Minnesota, what a place to live!

About three months ago I had the pleasure of chatting on the phone for about 1/2 an hour with a prospective relocating buyer. Now this buyer was potentially moving from Chicago but was concerned about our climate. She was very unaware of the similarities in the climate of our two communities so much so that I think she was trying to get me to answer whether we had grass or if she would need cleats for her ice boots year round! Where did she say she was moving from?!

She continued to ask me about local activities and if there was anything to do up here. If you know me well, you know I passionately talk about a lot of things but when it comes to knowing this great state that I grew up in, I get a little juiced up when I get to share my knowledge.

I have to tell you, after some recent events in my life, I wish I had the chance to talk with her for the first time all over again. If I had that chance, I would share these three experiences with her:

Experience #1: The Minnesota State High School League Boys Basketball Tournament.

The B-Ball Tourney is nothing new for me, in fact, my dad and I were talking and we have only missed one year since I was a freshman in high school. We were on a family vacation out of state the year we missed. That means dad and I have shared our annual tradition for 18 years. Wow, how time flies. This year was one of the best sets of games we have seen in recent years. Every year it seems we talk about the Red Lake vs. Wabasso game that we witnessed during the late 90's. It was a multiple overtime game with both teams scoring in the 100's. I don't think any game will ever top that one! Minnesota puts on quite a tournament every year featuring some very good teams.

Experience #2: My daughter in the great outdoors in March.

We have been having a very early spring complete with some temps in the 70's but the day I witnessed my daughter on her scooter on our driveway, the temps were more February like than June like. She decided she should put on her snow boots and helmet and ride around the driveway a bit. Now this normally would have been a great March activity if her main article of clothing wasn't a leotard. I think the neighbors were pretty close to calling someone. Note for my new Chicago friend: In Minnesota you can get by with hopping on your scooter in March in snow boots and a leotard.

Experience #3: Target Field (And the Twins too!)

Wow! Did I say wow? After painfully sitting for years in the blue plastic seats of the Metrodome which are more appropriately positioned for a monster truck rally, the fans of the Minnesota Twins are in for a treat that may just bring a tear to the eye. My brother-in-law Brad and I witnessed this past Saturday's Twins exhibition game at Target Field against the Cardinals. The weather could not have been more perfect. The food was great, the seats were pointed at home plate, and we got to see multiple jet airliners pass between us and the occasional white fluffy cloud in the mostly bright blue sky. There are so many perfectly planned little details around the stadium.  One of my favorites was seeing the photos of all of the fans and small town ball fields throughout Minnesota at the Town Ball Tavern. If you haven't made plans yet to see the stadium, make sure you make it a priority this year. You can still get tickets at the Twins official website or you can visit stubhub.com to buy tickets from a season ticket holder.

Don't forget, you don't have to be a relocating buyer to take advantage of and appreciate all our state has to offer. I have already been having a blast in 2010 and we haven't even gotten the boat out yet!

Leave a comment and share with me some of your favorite Minnesota experiences!

I've Got the Fever...

And the only cure is more cow bell.  Oh, wait, that is a Saturday Night Live Skit.  I think the real cure for my fever is going to be a trip to Target Field.  It seems every where I turn or whoever I talk to the topic these days seems to be on our Minnesota Twins and their new stadium that they will be debuting this coming weekend with a couple of exhibition games.

Speaking of Twins, yes that is right; your NewmanSellsHomes.com spring magnet is on the way featuring your Minnesota Twins’ 2010 schedule!

It became quite apparent over the last few years that this little tradition of sending out Vikings and Twins magnets has a bit of an impact on my “fan base.”   For example, this last summer/fall I was a bit behind on getting my Vikings magnets out.  I received a phone call from one of my past clients making sure I hadn’t forgotten to send their Vikings magnet to them. This last week I had a similar experience. I was at a funeral visitation and I had one of my long time magnet recipients come up to me and ask where his Twins schedule was.  I’m not sure how you feel about my real estate related mailers but I know one thing for sure, if I didn’t send out the sports magnets I might have an uprising on my hands.

Have no fear, you have my commitment that the annual Twins and Vikings magnets that I send out will be coming your way until I retire or someone stops me from sending them out.  Whichever comes first.

If you aren’t currently on my mailing list and would like to be added, shoot me an email with your phone, email, and mailing address and I will gladly add you to my list.  Here is to another successful Twins season and the beginning of a new era for our Minnesota team!

Trees for Toys 2009

This past Saturday, our office and company held our annual Trees for Toys open house.  This event has become an absolutely fantastic event for so many reasons. We get a chance to reconnect with our past clients, friends, and family; we share a little holiday spirit while enjoying some goodies; and we collect toys for Toys for Tots which benefit children, teens, and families in need.

So how does it work you might ask? Each agent in the office has the opportunity to purchase a tree or wreath for their past clients or anyone they would like. The agent then invites the client to pick up the tree or wreath and join us for a holiday open house complete with goodies, Santa, face painting, temporary tattoos, plus much more. We ask everyone to bring a toy to be donated to Toys for Tots if they are so inclined.








This year we were able to add a new element to our party which was the addition of two Marines who joined us on behalf of the Marine's Toys for Tots program.

 My wife Jessi took the photos of all of the kids who sat on Santa's lap including my troop.

She also got to snap a few photos of big kids as well.  My dad got in on the action on this one!

Our day was another huge success.  In the end we collected 252 toys between 10am-2pm this past Saturday. Santa even took a photo with our collection.

If you are in the Shakopee area next year on the first Saturday of December, please stop by and join us for the party. I would like to thank everyone who joined us this past Saturday for your generous toy donations.

Don't forget, we are collecting toys right up until December 20th so if you would like to donate, stop by my office anytime.  We are located at 8170 Old Carriage Court in Shakopee.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Won't You Be My Neighbor...

Looking for a very clean nicely updated 2-story in a fantastic neighborhood?  Oh wait, it's my neighborhood!

Click here to check out the virtual tour of 1808 Alden Avenue in Shakopee.

Call or email me to schedule a private showing of this 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2002 built home priced at $259,800!

Have a great week!

Potential Tax Credit Extension

There has been speculation and rumblings about the potential tax credit extension so I thought I would post an update on what I know as of today.

If you would rather watch the 6 minute video from the Minnesota Association of Realtors click here.

In case you would rather take a couple of minutes to read, here is my brief recap:

Legislation would:

• Extend current 1st time home buyer tax credit of $8,000 from December 1st, 2009 thru April 30th, 2010.
• Expand tax credit to anyone who has lived in their home for at least 5 years in the amount of $6250 also thru April 30th, 2010.
• The extention and expansion listed above would require contracts (purchase agreements) to be on a home by April 30th, 2010 with a closing date within 60 days of the 30th of April.

Remember, the extension and expansion above has not yet passed but it looks like it is well on its way.  Stay tuned for updates right here at NewmansNeighborhood as they become available.

Have a great week!

Adopt-A-Highway

I thought I would share with you a couple of photos of my new team beautifying the roadways in Scott County!

Our Coldwell Banker Burnet - Scott County office that I manage is involved with several organizations/events that give back to the communities in which we live, work, and play.

One of our projects includes Adopt-A-Highway.  We have a 2 mile section of County Road 16 in Savage.

Our group of about 20 was able to tackle our stretch of road in about 30 minutes this year!  Great team work!

Our current project is collecting food items for the Scott County CAP agency food shelf.  If you get a chance, we would love to have you stop by with a food item. We are located at 8170 Old Carriage Court in Shakopee.

Have a great weekend!

A rainy but successful tailgating party!

The weather could have been a bit better but nevertheless we had a very successful tailgating party.

As you can see from the pictures, we had a steady rainfall during the entire event.  Thankfully I have done quite a bit of tailgating during my Vikings season ticket ownership days so I was well prepared for the elements.

Yep, that's the official NewmanSellsHomes.com tailgating tent that I am grilling under in the 2nd photo.

Despite the weather and throwing the event together at the last minute, we had 29 people show up and 52 items were donated to the Scott County CAP Agency food shelf. 

Thank you to everyone for your food donations and for stopping by to share a brat and some football talk. I am already planning the same event for next year but I am going to plan a little more in advance and I am going to order some better weather. My goal is 100 people next year!

On a side note, I am wearing my Favre jersey to antagonize Larry who lives in the house you see in the background of the photo above.  He is a huge Packer fan!

Thanks again to everyone for your support!  Enjoy another Vikings season and Skol Vikings!

Tailgating is still on!!!

Oh what to do?  A little rain shouldn't stop some good old fashioned tailgating should it?  I have all the food and hope to collect some food items for the Scott County CAP Agency Food Shelf so I say let's do it!

Don't worry, I am setting up a tent at the edge of the garage and will have our garage open so everyone can stand in the garage and eat, drink, and be merry all while staying dry!

Please still plan on coming and enjoy some pre-game fun less a few outdoor games and football tosses.

See you tonight between 5-7pm!!!

Border Battle!

No rain yet!  We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the tailgating event this evening!

Are You Ready For Some Tailgating...

If you know me well (or no me a little) you know that I am a huge Vikings fan. Nothing thrills me more than the fact that we now have Brett Favre on our team and we are playing the Packers this week!

In honor of this big event which includes Favre playing his former team for the first time, I wanted to concoct an idea that would allow me to have some fun in preparation for and in anticipation of the big game while giving back to the community in which I work, live, and play.

Our Coldwell Banker Burnet office recently became an official drop off site for the Scott County CAP agency food shelf so I thought there couldn't be a better way to get people involved then having a tailgating party to benefit the food shelf.

So here is the plan: NewmanSellsHomes.com will sponsor a tailgating event right before the game and provide Brats, hotdogs, chips, and beverages. We are asking that anyone who attends bring a food shelf item that we will donate to the local CAP agency.

For more information on the CAP agency or to check out what type of items are needed for their food shelf, visit their website at www.capagency.org.

If you live in or around the Shakopee area and are interested in attending this coming Monday, text or call me at 612.719.9245 and I will get you more information on our little party.