Winter in Bemidji

The winter season is upon us in Northern Minnesota.  It may not be officially winter yet, but in my opinion when the leaves are off the trees, the ground is covered with snow, and temperatures are consistently below freezing, it means winter is here!  For many that sounds negative, but I personally love winter.  It is a time when life slows down a bit, we don't have to worry about catching every possible ray of sunshine and we can take time to recuperate and enjoy time with our family and friends.  Many people relocating to the area worry about winter.  Driving on snowy/icy roads, shoveling snow, finding winter activities, and staying warm are some of the many concerns buyers have when moving to the area.  I have found that if you are able to find some joy in winter it makes the 5-6 months of winter pass by quickly. Whether you are a long time resident looking for something new to do or brand new to the area here are just some of the activities you may consider trying out this winter to make your winter in Bemidji more enjoyable.

1. Check out the Bemidji Chamber of Commerce events calendar at http://business.bemidji.org/events/. Activities include Lutefisk dinners, free concerts, art festivals, ice fishing tournaments, and much more.

2. Go to a Beaver Hockey game at the Sanford Center.  Nothing says Northern Minnesota like Hockey! For the schedule of games go to http://www.bsubeavers.com/mhockey/

3. Participate in Bemidji City's Parks and Recreation programs. Sign up for their weekly newsletter by email  park.recreation@ci.bemidji.mn.us or click here for the calendar Bemidji Parks and Recreation Calendar

4. Go to Pecha Kucha.  It's an amazing unique area event that you would usually find in a big city, right here in Bemidji, Minnesota! http://www.pknbemidji.org/

5. Take a class through Bemidji Community Education www.bemidjicommunityed.com. You can learn to dance, get fit, start a new craft, take a computer class, and more.

6. Go ice skating or play hockey.  You can check out one of the many outdoor rinks or try general skating indoors. For the warming house schedules click here Arena Schedule.

7. Check out the Bemidji State University Outdoor Program Center.  You can sign up for activities or rent winter gear. Below is an example of their rates. http://www.bemidjistate.edu/students/recreation/opc/rentals/

Winter Gear	Hour	Overnight	3 Days	7 Days
Snowshoes	-	$5	$10	$15
Touring XC ski package	-	$5	$10	$15
Auger, rods, scoop, bucket	-	$5	$10	$20
Ice fishing clam shelter	-	$10	$25	$30

8. Go downhill skiing or tubing at Buena Vista.  You usually don't think of skiing when you think of Bemidji because of our relatively flat landscape. But we happen to be located on the Continental Divide which provides for a beautiful landscape!

9. Go Ice fishing!  You can rent your equipment from the Outdoor Programing Center or an area resort and head out on one of our hundreds of area lakes within 20 miles of Bemidji.   Click here to view the Lake Bemidji Webcam to watch the progress of the lake freezing.  But remember that the the DNR recommends the following new clear ice condition guidelines:

• 2" or less - STAY OFF
• 4" - Ice fishing or other activities on foot
• 5" - Snowmobile or ATV
• 8" - 12" - Car or small pickup
• 12" - 15" - Medium truck 

9. Visit the Beltrami County History Museum, the Headwaters Science Center, or the Headwaters School of Music and Arts for an afternoon of fun. Or for more indoor fun you could go bowling at the Bemidji Bowl, catch a movie at the Bemidji Theater, or paint your own pottery at Glazed and Amuzed.

10. Get outdoors!  Dress warm and enjoy winter.  Go sledding, snow showing, go for a walk on area trails or under the holiday lights by the lakefront, build a snow fort, play broomball, watch pond hockey, build a snowman, cross country ski or snowmobile on the many miles of groomed trails.

If you are still bored after all these suggestions, I have more! Bemidji may be a small town but it has all the amenities and opportunities of a big city....without all the traffic!  Bemidji is a wonderful place to grow, raise a family or retire.  All you have to do is open your mind and broaden your horizons!

FTHBFAQ

No, my caps lock is not stuck on... it's First Time Home Buyers Frequently Asked Questions or FTHBFAQ!

Q: How much money do I need to save before considering buying my first home?

A: It depends, but recently I have seen some buyers come in with as little as $500.  You should have at least $500 saved for earnest money and approximately $300-$400 for a home inspection.  Those are costs that a seller cannot pay on your behalf.  There are still 0% down programs out there like Rural Development and VA loans. And you can ask the seller to pay for your closing costs!  I recommend talking to a local lender to get pre-qualified.  They can let you know specifically what they'd like to see.

Q: Why should I buy instead of rent?

A: #1 Because it's cheaper to own instead of rent in the Bemidji area. With the college rental market driving rent prices up you can buy a similar home for nearly half as much monthly in a mortgage payment than the cost of rent. #2 Tax deductions.  You may be able to deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage and your real estate taxes on your tax return. #3 It's an investment.  Instead of paying down someone else's mortgage you can reap the benefits of home ownership buy owning your own home.

Q: Are foreclosures good deals?

A:  I would caution first time buyers on foreclosures.  There are often unseen issues that can not be detected that you will have to deal with on your own once you are the home owner. Foreclosures are typically sold as-is because the bank has never occupied the property.  They couldn't possibly know all the issues that could be associated with it.  The other problem you may run into is condition.  Many loans that are typical FTHB loans like Rural Development, VA or FHA require the house to be in good condition. And some of those programs won't even finance the home if it is bank owned.

Q: How do I choose a Realtor?

A: There are many ways to choose.  The most common is a referral from a friend or family member that had a pleasant experience with a local Realtor.  You can also choose based on qualifications, like experience, designations, and availability.  You will want to choose a Realtor whom you can work well with and who has the knowledge and experience to walk you through the process.  Buying your first home can be confusing and scary, since it is likely the biggest purchase you have made in your life so far.  But with the right Realtor by your side they should be able to answer all your questions and calm your fears.

If you are a FTHB and have more questions feel free to ask!  You can post here, call, text or email me with questions.  Happy House Hunting!