Blog Archive

Opposing Forces

If anyone who works in downtown Mason City would just become more aware of their surroundings as they are going to and from their workplace, they would notice as I have, the opposing forces that are forming in the Business District of Mason City. Too many times one will notice people who seem “out of place” on the sidewalks as well as street wa … continue reading
Posted on April 16, 2013

Don’t Let them pull you Down…

Oh Mercy, Mercy! What a day I had today. From the time I arrived at the office until about 4:00 pm this afternoon it has been a case of experiencing the absolute worst of humanity.Giving you all just one example, when I arrived at the office this morning which was VERY early, one of the business owners drove up next to my car when I was getting o … continue reading
Posted on April 15, 2013

Sundays should be Simple

Yet another day in the life of yours truly. I had to drive out of town to get some documents signed today. Oh how terrible the rain and wind. But the positive side, the long drive gave me time to think about what I would write about today.So many people go to great lengths to get their homes prepped for viewing by prospective buyers. The one thin … continue reading
Posted on April 14, 2013

The Four Angles of a Street Corner

After having a superb gathering with my sisters this evening who were here in Mason City on a visit to our mother, I was reminded of the story about the “four angles of a street corner”.If anyone of you grew up in a family of more than yourself as a child, you will find that each and every one of the children have their own version of what to … continue reading
Posted on April 13, 2013

Mason City can be the hub

For years and years I have said that Mason City missed the boat on being the center of the financial/commercial universe in North Iowa and Southern Minnesota. Let's think about it. We are about 2 hours by car from Des Moines, about 2 hours by car from Minneapolis, and now thanks to the Avenue of the Saints, we are about 2 ½ hours from Cedar Rapid … continue reading
Posted on April 12, 2013

Stretching the Dollar

I know we have all been lectured via the media about how to save money and yet not give up some of the comforts we are accustomed. What I have noticed is the excess "stuff" in peoples lives. The non-stop buying of electronics including the TVs, the handhelds, the fitness equipment, the automatic kitchen appliances and so on. With the continued evol … continue reading
Posted on April 12, 2013

Craftsmanship still survives in Mason City

I have been helping an owner with renting a downtown building.  I met one of the contractors there to do some measuring for a possible future tenant.  Curious me decided to see what was above the suspended ceiling.  Luckily there was a tall ladder there so I placed it in an area where I thought I could get some tiles up.  I crawled up the ladde … continue reading
Posted on April 11, 2013

Bear Traps of Short Sales

My office is involved on another infamous lender short sale. In this case, I represent the seller.When my clients called me to list their home because they were upside down on their mortgage, we talked about all the necessary things that needed to be done to get them out from under their mortgage. Well, they did all that we agreed upon and more. … continue reading
Posted on April 9, 2013

It really Quacked me up

Just another confirmation that humans and animals are more closely related than we would ever want to think.Early this morning, while I was at my desk, I looked up and noticed something moving in the street. When I got up and walked to the front where the big windows are, I discovered a pair of ducks waddling across the street towards my office. … continue reading
Posted on April 8, 2013

Locate the Locals

What I hope is happening on Main Street Mason City along with all the other smaller cities and towns, is a re-awakening of the need for locally owned businesses. Just in this past year, I have noticed here in downtown Mason City, the number of buildings for rent and or for sale have decreased substantially. This is a very good thing for Mason City' … continue reading
Posted on April 7, 2013

Is It Picture Perfect?

It has again been confirmed today...After showing a family the same home far more than just once, and months of looking at other homes, investigating and talking about all the things the buyers could do to improve and create a real home for themselves and their children, they called me today and said that they purchased another property from a di … continue reading
Posted on April 6, 2013

The tale of two buyers…

When yours truly entered the world of real estate sales so terribly many years ago, I found that the young buyers were filled with vision and the willingness to make something out of nearly nothing. Today we call it “sweat equity”. I find that those buyers are now becoming fewer and farther between. I ask myself, “Is it because we are becomin … continue reading
Posted on April 5, 2013