Spring is right around the corner and it's time to clean out those cupboards and closets. Soon the weather will warm up and the snow will dissappear and it'll be time to clean out the garage to find the bikes for summer! If you find yourself overwhelmed with clutter why not have a garage sale? This year's annual garage sale will be held on Saturday, May 3rd. You can register at www.erpr.org or at the Elk River Parks and Recreation office located at 1104 Lions Park Drive. Registration is due on or before April 18th. 02/29/2008

March is drive out hunger month in Elk River, Minnesota! Many local businesses and churches are supporting the food shelf by collecting food for the organization. With the hurting economy the number of people in need of help through food shelves is on the rise. There is a great shortage right now in many food shelves simply due to the number of hurting families. Please consider giving to your local food shelf today! The Elk River Community Caer program is having a pancake breakfast at Center Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 1st to kick off the month long food drive! You can buy tickets at the door and visit their website for more information!CAER Community Aid Elk River19279 Watson St. NWElk River, MN 55330Phone: 763-441-1020Fax: 763-441-1377  02/29/2008

 Open House:Saturday, March 1st1-3pmI had such a great time sitting at this beautiful property last weekend that I've decided to hold it open again! This home sets on a beautifully wooded lot and is surrounded by peaceful intown quiet. With the added 2.5 acres available you can have all the quiet that you desire! I'd love to see you there!19777 Proctor Road NW , Elk River, MN 55330List #: 3500493     Status: Active   Map Page/Coord:19/d4List Price: $219,900List Date:  02/19/2008County:  SherburneStyle:  (SF) One StoryArea:  756 - Elk RiverBedrooms: 3Total Baths: 2Garage: 2Total Fin SqFt: 2,430Listing Agent:Listing Office:Coldwell Banker Vision 763-218-1347Appt Phone: 763-241-5467      Acres: 2.600  Yr Blt: 1962Directions:  Hwy 10 W To Proctor N To Cr 77 Right Home On Right Side.Remarks:... 02/25/2008

OPEN HOUSE:Sunday, Feb 24th1-3pmThe snow is gonna be melting (maybe) and the sun will be shining (hopefully) so pull on those boots and come take a gander at this new listing on the market! With 2.6 acres there is lots of leg room to wiggle and have fun. Looking forward to seeing you there!!!!19777 Proctor Road NW , Elk River, MN 55330List #: 3500493     Status: Active   Map Page/Coord:19/d4List Price: $219,900List Date:  02/19/2008County:  SherburneStyle:  (SF) One StoryArea:  756 - Elk RiverBedrooms: 3Total Baths: 2Garage: 2Total Fin SqFt: 2,430Listing Agent:Listing Office:Coldwell Banker Vision 763-218-1347Appt Phone: 763-241-5467      Acres: 2.600  Yr Blt: 1962Directions:  Hwy 10 W To Proctor N To Cr 77 Right Home On Right Side.Remarks:  Private wooded lot. Quality built walkout ram... 02/19/2008

You know those days that your bones are cold and you just wish you had a yummy bowl of soup?Those cold wintry days that all you can think to do is warm up a little?The Old Main Eatery is a beautifully redesigned restauraunt in downtown Elk River offering the quaint small town atmosphere as well as yummy sandwiches and soup.What a GREAT place to stop and rest and warm up while you are out looking at houses or during a showing on your house! Don't want to take time to eat at the restauraunt?Call ahead and they prepare takout.Enjoy!The Olde Main Eatery313 Jackson AveElk River, MN 55330Phone; 763-241-8113 02/18/2008

     324 Baldwin Avenue NW , Elk River, MN 55330List #: 3485671     Status: Active   Map Page/Coord:33/e1List Price: $159,900List Date:  01/15/2008County:  SherburneStyle:  (SF) Split Entry (Bi-Level)Area:  756 - Elk RiverBedrooms: 4Total Baths: 2Garage: 2Total Fin SqFt: 1,828Listing Agent:763-218-1347Listing Office:Coldwell Banker Vision 763-241-0155Appt Phone: 763-241-5453      Acres: 0.450  Yr Blt: 1971Directions:  169 N, Main Street-East, Zane/Line Ave-Left, 5th Street NW-Left, Baldwin-Left.Large private yard. New carpet, paint, and flooring throughout home. Cozy split entry, convenient location, 2 car detached garage. Price just lowered on this home, making it even more affordable! A nice split within walking distance of Walmart and within blocks of major highways for easy commute!... 02/15/2008

City of Elk River, Sherburne Co. - MN20072006Δ Change# Homes Sold366442-17.19%Average Price$232,426$250,023-7.04%Median Price$210,000$230,400-8.85%Total Volume$85,068,245$110,510,463-23.02%Based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OF MINNESOTA, INC.For the period of January 1, 2006 thru December 31, 2007It is a great time to buy a home and there are great deals in all price ranges available.For more information about my services, guarantees or how I can help you find your next home,sell your home, buy a business or investment property - Just call me today at 763-548-1418!To view my interactive on-line real estate magazine with listings, click the banner below: Click the banner below to send this information to your friends or family!  Associates of Science Degree i... 02/09/2008

City of Elk River - MN20072006Δ Change# Homes Sold366 442-17.19%Average Price$232,426.00$250,023.00-7.04%Median Price$210,000.00 $230,400.00 -8.85%Total Volume$85,068,245.00 $110,510,463.00 -23.02%Based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OF MINNESOTA, INC.For the period of January 1, 2006 thru December 31, 2007It is a great time to buy a home and there are great deals in all price ranges available.For more information about my services, guarantees or how I can help you find your next home,sell your home, buy a business or investment property - Just call me today at 763-548-1418!To view my interactive on-line real estate magazine with listings, click the button below:   Click the button below to send this information to your friends or family!Associates of Science ... 02/03/2008

    Agent Name: Chad McShane Phone: 763.412.3810 Phone Two: 612.685.4572 Fax: 763.412.3880 E-mail: chadmcshane@hotmail.com Address: 2705 Bunker Lake Blvd. Andover, MN 55304 What is PMI? PMI is extra insurance that lenders require from most homebuyers who obtain loans that are more than 80 percent of their new home's value.  In other words with less than 20 percent down payment are normally required to pay PMI.  Benefits of PMI PMI plays an important role in the mortgage industry by protecting a lender against loss if the borrower defaults on a loan and by enabling borrowers with less cash to have greater access to home ownership.  With this type of insurance it is possible to buy a home with as little as 3 or 5 percent down payment.  This means you can buy a home sooner without having t... 02/01/2008

Why it's important to purchase a home warranty during your real estate transactions.If you are a buyer:1. You can't know everything about the homes that you are buying... you never know what might go wrong.2. Even if you know everything - you can't foresee the future and what might happen.3. If something does happen then you are covered and there won't be any hassles between you and the sellers! If you are a seller: 1. Your home is covered (at no expense) during your listing period. If your home doesn't sell - you don't pay!2. Who knows what'll happen while your home is on the market!!! This saves the headache and expense of fixing it yourself.3. If something does happen after closing, then you are covered! Nobody will be banging down your door asking for repairs and money! Special prom... 01/28/2008

Grab those skates.... and let's head outside! The skating rink at Hanke school is open and ready for action! At night you'll see teams playing hockey and young and old enjoying this winter wonderland. You don't like skating? Then bring your sleds! They have some massive fun sledding hills waitng just for you.......and in the cold of it all there is a warming house to thaw out your toes.Or, I could take you looking for homes in the area... there are many within walking distance of the rink that are worth your time and money.I haven't actually been on skates in a few years, but have been kicking around the idea. I might just go and dust them off and head out myself... of course, it'll probably be next week when the temps have risen a bit!Happy skating! 01/21/2008

"If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right. "Mary Kay AshSometimes it feels that no matter how hard you try that you can't, but the truth is... try harder! Have you ever watched a determined squirrel? Or a mouse? Or a gerbal? They will try and try and try until they succeed.... Yes, they might stop to relax once in awhile and then they get back to it! If they are gonna escape the glass cage that they are in - they are gonna do it if it takes their whole life. They just never ever give up! It's incredible to watch. I think that was my favorite part of having rodent pets growing up.... although I never did have one succeed in escaping.If you are determined to buy a house - you can do it. Maybe not today, but let's get you on track and soon. Soon it will happe... 01/16/2008

Driving through downtown Elk River you will see a recently "upgraded" section with condos and a revamped bank and a new high rise store front... and then there is the good ol' Elk River Farm Supply! A good ol' reminder that we aren't so far from the countryside. Busy all day long - these guys supply many animal lovers and farmers with product to keep their businesses and hobbies going. Setting right next to the railroad tract it almost seems the perfect place for a train depot. How long can we hold onto the past? It will be wonderful if we can keep our heritage alive for some time longer. With the renovation of the highways and the upgrading of older buildings I wonder how long we can hang on to the country feeling. 01/16/2008

Your Home is you Castle!!!! No matter the size or shape-the place that you live is your castle. It is your home sweet home and should be reckoned that way.Sometimes life leads us down roads where we need to sell or buy a new castle and that is why I'm here for you!If you find yourself in a place where you need a new castle please call me today!I would love to help set your home in place:Whether buying or selling!!!!  Lindsey HasfordColdwell Banker Vision231 Main Street - Elk River - MN 55330763-241-5488 (office) 763-218-1347 (cell) Www.hasfordhomes.comLindseyhasford@coldwellbankervision.comSubscribe to my blog 01/12/2008

 Can you find the affordable Aldi?They are hidden outside of town on Hwy 10! This affordable grocery store looks like an upgraded and fancy shopping experience, but really has some of the best savings around! Being new to the area - they are one of the best kept secrets around. So, pull out your wallets and let's go shopping! And while you are at, bring a friend. Let's spread the word and keep these guys in town....Aldi Grocery Store 01/10/2008

So, on a slow day in the middle of winter what would you do?!?!?!... My son thought is was the best to go sledding! You should have heard him squeal... and this morning he's been pointing at his snowsuit saying "on" for hours. Do you think he had enough? Not a chance!If the weather stays nice we'll be hitting up the parks again real soon. Elk River has lots of nice sledding spots that are family friendly! Elk River ParksWe go to a park near my parents house, but the Lions Park has one massive huge hill that says "slide on me!" in great big letters!!!! (It's also fun to roll down that hill in the summer!)So, on a day with not much to do, grab those boots and hot chocolate and head for the hills! 01/07/2008

Do you ever get  the glooms after the holidays? Kind of a feeling like what now? The fun is over? Well, it doesn't have to be! The perscription for a gloomy feeling is to blast someone else's day!.... I can honestly say that I haven't felt the gloomies, but wanted to send you a pick-me-up on this cold wintry day! May you be blessed and happy today!!!! If there is someone that you would like to touch today I've included the info for some of the local florists - or you could stop at Walmart and make a personal visit!Flowers Plus of Elk RiverDesign's by Lisa of Elk River, Inc. Have a beautiful day!!!! 01/04/2008

Downtown Elk River is a beautiful place. You can find some great architechure along the river, but my favorite is the old churches!!!! There are several beautiful churches that sport the downtown area and I love just sitting and looking at their elegance and grace. Over the holidays they hang lights and enjoy the season!Anyways, if you are looking for a place to worship, these are some great places!Elk River Churches 01/02/2008

Across the street from this train track there is a lot for sale that gives a marvelous view of the river and downtown Elk River. Is the noise of the train worth the view? I suppose that is something each individual has to determine for ones self... I wouldn't mind the view, or the closeness of the downtown area but find the train to be quite a challenge to overcome! How about you?  12/26/2007

....as we head into the holiday weekend I just want to say MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope that you enjoy your time with family, friends and whoever you spend your holidays with. May the days be filled with joy, laughter, safe travel and health. May wealth find it's way to you in so many ways! May you find warmth and beauty in the season and may you find comfort in your homes. This is my wish for you this Christmas! Have a beautiful one!!!!  12/22/2007