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May 2008

1 -- May Day
5 -- Cinco de Mayo
11 -- Mother's Day
12 -- Kite Day
19 -- Full Moon Day
24 -- International Jazz Day
25 -- Wine Day
26 -- Memorial Day
28 -- Whale Day

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Beautiful Midge Lake Home - Reduced. Ready for Summer!

Move in by Summer! Excellent swimming & fishing lake. 3 bdrms., 1.75 baths, est. 2,620sf living space, lake and forest views, beautiful cedar living room with brick, wood-burning fireplace, .96 acres, 2 detached 2-stall garages. Motivated seller. Reduced to $310k. Details.

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Quality Materials and Workmanship. Reduced!

Nearly 2,100sf living space with 3 spacious bedrooms, heated floor with basswood cathedral ceilings, huge kitch with hickory cabinets and abundant storage, finished 2.5-stall garage with floor heat -- all on 6.2 acres, minutes from Bemidji. $255,000. Details.

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4,000sf, 4-Bedroom Contemporary Home on 1+ Acres

Perfect for entertaining. Contemporary architectural details with designer finishes. 3 bedrooms up, teen room down, 3.5 baths, grand living room with over-sized windows and beautiful views, gas fireplace, 3-season porch, huge BBQ deck, 3-stall garage. 329,500. Details.

Existing-Home Sales Slip in March

According to a late-April report from the National Association of Realtors®, existing-home sales edged down in March, remaining within a narrow range of sales activity that has persisted since September.

"Though mortgage rates are at historically low levels, some borrowers are facing restrictive lending practices in declining markets," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "At the same time, many buyers continue to bide their time with a large number of homes to choose from, while other potential buyers remain on the sidelines."

A mix of market conditions continues around the country, but areas showing healthy price gains include Des Moines, Iowa; Austin, Texas; and Durham, N.C.

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage rose slightly to 5.97 percent in March from 5.92 percent in February; the rate was 6.16 percent in March 2007, the report said.

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Mothers are fonder than fathers of their children because they are more certain they are their own.
-- Aristotle

Use a Family Calendar to Stay Organized

Family calendars are a great solution to help busy families stay organized and get control of their schedules. The key is to teach everyone in the family to be disciplined about using it, whether it's a good-old-fashioned printed calendar hung in the kitchen or den or an online calendar shared on the family computer.

To really make it work, you should pick one day each week where everyone in the family gets together to communicate all scheduling information, such as homework, birthdays, appointments, sporting events, chores and to-do lists. Following are some suggestions:

• Set Expectations -- After using the calendar for a few weeks, every family member should know what needs to be done on a daily basis without you having to remind them. Everyone should look at the calendar several times a day so they know what to expect -- and what is expected of them.
• Give Feedback -- Encouragement and rewards are important to keep family members motivated. Keep track of progress and reward members who are making it work, and give guidance to those that need help.
• Delegate -- Don't just make to-do lists, assign age-appropriate tasks to family members. For example: Susie - Dinner Dishes/6 p.m. Saturday; Bobbie - Trash/5 p.m. Monday; Dad - Fix Garage Door/1 p.m. Saturday; Mom - Buy Birthday Present for Max's Party/9 a.m. Wednesday.

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Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.
-- F. Scott Fitzgerald

6 Common Mistakes Buyers Make

1. Buyers misinterpret the role of an agent -- Be sure you clearly understand the roles and duties of everyone involved in the transaction, especially who represents whom. Know the difference between a buyer's agent, a listing agent, and dual agency.
2. Buyers share personal information -- Don't discuss any confidential information about your housing preferences, financial situation or negotiating strategies until you understand agency (and have chosen an agent to represent you).
3. Buyers underestimate the effect of a competing offer -- When a seller has multiple offers, he's in a better position than you are. Many buyers don't put in their best offer not realizing they may be making another buyer's offer look great in comparison, and they lose the house.
4. Buyers don't attend the home inspection -- Many buyers put too much trust in the home inspection report. A "hairline crack in the foundation" may not sound all that bad in a report, but become a huge concern when observed in person. Be sure to see it for yourself.
5. Buyers think sellers pay the closing costs -- While escrow and several other costs are often split 50-50, most closing costs are negotiable.
6. Buyers fail to recognize the value of enhancing their equity position -- Buying a property below market value puts you in a much better equity position a few years down the road than buying it at or above market value.

If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it.
-- Anthony J. D'Angelo

Cleaning Up Spills ... the Right Way

If you didn't look after the spill right away, it will likely become a stain. To remove it, pour club soda on the spot, wait a minute, and blot it dry with a clean, white towel. If that doesn't work, you may want to try a carpet stain remover product, though these seldom work any better than club soda.

For older stains, try this slightly acidic solution. Mix 2 tablespoons detergent with 3 tablespoons vinegar and one quart warm water. Spray the solution onto the stain until it's soaked, wait a minute, then blot dry. Absorb all the solution with clean, white towels (you may need more than one). Allow the area to dry thoroughly and vacuum.

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Democracy:  The state of affairs in which you consent to having your pocket picked, and elect the best man to do it. 
-- Benjamin Lichtenberg

Trivia Challenge

Question 1.) What is considered the first outline of a government for the English colonies?
a.) U.S. Constitution
b.) Proclamation of 1763
c.) Articles of Confederation
d.) Mayflower Compact

Question 2.) Which ice cream company offers the Grateful Dead flavor?
a.) Gandy's and Dryers
b.) Art and Simon
c.) Blue Bunny
d.) Ben and Jerry's

Question 3.) Which U.S. President was the first to have a female cabinet member?
a.) Franklin D. Roosevelt
b.) Herbert Hoover
c.) Jimmy Carter
d.) Dwight D. Eisenhower

Question 4.) What is America's oldest grocery store?
a.) A&P
b.) Kroger
c.) Piggly Wiggly
d.) Safeway

Question 5.) Who is generally considered the first political cartoonist, responsible for the Republican elephant and the Democratic donkey?
a.) Thomas Nast
b.) Paul Conrad
c.) Bernhard Gillam
d.) Herbert Block

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Never work before breakfast; if you have to work before breakfast, eat your breakfast first. 
-- Josh Billings

Still the Most Important Meal of the Day

• Eating a healthy breakfast provides your body the fuel necessary to function properly and helps set you up for balanced eating the rest of the day.
• Children and adults who eat breakfast are more likely to perform better in school and at work. A balanced breakfast can lead to better concentration and productivity.
• Skipping breakfast often leads to snacking and over-eating at lunchtime.
• A low-fat breakfast that features whole grains, fruits and other breakfast foods high in fiber may help you maintain desirable cholesterol levels and lower risks for a number of diseases, including heart disease and colorectal cancer. In addition, you'll feel fuller, more satisfied and have more energy.

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May Movie Releases

• May 2
  • Iron Man
  • Made of Honor
• May 9
  • Speed Racer
  • What Happens in Vegas
• May 16
  • The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
• May 22
  • Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Cyrstal Skull
• May 30
  • Sex and the City
  • The Strangers

Sonoran Shrimp Scampi

• 3 poblano chiles
• 1 pound medium shrimp -- shelled and deveined
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic -- finely chopped
• 2 red bell peppers --cored, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 sun-dried tomatoes -- chopped or thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon lime zest
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 4 cups farfalle -- preferably whole wheat, cooked
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro -- chopped

1. Place chiles directly over the burners of a gas stove. Roast over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until skin is charred and chiles soften, 10 to 15 minutes. (To roast in oven, cover a large cookie sheet with foil. Place chiles on sheet and broil, turning occasionally, until skin is charred and chiles soften, 12 to 17 minutes.)
2. Remove from heat and cool. Remove peel and seeds. Slice thinly; set aside. Sprinkle shrimp with half the salt and pepper.
3. Heat oil in a large pan over high heat. Cook shrimp, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chiles, red peppers, tomatoes, zest and lime juice. Cook until liquid reduces by half and shrimp are no longer translucent, 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Add wine and reduce until slightly syrupy. Stir in pasta. Reduce heat to low and cover 1 minute. Top with cilantro and serve.

• Ethnik Blanc Vin de Pays du Mont Baudile 2006

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Bemidji Realty - Grand Opening Coming Soon!

If you've walked or driven down 4th Street downtown lately, you'll notice that the Chocolates Plus has moved -- and Bemidji Realty is remodeling and moving in.

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Mark Stokes
6535 Kingfisher Lane NE
Bemidji, MN 56601

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