What blog do you read every day?

Do you have a blog you read everyday? I'd love to check out your favorites.
I love statistics and found a fun blog, Demo Memo, that has numbers about a variety of everyday things.

• 21% of school age children speak a language other than English at home.


• 65.1% of the U.S. population are renters.


• 80% of 18-24 yr. olds are on Facebook.


• 42% of college graduates get their news from the internet.


• Asian women birth 1.96 children in their lifetime.


• 34% of Americans believe the Bible is the actual word of God.

I'm one of the 34% in my age range that are on Facebook, so I usually check in there daily.

Swaggrabber.com is a fun place to check for current deals and coupons.

Would love to take a look at your daily stops on the internet.

For Real Estate info, the best resource is still the Eisenlauer Team.

Bill 770-2455 Bob 979-2883

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

Real Estate and Trust

A headline in Sunday's Register read "mortgage fallout erodes lifetime of trust and confidence." It lists several areas of blame. I think I could make my own list, just citing common sense. No document loans? Drive-by appraisals? Nothing down? Why did any of these things ever seem like a good idea? And now the latest debacle - robo-signing foreclosures. The register article calls it "the most blatant abuse of trust yet. But it is also the easiest to fix. All the banks have to do is go back and actually do the work."

Another Register article from Nov. 3 quotes co-president of Wells Fargo Mortgage in Des Moines, Cara Heiden, "Home ownership is still valued by American families. When families own their own home, they feel rooted, they're safer, children do better in school, with higher rates of high school and college graduations. Housing is critical to the U.S. economy, contributing 15-20 percent of our country's (gross domestic product).

That's a lot of good reasons why home ownership will continue to be the American dream. Despite the "bumps in the road", it's a good time to buy real estate. The interest rates are still at all-time lows. There are plenty of homes to choose from. The prices are right. Mortgage interest is still deductible. AND the Eisenlauer Team are Realtors you can trust.

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

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

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

Disaster or Oppotunity?

The Business Record ( Dec. 09) show that bankruptcy filings in the Southern District of Iowa have increased 20% from 2008 to 2009. In Polk county there were 944 bankruptcies filed in 2006. In Dec. of 09, 1,862 were filed in Polk County.

The website realtytrac says there were 7,284 new foreclosure filings in 2009. The newest Business Record has the latest statistics for Des Moines area foreclosures. Mortgages that were 90+ days delinquent in Dec. 09 - 5.04%. In Dec. 08, 3.35% were 90+ days delinquent. The foreclosure rate in the Des Moines area ( 1.71%) is higher than for the state of Iowa (2.04%), but lower than the national average (3.16%). Those figures are for Dec. 09.

These are startling statistics. But as Winston Churchill has been quoted - A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. We need to put on the rose-colored glasses and identify the opportunities. Mortgage companies and banks do NOT want to be landlords. These properties will get sold. Could one of them be your dream house? It might be a good time to investigate. You could qualify for an $8,000 or $6,500 tax credit. You could get a new mortgage with still low interest rates. You could shorten your mortgage to 15 years and gain equity quicker.

If you are in one of these dire situations, don't hide your head in the sand. Talk to professionals and see what solutions are available. Repeat, mortgage companies do NOT want to be landlords. Short sales can be worked out, deed in leau of foreclosure, loans retructured. Lets look for the Opportunities.

Whatever your situation is, The Eisenlauer Team is ready to assist. Give either Bill (770-2455) or Bob (979-2883) a call.

PUZZLED by REAL ESTATE ??

Are you puzzled by what you hear in the news? Wonder what is pertinent to the local market? First - the Eisenlauer Team, your local real estate experts are always available to help you, to answer any questions you might have. 30+ years of Real Estate experience - through good years and lean years - we're here to serve you.

• All Real Estate is Local, the national news is NOT the local news.


• For 2008, the local Association for Realtors, show that the sale price declined less than 1%.


• Interest rates are at historical lows.


• First Time Home Buyers programs are available for those that qualify.


• Forbes magazine picked Des Moines as one of their "Top 10 Places to Live" in 2008.


• FHA is playing a larger role in the mortgage market.


• In the Des Moines Metro market, there are still good buys, good interest rates and a good selection.

Call your local Reator experts with any questions, with any real estate needs.

Bill 770-2455 Bob 979-2883

Predictions For 2009

Here are my Predictions for 2009.

• Oprah will reveal a NEW fitness plan.
• New amazing products like Sham-Wow will entice us on late night t.v.
  
• Yankees will spend more money than any other major league team.


• New elected officials will remind us too much of the old ones we voted out.


• Someone will be voted off the island.


• Howie Mandell will get a new game show.
  
• Des Moines Register will continue to highlight Gloom & Doom
• Foreclosures will continue to be in every neighborhood.


• Mortgage interest rates will continue to be at all time LOW.
• Current economic situation will create some amazing bargains for those watching for opportunities.
• Eisenlauer Team will be ready to serve your real estate needs.

The Eisenlauer Team continue to be your area experts in real estate. We continue to sell houses and land in Polk County, Des Moines, Altoona, Pleasant Hill, SE Polk and other nearby communities. Please give us a call, or pass our name onto friends and family looking for a professional Realtor. Bill Eisenlauer at 770-2455 or Bob Eisenlauer at 979-2883.

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.