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North Branch, MN Real Estate News

By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
This is something that many people don't think of doing, especially those with a shallow well.   Contaminated can filter into the underground water source without you even knowing it. I can't count the times that A water test has come up with a problem during the sale process.  Even my Daughters water was bad with out her knowing it and making my granddaughter sick.  Only because they were selling the home that it was discovered. After the move and now with good water...she felt better within days. Do Yourself and your family a favor and do the test.  Usually less then $75 will cover it.  If you have a new baby, this is a must!!!  Using tap water that is contaminated for mixing formula for an infant can have deadly results. TEST YOUR WATER!!!!
Comments 12
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
I think we all get tired of this type of marketing.  I used to get 3-4 pieces of Junk mail a day at the office.  Mostly credit card offers and charities.  This is what I hve done.  The Charities, I send back the self paid envelope and ask to be taken off the list.  Credit cards, I do the same.  If the credit card keeps sending junk, I cross off my name and send the application back in their envelope.  They pay postage and the post office gets some revenue. I am down to 3-4 pieces a week now. Phone calls...I found that many of the calls are pre-recorded.  I listen to them, because at the end of many of the calls, you can press 2 and opt out of any more calls.   I have cut my calls by at least 1/2.  I am more relaxed because I am not upset by a call I don't want. Try these tips...They do ...
Comments 12
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
Many people don't realize that if you have a private septic, that you need to pump the tank every2-3 years.  In fact, many counties here in Minnesota now require proof that you did. Spring is one of the best times to do this maintenance.  One of the big reasons is because, Private Septic systems can freeze in the winter if there isn't enough snow during a really harsh cold spell.   The reason for pumping in the spring, is that this gives your system a chance to get the micro bacteria growing again.  These little creatures create heat while in the process of breaking down the matter you put into the system. This heat will ensure that your system doesn't freeze in a severe cold snap.  Think about it...A frozen system is not good!  Very costly to thaw out or pump every couple of weeks. Do ...
Comments 8
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
As I reported...Yesterday was our anniversary.  We had a lot of well wishes from friends, relatives and many from here in the Rain. Well, this morning during church, the Pastor, who was a sub and who I don't know well, was asking me how things were.  I said that our anniversary was yesterday.  "You know Pastor, My wife is an ANGEL." He replied..."Lucky you, mine is still alive!" "WOW, I said, look at the time, I better find myself a place to sit!"
Comments 15
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
I was having coffee with some of my contacts this morning.  A table next to us was complaining about the census.  One was upset that someone came to his door and was asking the questions.  He then started yelling at them and slammed the door in his face.  I turned around and asked the man..."You must not like people who work for a living." "OF COURSE I DO!!!!  THAT IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY, TO MANY FREELOADERS!!!" "Well, I think that census taker should be commended.  he is doing a job that many don't want and trying to support himself and maybe his family.  He wasn't standing in line somewhere looking for a handout." At that point the guy didn't have a lot to say.  There are many people out there doing jobs that are what the majority feel are below themselves.  That can be te...
Comments 15
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
This is the time of year to start looking.  If you already know the lake or area of lakes you want, your job is half done.  If you don't, here are a few tips for starting... Decide how you will be using the water. Is fishing the main event or is it water skiing.Do you need a level lot, or will a lot with a hill be better.  Can you handle stairs and or will you be able to as long as you own the home.Should the home be one level or two.  Will a basement be necessary.  Many homes on level lots have no basement or crawl space. What do you know about the lake. Is there a lot of traffic on the lake especially on weekends.Are there many people living on the lake.How about resorts.  They can bring in a large amount of people all summer.Is the water clean or is it muddy.  Is the bottom sand?  Ho...
Comments 4
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
Some of my greatest memories, in life and business has been with farmers.  I grew up on the farm and remember many of the things that the old farmers, (at least old to me at the time) would spurt out.  Here are a few of the ones that stuck... Keep Skunks, bankers adn lawyers at a distance. Life is simpler when you just plow around the stumps. A bumble bee is considerably faster then a John Deere tractor. Words for the ages!  
Comments 9
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
This is for my good friend Steve Loynd.... 2 Lady golfers were teeing off and as one sliced her ball, the 2 of them watched in horror as the ball went right into a 4 some of guys and hit one.  The man right away grasp both hands together at his groin, fell to the ground rolling around in agony. The women rushed down to the guys and immediately began to apologize. The one women said...Please allow me to help, I'm a Physical Therapist and I know that I can help alleviate your pain if you allow me to help. She said. "Oh no, the man said...I will be Ok in a little while."  He was in obvious pain as he laid there in the fetal position with his hands still clasp together at his groin.  At her persistence, he finally allowed her to help. She gently took and placed his hands to his side, loosen...
Comments 13
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
Spring is one of the best times to look for your building or recreational parcel.  If you are looking at 5 acres or more, you can see through the trees and tell what the landscape is like. You can see the minor low spots that hold water during the spring and or heavy rains.  Come mid may, under brush and other vegitation will hide these spots. You can see easily how mature the wooded acreage is and the type of trees that are there.  You can also health of the wooded area.  Are there a lot of dead trees standing.  Is there a good building site and how about a slope for a walk out basement. For the buyers looking at using the land for recreation, ie; hunting, 4 wheeling ect...Now is a great time to see what he wildlife trails are like.  Deer hunters can see the potential for Big Bucks. I ...
Comments 6
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
I wrote about this last year right after Easter.  Many of the commenter's said it was a great idea, so I thought I would refresh the memory. We have a large group that gets together.  Depending on the year 6-10 families.  We do an Easter egg hunt every year.  (Sometimes in the house because of the weather.) We all know that the kids love it, but us Adults do also.  Now our game for the Adults has expanded from where we started. To start.  Pick out at least 6 colored eggs of the same color. (enough for each couple)  Buy one large egg for the prize.  (Not to big, you still need to hide it.)  Give each couple one egg.   This egg has a clue on how to find the next egg.  When they find that egg, it will be a clue to the next egg.  and so on to the final Large egg that will have a prize int i...
Comments 11
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
Many children want to help.  A sense of usefulness is a great feeling by child and adult alike.  My grandfather new I was such a child. I was under foot all the time, I wanted to help!  My fondest memory and one that I have used over the years is when grandpa was planting potatoes, I was just plain in the way in the preparation. But, the smart man my grandfather was, put me to work.  He sat me by the table and had me wrap the potatoes with newspaper.  Now, there is a very logical reason for this...does anyone know the reason for this.  I will give the answer Monday.
Comments 12
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
We all go along life and talk about retirement.  Can't wait for those golden years.  I find that I need to laugh at the Golden years before I get there. An Elderly man went to the Dr. for his yearly checkup, with his wife tagging a long.  In walks the Dr. ... "Well, I need a Urine sample, a Semen sample and a Stool sample." "What did he say", The old man asked his wife. "He said he wants your underwear!" OH YEA, CAN'T WAIT FOR THOSE GOLDEN YEARS!
Comments 12
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
This is just a passing thought... Congress and the President have worked for nearly a year on this health care bill.  Congress and other presidents also worked on this for over 10 years before.  10's of thousands of hours have been used on this issue. NOW...Just imagine... What if congress and the Presidents had worked this hard to reduce the deficit.  What if congress and the Presidents had worked this hare on educating our youth. What if congress and the President had worked this hard on getting clean energy at a reasonable price and reduced our dependence on foreign oil. What if congress and the Presidents had worked this hard on helping the American Businesses to create more American Jobs. If congress and the Presidents had worked this hard on the above issues, there would be more g...
Comments 14
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
My wife and I just finished up a rental unit to be moved into next week.  Now that it is done, I took pictures of every door, window, screen, floors you name it, I took a photo. I put them on my computer for safe keeping and backed them up.  Then I thought..HMMM, when was the last time I did this at home? What documentation do I have if we had a fire.  We do take a lot of pictures, but not detailed ones of our possession's.  So, this week, we are going to do just that.  I remember years ago we did this with a video camera.  How much could you remember if you had just a few days to give the Ins. Co. a list of valuables? This time we will be doing both. When was the last time you did this?
Comments 5
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
The fight over the mention of GOD in today's world is a non-stop one.  So, just think about this occurrence... The 10 commandments display was recently removed from in front of the Alabama Supreme Court, and for vary good reason... You can't post... Thou shall not Steal, Thou shall not commit adultery, thou shall not lie, In front of a building full of Attorney's and Politician's without creating a hostile work environment.
Comments 7
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
Yup, spring has sprung up here in Minnesota.  The bare ground will soon give way to new grass and flowers and of course...WEEDS. Soon, this flower bed that looks like this today... Will look like this in a couple of weeks... And, my garden that looks like this today... Will look more like this in a couple of months. Come on April showers!!!
Comments 5
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
The yearly Women's health fair is today and tomorrow at this facility.  My wife and her good friends have gone for the last 3 years.  There are booths that talk about specific health issues and then at 6 there is a speaker.  Judy always comes home with some great information.  It is well worth the time.  Hazeltine is just east of Center City on Hwy 8. Check it out!
Comments 4
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
I just made reservations for a cabin we go to every few years.   Talking with the owner, they are over 70% booked for the year.  I called the DNR, and campsite reservation are filling up fast.  Holiday weekends are nearly all gone!!! CALL TODAY!  get your reservations in now! Then, Start checking out your camping equipment.  Tires and bearings on the trailers.  Gas for the stoves.  If you normally hire someone to do your once over, call them now.  Many have discounts for early checkups.  Don't get caught having to stay home because you can't find a place to stay on a great weekend.
Comments 8
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
My wife decided to purchase a new lap top.  That way she could check her E-Mail while semi-watching TV. ( Of course that excuse didn't work for me)  Anyway, I am the one who gets to set it all up. (She knows even less than I do).   This story came to mind while I was trying to get some of the #$%#^@ progams to work... Our new office computer system was down as much as it was up.  My co-worker decided to stay late and get caught up on some of the work that didn't get done.  On her way home she was stopped for speeding... This is the perfect end to a rotten day.  Our computers were up and then down, up and then down...I stay late and now this! The Officer was uneffected by my Co-workers rant and went back to his car to write the ticket.   What seamed like an eternity, the officer finally ...
Comments 8
By William Feela, Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
(WHISPERING PINES REALTY)
In today's world of dog eat dog world, everyone is fighting for a share of the business.  The car companies are no exception.  They also seam to have some of the best warranties along with a lot of recalls.  Here is a  cute story, one to keep in mind! A man came back to the Dealer where he had purchasd a new car.  "I believe you gave me a guarentee with my new car." "That's right sir," Replied the salesman.  During the warranty time we will replace anything that breaks." "Fine" the old chap said..."I need a new garage door!"
Comments 6
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