I'll be away from the computer for a long weekend out of the office (back on Aug. 2), but before I sign off I wanted to let you know that on Saturday, July 29th from 4 to 7 p.m. there will be a special twilight home tour of dozens of houses for sale on the North Side of Minneapolis.

It's a timely tour because a private family foundation has just provided neighborhood groups with another $100,000 in down payment assistance funds that will be available for owner occupant buyers who sign a purchase agreement that is accepted on a home in North Minneapolis between July 29 and September 15. The deals need to close before November 30. These grants are a one-to-one match of the buyer's own cash up to $5,000 in total and are available again through Neighborhood Housing Service at 612-521-3581.

To help make the night fun and more interesting, several neighborhood restaurants are offering special deals. For details go http://www.livenorthminneapolis.com.

See you next week!