Des Moines Real Estate Roundup 8/29/08

Week Ending August 29th, 2008

 

Labor Day weekend is here!  If summers end was in question before, we’re now on the downhill slide into Fall.  Actually This is one of my favorite times of year.  I like cool nights, although the days growing shorter are a definate trade off.  We can still have summer like days though… and this long weekend is going to be beautiful in central Iowa.. mid 80’s each day and no chance of rain!  Enjoy your three day weekend!!!

 

Total Number of Homes For Sale in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area – 5,614

New Listings Taken During the Last 7 Days – 249

Accepted Offers (Pendings) During the Last 7 Days – 151

Homes Closed (Solds) During the Last Days – 128

Average Sale Price of Solds – $182,339

Average Days On Market of Solds – 95

 

 

If you have specific questions about real estate for sale
in the Des Moines area, please feel free to contact me by Clicking Here. 
Les Sulgrove, RE/MAX Real Estate GroupInformation on this blog posting is for informational purposes only
and not intended as solicitation if you are already working with a REALTOR®.
There is no obligation or fee for any information on this blog posting. 

 

Data Source: Les Sulgrove, RE/MAX Real Estate Group 
Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS® MLS.
Des Moines Metropolitan Area defined as: Adel, Altoona,
Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Dallas Center,
Desoto, Granger, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Norwalk,
Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Urbandale, Van Meter ,Waukee,
West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, Winterset

It’s An Epidemic!

Housing Epidemic

A home buyer lead came in from the website today.

“I recently lost my home to the forclouser epademic. Do you have any rental homes or homes for sale on contract terms that I may be able to get.”

I’ve heard the current state of the housing market described as a crisis but I’m not buying epidemic.  I read the question over a couple more times.  I’ve come to the conclusion that this person is probably not meant to be a homeowner… at least not for now. 

Many people have gotten in over their head in the last few years with loose lending requirements whereby almost anyone with a pulse could get a home loan.  And not everyone is to blame.  After all, it is the American Dream to own your own home.  How did this happen?  Dan Green from The Mortgage Reports (http://www.themortgagereports.com) has a great video that shows you visually what has happened over the last 6 years.  Take a few minutes and view Dan’s video. http://www.themortgagereports.com/2008/01/mortgage-video.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it an epidemic?  No. It’s a correction.  Is it fair?  Well, in my opinion, we’re beyond fair.  It’s necessary.

Des Moines Real Estate Roundup 8/22/08

Week Ending August 22nd, 2008

 

School is officially back in session in most communities around the Des Moines metro.  Where did the summer go?  Alice Held is a friend of mine with RE/MAX Fine Properties in Phoenix, Ariziona.  She shares some sites to help get back in the “school mood”: MSN Back to School Guide and MSN Homework Learning & Research and A Parents Guide to Homework Help.  Thanks Alice!

 

Total Number of Homes For Sale in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area – 5,674

New Listings Taken During the Last 7 Days – 261

Accepted Offers (Pendings) During the Last 7 Days – 112

Homes Closed (Solds) During the Last Days – 145

Average Sale Price of Solds – $181,606

Average Days On Market of Solds – 86

 

 

If you have specific questions about real estate for sale
in the Des Moines area, please feel free to contact me by Clicking Here. 
Les Sulgrove, RE/MAX Real Estate GroupInformation on this blog posting is for informational purposes only
and not intended as solicitation if you are already working with a REALTOR®.
There is no obligation or fee for any information on this blog posting.

Data Source: Les Sulgrove, RE/MAX Real Estate Group 
Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS® MLS.
Des Moines Metropolitan Area defined as: Adel, Altoona,
Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Dallas Center,
Desoto, Granger, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Norwalk,
Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Urbandale, Van Meter ,Waukee,
West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, Winterset

Des Moines Real Estate Roundup

Week Ending August 15th, 2008

 

The Iowa State Fair is winding down and if predictions are correct, it will be a record attendance setting year!  Mild weather and families staying closer to home this summer are getting the credit for the predicted attendance of over 1 million visitors!  My wife, son and I attended today adding 3 to that count.  A highlight for my son was visiting the National Guard display just as they were rolling out one of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s NASCAR cars.  The sound of the engine almost knocked us over as they started it up to move it into place.

 

Total Number of Homes For Sale in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area – 5,667

New Listings Taken During the Last 7 Days – 251

Accepted Offers (Pendings) During the Last 7 Days – 157

Homes Closed (Solds) During the Last Days – 129

Average Sale Price of Solds – $201,349

Average Days On Market of Solds – 93

 

 

If you have specific questions about real estate for sale
in the Des Moines area, please feel free to contact me by Clicking Here. 
Les Sulgrove, RE/MAX Real Estate GroupInformation on this blog posting is for informational purposes only
and not intended as solicitation if you are already working with a REALTOR®.
There is no obligation or fee for any information on this blog posting.

Data Source: Les Sulgrove, RE/MAX Real Estate Group 
Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS® MLS.
Des Moines Metropolitan Area defined as: Adel, Altoona,
Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Dallas Center,
Desoto, Granger, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Norwalk,
Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Urbandale, Van Meter ,Waukee,
West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, Winterset

Des Moines Real Estate Roundup

Week Ending August 8th, 2008

 

Let The Games Begin!  As the 2008 Olympics begin in Beijing China, two local athletes from Des Moines will represent the United States in the games!  Shawn Johnson is the familiar name of the two.  She’s a 16 year old gymnast from West Des Moines who’s name is frequently mentioned with Mary Lou Retton.  The other athlete is Lolo Jones is a Des Moines Roosevelt High graduate competing in Track & Field as a 100 Meter Hurdler.  Jones lists her official residence as Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Congratulations to both of these ladies as they give their all to bring the gold medal back to the US!!!

 

Total Number of Homes For Sale in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area – 5,747

New Listings Taken During the Last 7 Days – 261

Accepted Offers (Pendings) During the Last 7 Days – 141

Homes Closed (Solds) During the Last Days – 96

Average Sale Price of Solds – $204,647

Average Days On Market of Solds – 85

 

 

If you have specific questions about real estate for sale
in the Des Moines area, please feel free to contact me by Clicking Here. 
Les Sulgrove, RE/MAX Real Estate GroupInformation on this blog posting is for informational purposes only
and not intended as solicitation if you are already working with a REALTOR®.
There is no obligation or fee for any information on this blog posting.

Data Source: Les Sulgrove, RE/MAX Real Estate Group 
Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS® MLS.
Des Moines Metropolitan Area defined as: Adel, Altoona,
Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Dallas Center,
Desoto, Granger, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Norwalk,
Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Urbandale, Van Meter ,Waukee,
West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, Winterset

The Dog Days of Summer

You always hear about the Dog Days of Summer but do you know where the saying comes from?  Certainly, if you own a dog it could be assumed that it has something to do with your pooch.  But it really doesn’t.

Webster defines Dog Days of Summer as:
1 - the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere.  OR
2 - a period of stagnation or inactivity.

In reality, the Dog Days of Summer orignates back to ancient times when people would gaze upon the night time stars.  Today most everyone has heard of Sirius and if asked, many would say that Sirius is a satellite radio company.  They would be right, but Sirius is also the brightest star in the constellation, Canis Major.  (Canis Major is also known as “The Big Dog”)

During the summer, Sirius rises and sets with the sun and our ancestors believed that heat from the star Sirius added heat to the sun and therefore increased the heat during a period of time during the summer months.  (Do you suppose Al Gore knows that there was “Global Warming” due to the star Sirius?)  Obviously this is not the case, but the rumor stuck and today we celebrate the Dog Days of Summer from the days July 3rd through August 11th.

So if it’s any consolation (or is that constellation?) we only have a few Dog Days of Summer left.

Des Moines Real Estate Roundup 8/1/08

Des Moines Real Estate Roundup

 

Week Ending August 1st, 2008

 

The Figure 8 Races were held last weekend at the Warren County Fairgrounds in Indianola.  A true sign that summer is at its peak are the county fairs in full swing!  To see more photos of this “successful” rollover crash during the front wheel drive race, Click Here.

 

Total Number of Homes For Sale in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area – 5,810

New Listings Taken During the Last 7 Days – 267

Accepted Offers (Pendings) During the Last 7 Days – 127

Homes Closed (Solds) During the Last Days – 153

Average Sale Price of Solds – $187,845

Average Days On Market of Solds – 89

 

 

If you have specific questions about real estate for sale
in the Des Moines area, please feel free to contact me by Clicking Here. 
Les Sulgrove, RE/MAX Real Estate GroupInformation on this blog posting is for informational purposes only
and not intended as solicitation if you are already working with a REALTOR®.
There is no obligation or fee for any information on this blog posting. 

Data Source: Les Sulgrove, RE/MAX Real Estate Group 
Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS® MLS.
Des Moines Metropolitan Area defined as: Adel, Altoona,
Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Dallas Center,
Desoto, Granger, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Norwalk,
Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Urbandale, Van Meter ,Waukee,
West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, Winterset