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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Category: Des Moines Real Estate
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. 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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