That unexpected thunderstorm we had which started before 5:00 am this morning, definitely came as a shock because no longer than two days ago, the meteorologists were saying there’d be clear skies for over a week. My how our weather can change. But, I did hear from a very good source, that it in spite of the amount of rain we received, it was a very small storm which was almost like a spot on the map of North Iowa. I was shocked to hear that its band was so narrow, Clear Lake didn’t even get a drop. After it stopped raining, I went out at the back of my office and noticed the clouds were rapidly moving in a north-easterly direction, so it’ll be interesting to hear how much they received up north. I’m definitely happy about getting a good shower before I had to start watering my garden.
Once I had myself settled-in at office, I proceeded to get some phone calls made to prospective sellers, and one in particular, should be giving me the go ahead either this weekend or the first part of next week. Oh, if you only knew how much I’m eternally grateful for the loyalty and faithfulness of all the may buyers and sellers I’ve worked with over the years. It seems every day I hear of some underhanded dealing which had taken place within in our MLS. I knew it was going to start happening, so I’m growing all the more resolute about maintaining my tried and true above-board business practices. If it ever settles down to a normal level, I’ll be getting in the faces of several dirty birdies, just to let them know how little if any respect I have for them, because I may be forgiving, but I ain’t forgetting. I can already see a certain one’s face turning beet red after my verbal shellacking. Many years ago, I discovered how true that old saying is where like does attract like when it comes to greed and business practices. I also shared another one today which goes, “Don’t do as I do, but do as I say.” Not!
I do try to remain ‘vanilla’ when it comes to politics, but when I read where our dear Governor dispatched 130 of our National Guard and State Patrol officers to the Texas border, all I could do was shake my head in disgust. Why in the world would she send them to an area that’s a good 1,000 miles away from our State’s closest border with that area? The only thing I get out of it all, is it being just another political ‘look at me’ stunt, which is wasting our hard-earned taxpayers’ dollars. I think those monies would be better spent by improving the quality of life within the borders of our own State.
Before the noon hour arrived, I managed to get two files readied for their closings tomorrow, and once they’re fully closed, I’ll be even more on a burn to get some additional homes listed for sale. Yes, this year has been a struggle, but since I’ve been thru similar times in the past, all I can do is keep the machine oiled and running.
I had several mid-afternoon visitors who happened to notice from a distance, the picture I recently hung for all to see, so I had them walk closer for a better look. As I’d suspected, nearly everyone who’s seen it, has offered up rave reviews. Before they left, I couldn’t help saying, “After listening to your comments regarding that picture, there’s no doubt you have very good taste.” I think I’m going to start keeping track of the number of people who’ve commented on it without me even pointing it out. Yes, it is a classic that’s worthy of being a page in a coffee table picture book.
I’m finding our City’s rental housing inventory is just about as short as our existing homes which are still available for sale. I even went online and checked several of the sites where the rentals are posted, and sure enough, there’s nearly nothing available. More than one person said they’d never rent down at ‘The River’, and only because their rents are so much higher. We’ve all got to remember, there are a whole heck of a lot of people who can’t afford any more than five or six hundred dollars a month, and only because they’re incomes can’t support it. Just this afternoon, I received three calls from people looking for something to rent.
With it being the end of the month, I busied myself with accounting and bill-paying, along with making several calls to some tradespeople whom I’ll be hiring to get some much-needed work done. As much as I’ve been recently hearing how hard it is to get plumbers, electricians, and HVAC people, I must admit, I’ve been very lucky so far, because this year, I’ve yet to have a problem finding good and fair-priced workers.
Just before closing up shop, I grabbed my camera and went across the street and took some photos of the progress that’s being made with the demolition of the Kirk Apartments. I took enough of them to create a slideshow, so if you want, click on the main photo and your show will start.
After getting a good look at its basement which is now almost completely rubble-free, you really have a better idea of how big that building was. I found it interesting to see where there we a number of those basement windows which were filled in over the years, and likely because those who were doing business out of its lower level, likely found more customer-friendly storefronts and offices to hang their shingles. Believe it or not, I can still remember when there was a small building just to the north of the Kirk, where Jimmy’s Shoe Repair was located, and only because I’d usually tag along when my mother was either delivering or picking up repaired shoes. My how times have changed to where you’d be hard-pressed to find a shoe repair shop in all North Iowa.
I went out and inspected my garden this evening, and glad to see all the veggies perked-up from our welcome rain early this morning. Once they get their roots buried deep enough, I’ll not be worrying much about watering them. The positive thing about living in the lowlands, is the water table being closer to the surface.
Tonight’s One-liner is: You don’t have to be too bright to get into real estate.
