Blog Archive

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

Quieter and Gentler life…

I had the most wonderful opportunity to speak with one of the “powers that be” here in the city today and was most delighted to find that I am yet not alone. For nearly 45 minutes we spoke about out childhood days of growing up on a working farm with so many siblings. Early up and late to bed and yet it was all worth it. Can you imagine before … continue reading
Posted on April 5, 2013

New Proposed City Ordinance

It looks like there will be a City Ordinance on it's way to becoming a reality. Seems as though there are mixed feelings about how well it will be enforced and who is ultimately responsible.  Will it be the owner of the property or the occupant?  Scraping away the negativity leaves us with some real positive prospects.  What about creating neigh … continue reading
Posted on April 4, 2013

Spring sprucing up

Seems this winter not wanting to let go, leaves us in the state of cabin fever. Everyone wants to get outside and do something.  Well, before you put on your walking shoes, step back and take a look at the inside of your home. Remember, it's been months and months since you've had the windows open and there's likely a film of dust on everything du … continue reading
Posted on April 3, 2013