SOLD by Friday!

Meadow Creek Saints Volleyball Takes 3rd in State!

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:19:44 -0600

Conference Champs 9-0

Final record 28-7

7th Place in Apple Valley tourney

1st Place in Mora Tourney

Winners of 15 of their final 16 games, only loosing to the eventual State Champs and winning 3 of last 4 in 5 set matches.

Subsection 4A North Champions

Section 4A Champions

3rd in State, 1 of 9 teams in the state to finish their season with a win.

Best finish in school history

8 seniors who have played together since 5th grade!

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

Meadow Creek Saints Volleyball - Round 1 State Tourney

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:13:48 -0600

Round 1 in the State Tournament at the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St Paul, MN, home of the Wild! After the banquet at Crowne Plaza Wednesday night introducing all the girls playing in the tournament from all 24 teams, we are ready to get the championship settled. Our friends from Andover had already lost a tough match to Stillwater 3-1. Time to introduce our Saints.

Game 1 started out with point Saints but, quickly Nevis built a 4 point edge. We tied them twice in the match though we never led after 1-0. Nevis takes round one 25-22 and set the tone for the match. Lets pick it up Saints!

Game 2 looks very much like game 1 with Nevis holding the edge. Our girls look like they need to pull it together and start playing like they can. In the end Nevis pulls out another win, more decisevly 25-15. Can the Saints pull it together? We can only hope so but now we have to win the final 3 games of the match.

Game 3 our Saints had a fire lit under them by the coach. They looked like they have in the sections and end up totally dominating the game and winning 25-9. Now the fans are feeling a whole lot better and know this can be done.

Game 4 was another close match with several ties along the way. Several points lasted 10 or more times across the net. Great volleys and hard work by both teams said they both wanted to advance. Saints end up winning 25-22 so bring on game 5.

Gane 5, winner moves on, looser goes to the consolation bracket. Who wants this more? Nevis takes an ealry 6-2 lead and the Saints appear to be in trouble. They quickly get back in the match and tie it at 9. Then the point go back and forth. Game tied at 13, the Saints win the point but quickly give the point back. 14-14 game 5, does it get any better than this? I guess our Saints wanted this more as they scored the next points and advance to play top ranked Bethlehem Academy tomorrow at 1 pm.

Don't miss it! Way to go Saints, we are very proud of your accomplishments this year.

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

Meadow Creek Saints Volleyball Section 4A Championship!

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:52:55 -0600

The place: Minnehaha Academy

The time: 1pm 11-7-2009

The teams: Meadow Creek vs Mayer Lutheran

The stakes: Who goes to State?

Minnehaha was rocking with the pep bands from Meadow Creek and Mayer Lutheran switching back and forth. Meadow Creek played after games 1 and 3 and Mayer played game 2 and 4 if necessary.

Game one our Saints started off a little slow but quickly gained an edge in the match. The score was close throughout but our Ladies took game 1 25-22. Great start girls!

Game 2 had Mayer Lutheran scoring the first 6 points. Our girls slowly fought back to even the score at 12. Then Mayer jumped out again. We fought back but Mayer ended up winning game 2 25-19.

Game 3 was another closely fought battle with Mayer looking to take an edge in the match. Both teams were fighting hard for every point. The score was 20-18 when Meadow Creek checked in a player who had been on the bench for 3 weeks with an ankle sprain. She finished out the game serving 5 consecutive points and Meadow Creek had the edge once again!

Game 4 and Mayer Lutheran looked like they weren't going out without a fight. They had some great kills and had the edge. Mayer won the game to force a decisive game 5 winning 25-19. State rides on the final game! The crowd from both teams were ready for a great finish!

Game 5 was close throughout. Each point was critical. The fans were louder than ever. With the saints leading 13-12, Mayer had a kill go out, but wait, the up ref says Meadow Creek touched the ball. 13-13 game 5, what else could you ask for?

Meadow Creek went on to win the last two points even though Mayer had several great spikes, Meadow Creek simply refused to let the ball hit the floor. Once again they fed off the opponents energy to catapult them to victory and to the Minnesota State High School tournament! Unbelievable! They have the hearts of champions and are ready to take on the top teams in the state!

See you at the Xcel Energy Center Thursday! Don't miss it.

Our 8 seniors below!

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

4A Sub Section Champions

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:08:34 -0600

The first game of the night pitted #1 seed Southwest Christian against #2 seed Mayer Lutheran. Mayer Lutheran won the match 3-0. So now we know who we will face on Saturday if we get by Heritage Christian.

Heritage came out strong and took an early lead in the first 2 games. Our Lady Saints just kept playing at a strong pace and limiting their own errors. The first game was won 25-15 by the Saints who were pounding the ball. In the 2nd game after trailing 6-2, we pulled even at 7 and then the match stayed even to 18 with every point being fought hard for. One last run by Meadow Creek proved too much for Heritage and the Saints won 25-20. 20 points was the most Heritage had managed in 5 games so far this year against our girls.

The final game of the match was amazing. The Saints seemed to feed off the power of Heritage. As Heritage pounded harder, our Saints fought even harder. At one point Heritage had several spikes in a row and should have easily had the point, but we never let the ball hit the ground and made a few statement kills of our own. If they can manage to feed off of the oponents energy like this every game, they will be tough to beat again this year.

The Saints ended up winning 25-18 to maove on to Saturday Section Finals at Minnehaha Academy 1pm. You'll want to be there to see them first hand. One of the Heritage parents said they were the best team they have played all year long. A nice compliment from a team who had only lost 5 games all season.

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

Meadow Creek Saints Volleyball

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:45:50 -0600

Well the first 2 games of sections went by without a hitch. The girls quickly took care of Minneapolis Edison in 3 games. Last night West Lutheran came out and looked better than Edison, but we dropped them in 3 as well. Therese was able to use all of her bench in both sets and still maintain an edge over the competition.

Thursday night the sub-section Championship will be held at West Lutheran in Plymouth. Southwest Christian will face Mayer Lutheran at 6 and Our Lady Saints will take on Heritage Christian at 8 pm. SHould be some great volleyball so be sure to come out and cheer on our Saints!

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

Highway 10 bottleneck gone!

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:42:10 -0600

The so called redneck bottleneck will be no more after today! The construction on Highway 10 in Coon Rapids should finish up this week. The project extended the 3rd lane from Foley to Hanson Blvd. with the west bound lane becoming the Hanson exit only lane. On the eastbound side the third lane starts as Hanson traffic enters the freeway. The redneck bottleneck was formed when Highway was completed through Blaine. This allowed 3 lanes from 10, 2 lanes from Highway 47 and one lane from the 610 bridge to combine into 2 lanes in about one mile.

The bridge replacement over the single line railroad track to Duluth extended the construction from March to November. Now that the bridge is done all lanes of the new construction opened east bound today and west bound should follow soon. The usual after work still needs to be completed including striping, landscaping and the cable median.

Here are some picturs of the work zone.

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

The Battle for the Paddle IV!

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:32:41 -0500

This is the 4th year of the "Battle for the Paddle", this year at Crown College. The winner of this epic battle wins the MCAA conference title in Volleyball, at least that is the way it has worked out. It is actually just the final regular season game and Meadow Creek and Southwest Christian have shown up each year with no losses. Southwest won the first and last battle with Meadow Creek winning the 2nd. Meadow Creek went to state the first year and Southwest went to state last year. Let the battle begin!

The first game SW takes an early lead, something they accomplish in each game of the set. Meadow Creek had brought a bus load of fans down to the game along with their former coach and players of years past. SW being home, had a huge number of students show up for the game. The place was loud! Meadow Creek slowly creepd back into the game and took the lead by 8. Meadow Creek kept pounding the ball and SW kept answering but eventually wore down with Meadow Creek taking the first game 25-18.

In the second game again Meadow Creek had to overcome SW's early lead. This time, this game however set the tone for the match as Meadow Creek blew past them and won decisevly 25-14. The paddle seemed as if it would find its way back to Andover.

The third game was back and forth the whole way. Tied at 19, Meadow Creek called a time out and took the next 2 points. SW used a time out and clawed back to being down one at 23-22. Meadow Creek had two amazing kills to end the game completing the sweep. SW had brought a canoe and the Meadow Creek fans padled it out onto the court. Then they rushed the team and swarmed them on the bench. The paddle is back at the Creek! Way to go Lady Saints!

Both teams joined hands at the net after the game giving thanks to the Lord!

Which team is heading to state? Bring on sections and stay tuned.

Joel Friday

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

Open in St Louis Park

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:03:45 -0500

Make sure you stop by and see this great new listing in St. Louis Park next Saturday the 24th of October. This home has been well maintained by the current owners and sits on a rare triple lot high off the street in the first Alphabet. Close to the Lakes, Minnehaha Creek, great shopping, Uptown and is 2 blocks from a non stop bus ride to downtown Minneapolis.

Hardwood floors throughout the home, pride in ownership in every detail. 2 fireplaces to keep you cozy on cool nights. Towering pines, huge oaks and fabulous perennials surround this cottage. Coved ceilings and entryways. This will be the place you will call home!

Deck off dining area extends entertaining to back yard. Large room in lower level with bar for entertaining guests. Custom stone patio installed in backyard 2 garages, 1 attached to home and 1 detached in alley.

What are you waiting for, call me now for a private showing or come to the open house on the 24th.

Joel Friday Homes

612-868-6287

Virtual Tour

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

Meadow Creek Saints Volleyball

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:50:46 -0500

Wow! 1st place in the Mora invitational. The girls did a great job in winning this tournament. They quickly dispatched St Cloud Apollo, then Pillager. North Branch in the semi finals was not able to keep up with our team. Finally it was Maple Lake in the finals. The first game was won by 2 points and the battle continued into the 2nd game. That one was also 25-23 giving the Lady Saints their first tourney win of the season ad priming them for a long run to state.

Orono came to our court on Tuesday the 13th. This was senior night and the last regular season home game for our 8 seniors. The girls played them tough and took all 3 games of the set, even while mixing in the younger girls on the team.

Next uo, the "Battle for the paddle!" Let's bring the paddle home again ladies!

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

Meadow Creek Saints Volleyball

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:00:27 -0500

This is the year for Meadow Creek Saint's 8 senior Volleyball players. They have been playing together at the Varsity level since 8th grade, when they formed the first B squad in Meadow Creek's history. They just knocked off both Champlin Park and Maple Grove last week and started conference play against New Life Academy at home with a win. Here are some other highlights for the year. I will update this blog as the season progresses through the State Tourney.

The girls stunned Heritage in a blowout and probably their best played game ever. There wasn't hardly a spike that didn't go uncontested. Every spike was hard, the sets were great. Deep serves kept Heritage off balance all night and they never built up any momentum. This was Heritage's first conference loss of the year.

Bethel Showcase!

The girls started out slow and never recovered against Leroy Ostrander in the first match of the Class A Showcase at Bethel. They came out hot in this game and never looked back winning decisively in both games against Buffalo Lake Hector. Nice turnaround ladies! In the closest match of the night, our girls pulled off two 2 point victories against Bertha Hewitt. Both games came down to the wire and the girls never relented to the pressure. In a strange twist, Bertha Hewitt received the 2nd place nod over us on point differential. We ended up 3rd in the pool and play tomorrow in the lower bracket. Underwood beat us here last year and caught us flat footed in the first game. We took over in the 2nd game with a nice win to keep the match alive and then thumped Underwood 15-2 in the third game of the match. Onto the 9th place game! Again we came out a little soft in the first game and didn't start the second very either, trailing 14-8 when Therese called a timeout. We then went on to a 17-7 run to win the game. The 3rd game was close but Nevis beat us in the end. Great tourney girls! We finished 4-2 and 10th place against some very competitive teams.

Apple Valley Tourney.

The team went out and beat the first team we faced and then drew Apple Valley in the 2nd match. Apple Valley had a great attack and we never quite matched their intensity. In the 3rd game we played Minneota. We lost a close game in the first set and then lost a player to an ankle sprain in the 2nd game and didn't pick up the pace enough to keep even with thwm. The final game was against Maple Grove and we played even with them and brought it up a notch to win both games in the end to finish 7th place.

Last night we played Providence Academy and won in three. Mora tourney this weekend!

Keep up the energy girls and finish the year strong!

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

Mortgage Delinquencies - The Coming Storm

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:16:58 -0500

Via Jeff Geoghan MBA - Lancaster PA Real Estate Expert (The Jeff Geoghan Realty Group, Coldwell Banker Lancaster PA):

This is one of those posts where I wish I didn't have to write it, but felt it was so important to my readers that I would be remiss not to at least talk about it.

Everyone out there probably knows somebody who is behind on their mortgage payments, looking for alternatives and likely also just finding out that their home's value has dipped below what their loan amount is. I know some within my own personal circles. It's a tough situation for me to advise them as a professional because it's such a personal challenge to their pride and self-worth, not to mention their plans and dreams for the family. The question we're asking is "when is this going to stop and where are we heading?"

I'm going to put up a few graphs that show the trends nationally with regards to mortgage delinquincies:

This chart is by quarter - Single-family mortgages set a new record delinquency rate in the second quarter of 2009, according to a quarterly survey by the Mortgage Bankers Association. Those of us in the real estate business see the foreclosure process (just visit the local Sheriff Sale docket to see the current numbers) but the looming delinqency-to-foreclosure issue is far, far larger.

The Wall Street Journal on 8/3/09 reported the following quote: “While subprime mortgages sparked the first round of housing problems two years ago, now "troubles are lurking further up the food chain," says Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist at MFR Inc. White-collar job losses have accelerated while more adjustable-rate loans to prime borrowers are resetting to higher payments. ‘You put all that together, it leads me to believe that the next leg down on home prices is going to come from the top,’ he says.”

The first objection someone may have would be to say "yes, but historically those who are delinqent usually get their act together and come current on the mortgage after a while". That WAS true, but not anymore! We call that the "Cure Rate", that is the rate of delinquencies that go back to current. The Wall Street Journal reported on 8/24/09 about a Fitch analysis that found that the Cure Rate from 2000-2006 was 45% (which means about half of people fix their delinquency). However, as of July 2009 the rate had dropped to just 6.6%! That means that over 90% of delinquent customers are going to foreclosure. Take a look again at the above chart...

The next thing someone will say is "well, that's the 'sand states' and not my area". Here's the chart for all 50 states showing the same breakdown of delinquencies and foreclosures. Guess what - most states have a significant problem, especially compared to historical figures.

Now the next thing someone may say is "aren't those loans going to get 'fixed' by a loan modification?" I know several people right now who are applying for a Lancaster County loan modification but are waiting and waiting. I hope it works out for them...

In reality, loan modifications are hardly making a dent. To me, that's a burning question. Why arent banks being more aggressive in giving customers the option to extend their loan and/or reset to a lower rate? Why are they being SO difficult? The people I know don't want to be foreclosed. They CAN make payments. They just need the terms redrawn to allow them to catch & keep up. Loan modifications are not helping us get this crisis under control.

What are the causes of all these delinquencies? Here's a chart that is enlightening:

We hear a lot about adjustable rate mortgages being the culprit, but the reality is that it's the loss of jobs and the tanking real estate market that's the perfect storm. See my previous post on unemployment in the nation, the state and Lancaster County.

Keep in mind, this post is not intended to give us "good news". You may be experiencing good things in your market and that's great. My intent is to get us thinking about the challenges that aren't going away and how we're going to address them as homeowners, agents and professionals. I'd love to hear your ideas!

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

Historic Hand Split Stone Home in Askov, MN

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:07:45 -0500

OK, to answer your first question, where is Askov Minnesota, Askov sits on scenic state highway 23 which makes a great alternative to I-35 on your way to Duluth or other spots on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Take the Banning Junction exit north of Hinckley and Askov is about 5 miles east. Askov has a Danish heritage seen in everything from the sign at the edge of town to the street names, which are in both Danish and English.

Now for your second question, what is a hand split stone home? This particular home was built on Ferndale St, aka Bregnedalgade, on a truck farm that sold ferns nationwide. The owner asked his truckers to grab cool looking boulders where ever they were and throw them on the truck. He then hand split each stone and built a home that even the big bad wolf couldn't blow down. Above the windows he used a mirroring technique with the stones. This technique allowed the stone halves to be placed opposite one another ( see picture below).

This home built in 1942, still has much of its original charm including hard wood floors, knotty pine woodwork, a stone fireplace (of course) and stone siding around the entire home. This home is featured on oldhouses.com, trulia, realtor.com and point2homes.com. What is truly amazing is you can own this unique piece of history for less than $130,000. Stop by our open house as the owner is baking her famous cookies on September 26th 12-3 pm.

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday Homes

http://JoelFridayHomes.com

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

What happens when a lender can’t produce the original note?

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:33:47 -0500

Via Rick Misitano (Law Offices of James M. Bosco & Associates):

A growing number of homeowners around the country are using a foreclosure defense that may help them retain their homes. It’s called “Produce the Note” and we want you to know this is not a mere technicality that should be treated lightly by the lender or by the Court.

Everyone needs to understand the importance of this issue. When a lender can’t produce the original note, allowing a foreclosure to proceed puts the homeowner at risk of owing that debt again to another party in the future. Therefore, great caution must be taken before a judge can allow someone who can’t produce the original note to cash in on your home.

What if Your Lender CAN’T Produce the Note?

So, what happens when the lender tells the Court it can’t produce the original note, because it is lost? Let’s start with the basics. If a lender wants to foreclose on a property, it has to be able to show that it is, in fact, the appropriate person to whom the money is owed. That right to foreclose belongs ONLY to the person who has legitimate POSSESSION OF THE ORIGINAL NOTE - not a copy, not an electronic entry, but the original note itself with the original signature of the person(s) who allegedly owes the money along with appropriate raised notary seal and signature. So, if you are faced with a foreclosure, you have every right to demand that the person or entity trying to take your property, first prove to the Court that they have the legal right do to so in the first place by proving they have legal possession of the original promissory note.

In my opinion, an original mortgage note is much like legal tender and should be guarded and protected as such by the person holding such an asset. Loosing an original mortgage note is like loosing a $100 bill or a gift card or a lottery ticket. What if I scratched that million dollar ticket and just stuck it somewhere and misplaced it? Do you think I could just show up at lottery headquarters and claim my prize without having the winning ticket? The same principle applies to the person or entity claiming to be the legal holder of an original mortgage note. He who holds the note holds the key.

What the Lender Must Do

What often happens, however, is that the lender claims it doesn’t have the original note, because that note has been lost or destroyed. If the lender is making such a claim, the law requires the lender to prove all of the following under the “Uniform Commercial Code”, which is a set of laws governing commercial transactions that many states have adopted. It contains a specific provision on this subject (Section 3-309) which states that a person can enforce a promissory note without having the original, BUT only under certain limited circumstances.

1. The person or entity has to swear and attest that it no longer has the original note;
2. The person or entity has to prove that it was properly in possession of the note and was entitled to enforce it WHEN it lost possession of the note;
3. The person or entity has to prove it didn’t “lose” possession simply because it transferred the note to someone else (i.e., it’s not really lost); and
4. The person or entity has to prove that it cannot produce the original note because the instrument was destroyed or its whereabouts cannot be determined or it was stolen by someone who had no right to it.

All of these matters have to be definitively proven by the person or entity trying to foreclose on the property. It is not the obligation of the borrower to prove or disprove any of this. The borrower can challenge the right of the person or entity trying to foreclose and demand proof.

The Court’s Important Role

It is up to the Court to determine whether the lender has satisfactorily proven why it no longer can produce the original note. The Court also has to be satisfied that when the original note was lost, the person trying to foreclose on the property had possession of the note at the time it was lost. Until the Court has been satisfied of all of this, the foreclosure cannot proceed.

It is also important for the Court itself to understand that this issue is not merely a “technicality” and the judge should not be satisfied with anything less than full proof of this issue. The Court itself needs to appreciate the fact that if it should agree that an original note has been legitimately lost (and allows the foreclosure to proceed) it is the borrower who is still at risk.

Why? Because incredibly, even if a Court has found that the original note is lost and the foreclosure sale is finalized, if someone later turns up with the original note and proves that it is the proper holder of the note, and not the person who foreclosed on the property, the original borrower is STILL LIABLE.

That’s right. Someone took your home and the Court allowed it because it believed that the lender proved that the note was lost and it was the proper party. Then someone legitimate shows up in the future with the actual note and you still owe that person the money even though your property was taken with the blessing of the Court. Trust me, this is a very serious issue regarding post foreclosures and post pre-foreclosure short-sales. It has happened to three of our own clients! These homeowners had the need to sell their property by means of a negotiated short-sale (so they could avoid a foreclosure) only to find out that the entity claiming to have the legal right and authority to enter into such negotiations and accept such settlements sold their note to another entity and weren’t even aware of it. Several months later, the newly assigned lenders (now claiming to be the rightful owners of our client’s original notes) have since come forward and have also filed suite seeking to recover their entire outstanding principle balances owed to them (prior to the homeowners closing their short-sale transactions with the wrong note holders).

How fair is that?!?! It’s not! And that’s why homeowners need to start fighting back when someone is trying to take their home by foreclosure, especially since an overwhelming percentage of mortgages granted over the last 3 to 5 years have been packaged into securities and re-sold and re-assigned numerous times since the inception of the borrower's original note and mortgage. In some states, homeowners have better than a 50/50 chance of being successful in defending themselves against a completed foreclosure. Why wouldn’t anyone who owns a home do everything in their power to protect and defend it?

All the Best,

Rick D. Misitano, Senior Paralegal
Law Offices of James M. Bosco & Associates
Methuen Executive Park
240 Pleasant Street
Methuen, Massachusetts 01844
Phone: (978) 687-8804
Fax: (978) 687-8872
boscolaw@comcast.net

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

Parade of Homes

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:57:12 -0500

Here in the Twin Cities they run a "Parade of Homes" each fall to showcase new homes and their builders. Recently I have noticed a new form of the Parade. A lof of the banks in our area are listings homes below market value and generating 10-20 offers within days of the home being on the market. So what happens is the home is listed for $59,000, even though the market might $80,000 on the home. Then you literally get tons of showings and multiple offers almost instantly.

As an example there were 2 homes in Anoka, MN that were listed. One listed for $90,000 and the other listed for $59,000. My client had an ionterest in both homes due to location. The first home we offered $105,000 after hearing there were multiple offers and seeing a line of cars waiting to see the home (The Parade). We lost out on that home by $15,000. On the second attempt, we were one of 16 offers and bid $85,000 plus closing costs and lost out by $1,000.

This trend is growing here in the Twin Cities and a lot of the bidders are all cash investors. Just curios if you are seeing this in you rmarkets.

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale

Stunning 80 acre retreat in Willow River.

Joel Friday, e-PRO (DMR Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 08 May 2009 09:08:19 -0500

At first glance you say, another 80 acre property up north but, as soon as you pull int the driveway, you notice something different. Rolling terrain with towering pines, bright white birch, stately oaks, and then a spring fed pond. Then you see the home, cedar shakes and siding, a screen porch along the entire west side, a deck off the loft bedroom above the porch, and a patio below from the walkout basement all facing the pond. Upon entering the home there is a mud room and stairs to the basement. Around the corner the kitchen greets you with a cathedral ceiling, tongue and groove aspen woodwork harvested from the land. Beyond that you see oak hardwood floors and a pot belly stove in the wide open living area. The screen porch is right behing 3 huge sliding doors that allow great scenes from outside to be right there in front of you.

Once you have explored the main level with 2 bedrooms including the master with a bathroom and sliding door, you notice the winding stair case to the loft. You quickly race up the stairs to see what is up there and discover a huge area that can be used as a bedroom or a family room. Another sliding door takes you to the balcony over the porch. Your view includes fantastic sunsets, deer coming down for water from the pond and abundant wildlife. There is also a huge walk in closet or play room. The smell of bacon and coffee will make getting up a memorable experience.

The lower level awaits your ideas as it is wide open and has two more sliding doors that open to the patio below the porch. Time for a leisurely stroll around your new home. The trails wind throughout the hills, forest, wetlands and you take even more wildlife. There are a few tree stands for hunting or bird watching that are well marked. There is even a 5 acre pasture for Elk, which you could also use for cattle or horses. A large pole barn and 3 car garage are just the start of your storage area as there are several additonal out buildings scattered throughout the acreage.

Time for fishing or boating, Long Lake is just around the corner as is the Kettle River. The Willard Munger State Trail is only a mile away. Hinckley is around 20 miles to the south and Duluth is now less than an hour away. There are also several state parks in the area including Banning State Park with an old rock quarry that is very scenic.

For more details check out the links below or give me a call to come and see this stunning 80 acre retreat that can be lived in year round.

This could be your

"HOME By Friday!"

http://HomebyFriday.com

Joel Friday Homes 612-868-6287

Make sure your home is

"SOLD by Friday!"

Joel Friday

612-868-6287

Andover MN homes for sale