Working in North Branch

I am frequently asked why I chose to work in North Branch when I live in (and love) Cambridge, where there are other real estate brokerages.  The answer is simple:  I love my office. 

 

When I was first getting started in this business, I did interview at brokerages in Cambridge, then I called Jacquie Krismer at the North Branch Edina Realty Office.  When I walked in, I could immediately tell things were going to be different here.  Jacquie was not only the sweetest and most loveable managing broker I’d met, but she knew her stuff.  She knew what it would take for a new agent to get going and Edina Realty had the tools I needed to do so.  

She also asked me questions that no other broker had.  “Why do you want to be in real estate?”  This was an important question, because my prior work history wasn’t really sales-based.  Leading up to real estate, it was mostly analytical, paperwork type stuff, design, construction or jobs where my sole purpose was to care for others.  I didn’t want to get into real estate to SELL, I wanted to get into it because the thought of helping people make the biggest purchase of their lives made me happy.  Because I come from a family that values real estate.  Because I have a good knowledge of houses - from building to decorating.  Because I’m good with paperwork and with helping people.  Other brokers saw my history as a weakness, Jacquie showed me that it is a strength.  It takes all kinds, as they say.  Some buyers and sellers need an agent who will give them a push.  Some need an agent like me, who is there to research, assist and offer my expertise. 

Getting to be who I want to be – not the vision someone else has for me -
makes me LOVE my job. 

On top of all this, I work with some amazing people at this office.  Our office administrator, Connie, is a wealth of knowledge and reason and helps keep all the agents in our office organized and on track.  The other agents here welcomed me with open arms and offered to help with anything I needed, they didn’t guard themselves against me as competition like many agents might.  I feel like I BELONG at this office and at this company.  Even though we agents are self-employed, Edina Realty treats us like we are an integral part of the company – of the Edina Realty family.  I knew when I walked in that this would be my “home” and years later, I still plan to keep it that way. 

Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that our North Branch office is directly across the street from beautiful Central Park. And that there are a LOT of places to grab lunch in town. 

I plan to be a part of Edina Realty and the North Branch Community for a LONG time. 

 

Christmas Lights in Cambridge, MN

Growing up in the midwest with our long winters and short days, I have an incredible appreciation for Christmas lights.  Those beautiful twinkling lights make it almost bearable that it gets dark shortly after the kids get out of school in the afternoon.  I’m lucky to live in a neighborhood that goes ALL OUT with their outdoor decorations.  It makes me feel better about not having time to get my outdoor decorations up & makes me smile every time I drive down my street.  There are some other neighborhoods in Cambridge, Minnesota that go big on their decorations, too.  “Goldenwood” has a history of being lit up at Christmastime.  That’s where we found this home:

 

This year, Mike Patten at 33617 6th St NE, Cambridge put on a show that I hope will become Cambridge tradition.  He programmed all his exterior lights to go along with Christmas music playing on a radio frequency.  He invited the public to park outside his home several times a night – every night from early December to Christmas – to watch the show for free.  He placed a donation bin in his driveway to collect food and money for our local food shelf, Family Pathways Food Pantry.  According to the Cambridge Community Facebook Page, Patten was able to raise 596 lbs of food and roughly $500 for the food pantry.  He gave residents something fun and inexpensive to do while also helping to feed the community…a pretty selfless act, considering the running cars that lined his street most nights and the time he invested into the project.  Below is a link to a clip of the show, the quality isn’t great, but it does showcase just a small portion of his hobby coming to life.  I hope we’ll have this to look forward to next season, along with all the other spectacularly decorated homes lighting up our nights. 

Patten’s 6th St. Light Show, Cambridge

Duluth in September

Duluth is a favorite spot of both Minnesota residents and visitors.  My husband and I love visiting there because it’s just far enough away to seem like a vacation, but close enough that we can get back quickly, if needed.  It’s perfect for a night or a weekend.  We haven’t run out of things to do there, yet.  If we ever do, the plan is to keep driving North.

If it’s your first time in the area, you’re going to want to visit Canal Park and do the normal tourist stuff.  Grab some treats from the vendor cars, take a bike tour and visit the lighthouse.  There’s also the Lake Superior Marine Museum, which is right on the lakewalk, doesn’t charge admission and has really interesting exibits on the history of the harbor and Lake Superior. They also have a ship schedule so you’ll know when big ships will come in and can watch them go under the lift bridge.

Here are some more great places to visit:

 

Enger Tower is located at the top of Enger Hill and overlooks the city, the harbor and St. Louis Bay.  As you climb each level, it gets windier but the sights get better.  There’s more to see in Enger Park, too.  Fun trails, gorgeous views and gardens. 

 

If shopping is your thing, definitely head over to Fitger’s.  Fitger’s is an historic landmark with great building details and lots of shops that sell Minnesota wear.  They’re located along the shoreline and there is access from both the boardwalk and Superior Street.  If you’re looking for a place to stay, there is also a hotel here (it’s much bigger than it looks!)

 

Speaking of the shoreline, there IS a wonderful lakewalk that is very easy to walk (strollers, wheelchairs, wagons included) or run.  But getting up close and personal with the majestic waters of Lake Superior is a great experience.  It sounds cheesy, but I could watch the waves crash into the rocky shore all day.

 

While the shores of Lake Superior are what most people plan to see in Duluth, don’t pass up dowtown!  Duluth’s downtown has it all, including a skyway system.  There are big office buildings, hotels, a casino and lots of specialty shops, like the ever-adorable Fannie Rose Candy Shop.

 

While I don’t necessarily recommend going the route my husband I did (we called it the Eternal Bolt Quest and it took place in a very vacant part of town, on foot, where we came across this beautifully weathered old church), I do recommend going off the beaten path when you get a chance.  Sure, there’s enough tourist attractions in this city to keep you busy for a few visits.  But when the opportunity arises, branch out and see what else you can find.  There is history and beauty for miles and lots to discover. 

Enchanted Garden

While the yard on a home doesn’t always make or break the deal, it doesn’t hurt to have a beautiful or interesting one.  This home in Coon Rapids, MN was off a busier road but the back yard was a large, lush hidden area with beautiful gardens.  This definitely helped this home stand out in my buying clients’ minds. 

Foreclosed Farms

This year, we’ve seen a lot of farms in Chisago County that were foreclosed.  It’s going to take a lot of love and work to get them functional again, but they still have a certain beauty to them that I find fascinating.  Below are some pictures from farms all over Chisago County.

Pictures taken while visiting a cabin on 20 acres in Braham, Minnesota that is up for auction. 

Sticky Buys a Home

Detached Townhome, Cambridge, MN

This detached townhome in Cambridge, Minnesota was sold on a on a contract-for-deed for full price.  As a compliment to the buyer and seller, I provided a comprehensive warranty from Edina Realty Home Warranties. 

Oak Leaf Grange – Stark, MN

The old Oak Leaf Grange in Stark, Minnesota.  Made to look even older.

Valuable Tax Credit for Homeowners

I have some exciting news for you! The $8000 First-Time Homebuyer tax credit has not only been extended, but has also expanded to include many current homeowners. This is welcome news to homeowners who have been waiting for a good time to move – not only will the market continue to improve, which means increased values and faster sales, they will also get a generous tax credit to sweeten the deal.

The current proposed package expands the required income limits and would include a new $6500 tax credit for sellers who have lived in their homes consecutively for 5 of the last 8 years.

If you have found yourself wondering, ‘When is the right time?’ Your time might be now. Please give me a call. I am happy to discuss the market in your neighborhood and the details of the tax credit package. I will even come to your home to do a no-cost, no obligation market analysis to determine the market value of your home. From there, you’ll be able to make an educated decision whether now is the right time for you to sell and take advantage of the credit. 

The contract deadline for the credit is May 1, 2010, so don’t wait or you’ll miss out.

You can call me directly in the daytime or evening. I look forward to talking to you!