KricketandMike.com Inc Newsletter

Twin Cities Real Estate Source

June 2011

Greetings!

This month I'd like to mention a book that I'm reading. It has been out since last year so there is a good chance you are familiar with it. I'm reading The Big Short, Inside The Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis. It's a New York Times Bestseller.

It is a fascinating look at the US stock market crash of 2008 from the perspective of how a few professional investors foresaw the collapse of the subprime market and profited by absurd amounts of money.

It's very well written and takes some complex financial terms and boils them down into understandable concepts. It's especially fascinating to look at how a couple of savvy investors saw what nobody else either noticed or cared to notice. The subprime market was built on a house of cards and was ready to come crashing down. They shorted the market and scored big.

Michael Lewis clearly highlights the incredible greed, incompetence, deceit and recklessness of Wall Street. I'm still reading it, but am left with the scary thought of "have we really changed anything".

Michael Lewis is also the author of Liar's f Poker and The Blind Side. His writing style makes this book read more like a novel than a financial text book. If you are at all interested in the market collapse of 2008, this is a book to check out.

Enjoy your summer. Mike and I value your referrals. Let us know if we can help you or someone you know with real estate.

Sincerely,

Kricket Opheim
KricketandMike.com Inc

101 Things To Do This Summer

Homeschooling.com

As much as your kids will tell you they can't wait for summer, the words "I'm bored," inevitably cross their lips - sometimes sooner than you think! While children do enjoy the freedom that comes with the summer months, they still like to have a little structure to their fun.

The following list of activities will help your family take full advantage of summer and help spark your creativity to make the summer all that it should be! Kids can choose any activity they are interested in and complete them in any order they like (your children will probably enjoy checking them off as they complete them). Some items require parental permission (such as adopting a pet) but others are suitable for kids to complete on their own. Some can even be done with the entire family!

To Read More....

Current Market Information

Statistics From Minneapolis Association of Realtors

Weekly Update:

Foreclosure Report:

Monthly Market Indicators:

Now Available

5443 Pompano Drive, Minnetonka

5443 Pompano spring

Executive style townhome located in a peaceful and private setting within a great development in Minnetonka. This lovely home looks back to green space, woods and wetlands. The end unit allows for extra windows and therefore great natural light. This is a wonderful home for entertaining. It has a large kitchen, open great room, expansive deck and a family room with a wet bar. This development is minutes from trails that connect to Uptown, downtown, Lake Minnetonka and the river bluffs. The highway access is superb without being intrusive.

More Information:

Photo Tour:

Offer Price: $248,900

Mortgage Minute

Rita Welton, PHH Home Loans

The start of summer is here, which means 2011 is almost halfway over. That makes now the perfect time of year to make sure your home loan is working for you.

Here are four questions you should ask yourself about your mortgage...

1. How does my interest rate compare to what is available today?

2. Do I have the right loan for my personal situation?

3. Is my mortgage well integrated into my financial plan?

4. Should I pre-pay my mortgage?

The bottom line is everyone's situation is different and the only right answer is the one that is right for your situation. Call me today to see if I can make your mortgage work better for you!

Rita Welton

Loan Officer, NMLS#341309

612-925-8423 direct

Rita.Welton@PhhOnline.com

This statement of current rates is not an offer to enter into an agreement for a loan at a specified interest rate or number of discount points or both. (In Minnesota: an offer to enter into such an agreement may only be made pursuant to Minnesota statutes section 47.206.) Current interest rates and discount points are subject to change at any time without notice to you.

Kricket's Korner

Tin Fish (a recycled review, but timely)

This month I am featuring a great outdoor spot to grab a bite in the summer. The Minneapolis City Lakes are home not only to great walking and biking but also a fun little "fish shack." Tin Fish is located right on Lake Calhoun at Calhoun Parkway and Lake Street. It is in the Minneapolis park pavilion on the northeast shore.

This is a seasonal place with walk-up service and outdoor picnic style seating. Don't be fooled by the casualness of the "fish shack." The food is fresh, comes out hot, and tastes great. They have an array of fish tacos, fish sandwiches, fish platters, salads and even a couple of burgers for the land lovers. You can enjoy your food with a cold glass of beer or a glass of wine. If you are in the mood for dessert or just a sweet treat Tin Fish offers ice cream cones, sundaes and root beer floats.

While there are several menu items to choose from, it is difficult for me to opine about all of them. I'm quite predictable at the "shack"; mahi tacos, waffle fries and a Fat Tire beer are my regular fare.

Tin Fish is extremely popular especially on a warm summer night. The kitchen is small and the line can be long. My suggestion is to go early and go expecting a bit of a wait. There is great "people watching" to help you pass the time. Another suggestion is to rent a canoe, kayak or paddle boat and then have a nice lunch or dinner after you explore a few of Minneapolis' scenic lakes. Tin Fish is open from Memorial Day through October (depending on the weather). I highly suggest giving it a try before our warm weather changes back to snow. Yikes, did I say that? Enjoy!