Yes I do!  The brightly colored and white lights that twinkle around every corner. But the one thing they also remind me of is... POLITICIANS !!! They all hang together. Half the suckers don't work, and The ones that do are not that bright! I know, I know...I take the fun out of everything! 11/26/2011

Just when did technology actually start.  Who determined that this was the age of technology.  Well, it may have been much earlier than you thought... After having dug to a depth of 10 feet, New York scientists discovered copper wire dating back 100 years.  They then came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network 100 years ago. Not to be out done by the New york Scientists, Archaeologists in California dug down 20 feet and in the following weeks reported they had found traces of copper wire dating back 200 years.  The conclusion was that their ancestors already had high  tech telecommunications a full 100 years before the New Yorkers did. A few weeks later, the St. Paul Pioneer Press, a local newspaper in Minnesota, reported the following: After digging as d... 09/28/2011

I am not sure what I did to the Weatherman, but I am very sorry. He has punished me most of the year by makiing it rain more than our share and delaying many work plans. So, Mr Weather Person...I am SORRY! Now may I have some dryer weather for a few days? 08/11/2011

Welcome to Old Towne Road! This home has been removed from the market.   Own a piece of Chisago City History!    Historical Significance Keeping guests happy has always been a part of this home’s history. The home was constructed for Frank Dahl in 1910 when the historic Dahl House resort was in its heyday as a summer get away for Minnesota’s rich and famous. (Though the resort has been gone for decades, its brick gateway still stands just a few hundred feet east of this home.)The prairie-style design of this house was obviously influenced by the architectural innovations of Frank Lloyd Wright as evidenced by its strong linear lines, extended roof overhangs, and the use of built-ins, window benches, and high windows. Though remodeled by the current owners to add an attached garage, expan... 08/09/2011

Moving day is very stressful for the entire family even under ideal circumstances No matter how we plan for that move, things come up. Wallets get lost; moving trucks breakdown; volunteer helpers don't arrive (or worse yet, don't help much). Yes, moving day is stressful but families with pets have special issues. And when the dog is older, sometimes we just have to accommodate the situation. Today, I had a closing where my clients were moving about a hundred miles south of their current home in Chisago County. They were to give immediate possession to the new buyers after the closing so they had to have the home entirely cleared out prior to the meeting. With temps in the 80’s at 8 AM, it could have been deadly to leave a dog in the car so their terrier-mix, Max, had to accompany my cl... 07/28/2011

This is  a pain for many people, but for some new lessons are being learned. I was having lunch with a client and I overheard a couple of guys talking... "I can't believe that I have extra money in my pocket as of late." "Why?" asked the second. "Well, with this stupid shut down I can't buy any lottery tickets. I didn't realize how much I was spending.  This weekend I took the family to a movie.  We haven't been to a movie in years.  Can't afford it.  Well, thanks to the fools on Capital Hill, I can now afford it. This week we are going to the zoo.  I don't even miss the stupid scratch offs anymore." The second guy responded..."I am sure that your family is happy with the extra attention and quality time you are spending with them.  Keep it up!" The shut down is causing many problems fo... 07/12/2011

Welcome to 29XXX Old Towne Road! Executive Vintage Home is now off the market!     Historical Significance Keeping guests happy has always been a part of this home’s history. The home was constructed for Frank Dahl in 1910 when the historic Dahl House resort was in its heyday as a summer get away for Minnesota’s rich and famous. (Though the resort has been gone for decades, its brick gateway still stands just a few hundred feet east of this home.)The prairie-style design of this house was obviously influenced by the architectural innovations of Frank Lloyd Wright as evidenced by its strong linear lines, extended roof overhangs, and the use of built-ins, window benches, and high windows. Need more information on how to buy a  beautiful Historic Home like this ? Call me, Teri Eckholm/ReMa... 07/10/2011

Looking for a home in Chisago City, MN? Follow the timeless advice of getting your financial paperwork together and finding a good real estate agent who knows the area well, like us! After that, here are five tips to put you on good house-hunting ground: 1. Don’t Take a “Good Location” for Granted You may have a preconceived idea of where the “good” neighborhoods to buy in are located in Chisago City. You might be right…or you might be wrong. Areas that were good five years ago may be currently full of foreclosures, which leads to decreased home values for the whole area. This might be attractive to you as a prospective buyer, but you also need to think about the long-term investment potential of a home. If a large percentage of the homes in a new development are sitting empty, check wi... 07/05/2011

You want to own your own home. You know that prices are very affordable and interest rates are extremely attractive. But rising gas prices and a weak economy leaves you struggling to save for that down payment. Sound familiar? Most loan officers will tell you that a conventional mortgages can require 5, 10 or 20% for a down payment. Even government backed FHA loans will require that buyers have a minimum of 3.5% of their own funds to invest in their home. Our veterans have always had a wonderful zero down program available and the VA loan program is still a great option to those who have served our country. But for other buyers trying to come up with the minimum 3.5% down payment required by FHA or 5-10% down for a conventional loan is a road block to in their path to a new home. There... 06/16/2011

If you want to sell your house in Chisago City, MN, the real estate market news can feel dismal. It is definitely a buyer’s market right now, with nearly 30% of all homes for sale being foreclosures and the corresponding effect on all home values. But don’t despair – none of this means that your home can’t be sold! If your home is not in foreclosure, you have at least two distinct selling advantages over those that are: Time A foreclosure or short sale can be a lengthy process, both for sellers and for buyers, taking months to complete. Your house may be priced a bit higher than most comparable foreclosures in your area, and still be an attractive option to potential buyers simply due to the fact that they can fairly accurately estimate the time it will take to complete the purchase and... 06/08/2011

Spring is here and summer is right behind it.  The camping season is upon us and safety is always a concern.  Although, bears are usually afraid of humans, we still have this innate fear of them also.  So, in case you are faced with a possible bear encounter this is all you need to remember... 2 guys were out camping when a large bear wondered into their camp.  Both got excited and one guy started to change out of his boots and into tennis shoes. "What are you doing?" said the first guy. "I am getting ready to run!"  said the second. "Well, you know a bear can run over 30 miles and hour, you will never out run him." "I know that..." said the 2nd guy, But I don't have to outrun the bear...only you!!!" If you have a friend like this one...you need to find a new one! 05/14/2011

It seams that every block you go down on now has a Yard or a Garage Sale.  It is another sign of spring.  Well, the other day... I was walking down the street and I came to this very nice home in a upscale neighborhood.   I looked around and there was a couple on the front lawn making out. Back behind the tree, was another couple making love.  Along side the hedge was another couple engaged. So I walked up to the house and rang the doorbell.  A very nice looking lady came to the door.  "Can I help you." "Yes, can you tell me what this place is?" "Why, it's a Brothel." replied the Madam. "Well, what is going on here?" "Well," Replied the Madam..."We are having a Yard Sale!" 05/01/2011

My wife informed me that we need to find a place to go that has a look of spring.   The arrangement was from our trip in Aug. to Alaska. She thought about a trip down south, but has now decided that "There's no place like home." At least for those that have a home.  We are planning a trip south to help with re-building sometime in May it our time allows.  This I am looing forward to. 04/29/2011

This is the second of two parts.  I hope you enjoy and that it makes you think about every day happenings. A boiled egg is hard t beat. When you have seen one shopping center, you have seen a mall. Police were called to a day care center where a three year old was resisting a rest. Did you hear about the fellow whose whole left side was cut off?   He's all right now. If you take your lap top computer for a jog, you could jog your memory. A bicycle can't stand alone.  It's two tired. In a Democracy it's your vote that counts. In Feudalism, it's your count that votes. When a clock it hungry, it goes back four seconds. The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered. He had a photographic memory that was never developed. Those who get to big for their britches will be expos... 03/12/2011

Things seem to have stabilized in Chisago during 2010. The average sales price was down only slightly from 2009. New listings are up a bit and the number of closed sales was a bit higher too. Sellers are receiving just slightly more than they did in 2008 with as the accepted sales price ratio compared to list price ratio is down just a bit. Market time dropped significantly compared to in 2009 but the average Days on Market is still almost 7 months; higher than other north metro suburbs. Buying a home in Chisago City could continue to be a very affordable option as more sellers list their homes it is likely they will remain willing to negotiate to sell their properties. 01/29/2011

The votes have been cast, except for a few states where the polls are still open.  So what is the next step? Hurry up and wait!!! For those of you who thought that change would start right away, you are a bit optimistic.  The new congress won't be sworn in for a couple of months.  So, for now we have to deal with all the 'Dead Ducks!' What's a Dead Duck?  It's what we normally call a lame duck.  Someone who is working the job but will be leaving their post very soon.  But, the problem is that most of these clowns have been lame for years, so 'Dead' fits them much more! Even being that the election is over, doesn't mean we can let up on the elected ones at all.  We need to keep up the pressure and watch to see how stupid they spend our money.  to see how little they listen to us.  We nee... 11/02/2010

It is the annual Snipe Hunt!  and our Victim is...Umm I mean, Hunting Partner is a good friend, one of whom has never been Snipe Hunting.  That would be Jack. It was the perfect night...Very dark and overcast.  Just a slight wind crossing our quarries lair, and just cool enough to see a hint of your breath.  Now, I know many of you are saying, "Just how do you Snipe Hunt?"  Well, I am just the guy to tell you. First of all, a Snipe is a delicious bird that we hunt in early spring.  They mate mainly in the fall, so the season is in the springtime.  Very Unusual, I do agree.   Now, the area will be a farm field that was plowed and has a dead furrow (a trench about 16" wide and 10" deap).  We set up a gunny sack in the trench where we have our Victim, Umm I mean our new hunter hold the bag... 04/18/2010

This is an old joke that has as many answers as any joke I have heard.  Now, with the GREEN life coming into play, Even some towns are now allowing and licensing the right to have chickens within City Limits. So, in today's world I do believe that this should give the Best answer to the Chicken Crossing the Road debate! Hope you all enjoyed.   Sounds like a bit like when we were on the farm! This came to me in an E-Mail and I just had to share! 04/13/2010

I am not the best speller in the world.  I use the spell check often, bet that doesn't help all the time.  Many times I look at the suggestion and it still doesn't look right.  So, I think this poem relates well to this... I halve a spell checker,It came with my pea see.It plainly marks four my revue,Mistakes eye dew knot sea. Eye strike a key and type a word,And weight four it to say.Weather eye am wrong or write,It shows me strait aweigh. As soon as a mist ache is maid,It nose bee fore two long.And eye can put the era rite,It's rarely ever wrong. I've scent tis massage threw it,And I'm shore your pleased too no.It's letter prefect in every weigh,My checker tolled me sew! 03/24/2010

There were just a few more closed sales in Chisago during 2009 over 2008 but the average sales price was down significantly for the second year in a row. New listings were down almost 21% over the previous year. Sellers are receiving just slightly less than they did in 2008 with as the accepted sales price ratio compared to list price ratio is down just a bit. At 89% it remains one of the lowest in the north and east metro communities I work in as many communities saw an improvement in this ratio this year. Market time is up significantly to well over 200 days. Buying a home in Chisago City could continue to be a very affordable option as there appears to be plenty of sellers still on the market and willing to negotiate on the list price of their properties. 01/30/2010