Pleasant Hill Summerfest July 31, 2010

This Saturday is Pleasant Hill's annual celebration - Summerfest. Bill is Parade Man again- and he has, with the hard -working help of others, lined up a extravaganza of a parade. It will start at Doan's park at 10:00 AM, go north on Pleasant Hill Blvd, turn east at Pleasant Hill Elementary. The parade will follow Oakwood to Shadyview where it turns north, then west on Maple, where it ends at City Hall. Be sure to "holler" at us, so we can wave and throw candy to you.

The parade is only one of the many things to enjoy that day. The full schedule is on Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce website. There's a pet show at noon, talent show at 1:00. The ski show at 5:00 is a great time to relax and enjoy Copper Creek Lake. Top off the night with fireworks. There's more- so check the schedule. Or call your favorite Realtors

Bill Eisenlauer 770-2455 or Bob at 979-2883.

West Des Moines Campus of DMACC

I took a class last week at the West Des Moines campus of DMACC. I had never been there, was not familiar with the area or the building, but was definately impressed. When you drive up to the building, it's street appeal is striking. It looks futuristic. The inside is equally impressive. It seems to have all the lastest technology in all the classrooms. It even has a Cyber-Cafe! I always enjoy learing something new and this was a great environment for that.

If you need some schooling on any matters of real estate, pick up the phone and call Bill or Bob. They'd love to be of assistance.

Bill 770-2455 or Bob 979-2883

Art Festival 2010

We went to the downtown Art Festival Friday evening - the coolest night. No rain, easy crowds, lots of fun and excitement. Here are some of the pictures we took.

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