Brainerd Lakes Real Estate News

Central Mn Vietnam War Memorial

In Eastman Park at Lake George downtown St Cloud stands the Central Minnesota Vietnam War Memorial. Carved in granite, an American soldier and South Vietnamese soldier represent the 2 countries who fought side by side during the war, and above their heads flies their countries flags.

You'll never be forgotten, carved in granite, at the feet of the the 2 soldiers. The memorial was created due to the efforts of Hoa K. Nguyen, a former South Vietnamese military officer, who wanted to honor all those who fought for South Vietnam's freedom. There were 17 men from St Cloud MN who died while serving their country in the hopes that South Vietnam would one day be free. It was Nguyen who pursued his goal to make sure that there was a fitting tribute to those men.

The memorial is a collaboration of the knowledge and work of several people. Julie Gustafson did the original sketches of the two soldiers. Jim Bestick, who served in Vietnam, helped her with the details on the uniforms and the helmets. Glen Farb, an architect, designed the base for the monument. The Monument was then carved by Kollman Monumental Works, Inc in St Cloud.

The Minnesota POW/MIA Walk of Honor around the base of the monument is made up of memorial bricks that have messages about veterans. The information I was able to find states that the Chapter 290 Vietnam Veterans of America in St. Cloud is in charge of the memorial bricks. This monument is one of very few of its kind honoring both the American Soldiers and the South Vietnamese who fought along side each other.

There are several other memorials that have been placed in the area immediatly surrounding this memorial. St Cloud honors veterans, and we would like to thank all those who serve.

 

Steve Baklaich RE/MAX Realty Source www.stcloudareahomesforsale.com 

Cell:320-260-3290 Saint Cloud Minnesota Real Estate

  

If you are relocating to central Minnesota check out all the wonderful reasons to love St Cloud. It is a wonderful area full of things to do and lots of great houses. I would welcome the opportunity to help you find your perfect place here. Visit my St Cloud real estate website for more information about buying or selling a home, or property in the central Minnesota real estate market.

 

A bit of light humor for the end of the day.   Things seam to be a bit tense so enjoy!

Bob and Fred are out in the boat fishing.  They are having a great time and the fish are biting non-stop also.

"This is the best day of fishing we have ever had", said Bob.

"It sure has, to bad we couldn't mark this spot for the next time", replied Fred.

Bob reaches into his tackle box and pulls out a big marker and puts a big 'X' on the bottom of the boat.  "There, now we will know!"

"That is the dumbest thing you have ever done", hissed Fred.    "What if we don't get the same boat next time.  Someone else will get our spot!"

 

A bit of light humor for the end of the day.   Things seam to be a bit tense so enjoy!

Bob and Fred are out in the boat fishing.  They are having a great time and the fish are biting non-stop also.

"This is the best day of fishing we have ever had", said Bob.

"It sure has, to bad we couldn't mark this spot for the next time", replied Fred.

Bob reaches into his tackle box and pulls out a big marker and puts a big 'X' on the bottom of the boat.  "There, now we will know!"

"That is the dumbest thing you have ever done", hissed Fred.    "What if we don't get the same boat next time.  Someone else will get our spot!"

 

Marketing to real estate agents is as important a task as marketing to potential buyers.  Co-broke agents are the crux of our business.  We love to see agents from near and far, and the further out they are from the better the chance of closing that buyer.  When an agent from Boston, or one of its suburbs, drives to Franklin, it's realistic to think that a reservation will follow.  Agents do not like to waste their time, nor do they like to reinvent the wheel, so when those buyer agents are coming from a distance, unless the buyer despises that property, the buyer's agent will close them. 

There are so many listing agents whose main purpose is to sell the property themselves and because of that the co operating agents are treated badly.  Phone calls are not returned and some listing agents will not accommodate that buyers' agent's requests. 

My team will extend every courtesy and cooperate to the nth degree, including showing a buyer a property without that buyers agent, if that's what they are requesting.  We have no problem with doing that.  We just want the listing to sell, and we want to represent our sellers and builders properly.  Their properties need to be promoted to everyone.  We are prepared to cooperate with every listing in our inventory.  My team members feel that a transaction with a buyers' agent is the cleanest deal. 

Open house events are provided at our new construction communities for cooperating agents.   We will invite every agent within a certain distance of Franklin.  We provide tours, food, drawings and information.  We make it known that we will accompany if desired, and we will take the time to meet with the buyer to answer any and all questions.  The buyers are not required to provide any money until a purchase and sales agreement is ready to be signed.  Reservations do not require a check, and we will not accept any money.  It's purely conversation until the buyer is comfortable.  Cooperating agents appreciate that "no gun to the head" method of selling, and those cooperating agents always come back for more.

                

             

                        

  www.franklinmahomesales.com

                  

Hey All,

 

We all know that the tax credit is over for new buyers....except Military!

It was a great "reason" to advertise, AND gave us something to talk about....

 

But did you know........that if you were under contract prior to April for the credit, that your rate was around 5.125%

 

With rates today in the MID 4's, a buyer can basically buy about $30,000 MORE house?

 

All WE need to do is change our advertising and get back to WHY it's a great time to buy.

Kellie Morrissey, MA, CRS, GRI, CDPE

The City & Mountains Group

Real Estate Broker

Cell 303.877.2813

Fax 720.266.6479

Keller Williams Realty Success,

LLC 10026 W. San Juan Way Suite 200 

Littleton, Colorado 80127

We would be honored if you visited our website to find 'just the right' home: www.CityandMtnsGroup.com

FORECLOSURE VS. SHORT SALE
HOMEOWNER CONSEQUENCES

---

FORECLOSURE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE FOLLOWING

SECURITY CLEARANCES= may be revoked and position may be terminated
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT= may result in reassignment or termination
FUTURE EMPLOYMENT= in most cases will challenge employment
DEFICIENCY JUDGMENT= 100% of the bank in states where they can may pursuer a deficiency
DEFICIENCY JUDGMENT (amount)= If sold at auction at a low price may result in a higher deficiency judgment
FUTURE FANNIE MAE LOAN-PRIMARY RESIDENCE= 5 years to get a FM loan
FUTURE FANNIE MAE LOAN-NON PRIMARY= 7 years to get a FM loan
FUTURE LOAN WITH ANY MORTGAGE COMPANY= Buyer has to answer YES on question C Section VII of the standard 1003
CREDIT SCORE= lower credit score of 250 to 300 for 3 years
CREDIT HISTORY= 10 years on public record

SHORT SALE

SECURITY CLEARANCES= Will not challenge most security clearances
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT= Not a challenge to employment
FUTURE EMPLOYMENT= Not a challenge to employment
DEFICIENCY JUDGMENT= some successful short sales it it possible to convince the lender to give up right to pursuit
DEFICIENCY JUDGMENT (amount)= In most case the amount is lower
FUTURE FANNIE MAE LOAN-PRIMARY RESIDENCE= 2 Years for FM
FUTURE FANNIE MAE LOAN-NON PRIMARY= 2 Years for FM
FUTURE LOAN WITH ANY MORTGAGE COMPANY= No question about Short Sales
CREDIT SCORE= 50 points and 12 to 18 months
CREDIT HISTORY= Not reported on a credit history

I hope this helps you talk to your customers about Foreclosure VS. Short Sale

We would love your comments!

Kellie Morrissey, MA, CRS, GRI, CDPE

The City & Mountains Group

Real Estate Broker

Cell 303.877.2813

Fax 720.266.6479

Keller Williams Realty Success,

LLC 10026 W. San Juan Way Suite 200 

Littleton, Colorado 80127

We would be honored if you visited our website to find 'just the right' home: www.CityandMtnsGroup.com

There were some very strong opinions in the comments of a recent blog post concerning how a particular home was "staged". Each table was set for dinner (even incorrectly as pointed out by some).  As a Professional Home Stager  in the Los Angeles and Ventura County areas, some Clients and Realtors are even asking us to "set" the tables when we are Staging.  It is in my humble opinion that this can be very contrived and over-done if not done properly which prompted this post to maybe be of inspiration to others in alternatives to "setting" the tables when preparing a home for sale.

 

 

First, let me start by saying that "setting" the table really depends on the home. Personally, I like to minimally set a table in a smaller home to add color and interest.  In large homes that might have a formal dining room AND a breakfast nook, we will minimally "set" the table in the breakfast nook, but not both.

 

 

 

 

 

If there is an eat-in counter in the kitchen and a dining area, again we will set one or the other, but not both.

WHY? Because I like to leave a space for YOU as the Realtor to be able to sit down with your Clients and write an OFFER!  How awkward would it be to have to move everything on a table that is set to the nines, to review a contract or write and sign an offer? - It doesn't make for a very comfortable "setting": pardon the pun.

 

 

 

These are examples of tables that we did NOT "set" with plates, napkins, etc but still added interest, color and instead  set a mood. 

Plates and napkins may have been found in other places of the homes, but not in dining rooms where it would be extremely overwhelming to see plates, napkins, water & wine glasses, utensils, etc for where 8-12 people could sit. 

 

 

 

 

 

I actually blogged about this very topic over 2 years ago, and if you would like to get more inspiration and photos, click here.

If you are in the Ventura or Los Angeles County areas and would like to speak to a professional Home Stager to prepare your home for sale: call the ONLY Interior Design Company in Southern CA that is endorsed by Pottery Barn - Platinum Home Staging, Inc.  805.553.9952

 

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•  Connie Tebyani 
• Principal Designer / Owner Platinum Home Staging, Inc. 
• Platinum Home Staging, Inc. 
• (805) 553~9952
• Preferred Interior Designer for Pottery Barn
• Member of the Real Estate Staging Association
• W         ar