Wordless Wednesday (Almost)--Vintage School Transformed

Last spring I drove past an old elementary school I attended in 2nd and 3rd grade. It is located in the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood of St. Paul's east side.  We lived kitty-corner from Mounds Park Elementary in a duplex that no longer exists due to freeway expansion. Yet this historic school house stands. It is one of the oldest educational building in the city and has been transformed years ago into affordable rental housing. The beauty of the old red brick school house brings back memories of our principal, Mrs. Winter, who monitored the lunchroom to make sure we at our beets or Lima beans before we had seconds on pizza.

Want to learn more about Buying or Selling a home in the north or east metro? Let me be your professional guide. If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of Boardman Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2015 www.terieckholm.com

Wordless Wednesday (Almost) I Smell Fabulous!

Cinnamon loves playing with ribbons and this one that came with my Christmas gift is no exception. She smells nothing like Coco though...and when your home is on the market it is important to remember that pet odors can make or break a sale.

Here are a few additional tips for selling a home with pets:

• Keep your pet well groomed to reduce odor, hair and damage caused by nails & claws.

• Get a pet bed for your dogs and cats. (Several are available at OLDDOGPAWS.com. It not only is more comfortable than the floor, it keeps dirt and sweat from their fur from going into the carpet fibers. Move the bed from room to room or buy a couple for their favorite spots. Pet beds are considerably cheaper than replacing carpet. Cats like beds too...especially if positioned in front of  windows.


• Have a proper sized kennel or cage for exotic pets and clean often.


• Clean all accidents immediately. Use special pet cleaners to remove odors and stains.


• Cover all exposed woodwork especially around windows. Pets love to jump up and look out windows. Use gates to limit your pet's access to soft wood floors like birch or cherry wood. scratches from nails will often require the floor to be completely sanded down before refinishing which can be costly.


• Avoid chaining your dog to the side of your house for long periods of time. Chains and bolts can cause both cosmetic and structural damage to your home.

• If your pet shows behavior problems such as chewing, clawing etc, address them immediately to avoid damage to your home.

 

Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

Wordless Wednesday (Almost) Divine or De-Vine?

I have always loved the look of ivy growing over a trellis and marveled at the beauty of home covered in vines. But when is a creeping ivy just too much of a good thing? 

This photo of a store front in Stillwater, Minnesota shows this ivy almost completely covers the brick. One has to wonder whether the vine growth could be damaging the bricks underneath. So, what do you think? Is it divine or time to de-vine this building? 

Copyright 2012 www.terieckholm.com

Wordless Wednesday (Almost)--This Job is NOT for the Faint at Heart!

Throughout the warmer months this past year when we traveled along 94 northeast of St. Cloud, Minnesota we had an opportunity to see power line construction and the lines being strung via helicopter. I was the passenger and shot the photos as my husband drove...Absolutely no stopping to sightsee! The MN highway Patrol watches diligently for those who are paying more attention to the helicopters than the road. These lines are being strung along the busy interstate while cars and trucks travel at 70 mph. 

One day while I was driving...not photographing...there were 3 people sitting at the tops of three consecutive poles, patiently waiting their turn to connect the lines. What a crazy job! Another day they were using blasting caps and there were explosions that fused the lines together. 

The process is amazing. The idea that someone could sit on top of a pole for hours is unbelievable. The powerline construction is halted for the winter months...but I will try to capture a polesitter in the spring!

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of RE/MAX Specialists, a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet or Homebuyers Success Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2012 www.terieckholm.com

Wordless Wednesday (Almost)--lolCat Ready for Winter! Are YOU?

Bundled up in his winter hat, our indoor cat is ready for the elements! This year there was snow on the ground in December and now our winter blast of subzero temps may make it's first appearance this week. (BTW this is WAY to early in my book!)

As Minnesotan's we need to be prepared for this weather with our winter survival kits in the car (in case we slide off the road) and extra supplies in the kitchen cabinets (in case we are snowed-in for few days). As a REALTOR in Minnesota, I know that I have been out in blizzards during past seasons either showing houses or writing up offers. We don't let the snow and cold weather stop us...but we are prepared.

So are you as ready for this early winter season as our "happy" cat?

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm 

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Beautiful Minnesota Acreage!

While beautiful farms with rolling fields of grain do come to mind when many think of Minnesota acreage, there are many other options for homebuyers. These photos were taken last weekend as we cruised along I94 near St. Cloud and yes, there were lots of farms along the way. But closer into the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area in Anoka, Washington, Chisago and Ramsey Counties where I do the majority of my sales, Minnesota acreage could be a smaller hobby farm, a mix of woods and wetland perfect for hunting or just a private two-five acre estate where homeowners have more "elbow room" from the neighbors.

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm

Wordless Wednesday (Almost)--Trying to Hide an Elephant?

Kind of hard not to spot this guy isn't it? Sometimes home sellers in an attempt to "stage" their home will try to camouflage the flaws with decorating. Putting a plant in front of a major crack in a wall or positioning a couch over a damaged wood flooring is not the best way to sell a home. It often looks no better than this guy hiding behind the tree. Buyers working with a good REALTOR will see through the smoke screen to the elephant in the room. Best advice is to make a proper repair from the get go!

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm 

Wordless Wednesday (Almost) What a Difference a Paint Job Makes!

BEFORE

AFTER

After lingering for months on the market with many showings but no buyer, my sellers decided to paint the exterior of this home. It sold in less than two weeks after the paint job and replacing the front and back doors. Does staging and updating work to get a sale? You betcha!

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm 

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Fast Hands!

Amazingly fast and expert on the job...That's how I would describe this chef at the Japanese restaurant Tappan Edo located in Epcot's World Showcase in Disneyworld. I tried to capture the moment but he was so quick, it was impossible to see his hands as they prepared our dinner. I am certain he spent many hours perfecting his craft before displaying his culinary and entertaining skills. Now as an north and east Twin Cities metro REALTOR®, I continually work hard to perfect my skills with the hopes of being amazingly fast at finding a home for a buyer (or finding a buyer for a home) but it is doubtful that I will ever move quite as fast as this!

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm 

Wordless Wednesday (Almost)--Hobby Farm Heaven in Columbus Minnesota!

Living in the country in Anoka County Minnesota can be like a little slice of heaven especially in the springtime when everything is just starting to bloom again! This beautiful bright red barn is just one of the photos I took for my new listing in Columbus (just west of Forest Lake). 35 Acres to call your own near Carlos Avery Wildlife Management area. Want to see more photos? Take the tour by clicking HERE!

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm 

Almost Wordless Wednesday--Vintage Como Park Polar Bear Circa 1980

2010 could be the year to move to a new home for many Twin Cities families. But people aren't the only ones that will be checking into new digs, Como Park will be opening its Polar Bear Odyssey on June 3, 2010. The polar bears’ new home is a definite move up from their starter-home caves of days gone by. I took this photo in for a college photography class in the early 1980’s. This was even before the cement cave with the attached pool where you could see the bears swim right up to the glass.

Looking for MORE photos of Como Park? Check out these posts:

• A Spring Walk in the Park in Pictures--A Como Zoo Tour!
• Photo Tour of Como Park Conservatory—Minnesotan’s Favorite Eye Candy!

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet , Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm 

Wordless Wednesday--Melting Snow Creates a Misty Minnesota Sunrise

Melting snow creating fog is a beautiful sight in Minnesota.

The view is breathtaking with a glimpse of the sun

just before it rises across a Ham Lake field.

Spring will soon be here!

Copyright 2009 terieckholm.com