About Aitkin's Bay Lake

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 do not know whether an extension on the tax credit will take place – or what that opportunity might look like – we only know how things are right now.

Buyers do not delay; you may be gambling away $8,000. We are also in a rare period of low interest rates, low prices, abundant inventory and down payment assistance programs – there's no better time to buy in our area of Minnesota. If you are looking in the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota, I have properties in all price ranges from county to city to lake. Many more are coming on the market so if you didn’t find what you wanted before, do give me a call. I will find your dream home for you. 80 acres of Hunting land adjoining State land and a 15- 25 acre rural parcel will soon be listed along with a 5 bedroom, 2 bath, 3 car just a few miles North of Baxter. A 3 bedroom on 7.5 acres and a 2 bedroom/2bath/ 2 car in town also are upcoming.

If your home is not selling and you want to try something different - give me a call at Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes. I will help you get your home show room ready, priced for this market and sold. The home that shows the best, is heavily marketed and priced correctly will sell first.

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."
- Stephen Covey: Author, organizational, leadership, and family expert.

Try this out for a month-just a month, you can do it.

Copy the above quote and print it out. Tape it to your bathroom mirror, your car dash, your computer monitor, your exercise bicycle, and your refrigerator. Read it and think about what is most important to you = your big why. Reflecting on this quote every day for a month will help your realize what you get up to do and why you are doing it. The small things, the bumps in the road, the elbow scrapes, the client who is not so cooperative – will become smaller as you focus on what is truly important to you.

That will differ for all of us so I am not going to give you a list. You can come up with your own. Then as the days go on in your month, you will be more aware and more focused – letting the trivial things go and marching on to achieve your goals, hopes and dreams.

Just a month - you can do it!

Kathleen Lordbock

Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes

Minnesota

REALTOR-STAGING & SHORT SALE SPECIALIST

House not selling?

Need to move soon?

Falling behind on payments?

Want to sell your home for the most money and in the least amount of time?

218-829-4664

klordbock@kw.com

Top Brainerd Agent

photo by Flickr

     As you all well know, today marks the eighth anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. I am listening to some of the 9-11 memorial program on the television and remembering where I was and what I was doing on that day.  We had a tornado rip through on June 13,2001 taking almost everything we owned including our roofing business and horse stable.  We lost horses as well and that was the most difficult for me.

   Our insurance company purchased us a dumpy old house trailer that we named Barney after the purple carpet that ran through the living spaces. It was parked behind what was left of our home. Some young men had already shown up for work and were in there with my husband deciding on the day's plan. I was doing my morning chores and listening to the TV as I went. After the first building was hit I ran to the house with a sinking feeling that there was more to come.  My husband and the guys were already in a circle holding hands and praying for our nation and the lives of those in peril.

     I hope that you will take a some time today to reflect on the things that are most important in your life.  My relationship with God reflects on all the other people and things in my life. I have experienced tragedy and sorrow and pain, but God has never left me and I have never left Him. I have found that, though painful to endure, through trials we have the opportunity to rise even stronger.

    I also will spend some time praying for those who were left behind and those who were injured and continue to endure great pain from this  terrorist attack on the United States of America and her people. May God be with us. 

Photo : Flickr

I WILL NOT FORGET! 

FOR A COMPLETE TIMETABLE OF THOSE EVENTS CLICK HERE**********

Most buyers are looking for a well-maintained house in apple pie order. They will be looking to buy as much house as they can get and still leave a little dough for changes to adapt things to their personal taste. That doesn't mean that they will be looking to dive right into major home improvements, because they won't. The down payment on your home will take most of their savings. After the monthly mortgage payments, taxes and insurance, there is no room in their budget for major repairs. Many buyers today will not consider a house that needs remodeling and improvements, they do not need to as there are plenty of move in ready homes available. Those buyers who will are called flippers and need to buy property as cheaply as possible to make needed repairs and enhancements and still clear a profit. Nothing personal - it is their business.

Your house will stand a better chance of selling if it has an up-to-date kitchen, an up-to-date bathroom and shows the signs of regular maintenance. Inside and outside everything should be in good repair. Fresh paint improves the curb appeal of any house, along with blooming flowers and a nicely cropped green lawn. Cleanliness, both inside and out will make a good impression on the buyer. Clean out the gutters and downspouts, pull out all weeds, put fresh mulch around trees and in flower beds. Pressure wash the sidewalks and siding, if it will stand up to it. Go the distance and the reward will be much greater.

The 4th of July is the most popular outdoor cooking holiday of the year. It is also an very busy time for emergency rooms and burn units.

Make sure that you are ready to safely celebrate and cook up your summer feast.

Using a Gas Grill?

Make Sure Your Tank is Ready:

- A damaged tank - consumers should not try to repair damaged tanks.
- Obsolete tanks - tanks with round- or star-shaped handwheels do not contain Overfill Prevention Devices (OPD) and can no longer be filled.
- Empty tanks - You can get a fresh, ready to grill tank that includes an OPD.

Transport Your Tank Safely - After you buy your tank, secure it upright in a well-ventilated area of your vehicle. This means no rolling it around in the back of your pickup, until you need it for something. Take it directly to the place you will use it and leave it there.

Check for Leaks - When attaching your tank to the grill, use soapy water to check the tank and valve for leaks. Open the valve but leave the appliance off while testing. Don’t use a match or open flame to check for leaks.

Lighting Your Grill - Before lighting, always refer to the grill manufacturer’s safety and operating instructions. This is actually the most dangerous step and many a severe burn has occured in using materials that should not be used to light a fire. Charcoal especially will take time - plan ahead and skip the gasoline.

Tank Storage - When you store a tank, be sure to keep it in an upright, vertical position. Never store tanks in a garage, building, or enclosed area. Never store an extra tank under your grill.

photo - FLICKR

Kathleen Lordbock

Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes

218-829-0339]

licensed in MN

~Not your ordinary REALTOR, not your ordinary results~