Blog Archive

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

Oh Mercy, Mercy!

Did I have the greatest laugh yesterday! I went to a closing a bit early and somehow we all got started on the subject of mice. One of the people in the room started telling a story about his mouse experience. Before I tell you this small story, I have to tell you that I have not laughed so hard, even to make me start sweating. Well, he was saying … continue reading
Posted on April 20, 2013

The Greatest Compliment…

I've done a great deal of work over the years for the most delightful family who have given much to our community over at least 50 years. They are who I would consider the real “blue bloods” of our city. They don't brag about their accomplishments, nor do they boast about how much money they have, as well as never speaking about their razor sha … continue reading
Posted on April 19, 2013

Unlocking the true value

Endless times I have walked thru homes of prospective sellers with a bit of a laundry list of "to do's" necessary to make their homes more marketable. So far it seems to be about a 50/50 ratio of sellers who make the recommended improvements and sellers who do nearly nothing. One of my biggest gripes is cleanliness. I will never understand how som … continue reading
Posted on April 18, 2013

Out of the puddles and into the ponds

Will these days of cold and rain never cease? North Iowa has indeed been blessed and cursed this with arctic air. I listed a charming home today in between rain drops that I really had to work at getting good photos in such wet and darkness. After looking at the photos, I thought to myself, “You will have to go back after these days of being over … continue reading
Posted on April 17, 2013

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