This statement is so true in many aspects of our lives.  I was out Ice Fishing last weekend.  When I got home, my new Bass Masters Magazine was waiting for me.  After reading it from cover to cover...I started to make my list of the soft water season. In the mean time, My brother sent this cute story... A dad was taking his son fishing.  They were out in the garden digging some worms, when the boy picked up a creature with all kinds of legs. "Look at this one," he proudly showed his dad. "He's pretty cool," Dad replied, "But he wont work for  bait.  It isn't and earthworm." The boy was amazed..."Well, what planet is he from then, Dad?" Yup, it's never to early to plan! 01/20/2010

It is true.  We all like to think we get better with age, or experience.  It isn't always true, but why crash the party.This little ditty caught my funny bone. hope you enjoy. At the dinner table one night the wife commented..."When we were first married, you would give me the bigger steak and take the smaller one for yourself.  Now, you take the bigger one and leave me with the small one.  Why is that? Don't you love me?" To which the husband replied..."Nonsense, I still Love you. You just cook much better now!" I WOULD BE SLEEPING ON THE SOFA! Have a great weekend! 01/15/2010

736 Joes Lake Road, Cambridge is a new listing I noticed on the BEST ASSETS website. I have not seen the home come up on the MLS yet so this is a home that a lot of buyers might not know about. The link to the info is here: http://www.tenmanagement.com/listings/property-detail.do?list=2009-11-20&code=MN&case=271-889779 The initial bidding period ends next Sunday 11/29.  I have been finding a lot of good deals on HUD homes this year and this one is price below market value now.  So if you or someone you know whats to take a look at it let me know. Chuck Carstensen RE/MAX Associates Plus Inc. 612-290-3809 chuck@thediscoveryteam.com 11/23/2009

I am about to do some cold calling but I am procrastinating by writing a blog first.  I am not cold calling for Real Estate leads, rather I need to find a few extra softball players for one of our church softball teams. Cambridge Lutheran Church had two teams last year and this year a few more people wanted to play so I decided we would start a 3rd team.  I captain Team #1, but overall I coordinate the program so to get things going I need to make sure there is enough players.  I got a list of people I don't know much or at all to call from one of the pastors and this morning I am going to start calling.  I have not cold called for a while, so I needed to post a blog first to get me in the cold calling mode. Thankfully I don't have to cold call for real estate clients because its not so... 04/18/2009

Tonight, for the second straight year, I played the role of John in Cambridge Lutheran Churches presentation of "The Last Supper."    Thats me on the far left (almost faded out of the picture). I am two people to the left of Jesus on this one!  (I hit my script right on!!) -30- Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate.  He is a Dynamic Life Coach; The Discovery Coach- "Helping you discover your talents, desires and purpose." Carstensen is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (NOW available go to http://tinyurl.com/wakeupmoments).   04/09/2009

Cambridge, MN Real Estate...many deals for buyers! Its a great time to buy a home.  The proof is in the numbers.  $130,000 is an affordable home for many people. I pick this price because you can stay close to $1000 on the monthly payment.  There are also homes around $100,000 and with that you might be at $800/m on the payment.  At those prices you should be a HOME OWNER and not a renter.  Right now there are 59 active listings under $130,000.  There are currently 16 sales pending in that price range meaning the supply and demand is still out of balance.  Many of the active homes are bank owned.  This time of year its wise for the banks not to sit on properties in Minnesota heading into the winter.  Buyers its time to get out there and get yourself a great deal on the house.  Don't exp... 10/28/2008

Amazing how much gas prices have dropped!  Today I purchased gas in my home town of Cambridge, MN for $2.39/gallon.  I was on 1/4 of a tank and I had to force the amount to get up to $25.00 even.  When I was at my brothers in Rochester, MN yesterday I fueled up for $2.76.  I went through many other cities in the last two days and Cambridge has the best gas prices I have seen! Perhaps you can share what gas prices are at in your area?   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR A FREE COACHING ASSESSMENT CALL ME AT 763-635-7228 OR CONTACT ME THROUGH ACTIVE RAIN!  Please click here to subscribe to my blog . See the sidebar on the right to subscribe by email. -30- Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery... 10/18/2008

  Based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OF MINNESOTA, INCfor the period of July 1, 1007 through July 31, 2008. Participant in the *National Real Estate Stimulus Program* Buyers: Receive a CASH BONUS of 2% of the sale price up to a maximum of $10,000.00 after closing when you purchase a home with Patti Ann Kasper. Sellers: Your home SOLD in 39 days or less GUARANTEED, or I'll pay you up to $10,000 after closing!  That's right, a tax free cashiers check is mailed after closing, upon receipt of proof of purchase, and verification of identity.  Could you or someone you know do something with that? If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, call Patti Ann Kasper to find out howyou can receive your own National Real Estate Stimulus Program CASH BONUS!   For mor... 09/01/2008

Now this may not be the most conventional indoor pet, but I laughed so much a this rabbit that my step-son and wife have in the house.  totally potty trained.  Has a cage that when no one is around it goes into with out being told.  Nover jumps on the furnature or tables or counters.  ( I HATE CATS ON THE COUNTERS!!!)  Would I consider doing this...most likely NOT, but it sure works for them.  It was the most entertainment for the weekend!   08/25/2008

You are probably going to get a few extra softball posts from me this week since its tournament week.  So everyone who really wants access to the stats has access to them I am posting out final regular season stats on my blog.  Player Average At Bats Hits Walks On Base Runs  RBI OBP Bonnie 1.000 3 3 1 4 1 1 1.000 Chuck 0.741 54 40 2 42 24 38 0.750 Eric 0.667 3 2 0 2 1 0 0.667 Steve S. 0.636 11 7 0 7 2 4 0.636 Rob Whiteford 0.556 45 25 1 26 17 26 0.565 Chris 0.531 49 26 4 30 23 14 0.566 Greg 0.510 49 25 6 31 22 12 0.564 Aaron 0.486 37 18 6 24 16 8 0.558 Rob Willits 0.473 55 26 0 26 21 25 0.473 Michelle C 0.444 9 4 1 5 5 3 0.500 Jeff 0.444 45 20 9 29 15 13 0.537 Brandon 0.426 47 20 5 25 23 15 0.481 Kelsey 0.400 5 2 0 2 1 0 0.400 Al 0.370 46 17 2 19 12 13 0.396 Holly 0.296 27 8 3 11 7 7 0.... 08/11/2008

 Here is what is happening in the Real Estate Market in Cambridge, MN:There are currently 208 active listings and 145 of those are under $200,000.  Right now there are 18 pending sales and in the last 30 days there have been 20 closed transactions.  Of those sales 17 have been under $200,000.  Isanti County has one of the highest foreclosure percentages in the state, so many of these transactions are on bank owned homes.  There are still numerous vacant homes in the area.  Expect the prices in Cambridge and the rest of Isanti County to come down a lot more still in the future.-30- Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate in Isanti, Anoka, Sherburne and Wright County.  He is a speaker and co-author ... 04/14/2008

 Welcome to 649 - 13th Avenue in Cambridge located in the Heritage Greens development. The former new construction model home has been drastically reduced, far below tax value. This beautiful 2-story home features, 3 bedrooms on one level, 3 bathrooms, a large finished bonus room and a 2 car attached garage. The open floor plan is flooded with tons of natural light. Your finishing touches in the lower level will add even more instant equity.  Located close to parks and schools, Cambridge offers a dynamic business community.       Posted by Renee Johnson, ABR, SRS on 01/06/2008 05:01 PM  Comments 01/09/2008

SOLD...Welcome to 649 13th Avenue in Cambridge located in the Heritage Greens development. The former new construction model home has been drastically reduced, far below tax value. This beautiful 2 story home features, 3 bedrooms on one level, 3 bathrooms, a large finished bonus room and a 2 car attached garage. The open floor plan is flooded with tons of natural light. Your finishing touches in the lower level will add even more instant equity.  Located close to parks and schools, Cambridge offers a dynamic business community. View web commercial       01/06/2008

CambridgeMinnesota Real Estate Market Conditions We here at Team PROgressive continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends. Below you will find Cambridge’s real estate statistics for June 17 – June 23, 2007. New Homes on the Market: 10 Number of homes accepting offers (pending): 0 Number of homes closing (sold): 2 Number of homes Expiring from Market: 5 Average Days on Market: 21 To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please click here. If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Cambridge or would like to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give us a call at Team PROgressiveMike & Tammi VanGrinsvenG... 08/06/2007

CambridgeMinnesota Real Estate Market Conditions We here at Team PROgressive continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends. Below you will find Cambridge’s real estate statistics for June 10 – June 16, 2007. New Homes on the Market: 11 Number of homes accepting offers (pending): 6 Number of homes closing (sold): 5 Number of homes Expiring from Market: 4 Average Days on Market: 106 To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please click here. If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Cambridge or would like to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give us a call at Team PROgressiveMike & Tammi VanGrinsven... 08/02/2007

             What good will this do?Some local realtors in Cambridge, Minnesota are asking the city for a temporary halt on building new single family homes.  One realtor feels that a moratorium on large developments would decrease housing inventories, thus result in higher home values and benefit all home owners.Has the city done a demographic study to determine housing need in Cambridge?  Has consideration been given to determine the effect of too much housing inventory (which results in lower home values)?  Has consideration been given to how the real estate market will be or has been affected by new developments?One local realtor states "Anyone who has tried to sell a home within the last three years has felt the negative impact of too much housing inventory."The Cambridge City Admi... 07/06/2007

Anyone who is thinking about moving to Cambridge, Minnesota here are some details about the demographics of our wonderful town. I thought I would share with you. If you would like to know more about financing a home or would like to get in touch with a Realtor in this area I would be happy to refer one for you. Cambridge,MinnesotaPopulation:12310Major City:CAMBRIDGEHouseholds:4566County:ISANTIAverage Household Income:$46,596State:MNAverage Commute Time:28.8 Minutes Household DetailsTotal Housing Units:4860Total Households:4566Total Population in Households:11901Total Households with a member under 18:1776Total Households with a member over 65:1424Total Families in Households:3243Total 2-Person Families in Households:1322Total 3-Person Families in Households:711Total 4-Person Families in... 07/03/2007

CambridgeMinnesota Real Estate Market Conditions We here at Team PROgressive continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends. Below you will find Cambridge’s real estate statistics for June 3 – June 9, 2007. New Homes on the Market: 20 Number of homes accepting offers (pending): 3 Number of homes closing (sold): 1 Number of homes Expiring from Market: 3 Average Days on Market: 28 To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please click here. If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Cambridge or would like to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give us a call at Team PROgressiveMike & Tammi VanGrinsvenGre... 06/21/2007

CambridgeMinnesota Real Estate Market Conditions We here at Team PROgressive continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends. Below you will find Cambridge’s real estate statistics for May 27-June 2, 2007. New Homes on the Market:6 Number of homes accepting offers (pending):0 Number of homes closing (sold):2 Number of homes Expiring from Market:21 Average Days on Market:99 To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please click here. If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Cambridge or would like to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give us a call at Team PROgressiveMike & Tammi VanGrinsvenGreater Mi... 06/11/2007

CambridgeMinnesota Real Estate Market Conditions We here at Team PROgressive continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends. Below you will find Cambridge’s real estate statistics for May 27-June 2, 2007. New Homes on the Market:6 Number of homes accepting offers (pending):0 Number of homes closing (sold):2 Number of homes Expiring from Market:21 Average Days on Market:99 To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please click here. If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Cambridge or would like to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give us a call at Team PROgressiveMike & Tammi VanGrinsvenGreater Mi... 06/07/2007