Brainerd Lakes Real Estate News

Along with a new main entrance for the Cuyuna Range Medical Center,  the new pharmacy and inpatient areas will be completed in this phase.  The inpatient rooms are much larger and offer pull out couch beds for family members.  Communications for patients to staff are improved and electronic medical records in place.

     After the dust settles, the next phase of construction will begin.  A large sweeping hallway to the inpatient area will feature water sounds and natural lighting for sensory appeal.  Along the hallway will be a cafe, visitor lounges and a chapel.  This phase will be complete early in 2008. 

 Click on below to read the engagement story:

   The Staging of a Marriage Proposal 

    Some time ago when I was but a wee lass starting to blog on Active Rain - I wrote a blog about a  young couple that had gotten engaged on our  frozen Beaver Pond in the Minnesota winter.  Like all things that I am involved with - it was a bit over the top and if I may say so , just perfect (except for the flip flops in the snow).

     Well the happy couple again in flip flops said their vows and pledged their troth (what is that anyway?) last Saturday.  Because of a schedule change, I was stuck in my booth at the Crow Wing County Fair and missed the big event.  My daughters Allison (the maid of honor) and Ashley (maid in waiting - otherwise  known as bridal attendant) planned most of the event, they now know how to stage  almost anything!

 The happy new couple will be youth pastors in Pennsylvania - having graduated from Fort Myers Master's Commission in Florida.

     What do you think?     

One lady stopped by my Crow Wing County Fair booth today, who understood staging.  She says she watches all the HGTV programs.  Then she proceeded to tell me that if she were selling her home she would have it staged and if she were buying she would look for the unstaged home.  So would I!  That unstaged home may have great bones, been setting on the market for months, and had the price reduced a number of times, making it a great buy.  A good idea for someone with a good eye and the willingness to put sweat equity into a project. 

     If you are selling, call Re$ale Design and Home Staging, so she doesn't buy your homes for pennies.

                                  Serving the Greater Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota

  At 10:00 AM, the gates open and the expected  over 100,000 visitors start coming in.   They eat, they catch up with old friends and take in the sights.  Some are here to stock up on free office supplies and candy and hit every booth that has something to give away.

     We have Monster ears, OOfda Tacos, Honey sundaes, and Shooster burgers,  pony rides and a Carnival, and entries of anything and everything.  There is an educational building for the K-12 entrants and Fine Arts covering all ages , with a special division for nursing home residents.

     Tuesday was Senior Day and the buses from all the area nursing and group homes brought in their residents.   They got corsages, special fair treats and a tour.  This is the first year that my family has not brought a Senior to the fair as only my Mother-in-law is left and she can go on her own. We had a Tractor Parade this morning and have three performances of the Irish Dancers. They have really fast feet!!

      I had an on the spot interview with one of our local Radio stations - HGTV here I come.  The reporter was intrigued with the idea of Home Staging and said after the interview that it sounded like something everyone should do before selling.  He "got it".  One down and xxxx.... to go.

The Teen Talent Contest is on right now and some of them are very good and others still need more practice.  In a couple hours is the open Talent Contest and there will be some serious contenders for the prize money.

     I have had some interested people stopping by my booth, but many are just scanning for freebies.  They are even afraid to sign up for my drawing,.  They probably think that I will call them regardless of whether they won or not.

      Do they "get home staging" yet in the Brainerd Lakes Area?  Being of mainly Scandinavian, Germanic, and Nordic descent my people people are warm, "Minnesota Nice", and stubborn.  However, what may have worked before in home selling is not working here now.  The market is flooded with homes and there are continuous price reductions proudly advertised.  The couple that just stopped by have their home on the market and just reduced $15,000, after only 40 days.  It is not staged and they are wondering if that might be of benefit to check into. YES !!!!

     The Realtors either are claiming they are "doing home staging for their client" or they say their clients would "never go for that".  Do they even  bring home staging up or explain  what it is and the benefits?

    So this appeal is to homeowners - DO YOU WANT YOUR HOME TO SELL FASTER AND  FOR A HIGHER PRICE?

 Can you convince your Realtor  that you want to try having your home professionally staged, which has a proven success rate?   Call Re$ale Design and let us work with you to change things up.  You need to look out for your own interests when selling your home - it is for most people your biggest investment.  Better  yet have your home staged before having MLS photos taken - and before listing.  Make your first open house, the deal maker.

     Re$ale Design and Home Staging - serving the Greater Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota

Check my blogs for more fair stories and other vital information to know that you can not possibly live without. 

   Here I am reporting from my booth at the Crow Wing County Fair in Brainerd, Minnesota.  The band just finished playing in the Mill's Free Stage and the next one starts in 2 hours.  The stage is right next to my booth so I get to hear a lot of great music. The exhibit booths are open daily from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM. Today is Thursday and it is Ag Day.  Some of the day's events include a kids' pedal pull at noon and a demolition derby  tonight in the Grandstand at 7 PM.  I am sure it will be a bit noisy, so people will just have to watch my before and after slideshow. 

     Friday is Teen Day.  Highlights include a pre-teen talent contest at 1 PM, a teen talent contest at 3 PM, and an open class talent contest at 5 PM at the Mill's Free stage.  Baja Rally Races will be at 7 PM at the Grandstand.  

                                                                       photo by limonada
 

Stop by my booth and see my "Breakfast At Tiffany's" picture. 

 Bridge collapsing video

  As many of you have already heard, we have suffered loss here in Minnesota as a very busy highway bridge that spans the Mississippi river collapsed during rush hour. My daughter and I were just recently on that bridge on our way to shop at IKEA for some accessories for our booth at the county fair.   The 8 lane Interstate 35W bridge, a major Minneapolis artery, was in the midst of repair and two lanes in each direction were closed. It was fortunate that the traffic was bumper to bumper as there wasn't the additional speed of moving vehicles to add to the speed of the collapse.

     People were already lining  last night up at the blood banks to donate and the Red Cross is very busy with  offers to help, donations,  and inquires into missing loved ones.  The death toll is expected to rise as they are able to get into the voids in the collapsed sections and as they pull more vehicles from the river.

     Cover them in prayer, donate blood where you are living, and consider a donation. 

  On Saturday, August 4th at 8:00 AM, the race will begin.,  The starting area and registration are all located just North of the business district of Crosslake, MN in the Town Square.

     The top 3 males and the top 3 females in age divisions will receive prizes.  All participants will get T-shirts.  The first male and the first female to finish will be awarded special prizes. 

     Crosslake is located 30 miles North of  Brainerd, Minnesota where Re$ale Design is located in the beautiful lakes area.  Come and enjoy the scenery  Call Re$ale Design and Home Staging -  your home will  be dressed to impress.

     Whether selling or staying our talented staff can make your home a show home.

      Stop by our booth at the Crow Wing County Fair to register for a free staging consultation. a color consultation. or a one room redesign.  Value up to $500.00.
                                         

                                                                                                             photo by StuffEyeSee