Had a broker open in Eden Prairie, gave away wine!

Yesterday I had a broker open for my listing at 10760 Woodwatch Circle in Eden Prairie, MN priced at an affordable $299,900. Since food and real estate are my passions and I haven't had luck with food at broker opens this season, I used wine as my "enticement" to get agents to come and preview the house. I offered a choice of a bottle of $10-$14 red or white wine to the first 25 agents to walk in the door. Wouldn't you expect that I'd give them all away? Only 2 agents showed in the first 10 minutes as we anxiously awaiting more, to no avail.

My favorite mortgage broker Ken Horst, , hereinafter referred to as MFMB, waited with me, flyers in hand for 100% financing(yes, Ken can do this!) while we yakked up a storm over the state of the Minneapolis real estate market. We had held similar broker open houses in the past month for more of my listings, one at 17176 Padons Drive in Eden Prairie priced at $1,395,000, a fabulous 6100 SF artisan inspired lakeshore home with a 1000+ SF nanny quarters or apartment and another at 3973 Games Drive, priced at $489,900 in Minnetrista, a gorgeous, 2 years old, 3100 +SF two sotry with a double stairway and bonus room.

OK, so the market is not so hot. But, I've had the best spring and summer I've had (amidst all the "bad press") working with buyers, many of whom are from out-of-town. After 23 years as a broker/owner I've been lucky to get many referrals and out-of-town clients who have found me online. But, now it has slowed down and I'm only half as busy as I was 6 weeks ago.

What does an energy infused, enthusiastic, upbeat person like myself do when the market slows down? I work my listings and cook, sharing my tasty tidbits with my clientele and friends. As an example when I heard that Ken Horst, MFMB could join me for the broker open yesterday, I made him a special burrito to heat in the seller's microwave that he said was the "best burrito he ever had!"

As a health nut and cook, its always a challenge to make something very low fat that's loaded with flavor and density, leaving one full but not umcomfortable with the rewarding feeling of just having consummed tons of antioxidants, lean protein and healthy grains. So here you go for the recipe for one:

Jessica's Best Burrito
1 Joseph's Flax, Oat Bran & Whole Wheat Lavash (or any whole wheat large tortilla or roll-up)
3 oz cooked lean ground taco meat (I use the 96/4% fat lean gr. beef using any)
1 roasted green pepper*, sliced
1 roasted red pepper, sliced
1/2 roasted zucchini
1/2 medium roasted onion
2 slices fat free Swiss cheese
2 T. Pace Picante sauce
Shredded lettuce
Salt & pepper to taste

*To roast peppers, onion and zucchini:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Wash, clean and slice peppers. Leave skin on zucchini and slice the long way. Clean and slice onion. Spray a piece of tin foil with olive oil spray to cover cookie sheet. Arrange veggies on tin foil, spray once more and season with salt and pepper. Place in oven and roast for 14 minutes, turn over and roast for another 6 minutes. Veggies will be brown but not burned. Shorten or lengthen cooking time based on your oven.

Assemble in following manner: meat, onions, zucchini, peppers, picante, cheese, lettuce. Roll tightly folding over one end. Wrap tighty in plastic wrap. Microwave on hight for 1-2 minutes until warm. If you do Weight Watchers, this entire wrap is only 5 points and a meal in itself.

Roasted peppers and veggies are delicious added to pasta, sandwiches and baked dishes. I usually quadruple this recipe so that I have leftovers to make other wraps during the week when I'm on the run. It's a great way to get your veggie servings each day.

Off I go to a late lunch with a new friend and future client. I'm not only buying lunch but I'm bringing her two pounds of homemade granola, a topic I will discuss soon. Granola and real estate...huh?

If you want to see what's on the market, visit me, Jess Lyman

Happy Day!