September 29, 2008

Well, It's that time again - Autumn in Iowa.  Clear blue skies, warm sunny days, crisp clear nights.  Football, apples, pumpkins, leaves changing color from deep green to reds, golds, oranges.  It's a time in Iowa when it is great to be alive.  I particularly feel that way this year, as I suffered a heart attack and a triple bypass in mid-August.  I am in rehab, feeling good, watching my food intake, losing weight, getting exercise.  I've quit smoking after almost 50 years!!

The real estate market here is still showing some signs of life, despite all the turmoil in the financial and mortgage markets.  People still need places to live, and we have some of the best values in America here in the midwest.

I attended the Iowa/Northwestern game Saturday - disappointing loss as we had five turnovers and let the Wildcats off the hook.  Oh well, there's always next week - and if the losses continue, then there's always next YEAR.  We Hawkeye fans are a loyal bunch, even if we gripe and complain a ot about coaching calls, referees, etc..

Let's hear from those of you in other parts of this great country - how is your autumn shaping up?

Well, the weather in Iowa finally (after Easter, as usual) is showing signs of spring.  I saw my first robin last week (normally start seeing them in January or February).

The real estate market here, although not booming, is picking up rapidly for the spring season.  People are coming out to open houses and buyers are visible again.  Good news for those of us who depend on sales for our income.  Also in the good news category, mortgage rates are low, and prices and selection of available homes should be attractive to potential buyers.  The inventory of unsold homes has been reduced substantially, but there is still a good supply for buyers to select from.

The University of Iowa baseball team has had to postpone its season home opener, but should be out on Banks Field soon.  Almost all the snow has melted, and we just need a little rain to green things up.  Yeah!!

Well, it's post-Thanksgiving time and the Iowa weather has turned toward winter.  It's 37 degrees at present, and the end of this week is supposed to bring highs in the 20's.  The real estate market is a bit cold, too.  There are still some buyers out there, but they're taking their own sweet time making up their minds.  It's a great time to buy, as selection and prices are very attractive, and mortage rates are still low historically.

 If anyione out there has a client moving to eastern Iowa, refer them to me, please.  I pay referral fees and I take excellent care of my clients.  Iowa is really a great place to live, despite the winter weather.  The schools are excellent, crime rates are low, and we have just a generally top quality of life.  THe University of Iowa here in Iowa City has one of the largest teachiong hospitals in the US, and is a leader in research.

Have a great holiday season                           .

                                                               My Grandson Sully

Things have been active recently in our market.  Following a lengthy buyers market, it seems to have evened out to a more neutral state.  Thee are still fairly large inventories of unsold properties in the higher priced segment, but homes up to $300K have been selling well. 

 It's still a mater of pricing homes correctly, but that's always inmportant, no matter the market.

Mid-summer is its usual hot, humid self, but we'll soon cool a bit, although it annually seems to heat up about the time schools starts, and the first few football games are usually a bit uncomfortable.

If anyone has questions about Iowa City or the mid-eastern Iowa area, drop me a note.