Well, at this moment, 11/15/ 11am, I am attending an auction, along with 1000+ people, for MN real estate that is being held in Minneapolis over the next two days. Over 500 houses with be sold in 2 days.

They post a dollar amount called Previously Valued To and the winning bids range from 30% to 105% of the PVT with most being around 50% of the PTV. And the prices seem to be higher than expected say the two investors I am representing.

Affordable Housing

So where are all the people that were vociferously stating the need for affordable housing? You heard them on the radio and read about their fears in the newspaper. They should be shouting from the roof tops that we now have an abundance of affordable housing. But I don't hear their voices and I wonder why.

Housing is affordable!!!

There is mortgage money [fixed rate for 30 years] that in many cases has a down payment of 3%!!!

Did they go away because they make a living being an advocate for affordable housing and when there is no need then they switch to another paying cause? Who knows for certain but I do know there is affordable housing.

Spring Finally In Minnesota

Well, we were ready for this display of God's handiwork after a long winter and cold spring here in Minnesota. All it took was a little bit of warmth and the flowering trees burst out.

We even had a day in the 80's last Saturday and then back in the 60's and it's June already! So much for global warming.

I wonder if I truly appreciate each day or am I looking forward to the next day without living in this day. The other day I heard a sports guy say that if you want to make God laugh just start talking about tomorrow.

The flowering trees are in bloom for a brief period of time each year and sometimes they make a mess if they bear fruit. But people keep planting them for those few days of glory. I have had sellers show me pictures and display photos of their beautiful flowering tree during the marketing of their house. And one house that I remember had planted the tree too close to the house and the result was a flowering tree that seemed to be in your living room. What an aroma for a few days a year spreading through the house to enchant you.

One wife and me enjoying the day here in cold/wet Minnesota.

Your real estate resource,

M. Joel

Ramblings

Friday 5/22/2008 1:17PM Well, this part of Minneapolis is a good place to live and the fact that we have so much is never more evident than a garage sale that started yesterday and they left all the stuff in the driveway overnight. I was early this morning and they were not open but the stuff was there and available for the stealing. Now maybe it was the quality of the stuff but it looked to be a step up from the stuff I have. And maybe it is that most of us have more than enough stuff.

You would be amazed at some of the houses I get to see and for that matter my own garage. I have clients who tell me they are leaving it all to their kids and others who have helped get rid of their parent's stuff and state that they will never do that to their kids.

I have figured out that I can get by on about 700 to 800 square feet of living space and be comfortable. My wife on the other hand sees a need for more space and she is probably correct.

One wife, sons moved out and me dog sitting this weekend.

Your real estate resource,
M. Joel

My Son in Iraq

This is my son and his dog in Iraq. It was filmed 2 years ago and about this time in 2006 he was getting out of Iraq after 14 months of service.

Good Real Estate Market

Well, how can it be a good real estate market if homes are not selling quickly? Good in this market is relative to what side of the fence you are on. Imagine being a buyers and having ten new homes to look at every week and waiting until you feel like looking as opposed to the year 2000 when as soon as a new one hit the market you as a buyer had to jump up like a scared rabbit and scoot to the home and write an offer within one hour of it being on the market. Nerve racking after doing it five times and missing out each time.

So you buyers relax and enjoy the good market! This market for you is like a fourth of July with plenty of fireworks.

These Kids Know How to Work

Well, for all the talk about kids these days being lazy you would think that hard work and saving money was a thing of the past.

However, I have had the privilege of working for a number of young people that stifle any thoughts I might have about kids taking it easy.

A young man that I helped get a house had graduated from a tech school and determined he did not like the field so he left that for another and worked part time too. He lived at home and saved his money for 2+ years and had quite a next egg for his house down payment. He will have renter or two in his new house for a while too. What a difference to the kid who lives at home and has nothing to show for his time at home except bar tabs.

Another young lady is working three jobs [two part time] and going to school full time. Wow! She is another champion.

I could go on and on about kids and how they work and how they save!

My Friend's Son is Home on a 8 Day Leave Before Heading to Iraq

Well, the news that Craig's boy David was actually going to Iraq hit me harder than I thought it would. It brought back memories of my son's calls home to me from Iraq in 2005/06 and the composure I had to maintain as he let me in on parts of the terror and all the boredom. He has since told me that it was an adventure and fun except for the sheer terror from time to time. We are thankful he came back in one piece and he has the nightmares that haunt him but God willing they will mellow out.

So David is heading out to Iraq shortly and will have similar duties that Fernando had but not as a sapper, thank God. He is involved in guarding the roads leading to an air base and that sounds like convoy work. I do hope he is the mechanic that stays inside the wire and repairs vehicles. The parents suffer too as their loved ones head off to war and I know it is on Craig's mind all the time. I found myself, in the beginning, weepy if someone asked me a question and my emotions were close to the surface.

Mime of the Year Award

Well, this is my first posting to a blog with my name on it and it is a little daunting to think that one or two people might actually read it. Not that I haven't written before but "on the web" means anyone could get their hands on it and the fun could start. So here goes.

Everyone who leaves a comment by March 8 will be entered into a "pull your name out of the hat" contest for a signed framed large postcard picture of me miming.

I will announce the winner on March 9. So be sure to check back then to see if your lucky name was drawn. Then you will have until March 11 to email me at mjoelsongstad@gmail.com. Because of course, I will need the name and address of the winner.

I seldom take myself seriously but always take what I do seriously,
Joel Songstad

PS All mimes must vote by phone [just kidding]