The Road Les Travels

We have a new family member! WELCOME TUCKER!!!

lessulgrove — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:09:28 +0000

Tucker is a 9 week old Golden Retriever weighing in at a lumpy 22lbs!
(Mom Kelsay and Dad Mike are doing fine)

The proud parents live in Norwalk and are looking for another dog to keep Tucker company.

Tucker is welcomed into our family by Katie & Willie (Grandma and Uncle respectively) and cousins Phoenix & Phoebe who live in Cedar Rapids.

Obama Signs Extension & Expansion of Home Tax Credit Into Law Today

lessulgrove — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:14:05 +0000

There are a lot of stories out today after Congress and the President came to an agreement on extending the home tax credit. President Obama made it official by signing the measure into law along with unemployment benefit extensions. It seems that nothing can be done by our lawmakers any longer that doesn’t involve bundling bills together.

I follow several real estate related blogs every day and I thought it would be interesting to post some of the links to the blogs I’m following that are commenting on the home tax credit extension. It’s very clear that not everyone thinks this is a good idea for buyers, sellers or the economy. The most common questions seem to be “Are we creating artificial market activity?” and “What is the true cost of this tax credit?”

From The Big Picture Blog – Peter Boockvar http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/11/the-home-buying-tax-credit-costs-what/
From Zillow Blog – Diane Tuman http://www.zillow.com/blog/8000-tax-credit-extended-through-april-30-2010/2009/11/06/

From our local boy Tyler Osby at Wealth with Mortgage Blog http://wealthwithmortgage.com/583/the-media-doesnt-always-report-the-whole-story/

Who Qualifies for the home buyer tax credit now? http://www.wra.org/pdf/government/2009_NAR_IssueBrief_HomebuyerTaxCreditChanges.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions about the tax credit (How frequent can it be? It was JUST passed today) http://takeaction.realtoractioncenter.com/ct/ddL1IKd1MTLN/matrix

Here’s an interesting take on the bill (Caution… it’s a negative blog post) from Danilo Bogdanovic http://agentgenius.com/g-rants-insanity-more/real-estate/why-the-extended-home-buyer-tax-credit-is-a-slap-in-the-face/

From Zachary Hosford blog http://zacharyhosford.com/president-obama-signs-home-buyer-tax-credit-extension-video-and-poll/ (Note the Poll by Jay Thompson in this blog – Very Interesting)

And lastly, speaking of Jay Thompson, The Phoenix Real Estate Guy Blog http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/home-buyer-tax-credit-passes-both-house-and-senate/ I like Jay. He’s not afraid to speak his mind on any subject and challenge the system. Subscribe to his blog as well as all the other blogs above!

Here’s what has been happening in the Des Moines Real Estate Market this week.

Des Moines Real Estate Statistics Week Ending 11-6-09
Week Ending November 6, 2009
Total Number of Homes For Sale in the Des Moines Area – 4755
New Listings Taken During the Last 7 Days – 209
Accepted Offers (Pendings) During the Last 7 Days – 86
Homes Closed (Solds) During the Last 7 Days – 142
Average Sale Price of Solds – $164,259
Average Days On Market of Solds – 88

If you would like to search for homes in the Des Moines area, feel free to visit my website. I don’t require a login or password and collect no information about you. You can always contact me if you have questions.
Click Here to begin your own home search or go to http://search.homesbyles.iow.mlxchange.com

Les Sulgrove, Iowa Real Estate Solutions, LLC

Information 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, Iowa Real Estate Solutions, LLC
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

What Price Ranges Were Selling This Week 10-30-09

lessulgrove — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:12:30 +0000

Des Moines Real Estate Statistics Week Ending 10-30-09
Week Ending October 30, 2009
Total Number of Homes For Sale in the Des Moines Area – 4800
New Listings Taken During the Last 7 Days – 225
Accepted Offers (Pendings) During the Last 7 Days – 106
Homes Closed (Solds) During the Last 7 Days – 160
Average Sale Price of Solds – $155,659
Average Days On Market of Solds – 90

Les Sulgrove, Iowa Real Estate Solutions, LLC

Information on this blog posting is for informational purposes only and not intended as solicitation if you are already working with a REALTOR®.

What Price Ranges Were Selling This Week?

lessulgrove — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:43:34 +0000

Des Moines Real Estate Statistics Week Ending 10-23-09
Week Ending October 23, 2009
Total Number of Homes For Sale in the Des Moines Area – 4785
New Listings Taken During the Last 7 Days – 201
Accepted Offers (Pendings) During the Last 7 Days – 123
Homes Closed (Solds) During the Last 7 Days – 107
Average Sale Price of Solds – $141,151
Average Days On Market of Solds – 88

Les Sulgrove, Iowa Real Estate Solutions, LLC

Information on this blog posting is for informational purposes only and not intended as solicitation if you are already working with a REALTOR®.

Des Moines Real Estate Statistics Week Ending 10-16-09

lessulgrove — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:41:19 +0000

How do you stay warm on a fall October Saturday morning?
Stop by the Des Moines Farmers Market and buy some Spicy Hot Mustard or Barn Burner Mustard! Works every time!

Week Ending October 16, 2009
Total Number of Homes For Sale in the Des Moines Area – 4795
New Listings Taken During the Last 7 Days – 230
Accepted Offers (Pendings) During the Last 7 Days – 154
Homes Closed (Solds) During the Last 7 Days – 97
Average Sale Price of Solds – $164,434
Average Days On Market of Solds – 97

Les Sulgrove, Iowa Real Estate Solutions, LLC

Information on this blog posting is for informational purposes only and not intended as solicitation if you are already working with a REALTOR®.

Weekend Photo Fun

lessulgrove — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:26:52 +0000

Saturday morning we were greeted with that four letter word associated with Winter… SNOW… it didn’t last much past mid afternoon as the sun came out, but nonetheless we had our first SNOW of the season…

With my new company, I’m now working from home! I went with a glass desk vs the traditional wood desk… Yes, I keep a bottle of Windex close buy.. but tonight Willie, my West Highland Terrier was begging to be let up on my lap. As he settled in, he noticed the space between my filing cabinet and the desktop.. he wanted on the filing cabinet…

Who am I to argue? How much clearance do you need to store your Westie? 8 inches seems about right!

Des Moines Real Estate Statistics Week Ending 10-9-09

lessulgrove — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:35:13 +0000

Last Week I posted sales data for different areas of the Des Moines Metro. This week shows what price ranges are selling.

Week Ending October 9, 2009
Total Number of Homes For Sale in the Des Moines Area – 4886
New Listings Taken During the Last 7 Days – 253
Accepted Offers (Pendings) During the Last 7 Days – 135
Homes Closed (Solds) During the Last 7 Days – 88
Average Sale Price of Solds – $186,370
Average Days On Market of Solds – 100
If you would like to search for homes in the Des Moines area, feel free to visit my website. I don’t require a login or password and collect no information about you. You can always contact me if you have questions.
Click Here to begin your own home search or go to http://search.homesbyles.iow.mlxchange.com

Les Sulgrove, Iowa Real Estate Solutions, LLC

Information on this blog posting is for informational purposes only and not intended as solicitation if you are already working with a REALTOR®.

What Areas Around Des Moines Are Selling In September?

lessulgrove — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:26:49 +0000

Des Moines Real Estate Statistics Week Ending 10-2-09
Week Ending October 2, 2009
Total Number of Homes For Sale in the Des Moines Area – 4906
New Listings Taken During the Last 7 Days – 268
Accepted Offers (Pendings) During the Last 7 Days – 171
Homes Closed (Solds) During the Last 7 Days – 210
Average Sale Price of Solds – $170,620
Average Days On Market of Solds – 93
If you would like to search for homes in the Des Moines area, feel free to visit my website. I don’t require a login or password and collect no information about you. You can always contact me if you have questions.
Click Here to begin your own home search or go to http://search.homesbyles.iow.mlxchange.com

Les Sulgrove, Iowa Real Estate Solutions, LLC

Information on this blog posting is for informational purposes only and not intended as solicitation if you are already working with a REALTOR®.

Des Moines Real Estate Statistics Week Ending 9-25-09

lessulgrove — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:45:41 +0000

Are you a first time home buyer? There’s still time to take advantage of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Incentive!

Week Ending September 25, 2009
Total Number of Homes For Sale in the Des Moines Area – 5016
New Listings Taken During the Last 7 Days – 278
Accepted Offers (Pendings) During the Last 7 Days – 175
Homes Closed (Solds) During the Last 7 Days – 123
Average Sale Price of Solds – $155,633
Average Days On Market of Solds – 90
If you would like to search for homes in the Des Moines area, feel free to visit my website. I don’t require a login or password and collect no information about you. You can always contact me if you have questions.
Click Here to begin your own home search or go to http://search.homesbyles.iow.mlxchange.com

Les Sulgrove, Iowa Real Estate Solutions, LLC

Information on this blog posting is for informational purposes only and not intended as solicitation if you are already working with a REALTOR®.

Pending Sales Surge in September!

lessulgrove — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:56:55 +0000

With the deadline approaching for the First Time Home Buyer stimulus money, sales have been brisk in September for the Des Moines market. Prior to this past week, the highest number of Pending transactions occurred in June when we hit 1746 Pending Sales. September 15th sales surpassed that number and have steadily increased each business day ending on Friday September 18th with 1780 Pending Sales.

A Pending Sale is defined as an offer to purchase that has been accepted between a buyer and seller. Closing occurs approximately 30 to 45 days after a Pending Sale during which time the buyer completes their loan application and the home is subjected to inspections, an appraisal and title updating.
Des Moines Real Estate Statistics Week Ending 9-18-09
Total Number of Homes For Sale in the Des Moines Area – 5025
New Listings Taken During the Last 7 Days – 318
Accepted Offers (Pendings) During the Last 7 Days – 161
Homes Closed (Solds) During the Last 7 Days – 93
Average Sale Price of Solds – $163,586
Average Days On Market of Solds – 94
If you would like to search for homes in the Des Moines area, feel free to visit my website. I don’t require a login or password and collect no information about you. You can always contact me if you have questions.

Click Here to begin your own home search or go to http://search.homesbyles.iow.mlxchange.com
Les Sulgrove, Iowa Real Estate Solutions, LLC

Information 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, Iowa Real Estate Solutions, LLC
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