Housing Rising

National Geographic found a way to help housing rise. It's not the price of the house rising, but the house itself. In a new show "How Hard Can it Be?" they tested the theory that balloons could be attached to a house enabling it to "fly". The structure was 16' x 16' x 18'. 300 helium ballons were attached, each one being 8' tall. The entire structure was 10 stories tall, launched with 2 balloon pilots and stayed afloat for an hour.

The Eisenlauer Team can't move your house with balloons, but we can help you move. The activity in the local market has increased with the arrival of spring weather and we're optimistic about the future.

Bob 979-2883 Bill 770-2455

Short Sales are Here to Stay.

Short sales are here to stay. Maybe not forever, but they are not going away soon. Have you been curious when you've heard the term, what it means? Have you thought it was a fast track to buying a house? There are a lot of misconceptions and frequently asked questions that we are prepared to answer for you at a class we are hosting. There are three dates and locations to choose from.

• Feb. 10, 6:30 pm at the Eastside Library, 2559 Hubbell.


• Feb. 17, 6:30 pm, Pleasant Hill library, 5151 Maple


• March 1, 7:00 pm Altoona Library, 1600 5th Ave.

Bring questions, bring a friend, pass the info on. Hopefully we can dispel some myths, answer some questions and be of assistance to you in your real estate needs.

Bill 770-2455 Bob 979-2883

What to do this weekend? Plenty!

East Village Promenade is from 5-9:00. You can shop, ice skate, carol, eat. Santa will light the tree at the Brenton Plaza, fireworks over the river at 6:15.

The largest craft show in the state will be at the Iowa State Fairgrounds this weekend. Friday, Saturday, Sunday - at the Varied Industries Building.

Four Mile Elementary has their annual Craft Show this Sat. Nov. 20 from 9:00-3:00 am.

One of the two winter Downtown Farmers Market is today from 11:00-2:00 and Sat. from 9:00 - 1:00 at Nollen Plaza.

Where and when is your favorite craft show or hoiday event? We'd love to know.

Tell Bill or Bob so we can attend your fave.

Bill 770-2455 Bob 979-2883

What to do in Des Moines? September 18-19

Saturday Downtown Farmers Markets - the season is drawing to a close, so don't miss it. Always a fun time- people watching, unique foods, fresh produce and handmade masterpieces.

Doors to the Past - Tour of Historic Sherman Hills. Every year there are different house, but one thing never changes, you'll be impressed at the details in these homes. This event is this weekend and next.

Sunday afternoon at the East Village is a new event - Sunday Bazaar. Come and enjoy the eclectic offering of handmade items from local people.

Tonite, Football Friday! Support your favorite local high school team!

If it's real estate you like, call Bill or Bob to discuss your options for buying or selling real estate here in the Des Moines metro area.

Bill 770-2455 Bob 979-2883

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.

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

Your Neighbors Trust the Eisenlauer Team

My post title is an example of Comparability as described by Tim Ash. His article in Website magazine also quotes Dr. Robert Cialdini for ways to create influence and trust in today's marketplace. Do you agree with his 6 universal principals?

• Reciprocation - we tend to return favors - so give in order to get.
• Scarcity- If its unavailable - I want it. Even perceived scarcity generates demand.
• Authority - If an expert says it - it must be true.
• Consistency - If people take even a small stand, they're likely to honor that commitment.
• Consensus - People look for 'social proof' of what others are doing.
• Liking - People are likely to buy from people they like.

Put us to the test, The Eisenlauer Team wants to be your local real estate experts. We're giving, we are unique, we can speak with authority because of our longevity in the Des Moines market. People like us and we're nice and dog-gone-it, nice is important. You'll like us. Ask your neighbor.

Bill Eisenlauer 770-2455 or Bob Eisenlauer 979-2883

Grooviest Realtors Around!

Monday night was the Annual Pleasant Hill Chamber Dinner. The theme was the groovy 70's. Bill and Bob were eager to dig out their old polyester and show off their style! What do you think? Who thinks with a big red nose and rainbow hair, Bill could be a clown?? One thing we know for sure - The Eisenlauer Team loves to have fun. They want your real estate experience to be fun and exciting. They are Easy to Work with...Hard to Beat! Call to comment on their outfits, with questions about real estate, or just to say Peace! Bob at 979-2883 Bill at 770-2455.

Many Musings

Does anyone else get tired of hearing gloomy national news? If we believed it all, we'd all curl up in a fetal postition! Real Estate is Local! There are great deals in real estate, the mortgage rates are still low...and most people CAN obtain a mortgage loan! The Register did an article this week about the local market being close to where is was one year ago. So call your LOCAL experts (Bill 770-2455 Bob 979-2883) and don't hunker down and hide. Life is good here in Des Moines!

Early OctoberFest. Beat the rush, celebrate Octoberfest in September! The Des Moines German celebration is this weekend.

Sport Season Lap The sport seasons seem to have more of an overlap. Highschool football and volleyball are coming to the end of their season. World Series is starting. And winter is knocking at the door of the MidWest.

My Favorite Season...

Fall is my favorite season. Some reasons why...

Color - love the colors of fall.

Walking through crunchy leaves.

Warm days, cool evenings.

Making homemade soup.

Peanuts and Candy corn, eaten together.

What are your favorite thing about fall?

The pictures are of Taste of Altoona. It was a fun night, we got to see a LOT of people and try some good foood.

Don't believe all the bad news you hear. Real Estate is local, and the market in Des Moines is not the same as the east and west coast. There are bargains to be bought and the mortgage interest rate is still excellent. Price of gas in down. Your favorite Realtors are still anxious to serve you with buying or selling real estate anywhere in the Des Moines area. Bill 770-2455 or Bob 979-2883.