Fresh From the Blog

Rochester's Weekly Heartbeat - Febuary 1st

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:00:00 GMT

February is here! I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather and getting outside while it lasts. If you are looking to shed some layers, you will be entertained by all the great events this week. If you haven't already made plans, head down to the Rochester Civic Theatre to see the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe from Friday, February 03 to Sunday, February 05. Show times are 7pm Friday, 2pm and 7pm Saturday and 2pm Sunday. The cost for adults is $20.50, $17.50 for seniors and $15.50 for students. Have a great week!

WEDNESDAY, February 01

Bob Miller Magician O'Neill's Pizza. 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Free admission

Intro to Facebook Rochester Public Library. 5:30 pm. Free

Karaoke American Legion Post 92. 6:30-10:30 PM. Free

Karaoke at the Viking Lounge Clarion Inn. 9pm-Close.

Parent-Child 3 to 5 Year-Old Story Time Rochester Public Library. 11 am - 11:30 am. Free

RCTC LIFE Meet Rochester Public School's Superintendent RCTC Heintz Bldg. , Room HA 134. 10 am - 11 am. Member free, nonmember $3

Scott Hosier World War II Round Table Schedule 2011-2012 Assembly of God Church. 6:30 PM Music 7:00 PM Program. $3.00 Donation--Students Free

Search for the Northern Star Barlow Event Center. 6:00 pm to Midnight. Free

THURSDAY, February 02

Dueling Pianos- Deuces Wild Wicked Moose Bar & Grill. 8pm.

Friends' WinterFest Book Sale Rochester Public Library. 9:30 am - 8 pm Thurs, 9:30 am - 4 pm Fri. Donation for books purchased

Karaoke at the Viking Lounge Clarion Inn. 9pm-Close.

RCTC LIFE Great Books RCTC Heintz Bldg. Room HB 134. 10 am - 12 noon. Member: $20, Non-Member $30

RCTC LIFE (Learning is ForEver) Stalag Whitewater: Prisoner of war camp at Whitewater State Park 1944 RCTC Heintz Bldg. , Room HA 104. 1 pm - 2:30 pm. Member $9, nonmember $13

Rochester WinterFest X Several locations. Various.

Samba - Beginner Dance Lessons Blue Moon Ballroom. 7 pm - 8 pm. $49

Texas Hold Em American Legion Post 92. 7 PM. Free

FRIDAY, February 03

Blue Moon Mix Blue Moon Ballroom. 7:30 pm - 11 pm. $8 adults, $6 students

Blue Moon Mix Blue Moon Ballroom. 7:30 pm -11 pm. $8 adults, $6 students

Bob Miller Magician Paradise Petes. 6 pm - 8 pm. Free admission

Comedians Floyd Phillips & Allen Trieu Goonie's Comedy Club. 7:30pm & 10:00pm. Purchase tickets

CUMC Documentary Club Christ United Methodist Church. 7 pm. Free

Documentary Movie Night Christ United Methodist Church. 7 pm. Free

Friday Frolics on Snowshoes Whitewater State Park. 12:30 pm - 2 pm. Free but vehicle park pass required

Friends' WinterFest Book Sale Rochester Public Library. 9:30 am - 8 pm Thurs, 9:30 am - 4 pm Fri. Donation for books purchased

Fuel Rochester’s Brainiac Trivia Night Rochester Art Center. 7 pm - 10 pm. $10/person or $60/team of 8

Gabrielle and the Apocalypse Wicked Moose Bar & Grill. 8pm.

Greg Boerner Canadian Honker Restaurant. 8 pm. No cover

Johnny Rawls Ron's Place. 9pm.

Karaoke at the Viking Lounge Clarion Inn. 9pm-Close.

Lost & Found Daniels Northwoods Lounge. 8pm-11pm. No cover

RCTC LIFE (Learning is Forever) A Priceless Gift – Your Story, Your Life RCTC Heintz Bldg. , Room HA 102. 10 - 12 noon. Member $21, nonmember $36

RCTC LIFE Reading in Retirement Realife Cooperative,. 10 am - 12 noon. Member: free, Non-Member $5

Regular Bingo Fridays Elks Lodge. Early Bird at 6:50 pm, Regular Bingo at 7:15 pm. Fee for Bingo

Rochester WinterFest X Several locations. Various.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Rochester Civic Theatre. Fri 7 pm, Sat 2 pm & 7 pm, Sun 2 pm. Adult $20.50, Senior $17.50, Student $15.50

SATURDAY, February 04

"Nothing But Class: The Songs of Dorothy Fields" Crossings at Carnegie. 7:30 p.m.. $18 in advance, $20 day of show.

10th Annual Frozen Goose Race Rochester Community & Technical College, East Park & County Fields. Registration at Noon, Race at 1 pm. Minimum Pledge: $25 Individual, $40 Family

Assisi Heights Tour Assisi Heights. 2pm. Donations accepted

Comedians Floyd Phillips & Allen Trieu Goonie's Comedy Club. 7:30pm & 10:00pm. Purchase tickets

Dance the Cold Away Rochester International Dance Studio. 11 am – 3 pm. One hour lesson $5 for kids and $10 for adults. An all day pass is $25

Exhibition Opening Reception & Winter Flux Rochester Art Center. 7 pm – 1 am. $5, free to Art Center members

Family Film Program: One Zillion Valentines and Boxes for Katje Rochester Public Library. 10:30 am. Free

Free Family Day Snow Globes Rochester Art Center. 1 pm – 4 pm. Free

Greg Boerner Canadian Honker Restaurant. 8 pm. No cover

Hearts & Diamonds Spectacular Somerby Golf Club. 5:30 pm. $200 per person

Karaoke at the Viking Lounge Clarion Inn. 9pm-Close.

Lost Highway Wicked Moose Bar & Grill. 8pm.

Mile of Mac & Cheese HyVee Stores. 10 am – 4 pm. Donation - Food or Cash

Moonlight Snowshoeing/Hiking Chester Woods Park. 7pm - 9pm. No cost, but park entry permit required.

Rochester WinterFest X Several locations. Various.

Rod Kinny Daniels Northwoods Lounge. 8pm-11pm. No cover

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Rochester Civic Theatre. Fri 7 pm, Sat 2 pm & 7 pm, Sun 2 pm. Adult $20.50, Senior $17.50, Student $15.50

Warm-up to the Polar Bear Plunge Whistle Binkies on the Lake. 8 am - 7 pm. Varies by event

Wear Red Day at Apache Mall Apache Mall. 11 am. Free

Winter Farmers Market Graham Park. 9 am - Noon. Free

WinterFest 2012: Cardboard Sled Challenge Willow Creek Golf Course. Registration 8:30am; Design Judging 9am; Race at 10am; Awards/Lunch at 12pm. Entry Fee to race: Youth/Teens (6-18) $25; Open (19 & up) $75

WinterFest at the History Center History Center of Olmsted County. 9 am – 4 pm. Free will donation

SUNDAY, February 05

Rochester WinterFest X Several locations. Various.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Rochester Civic Theatre. Fri 7 pm, Sat 2 pm & 7 pm, Sun 2 pm. Adult $20.50, Senior $17.50, Student $15.50

Townsend Flea Market Mayo Civic Center. 10 am - 4 pm. $2

MONDAY, February 06

Moonlight Snowshoe -Whitewater State Park (19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN 55910). Call 507-932-3007 extension 226 or email sara.grover@state.mn.us .

The Rosemary and Meredith Willson Harmony for Mayo Program- Mayo Clinic ( Hage Atrium)

Rochester WinterFest X -Several locations. WinterFest takes place yearly during the first two weeks in February.

Rumba - beginner dance lessons -Recurring weekly on Monday at Blue Moon Ballroom. 2030 Hwy 14 E, Rochester, MN 55904 Rumba - beginner dance lessons 4 Mondays, Feb 6-27 7 pm - 8 pm.

Bar Bingo at the Elks Lodge - 6:30 pm.

Bob Miller Magician- Godfather's Pizza

Assisi Heights Tour (1001 14th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901). Tours available by appointment most Mondays and Saturdays at 2pm. Please call 507-282-7441 to make a reservation.

TUESDAY, February 07

Rochester WinterFest X

RCTC LIFE (Learning is ForEver) Lessons from Historiography- Recurring weekly on Tuesday at RCTC Heintz Bldg. , Room HA 102.

Triple Time Swing - Lessons for Beginners - Recurring weekly on Tuesday at the Blue Moon Ballroom (2030 Hwy 14 E, Rochester, MN 55904) Triple Time Swing - lessons for beginners 4 Tuesdays, Feb 7-28 7 pm - 8 pm.

Living in a Green House

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:00:00 GMT

Is your home environmentally friendly? According to Earth911.com, only about 27% of Americans recycle. It is looked upon as inconvenient, space hogging, and ridiculously confusing. Fortunately, Recycling isn’t the only thing you can do to be environmental in your home.

One really great thing you can do is buy a reusable water bottle instead of using a plastic one. You will not only be a responsible American for being kind to our earth, but you will save buckets of money! Did you know that making water bottles requires oil and that oil used to make water bottles every year could fuel 1 million vehicles? If you want to learn more about the life of water bottles check out this amazing video made by StoryofStuff.org (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se12y9hSOM0).

Do you have computers in your house? Most of us do. You should definitely make sure that before your head hits the pillow every night, shut down your computer. Shutting down your computer is something so simple but has a huge impact. When my family and I started to shut our computers down every night, we saved more than $20 on our electricity bill! It also is super beneficial to the life of your computer!

Are lots clothes hanging in your closet that you don’t wear because you don’t like them anymore? You might be thinking, how are clothes bad for the environment? The answer is clothes aren’t bad for the environment. However, if you aren’t wearing some of the clothes you own, you could donate them to a local goodwill or savers. Reusing your clothes can be both green and positive for the economy.

My last idea for you to be environmentally friendly in your home is to prevent energy leaks in your home. Heating and cooling can add up to be half of your electricity bill so why not be efficient? Things like insulating your home and sealing ducts will help fix energy leaks. For more information about sealing ducts and other energy saving tips at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_index.

So what do you think? If you love saving money, helping the economy, and saving the world, you should start making environmentally friendly decisions in your home.

Thanks HGTV!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:00:00 GMT

I have always understood that unless you are actually doing someone else's job, you really are guessing at what it entails. My husband sells fireplaces, furnaces, and air conditioning here in Rochester Minnesota. If I wasn't married to him, I would probably imagine to sell one, he discusses the product, writes up a bid, and moves to the next customer. I would not think about rebates, ordering permits, lining up electricians, measuring up living rooms, scheduling masons, plumbers, and accounting work. It just wouldn't occur to me if I were in the market looking that he does much more than carry a clipboard and wear an easy smile.

What Real Estate agents really do to prepare for appointments, no one would watch on TV because it's tedious. Getting status updates, then discussing the showing with the seller, mapping the homes on the list, adjusting times, writing down directions, making sure the electronic key is charged, and doing a market analysis on the neighborhood, with feedback follow up request forms are necessary steps that I have never felt the need to elaborate about until this weekend when I received an interesting inquiry. The following:

The request for showing came from a 15 year old girl who had gone through the Rochester MN Homes website to book a showing because she enjoys looking at houses with her mom. She typed in, "I am only 15 but I know a lot about houses". At first I thought it was cute, but then I imagined how often she does this and how many Realtors left their families on a Sunday to accommodate. She probably thought we simply pin on our RE/MAX name tag, jump in our car, and open a door.

That's what they do on "House Hunters", right?

Setting up showings takes time, money for gas, and a bit of effort on everyone's part to set up. Sellers and their agents prefer we not ask them to pack up their bundles of joy, Fido and the cat to drive around the block 5 times so that my customers can, for hobby only, take a tour of homes and decor. Would you want to rush through your house hiding your laundry under your bed, dishes in the microwave, and the toaster in a cupboard among other things to have it "show ready" only to later find out the shopper was really just looking for paint colors? As an agent, I'd be embarrassed to later have to tell them that was the case, and such is why we insist on buyers being qualified and ready to buy a home before we go through the process of looking. If a buyer really wants to buy, they'll be happier with talking to their lender first. Doing it that way ensures that the buyer is looking at the "right" homes considering their financing, the sellers' effort of cleaning didn't go to waste, and I don't have to worry about my own safety showing vacant houses to complete strangers if their information has been validated.

Rochester MN Snow Removal the Expensive Way

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:00:00 GMT

I admit we (my husband) are not the best or the timeliest at clearing new snow or snow from the prior snowfall. The other day I thought it was kind of fun to see if my Subaru could make it through the snowbank at the end of our drive and in to the garage. I had seen three others out that day while I was out on appointments with shovels digging their cars out of that same snow accumulation at the end of the drive so I know we are not the only ones. And who has time for the sidewalks?

Well, if someone is out there and you do not find the time to keep your sidewalks clear it may be cheaper to hire a professional to do the job for you. When we set up services for a home owner it seems on average for a standard drive it runs about $35-$45 a time. That is a lot of money per snowfall but what happens if you choose to do nothing?

The city of Rochester MN will take care of it for you. If someone calls in to complain your sidewalks are not shoveled a Public Works Inspector will visit the home of the complaint address. If they are not cleared when the inspector arrives the city will do it and here is an average of what it will cost you:

A 70 foot residential lot (typical lot width) will be subject to charges for the first offense of:

Administration Fee $ 40.00
Contractor Mobilization $ 40.00
Contractor Snow Removal 70 feet x $0.38 $ 26.60
Charge for First Offense $106.60

In addition a property may also be subject to charges for sanding of $0.20 per foot and clearing of a pedestrian ramp at $20. (Thank you to Nate at SEMAR for the figure.)

That is for the first violation, they will NOT clear your drive, and it goes up each time. Ouch! Maybe this will be motivation to get the job done. Or for some of us prioritization. Get the sidewalk done, leave the driveway and put your car to the test. If you would like more information here is the link to the city's official post.

http://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/publicworks/announcements/Sidewalk%20Snow%20Removal%20Enforcement%20-%20PSA%20%28011912%29.pdf

Rochester MN Homes

Rochester's Weekly Heartbeat - January 25th

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:00:00 GMT

WEDNESDAY, January 25

Bob Miller Magician O'Neill's Pizza. 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Free admission

Cumbia Style Salsa - for beginners Blue Moon Ballroom. 7 pm - 8 pm. $49 per person

Karaoke American Legion Post 92. 6:30-10:30 PM. Free

Karaoke at the Viking Lounge Clarion Inn. 9pm-Close.

Kathy Miller and Daniel Fleming exhibit Crossings at Carnegie. MTWF 10-5, Th 10-8, Sat 10-4. FREE

Mni Sota: Reflections of Time and Place Mayo Clinic. 8 am - 5 pm. Free

Rachel Khedoori Exhibition Rochester Art Center. Wed, Fri, Sat: 10am-5pm; Thurs: 10am-9pm, Sunday: 12pm-5pm. $5 Adults, $3 Seniors, 62+, Free Members, Children, Students, Military Families, Olmsted County Residents & Thursdays

RCTC LIFE - An Intro to Caribbean Marine Life – The Strange and Beautiful Inhabitants Under the Sea RCTC Heintz Bldg. , Room HA 102. 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Member $12, nonmember $18

Search for the Northern Star Barlow Event Center. 6:00 pm to Midnight. Free

THURSDAY, January 26

Karaoke at the Viking Lounge Clarion Inn. 9pm-Close.

Kathy Miller and Daniel Fleming exhibit Crossings at Carnegie. MTWF 10-5, Th 10-8, Sat 10-4. FREE

Mni Sota: Reflections of Time and Place Mayo Clinic. 8 am - 5 pm. Free

Texas Hold Em American Legion Post 92. 7 PM. Free

Twins Winter Caravan Mayo High School. 5 pm. $7.50

Viennese Waltz - for beginners Blue Moon Ballroom. 7 pm - 8 pm. $49 per person

Weight Training and Core Stability for Runners Rochester Athletic Club. 7 pm. Free

FRIDAY, January 27

Accordian-O-Rama Crossings at Carnegie. 7:30 pm. $18 in advance, $20 day of show.

Blufflands Deer & Turkey Show Mayo Civic Center. Fri 2 pm - 9 pm, Sat 10 am - 8 pm, Sun 10 am - 4 pm.

Bob Miller Magician Paradise Petes. 6 pm - 8 pm. Free admission

Comedians Nate Craig & Gabe Noah Goonie's Comedy Club. 7:30pm & 10:00pm. Purchase tickets

Dee Miller Ron's Place. 9pm.

Doghouse John and the Misbehaviors Pappageorge Taverna at Michaels Restaurant. 7 pm - 10 pm. No cover

Karaoke at the Viking Lounge Clarion Inn. 9pm-Close.

Kathy Miller and Daniel Fleming exhibit Crossings at Carnegie. MTWF 10-5, Th 10-8, Sat 10-4. FREE

Mending Minds: A “Magical” Gala for Autism Rochester International Event Center. 5pm-Midnight. $100.00

Mni Sota: Reflections of Time and Place Mayo Clinic. 8 am - 5 pm. Free

Pop Rocks playing at the Wicked Moose Wicked Moose Bar & Grill. 8pm.

RCTC LIFE (Learning is Forever) A Priceless Gift – Your Story, Your Life RCTC Heintz Bldg. , Room HA 102. 10 - 12 noon. Member $21, nonmember $36

RCTC LIFE: The Story of WW II Fighter Aircraft RCTC Heintz Bldg. , Room HA 112. 10 am - Noon. Member $12, nonmember $18

Rochester Sports and Vacation Show Mayo Civic Center. Fri 2 pm - 9 pm, Sat 10 am - 8 pm, Sun 10 am - 4 pm.

The Kids Canadian Honker Restaurant. 7:30 pm. No cover

SATURDAY, January 28

Assisi Heights Tour Assisi Heights. 2pm. Donations accepted

Barney Fox & Dan Rengstorf Pappageorge Taverna at Michaels Restaurant. 7 pm - 10 pm. No cover

Bingo American Legion Post 92. 1:00 PM. $1.00 for bingo sheet

Blufflands Deer & Turkey Show Mayo Civic Center. Fri 2 pm - 9 pm, Sat 10 am - 8 pm, Sun 10 am - 4 pm.

Comedians Nate Craig & Gabe Noah Goonie's Comedy Club. 7:30pm & 10:00pm. Purchase tickets

Hitchville Wicked Moose Bar & Grill. 8pm.

Hooray for Saturday! Children's Event Rochester Public Library. 10:30 am. Free

Joel Ward and Jake Llika Canadian Honker Restaurant. 7:30 pm. No cover

Karaoke at the Viking Lounge Clarion Inn. 9pm-Close.

Kathy Miller and Daniel Fleming exhibit Crossings at Carnegie. MTWF 10-5, Th 10-8, Sat 10-4. FREE

Rochester Sports and Vacation Show Mayo Civic Center. Fri 2 pm - 9 pm, Sat 10 am - 8 pm, Sun 10 am - 4 pm.

SUNDAY, January 29

Blufflands Deer & Turkey Show Mayo Civic Center. Fri 2 pm - 9 pm, Sat 10 am - 8 pm, Sun 10 am - 4 pm.

Deer Camp the Musical Mayo Civic Center. 2pm-4pm. $24

Rochester Sports and Vacation Show Mayo Civic Center. Fri 2 pm - 9 pm, Sat 10 am - 8 pm, Sun 10 am - 4 pm.

MONDAY, January 30

Rochester Area Sports Banquet with Guest Speaker Mark Johnson

Mayo Civic Center

The Rosemary and Meredith Willson Harmony for Mayo Program

Mayo Clinic (Lips Atrium)

Kathy Miller and Daniel Fleming exhibit
Recurring weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at Crossings at Carnegie (320 East Avenue, Zumbrota, MN 55992). Their works are on display at Crossings Fri., Dec. 30, to Jan. 31. A public reception will be Fri., Jan. 6, at 7 p.m.

Mni Sota: Reflections of Time and Place

Recurring every week day at Siebens Building, Hage Atrium, subway level (200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905)

Bob Miller Magician

Godfather's Pizza (1611 16th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901)

Assisi Heights Tour

Assisi Heights (1001 14th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901). Tours available by appointment most Mondays and Saturdays at 2pm. Please call 507-282-7441 to make a reservation.

TUESDAY, January 31

Line Dance Lessons: Recurring weekly on Tuesday at Blue Moon Ballroom (2030 Hwy 14 East, Rochester, MN 55904)

RCTC LIFE: Coming to Grips with Thomas Jefferson

RCTC Heintz Bldg. , Room HA 104 (1926 Collegeview Road SE, Rochester, MN 55904)

RCTC LIFE: Oxbow Park/Zollman Zoo

RCTC Heintz Bldg. , Room HA 104 (1926 Collegeview Road SE, Rochester, MN 55904)

Safety First for Homes in Rochester MN!

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:00:00 GMT

Your Rochester MN home is uncluttered, warm, and dry. The sign is up and the lockbox is on, but Sellers make sure to protect your visitors.

1. De-ice the walking paths and patio, I went down today on one, almost brought my buyer down with me. I'm not hurt (other than my ego).

2. Always lock the door from your garage to your house. Get a spare key; It's not worth the risk. I'm to the point where when the sign says, "don't lock door from house to garage" I feel like calling the listing agent and sending them videos of house break-ins.

3. Lock up medicines the best you can. A few years back there was a woman who frequented open houses to get into medicine cabinets. Showing agents try to stay with their buyers, but it's not always possible.

4. Put away valuable items that are irreplaceable.

5. Please (please!) put Fido in the kennel. He may be great with visitors when you're home, but not so much at ease when you're not. Friendly dogs and cats are often afraid of being left alone with strangers in their home.

7. Remodeling projects: unfinished staircases - a sign or some warning of project areas is a good idea. Don't let tack strips be uncovered. Last Friday there was one in the basement that went across the doorway and it was by pure luck we didn't step on it. Sometimes houses feel like land mines when you're a visitor.

Tell us what ways you can think of to make your home safer for yourself and for your shoppers?

It's the little things...

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:00:00 GMT

We go to listing number one. The key sticks and we shuffle in. "Man
it's cold out there we complain" -"yet, it's freezing in here too."
We talk about the fact that the seller has the property winterized, it
makes sense, I mean, it's vacant. (i.e. abandoned, in the eyes of a
buyer).

We take our shoes off, but the entire time we are there, we are
wanting to leave, walking with stocking feet on the tile is like
walking on ice. Looks like they painted, or started to. Those
vaulted ceilings are pretty high up (buyers look at each other
figuring out who'd be climbing up there). A closet door is off the
track. No big fix. 90 seconds later... "Brr, let's go" - and we
shoot out. I fight with the key in the lock and we run to our
vehicles. Would we remember the details of the house? The back yard?
The flat driveway? - who knows, but we're off to the next one.
"We'll come back to your favorites" I remind.

I ask how that one fits in their likes and dislikes. They decide it's
about $5,000 below market in their minds, but it needs some work and
besides, we have five more to see so we'll put it down as a "maybe."

We walk into the new listing. There are freshly painted walls, the
foyer is clean and the house smells clean and fresh.
My buyer comments on how spacious the entryway feels. We take your
shoes off, and everyone goes upstairs to the kitchen, wow, lots of
counter top space! (seller moved small appliances into hall closet -
smart!) buyer wants to start canning, so for her this is a huge bonus.
We go into the bedrooms and open the closet door, NICE, there are
built-ins and the door opens and closes really easy (the door isn't
off track), so far the home has a NICE feel! I can see my clients are
envisioning themselves there. Plenty of room in the closet for their
new towels, and they are going to eliminate their dresser so the
organization in the closets allows them to do it. So far, it feels
like the seller has the same things in mind and the buyer starts to
make an emotional connection with the home. They even compliment the
seller on his/her taste of wall art in their whispers.

The seller had fresh painted walls, cleared off the counter tops, and
made sure that the home was organized, de-cluttered, and WARM. That
house will sell. Either my buyer or someone else's will buy it but
just because the seller did the normal necessary things, that one and
two others dropped the cold one from making the top five favorites
list. The reason? "Didn't feel like home like the other two."
Granted all it needed was a few things, and it was priced lower than
the favorites. Buyers today are not all looking to make a buck by
flipping. Most of them want to buy a "home" not a "house."

The Rest of the Story

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:00:00 GMT

Last Friday afternoon I was interviewed by KAAL for a piece on our Rochester MN Real Estate market, the low interest rates, and the foreclosures. I felt like they were accurate that it is a great time to buy or sell a home however, I feel like they missed some important information I had given.

First, we discussed foreclosures. I spoke to our RE/MAX expert, Jackson Raygor, about foreclosures in Rochester market. Even though the "National" news may discuss the high foreclosure rates; here in Rochester that is only about 5% of the current market. When I asked Jackson if there is more to come the said there may be 1-2 more waves of foreclosures in Rochester's market and that it will be 6-9 months before these homes hit the market. Even then the foreclosures in our market may be closer to 10%. What does that mean for current buyers and sellers?

For sellers, now is the time to sell your home. The inventory is low, the number of buyers is high and the interest rates couldn't be better. You are not competing against the past years of higher inventories of foreclosed homes. All economists say that the first 6 months of 2012 will be an amazing time to buy or sell a home. So much so that they believe that people will look back and regret not doing something sooner if buying or selling a home is something they are considering. We need homes in good condition on the market now. Maybe you had a wonderful home and you tried selling in 2009-2011 but let me tell you that if you gave up, maybe now is the time to look some of these market adjustments and see if this is your year to make a change.

For buyers, what I said in my interview is right. "It is like a clearance sale." Home prices are still down, the interest rates are unbelievable and often it is cheaper to buy than rent. Also, according to the MN 2011 Profile Report of Home Buyers and Sellers 27% of people chose to buy a home because of their desire to "own a home." Some buyers have seeing these low interest rates for awhile but owning a home with your own space, a place to entertain, have animals, and live the way you want is what is driving many of you to make the decision.

The prices and homes sold over the Summer months were flat or in some cases we saw more depreciation but in 2012 the market has and will make adjustments is favor for buyers and sellers. Please call or email us if you would like to chat about if 2012 is your year. We truly believe that we can show you why this year is going to be different.

If you want to know about how long these interest rates are here to stay please see my recent blog post How Long Will Low Mortgage Rates Last. (posted 1/5/12)

Here is the link to the TV interview that aired Friday, January 13th.

http://search.kaaltv.com/default.aspx?ct=r&q=nordaune

Oh, by the way, if you feel like your REALTOR should not take control, I think you should get a new REALTOR.

Keeping up with the Jones'

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:00:00 GMT

Knowing your specific market is of greater value to you than reading about it in "Times" and "Tribunes"

Broad statistics are interesting, but mean little to the specific consumer. Local averages might reflect an average sales price to have gone down 25% since 2007 for example, when in reality the homes in a very specific market/neighborhood tell a different story. It's important to note that changes in the average sales price are influenced by changes in the buying trends, in addition to fluctuations in appreciation/depreciation. In other words, it's inaccurate to assume if the average sales price shows a reduction citywide, that it means homes in that area are worth less.

A Real Estate trend in Rochester MN that we have seen is that people are buying less expensive homes than they can afford, and are giving more thought to what is really desired rather than getting starry eyed over upgrades that do not meet THEIR specific needs or provide a real benefit. If you're a seller, knowing the current buyer trends is important when you're comparing the benefit of amenities of your house to others "apples to apples". Perhaps in a particular Ranch style home with two baths, Mrs. Seller thinks the beautiful whirlpool tub in her master adds $1,000, it is quite lovely. But, Mr. Buyer has taken a bath once in ten years along with the last two other shoppers that came through, and would rather have a tiled walk in shower in the master. He may may consider buying it anyway and doing a bathroom remodel (if possible to do) unless the one next door has the walk in shower. Rather than her home being worth more, in this scenerio, it is actually worth less than her direct competition. This is where an agent has to be honest from the start. Had she priced her home $10,000 less than the neighbor (considering other amenities were similar) she'd have the sold sign up. Two months later, she reduced the value, but she's lost other buyers and eventually sells for $20,000 less than what she is asking so that she can be moved before winter and if she didn't get feedback she may still not know why. The same thing can be said about a ton of square feet vs a smaller move in ready home with landscaping, gutters, deck, and a finished basement. In Real Estate you really do have to "keep up with the Jones'."

A buyer will like what they like and may or may not find value in what the seller found value in, when they purchased the home for themselves. Motivated sellers need to see their home in the eyes of a buyer comparing to other homes if the goal is to sell in a reasonable amount of time for the best price possible.

Tell us what amenities are important to you this year! Fireplaces, big closets, large family rooms, large lots, and extra garage space generally add value to the homes today, but what about six paneled doors, heated floors, and granite countertops? Tell us what features you would pay more for.

Rochester MN Homes

Real Estate Rochester MN

Join us at the Wedding Extravaganza!

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:00:00 GMT

How Long Will Low Mortgage Rates Last?

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:00:00 GMT

I read this article today posted on the National Association of Realtors. Maybe this is your year to make a fresh start and buy a home or take that leap into the next one. Even when taking a loss on your home you would be amazed by the implications these lower rates have when you factor in the overall costs vs. savings. If you want to see if this is the year and the right time for you or your family to make a change, please call or email us. We would love to give you the answers and facts about YOUR situation. It is always a good thing to be educated and find out if this is an opportunity you should take advantage of.

How Long Will Low Mortgage Rates Last?

Daily Real Estate News | Tuesday, January 03, 2012

For nine consecutive weeks, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has been hovering at or below record lows of 4 percent, pushing housing affordability for home buyers even higher.

But will these low rates stick around much longer?

The Federal Reserve has vowed to keep rates low through 2013 so rates likely will hang around for a few more months, at least, but whether mortgage rates will stay at the current record-lows, many experts say it’s unlikely.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is expected to inch up to an average 4.5 percent for 2012 and increase to 5.4 percent in 2013, according to Freddie Mac economists’ forecasts.

While that forecast means rates are expected to move higher in the coming months, the rates will still be low by historical standards, economists told the Los Angeles Times. For comparison, 30-year rates averaged more than 16 percent in 1981 and 1982. What’s more, until 2000, rates typically were above 8 percent, Freddie Mac notes.

Despite the drop in rates, however, many home buyers have been unable to take advantage of the low rates. Lenders’ tightening of their underwriting standards for loans in the recent years following the housing crisis has shut some buyers who have poor credit, low down payments, or unsteady employment from securing a loan at today’s low rates. Freddie Mac had predicted home-purchase applications to comprise two-thirds of all mortgage applications by the end of 2011. But the Mortgage Bankers Associations says that instead about 80 percent of the mortgage applications came from home owners who wanted to refinance.

Source: “Low Mortgage Rates Likely to Continue Through 2012, Experts Say,” Los Angeles Times (Jan. 3, 2012)

Real Estate Rochester MN

Open Houses... No Kids Allowed?!

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:00:00 GMT

The "No Kids" movement in restaurant policy really led me to think about
Real Estate Open Houses. Should there be a "No Children, please?"
policy at Open Houses? I love children, I have two sons of my own, but
there are times when it's hard to do my job as an agent for the seller
when I'm trying to police the little squirts.

From a seller's perspective: Someone has to make sure the children
stay in tow with an adult, because the seller doesn't want personal
items broken, nor do they want liability. It's pretty hard to expect
that the seller will child proof their home, and many items that make
a home look beautiful are not something we want little fingers
grabbing. The safety risk: there may be medications, glass, a dog in
a kennel that might bite if fingers are poked through, etc.

From a buyers's perspective: Children should be involved in the
decision making, and there might not be enough time or resources to get a
sitter.

From an agent perspective: I've had to lure little ones down from
people's beds, tell them not to run, and worry about them climbing a
banister. One little one was running through the house and ran into a
standing mirror that came down on them, (thank God it didn't break,
just scared the child) it's made me have to step in and ask the
parents to do more. My job as a Realtor is to show the house to the
potential customer and the seller doesn't want me leaving one party of
interested people to run after a child in the house.

When you are in a store, the store clerk does not "represent" the
store owner in the same way a Realtor represents the client. The
store owner expects a certain amount of damage, where a home owner
with irreplaceable family heirlooms or dangerous chemicals under a
sink really needs to know that the house and the visitors are safe.
It is a parent responsibility.

Solution for parents: Since it is hard to look at the details of a
home with someone pulling on your finger, consider bringing along a
helper to sit and wait in the car for the initial viewing. If it's a
house you think you might buy, bring the little peanuts in, hold their
hand, and let them show mom and dad the house. Let them be the tour
guide (after you've looked at the furnace and the "boring" details of
the home). :)

Kids are fast and it's dangerous when people let them loose on other's
belongings or can't catch them. It is added stress and
liability. It is preventable. Open Houses can be enjoyable
and safe for everyone, if planned in advance.

--------

What do you think? Should kids continue to be welcome at Open Houses?
Is this overkill or just sensible advice? Post below and let me know what you think!

Real Estate Rochester MN

Rochester's Weekly Heartbeat - December 28th

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:00:00 GMT

It’s almost 2012! Have you started thinking about your New Year’s resolutions? Or maybe you’re just excited for some New Year’s fun this Saturday night! If you haven’t made plans yet, there are a lot of great music events in the Rochester area, scroll down to the Saturday night schedule to check them out.

And don’t forget the kids! “Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music!” is in town this weekend at the Civic Center. Shows are Friday night at 7 and conveniently on Saturday at 10:30am & 2pm.

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Remember to share your feedback with us, just fill out the form below.

Also, if you’re noticing some events in the Rochester area that are new and interesting and we’re missing them, please send us a quick note! Thanks!

Wednesday December 28^th

Family Film Program: Wild and Wintery Weather at Rochester Public Library, 2:30pm, Free

19th Annual Kiwanis Think Bank High School Hockey Festival
12:30 pm to 8 pm daily
Pass: Adult $20, Student $12, Single Session: Adult $7, Student $5

Rotary/US Bank Holiday Basketball Tournament at Mayo Civic Center
Click HERE for more info.

“Fabrications” at Crossings at Carnegie in Zumbrota, 10am-4pm

“Search for the Northern Star” Recurring weekly every Wednesday at the Barlow Event Center
Talent competition to find Rochester’s best musical talent, 6pm-Midnight

Plummer House Tours Noon-6pm

Thursday December 29^th

Goonie’s Comedy Club Open Mic 7:30pm

Holi-Tease Burlesque Show & 80s Dance Night at Wicked Moose, 8pm, $5

19th Annual Kiwanis Think Bank High School Hockey Festival
12:30 pm to 8 pm daily
Pass: Adult $20, Student $12, Single Session: Adult $7, Student $5

Rotary/US Bank Holiday Basketball Tournament at Mayo Civic Center
Click HERE for more info.

Cascade Meadow Wetlands & Environmental Science Center, 10am-4pm, Free
2900 19th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901

“Fabrications” at Crossings at Carnegie in Zumbrota, 10am-4pm

Free Thursdays at Rochester Art Center 10am-9pm

Friday December 30^th

Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music! Mayo Civic Center, 7pm
Tickets: $51, $31, $26, $21, $16

Bill and Kate Isles at Crossings at Carnegie in Zumbrota, 7:30pm, $18

Matthew Griswold playing Acoustic Folk & Rock at Canadian Honker 7:30pm

The Pre New Years Eve party with Lost Highway, $5 at Wicked Moose, 8pm

Mark Poolos (Headliner) & Jon Wilson (Feature) at Goonie’s Comedy Club 7:30 & 10pm

19th Annual Kiwanis Think Bank High School Hockey Festival
12:30 pm to 8 pm daily
Pass: Adult $20, Student $12, Single Session: Adult $7, Student $5

Cascade Meadow Wetlands & Environmental Science Center, 10am-4pm, Free
2900 19th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901

“Fabrications” at Crossings at Carnegie in Zumbrota, 10am-4pm

Rachel Khedoori Exhibition at Rochester Art Center

Saturday December 31^st

Trevor Marty playing Americana/Folk at Canadian Honker 7:30pm

“The Reunion Band” at Whistle Binkie’s South, 9pm-Midnight

“Ben Olsen” – Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Harmonica at Whistle Binkie’s North, 9pm-Midnight

“Time Machine” at Wicked Moose, 8pm

Mark Poolos (Headliner) & Jon Wilson (Feature) at Goonie’s Comedy Club 7:30 & 10pm

Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music! Mayo Civic Center, 10:30am & 2pm
Tickets: $51, $31, $26, $21, $16

Hip Hop Fitness Party at Rec Center Gymnasium, 5:30 pm - 7 pm, $10

“New Year’s Eve” at Quarry Hill Nature Center, 7 pm - 9 pm, $12/person, $10/member

New Year’s Eve Country Music Show at Paramount Theatre in Austin, 7:30pm, $12

New Year’s Eve Dance at the Blue Moon Ballroom, 8pm-12:30am, $12

Rochester Ice Hawks Hockey, Rochester Recreation Center, 7:05pm

Rachel Khedoori Exhibition at Rochester Art Center

Sunday January 1^st

Whitewater River Valley Christmas Bird Count
Whitewater State Park, 7:30am, Free w/MN State Parks Permit

Rochester Ice Hawks Hockey, Rochester Recreation Center, 5:35pm

Monday January 2^nd

Assisi Heights (home of the Sisters of St. Francis) Tour 2pm, Donations accepted

Tuesday January 3^rd

BYOE – Bring your own eReader at the Rochester Public Library, 9:30am-1pm
Get one-on-one help to check out Library eBooks

Real Estate Rochester MN

Beat the Stress: 5 Tips for a Peaceful Holiday

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 02:00:00 GMT

Beat the Stress:
5 Tips for a Peaceful Holiday

The holidays are a time for laughing, merriment, reuniting with loved ones... stressing over family squabbles, lack of sleep, panicking at the thought of all the gifts you have yet to buy.... What a wonderful season! Well, this year, how about doing things a little differently? Try these 5 easy-to-follow steps and get yourself focused and relaxed so you can enjoy your holiday season!

1. Make a list.
Write down absolutely everything you have yet to do this holiday season. Then, go through the list and read each task out loud. Cross off any tasks that you don't absolutely HAVE to do and then only keep the "Have to's" that align with your values. You probably value quality time with your kids over the perfection of your present-wrapping. Honor this.

2. Get your expectations straight.
If every year Aunt June drags you into a corner and chews off your ear with all the latest family gossip, or Grandma Helen says to you for the 57th time, "Now, dear, if you can't keep a man, how will you give me any grandchildren?"
Don't expect them to change. What causes a lot of our pain is secretly hoping our family won't say what they always have or that we can somehow avoid it. Author and teacher Byron Katie says this, "If I had a prayer, it would be this: 'God spare me from the desire for love, approval, and appreciation.'" Now, this may sound kind of extreme, but imagine what your interactions with relatives would be like if you didn't need them to approve of you or even change in any way? You're then free to accept them exactly as they are. That can relieve a lot of stress.

3. Always have a back-up plan.
...Especially if you're traveling a long distance. Fill your tank with gas before arriving at the relatives (for a quick getaway). And find out ahead of time what your flight options or restrictions are and how much nearby hotels cost. This may sound drastic, but trust me, just knowing that you can get away if you absolutely have to brings about so much relief. You're no longer trapped. And knowing that gives you freedom to get through almost any situation.

4. Schedule a call (or a beer) with a good friend.
Schedule a short phone call, texting session or a beer with a good friend or buddy. This can even be on the holiday itself. This is not an excuse to vent or complain, but a time set aside to make sure that your priorities are straight and you're receiving some emotional support. We often think the holidays are all about family, but we need these relationships to keep us encouraged and sane.

5. Write your own rules.
This is the most important tip! Get out a piece of paper and write out your rules for the holiday season. They could go something like this:

Kate's Holiday Rules....
Rule Number 1: Have 5 minutes of alone time every day.
Rule Number 2: Have a snowball fight with my family.
Rule Number 3: "Accidentally" break that ugly reindeer mug I received last Christmas.
Remember, most of the typical holiday traditions were invented by other humans and you're the one who has been choosing to follow them. Take responsibility and then make a new choice. It may be uncomfortable at first, but you'll get used to it.

Hopefully these tips will help de-stress your holiday and give you a sense of choice, even when things seem out of control.

Wishing you a happy (and peaceful) holiday from the Nordaune Real Estate Team.

Real Estate Rochester MN

Rochester's Weekly Heartbeat - December 21st

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 02:00:00 GMT

Happy Chanukah! Hanukkah begins tonight (Dec 20^th) at sundown and is celebrated through sundown on December 27^th this year.

And… Merry Christmas! You won’t be seeing another Weekly Heartbeat until after Christmas Day.

Many of you will probably be spending time with family and sometimes it’s hard to find entertainment for all that family over the holiday week. Peruse the Rochester happenings below and find something new to attend that the whole family can enjoy!

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Remember to share your feedback with us, just fill out the form below.

Also, if you’re noticing some events in the Rochester area that are new and interesting and we’re missing them, please send us a quick note! Thanks!

Wednesday December 21^st

Forever Christmas XXI at Elks Lodge, 7pm, $34.95 Dessert Show

Shaun Johnson – Big Band Experience at the Mayo Civic Center, 7:30pm, $31

Jolly Trolley Holiday Shopping Tour, 10am-5pm, Peace Plaza, $12

Rochester Trolley’s Holiday Lights Tour, 6:30pm, $12, $5 10 and younger

Gift Wrap for Habitat at Apache Mall, 11am-7pm

“Fabrications” at Crossings at Carnegie in Zumbrota, 10am-4pm

“Search for the Northern Star” Recurring weekly every Wednesday at the Barlow Event Center
Talent competition to find Rochester’s best musical talent, 6pm-Midnight

Thursday December 22^nd

Jolly Trolley Holiday Shopping Tour, 10am-5pm, Peace Plaza, $12

Rochester Trolley’s Holiday Lights Tour, 6:30pm, $12, $5 10 and younger

Gift Wrap for Habitat at Apache Mall, 11am-7pm

“Fabrications” at Crossings at Carnegie in Zumbrota, 10am-4pm

Redpath in Concert at Crossings at Carnegie, 7pm, $16

Goonie’s Comedy Club Open Mic 7:30pm

Free Thursdays at Rochester Art Center 10am-9pm

Friday December 23^rd

Annie Lawler & The Wheelhouse Band, Singer-Songwriter at Canadian Honker 7:30pm

The Midnight Swinger at Goonie’s Comedy Club 7:30 & 10pm

Barney Fox & Dan Rengstorf at Pappageorge Taverna at Michael’s Restaurant, 7-10pm

Jolly Trolley Holiday Shopping Tour, 10am-5pm, Peace Plaza, $12

Rochester Trolley’s Holiday Lights Tour, 6:30pm, $12, $5 10 and younger

Romantic Late Night Lights Tour, 9:30pm

Gift Wrap for Habitat at Apache Mall, 11am-7pm

“Fabrications” at Crossings at Carnegie in Zumbrota, 10am-4pm

Rachel Khedoori Exhibition at Rochester Art Center

Saturday December 24^th

Gift Wrap for Habitat at Apache Mall, 8:30am-4pm

“Fabrications” at Crossings at Carnegie in Zumbrota, 10am-4pm

Rachel Khedoori Exhibition at Rochester Art Center

Sunday December 25^th

“Fabrications” at Crossings at Carnegie in Zumbrota, 10am-4pm

Rachel Khedoori Exhibition at Rochester Art Center

Monday December 26^th

“Fabrications” at Crossings at Carnegie in Zumbrota, 10am-4pm

Assisi Heights (home of the Sisters of St. Francis) Tour 2pm, Donations accepted

Tuesday December 27^th

Family Film Program: Favorite Fairy Tales at Rochester Public Library, 10:30am

Rotary/US Bank Holiday Basketball Tournament at Mayo Civic Center
Click HERE for more info.

“Fabrications” at Crossings at Carnegie in Zumbrota, 10am-4pm

Buyers! Get the best deal you can!

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:00:00 GMT

Here is an interesting article I found that talks about how a home buyer can negotiate a really great deal.
Click HERE to read it. Is this good advice? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think!

Real Estate Rochester MN

Costco is coming to Rochester!

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:00:00 GMT

Just announced this morning, Costco is coming to Rochester in the Fall of 2012. The planned site will be at 19th St NW and West Circle Dr. Read on for more information:

http://www.postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1478735

Real Estate Rochester MN

New store in town for Olive Oil lovers!!

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:00:00 GMT

For those of you who love Olive Oil- a new store has come to town! The Stillwater Olive Oil Co. has opened its doors in the lobby level of the Kahler Grand Hotel. I have not yet had the chance to visit the store myself, but since I love olive oil and balsamic vinegar, I'm very excited to check it out. Might be great for Holiday Gifts too!

Read on for more information from the PB article:

http://www.postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1477560

Beth is a Top Five RE/MAX agent !

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:00:00 GMT

RE/MAX of Rochester is pleased to announce the Top Five Agents for November 2011:

Lori Mickelson, Beth Nordaune, Andy Mulholland, Tiffany Stallman and Jackson Raygor.

Congratulations Beth on a great month and year!! Also, a big Thank You to all our clients who have made this year a great success!

Important: Database merge and loss of information!

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:00:00 GMT

Hello everyone!

Southeastern Minnesota Association of Realtors is merging to a new system and database. Due to the merge, there have been issues with the information that many of you are receiving concerning homes; things such as square footage, # of bedrooms etc. and even in some cases addresses and/or MLS numbers. Since the web feeds their information directly from this database, much of the information on Trulia, Zillow and other such sites, are also feeding incorrect information. Therefore, if you have any questions concerning a property, please contact us and we would be more than happy to help you directly. It could take several weeks for all the information to be correct and/or transferred. Thus, in the mean time, we apologize for any inconvenience and hope you will contact us with any questions or inquiries you may have.

Happy Holidays!

The Nordaune Team