Ask any kid in town to name their favorite park and the overwhelming response will be Teddy Bear Park. It's geared towards children 6 months to 7 years old, but kids of all ages have been spotted playing there. The park has something for everyone - a gazebo, amphitheater, climbing walls, two large sand boxes, multiple slides and even lift bridge themed playground equipment. So before the summer ends take the kids to Teddy Bear park and let them burn off some steam. Not only will they thank you, they'll also sleep much better at night. Teddy Bear ...Read More »

So you have to put your house on the market. The good news is that interest rates have plummeted, which makes it attractive for those shopping for mortgages. The bad news is buyers aren't breaking down your door. And you've got to compete. We asked an expert on how to be a winner in the house-staging department -- and added a few suggestions of our own. Let's call them the 10 D's -- the daily to-do list when you're showing your house. The overall key, according to Designed to Sell designer Lisa LaPorta, is making buyers feel at home. "When buyers ...Read More »

As summer temperatures lure us out into our yards, it's hard not to notice all those landscaping tasks we let languish all spring. When hiring a gardener is not in the budget, or when there is no gardening budget at all, here are some simple and inexpensive tasks garden experts recommend. Michael Podlesny, of Mike the Gardener Enterprises, says hay is a great mulch for your vegetable garden. [pullquote_right]"A $5 bale of hay works wonders for the way the vegetable garden looks," he says. "Put this down and it not only makes the garden look nicer but also serves a great ...Read More »

The Minnesota Home Ownership Center has released its Foreclosure Counseling report for 2009. This report provides a summary of findings from an evaluation of the foreclosure prevention counseling program. The complete report is available online at their website. Here are a few highlights from the report: [checklist] In 2009, the Minnesota Home Ownership Center’s network of foreclosure counseling agencies served a record number of homeowners, providing services to 15,868 homeowners. This represents an increase of 34% from the previous year. 7,771 of the homeowners (approximately 49%) receiving counseling services were able to avoid foreclosure. Foreclosures cost homeowners, lenders, local governments ...Read More »

Sweet corn is the perfect compliment to grilled burgers, and Axdahl's Garden Farm & Greenhouse has the best in town. Stock up on fresh, Minnesota grown green beans, tomatoes, pumpkins and other produce as well as hanging baskets, annuals, and instant color gardens! Located on the corner of Manning Avenue and County Road 12, Axdahl's is a family owned business. "We have lots of great employees from the area during our busy harvest season," says Leslie Axdahl. "Stop by for a visit, and you may well see one of your neighbors working with us out in the field or at ...Read More »

Borrowers who are determined to have the ability to make their monthly payments but walk away from their homes will not be able to secure a Fannie Mae backed mortgage for seven years after the foreclosure, according to a new policy announced by the mortgage giant this week. Fannie Mae will also take legal action against borrowers who strategically default in order to recoup mortgage debt. These would be limited to locations that allow deficiency judgments. According to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, one-third of all defaults are strategic. Fannie will instruct its servicers in an announcement next ...Read More »

Every year the best fireworks display is held over the beautiful St. Croix River in downtown Stillwater. Starting at 7pm the Dakota Valley Pops Orchestra will perform at Lowell Park while the St. Croix Valley Jazz Orchestra performs at Pioneer Park. Musically choreographed fireworks begin at dusk (approximately 10pm) and are simulcast on KLBB Radio 1220 AM and through a sound system in Lowell Park. This display always draws a huge crowd so make sure to come early to get a great seat. photo creditRead More »

Catch the all Chevy car show at Stillwater Motors on June 26th. Hosted by the Northstar Camaro Club, the 9th annual event runs from 10am - 3pm. The show is free to the public and door prizes will be given away. Anyone with a Chevrolet is invited by paying a $10 registration fee. The first 100 participants to show up will receive a dash plaque and t-shirt. Stillwater Motors 5900 Stillwater Blvd Stillwater, MN 55082 651-439-4333 www.stillwatermotors.com [info]Photo by Bobby Boullianne of BOSCBO Photography[/info]Read More »

Depending on your listing price, it takes anywhere from 45 days to over 2 years to sell a home in the Stillwater area. Absorption rate is the number of months it takes to sell all the current inventory, assuming no other homes are listed. Like most things in real estate, this isn't an exact science because it is based on a trend. Generally speaking, about 4.5 months of inventory is considered a balanced market. Where more is a buyer's market and less is a seller's market. The graph actually threw me a ...Read More »

[col_12][/col_12] [col_12]727 Norell Avenue N, West LakelandSold Price: $642,500Listing courtesy of: Edina Realty, Inc. [/col_12] 116 School Street E, StillwaterSold Price: $566,000Listing courtesy of: Coldwell Banker Burnet Read More »