditions were ripe for such an event. And the unthinkable happened; the tornado took with it not only dozens homes but the smile of a two-year-old little boy. On Monday, only residents were allowed into Hugo for security and safety reasons. There are many photos of … (27 comments)
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mn: Memorable Memorial Day—Another Wildlife Encounter in Ham Lake, Minnesota
- 05/25/08 01:47 PM
Living on acreage can bring encounters with wildlife from time to time. We have hawks, eagles, blue jays and cardinals flying overhead. There are raccoons, skunks and every color of squirrel that run through our yard. We have seen grouse, pheasants and wild turkeys too.
A few of these encounters have been unusual. A few summers ago, a baby blue jay was kicked out of his nest and too frightened to fly. It spent the day in our lilac bush until it bolstered up the nerve to fly away. Two years ago we had a male pheasant that decided to feast … (33 comments)
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mn: Fireworks are not Always in July—City Water/Sewer Discussion Ends Amid Controversy
- 05/01/08 02:23 AM
Fireworks are not limited to celebrations in July. The City of Ham Lake's Mayor was at the center of a hullabaloo due to a misused metaphor that was construed as bigoted. The spark of controversy was amplified by local media last week when Mayor, Paul Meuiner as voiced his frustration as the only one on the bandwagon for development proposal including a town center and city water and sewer.
Read the full story of Mayor Meunier's controversial racial comment HERE.
That situation aside, the real news is that city water and sewer and the town center appears to be off the table … (13 comments)
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mn: Lino Lakes, MN Real Estate Market Statistics 1st Quarter 2008
- 04/26/08 08:21 AM
Real estate in Lino Lakes, MN in Anoka County is still selling. Active homes in the lower price ranges seem to be up a bit but also continue to sell more quickly than homes in the higher priced categories. Lino Lakes existing homes continue to compete with available new construction in Hugo and Blaine. But as it is in southern Anoka County, it's sales figures do not tend to be as stagnant as northern Anoka County communities like Ham Lake and Linwood.High end home sales continue to struggle for sales. No homes were sold in the last 3 months, for sellers … (2 comments)
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mn: Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions—Homeowner Version: Grrrr....Black Bear in Columbus
- 04/25/08 05:24 AM
Daily trips from Ham Lake to Forest Lake are a part of my routine. If I have to travel to the south part of town my options are limited due to the wetlands in the Carlos Avery Nature Preserve which stretches from Anoka to Chisago County.
My favorite short cut through Columbus, Minnesota is well traveled. County Road 19 or Potomac can shave several minutes off a commute to Forest Lake Senior High by avoiding the stoplights on Broadway. My daily travels take me down this 55 mph road but I often slow down when I pass this wonderful piece … (22 comments)
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mn: Home Buyers With Teens--Expect the Unexpected and Voiced Opinion!
- 04/17/08 02:44 AM
It is a great time to buy a home in Minnesota. As a Realtor working in the north Twin Cities metro, I see awesome homes at great prices coming on the market everyday. There is an abundance of homes in the $300,000 plus category from Ham Lake to Forest Lake and everywhere in between. Whether you want a two story on acreage or a rambler with lakeshore there is something for everyone. And people are able to negotiate some very attractive deals. So as a family we started thinking, this might be time to make a move.Now the last time we … (40 comments)
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