When I woke up to snow-coated trees yesterday and noted it was opening day for Macy's Flower Show I was reminded of Minneapolis rites of spring. The first official weekend of spring was beautiful, and people were out walking around the lakes. Since then we have had snow intermingled with stretches of beautiful sunny days…reminding us that this is Minnesota and the arrival of spring here comes in bursts.
Macy's Flower Show is one such burst which doesn't depend on the weather. It was evident this is a family tradition for many Minnesotans as I watched large multi-generational family groups gathering to visit this annual blaze of color in Minneapolis Macy's 8th floor auditorium.
This year's show features gardens inspired by Greece, France, South America, Japan, Russia, Italy and Spain…and two giant flamingo topiaries each hand planted with 2,500 Kalanchoe plants. The show is free and runs through Sunday, April 19, 2009.
Other Twin Cities rites of spring are the baby farm animals at the Minnesota Zoo and the Minnesota Twins baseball season opener tonight…hopefully without snow for the last opening in the dome. Next year we will really hope for no snow as they move to their new open-air stadium!
Another rite of spring is a resurgence of interest in home buying…as evidenced by six showings on Saturday alone for my listing at 2653Bryant.com! This time of year, especially, is when you don't wait to make an offer when you find a home you like…unless you're ok with running the risk that it may be gone!
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – Email – Minneapolis Realtor
Drop The Rent!!!
At HometownRenter.com we understand that you want to get the highest rent for your property. Our advice to owners is to make sure to stay competative in the market. A property not rented in most cases is another mortgage payment paid. If the property is worth $1,000 a month but everyone in the community is at $1,000 a month, the chances of you renting your place are very slim. If you drop it to $950 you will be able to rent your place fast and not miss another month.
Well qualified applicants are aware they are a hot commodity in this era of tarnished credit and lost jobs. They are shopping their well qualified applications out to the large inventory of investment property on the market. How do you attract them? Drop the rent! Gimmicks do not work–these people have worked hard to keep their credit scores up, their incomes stable and their rental history in tact. Drop the rent…it really is that simple! Prompt placement of a qualified applicant immediately stops the bleeding of lost rents, continued advertisemement expenses and the real possibility of a break in or vandalism. You may not receive top market rent–but you will see regular income that you can count on. Find your best tenants and rental properties for FREE at HometownRenter.com. Your local and national rental site.