Art in Des Moines this weekend

Other cities wish for a festival this grand. Don't whine about "nothing to do" in Des Moines. One of the country's finest art festivals is going on NOW. Today, Friday, enjoy from 4:00-10:00 PM. Saturday, 6/26, 10:00AM to 10:00 PM, Sunday 6/27 - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. If you don't have a budget to buy art - don't stay home. There are interactive art activities, live entertainment, performing arts, street theatre, food vendors (not free). In conjunction with the art fair there is a film festival competition. It is called Interobang Film Festival - that's where you go when you are ready to rest in air conditioning. The festival is centered around the Sculpture Park at Gateway West, downtown Des Moines.
If this mostly outdoor venue does not appeal to you, there is another art fair at the Iowa State Fairgrounds - ArtFest Midwest. There has been a controversy about the artists accepted at the downtown art fair - too many were from out of town, out of state, and more local artists should be featured. Hence a second art fair. This one too, is juried. You will see many more Iowa artists at this one. Again, many free and interactive activities. The big plus - Climate Controlled Building! With the forecast for temps in the 90's - this is a giant plus. Also lots of parking close to the expo building.
The Eisenlauer Team can't do pottery, paint, sculpture or sketch. What they can do - assist their clients in buying and selling real estate - they do as skilled artists. So looking for the artistic Realtor - call Bob @ 979-2883 or Bill @ 770-2455.

New Ice Cream Store in Pleasant Hill - Over the Top

How fun is it that Pleasant Hill is the home of a new ice cream/chocolate shop? Over The Top. The building is new - colors are pale yellow and purple. The owners keep the patio and inside area spic and span, the servers are courteous and helpful. All reasons why the parking lot seems to be packed every night when we drive by (and that's often since their location is 2 blocks from home).

For John's high school graduation party, we ordered the chocolate coins with his photo reproduced on top. Each one is wrapped in cellophane. They were a big hit.

Our neighbors hosted a child's birthday party there and said the kids loved it. Each one got to make a custom ice cream sundae.

The ice cream is all made on location, unique flavors - all Fabulicious! You must stop by and see for yourself - all the things offered and how irresistible it is. Right now there is a coupon for Father's Day gifts.

Two ice cream connoisseurs/Realtors on the Eisenlauer Team - so if you need advice about an ice cream flavor or real estate, please give them a call.

Bill Eisenlauer 770-2455 Bob Eisenlauer 979-2883

John Joseph Eisenlauer Graduates

Friday, May 21 was graduation ceremonies for 30 students from Grandview Park Baptist School. There are pros and cons of being in a small school - but Friday we heard the good things from the students that spoke. They reminisced about their classmates, their teaches and looked forward to their futures. The Des Moines Register caught some great candid photos and talked to the top 2 academic students in the class. Sam Walter was quoted, "These are memories I'd never replace...We're really tight, almost like family." Another high point for me, seeing the 8 kids that I did daycare for when they were toddlers - have become young men and women. My hope is that these will be lasting friendships that will continue to grow as they spread out into different avenues in their lives. Good Job Grads!

Top 12 Home Improvements

A survey done by HomeGain shows this list of the top 12 home improvements that will help your house sell quicker. It also gives the average cost of that repair and its return on investment.

1. Cleaning and de-cluttering ($200 cost/$1,700 price increase)


2. Home Staging ($300 cost/$1,780 price increase)


3. Lightening and brightening ($230 cost/$1,300 price increase)


4. Landscaping ($320 cost/$1,500 price increase)


5. Repair Plumbing ($385 cost/$1,250 price increase)


6. Update electrical ($400 cost/$1,225 price increase)


7. Replacing or shampooing carpets ($300 cost/$1,420 price increase)


8. Painting interior walls ($700 cost/$1,770 price increase)


9. Repair damaged floors ($650 cost/ $1,600 price increase)


10. Update kitchen ($1,200 cost/$2,850 price increase)


11. Paint outside of home ($900 cost/$1,815 price increase)


12. Update bathrooms ($830 cost/$1430 price increase)

If you have questions about which improvement you should make on your house to get it ready to sell, please pick up the phone and schedule a time with either Realtor on the Eisenlauer Team. Their experience will help give you direction on your to-do list. We also have a list of contractors that we have worked with that we'd be glad to refer to you.

BOB 979-2883 BILL 770-2455

Generation Y, Millennials, Echo-Boomers - Who are they?

Those born - roughly- between 1976 and 2000 are considered the Millennial, Generation Y or Echo Boomers. I have 2 children born 1979 and 1980 who seem to fit more into the Generation X group. Two more children, born 1991 and 1993 definitely fit into this Millennial group. They don't remember not having the internet, cell-phones or cable-tv. The "Generational Media Study" show there are 79 million in this group, compared to 48 million Gen-Xers. This is the largest generation of young people since the post-WW II Baby Boomers. They are already spending $170 billion a year (of theirs and their parents).

This group is high in un-employment, but since 1 out of 8 live with their parents - this doesn't seem to be a problem to them. Almost 40% of them have a tattoo, although 70% of those have them hidden under clothing.

Six traits of this demographic:

• Technology savvy - covered above.
• Optimistic, yet practical. They are prone to having specific goals, financially savvy, and don't like owing money. (However, they don't seem to mind living off parents) They shop for bargains or good deals at fair prices.
• Embrace Diversity. One third of this group identify as non-Caucasian.
• Belief in balance and fun. They like to be entertained, believe life should be enjoyable. They want responsibility but thrive on flexible work hours and creativity.
• Environmentally and socially conscious. They have grown up with the pervasive media environment touting 'green' and 'global' issues.
• Entrepreneurial. More than half of graduating Millennials believe they will own their own business in the future. Three out of four are from families with working moms, one in four has been raised in single-parent households.

All of these observations will make it interesting to see how our marketing will change to reach this youngest economic group. If these young graduates believe they will own their own business eventually, will that belief allow them to fit into their employers structure? Or will it make them rebel against the conformity expected of them. The fact that they are creative and fun-loving is bound to mean some exciting things to come in technology and entertainment. Whatever happens, be assured the Eisenlauer Team will still be ready to meet their real estate needs.

Bill at 770-2455 or Bob at 979-2883

How Do I Claim my Homebuyers Tax Credit?

You've decided to purchase a home and take advantage of the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit. Here's what you need to do to get your benefit:

First, you have the option for filing an amended 2009 return or filing for tax credit on your 2010 tax return.

• You must have bought - or entered into a binding contract to buy- a principal residence on or before April 30, 2010.
• 
  If you entered into a binding contract by April 30, 2010, you must close (go to settlement) on the home on or before June 30, 2010.

2009 Tax Return

• Purchasers of conventional homes should include a copy of Form HUD-1, Settlement Statement, or other settlement statement showing all parties' names, property address, purchase price and date of purchase.

Move-up Home Buyer Tax Credit - To be eligible for this, taxpayers must show that they lived in their old homes for a five-consecutive-year period during the eight-year period ending on the purchase date of the new home. For long-time residents claiming the credit, the IRS recommends attaching, in addition to the documents described above, any of the following documentation of the five-consecutive-year period.

• Form 1098, Mortgage Interest Statement, or substitute mortgage interest statements,


• Property tax records or


• Homeowner's insurance records.

There is much more helpful information on the government website. For Frequently Asked Questions, different scenarios and more - try this page. Make sure you have all "your ducks in a row" so you don't miss out on this tax credit. If you have any questions, give us a call. If we don't have the information, we'll direct you to the appropriate people.

BOB 979-2883 BILL 770-2455

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

Our team, Birdie's Bosom Buddies made an impact at Saturday's walk at Villages of Ponderosa. We had over 30 people wearing the green t-shirts with pink lettering. The day was beautiful - breezy and warm and the three mile trail wound through the residential streets of the housing development close to West Glenn. Thanks to those who supported us. You can still make a donation through our team page.