My New Outside Blog: Minnesota

I wanted to start a series about various local information that would be useful to know about Big Lake.  One of the first things that took me by surprise is the Post Office. We have a nice Post Office location in town along HWY 10 but beware if you are sending an important letter, the mail is picked up at 4:30 rather than the 5:00 PM or later I grew used to in the city.  Yep, this is rural living near the big city. 

There is the City of Big Lake and the Township of Big Lake that surrounds the City. The properties within Big Lake can be different than the properties outside in  the Township. The Township has more newer developments and more recent built homes although there are some new homes within the city. The laws are different and City VS Township are governed differently. Big Lake Township reaches all the way down south to the Northern shores of the Mississippi river. This river property is very close to Monticello on the other side.

If you have questions about Big Lake that are not yet addressed, please contact me and I would love to answer any questions. It might help get the information out there for others as well since I will consider adding the information to this series.  Please let me know if you are interested in Living in Big Lake or the surrounding area. I can be reached by email: mark@yourhomebymark.com 

My website has further local information available: http://yourhomebymark.com

Please feel free to call me at 763-263-8310 in Big Lake!

Mark Burrows, Realtor, e-PRO

The other day, I was showing houses and as I made the case for looking at homes in Big Lake, MN the question came up. Why live in Big Lake, MN or Monticello, MN ? The first obvious things that come to mind are the beautiful lakes with beaches and the Mississippi River parks and walkways. Additionally, there are huge Parks and Wild Life Management areas (WMA's) including Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge and Sand Dunes State Forest close nearby with abundant wildlife, etc.

However, this client was interested in the getting to work aspect, he drives to the MSP airport often, as do I. There are a number of routes that can be taken using the interstate system but the exciting development coming very soon is the NORTHSTAR COMMUTER LINE www.northstartrain.org The Northstar has ultra cool passenger cars with wireless internet access and many other features. After years of driving to the airport nearly every week, I can tell you the biggest problem is when you get a snowstorm and traffic takes a halt!! The Northstar will not be affected by the typical snowstorm!

The Northstar line is ready to be put into service in a few short months. The Light Rail that moves through Minneapolis and ends at the MSP Airport and Mall of America (MOA) has been extended to the new Twins Baseball Stadium where the Northstar will also terminate. the new Twins Stadium will be the connection point to the airport or someplace else downtown.

Why live in Big Lake or Monticello, MN area? This is just the beginning of my series of all the many reasons why. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. You can email me at mark@yourhomebymark.com

My website is: http://YourHomebyMark.com

Mark Burrows

Time is running out when you consider the amount of time it might take to process an offer on a short sale or foreclosure. The $8000 first time homebuyer (hasn't owned in last 3 years) tax credit ends Nov. 30th and the sale has to close by then. This $8000 tax credit is a real deal and it is still not known by many who would qualify.

If you know of anyone who is qualified i.e. haven't been an owner of a home for 3 years and fairly good credit, we need to talk! I will make sure they get into an appropriate home and get the information regarding the tax credit money to them. There are many creative ways of making these deals happen.

Anyone renting and with good credit should seriously investigete the situation with the market, rates and incentives. There is good reason to not only investigate, but keep in the loop, as many ideas are in the process to further Stimulate the real estate market and the economy. If some of these ideas become law, there could be a rush to view and purchase property. Why not be ready? Please contact me by email: mark@yourhomebymark.com my office phone is 763-263-8310 and my website is:

http://YourHomebyMark.com

Keep in the loop! I will continue my series of blogs regarding the local market and incentives, etc. My blog is at: http://myblogbymark.com

Thanks,

Mark Burrows

Yesterday, I held an open in Elk river that had just been listed the day before. There were already two offers! This house was 3BR 2Bath and 3 car Garage. It was a bank owned foreclosure and priced at 137.5K. There was some good traffic and I thin several more offers! I have never seen such a clean and unblemished home that was bank owned! For more info check out my website http://yourhomebymark.com 

Today, I will be holding an Open at a Rambler in Coon Rapids from 1-4pm. The whole city is holding OPEN HOUSE day for houses up for sale. This is a nice Rambler in a nice area. The price is around 167K and has been reduced. I think this one will get some offers!