When Choosing Your Lender

1. 
   
   We hear a lot of talk in the news about the mortgage foreclosure problems. What we don't hear about is the predatory lenders that caused the majority of this "crisis". Here are 6 clues that the lender is predator.
   
   1. Excessive service fees. Common is 1 % of loan amount
   2. Teaser rates and baloon payments. You want to know what your rate could be raised to.
   3. Delayed closing. Unscupulous lenders may delay a closing until a more favorable rate expires.
   4. Overinflated appraisals. Higher values allow for higher fees to the lender - added cost to the borrorer.
   5. Prepayment penalties. Penalties for prepayment try to make it too costly for borrowers to lower their rate by refinancing.
   6. Unexpected settlement costs. These will make your fees at closing significatly higher than you were told earlier.
   
   Any of these situations should raise a red flag in your mind. If you have any easiness about your lender call us or other trusted professionals. The Eisenlauer Team deals with real estate issues on a daily basis,making us more familiar with these situations. It's unfortunate that a few lenders have caused such monumental problems. However there are lots of trustworthy lenders available.Please allow us to use our experience and knowledge to help you with your real estate needs. If it's buying or selling property in Polk County, or beyond..we'd love to represent you.
   

LOOONG Vacation...Color Trends

That was a long vacation from blogging. Sorry, won't do that again. I'm back, it's getting to be spring...and time for new birth! Don't you feel like changing wall colors and re-doing this time of year?? I was looking on line at color trends for spring/summer 08. Here are some of my faves.

GREEN Everyone is thinking environmentally green, and visual green. "green is on its way to a starring role as the newest "neutral" color. Mid-tones of fern, palm, pine and sage used alone or with clear blue or aqua create living spaces that conjure a sense of outdoor-friendly living."

BLUE Leatrice Eiseman of Pantone Color Institute "As a reflection of the times, Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspect of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast."

CREWEL In our high-tech world, we crave simplicity - warm rich colors of jewel tones, deep reds, browns, spicy orange and deep-toned blues.

ETHNIC ACCENTS Still a trend to accent with ethnic pieces..Asian, Indian, Island..you choose. It really livens up a room and reflects your personality.

One trend that doesn't change..Eisenlauer Team is still your local Real Estate experts. We'd love to help you buy or sell a home in Pleasant Hill, Altoona, S.E. Polk, or anywhere in Des Moines. Two full-time Realtors to serve your needs.

Ever Ignore a Prompting?

Amy Kolln came to our office last week and presented SendOutCards to the Eisenlauer Team. It's a great product for anybody who wants to simplify staying in touch with family, firends, clients or co-workers. You buy a "level" of membership that suits you, then you can log in to the website and create. You choose a card that fits the occassion, choose the text that you'd like to add, you can even add a gift card or gift of food to be sent with the card. Enter the recipient's name and address, push the send button and its done! The address is written on the envelope, it's stamped with a first-class stamp, the card is written in and signed in your handwriting. No more trying to coordinate shopping for the card, find a stamp, find an envelope...catch the mailman. That game is obsolete. Just make the choices on-line, and the card is sent. All for about $1 a card. Let me know if you want more info. Look in my companion blog for a bit more info.

Lions Club Soup Supper

The Pleasant Hill Lions Club hosted a Soup Supper Sat. night. It was great fun, good food, interesting conversations with a plethora of people attending. There was Potato Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup and Chili - all home made. AND some of the BEST homemade desserts that I've seen in a long time. I had the BEST carrot cake...it was thick and moist, loaded with nuts and topped with creamy delicious cream cheese frosting! Bob said his favorite was a moist white cake with pastel colors of jello, and topped with a light whipped topping. There were young dancers from the area that kept us entertained and drawings to keep us sticking around to see if we'd win. If you are interested in joining the Pleasant Hill Lions Club, give Bob a call. In addition to selling real estate in the eastern Polk county area, he's a member of the Lions club. They do a lot of service projects, including assisting people in purchasing hearing aids and eye glasses. Bob's Ph.No. 515-979-2883 Also, if you have prescription eyeglasses or hearing aids that you no longer use, please let Bob know. The Lion's Club International are able to recyle these.

Pella Recipe - Almond Butter Cake

This is a delish recipe - if you like Dutch Letters, this is more of the filling flavor, without the dough! It's from Sharesa VanAhrendonk - and she's authentic Dutch. I looked for heart-shaped foil pans, because I thought this would make a great Valentine treat.

1Cup Butter

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1/2 t. almond extract

1 C. almond paste

Beat these ingredients till fluffy. Then add

2 cups flour - beat on low.

Divided between 2 9" round pans that have been sprayed with Pam. Beat an egg white with a little water, brush on top, sprinkle with sugar and sliced almonds. Bake at 325 for 30-40 minutes.

This makes a delicious "cake" , but it's not a texture like traditional cake, and not like a cookie. It should look a little wet when you take it out..don't let it get overcooked or it will be dry. The almond paste is in the baking aisle at the grocery store. It either comes in a tube or a small can. I've made it without the almond extract (didn't have any) and it came out fine. Enjoy! Let me know your recipients reactions when you serve it.

This is a HILARIOUS video...Moms every where...

I was browsing on the web today, and saw this YouTube clip on someone else's blog. Every mother can identify with the sentiments...(if only I could talk that fast), and every child, grown or not, will hear something fondly familiar in it. Click Here

FREE MONEY...for your closing fees

We just went to lunch with Bill Walsh from Great Western Bank. They have a program that would enable buyers to receive a "grant" for their closing costs. This could be the deal to help make you a home owner! Give us a call, Bill @ 770-2455 or Bob 979-2883. OR go to our website , Eisenlauer Team and pick out a house to purchase! That leads me to my purchase for the day....I've started a companion blog to keep track of daily purchases. We all must do our part to stimulate the economy you know...we must spend, spend, spend! So I'll post daily something I've purcahsed and where...and maybe you'll be inspired to similar activity. So check out Boost The Economy and see where the boosting is going on. GO FORTH AND SPEND...I mean help the economy.