Friday, January 30, 2009

Property Bargains?

Yes, indeed! There are bargains to be had for property buyers in our current market - and NOW is the prime opportunity to explore what is available. ESPECIALLY with the amazingly low interest rates being offered on financing.

To assist real estate shoppers, I have designed my primary website, www.SearchFergusFalls.com, so that foreclosed property searches can be conducted from the main page.

In addition, I have included a number of customized searches that are drawn straight from our regional MLS (multiple listing service) data base. The information is ALWAYS current and ALWAYS available.

Check it out - it is a GREAT way to become informed in the both the Fergus Falls and Otter Tail County regional real estate markets.

Have a super weekend!

Jon Drews - Associate Broker for Century 21 Vista, Inc.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Cabin Fever?

It happens every year to most folks up here in Minnesota: Cabin Fever. It is marked in part by the absence of friends and neighbors as they make their annual break for sunshine and sandy beaches. Upon returning, these people are tanned and content - knowing there are places on the planet that still offer warmth. Additionally, they know - once we get to February - winter WILL be coming to an end eventually. The longer periods of daily sunlight and the warmth of sunshine entering our homes, they both bring hope.

In addition to taking vacations to escape the cold, another past-time includes dreaming - and planning - for great summer adventures. There is not another place on the planet that can exceed the beauty and splendor of our Minnesota lakes in their summer glory. If there are thoughts of a new lake home or get-away in your future, NOW is the time to start doing your dreaming - and research!

On-line real estate information is very much available. Grab a cup of coffee and surf some properties - all from the comfort of your home. I offer a website to do just that: http://www.searchfergusfalls.com/. It is a very easy site to use - with no hassles. You can search all properties listed in our area - and I don't ask for names or emails to do so.

Just use the site and search - relax and have fun dreaming. In addition, I have created custom searches if you only want to look for lake homes or lake lots or hunting land. Check it out - enjoy! If you find something you like, drop a line. I'm here to help you when you are ready.

Jon Drews - Associate Broker, Century 21 Vista, Inc.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

The time is now

Things are looking up!

Greetings! Do you know what my first piece of advice is for folks interested in buying or selling real estate in Otter Tail County? Just this: Turn off the TV, stop reading the newspaper.

Thankfully, our local economy is doing much, much better than what we see nationally. Yes, we have some challenges. Yes, a person needs to be careful with spending.

However, the purchase of a new home – with energy-efficient features – or a downsizing from a current home might be exactly what is needed to bring about greater financial security in your own situation.

The REAL PLUS is interest rates are ridiculously low. Combined with the fantastic selection of properties currently available I can only ask: What are you waiting for!?!

The opportunities available in the current real estate market are not going to last. If ever there was a time to make a wise real estate move, the time is NOW!

Until next time –

Jon Drews
Associate Broker with Century 21 Vista, Inc.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Diary of a Fergus Falls Snow Shoveler

December 8: 6:00 PM. It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our coffee and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow - covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a lovelier place in the whole world? Moving here from Arizona was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a kid again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snow plow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life.

December 12: The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry; we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man. I'm glad he's our neighbor.

December 14: Snow, lovely snow! 8" last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.

December 15: 20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought an SUV. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.

December 16: Ice storm this morning. Fell on my butt in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like sin. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.

December 17: Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.

December 20: Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of this flaky crud last night. More shoveling. Took all day. Wretched snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're sold out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.

December 22: Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the miserable crap fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to pee. By the time I got undressed, peed and dressed again I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he's too busy. I think the jerk is lying.

December 23: Only 2" of snow today but the blowing wind made 4 foot drifts in the driveway. I can’t stand it. The city sent me a bill for $150 to remove my snow. They must be nuts. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she...nuts??? Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.

December 24: 6". Snow packed so hard by snowplow that I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the bugger who drives that snowplow, I'll drag him through the snow by his nose. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy standing on the front steps watching for the snowplow.

December 25: Merry Christmas. 20 more inches fell tonight. Snowed in - again. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. I hate snow! The snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I whacked him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's insane. If I have to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to commit myself.

December 26: Still snowed in. Why did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.

December 27: Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze.

December 28: Warmed up to above -25. Still snowed in. The wife is driving me crazy!!!

December 29: 10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the dumbest thing I ever heard. How stupid does he think I am?

December 30: Roof caved in. The SUV is buried. The snow plow driver is suing me for the bump on his head. The wife took a flight home to her mother. Another 9" predicted.

December 31: Set fire to what's left of the house. Burned the shovel too. No more shoveling. Started walking back to Arizona – in my slippers and robe.

January 8: Where am I? I feel so good. There is a picture of a tropical island hanging over my window. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?