About Stearns County, MN

Thankful Sunday! A Toast to my Friends & AR Colleagues in St Cloud Minnesota

Steve & Liz Baklaich

Imagine my total surprise when I walked up to my front door and
there was a package from Liz & Steve Baklaich!

I wondered what it could be? So I hurried into the house and opened up the package. It was kind of heavy so I wasn't sure what they had up their sleeve! It was packed really well with lots of bubble wrap so it took me awhile to open the first package.

Homemade Raspberry Jelly! Are you kidding me? I love homemade Jelly!

It reminds me of growing up in St Cloud Minnesota. My Grandma had a huge raspberry patch and she let us pick our breakfast of berries when we stayed with her. And she made the best homemade raspberry jelly too!

When I saw the jelly that Liz made (sorry Steve I think it was her) I was so excited! She also sent along 3 other fun homemade jellies, cinnamon/apple, jalapeno and hot yellow pepper! Liz grew up here in Phoenix and moved to St Cloud to be with Steve. So she knows her hot jellies!! And we're so glad she does! We've been enjoying the jellies every morning since they arrived.

What a lovely way to warm my heart and I wish I was there to give them a big hug!

This gift folks is so very indicative of the wonderful relationships so many of us are creating within our Active Rain Community. Never in a million years when I began my AR journey in 08 did I imagine the gift of solid relationships with great people all over the USA and Canada.

A huge thanks to Liz & Steve Baklaich of Saint Cloud Minnesota!
I can't wait to meet you in person when I'm home for a visit!

OPEN HOUSE 2918 S. 16th Street Court, St. Cloud, MN

Sunday January 15, 2012 from 12:00 to 1:30pm MLS# 4108454

This attractive 4 bedroom 2 bath home offers upgrades found in more expensive homes like real maple flooring through out the kitchen, dining and living-room and slate tile in the entry foyer and in the upstairs bath. The kitchen features raise panel cabinets and a center island. Dining walks out to an over-sized deck and a large private back yard with mature trees. Spacious lower level family room, 2 car garage, all on a cul-de-sac close to Oak Hill School.This home is move-in ready and available for a quick closing.*Ask about the HRA grant of $13,000 interest free to qualified buyer*. $139,900.

Directions: 25th Ave.S. to Main Prairie Rd. to Oak Grove Rd to 16th St.Ct. to home. Follow the signs to 2918 S. 16th Street Court, St. Cloud, MN

Uncle Sam Givith and Takith Away!

I have know a number of attorneys over the course of my Real Estate career, and some of them know, and tell the best lawyer jokes. Example:

Do you know how cold it was yesterday?

It was so cold I saw my lawyer walking down the street and he had his hands in his own pockets!

Now try substituting Senator for lawyer and you will be most timely, because last week the U.S. Senate extended the payroll tax cut, reducing what they withhold from folks paychecks. This is a temporary measure to stimulate spending, etc. As part of this extension they included an increase in Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP) on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA loans, for new purchases and refinances, beginning January 1, 2012. This change will likely be permanent, and represents about a 33% increase in the monthly MIP on 90% of all loans written.