About Little Falls' Camp Ripley

1.Decide what you can afford. The best way to do this is with a visit to your favorite lender – that way you will know what price ranges you can search in.

2. Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report to make sure it is accurate and to correct any errors immediately. A credit report provides a history of your credit, bad debts, and any late payments.

3 Determine your mortgage qualifications. How large of mortgage do you qualify for? Also, explore different loan options — such as 30-year or 15-year fixed mortgages or ARMs — and decide what’s best for you.

4 Get preapproved. Organize all the documentation a lender will need to preapprove you for a loan. You might need W-2 forms, copies of at least one pay stub, account numbers, and copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements.

5 Weigh other sources of help with a down payment. Do you qualify for any special mortgage or down payment assistance programs? Check with your state and local government on down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers. Or, if you have an IRA account, you can use the money you’ve saved to buy your fist home without paying a penalty for early withdrawal.

6 Calculate the costs of homeownership. This should include property taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities, and association fees, if applicable.

7.Develop your home wish list. Separate the needs from the wants and understand that you can get some of each but maybe not all of the above.

8 Select where you want to live. Compile a list of three or four neighborhoods you’d like to live in, taking into account items such as schools, medical facilities, parks, cultural events.

9 Start saving. Do you have enough money saved to qualify for a mortgage and cover your down payment? Ideally, you should have 20 percent of the purchase price saved as a down payment. Also, don’t forget to factor in closing costs. Closing costs — average between 2 and 7 percent of the home price.

10. Contact a REALTOR®. For help in the Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota- call Kathleen Lordbock with Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes at 218-831-8001.

Wondering what the current rates are in the Brainerd Lakes area for October 4, 2010? Well, here you go.

If you are wondering what you could buy with one of these low interest loans- give me a call and I will help you find just what you are looking for.

Hunting land, building lots, already built new construction or a home looking for a new family?

A luxury lake home on one of the Whitefish Chain lakes or how about the Mississippi River?

Foreclosed on properties or a Short Sale?

The Minnesota Military Museum is located less than an hour north of St. Cloud in Camp Ripley, an Army National Guard Training facility. Drive through the main gate of this sprawling military post and you will soon find the museum, a smallish building with a yard full of items that don't fit in the building. Think helicopters, planes, tanks, and artillery pieces. It looks like Patton's yard sale!

Once inside we met Bea, who gave us friendly guidance, and later filled us in on all things military. The displays take you on a chronological tour of Minnesotan military history, beginning with the early forts, (one of which was Fort Ripley on the Mississippi River) the Civil War and the Indian Wars, and taking you through the modern day. During the 1860s the Minnesota soldier fought 2 wars at the same time, the Civil War and the Indian War with the Dakota. During the Civil War the 1st Minnesota fought bravely at Gettysburg.

The Museum has cannons and uniforms, and memorabilia of all shapes and sizes, much of which was donated by the men and women who were there, and came home to tell their stories. Camp Ripley itself has been a training and testing area for the U.S. Army, and has been host to some historic events, including the naming of the "Jeep".

One of the more moving displays is that of the 34th Tank Company from Brainerd. Attached to the 194th Tank Battalian and deployed to the Phillipines in July 1941, they were involved in World War II at the outset, and were captured by the Japanese. They became part of what is known as the Baatan Death March. Of 61 men only 29 returned home. Another stirring display involves the Congressional Medal of Honor displays and Citations near the entry and gift shop.

Every conflict and action is accounted for here, with authentic firearms, bayonets, helmets and documents. There is a convincing re-creation of a paratrooper in the door of a C-47 (circa D-Day) and soldiers in full dress for every other era where Minnesota has played a part. Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm.

Then there is the Weapons Rooms! German, Japanese, Russian, Vietnam, Iraq. 1800s, WWI & II. The Luger collection alone is impressive, and all museum quality. Well, it is a museum after all. Some obscure items I had never seen displayed before, and I've been to the Smithsonian, and Gettysburg.

This is a great place for a few hours or a day, with or without the kids, but if you want your kids to see some history and get an idea of what it is to be an American soldier, anytime betwenn 1842 and 2010, this is the place. If you like gadgets and gizmos, they have some here! I can't wait to get back and see all the stuff I missed while looking at the other stuff!