One of the most common things found on properties is what is called an easement. Wikipedia defines it as follows: An easement is the right to use the real property of another without possessing it... An easement is considered as a property right in itself at common law and is still treated as a type of property in most jurisdictions. Easements are usually used for utility companies to have access to install and maintain their equipment or for one user to have the right to use part of another's property, … [Read more...]
Vacant Houses for Sale
January 3, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Dear Owners & Listing Agents of vacant relocation properties, short sales and foreclosures: Today I showed one house that was completely unshoveled and a 2nd that was partially shoveled but very icy. In both cases I and my clients almost fell a couple times each. This is not a good way to get people to buy your house. The house that hadn't been shoveled at all didn't even have any tracks - a sure sign it hadn't been looked at since before the Christmas snowstorm over a week ago. How many buyers & … [Read more...]
A Perfect Minnesota Sunset
September 15, 2009 by 1 Comment
I was driving home last night and saw one of the best sunsets I've seen in a long time. Luckily I had my SLR in the car and was able to stop at Medicine Lake in Plymouth and took close to 200 pictures. Below is my favorite shot of the night. In fact, this is a total of 16 camera positions with 3 exposures each, for a total of 48 images that were blended and stiched together into an HDR image. I will update this post with a few other photos as I have time to process them but couldn't wait to show this one to … [Read more...]
Already Bruised & Beaten, Cities Take a Swing at Banks
January 18, 2009 by 2 Comments
I couldn't decide what title to use... the one I did or this one: "City Screws Property Owners When no one is Looking" - which do you like better? I recently received a bill from a twin cities suburb for a foreclosure property I maintain. Last year after it was abandoned and before I took over the lawn maintenance the city decided it was a "nuisance property" and hired a contractor to do monthly mowings. Between the contractor's fees and the city's profit fees the total for 3 mowings added up to over $1100! … [Read more...]
Need a Big Tree Now? Here's How
August 13, 2007 by 3 Comments
I lost a 50-year-old Weeping Willow tree to a wind storm earlier this summer. While I absolutely hated that willow because of it continually dropped branches into the yard, it did provide all of my backyard shade after about 11am. With this loss of shade, my yard feels completely exposed and Ive noticed that the house is significantly warmer in the afternoons. One of my closest friends in my office made a great observation of the differences in generations: shes at the start of the Gen Xer and Im just … [Read more...]
