Brainerd Lakes Real Estate News

     The Multiple Listing Service of the Greater Lakes Association of Realtors just released their latest tabulations for our county.  Numbers don't lie or do they?  Last year  in the first quarter of 2006, 177 homes were sold in Crow Wing County at a median price of $156,200 and their time on the market averaged 131 days . This year for the same quarter  period the homes  are at $159,200 and are taking an average of 142 days to sell.

     According to Kevin Goedker, president of the MLS and an agent with Century 21 Brainerd Realty, new construction and existing homes in the Brainerd/Baxter area and the rest of the county are selling for less compared to last year. The  lakeshore homes are actually selling for more  which means the rest of the selection is actually bringing much less as these are averaged out prices. For example the non-lakeshore homes in Baxter in the first quarter of 2006 had a median price of $195,00 , while this year the median price is only hitting $176,675.  

     Homes are selling but they are not selling for as high a price nor are they selling as quickly.  Does that sound familiar to your area? 

     As a home stager with Re$ale Design, I know at least a partial solution to the problem. In order for your listings to sell better and faster than those of the competitions' they need to be properly presented and they need to be priced comparative to the times.  A home that shows well both outside and inside is going to get offers.  When prospective buyers make an emotional connection with the home - they want it! I keep hearing from Realtors "home staging - we do that".   Then I look at the MLS photos. Home staging is more than cleaning and decluttering (although a lot of the photos were also missing that element). Color, traffic flow, highlighting focal elements, curb appeal, up grades that pay back - that is what we know.

     Let us work with you as a team player to change the statistics and make 2007 a more productive year. You do

                                                                   Kathleen Lordbock

                                                         Specializing in Property Presentatiions

                                                          We want to join your team - call us
 

              After a hard day of home staging in the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota- I, Kathleen Lordbock of

                           Re$ale  Design, like to come home to my family , of course- first & then pets and then.....

1. Votivo candles - absolutely the best (my favorite Red Currant)
2. Bose Home Theater System - the bass tones make my heart thump
3. Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relieving Sandalwood Rose body wash- ahhh best with warm water
   
4. Decorative night light with shades - no bumps in the night
5. Aquafina bottled water - chilled, of course
6. Real orchid plants - they live for years and routinely put out a gorgeous display of color
7. Memory Foam - pillows, mattress or mattress cover, slippers, pet beds - now, if it actually helped one remember
8. Lint roller - I have cats, dogs, and horses
9. High thread count cotton sateen sheets
10. Style & HGTV channels - it is nice to see others working while I'm resting

These are just material niceties - but they are nice!

Re$ale Design - Specializing in Property Presentations 

While our cities of Brainerd and Baxter are failing to establish smoking ordinances - other Minnesota cities have been bravely stepping up to the plate. A statewide smoking ban is expected to get a vote in the Mn. House.  This would threaten those determined to smoke in public regardless of the rules and those proprietors who allow them to do so, with fines of up to $300.  At the present in St. Paul at least ,the fines start at $500 and can jeopardize their liquor licenses. The history of local smoking bans in six counties and 10 cities would lead one to believe that a penalty more in the verbal range would be expected.  The bill itself outlines what proprietors are to do should a customer light up. First they are to ask them to stop.  Then ask them to leave.  If they refuse "Handle the situation consistent with  lawful methods for handling other persons acting in a disorderly manner or as a trespasser".  Peer pressure and warnings have been enough to enforce the rules, in most instances.

As one of my daughters and I are both highly sensitive to cigarette smoke - I'm looking forward to going out to eat without getting a migraine headache.  As for Brainerd and Baxter - were you hoping the State bill would pass and you could put the blame on someone else?  Come on, be brave - strike out smoking locally.  Bemidji the "other home of Paul Bunyan" did two years ago. 

When the former President Boris Yeltsin of Russia was buried, he had a Russian Orthodox service.  This is the first time in over a century that in Russia a deceased head of state was bid a religious farewell.

The memorial service was held in central Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral and was attended by our former U.S. Presidents George H.W.Bush and Clinton along with dignitaries from many countries.

Was the name of Christ spoken-was the plan of Salvation talked through- did those in charge of the religious parts of this service speak truth to the living?

Funerals are for the living. At a funeral there is a somewhat captive audience that normally ,at least a few of which , wouldn't set foot in church on a Sunday. Don't waste this opportunity. Speak life to the living!

Photo by Sftrajan 

 Wicker furniture can be fashioned out of willow, rattan, bamboo, or reed.

The use of wicker for household objects dates back to when ancient civilizations used it for baskets and chair seats. The oldest wicker pieces still in existence are storage boxes and hassocks dating back to the time of Cleopatra. During the Victorian era in the mid-1800s, wicker furniture came back into vogue because the Victorians believed that its smooth surface was more hygienic than upholstered furniture.

Despite that belief, caring for wicker furniture can be difficult.  The very nature of their woven surfaces causes them to be dust magnets. For maintenance of your wicker furniture, follow these easy steps:

• Vacuum or dust regularly and treat with clear furniture polish
• Protect your wicker furniture by applying a thin layer of clear lacquer
• For deeply soiled areas, wipe your wicker furniture gently with mild soap and water
• Dry your wicker furniture quickly if it gets wet - standing water can cause cracking or gaps between the weave
• For sharp edges or cracks, sand carefully with fine-grade sandpaper

Bamboo is also used as a construction material. It is an extremely hard substance.  Since it is a quickly growing grass and can grow in dense conditions, it is considered one of the best renewable resources on the planet. Bamboo was used to create the earliest suspension bridges in China and today it is used in a variety of building projects. It has also been used to craft boats, zeppelins and airplanes. Have you ever seen the construction scaffolding that they make out of bamboo? It doesn't look strong to me, but it is.

Here in Northern Minnesota we make furniture out of logs and willow. The willow is harvested young and bent into shape while still wet and pliable. If you love trees, it is likely you also will love these types of furniture. They allow you to bring the spirit of  the outdoors into your home, so you can enjoy it year-round. Best of all,  the willow is a rapidly renewable resource, taking only a few short years  to grow back after being harvested. The trees for the log furniture  just  take a bit longer.

Kathleen Lordbock

Re$ale Design

Specializing in Property Presentations 

I'm just assuming that most of us home stagers and interior designer types do a little something with our own appearances. Hair done up, try and keep the nails at least tidy and a little makeup to have the WOW factor directed at us.  I always think Spackle and paint.  For those of you who use the M.A.C. products - they have a little incentive to recycle offered. 

Once you have used up any 6 M.A.C. items, go to any M.A.C. counter and deposit the empty containers.  In return, you get a free tube of lipstick.  Since 100% of the retail selling price of Viva Glam Lipsticks is provided to organizations that help people living with HIV/AIDS, these colours are excluded from this program.

Wise on their part and wise on yours. 

From their website: 

In addition to our "Back to M·A·C Program," M·A·C uses minimal packaging and recycled paper to paperboard packaging in our offices, manufacturing and distribution facilities. Vegetable-based inks are used for printing whenever possible. At M·A·C we share your concerns about the environment and we are continually looking for ways to address those concerns while providing our customers with complete product satisfaction and safety.

http://www.maccosmetics.com/customerservice/cs_services.tmpl 

One of my favorite events is coming on April 27th - April 29th.  That is THE MN HORSE EXPO.  It almost hits my fav page as high as The Mn State Fair. There are free lectures and demonstrations every day from the top trainers in the nation. This year Scoot Hanson covers Self Defense for Trail Riders.  Richard Shrake is The Ultimate Coach. Curt Pate speaks on AQHA Professional Horsemanship.  Brenda Imes is presenting as a Gaited Horse Clinician. Dr. Temple Grandin who authored Animals in Translation will be there. Charmayne James will be also and she is an 11 time World Champion Barrel Racer.  I'll be listening to Ron Postleb -a Dressage Clinician  and hoping someone buys my used tack in the 4-H Tack and Clothing sale.

The show is 8:30 am -9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday.  On Sunday it runs 8:30am - 5:00 pm . The daily admission is only $5.00 ages 6-12 and 62+. For the rest of us it is $8.00.  Rodeo admission is extra.

 Remember this is on the Minnesota State Fair grounds and there really is something for almost everyone.  If you hate horses - stay home. 

www.mnhorseexpo.org  call 952-922-8666 or 1-877-462-8758 for more information

Re$ale Design

Kathleen Lordbock

Specializing in Property Presentations 

Here are some things that I have used for stagings:

• battery operated tealights
• battery operated wax candles
• Metallic - spray on, paint on, hand applied gold leafing etc
• antiquing patina
• crackle finish
•  aged silver
•  worn edges and distressing
• greenery
• orchids
• faux flowers with a few real ones tucked in ( stems in plastic floral vials)
• Fake water gel
• jewels, rhinestones
  
• animal prints & furs
• room size illusions created with mirrors
• smell  of bread-  pre-made store bun baked in oven

• smell of chocolate -chocolate chip cookie heated in microwave
  

Anyone have their own favorites?

Re$ale Design

Kathleen Lordbock 

Specializing in Property Presentations 

                                               The Proverbs Challenge

     We are all busy and yet we all spend time in God’s Word daily or at least admit that we should. So I am going to make this challenge easy to follow.  In the upcoming month of May or for those eager to start now, read one chapter of Proverbs everyday.  With 31 days in May and 31 chapters in Proverbs—you simply read the chapter that corresponds to that day of the month.  Proverbs can be read in the middle to the end and beginning to the middle so you can start today or wait until May 1st.

     This book was mainly credited to Solomon with the additions of Agur (30:1-33) and King Lemuel (31:1-9) with additional authors implied in 22:17 and 24:23.  The unifying theme of Proverbs is “wisdom for right living” a wisdom that begins with  humble submission to God—accepting salvation through him and his lordship in your life. 

When that is complete—it will flow into every area of your life. Wisdom is having a wise and discerning heart that sees and evaluates everything from God’s point of view.  It is found through prayer, the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit and a diligent search of Scripture to learn God’s ways.

     Will you join me in the Proverbs Challenge?  Shoot me a comment and let me know who is in.  Point out a verse that stood out to you and how you were able to apply it in your life.  Better yet—share it with a co-worker, friend, family or a stranger.  Tell them what it meant to you and how it changed  your life. Wisdom is meant to be shared.

                                                                I dare you

Kathleen Lordbock

 Specializing in Property Presentations 

MEMBER BENEFITS

Decorators’ Alliance of North America (DANA) is an organization that that supports professionals in the home fashion industry.  The Alliance’s goal is to provide members with opportunities to enhance their expert status through continuing education, certification programs, networking and mastermind groups, and interactive forums.  Members enjoy significant and broad-based benefits including:

·      Enhanced credibility through professional certification.

·      Greater purchasing power with major supply partners.

·      Research on the latest decorating and design trends, developments, and topics.

·      Marketing support, resources, and tools.

·      Preferred pricing on state-of-the-art professional development courses and workshops conducted by industry experts and thought leaders.

·      Up-to-date information regarding state and federal regulation impacting our industry.

As the industry becomes more competitive and legislation increasingly restricts the activities of decorators, it is essential to join forces and ensure that home fashion professionals are represented.  DANA is the first organization of its kind to provide an opportunity for a voice for professionals in the decorating community.

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  link to DANA

Maybe another way to get your name promoted on the world wide web.

Decorator's Alliance Members Comments welcome - how is this working for you?  Advice you would give others on joining?  Benefits you have received? 

 Kathleen Lordbock, Re$ale Design, Home Staging in Minnesota