ITASCA MLS SYSTEM

As of June 25, 2008 ITASCA MLS SYSTEM reports the following:

There are currently
1529 properties for sale, there are
225 properties sold since January 1, 2008 and
62 are sold but the sales are not finalized.

It gives you an idea about the market. It seems that between the 40 degree weather, rain and price of gas, our market did slow down. As the nice weather is finally here, the market is moving again. Let’s hope that the price of gas will cooperate too and those prices will go down!

NOTE: MLS STANDS FOR "MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE" 

Home Exterior - Low-Cost Ways to Spruce it Up

Make your home more appealing for yourself and potential buyers with these quick and easy tips:

• Trim bushes so they don’t block windows or architectural details.
• Mow your lawn, and turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes before the showing to make the lawn sparkle.
• Put a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch.
• Install new doorknobs on your front door.
• Repair any cracks in the driveway.
• Edge the grass around walkways and trees.
• Keep your garden tools and hoses out of sight.
• Clear toys from the lawn.
• Buy a new mailbox.
• Upgrade your outside lighting.
• Buy a new doormat for the outside of your front door.
• Clean your windows, inside and outside.
• Polish or replace your house numbers.
• Place a seasonal wreath on your door.

Your Credit Score

• ARE YOU READY TO BUY A HOME?
  
• HOW IS YOUR CREDIT? 
• ARE YOU  CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CREDIT SCORE?

Here are 5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score

Credit scores range between 200 and 800, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage.
The following factors affect your score:

• Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also impact your history.
• How much you owe.  If you owe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, it’s a good thing if you have a good proportion of balances to total credit limits.
• The length of your credit history. In general, the longer you have had accounts opened, the better. The average consumer's oldest obligation is 14 years old, indicating that he or she has been managing credit for some time, according to Fair Isaac Corp., and only one in 20 consumers have credit histories shorter than 2 years.
• How much new credit you have. New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay them promptly.
• The types of credit you use. Generally, it’s desirable to have more than one type of credit — installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example.

For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score, visit www.myfico.com.

www.operationminnesotanice.com

I am proud to announce that Pengilly will be part of Operation Minnesota Nice (OMN). We may have different views about the war that is going on but, I believe or want to believe, that we all care about our soldiers that are abroad.  Care packages will be sent once a month via the Pengilly Booster Club directly to them. Cash donations of less than $200 can be accepted by Janet. You can also drop-off goods directly to the Booster Club. I invite you to look on the web site listed above for more information, such as items that soldiers would like or need. Keep in mind  it will take a month for a soldier to receive the package.

The OMN Pengilly group packaging will be the first Tuesday of each month at the Pengilly Community Center at 6 pm. Anyone interested in volunteering contact Janet Nyhus 218-885-2684

Packaging dates are :

• July 1, 2008
• August 5, 2008
• September 2, 2008
• October 7, 2008
• November 4, 2008
• December 2, 2008

One of our own…
Junell Podominick is one of us and had the following to say…

Your health is your wealth. You could be hospitalized because of an accident or sickness. With injuries or illness sometimes come disabilities. Your peace of mind is important and Combined Insurance can help. Combined Insurance offers accident protection, disability income protection and sickness protection policies. Combined Insurance also offers cancer assistance protection. We believe these will interest you.

For details call your local agent, Junell Podominick at
218-208-8890 or by email, podominick@aim.com.
Visit the website at www.combined.com