Re-use and not abuse…

Among my range of interests and abilities, comes my story today. I was in a conversation last week with a gentleman who wants to create a re-use or re-cycled store that will offer all the components of older and very old homes in Mason City and North Iowa. He was saying, and I believe he is correct, when he insisted that Americans have become progr … continue reading

Posted on April 30, 2013

Sailing the High and Turbulent Seas of Real Estate…

Today’s seemingly endless events have been quite a roller coaster of emotions. It caused me to think of what it would have been like if I had taken a different path in careers and became a Botanist or International Banker. Oh well, our lives are filled with choices that take us on delightful paths and sometimes dark paths. I’m still licking my … continue reading

Posted on April 29, 2013

Plants have memory…

Over three years ago when Holtz Realty moved the business around the corner to it’s present location at 213 N. Federal Ave. Mason City, Iowa, what I brought with me was a small Jade plant that I had been nurturing for about a year. Then, one of my clients delivered a large terra cotta pot with geraniums that were getting ready to bloom. I placed … continue reading

Posted on April 28, 2013

Land Mines of home improvements…

Today, I yet again considered myself a victim of Realtor abuse. I have been blessed with several buyers here in Mason City that are insisting on seeing everything in their price range.For me, after visiting with prospective buyers about their wants and needs, I can usually after two or three home showings get a “feel” for what they really wan … continue reading

Posted on April 27, 2013

Plant a Seed and it will grow…

After these weeks and weeks of cold weather and rain, today seems to be the true first day of Spring. Now it’s time to focus on creating a small space in our yards for the vegetables that will grace our summer and fall tables. For me, time in the garden is my getaway from the problems of the world. I often find myself completely oblivious to time … continue reading

Posted on April 26, 2013

The Mirage…

Tomorrow I have an appointment to meet with a seller who called several days ago to come and talk about listing his home. When I found out today that he has also called several other Realtors for the infamous “interview”, I thought yet again, “Oh Mercy, Mercy!” Because of the way the market is here in Mason City and North Iowa, the competit … continue reading

Posted on April 25, 2013

In Another Life…

Once upon a time yours truly from a very early age had a keen interest in Botany. Many fond memories are held close of my Mother scolding me for paying too much attention to the plant world. I was curious as well as investigative. I learned and understood by trial and error the interaction of the plant world. You may think me crazy, but I consider … continue reading

Posted on April 24, 2013

The War of the Worlds…

We the residents of Mason City are approaching the point of being at what the sci-fi would believe to be the War of the Worlds.At one side are the nay-sayers who believe that all is good and nothing needs to be changed. On the other side, there are those that can see past the blinders that our community of Mason City and North Iowa have set in pl … continue reading

Posted on April 23, 2013

Vision is the brother of Progress…

I must tell you all that I have over these past three years, when I am not doing my job of serving the community of North Iowa and Mason City's real estate needs, I have been working slowly but surly on my 1882 historic building. After thousands of hours and many thousands of dollars, I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.I smi … continue reading

Posted on April 22, 2013

Looking for Answers

I was at the office this morning and had a few minutes to spare and decided to start paging thru one of the books that the Globe Gazette published some years ago about the North Iowa and Mason City. Not that I'm so terribly nostalgic, but what I noticed the most was how well nearly all the buildings in the downtown were maintained. What surprised … continue reading

Posted on April 21, 2013