Happy
New Year!
And
what a great year this will be!
We are already “cheating winter” compared with
last year…hurray!
And the economy is looking brighter!
Open house traffic is picking up, the lighting,
flooring and cabinetry vendors we feature on Open House are
reporting that their phones are ringing and showrooms are
busy with folks ready to update and improve their living
spaces.
We have been shooting some terrific custom homes and
remodeling features to share with you, so remember, if you
miss a show, just watch it online on this website, by going
to our front page and clicking “watch show”.
You can also watch individual features now by
clicking the “feature” tabs.
And
now, for an important topic-Real Estate Professionals!
One of the biggest financial investments you will
ever make in your lifetime is buying a home, and so it is
critical that you look to the professional services of a
realtor!
Smart sellers realize they need the expertise in
pricing their home, and working with an agent who has buyers
and is connected to an office with buyers.
The National Association of Realtors reports that 85%
of sellers nationally last year were assisted by agents when
selling their homes, and 79% purchased homes through an
agent.
Jake Stanton, COO of Prudential First Realty says,
“There are two events that will save a seller more money
that what they will pay a realtor in commission, and those
events are the 48 hours before the home goes on the market,
and, the transactions that occur the two weeks before the
property closes.
Not to mention the marketing that a realtor can offer
to help sell your home.”
Look
to a real estate professional when you buy or sell your
home!
Sharon
Well I guess life just catches up with us
sometimes...and that is the only reason I have for not
blogging lately! My husband and I have a son in college,
and a daughter who is heading to college next fall. She
not only has to be accepted into the university, but she
auditions to be accepted into dance programs at the colleges.
So we've been hitting the road and she's been dancing her
heart out! She has been accepted at a few...one being
the University of Iowa, which is actually one of the top ten
dance performance colleges in the country! This seems to
be a very well kept secret...but the university's former
Hancher auditorium has put U of Iowa on the map when it comes
to dance!
And now...onto homes! We have had
some really amazing homes on the show lately! There are
incredible bargains out there when it comes to executive
homes. As far as new construction...homes in the
$400-500,000 range need to be sold so the builders won't have
to heat them through the winter, (and pay on the loans) so if
you've been watching Open House, you've seen some
dramatic price reductions! We are also showcasing some
spectacular re-sales! Lots of homeowners are downsizing,
and with today's low interest rates, this is truly and
incredible time to move to that move-up executive home!!!
Remodeling has been booming! Consumer
confidence is up and homeowners are putting money into their
biggest investment...their homes! For a list of
professional, qualified remodelers...and several articles that
will help you know more about remodeling values and the
process, check out www.remodeldesmoines.com.
If you missed a show, watch it online-we've had a surge of
remodeling features lately!
Work is being done on the Open House
website...so soon you'll see an even better site! You
can now not only watch the show on the site, but watch
individual features over and over! My holiday plans include spending lots of
time with my husband, Bill, and son Ryan (a student at UNL-go
Huskers!) and daughter Haley. We like to cook, watch
movies at home...and I may even do some scrap-booking!
I am also studying for the real estate license exam...so that
I will know all I can about this business!
Stay safe and warm and I pray you will
prepare your hearts for the reason for the season, the birth
of our Savior!
Sharon
Don't Miss the Tour of Remodeled Homes this Month!
I love summer, so saying goodbye to this season is difficult….especially since we all know what lies ahead! Snow! However, fall is terrific for many reasons. Every fall professional remodelers, all members of the Remodelers Council of the HBA showcase their latest projects to the public. The Tour of Remodeled Homes is taking place Saturday and Sunday, September 18th and 19th. Tickets are $10 and are available at any of the homes.
Imagine what can happen when you take out a wall that divides the kitchen from the dining room…and use that extra space …along with stunning new cabinetry, counter tops, lighting and appliances to create and Asian-inspired kitchen! You can see this on the tour! And how about those bathrooms we don't really like but put up with…several homeowners have said "Enough!" and you can see some truly inspiring spa-like master baths on the tour.
How about kitchens that don't function well, here's your chance to see what makes kitchens work as hard as the cook! Three of the homes on the tour are considered "whole house" remodels! One remodeling project involves re-configuring existing space to meet the needs of the homeowners! Now that's a great way to save money and add function!
Remodeldesmoines.com is where you can get all the details! There is only one event like this every year-so don't miss it!
Happy September!
Sharon
Is Summer Really Over?
It's hard to believe that the Iowa State Fair is over, Home Show Expo is only a memory...and my kids have headed back to school! My son is a sophomore at University of Nebraska, and my daughter will head off to college next fall! We are busy scheduling college visits in between TV shows. I hope you have been enjoying our shows...from million dollar custom homes, to fabulous resales to features on how remodeling truly transforms spaces, we enjoy bringing you several new ideas each week!
We are currenly shooting several of the Tour of Remodeled Homes projects...you really have to see these new spaces! And you can! September 18th and 19th you will be able to tour 18 homes that have been recently updated by members of the Remodelers Council of Greater Des Moines' HBA! I have seen several already-walls have been taken down, new floors and finishes added, clever storage ideas, the latest in cabinetry and counter tops...one house even features a room just for the dogs! A traditional WDM 2 story now boasts an Asian inspired kitchen, and an Ames home features a minimalist kitchen with custom cabinets and incredible storage!
The Remodelers Council website www.remodeldesmoines.com is where you can get more information!
And let's talke interest rates! We all thought 5% was incredible, now some 30 year mortgages are locking in at 4%. How about it!?! Talk about something that should really be getting potential buyers off the fence! As we all know, this won't last forever, so if you are even thinking about buying a new home...talk to your real estate professional today! Look for super offers in new construction too-builders don't want to heat these homes over the winter, so many are offering special incentives and price reductions!
Have a great end to your summer and be sure and put the Tour of Remodeled Homes on your calendar!
Hi everybody! The Real Estate Market was sizzling in April and May.the tax credits for first time homebuyers and move-up buyers really got things going! And now while some people may think that they "missed out" on the opportunity if their home didn't sell in time to buy new, or they just stayed on the fence too long-there is still good news!
Hard to believe, but interest rates have dropped so low that you may even save more over the life of a 30-year loan NOW than you would have with the tax credit! It's true! However, rates can go up, so even as we move into July.and the holiday over the 4th, really consider making that move! There are still new construction homes that are ready for families.and some under construction that can be completed by fall.you may even get to choose your countertops, carpeting, paint colors, and more!
If you love where you live, and just want to freshen up the spaces, or remodel your kitchen or baths, always remember to use a member of the Remodeler's Council of Greater Des Moines' HBA! These professionals are held to a strict code of ethics and you can be assured that your project will be done in a timely, professional manner! How do you find a member? Go to www.remoldeldesmoines.com!
Lots more on remodeling in my next blog, as the Tour of Remodeled Homes is in September!
Homebuyers.agents are telling me that sellers may not sell their homes for as much as they would like in this market, but buyers will likely purchase a home at a decent price and enjoy a terrific mortgage rate! ALWAYS list your home with a real estate professional! Don't waste valuable time trying to sell it yourself, ask anyone who has tried!
Happy Summer!
Sharon
May is National Remodeling Month!
The NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) has
proclaimed that May is National Remodeling Month. And
this comes as no surprise to me…it’s a great time of year
to consider remodeling because of the weather! If it’s
a kitchen remodel, you can take advantage of the nice
weather and cook out, or drive through your favorite fast
food restaurant and go on a picnic! Remodeling often means
new drywall and paint…new floors and countertops, and
this does mean dust so why not tackle these projects when
you can have the windows open!?!
This month on Open House we begin a new 6-part series
on kitchen remodeling! We’ll take the viewer through the
process from start to finish! You’ll hear each week from
the professional remodeler tackling the project, and we
also get the homeowner’s perspective on the process! A
lot of great information is coming your way so be sure
and join us Sunday mornings at 11:00 on abc5!
The real estate market has been very active…maybe that
can be the excuse I use for why my blog hasn’t been updated
in awhile…:) The tax credits and incentives did exactly
what the government hoped they would do, they stimulated
a down market! And now with fewer homes on the market,
and interest rates that are still attractive, COO of Prudential
First Realty, Jake Stanton, says the market is sure to
remain strong!
Remember, if you are considering a remodeling project,
start with a professional! Members of the Remodeler’s
Council of Greater Des Moines are trained professionals
held to a strict code of ethics. They know about tax credits
and incentives for energy efficiency…and can help you
add value to the most important asset you own, your home!
Get a list at www.remodeldesmoines.com Until next month…enjoy!
Sharon
February 19th, 2010
Home is Where the Heart Is!
Seems like we've had a VERY long winter...and if you're
like me, you've been spending a lot of time at home! It's
been so unbelievably cold and snowy, that once I get home,
I just stay put! Earlier today I had the pleasure of touring
a new custom home and meeting the homeowners before the
shoot. This is truly one of my favorite parts of the job...seeing
a home that a family has been dreaming of and planning for
come to life! This particular home sits on a high lot in
West Des Moines and has a view of downtown Des Moines! The
husband likes traditional, the wife likes contemporary,
and they, along with the builder and their decorator, have
done an incredible job of blending styles and creating a
floorplan that fits this family to a "T"! Open
House will feature this home on the 28th...and again (it's
big-and takes two features to show the entire home!) in
March! Features include a pyramid ceiling..."barn style"
hardwood floors...a barreled ceiling hearth room-you're
gonna love it!
While many people have attended the annual Home and Garden
Show, I'd like to personally invite you all to the Home
and Remodeling Show 2010! This event will take place March
12th, 13th & 14th at the Varied Industries Building
at the Fairgrounds. It's FREE and professional builders
and remodelers, all members of the Home Builders Association
of Greater Des Moines, and the Remodelers Council, will
be at the event. A great chance to bring your ideas, whether
they be pictures of your existing spaces that need some
sprucing up...or pictures from magazines of rooms that you
like...and talk to the folks who can take care of your remodeling
needs!
That is what is different...nobody from this show is from
out of town-just representing a company....these are all
local construction professionals who will DO the work, so
this is a great chance to talk with builders if you are
thinking of building....or interview remodelers if you want
to freshen spaces in your home or add on! And, you can do
so with the confidence that this group of professionals
are held to a strict code of ethics, which is why Open House
only allows members of the HBA and Remodelers Council to
participate on our show. So mark your calendars, collect
your photos and clippings, and get ready to meet some terrific
builders and remodelers! There will also be local experts
in lighting, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, windows and
siding on hand. It'll be a great event, and I hope to see
you there!
We have some terrific TV features coming up...whole house
remodels in Clive and Urbandale...really spectacular custom
homes, and lots of home technology for you to see! If you
can't join us Sunday's at 11:00 on abc5, you can watch the
show online on this website by clicking on "watch show"
on our front page! Move your mouse and click on the little
box and the show comes full-screen.
'Til next time-have a great day! Stay safe and warm!
Sharon
Winter Wonderland!
December 2009
While the weather outside is a bit
frightful, the real estate market is looking much more
delightful! The first-time homebuyer tax credit has been
extended, and a new tax credit, aimed at the "move-up
buyer" is now in place!
What does this mean to you? If you
have lived in your current home for 5 years or more and buy a
new home (existing or new) you are eligible to receive a
$6,500 tax credit! Sales contracts need to be drawn up
by April 30th, 2010....and closed by June 30th. And for
first-time homebuyers, the $8,000 tax credit will continue,
with the April 30th deadline also.
As Jake Stanton, COO of Prudential/First
Realty shared with us on a recent show, the move-up
buyer needs to act now! Get your house spruced
up and listed soon, so that you can take advantage of this new
tax credit! Don't wait for spring, because it could be
too late. This new extension and expansion of the tax
credits has successfully created a renewed interest in the
housing market, and as a seller, you need to take advantage of
the interest now! Typically during the holidays, there
is a slow down of open houses, but this is the perfect time to
call your favorite handyman (preferably a member of the
Remodelers Council of Greater Des Moines .....see www.remodeledesmoines.com
for a listing) ...get your home looking its best, and start
interviewing agents.
Questions to ask agents could include:
how do you plan to promote my home as your listing,
will you be holding the home open, and what price do you
feel we could get for our home? Want
to find out more about what agents offer? www.firstrealtyhomes.com,
www.iowarealty.com,
www.coldwellbankermag.com,
are informative websites that will answer most questions
and lead you to real estate professionals.
Buying a new home can be a positive and
rewarding process! And remember, come January 10th, The
Open House Television Show will be taking viewers on tour,
room by room, of homes for sale in the metro area. We'll
also be featuring local remodeling before/after projects
and introducing our viewers to new products for the home and
building techniques. Watch us Sundays at 11:00am
on abc5, or on line at www.openhousetelevision.com
Just click on "watch show" and you can see the most
current TV show!
Have a safe and happy holiday season with
your loved ones! My son will be home from college, and
our daughter just finished 3 wonderful "Snow"
performances in Iowa Dance Theater's Nutcracker, so
we are looking forward to some good old-fashioned family fun!
We plan to re-connect with friends, (I love to cook and have
people over!) and eat out at our favorite local restaurants!
And, of course, observe the reason for season!!!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Sharon
Preparing
Your Home to Sell!
It
is still a “buyer’s market” and buyers are out in full
force! September’s
homes sales this year were up 41-½ % from last year’s
numbers! The 8
percent tax credit has been successful in generating sales,
which winds up moving the entire market…including the
mid-level to high-end market as well.
So
how does a seller prepare their home in a market where there is
much competition? We
went to the experts for answers!
Iowa Realty’s Sharon Hatten is a certified home stager
and a real estate professional.
“Start preparing your home with the thought that it is
becoming a product and must compete with other products on the
shelf. Take the
“home out of your house” by depersonalizing and
un-cluttering. Try
to create appeal for a mass number of potential buyers, keeping
the interior neutral in content. No themes: country, lodge,
Victorian, etc. Think
of a really well done hotel, it’s warm and welcoming, with
clean lines and uncluttered views and each space has a specific
function.” Sharon
also says that staging alone doesn’t sell a house.
She says it’s a collaborative effort between the
stager, homeowner and real estate agent.
In
addition to presenting your home in its best light…price
matters! Prudential/First
Realty agent Carole Essy says, “In this market sellers have to
capture the attention of buyers immediately with a competitive
price. A buyer
needs to see the value right away to move forward.”
So
stage your home, or hire a professional stager to help move the
selling process along. Sharon’s
website is a great source for more staging tips: www.roomscapesdm.com
And
be sure and listen to your agent when it comes to pricing!
They know the market and want your home to sell in a
decent period of time! Enjoy
the fall!
Sharon
Tour
of Remodeled Homes!
Have you
looked around your home lately and thought to yourself…these
spaces aren’t working for us like they could, or I wonder what it
would look like if we took out a wall and added a sunroom?
Well, the Remodelers Council of Greater Des Moines’ biggest
event of the year is coming up…it’s Saturday and Sunday
September 19th and 20th and you are invited
to attend!
Fourteen
professionally remodeled homes are open to the public from 10am to
6pm both days.
The cost is $10 per person, and plan to be dazzled by these
new living spaces! Thanks
to the remodeler’s participation on Open House TV I have seen
most of the remodels and they are spectacular!
The wonderful thing too is that there is truly something
for everyone! Two of
the “whole house” remodels include different approaches.
At the WDM home the remodeler worked within the spaces,
creating a completely new, serene feeling using green techniques.
In
Urbandale
, the homeowners and remodelers chose to transform existing space
and add new space, doubling the size of the kitchen and
incorporating a much needed mud room!
There’s a
remodel project in Country Club on the tour that includes
expanding the kitchen two feet…you’ll be amazed at what two
feet and new cabinetry and countertops can do for a room…but a
walk –in pantry and laundry room that are literally hidden from
sight, but accessible to the room. As the saying goes…You have
to see it to believe it!
There are
homes all over the metro, some feature updated baths, remodeled
kitchens, new lower levels…the projects offer a wide range of
design ideas and budget considerations!
This is a once a year opportunity, so don’t miss out!
The other selling point is the remodelers, all members of
the Remodelers Council of Greater
Des Moines
, will be at the homes, ready and willing to tell you about these
projects and welcoming your questions about your personal home!
So bring your “before” photos…and magazine pictures
of what you’d like to see in your home…and ask away!
Remodeling is all about communication…relaying your ideas
and desires to the remodeler, and him or her expressing how that
can be accomplished. So
talk with everyone and see who you feel you communicate well with.
A great way to get your project started!
The Tour of Remodeled Homes takes place September 19th
and 20th and www.remodeldesmoines.com
has all the locations listed!
Enjoy!
WARM DAYS, COOL EVENINGS AND A SUNNY REAL
ESTATE FORECAST!
07-29-09
Just what we've all been waiting for, good news
in the real estate world! New home sales rose last month
faster than they have in the past 8 years! The strongest
numbers are being reported right here in the midwest with a 43
percent jump in sales! The $8,000.00 tax credit, along with
historically low interest rates, combined with builder incentives
has sparked new interest in homebuying, and the public is
responding!
Sales of existing homes are up too, and agents
are telling me that there are bargains still out there, so be sure
and watch our weekly show for room by room features of homes for
sale. Don't look back and wish you had either
bought that first home or made that move up while the timing was
good!
Prudential/First Realty is kicking off The
HELP Program, (Home Education and Loan Protection) that
offers peace of mind to buyers in the event of losing their
jobs, but also benefitting sellers, by making their homes more
attractive to buyers. Watch Open House for details of this
program outlined by COO Jake Stanton.
The Remodeler's Council of Greater Des Moines
has been hard at work, helping one of their own. Eric
Carlson, a past Chairperson of the council, and past President
Elect of the HBA, lost his courageous battle with lung cancer
recently. After Eric's diagnosis, the council voted
unanimously to take on home projects that Eric had begun.
They volunteered their talents, and working with donated
materials, finished 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and family room,
along with finishing a garage Eric had started before his illness.
A tribute to Eric Carlson can be watched on this website by
clicking on the "Eric Carlson Tribute" button on the
front page. If you are looking for a heartwarming
story, this is it!
Keep watching Open House, and remember it
"airs" on our website too, so enjoy lunch at your desk
with us sometime! Coming up on Open House, we'll be
previewing the many homes that will be featured on this fall's Tour
of Remodeled Homes."
Until then, enjoy the beautiful summer days,
Iowa sweet corn and watermelon!
Sharon
Flowers And SOLD Signs Are
Popping Up!
05-21-09
Things are looking up!!! That's right, as
most agents know, the real estate market generally picks up in the
spring, and this spring is looking good! Month after month
we've been seeing an increase in sales, the stimulus for first
time homebuyers is doing its job and mortgage rates are
staying low...sometimes dropping below 5 %!
I wish I would have shared this news with you
earlier, but I have a son graduating from Valley and we are
hosting not one, but two parties for him! Our daughter, who
is 16, just performed in a recital for the School of Classical
Ballet and Dance and is now preparing for "Momentum," a
triple bill performance at Hoyt Sherman Place put on by Balley Des
Moines. We've been busy!
It's great to see the SOLD signs popping
up...five homes in my neighborhood have sold in a recent 3-week
period! If you are an interested homebuyer reading this blog,
this message is very important. Due to restrictions on
financing, and the risk associated wtih building "spec,"
(speculative) homes, the whole industry will be changing!!!
Fewer new construction homes will be available and so homebuyers
need to take advantage of the market now, while there are still
some terrific buys out there, both new construction and resale!
There are some terrific new homes being designed and built with
less square footage, but including popular elements like maple and
granite. We will be featuring these homes coming up in our
June shows!
May is National Remodeling month, and if you go
to www.remodeldesmoines.com
you will see all kinds of local projects, read articles written
by local remodeling professionals, and learn about cost
vs. value, green building techniques...all kinds of great
information! Our members of the Remodelors Council of
Greater DSM are terrific! Not only are they qualified
professionals, they are kind, generous people. One of our
members, Eric Carlson, is bravely battling stage IV cancer.
He had started a couple of projects at his personal home, but is
unable to finish them. Remodelors from the council offer up
their weekends, working with donated materials from local vendors,
to finish the Carlson's basement and they are building the family
a much needed garage. These are the kind of people you would
want working on projects on your home! The web site also
includes a complete listing of remodelors who are members of the
council.
Gotta run...making BBQ pork roast ahead for the
party, and still have lots to do for guests! If you are
someone who likes to offer prayer for those in need, please pray
for Eric and Lisa Carlson, and their children Emily, Ben, Amy and
Grace. Prayer is powerful!
Blessings,
Sharon
April Showers....
04-08-09
Spring has finally arrived and not a moment
too soon! Too bad our April Showers came in the form of
snow showers! My family just returned from a trip to
Colorado where we enjoyed the snowy mountains and the adventures
of skiing. The biggest change I have seen since skiing 20
some years ago-everyone wears helmets and snow borders rule!
I was not, however, a snow border! Leave that to those
fearless teens and twenty-somethings!
There is a change in the real estate market
too! Agents phones are finally ringing and SOLD signs are
popping up in lots of neighborhoods. For good reason
too...first time homebuyers can take advantage of a true tax
credit of $8,000.00! What a terrific opportunity!
And anyone who knows anything about real estate knows that the
first time homebuyer drives the real estate market! People
selling their homes will need to move up and the trickle effect
begins! Jake Stanton, COO of Prudential First Realty was
telling me the other day that while the inventory of homes for
sale has gone down, which is good for this market, there are
still some incredible deals out there! Don't be the person
looking back someday saying "I should have moved when rates
were low and the selection was great!"
Mortgage rates for a 30 year fixed are
hovering above and below 5 percent! What an awesome
opportunity!
Watch Open House each week as we bring you
tours of homes for sale, and our remodelors are eager to share
their transformations of homes in and around the metro! We
are excited to welcome Patrick Murphy and Associates to the show
as they will invite our viewers on tours of homes for sale
each week! You can also see those on our website!
If you have questions about the market,
preparing your home to sell, or remodeling or finance
questions....anything related to these topics, click on our
"Ask Open House" button and ask away! We will
bring you answers from the experts! (Ever watch "Ask
Aida?" on Food Network. I want to be her:))
I promise I am going to get better at
updating my blogs! My next blog will focus on two topics:
May is National Remodeling month, and what that means to you,
and also about builders who are focusing on that
$150,000-$200,000 market!
Have a great Easter!
Welcome Sweet February!
02-05-08
January is a finally over and we can
turn our sights towards spring! If you've been watching
Open House, you know that there really is good
news in this real estate market! First and foremost,
mortgage rates! Tim Bohlen, with Classic Mortgage Group,
shared with us on camera that he doesn't think he'll ever see
rates this low again in his lifetime! Tim Rietz of Well
Fargo Home Mortgage said that 30 year fixed rates are bouncing
around either side of 5%. This is great news! The
refinancing business is big now, and homebuyers are getting off
the fence and calling agents about homes for sale! It
truly is a great time to buy a house!
And how do we know how long
this buyers market will last? We posed the question to COO
of Prudential/First Realty, Jake Stanton. "There is
tremendous value in our market right now. And to answer
the question of 'when do you discover where the bottom of the
market is'? When it's too late! Homebuyers don't
want to look back and discover they've missed out, so while
there still is some selection of well-priced homes, coupled with
terrific rates, the time to buy is now!"
So there you have it! Keep
watching Open House Sundays at 11:00 and you will see some
really wonderful homes for sale, priced to sell! And we'll
continue to introduce you to custom builders and remodelors who
are all members of the Homebuilders Association of Des Moines!
That is the best place to start your home building or remodeling
search...by choosing a qualified and respected member of this
association. For a listing go to www.desmoineshomebuilders.com
Coming up soon: a new
remodeling site, geared for the homeowner looking for new ideas!
Details to follow and this site will feature LOCAL remodeling
projects!
Enjoy the sunshine!
Sharon
Happy New Year Friends!
01-17-09
While the weather outside really has been
frightful, my kids are sure enjoying the school cancellations
and early outs due to the forecast! My kids are 16 and
17, both students at Valley, and both driving! That is
enough to make me age a little more quickly!
Well The Open House Television Show
is off and running, thanks in large part to our
terrific sponsors, K&V Homes, Gilcrest Jewett Lumber
Company and Barnum Floors! Watch for features on the TV
show highlighting the craftsmanship and quality this
custom builder and these fine associates offer!
And speaking of the show...we are so
excited about the many remodeling features we are able to
offer viewers! From whole house remodels in Winterset
and West Des Moines, to renovating a farm house for family
living. Remodeling is big business and the Remodelors
Council of Greater Des Moines is preparing to unveil a new website
that will be all about local, professional remodelors....their
projects and articles about remodeling that brings the most
value to your home!
Value is a hot button word right now...and
if you have thought, for even a moment, that you'd like to buy
a new house (new or resale!) THIS is definitely the time!
For very long time we've been saying that the rates
are low. Well now, they are at an all time historic low!
That, combined with homes on the market that are priced to
sell, means today's homebuyer is going to get great VALUE
in their purchase!
Refinancing is big business now, as
homeowners can take advantage of the lower rates, and put
hundreds of dollars back in their pockets each month by
refinancing. We'll tackle that topic on an upcoming
show!
When you watch our program, watch with
confidence, because all of our builders and remodelors are
members of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Des Moines,
and the Remodelor's Council. All are held to a strict
code of ethics and receive continuous education. And our
agents are real estate professionals, all members of the Des
Moines Area Association of Realtors!
Stay on top of today's market, custom
builders, remodeling trends and products for the home on Open
House!
Stay warm!!!
Sharon
Des Moines Makes Top Five Market
List!
11-03-08
Happy November and what a way to start the
month! Can you even believe it? Great news about
the Des Moines real estate market on the national news!
Pinch me, I'm dreaming!
Today Show Real Estate
Contributor Barbara Corcoran named Des Moines Iowa as one of the
'Top Five Real Estate Markets in the Country.'
She based this on Des Moines
being 'the friendliest town in the U.S.'.....having a low
divorce rate, home prices up 6%, and good job growth.
This is great news! I just got off the
phone with an agent who had 8 closings this month! Another
agent I spoke with recently said this is her best year yet.
This is a market where experienced, committed agents will
succeed, and others might not make it. Agents who continue
to market themselves and their listings or developments
will stand out, as their competitors fade away.
Please take the time to watch our on-line
feature with experienced agents talking about our local
market, and how to take advantage of the market conditions.
Between the low interest rates, builder incentives, and
competitive home prices, potential first-time buyers and move-up
buyers should enlist the help of an experienced agent
and take advantage while they can!
Iowa's housing market has performed
better than the rest of the nation, and at a recent Homebuilders
Association meeting, experts in the mortgage and consumer credit
areas discussed how Des Moines is more insulated from the
housing woes compared to the coastal states, and we
are set to rebound more quickly. (details on this subject
can be found on the last blog,)
Homebuyers need to enlist the help of a
qualified, experienced agent, and get ready to enjoy the buyer's
market out there! Watch The Open House
Television Show each Sunday at 11:00 a.m., as
we are touring some homes this month that have a lot of extra
value to them!
Happy house hunting,
The Good News for Homebuyers!
10-01-08
I've heard it said dozens of times...and
Jake Stanton, COO of Prudential/First Realty makes this statement on our
show: Don't react to the national news,
because what's happening around the country is not the same
as here in Iowa!
- When you hear about the
problems with subprime mortgages, the latest data
show that only 2.7% of mortgages in Iowa are in the
subprime category, comfortably below the 5.6% national
average, and well below Las Vegas, Phoenix, coastal
Florida and parts of California reporting 8%-12%.
- The truth is, most home owners are
making their mortgage payments on time!
- Here in Iowa, 37% of all
single-family homes are owned debt-free...without any
mortgage.
- Now that the government is backing
Fannie and Freddie, this should increase liquidity in the
nation's mortgage markets and help restore confidence in
U.S. financial markets.
- Prospective buyers need to know that
everything is going to be okay! Housing markets,
like all markets, inevitably have their ups and downs.
But as a long-term investment, homeownership remains one
of the best investments for individual households with a
track record that is virtually unmatched by any other
purchase in terms of its real benefits!
- Now is an exceptionally good time to
shop for a new home. Buyers with good credit, a job
and steady income, will find there is plenty of mortgage
credit to be had at great rates.
- And the new $7,500 temporary
first-time homebuyer tax credit-good until July 1,
2009-gives prospective homebuyers a financial incentive to
get off the fence and take advantage of today's market.
For details about the credit go to www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com
- Builders are offering incentives!
Stainless steel appliance packages, trade-up offers
and extending the home warranty to a full 5 years are just
a few that come to mind that I've heard of recently.
This is definitely a buyer's market!
Lots of inventory in a variety of price ranges, incredibly
low rates, and incentives to buy new construction.
The Iowa housing market is well
positioned to return to normal conditions more quickly than
national trends suggest, so don't wait too long, this
buyer's market won't last forever!
Special thanks to Creighton Cox, Director
of Government Affairs at the Homebuilders Association of
Greater Des Moines for compiling this valuable information!
Sharon
Greetings blog readers!
09-15-08
First things first!
There is an incredible opportunity this Saturday and
Sunday to tour 19 recently remodeled homes, all open to the
public! The Remodelor's Council of the HBA of Greater Des
Moines has homes throughout the metro area open Saturday and
Sunday (September 20th & 21st) from 10am to 6pm.
Tickets are $10 and are available at any of the homes.
You'll see new
kitchens, baths, bedrooms and lower levels. Homes that
have been added onto and homes where the space has been gutted
and completely transformed. It's a great way to get new
ideas for your home, and to talk to the remodelors in person
about these incredible projects! Just click on Tour of
Remodeled Homes on our front page for the addresses.
Last week I promised to
explain WHY it is so important to engage the services of a real
estate professional when you are buying or selling a home.
- First, ask yourself, why trust what will most
likely be the largest purchase you ever make to anyone
but a professional?
- Real estate professionals know homes.
They know the different layouts, what floorplans work
well for a variety of lifestyles, and what features are
important in a home. They have the knowledge to find
a home that suits your family's needs.
- Realtors recognize the importance of
location, and what amenities make a location desirable.
They know about the schools, class sizes and average Basic
Skills scores. If they don't know the information, they
will get it for you!
- Timeframes! Realtors know the
importance of timeframes! Whether building or buying
new, or buying a resale, the timing of a transaction is
critical. Trust an expert to make this transition work
for you!
- Price! Jake Stanton, Chief
Operating Officer for Prudential/First Realty says,
"Agents have laser knowledge on where the market is
today. The amount of information available to realtors
is incredible. How you price a property can dictate the
success or failure of the sale of a home."
I could actually go on
forever on this subject. Ten years working with real
estate professionals...and being the daughter of a realtor, I am
convinced that this is the most important first step in
purchasing or selling a home.
But if you want more
information, here's a great source: BuyNowDSM.com
the Des Moines Association of Realtors has put
together this site with more facts supporting the statement You'll
never find a better time to buy a home.
Blogs
aren't supposed to get too wordy, so I'm going to end this one
before it's too late! Enjoy the fabulous weather that's
been forecast and don't forget to spend some time Saturday or
Sunday touring remodeled homes in West Des Moines, Urbandale,
Clive, Johnston and Des Moines!
Sharon
Greetings!
What a great way to start the fall... with
a new, improved website and a first-time ever blog! There is
so much I can't wait to share with you, but blogs are meant to be
short and informative, so I'll just let you know up front that in
weeks to come you'll find out how to get great remodeling ideas
for your own home, how to choose a remodelor, and if you are
buying or selling a home-maybe both-things to consider when
purchasing a new home! And we'll share expert advice on how
to "stage" your home for a quicker sale.
It's cool and windy and cloudy today so it
feels like fall. And fall is actually a great time to
buy a new home! Summer camps, vacations and weekend
get-a-ways are now a thing of the past, and typically this time of
year homeowners start looking around their own homes to see
if they have enough space to entertain and house holiday guests. Of
course the BEST advice I can give anyone selling their home,
is to list with a qualified, professional agent, a member of
the National Association of Realtors. An agent will
start by determining what price your home can be sold for. Don't
be fooled by the asking price of homes in your neighborhood
that are currently for sale...a good agent will base their market
analysis on what has SOLD in the last 90 days. Prudential/First
Realty's Sharon Klaus has 16 years selling experience and she
offers these suggestions for a timely sale:
- make sure the home is priced accordingly.
- prepare your home for sale. Paint
walls, clean rooms, de-clutter, wash windows, keep the lawn and
gardens well-manicured.
- don't try to do it all yourself! Get
the kids involved. Maybe institute a reward program!
- recognize that this is a competitve market,
and the expectations of homebuyers are high.
On my street two homes went for sale at the
exact same time. Both were 4 bedroom two stories. One
sold within two months, and the other is still for sale. I
looked at both, at the homeowners' request. Only one took my
advice and listed it with an agent and that is the one that sold!
The homeowners of the other two story are now making double house
payments, as they have moved out of state for a job change.
Next week's blog will explain WHY it is so important to list your
home with a real estate professional!
In the meantime, I'll tell you a little bit
about myself. I am a Valley grad, married to a great guy
named Bill. After graduating from college in Wisconsin, I
went to work at KCCI-TV8. That's where I met my husband, who
was interning at the time....so yes, he is younger than me! :)
We have two terrific kids, Ryan is a senior at
Valley, who sometimes does the "play-by-play" announcing
of the football and basketball games for Valley's radio station,
and Haley, a sophomore, is dedicated to dance! She loves
ballet and pointe and takes classes at the School of Classical
Ballet and Dance in West Des Moines. We have a rescue league
mutt named "Husker"....yes, we are Cornhusker fans!
And I love to cook and read. I look forward to sharing more
real estate and remodeling advice with you in upcoming blogs!
Enjoy our new site, where you can watch our
shows and see home tours and remodeling features. There will
be additional surprises too, and we can't wait to share them with
you! Our TV show is a 3 person show, Dan Nannen, owner of
Silverwings Productions shoots and produces the show. And
Paul Joy, a Grandview student and marvelous editor edits the show.
(Except when he's stuck in classes:) We'd
love to hear from you, so let us know if you have ideas for the
show or upcoming blogs!
Enjoy your day!
Sharon
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