Isanti - Sherburne - Wright - Anoka County Minnesota Real Estate Blog: May 2008

I have not been a hardcore Craiglist user, but it panned out for me.  I found a Contract for Deed buyer on a property that has been sitting a while. 

With how the market is, I have a few sellers that can do owner financing and Craigslist seems to be a great place to find those type of buyers.  Are there any other websites I should be looking for Rent to Own and Contract for Deed buyers on?

Minnesota weather is just amazing!  Funny thing.  This morning my heater set to kick in around 60 degrees kicked in. I thought, "Isn't it May 29th.  Thats almost June.  Heater?  Whats going on here?" 

I stay inside most of the day so it does not bother me. I just think its funny.  I do notice that I receive less 1-800 number calls when it is raining like today.  Maybe it will warm up in June. 

So whats the weather like in your state?

Coming into the season I would have be extremely happy with our 2-1 record as we lost tonight to Cambridge First Baptist Team #1 (The defending league champions) 17-13.  It was a great game.  I feel we should have won.  We gave up 6 unearned runs in the six inning.  Plus I had a lineout to the gap in the 4th inning with 2 outs and the bases loaded and the Right center fielder made an amazing catch. It would have likely been an inside the park homer since the fences are so deep.

So of course I come home feeling like we should have won. I am very competitive.  At least we know we can play with the defending champions.  My hitting streak ended at 9 straight hits as I went 2-4, but managed 5 Rbis thanks to a inside the park grand slam homer in the 7th inning. The thrill of church league softball.  Have a blessed night!

Tonight I took a call from someone who wanted to see one of our listings.  So I sent the appointment and then asked some qualifying questions.

1) Do you rent or own a home? She said they rent.

2) Are you approved for a mortgage? She said no.

3) I said normally I have people get pre-approved before I show a home.  Can I have one of my lenders call you to do a quick over the phone approval?   She went talked to her husband and apparently he said NO. She came back on and said, "We don't want to see it now." Click. Hang up.

Wow. Thankfully I asked. What a waste of time that would have been.  How often do you run into buyers you don't want to get approved, but want to see the house?

I have to say that I am not the best eater, but I have been much better in 2008.  I feel better, weigh less and have way more energy.  So to make sure I am consistently learning I am taking a Health Course by Wayne Pickering on Success University. Today I thought I would share part of the lesson....

Five Rules For Perfect Eating

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Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate in Isanti, Anoka, Sherburne and Wright County.  He is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available soon). Carstensen is also a personal development mentor with Success University...where he helps people discover how to be more successful in business, life and health.

My brother works for the Northwoods League. Its a summer collegiate baseball league played like a regular minor league baseball. I used to work in the league in 1999 and 2000. In 1999 I was the play by play broadcaster and public address announcer for the Brainerd Mighty Gulls and in 2000 I was the Asst. General Manager for the team.  At that time there were 8 teams in the league. Now there are 14 teams.  There are teams in Minnesota, Iowa, Canada, Wisconsin and Michigan.  The league may expand to more cities in the future.

The Northwoods League is becoming recognized as the top summer collegiate league in the nation.  Its great baseball and great fun for the family.  Opening night is this Thursday!  Check the website to see if you have a team near you!  www.northwoodsleague.com

I was very tired. I wanted to use this weekend to rest up.  I did not have much at all going on this weekend.  No cookouts, no parties and no mini vacations.  So I thought it would be a good time to catch up on some rest.

Last night I read for a little while and then fell asleep...at 7pm.  This morning knowing I had nothing to get up for I did not get up until after 9 am.  I thought, "I don't think I ever slept 14 hours straight before." 

It feels good.  Now I feel energized to have a great day and week! 

Whats the longest you have ever slept?

It was my week to run the sound at church this morning. This means I listen to the practice and two services, so I hear the songs played 3 times at minimum.  One song, which I think is new to the band, is called Saviour.  I have had the chorus of the song in my head all day now.  It goes like this...

Saviour!

You can move the mountains,

Our God is mighty to save,

Mighty to save.

(At least that's how I remember it).  Its sounds great with the band.  Good thing they are loud so no one can hear me sing.  I sing loud at home and in my car but I don't think anyone can hear me there either. (A few funny looks as I am driving though!)

I share this also for a second reason.  Jesus is your saviour if you choose to allow him to be that for you!  I have wasted a lot of time in my life trying to move my own mountains with no success.  This song really spoke to me though..."How about I let Jesus move my mountains?" I thought. 

With most people having trouble in relationships, finances, health or something else...isn't time to let Jesus move that mountain for you!  His word says He will!  Why not let Him in.  Not just on Sunday, but how about let Him in from sun up to sun down!  How about let him into your business, your marriage, your parenting. 

Seeking His kingdom first can help take away worries and give you peace.  See Matthew Chapter 6 in the bible!  God Bless!

For those of you interested in better understanding what Marketplace Ministry is about here is a great reference: http://www.releasing-kings.com/Newsletter.html ...I have been getting this newsletter for 6 months and I find it very encouraging and inspiring.  I also have the Releasing Kings book. I really enjoyed the book and highly recommend it as well.

Here are Five Transformation Principles (from ITN-Global.com)

1. Believers are called to disciple nations, not just individuals. (Matthew 8:18-20)

2. The marketplace, which is the heart of the nation, has ben redeemed but now it must be reclaimed. (Luke 19:10)

3. Every Christian is a minister, and labor is worship. (1 Tim. 2:1-8; Col. 3:22-24)

4. Christians are called to take the kingdom of God to where the kingdom of darkness is still entrenched for people to turn from darkness to light and Jesus will build His Church. (Matthew 16:18; Acts 26:17-18)

5. Nation transformation must be tangible, with the premier social indicator being the elimination of systemic poverty. (1 John 3:8; Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35)

I noticed I past the 50,000 point mark, so this is my celebration post!  I did it in less then 3 months too.  I am guessing that is fast.  I have learned alot on here. There are educational, inspirational and spiritual post that help me learn and grow daily! 

I should be sleeping!  I will see the 100,000 point mark in August!