We have all experienced something new in 2020. None of us have lived through a shut-down as extensive as this covid-19 experience. We can each think about what we’ve lost during this time OR we can think about positive lessons we’ve learned. Covid-19 has leveled the playing field. None of us had prior experience. It does not respect gender, income, occupation or living standards. We are all learning together. We can be divisive or find common ground. So many things in today’s world can divide us into opposing groups OR we can choose to find common ground. We were TOO BUSY. This virus has forced us to clear our schedule. Let’s count that as a positive. While, we might miss our regular chosen activities, there’s something calming about a simpler schedule. I think it’s a good time to evaluate what/when/how much we want to add back into our lives as regulations relax. We may find we didn’t miss some activities as much as we thought we would! Americans (Iowans in particular) are innovative. Appreciate and compliment the businesses and services that found new ways to serve and thrive in this era. Food delivery services are thriving, restaurants with drive-thru have people waiting to be served. (Dairy Zone, an Eastside Tradition is an example) Our local business owners have enormous hearts and generously give each other a hands-up. We’ve seen individual businesses giving others a shout-out and offering services together to give us a better value. How many “free meals” have you seen offered? Elder Corporation has sponsored many, in lieu of one big 60th Anniversary Celebration. How many “drive-by” parties have you participated in? We hosted one, and I must say, it was easy to organize, no clean-up and one Happy Birthday Girl! Zoom meetings have flourished – how fun is it to attend a business meeting in pajama pants! We’ve used it for church groups and I’ve heard lots of families using it as for social get-togethers. And on the low-tech end of the spectrum, simple things like jig-saw puzzles and board games are very entertaining and bring family members together. I think people are more apt to give grace and mercy in person than on social media – ahem….maybe spend less time on social media! Iowa Nice is a real thing! What are your observations? Would love to know what you’ve learned or how you’ve adapted to the “current normal”. And a real estate note – people are still buying, people are still selling. Call 515-979-2883, if you want to be one of them. 
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Year: 2020
We have all experienced something new in 2020. None of us have lived through a shut-down as extensive as this covid-19 experience. We can each think about what we’ve lost during this time OR we can think about positive lessons we’ve learned. Covid-19 has leveled the playing field. None of us had prior experience. It does not respect gender, income, occupation or living standards. We are all learning together. We can be divisive or find common ground. So many things in today’s world can divide us into opposing groups OR we can choose to find common ground. We were TOO BUSY. This virus has forced us to clear our schedule. Let’s count that as a positive. While, we might miss our regular chosen activities, there’s something calming about a simpler schedule. I think it’s a good time to evaluate what/when/how much we want to add back into our lives as regulations relax. We may find we didn’t miss some activities as much as we thought we would! Americans (Iowans in particular) are innovative. Appreciate and compliment the businesses and services that found new ways to serve and thrive in this era. Food delivery services are thriving, restaurants with drive-thru have people waiting to be served. (Dairy Zone, an Eastside Tradition is an example) Our local business owners have enormous hearts and generously give each other a hands-up. We’ve seen individual businesses giving others a shout-out and offering services together to give us a better value. How many “free meals” have you seen offered? Elder Corporation has sponsored many, in lieu of one big 60th Anniversary Celebration. How many “drive-by” parties have you participated in? We hosted one, and I must say, it was easy to organize, no clean-up and one Happy Birthday Girl! Zoom meetings have flourished – how fun is it to attend a business meeting in pajama pants! We’ve used it for church groups and I’ve heard lots of families using it as for social get-togethers. And on the low-tech end of the spectrum, simple things like jig-saw puzzles and board games are very entertaining and bring family members together. I think people are more apt to give grace and mercy in person than on social media – ahem….maybe spend less time on social media! Iowa Nice is a real thing! What are your observations? Would love to know what you’ve learned or how you’ve adapted to the “current normal”. And a real estate note – people are still buying, people are still selling. Call 515-979-2883, if you want to be one of them. 
What a crazy situation we are in, a defining time in all our lives. Our kids will see life with this as a reference point – life before Covid 19 and life after. There will be stories to recount to kids, grandkids, in history books and biographies. How do you want to define it? Yes, there are people fighting over toilet paper and disinfectant wipes But it is also a chance to see Americans shine and rise above the ordinary. I was reading a 2016 letter from Warren Buffet to his shareholders. Referring to economy, he said ” For 240 years, it’s been a terrible mistake to bet against America, and now is no time to start”. I like this sentiment for this time in which we are in. For every doomsday prediction and story, we can find a story of “Iowa Nice”. We are also a very resourceful people, thinking of new ways to do business. Some things I’ve noted.- I came home yesterday to an Easter bunny wallhanging and towel by my back door from a neighbor. Another neighbor left us warm roast beef in a container on the front porch.
- Zoom is allowing their platform to be used by nonprofits, so a group of us have been meeting several times a week for a visit and prayer time.
- Board games are left out and played often. On our neighborhood FB page, one family offered to deliver from their board game library to others’ front step.
- The local theater is offering curbside pick-up of a bucket of popcorn with an advance order.
- Girl scout cookies can be paid for online, then donated to First Responders in the community.
- Furloughed workers are offering to run errands for those unable to get out.
- People are putting teddy bears in their windows for kids to “hunt”.
- Nursing home residents are getting visitors outside their windows.
- Parking lot performances are being shared on-line.
- Colorful face masks being made in homes and donated to front-line workers.
- Our local Chamber of Commerce just announced a contest for chalk art!
Do you ever watch people and notice how many have an electronic device in front of them? Or observe a group of young people together, but individually on their phones? Have you joined the ‘one word’ movement? Each year, you adopt one word that is to dominate your choices, your way of living and shift your focus to one particular area. I’ve heard the word ‘Intentional’ in this context. Being intentional about your thoughts, your focus, your conversations. Well, I am going to challenge myself, and hopefully others to intentionally notice little details in our everyday life. 
Last weekend, I saw a vanity license plate on a car. It spelled BLONDE, but the fun twist – it was mounted upside down on the car! I followed (chased) the car till I could get a good photo. Then I posted it on Facebook. The owner saw the post and commented that she loves seeing people point, smile, take photos and that, in turn, makes her happy. Our family works in real estate sale, so I notice houses. Sometimes, I drive down a street that I’ve traveled often, and all of a sudden, I notice a house that I’ve NEVER noticed in the past. Then I wonder, how could I have missed that house all the times I’ve driven on this street? That’s what this is about – taking notice of the mundane, ordinary – appreciating them and elevating them by taking note, taking a photo, and/or simply appreciating them. 
Today, I stopped at a fun food establishment – Grateful Chef. It is located just south of the downtown area and makes ‘Grab-n-Go’ meals and freezer meals. This photo is of the salad I purchased for my lunch. Just look at the visual presentation – juicy red strawberries, fat blueberries, cherry tomatoes, seeds, lettuce and savory dressing. Now imagine the explosion of flavor, the contrast of the crisp lettuce, crunch of the nuts and seeds, soft texture of the fruit, the unexpected contrast of the sweetness with the savory. I appreciate the work that went into this salad, chopping the items, arranging them in a visually appealing presentation that said abundance, health and deliciousness! I plan to start Monday posts about Something-New-I-Noticed. I challenge you to see new things or old things in a new way and share with your world.And if you’re noticing a house that is For Sale that you’d like info on – call the Eisenlauer Team.
515-979-2883.
This is the 2oth year that Pantone Color Instutute has announced a Color of the Year. For the year 2020, the color is 19-4052, Classic blue. Laurie Pressman (Vice-President of the Pantone Color Institute) “It’s a reassuring blue, full of calm and confidence. It builds connection.” It is described as the color of sky at dusk. It is a return to a very classic, color, timeless and organic. Classic Blue will go great with the popular Farm House style. It’s like blue jeans for your home – it will go with anything you currently have in your decor. It will work as an accent wall color, a good anchor color for your kitchen cupboards. Or use it as accent in fabric, bedspread in your bedroom, or patterned pillows on your couch. The accent could be delft china pieces or indigo/white china or serving pieces around the home. 
As an appropriate contrast, Benjamin Moore’s color for 2020 is the First Light, as soft shade of pink. They release a whole palette of coordinating colors to go with the chosen color of the year. “The First Light is seen as a neurtral, subtle enough to go with anything, including beige.” I don’t think these two entities coordinate, but think about the walls of a room being the first-light-of-day pink with furniture the color of dusk – Striking! 
Another Color of the Year, is PPG’s Chinese Porcelain. They describe it as “a blend of cobalt and moody, ink blue that imparts calmness and restful sleep while also offering the spirit of hopefulness- a rare commodity in a restless world” If you are considering re-painting any room in your home – the paint company websites are a great resource. They show colors that mesh together to help with coordination. They each have amazing tools that allow you to take a photos of your room, then see it in a freshly repainted hue! Check out a few. Benjamin Moore, Pittsburgh Paints, Sherwin Williams, Martha Stewart And while you’ve got the paint brush out – Paint your front door a fun contrasting color. And if you’re prepping your home for a sale – Call Bob Eisenlauer 515-979-2883.Most of us go overboard decorating for Christmas – do it early and do alot. Then, when the New Year is here, do you transition easily to a winter decor? Or pack it all up and wait for the next decorating binge in the spring? I’ve been browsing blogs for some easy tips and hints for fun, easy and inexpensive winter decor. 
When our hours of darkness are long, a candle adds a soft, cozy feel to any room, not to mention a sweet aroma. 
Display natural elements like pine cones in the room. It could be a wreath, it could be in a bowl with greenery. Add some eucalyptus or evergreen for additional color and fragrance. 
Twigs, branches, natural unfinished wood are all economical accents, especially plentiful this time of year. Leave the branches natural, look for red branches for a pop of color or gild them with gold spray paint. The white, peel-y bark of birch is a textural addition to decor. Use a slice for a pedestal, use logs in a grouping. Here’s a link to suggestion on how to find it at a budget price. 
We all have lone mittens and gloves – gather them up and make a garland. Picture them across your fireplace – use a rope and vintage wood clothespins. 
A porch-scape is a great place to welcome visitors with vintage winter sports equipment. Picture ice skates with a ribbon, wood sleds holding a wreath, wooden snow skis and perhaps pair with aged galvanized metal containters. 
Nothing says winter comfort like flannel, and buffalo plaid is at it’s peak. Take a well-worn flannel shirt and make a pillow – DIY here. Or shop online for popular items in black/white or red/white. Would love to see and hear about your favorite winter decor, DIY’s and where you shop for them. If you’re thinking of selling your house this winter, these could be great staging ideas. If that’s your plan – call 515-979-2883. The Eisenlauer Team is ready to help. Coming next week – Pantone color for 2020
When our hours of darkness are long, a candle adds a soft, cozy feel to any room, not to mention a sweet aroma. 
Display natural elements like pine cones in the room. It could be a wreath, it could be in a bowl with greenery. Add some eucalyptus or evergreen for additional color and fragrance. 
Twigs, branches, natural unfinished wood are all economical accents, especially plentiful this time of year. Leave the branches natural, look for red branches for a pop of color or gild them with gold spray paint. The white, peel-y bark of birch is a textural addition to decor. Use a slice for a pedestal, use logs in a grouping. Here’s a link to suggestion on how to find it at a budget price. 
We all have lone mittens and gloves – gather them up and make a garland. Picture them across your fireplace – use a rope and vintage wood clothespins. 
A porch-scape is a great place to welcome visitors with vintage winter sports equipment. Picture ice skates with a ribbon, wood sleds holding a wreath, wooden snow skis and perhaps pair with aged galvanized metal containters. 
Nothing says winter comfort like flannel, and buffalo plaid is at it’s peak. Take a well-worn flannel shirt and make a pillow – DIY here. Or shop online for popular items in black/white or red/white. Would love to see and hear about your favorite winter decor, DIY’s and where you shop for them. If you’re thinking of selling your house this winter, these could be great staging ideas. If that’s your plan – call 515-979-2883. The Eisenlauer Team is ready to help. Coming next week – Pantone color for 2020
As we end one year, our team meets to review the year ending and plan for the coming year. We assess our activities, our expenditures, goals met or goals missed. As part of the process, I do a bit of research to see what ‘experts’ are predicting for the new year. I’d like to share some of my findings.- Baby Boomers are holding up the inventory in the housing market, as they live longer, work longer and stay in their homes longer.
- Millennials – will continue to be the largest age group of home buyers (37%)
- Electronic signatures will be more common with other digitized changes will be coming.
- New term – Hipsturbia. As urban areas increase in price, millennials will turn to suburbs and outlying communities.
- Trends to look for in Hipsturbia – more walkablitiy, 24-hr. amenities and strong school systems.
- Millennials are least likely to compromise on school and neighborhood (The features they most look for: laundry room, patio, garage storage and walk-in pantry.).
- Our inflation rate is low (1.8%), we are considered to be at full employment (3.6% unemployed), consumer confidence is high (95 on a scale of 1-100), mortgage interest rates low (possibly going below 4%). 2020 is going to be a Great year!
- New construction continues, but still a pent-up demand.
- The real estate industry has more new, untrained & inexperienced agents. (The number of agents always increases when the market is strong). Your home is often the biggest purchase/sale/investment that you have. Hire an experienced Realtor – like the Eisenlauer Team.
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