Brainerd Lakes Real Estate News

Proverbs 20:14 -

"Its no good, its no good!" says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.

Proverbs 23:10 & 22:28 -

Do not move an ancient boundary stone

Proverbs 10:9 -

The man of integrity walks securely but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

Proverbs 11:13 -

A gossip betrays a confidence but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

Proverbs 14:1 -

A wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down

Proverbs 24:3-4-

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beatuiful treasures.

And for those in a slow market 

 Proverbs 15:16 -

Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.

    With more homes going into foreclosure in our area - the former owners think that they have a right to strip out any valuables.  This is not the way it works legally and they are unknowingly setting themselves up for more problems. Not only are they stripping homes, they are actually vandalizing the homes upon leaving.  Somehow they feel that by taking their frustrations with their lenders (or themselves) out on the home - they will gain something.

  The following items are assets, fixtures that should not be removed from a home that is in foreclosure:

• Cabinets and counter tops
• Appliances such as stoves, built-in microwaves, dishwashers, etc.
• Furnaces and air conditioning units
• Plumbing and copper pipes
• Romex or other electrical wiring
• Light fixtures and ceiling fans
• Doors and hardware
• Flooring, ceilings and walls
• Windows and vents
• Medicine cabinets, sinks, tubs, toilets and showers
  

                                                                                                      photo by afroswede

• Sink drains and faucets
• Built-in shelving / bookcases
• Landscaping, fencing, built-in pools and spas

Assets Home Owners Can Remove from Foreclosed Homes

If a home owner leaves behind personal belongings, the lender will seize those items. If the lender stores them, the home owner could be charged for storage.

Here are items a home owner can remove without fearing prosecution:

• All personal items brought into the home by the owner such as furniture, clothing and common household items such as dishes, pans and silverware
• Mirrors
• Personal artwork and photographs from walls
• Stationary lamps
• Pets and pet-related items such as dog houses, aquariums, bird cages (please find them homes)
  
• Easily removable window coverings such as drapes or curtains - not the rods
  
• Refrigerators, televisions, computers and stereo equipment
• Throw and area rugs
• Indoor plants
• Portable fans and heaters

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

     As a home stager with Re$ale Design & Home Staging, I know at least a partial solution to the problem. In order for your home to sell better and faster than those of the competitions' it needs to be properly presented and be priced competitively, from the start. 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 2009 a more productive year.

Romans 16:1-16

     Paul at this point is sending this letter to the Roman church and it was probably being delivered by Phoebe,  a servant of the church in Cenchrea .  This title of "servant"  here has long been thought to mean that she was a woman deacon or held a similar position.

     In this portion of the letter, Paul is sending greeting and affirmations to many.  He called them by name and gave some identifying information about their work  or a relationship.  And then... he said something nice about each one.

      There may be people in your life whether at work, home, or other that you would have no trouble commending - but do you?  You think it, but still don't say it.  And then there are those that it would be a stretch to find anything nice to say about them.  So stretch yourself!  Often what we give out is what we will get back.  Surprise them - be the bright spot in their day.  Find something genuine and speak it.

Build up - be a blessing.

Proverbs 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down but a kind word cheers him up.

Proverbs 25:11  A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

    This is big hit with my family and all our guests.  Simple and delicious- now what could be better?  We also love homemade whipped cream and that is exactly what will best top off this dessert. Ice cream also goes well if you are serving this hot out of the oven.

Give it a try and comment back so others will know that you have taste tested and approve.

PINEAPPLE~CHERRY CAKE

• 1~ 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple in heavey syrup

• 1~ 21 ounce can of cherry pie filling

• 1 package  (18.25 ounce) of yellow cake mix ~ do not mix
  

• 1  cup of chopped pecans or walnuts

• 3/4 cup  of butter or margarine
  

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.  Spread pineapple with its syrup evenly in the pan. Spoon pie filling evenly over the pineapple.  Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over the mixture, then the chopped nuts over all.  Slice the chilled butter or margarine into thin strips, then put the strips evenly over other ingredients.  Bake for 50 minutes or until golden brown.   Best served warm.  Makes 12 servings.

Hint *A potato peeler works well for  thinly slicing the chilled butter.

    Fall was here, briefly and it was splendiforous. I did enjoy it while it lasted. Now it is over! With temperaures in the single digits and the wind howling - I am greatly missing the Fall.

    Summer, I remember and although it had a cold rainy start - it was eventually Summer. Fall hardly was.  Like a briefly glowing candle - it flickered and then went out. Oh, where did the Fall go?

    My oldest daughter and her father went out to Grandma's property to hunt.  Ashley got a nice scope put on her gun for her birthday and sighted it in a few weeks ago. She was dressed in a Blaze orange snowsuit that was way too big but would be warm, at my insistance. Arthur put her on a tree stump overlooking a  small field and then went down the road to another field. He got there and heard a shot. Back he went and saw this very nice  10 point buck and my daughter with a huge grin on her face.

    The only thing that would have made her happier is if her husband could have seen it!  He is in the Army, but has been injured.  He will be released from the transitional care unit after a month in the hospital in Georgia and flown home tonight with a medical discharge. They will have meat to eat this winter!

• Question: What is America's first line of missile interceptor defense that protects the entire United States?

Answer: 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard.

• Question: What is the ONLY National Guard unit on permanent active duty?

Answer: 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard

• Question: Who is the Commander in Chief of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion of
  

        Alaska's National Guard?

Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska

• Question: What U.S. governor is routinely briefed on highly classified military issues, homeland security, and counter terrorism?

Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska

• Question: What U.S. governor has a higher classified security rating than either
  

        candidate of the Democratic party

Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska

                                                        Staging is Fashionable

            This is not an article on how cool and hip staging is, but we stagers do think that.

     Rather I am focusing on the aspect of properly dressing a home. In the world of fashion for women, often the basic black cocktail length dress is touted as the ultimate in versatility. A basic well tailored men’s suit in a neutral color would fulfill the same role for men.  With the basic piece such as the black dress, the addition of jewelry, heels, a crop jacket and a purse would form a complete outfit. Change the earrings to diamond drops, the purse to a clutch, the heels to sky high Manolo Blahnik’s and you have changed the whole effect.

    The same is true of staging a home. If you start with a neutral basic background which includes the wall covering, floor coverings. and large furniture pieces – you have your basic black dress. Add in your accessories with a mix of patterns and colors, a floor rug and artwork and the “fashion tone” of the room has been set.  Change the accessories to a glamour mode with some sleek silver picture frames and a mirrored accent table and you are in the bling. Minimize the details and add in contemporary art and a nubby throw to add texture and warmth and the room is far different.

       We stage for prospective buyers – just like you dress for the particular occasion.

We stage to enhance the property, not to highlight the accessories. The overall effect is pleasing, in balance, not too much and not too little. Just right – like a little black dress.

For help selling your home in the Brainerd Lakes area~ call Re$ale Design & Home Staging