Man, I love this stuff…watching a market…I must admit that in almost 29 years of selling real estate did I ever get so close to the data that it consumes oneself.

Working and observing a real estate market has obviously grabbed my soul for a long time. This job is definitely the most difficult thing I have ever done…even more so than my 4 years in the Marine Corps. You see, the military tells you when to go to bed, when to get up, when to eat…there is always a mission. In the real estate business, there is always the exact opposite…aka-lack of a mission.

My relentless personality has been my strong suit…enough of that…

you may want to print this article, I basically read these numbers to say that we are going to leave the bottom of the market pretty soon. Read the data, draw your own conclusions.

Source: Wells Fargo Securities

Douglas County Hospital.Alexandria, MN Clinic merger

The twists and turns of the medical world will never cease. What an evolving business…let’s see where this goes.

Source: Alexandria, MN Echo Press

Construction Spending Increases in 2011

It appears that the overall slide in construction spending has stopped, for now. I am going to suspect that you will see modest increases as time goes. The cataclysmic rise (and eventual fall) will probably elude us for the next decade for a lot of reasons. But this is a good, steady market…one that is normal for real estate. I have seen this market most prevalently in my 29 year career.

Don’t Wait to Buy Real Estate, Buy Real Estate and Wait!

Alexandria MN AEDC Annual Report. PART ONE

Alexandria MN AEDC Annual Report. PART TWO

Alexandria MN AEDC Annual Report. PART THREE

Thanks again to the Alexandria MN Area Economic Development Commission. Another great year!

Source: Alexandria MN Area Economic Development Commission

Source: Conference Board

What another great addition to the community. The folks who envisioned this school 40+ years ago…well, lets jsut say thank you for your contribuition to the Alexandria, MN community.

The Alexandria, MN School Board members unanimously approved the schematic design drawings for the new high school.

The vote occured at the Board’s meeting on Monday.

The design includes elements such as the two three-story learning communities, the performing arts center that consists of a theatre with a seating capacity of nearly 1,100, an activities wing that incorporates five main gynasiums, and a central student commons area that serves as the heart of the school. The design capacity for the entire facility is for 1400 students.

(see attached document for rest of story)

Way to go, anxiously awaiting the day for this to be open for business.News Release for New High School

Source: Alexandria, MN Echo Press

A piggyback to the article earlier this week, the housing vacancy problem may be the biggest issue for some parts of the country. My best street guess is that the Alexandria market does not have this problem to the severity as some parts of the country. Again, the migration of people from areas that are losing jobs/people (aka, small midwestern towns that were built around agriculture) to larger metro/regional markets will tend to vacate some areas quicker than ever.

Source: Wells Fargo Securities

This author said two to three years, at least, before markets are back into balance. All of the general market data I am aware of. The author is manager of regional economics for the National Association of Realtors. His access to market data is extensive. I think that 2 to 3 years is accurate. We just went through 4 years of a recession (2008-2011).

Source: National Association of Realtors

Jobs…that’s what this country needs…too many left. Buy American.

Source: National Association of Realtors