A few months back i had an agent ask if the sellers were mad.  No why, I asked. Well, they didn't take our offer and countered on the high side. Hmmmm, As I had searched the current market value and found our counter was about 5% below market, my seller didn't think they were on the high side. Besides, You have not talked with my seller, how would you know if they were mad or not.   Just because you gave a generous offer, at least in your eyes, doesn't always translate into a generous offer for the seller. 11/07/2013

Love the song. But this is about the flower itself. Actually, 2 flowers. I was at out local Home Depot buying paint.  When checking out I saw this display with Orchids. This picture is very close to the actual size.  It is a bit smaller. I have seen many Orchids in my day, but never anything so big. Then... This little guy was also in the same pot.  Had not seen two different ones in the same pot before. But, I bought one and my wife loved it.  Maybe I can go fishing this weekend! 08/16/2013

I had a conversation with an elderly friend.  Not old just older than I. He told me he just found out that he has stage 4 cancer.  2-3 months tops. We had a long talk and laughed a bit. "Bill, I have some advice for you and I hope you take it to heart." Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life.     After I bid him a see you soon...I thought about what he said.  I know I try, but I will now try even harder. 08/07/2013

You know the old adage...It's not over until the Fat Lady sings." Well...I think she has been on a diet.   She has not been singing much this year although there have been many chances. There also seams to be a habit of waiting until the deal is almost ready to close to bring up problems. I was thinking of fattening up my wife to hedge my bets, but she doesn't sing very well. So for now, we will just keep on trying. 07/26/2013

I love the Daffodil. It's bright shinning head reminds me of sunshine in the morning.  Dark orange ball with bright yellow all around it. The one thing missing this year are the bees that are usually all around the spring flowers.  I think the crazy weather has them all mixed up. 05/18/2013

Minnesota is running about 2 weeks behind the average and Mother Nature isn't in any hurry to change that. There have been some rumblings about changing vacation plans and other travel ideas. The truth is that by Memorial Weekend, most everything will be back to near normal.  Kids are not even out of school at that time, so...Start booking your plans.  You may find some really great deals today.   The Duluth Zoo is a great day trip to make. 05/04/2013

This is the first time I can remember the twins having a complete weather postponement. I rememberthe old Met stadium and the rain outs, but never a snow, sleet and rain out. But, the weather didn't stop these wild turkeys from visiting under my bird feeders for a few morsels. 04/14/2013

I am excited about the upcoming season.  Spring training is just around the corner.  Pitchers and Catchers have reported and some of the others are starting to migrate to the training camps. Anyone Else EXCITED??? I see my Hometown Twins have acquired a few pitchers and that should help them out A LOT!!! I am waiting to hear the first...PLAY BALL!!!! yell from the umps. This is a sure sign spring is on it's way. 02/13/2013

I know that for some people this is the vision they have.  If it move we shoot it.  Now, while that may be true of some people, that is not me.  (Those people are not REAL hunters) I have a soft spot for the wild creatures around us.  Many of you already know that.  So, I am going to introduce you to 'Tweet'. 'Tweet' is my latest rescue attempt. When waling past my bird feeder this little guy didn't fly.  I chased it down and brought it into the house.  He has a sore wing that should heal in a week or so as he does try to use it. But, we are in the winter season right now.  I have brought him into the house to heal.  In a week or so, I will start to re-acclimate him to the outside.  I am keeping him on the cooler side right now, but I will need to do more. I could have easily left him o... 02/07/2013

WHY? The time for talking has long passed and waiting will only cost you more money. Home prices are on the way up and in some areas the increase is double digits.   Interest rates in some areas is inching up.  1/4% in my area per one of the local banks. This translates into higher payments.  So, If you are jumping off of the fence finally, check with your lender.  Check out all the financing options and compare them very closely. Once again, I am seeing government backed loans being the most expensive. The best time to buy a home is quickly fading.  Come spring it will fade even faster. Don't be caught in a state of shock.  Act now! 01/13/2013

This weekend WE spent with the Grand Daughters.  Being close to Halloween and a very nice day we took a Nature walk. One of the local park/nature areas has a mile long trail.  Stationed along the trail are cartoon characters and other Movie characters that kids like.  Any thing from Snow White to Batman. AS we walked along this slightly elevated wetland trail I ran across this Woodcock not 5 feet off the trail. Hundreds of people had filed past this bird and never saw it.  I took several photo's from just 5 feet away.  I then stood up and started walking away when I saw this... I had not seen the second bird just a foot closer than the first.  I was able to get a few phot's of the two of them and then I left them at peace. This Nature Preserve is a great wetlands spot and we saw many di... 10/21/2012

Why can't the media just print the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Right now the Media spin Doctors are at work trying to put a vision in our minds of who the running mates are.  I don't need the media to tell who is who and what they stand for. I will listen to the debates and and decide for myself who these two guys are.  I now one pretty well already and tomorrow night will either confirm that or debunk it. For the other, this is his chance to let me know who he is and what he stands for. Let's shut the media out of this one and let the best come out on top! 10/10/2012

Stick and Stay is bound to pay. That was my dad's motto when playing poker so many years ago.  While not always the best strategy, it does have some merit to it. Late Friday, I finally heard back from a Bank on a short sale Purchase Agreement that was sent to them on 4-3-2012.  Yea, we just heard. This person is the 4th person to have this file in 9 months I have been working with the seller. This person is the first to call and say got it, and I am sending you what else I need.  The buyers are still hanging in there.  I wonder if they had heard of my dad's saying before? 08/05/2012

WE hear this often..."That was a wedding present from...". What happens next...A buyer comes in and LOVES THAT CHANDELIER! Now, the fight starts.  Buyer won't buy unless the light fixture stays, seller won't sell if the light fixture con't be taken.   Hopefully this all happens before you get to closing! Solution: If you have a fixture or some other attached property you really want...REMOVE IT NOW and get a replacement if one is needed. Out of sight...out of mind. I had a closing delayed because of decorative switch plates. Don't let this become an issue.  There are so many things to worry about, a piece of personal property should not be one fo them! 06/26/2012

No, not talking business. I have a cousin who is on Twitter all the time.  Part of her name is in Twitter.  She broadcasts her whereabouts all the time. Store, Church, pool basement...you get the idea. Well, she was broadcasting her trip to the west coast.  She was keeping everyone in the world up to date. Yes...you know where I am going with this. ROBBED!!!  Her house was hit and she was really cleaned out.  Her home sets on a private small acreage parcel and no one can see it from the road.  Let's just say that if she were actually moving...there would be a lot less. WE need to instill in our children also how important it is not to be so pin point all the time. You never know who is watching! 06/08/2012

I met with a new client today.  Nice young lady.  Knows just what she wants. We look at a house and she points out the good and the bad, We go to the next house and she points out the good and the bad. She does the same at the 3rd home but now some of the good was some of the bad in the first house.  The more I talked with her, I found she really didn't' know what she wanted. She is a first time buyer and is having a problem of knowing what she really needs and wants. We sat down for a pop and made a list of wants and of needs. We picked the top 3 in each category and then rated them for importance. She is sleeping on it until Monday.  Hopefully her horizon will be much clearer. 02/18/2012

It has been a long hard day in many ways. I dealt with a few people that I think the world would be better off without. But, in that thought I remembered this.. Slinky's.  Yea, that odd spring gadget we played with as kids. Well I found a picture of it and it details my feeling for today. Yup, I love the slinky! 12/16/2011

What can I say.  Farm boys are not lazy.  Thes creations took a lot of time. See for yourself... As I have said in the first part...I would be spending my time hunting and fishing enjoying what Mother Nature has given us to enjoy.  But, these busy guys aren't in my way while they are so busy. 12/02/2011

After a good meal, (For hospital food it was good) we went for a walk in the park.  It was a great day mid to upper 50's and the is warm for Minnesota at the end of November. Walking down to the river to look at the ducks and geese, they thought we had rung the dinner bell. This Canadian Honker was not scared at all.  He came swimming right up to us when wwe were standing on the river bank. This male Mallard Duck was also interested in what we may have to offer. This Honker was more than willing to take a food offering right out of the hands of my Grand Daughter. Wildlife are a smart bunch.  Put this guy into a corn field 2 miles from the river and you won't get close to him. WE didn't throw much food to the geese and ducks.  The free handouts gives cause for these birds to stay around ... 11/25/2011

I was all caught up by noon today, so I went up to the cabin and did some fall work. Leaves were pilling up and the more I get done in the fall, the less I have to do when I want to fish. The birds and small animals were flittering around eating and working at their winter food supply.   This site alone was worth the couple of hours of work.  It cleared my mind and I am refreshed and ready to hit it hard tomorrow! 10/20/2011