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Iowa Foreclosures are on the Decline and other little-known facts!

Author:myrna
Categories:Blog
The Iowa Business Record reports that the foreclosure activity in Iowa has declined to 2.1% of all outstanding home loans for Sept. The figures are from CoreLogic Inc. Our state is not amongst the best or worst (depending on your viewpoint) of the American states for number of foreclosures. Lenders completed 3,380 foreclosures in the state of Iowa during  Sept 2012. Trends in first-time home-buying – home ownership rate of 30-34 year old continues to fall. This is a critical age range to track because this is the age group that is typically first-time home buyers.  This is also the age-range that are most likely to be burdened with student loans. When this number begins to grow again, that will be a good indicator of economic recovery. Nearly half of the homes in the United States have inside stairs.  Renter-occupied houses are more likely to be without stairs. Here in the Midwest, 65% of our homes have indoor stairs. In comparison, the South and the West have 35% with stairs.  This has absolutely nothing to do with economic recovery and is only mildly noteworthy! Another totally useless bit of information – The average man in the United States weights 195.5 pounds. The average woman is 166.2. This is actual weight, not “reported” weight. If you want more information about any of these facts and statistics, don’t call the Eisenlauer Team. BUT, if you want to know about the local real estate market – we’re the go-to team!

Bill 770-2455  Bob 979-2883

   
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Shades of Grey (G-rated)

Author:myrna
Categories:Blog
There are so many subtleties with choosing a color for your home. We had our house painted this summer. How do you choose from a 3″ x3″ swatch of color, how your house will look!  It was overwhelming for me, especially since I do not see the subtleties of shades. I don’t discern whether there are blue, green, pink undertones.  Last week I put on a pair of black slacks with a navy sweater and thought they matched till I was in the car on my way to my destination. That’s why it’s important for people like me to rely on resources that have a discerning eye. I just read through an entire web post about the shades of grey, some have no undertones, some have warmer tones, and blue/green greys. Who knew that grey could be so complicated. This blog author recommends grey as the current de rigueur neutral for Now Home Decor. But explains that there is no Perfect Gray. So if you’re contemplating a color change, whether it’s grey or another color, buy the pint or sample size and try it out to see how it looks in your environment.  You can live with the small portion of the color and “try it on”. So many decisions, whether to spell it gray or grey, whether to paint it warmer or cooler. One thing’s for sure, it’s to buy or sell- Call the Eisenlauer Team. We’ll walk you through the options. (We’ll even give you color advice, if you’d like!)

Bob 979-2883   Bill 770-2455

 
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Free and Clear!

Author:myrna
Categories:Blog
I’ve gotten on the Dave Ramsey bandwagon.  “Debt is dumb, cash is king, and the paid-off home mortgage has taken the place of the BMW as the new status symbol of choice.” It’s really not becoming a disciple of Dave Ramsey, but a reinforcement of the common sense that is not-so-common today. People who survived the Great Depression knew how to make do or do without. When did we buy into the false premise that we deserve whatever  we desire, and need it now!  There’s a saying -We Buy Things We Don’t Need With Money We Don’t Have To Impress People We Don’t Like. Crazy isn’t it. So I was surprised when I saw the figures on how many of the 74 million homeowners in the US own their home free and clear?  What do you think the number is?  I would’ve guessed about 20%.  The figures from the US Census say 34% are mortage free. Over 1/3 of American homeowners have sensibly paid off their mortgage. That’s a pleasant surprise. If you have been thinking about refinancing your home- it’s still a good time to do that. And while you’re at it, shorten the term. If you have questions regarding this, or other real estate related issues – please give The Eisenlauer Team a call. We’d love to be a resource for you.

Bill 770-2455   Bob 979-2883

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Why MLS photos are essential.

Author:myrna
Categories:Blog

Almost all buyers now look on-line at houses before they call a Realtor. This makes good MLS photos essential. The goal of the photos is to showcase your house’s best assets, entice buyers to want to see your house in person, thereby getting the house sold at the best possible price.

Bright colors and unsual furnishings draw attention, but not necessarily the attention you want. You want the house to appeal to the widest group of people. You’ll want to “neutralize” your house. We want potential buyers to imagine their possessions in your house, not admire your possessions. The featured photo today is an ok photo of the sellers TV. Do you want to sell your TV or your house? Every Friday, we’ll continue to show you bad photos from our local MLS. Again – no names or address will be given in order to protect the un-enlightened.

The Eisenlauer Team will do their best to advise you in how to prepare your house to succeed in getting it sold. Lets talk shop.

Bill 770-2455     Bob 979-2883

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Freaky Friday Fotos – from our MLS

Author:myrna
Categories:Blog
Or What Not to Do!  If the photo isn’t the right size, don’t stretch it to fit!  Or how about this, hire a professional photograher to showcase your house to it’s best advantage.  I’m pretty sure this microwave is NOT 4′ x 1′. But it does look like a slimline in this photo doesn’t it?

For more information about how to best stage your house to make it appeal to the widest audience – consult a professional. The Eisenlauer Team is ready to help.

Bill 770-2455    Bob  979-2883

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Wednesday Review (on Thursday!)

Author:myrna
Categories:Blog
                          The standard Thai dish is Pad Thai – and its a good place to start if you’re unfamiliar with the menus items. My favorite entree is Vermicelli. It’s more like a salad, rice noodles, grated carrots, cucumbers, grilled pork and a refreshing sauce that gets mixed in. This is the best summertime meal, but satisfying all year-round. We also had a bowl of Yellow Curry when we ate there this week. Both were delicious! Hope you give Cafe Fusion a try. And if you can’t decide what to order – give Bob a call. He’ll give you his recommendations. Better yet- talk real estate and food – two of his favorite topics! Cafe Fusion  (515) 262-8488 1240 E. 14th St. Des Moines, IA

Bill 770-2455   Bob 979-2883

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Wednesday Review (one day late!)

Author:myrna
Categories:Blog
Our family has always loved to try small ethnic restaurants. We have a rule when traveling – No Franchise. We try to do business with local “mom & pop” businesses whenever possible – and eating out is no  exception. There has been a Mexican restaurant at 1704 E. Grand for as long as I can remember. We have eaten there often. Although the location stays the same – the owner, decor and menu may change. Right now it is the location of Taqueria Jalisco. It has a simple decor and  menu – walk up to the counter and order. They have photos of the food if you’re not adept at Spanish. I recommend the Burrito with Asada. It’s big enough to split!  It comes with sliced radish, a wedge of lime and a grilled jalapeno. Give it a try – and while you’re at it, have a glass of cold horchata or rice milk. The phone number is  262-0102. And while we’re on Mexican food – this weekend  is the Latino Festival. It’s downtown on the bridges. Sure to be some new foods to try there.

Or if you prefer to buy a house this weekend – call the Eisenlauer Team.

Bill 770-2455    Bob 979-2883

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Wednesday Review

Author:myrna
Categories:Blog
                    Comfort Cuisine – just the title makes you want to pull up a chair and dine with Uncle Mike. Located in a remodeled building on 6th Ave, Uncle Mike’s serves a simple, delicious and home-made menu of Bar-B-Que items. We had a Crush sandwich – Beef brisket and pulled pork on an open-face bun. For a side I chose – potato salad. It was creamy and a bit on the bland side for me. The sandwich – delicious and enough for two meals. Bill had a Southerner – a pulled pork with bar-b-cue sauce on open-face bun topped with cole-slaw, side of greens – all excellent. The decor is simple and clean, the staff friendly and courteous. If you like sweet potato pie and peach cobbler – I’ve been told they’re the best!  We’ll be back. Address: 1610 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314 Phone: (515) 244-6553 Hours: 11AM-8PM Mon-Sat; Closed Sun For opinions on food – we’re willing, but far from experts. For advice on real estate – We’re experienced and  professional and willing to be your Realtor. Give us a call.

Bill 770-2455  Bob 979-2883

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Central Iowa’s Love/Hate Realtionship with Des Moines Register

Author:myrna
Categories:Blog
I don’t know anyone who loves the DM Register and thinks they are unbiased purveyors of local news. They are the newspaper we all love to hate. The latest article to raise my blood pressure was titled “Realtors squabble over commission money, Iowa Realty trims amount of commission it shares with two competitors.” The title seems to imply there was a petty disagreement over money.  Read the article and see if the title represents the content.  Iowa Realty has decided to give NO commission money to Keller Williams agents that sell one of their listings.  That is not “trimming the amount of commission” that is bully tactics to ‘welcome’ the new guy in town. The mystery is how does this serve Iowa Realty’s clients? The client is still charged the full commission. If the selling agent is from Keller Williams – they get nothing. Where does the other half the commission go? In Bill Knapp’s pocket?  And the general public has no idea of this situation.  I don’t know who causes me more angst – Iowa Realty or Des Moines Register.  In this case,  Iowa Realty deserves the razzberry. It’s a greedy move that does not serve our clients, our community or our profession.  

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