The Bartel Group Blog

Sunday, September 26 is World Rivers Day. It's an opportunity to appreciate and celebrate our local rivers and streams, and there's no better way to mark the occasion than by taking a paddling trip in the Twin Cities. 

We're blessed to live in a part of the world where numerous world-class rivers and streams are practically at our doorstep. If you're looking for a great place to kayak in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, look no further!

• Minnesota River - 101 Snelling Lake Rd., Saint Paul, MN 55111
  The Minnesota River flows over 300 miles across nearly the entire state of Minnesota before eventually emptying into the Mississippi River in Saint Paul. It's a gentle and placid river throughout much of the year, and sections of it are protected as Wild and Scenic River. Needless to say, there's a lot of great kayaking along the way. If you're looking for a paddling spot convenient to these St. Paul homes for sale, check out the beautiful Fort Snelling State Park, which includes ample river access near the Minnesota River's confluence with the Mississippi.

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One little number can have a big impact on your ability to qualify for a loan. It's your credit score, and if you do the following, you could see significant gains that can save you a lot of money on the Rochester homes for sale or Saint Cloud homes for sale you have your eye on.

• Monitor Your Credit
  Sign up for a credit monitoring service. There are numerous options to choose from that are absolutely free. You can sign up through many credit card providers, CreditKarma, and others. These programs make it easy to see how your score is performing and where you can take action to improve everything from your credit utilization rates to any negative information or errors on your report.

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Fall is almost here, the kids are back to school, and Sourdough September is upon us. Oh, you weren't aware of this month-long celebration of all things sourdough? Well, it's not too late to join in the delicious festivities.

But what if you're new to the area and don't know where things are yet? Any agent can find Minneapolis homes for sale, but can they tell you where the best bakeries are in the area of your new home? Likewise, there are a plethora of Saint Paul homes for sale, but once you move in, do you know where to go to enjoy fresh, hot sourdough bread nearby? We're here to help. Here's a list of our favorite places for sourdough in the Twin Cities.

• Aki's Bread Haus - 2506 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
  Hailing from Germany, Aki's Bread Haus serves fresh, hot loaves, rolls, pretzels, and more. One of their specialties is bauernbrot, a dark, German sourdough bread made with rye and wheat flours. Their location is temporarily closed, but you can still find them at various farmer's markets in the area.

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You did it! You've secured one of these lovely Glenwood homes for sale and are finally moving into your first house. It's a big step, and it marks a lifestyle change. Apartment living has its advantages, but it's time to move on. On the upside, you're moving into a place you call your own and get to deal with way fewer disturbances.

Moving into your first house can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. To help you out, here are some tips that will make the transition as easy as possible.

Closing the Door on Renting

Finally, it's time to end your tenancy. To ensure everything goes smoothly, there are a few things you should do:

• Give notice: Your lease agreement probably indicates how much notice you should give before moving out. Make sure you provide the landlord or property manager the stated amount of notice — and in writing. You don't want to end up paying rent for a place you're no longer living in.

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Playing disc golf is such a nice way to enjoy the outdoors. You can take your time moving from basket to basket, admiring the scenery on the way. Even if you have little to no disc throwing experience, it's an approachable sport, and the disc golf community is really welcoming. If you're looking at Minneapolis homes for sale or Saint Paul homes for sale, here are some disc golf courses to visit in the area.

• Highland Park Disc Golf Course: 1200 Montreal Ave., Saint Paul, MN 55116
  The Highland Park Disc Golf Course is a full, 18-hole course. Some baskets are out in the open, and others are set in more challenging, wooded terrain. The course is best classified as an intermediate course, but beginners can certainly have fun with it, too.
  
  This course is open to the public, and there is no charge to play. Highland Park has a lot to offer, so after your disc golf game, you can play horseshoes, enjoy a picnic under a shelter, let your kids explore the playgrounds, or walk the hiking trails.

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