Brainerd, MN

I am signing up for a Webinar sponsored by the National Association of REALTORS and am thinking how sad it is that we need to even consider these issues. Although I have not had any trouble or even felt uncomfortable at a showing or an open house, I know others who have. I have also heard of robberies, rapes and murders of agents. I am not naive enought to consider that this could not happen in my area. It Could! I am going to do what I can to prevent it from happening to me. To sign up for the free Webinar go to NAR and sign in.

Attend the Free REALTOR® Safety Webinar from NAR: Safety at Open Houses

Your safety is a top priority for NAR and as part of a year-long initiative to help build safety awareness, NAR will host REALTOR® Safety Webinars each quarter led by safety expert Andrew Wooten. The first in the series, Safety at Open Houses, is scheduled for Monday, September 14, 2009 at 10am Central. Advanced registration is recommended.

Photo FLICKR

Tell your parents, your children, your friends, your clients, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.

Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain.

It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around... after a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that! And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. I always have my keys out in the Mall of America ramp or the hospital ramps in the cities.

For someone working outside in their yard - who falls or starts to feel ill (heart attack) - push the button. Those living in secluded or rural areas are on their own, but even where I live - if the neighbors knew "the signal" could hear a honking horn across 80 acres.

Today for the first time since 9-11, you can go to the top of the Statue of Liberty. "On that fateful day in 2001, she held her head high as she witnessed with her own eyes the horrors that took place just across from her watery home. Symbolism and sentimentality can be infinitely applid to her place in it all." I have never been up in the Statue but hope to at some point. There are lots of others who want to enjoy the "view from the crown" and tickets are sold out until November. Carefully planned down to the smallest detail- the statue looks out on the ocean and on to France.

Located on a 12 acre island, the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4,1996.

The seven sharp spikes on her crown represent the seven continents and seas. Her torch is a symbol of enlightenment.

Security improvements include additional rangers stationed throughout the statue itself, new handrails and a trained medical technician on site.

Already a symbol of hope and strength, many visitors see the re-opening of the crown as a symbol of America's resiliency.

"I think it had to happen. [September 11] was a terrible tragedy, but getting this reopened shows our experience and rejuvenation," said tourist Steve Sardinia, Jr., who was visiting from Long Island. "I think it shows the ability of America to come back."

photo:FLICKR

• When shipped from France to New York, she came in 350 pieces.
• Once delivered, it took four months to put her together, and was completed on October 28, 1886.

Facts from the Fact Monster

The statue was designed by Fredéric Auguste Bartholdi of Alsace as a gift to the United States from the people of France to memorialize the alliance of the two countries in the American Revolution and their abiding friendship. The French people contributed the $250,000 cost.

The Statue of Liberty, the most famous symbolic statue of a woman, was modeled after Marie Bartholdi, the sculptor's mother. The Statue of Liberty is tremendous! Her nose is four and a half feet long, and her mouth is three feet wide. Her waist measures 35 feet around.

The 150-foot pedestal was designed by Richard M. Hunt and built by Gen. Charles P. Stone, both Americans. It contains steel underpinnings designed by Alexander Eiffel of France to support the statue. The $270,000 cost was borne by popular subscription in this country. President Grover Cleveland accepted the statue for the United States on Oct. 28, 1886.

The Statue of Liberty was designated a National Monument in 1924 and a World Heritage Site in 1984.

Have a great 4th of July enjoying the liberty that so many sacrificed for and others are continuing that sacrifice.

I will be saluting the flag and cheering on the military marching in my hometown.

Brainerd,MN ~Minnesota's Fourth of July Capital

Despite the economy, the 4th of July Celebration and the jaw dropping fireworks display will continue, at least for this year. This is mainly due to the efforts of some dedicated volunteers and Nancy Cross , Drector of Brainerd Community Action. There will be 100 parade units down only 20 from last year. The weather is predicted to be sunny with temperatures around 77 degrees and a small chance of rain.

The festivites on the Fourth will start with the Annual Brainerd Jaycees Corn Feed on the Adamson Ball Field at noon. If you like sweet corn roasted in the husks and dipped in butter, you will love this. A little sprinkle of salt and pepper and plenty of napkins will do. The American Celebration parade will start at 4 PM and the musical entertainmetn brgins at 6 PM. Be to see Elvis live on stage with the Blues Brothers Revue. The year's Battle of the Bands winner will perform and the night has only just begun. A fly over is traditionally held at 8 PM and music contiues until the fireworks at 10:15. If you have not witnessed the musically choreographed presentation of oooohs and aahhhhs- you are really depriving yourself and your family of a specatular event.

Kathleen Lordbock

Keller Williams Brainerd Lakes REALTOR/Staging Specialist

licensed in MN

Complimentary staging consultations for all my signed listings

Complimentary virtual tours with wide angle lens and edited phtotos

~ Not your ordinary REALTOR, producing extra ordianary results~

Homes are selling but they are not selling for as high a price nor are they selling as quickly. Does that sound familiar in your area?

As a REALTOR/Staging Specialist home stager with Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes, I know at least a partial solution to the problem. In order for your home to sell better and faster than those of the competitions', it needs to be properly presented and be priced competitively, from the start. A home that shows well both outside and inside is going to get offers. When prospective buyers make an emotional connection with the home - they want it!

I keep hearing from Realtors "home staging - we do that". Then I look at their MLS photos. Home staging is more than cleaning and decluttering (although a lot of the photos were also missing that element). Color, traffic flow, highlighting focal elements, curb appeal, up grades that pay back - are those being addressed? Do you understand what they are and how they come into play for the appeal of a home? If this is not your thing - then have your homeowners hire a stager. Even a consultation and subsequent following the plan - will make a major difference for a small investment.

Price is crucial but is not the only element. Marketing - yes by all means - and that is so much more than sticking a sign in the yard and listing with a multiple listing service.

The above listing was on the market for 4 days. It is only a 2 bedroom. 2 3/4 bath home. Not your typical 3 bedroom. 2 bath. They walked in and fell in love. It is ready to move into, clean, freshly painted, all repairs done - no problems. Every room staged and looking good!

Kathleen Lordbock

Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes

Re$ale Desing & Home Staging

licensed to sell in MN

218-829-4664

resaledesign@gmail.com

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