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Ellie Ortmann

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Sink The Car Buffalo, MN

02-23-12
Ellie Ortmann

It is that time of year in Buffalo, MN! The Buffalo Rotary Club is sponsoring the Sink The Car Event.

Sink the CarDon't worry, for those of you who are not familiar with a car on the ice. I am not on the ice with the car right now. I won't be sinking in Bufalo Lake.!

It is fun!

When will the car sink?

Make your guess online! Buffalo, MN Rotary Fundraiser(this one is on the ice :))

Click here to make 1 guess for $5

Click here to make 3 guesses for $10
Make your bid today for a chance to win

$1, 000!

Thank you to our following sponsors
French Lake Auto, West Suburban Auto, KRWC, City of Buffalo Flora Program, T&M Towing, & BJ's Deli

Rules:

Must be 18 years of age to enter.
Guess the closest date and time when the car will take the plunge.
In the event of a tie, those entrants names will be placed in a hat and the winner will be drawn.
Decision of judges is final.
Entry forms must be received no later than 5:00pm on March 15, 2012
All times shown are U.S Central Time Zone.

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HOW TO GET MY HOME READY FOR SALE

02-02-12
Ellie Ortmann

READY TO SELL? WONDERING, WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I CAN DO TO MY HOME?

READ BELOW:

Worth-the-Price Fix-Ups

Simple and affordable do-it-yourself projects can greatly increase a home's resale value, according to HomeGain's annual home improvement and staging survey.

The marketing company surveyed nearly 600 real estate professionals to discover which DIY home improvement projects give sellers the biggest return for their buck. Here are six projects under $1,000 (amounts are estimated) that made the list.

  1. Cleaning and decluttering.Remove any personal items, unclutter countertops, organize closets and shelves, and make the home sparkling clean.
    • $290 Cost
    • $1,990 Return
  2. Brightening.Clean all windows inside and out, replace old curtains, update lighting fixtures, and remove anything that blocks light from the windows.
    • $375 Cost
    • $1,550 Return
  3. Smart staging.Rearrange furniture, bring in new accessories and furnishings to enhance rooms, incorporate artwork, and play soft music in the background.
    • $550 Cost
    • $2,194 Return
  4. Landscaping enhancements.Punch up the home’s curb appeal in the front and back yards by adding bark mulch, bushes, and flowers and ensuring current plants and grass are well-cared for and manicured.
    • $540 Cost
    • $1,932 return
  5. Repairing electrical or plumbing.Fix leaks under the sinks, remove any mildew stains, and ensure all plumbing is in good working condition. Update the home’s electrical with new wiring for modern appliances, fix any lights or outlets that don’t work, and replace old plug points with new safety fixtures.
    • $535 Cost
    • $1,505 Return
  6. Replacing or shampooing dirty carpets.Steam-clean carpets, replace any worn carpets, and repair any floor creaks.
    • $647 Cost
    • $1,739 Return

Excerpted from HomeGain’s 2011 Home Sale Maximizer Survey: www.homesalemaximizer.com.

WE ARE SELLING HOMES LIKE CRAZY, HERE, IN BUFFALO, MN.

WE NEED MORE SELLERS. BUYERS ARE GOING NUTS IN BUFFFALO, MN, TRYING TO FIND A HOME!

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WHAT DO BURGLARS THINK ABOUT YOUR HOME?

01-25-12
Ellie Ortmann

Safety is a big concern to all of us. I live in a small city, where we sometimes forget that we might not be safe.

We often don't lock our doors. Why? " Who would ever think of breaking in? I live in a safe city!"

Example:

  • Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

Real life situation: A client of ours lives in a very secluded neighborhood with no neighbors behind him. He came home early to prepare for a business trip, and found his $3,000 grill/smoker that had been in his backyard, in the process of being loaded on a pickup truck. He called the police, and the criminals were apprehended in the act. One of the criminals had visited his house the week before as the employee of a roofing company that had been doing some repairs on our client's roof!

What do Burglars Think

For more info click on the photo above and BE SAFE!

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Resolutions for your HOME

01-11-12
Ellie Ortmann
This information was sent to me by Pillar to Post, an inspection company that I use in the Buffalo, MN and Wright County Areas.
I hope you find it useful.
KEEP CURRENT ON ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
One of the most important things you can do as a homeowner is to make sure routine maintenance is part of your plan. Catching problems early can often help you avoid larger issues down the road. What is now a minor plumbing or roof leak can cause major problems if not detected and fixed immediately. Check around your home for cracked or peeling paint, have the chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned, and make sure the driveway and walkways are not cracked or lifting.

UPDATE YOUR HOME INVENTORY FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES
If you're like many homeowners, it's probably been a while since you've reviewed your home insurance policy and reassessed the value of your home's contents. An updated home inventory of your possessions can help you determine if you have the proper type and amount of insurance. Your insurance company may make forms available to help you organize and record your inventory, and there are several home inventory software programs available. You also can download a free program from http://www.knowyourstuff.org/iii/login.html. Should you have an insurance claim for property loss or damage, a current and accurate inventory can help make the process and accurate valuation easier.

AUDIT YOUR HOME FOR ENERGY SAVINGS
There are simple things that every homeowner can do to improved energy efficiency and save on utility bills. Check around your home for any fixtures that still have incandescent bulbs and replace them with CFL or LED bulbs wherever possible. This saves money and makes things easier for you, too; for example, bulbs in awkward places will need replacement far less often. Make sure windows and doors are caulked and in good repair; this will save energy in both winter and summer. If you're planning to replace any appliances this year, shop for and compare efficient, energy-saving models.

CREATE A FIRE SAFETY PLAN FOR YOUR FAMILY
Everyone knows the importance of having a plan in place should a fire occur in your home. But each year, tragedy strikes homes and families who didn't think about it or who promised to make a plan "one of these days". The basics include working and properly installed smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and an escape plan for every room. Your local fire department is an excellent resource for directions on creating a plan designed to keep you and your loved ones safe. Give yourself some peace of mind by making 2012 the year to put that plan in place.

For more information about home inspection and for additional resources, please contact your local Pillar To Post office.
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Pink Street Party, Buffalo, MN

10-06-11
Ellie Ortmann

Pink Street PartyIt's Cancer Awareness Month! Join us downtown Buffalo, MN in celebration. We will have over 60 vendors, music and SURPRISES. I can't tell you what it is. So, you will have to show up to find out.

Pink Street Party event in downtown Buffalo

The purpose of this free event is cancer awareness, saving lives through screening and early detection, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for those diagnosed with cancer.

The first 500 attendees will receive a free gift bag, packed with loads of freebies, coupons and specials to be found throughout Buffalo. Prior to walking downtown for the festivities, bags can be picked up at IntegriPrint, located at 16 First Avenue South. Music will fill the air, as will the smell of fresh popped kettle corn, pink cotton candy and loads of good food, offered by local restaurateurs. Barbequed pork sandwiches, shrimp and beef skewers, burgers and brats, chicken fingers and chips on a stick are a few of the foods you will find under the tent. A number of local businesses and entrepreneurs will offer an invigorating outdoor shopping experience, lining the block in front of Lillian’s
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