Maple Grove, MN

Based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OF MINNESOTA, INC. For the period of January 1, 2007 thru December 31, 2008

Buyers: Receive a CASH BONUS of 2% of the sale price up to a maximum of $10,000.00 after closing when you purchase a home through me.

To find out more, call Patti Ann Kasper at 763-548-1418 today!

Sellers: Your home SOLD in 39 days or less GUARANTEED, or I'll pay you up to $10,000 after closing!

*National Real Estate Stimulus Program* Participant

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Patti Ann Kasper, Your Minnesota, North Metro Twin Cities, Maple Grove, and Osseo Real Estate Expert!
© Copyright Patti Ann Kasper 2009 All Right Reserved.

Last May nearly 1,000 from Maple Grove and across the Twin Cities participated in the inaugural Maple Grove Half Marathon & 5K. Starting and ending at the Maple Grove Senior High stadium, the half marathon (13.1 miles) and 5K (3.1 miles) running events followed streets and trails through the city, eventually returning to the finish line at the stadium.

The event, in which the proceeds support the charitable activities of the Maple Grove Lions Club, was envisioned as a community event for Maple Grove residents, but one that would also draw people from beyond Maple Grove to see what the city has to offer. The half marathon winner in the men's division traveled from Plano, Texas to participate in the event, while the women's division winner came from Eden Prairie. Both winners intend to return in 2009 to defend their titles.

If you are a runner and missed last year's event, planning for the 2009 race is already underway. Registration will open on January 1st. Registration numbers for both the half marathon and 5K will be capped, so register early to ensure your place in the field. In addition, the 2009 event will feature a two-person half marathon relay and is open to the first 15 teams to register. To ensure accuracy, registration will be exclusively online.

More information about the race and details on how to register can be found at: www.maplegrovehalfmarathon.com

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4.5% as a 30-year fixed rate could be here sooner than later! Yes we've touched the mid-to-high 4's for moments here and there, but we haven't seen those rates sustain themselves for more than a few hours at a time.

Today, the Fed began purchasing Mortgage Backed Securities under a program that they announced on November 25th. The Fed will buy as much as $500 billion of MBS by the end of the second quarter. Never before has the Fed had direct control over mortgage rates. The rates they do control are short-term rates that typically affect credit cards, auto loans and home equity loans. But now, with the ability to buy (and eventually sell) Mortgage Backed Securities, we are treading further into uncharted territory.

Like you, I'll take as much advantage of the lower rates as possible, but what will the consequences be? What are the future side effects of the "open market" being influenced so dramatically by policy makers?

Though we don't know the day or the hour, we are certainly in the times and the seasons where 4.5% will become a reality. Thankfully in the short-term, these lower rates will make houses more affordable and will hopefully begin to turn the housing market around, and help to shorten market times.

Ben Olson - Minnesota Mortgage Specialist, Mortgages Unlimited, 763-416-2620

Your "Big Why" is what gives you your focus, your purpose, and your determination to keep going and to stay positive. In Gary Keller's book, "The Millionaire Real Estate Agent", he uses the following example to show how a "Big Why" works.

Ever see anyone work the day before a vacation? It is truly amazing! No matter how they approached yesterday, today they have become a model for the entire world on how to get things done. Why? Because if they get it all done, they get to go play! That's a pretty Big Why! So the day before we leave for vacation, we're on a time-management mission! We don't sit around idly and surf the Internet or chitchat with fellow workers. We screen our calls, ignore trivial emails, and toss out junk mail with abandon. Maybe we even eat lunch at our desk or on the run, and by the end of the day we've accomplished more than we ever thought was possible in a single day and still have time to pack, drop the dog off at the kennel, and cancel the newspaper. It's simply incredible! How does all this happen? Because a Big Why brings big focus and big energy... HIGH ACHIEVERS ALWAYS HAVE A BIG WHY!

You may have experienced this exact setting just within the last week. So how do we keep this kind of focus every day? By taking the time to ask the question, "Why do I do what I do?"

I like the way Paul McKee (Keller Williams Realty Mid Maine) put it, "When you think of your Big Why, ask yourself ‘why', then after you've answered the question, ask it again five more times. It really digs deep and makes you think!"

Take some time to really ask yourself, "Why do you do what you do?" Identify your Big Why and keep it in front of you always. Every day will become more productive and more rewarding.

Ben Olson - Minnesota Mortgage Specialist, Mortgages Unlimited, 763-416-2620

In his book, "The Millionaire Real Estate Agent", Gary Keller talks about the Big Why... that diving force that keeps us focused and motivated.

The Big Why is about having purpose, a mission, or a need, that in turn give you focus. High achievers always have a Big Why powering their actions.

Though our "immediate why" might be money to pay the bills, or perhaps some other superficial desire, our Big Why will always be something that can sustain us through the ups and downs of our everyday business. It's the one thing that motivates us to keep doing what we're doing.

So you have to be careful when you're trying to discover your Big Why. We hope that what motivates you isn't just money or a comfortable retirement. The truth is, you can achieve those things faster than you think; then, if you're not careful, you'll be left with a lot of life and little reason to live it. We hope you're getting in touch with what truly motivates you. Maybe you love to do the deal. Some of the best agents I know love nothing more than a difficult negotiation that gives them a chance to really shine, to acknowledge objections, to discover a solution with which both sides can be happy. This is the kind of Big Why that doesn't easily fade.

I've also known real estate agents who like nothing better than providing exceptional service to their clients and handing them a key to their dream home. This kind of Big Why has led them essentially to become invaluable financial advisors for their clients, guiding them on investments so they can eventually buy their dream home.

He goes on to say,

As you've probably guessed, my personal favorite is the Big Why that drives people to be the best they can be. You might try thinking of it this way: Being your best is actually a goal-less pursuit. You can never ever really reach a point where you can truthfully say, "I just can't grow anymore." And what is so exciting is that this kind of Big Why can create personal growth. It is where the unimaginable you dared not dream becomes the imaginable you dare to live. And as far as money goes, when you are always striving to do the best you can do, you will always be making the most money you can possibly make.

So... what's your Big Why? What keeps you motivated to do what you do? What is your driving force? If you've never identified your Big Why, I encourage you to buy Gary Keller's book, and read it over the holiday. I guarantee your 2009 will be the most focused and successful year of your career so far!

Ben Olson - Minnesota Mortgage Specialist, Mortgages Unlimited, 763-416-2620