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If you’ve never visited http://www.Archive.org, you are missing a wonderful site.  From this site, you will find many resources that are out of copyright and you can download and use them as you wish.  You will find all the classics and some fun things as well.  Just for fun, I have the download of a book called “Little Gardens” which is a book about setting up a garden on a city lot.  This is just one of the MANY fun things you’ll find.  You can download and watch old music, movies, and cartoons as well.  Plan to spend some time on the site should you decide to visit, as it is very cool.  Click here to download the book Little Gardens

Here is a special report that outlines over 450 ideas on how to sell your home faster.  This report is just one of the many home buyer, home seller, and investor reports that I can make available to you.  Read this report and call me to arrange a time to see how I can help.  Download Now

A Big WOW!!  The credit has been expanded to include homeowners who have owned their home for the past 5 years. No longer do you need to be a first time buyer.  The dollar limit is $8000 for first time buyers and $6500 for move up buyers.  This GREAT news.  Combine this with 50 year lows in interest rates, and you’d be crazy not to consider making a move.  If you feel secure in your job, think hard about buying  home at this time.  We can help you make the right move. Visit this site-which is from the National Association Of Home Builders  http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/faq2.php This site give you all the rules and regulations as they now apply.

Have you ever wondered why a foreclosure occurs when a better solution might have been a modification?  Would you like to read the facts and figures and see how mortgages are bundled, sold and serviced?  You will soon see it is isn’t pretty, we are in the midst of a crisis, and it is likely to get worse before it gets better.  That being said, you can probably guess why-it’s about the money.  It is a little more complex than that-the report is 60 pages-but is explains the incentive and disincentives that are at conflict within the mortgage market today.  Once you understand how all the pieces go together, you can see that something “different” needs to be done.  I am a strong free market believer, but in this case, the government needs to have a mandate and rule that is guided towards keeping people in their homes.  Left to current industry solutions, the mortgage mess will continue to play out and get worse.  If you click on the link below, you will find the free report from the National Consumer Law Center.

http://www.consumerlaw.org/issues/mortgage_servicing/content/Servicer-Report1009.pdf

It’s now official!! The tax credit has been extended and expanded. YOU NEED TO HURRY! You now have until the end of April 2010. The following summary of the credit is provided by the National Association Of Realtors. The following two documents cover the changes in the new law. Now get out there and buy a home!!

NAR FAQ: Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes
NAR Issue Brief: Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes

I maintain a number of real estate sites, blogs, and newsletters. One newsletter that provides a number of computer tips to help you function better with a computer is http://www.REcyber.com/cybertips/r11627 The site is full of cyber space tricks and great places to visit. We have link to this site on the list of MN Real Estate links, but I wanted to highlight this particular newsletter because it different from what most agents provide. From this newsletter, you can also access all the back issues-from 2001 and beyond. It is really quite a useful resource-spend some time there if you have a chance.

You will be amazed at the activities available throughout the Minneapolis Park System.  Use the convenient search finder to locate your lake of choice and the events that follow.

http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=5&advSearch=parks

If you are looking for a great place to do a little winter ice skating and hockey then Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, Minnesota is the place for you to be. This lake minneapolis is connected to Lake Calhoun and Cedar Lake. But this lake is known for more then just a great place to kick back and do a little relaxation, it is also known as a party place for that one Holiday a year where millions of people will stand out in the freezing cold just waiting for the clock to strike twelve. That’s right, Lake of the Isles is known for their New Year’s Eve celebration where tons of marshmallows are roasted and where hot chocolate is served.

But it was not until the early twentieth century that the lake was created into its current state. Dredging of a small lake and marsh area was done to create the lake that many people see and know today. The materials left over from the dredging were used to form about thirty-six of land, which would be a park around the lake. These materials were nothing more then mostly silt and peat. It was a good idea to use these left over materials and try to put them to good use. Why just throw it all out when it can be put to good use? While it seems like a good idea at the time, this material was not the most durable to use and it has created an unstable shoreline and the water quality is not as good as it should be. Because of this the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has started and is in the middle of a project that is going to last for several years. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is trying to renovate the parkland due to damage caused by the 1997 flood and the 1998 windstorm. They will also stabilize the shoreline, and also point in twelve stone lake points of access. Paths will be reconstructed as well. Basically, the entire park is looking at getting a large facelift. It will be basically brand new and completely improved by the time everything is said and done. But even with all of that going on, it is no surprise that this lake is full of entertaining things as it has an area of 109 acres and a shoreline length of 2.86 miles. There are an average of 5.5 million visitors each year to the park who enjoy all aspects of the beauty of the lake and the surrounding land. The lake itself is 31 feet in depth at its deepest point, which means it is a great place for many types of water sports. As the name, Lake of the Isles, would portray, there are little islands in the middle of the lake. In fact, there are two wooded islands along with a long extended north arm. There are many stately houses in the neighborhoods of Kenwood, Lowry Hill, and East Isles. All of these little neighborhoods with lake of the isles homes surround the lake. If you are thinking of exploring the two wooded islands in the middle of the lake you will find that it is prohibited which is clearly marked by several signs. On these islands are protected wildlife and virgin woods. The island to the north of the lake is called Mike’s Island and the one to the south is called Raspberry Island. While they are beautiful to view from a distance, that is about as good as it will get for those interested in exploring those islands. There is truly a little bit of something for everyone at the lake of the isles. The park land surrounding the lake has enough room for walking and running trials. There is also plenty of space to throw a Frisbee around, have a little mid-day picnic or to spread out a blanket and soak in some of the sun. There is even an off-lease dog park, which is located at the south end of the park. This is a great solution for those who want to give their dog something to enjoy while on vacation. With so many leash laws out there, it is nice to know that this park still takes into consideration all of their visitors, not just the human ones. Maybe you live in a lake of the isles home nearby and never found yourself yet exploring the wonders of lake minneapolis. Maybe you are just looking for a nice place to visit for a weekend getaway with your family. In either case, you should look into visiting the historic Lake of the Isles. You will find many things to do and will enjoy seeing the lake and park surroundings in the state they are in now compared to what you will later see in a few years. With so much going on in the world, it is sometimes nice to sit back and enjoy the beauty of nature. Getting involved in history, by seeing the “before and after” of lake of the isles will be something to talk about and remember for many years to come. Take pictures, enjoy the scenery, and just imagine how wonderful the park and lake will be once all of the reconstruction is finally completed.

If you ask residents of Minneapolis what sets their city apart from other major metropolitan areas, you will quickly learn about the extensive lake system that runs through the southern part of the city. Though you can easily find the urban lifestyle and towering skyline in downtown Minneapolis, the lakes offer a terrific alternative for those who prefer the solace and beauty of living near water. Between Lake Harriet, Lake Nokomis, and the Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis offers a tremendous amount of outdoor recreational opportunities, and with plenty of available and affordable real estate nearby, the time has never been better to finally invest in your dream lakefront home.

The lakes are connected as part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, an elaborate system of trails and bike paths that are widely popular for exercise and recreational walks. Lake Harriet connects with Lake Calhoun on its north end through the William Berry Parkway. Harriet is home to two beaches, which many take advantage of during the summer months, as well as its famous castle-shaped bandshell. From June to September each year, the bandshell hosts concerts nightly, offering an eclectic assortment of music from big band to bluegrass to rock and roll. The Minneapolis Pops Orchestra makes its summer home here, offering a blend of popular and traditional music each Saturday. Additionally, Lake Harriet contains a brand new picnic shelter, tennis courts and fishing docks, so there are plenty of outdoor activities to indulge in.

On the other side of Lake Calhoun is the Lake of the Isles. Restored by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board in the early 1900’s, the Isles has been transformed from a shallow lake and marsh area into one of the most majestic lakes the city has to offer. In addition to its summer offerings, this lake is one of the most winter-friendly, offering an ice skating and hockey rink. In warmer weather, its bike paths, soccer field and fishing docks are very popular.

For those especially interested in fishing, Lake Nokomis offers some of the richest waters for fishermen in the entire state, with many game fish found here. Along with Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun, it is one of the three lakes used for sailing, and is one of the hosts for the popular Aquatennial, an annual celebration of Minneapolis’ aquatic tradition, featuring shows and competitions that draw large audiences. Nokomis is also a popular sporting lake, with fields available for football, baseball, softball, soccer and tennis.

Some of the most beautiful architecture in all of Minneapolis real estate can be found near the lakes. Many large single-family and multi-story homes and condominiums boast luxurious porches and balconies with a beautiful view of the water. If you are lucky enough to own a boat, there are plenty of homes with a large enough area to accommodate you with easy convenient access to many of the lakes’ boating docks. With the real estate market currently in favor of those seeking to buy, the time has never been better to locate the home of your dreams at a reasonable price. If you are more interested in renting, there are scores of apartments and duplexes for rent immediately near the lakes, as well as in the Uptown district, which is well within easy walking distance to the lakes and trails. I strongly encourage you to contact me to set up an appointment; I am confident that I can find a home that suits your own, as well as your family’s needs.

For your convenience, we are a fully cooperating member of the Twin Cities real estate community. The multiple listing service, or MLS, allows all member agents to view what is available in the market so you don’t feel compelled to go with an agent you are not comfortable with. So regardless of the company sign in the yard, please feel free to give me a call to arrange an appointment to view a home that you are interested in. Our website contains many helpful tools to get you started on your journey today, including mortgage rate calculators, mortgage rate quotes, and online mortgage applications. If you would like to browse for yourself, check out our Search Online Now! application. This will grant you access to all of the homes currently available through our multiple listing service.

If you are looking to relocate to Minnesota, I will be happy to help you out with our relocation package and guide. I, as well as many of my clients, are relocation specialists, and depending on your situation, there are various employee and corporate relocation packages available. Many of us own rental property ourselves as well and would be happy to assist you in finding a rental, or to arrange a tour with you to acclimate you with the area. Please check my website as well for our convenient relocation salary calculator and other relocation services.

I’m extremely familiar with the area and have lived in the Twin Cities my entire life. When making an important life decision, such as relocating and/or purchasing a home, it is important to have someone on your side to give you honesty and expertise. I strongly encourage you to contact me with any questions you have or to set up an appointment. I look forward to working with you.