Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

As I've written before, my sister and I were both diagnosed with breast cancer and went through treatment in the past 6 months. I finished my radiation treatment in February. My sister, because she also had chemotherapy, just completed radiation last week. Her daughter, Renee and my son, Bob have organized to enter a team in the upcoming Cancer Walk in Des Moines. The team, Birdie's Bosom Buddies, is in our honor. (Thank you Renee and Bob). The walk is May 1 at Ponderosa Village at 9:00 A.M. If you'd like to walk with us, that would be great fun - the more the merrier! If you'd like to donate to the cause through our team, that would be great too.

More important to me, schedule and get your annual mammogram. My sister's and my cancer were both found through annual mammograms. If you're not a female, you know one. Encourage those around you to get their exam. A friend, whose sister died as a result of breast cancer, told me, if he had any idea she wasn't going annually, he would have taken her there personally. Don't have regrets. Knowledge is power, and there is so much good medicine now, breast cancer has fewer casualties than in the past.

Lastly, probably everyone reading this knows someone else with breast cancer. Call them, write a note, encourage them, pray for them. From a visit to my chiropractor this morning, I learned the whole body needs time to heal from the trauma of the surgery and treatment, maybe a year. So don't let up - keep us in your prayers.

Opening doors in Pleasant Hill

The Eisenlauer Team are in the Des Moines Register today. The article is about a Pleasant Hill Blitz that was organzied by Bill Eisenlauer and Linda Westergaard. There was cooperation with about 30 Realtors with over 60 houses open over two weekends in March. Businesses in the community participated too, offering items for door prizes. Mayor Jason Dively helped promote the event. "It went so well that I think we're going to probably try to do it again in September sometime" said Dively. Bill Eisenlauer was quoted saying "We like it (Pleasant Hill) because it's a right-sized community. It's a small town, yet in a big town. We're very convenient with the bypass going around here." Eisenlauer also said "the housing market is starting to come back a little bit. The new construction's just going gangbusters out here in Pleasant Hill" You can read the rest of the article here. The house in the photo is one that was sold due to the "Welcome Home, Pleasant Hill" promotion. If you're ready to buy or sell call

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

My Gnomies are Happy its Spring

Spring Has Arrived! Aren't you glad? My little garden gnomes are happy there's something in the garden to admire. Granted, there's some clean-up there that's long over-due, but the daffodils are in full bloom today!

Consider how the lilies (or the daffodils) grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his splendor, was not dressed like one of these. Luke 12:27.

HAPPY EASTER

What makes a short sale?

You've probably heard the term in the news or around the office, but do you know what it is? A short sale is when the lender agrees to accept less than what is owed against the property. Why would they do this? The mortgage company is trying to avoid a foreclosure- which is costly and time-consuming. Usually, the homeowner will need to plea a hardship. Many situations could constitute a hardship, the market area has changed and the house cannot be sold for what it once appraised for, the sellers have lost their jobs and have fallen behind on payments. If the mortgage holder approves the sellers hardship, they may approve a sale that nets them less than the mortgage balance.

The difficult part for the buyer is; The time frame may not be "short" And, each bank has a different process, so its difficult to predict what the process will be. The neighborhood is also effected because these lower prices can lower the value of the neighborhood. The appraisers must use these lower sale prices when they do an appraisal.

On the up side, it keeps houses occupied - good for the neighborhood. Someone's getting a good deal on a great house.

If you have questions whether a short sale is right for you - as a buyer or seller- give us a phone call. We'll direct you to the right resource people if its out of our expertise. If you are a seller in this situation, it's probably better to explore your possabilities sooner rather than later.

Bill Eisenlauer 770-2455 Bob Eisenlauer 979-2883

The Year of the Icicle

Have you ever seen so many glorious icicles? It just makes me want to break one off to lick (like you did as a kid when you believed they were pure) and just knock the rest of them down. Why so many icicles? They are caused from heat escaping thru the roof and/or insufficient venting out of the attic. If you have had an unusual amount of icicles this year, you might want to have a contrator check your attic insulation and your roof vents this spring. What to do with them? According to the experts quoted in this Mason City news article, if there are no leaks, leave them alone. As tempting as it can be to knock them all off, this could put you in danger as well your gutters. And if you think icicles can't be dangerous... read this article from West Virginia. Man killed by falling icicle. And he was wearing a hard hat! So Beware. Enjoy the icicles while they're sparkling and let them melt away.

For all your real estate needs or for the name of a reliable contractor give us a call. Bill Eisenlauer at 770-2455 or Bob Eisenlauer 979-2883.

Sisterhood of Breast Cancer

I just completed 6 1/2 weeks of daily trips to Mercy hospital to receive radiation therapy. When I was told that would be my treatment - I thought "That's easy, its quick, painless, daily trips..bit of a hassle, but easy enough" Some of thoughts since then; Drive to the hospital, park, enter hospital, check in, wait to be called, undress and put on stylish robe, wait to be called, enter chilly room, lay on metal table, remove robe, wait for machine to be perfectly lined up and wait for the technicians to leave the room. (interesting detail, the door to the room is about 6" thick, you're the only one in there with the "rays".) Technicians come back, put robe back on, get dressed, leave hospital, find car and leave. On a good day - 30 minutes w/o drive time. Another complication- 6.5 weeks of the snowiest weather in recent history!

Majority of patients receiving radiation have breast cancer or prostrate cancer. Everyone is 1/2 undressed waiting- you get the picture? One day another woman said "Well after a few months of this, I can strip down anywhere, in front of anyone, anytime". That's where the sisterhood comes in. I understood. Knowing you have some of the strangest tan lines anyone could imagine. The juxtaposition of the technology of this huge machine and the simple rubber band they slip over your feet to keep you from crossing your legs. Knowing how fatiguing this intrusion on your normal routine really is. (Feeling thankful that I didn't have to drive from out of town.) Being grateful for the kindness of all the staff in this department - seriously an oasis in the hospital. Knowing that loose clothes and minimal "support" garments feel wonderful. Finding a salve or lotion that can soothe the blisters and burns.

This is all part of membership to the unwilling members of the sisterhood of breast cancer.

My family and friends, (not being part of this Sisterhood, cannot fully understand the experience) are celebrating the end of this adventure with me. Sincerely, Thank You.

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.