Everything in December in the Midwest

December 1, 2011 · 0 comments

in Thoughts for December Iowa style

It’s all about December right now.  Shoppers*gifts*wrapping*parties*family*trimming* snow*carolers*school programs*craft fairs*tree decorating*snow*snowmen*traveling* bells*carriage rides*hot chocolate*Salvation Army bell ringers*Rudolph and Santa*Comet*Cupid*Donner*North Pole*more snow*St.Nick*Mrs. Claus*Jesus*church*elf’s*The Grinch that Stole Christmas*The Elf on the Shelf*cookies for Santa*new pajamas*new crayons and coloring books*and snow*Santa Claus Is Coming to Town*Blitzen*Jingle Bells*50% off*late mall hours*mittens and scarves*reindeer*snowball fights*ice dams*twinkling lights on the roof top*wreaths*welcome visitors*popcorn strung on the tree*snow*military away from home*homecomings*bows*ribbons*cranberries*nativities*cold*The Nutcracker*friends*candy canes*toys*the shrill of children*Santa at the mall*sleighs* sledding*snow*shovels*snow forts*angels*joy*sadness*smiles*tears*wishes*dreams* greetings*Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas*snow and ice*Silent Night*sweaters*long johns*ice skating*roller rinks*frozen lakes* geese a gaggling*Bing Crosby’s White Christmas*Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow* I’ll Be Home for Christmas*hockey*candles*pine trees*pine cones*hungry deer*hungry souls* more snow*holiday cards*family newsletters*engagements*pecan pie*fireplaces*mantels dressed*stockings hung with care*ice storms*slippery roads*flickering lights on trees*reindeers flying*celebrations*drummer boys*snowflakes*blizzards*whirling winds*snowplows*gift returns*prices slashed*gift cards* snowballs*red cheeks*running noses*frozen toes and fingers*boots*falling temps*Noel* snow*Winter Wonderland*Christmas Eve*Christmas Day*holiday cheer*eggnog*sugar cookies*Dasher*Dancer*Prancer*Vixen*twinkling stars*Father Christmas*candles*toy soldiers*real soldiers*Twelve Days of Christmas*homeless shelters* weddings*earmuffs*snow*more ice*poinsettias*holly and ivy*boughs*Christmas Cactus*school break*New Years Eve*endless….. 

 

Where ever this December finds you, may it be healthy, happy, cheerful and bright.    Merry Christmas,Kwanza, Hanukkah and in every other language it has the same message. 

 

Don and I wish you the best of the holidays, and of course you know to call us with your real estate wish list.  Don 515-453-7378 or Pat 515-453-7428 

 

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Sump pumps, radon tests, apple orchards oh my

October 29, 2011 · 0 comments

in Fresh pickins,Safe and healthy homes,Things to do in Iowa

Good news for the homeowners of the City of Des Moines with a sump pump rebate program.  Des Moines’s home owners have had their fair share of home water entry into the basements these last few years.  Des Moines has had a very dry fall 2011, however, winter is just about here, and Iowans know we can get socked with snow.  Heavy snowfall and spring rains can equal wet basements.  See my previous blog on sump pumps.  Get proactive now.

Have you checked your home for radon?  It is the leading cause of lung cancer.  The test cost is about $150.00 with a professional (always a good idea) or you may purchase a DIY radon kit at big box stores.  I had a terrific townhome listed in West Des Moines recently.  The buyer elected to have a radon test as part of the inspection process.  Radon test results came in at 17.  The acceptable EPA level is 4.0.  The seller/owner is responsible to have a radon mitigation system installed.  The seller took swift action, within 24 hours of radon results the system was installed and the level began to lower immediately.  This cost was an additional expense for the home owner/seller of $1,200.00 paid at time of install.  Iowa runs very high in radon positive test results.  See my previous blog on radon.  Get proactive now.

It is apple season in Iowa; all the orchards are full of ripe selections.  Grab the family and go get yourself some fresh picked apples, apple cider and apple butter.  Have you ever tried to make an apple pie, take the plunge?  My favorite is with the crumb topping.  Just today I made a batch of applesauce (recipe below).  Macintosh was 88 cents a lb at Hy-Vee  this past week.  OK, I was not at the orchard, but someone had to pick them from a tree.

Des Moines real estate market is picking up according to some stats. I must admit, it is sweet to see sale pending signs attached to the for sale signs on seller’s lawns.  Congrats to the happy seller and the happy buyer.  By the way there are over 5200 houses listed in the Des Moines multiple listing areas.  Are you in need of buying a house, or selling yours?  Give me a call at 515-453-7428.  Always check us out too at www.donandpatlutz.com  Get proactive now.

Applesauce recipe
4 medium cooking apples, pared, cored and diced
1 cup water
½ cup brown sugar (packed)
¼ t cinnamon
¼ t nutmeg
Heat apples and water over med. heat to boiling.  Turn down heat; simmer, stirring every now and then, for 5 to 10 minutes until tender.  Drop in brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; heat to boiling.  Remove from heat, cool before serving.  Keep in frig for several days, it freezes well too.  I use as foodie gifts.

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Des Moines Farmers’ Market

October 9, 2011 · 0 comments

in Things to do in Iowa

Great coffee experience

Enjoy the downtown Farmers’ Market in Des Moines every Saturday from May through October.  Each Saturday from 7am to 12pm you will find thousands of people attending, plus hundreds of strollers, and many leased pet dogs.  Running into friends, having a cup of joe with a fresh baked goodie from one of the bakery vendors is wonderful.  The Dutch Letters, scones, turnovers, and every imaginable kind of bread and pie are offered.

Farmers’ Markets are very popular in Des Moines.  Most suburbs also have their markets’ during the week.  Foodies buy fresh produce on Saturday then perhaps go to another FM mid week to restock.  People also shop for farm fresh eggs, jellies and jams, cheeses, local wines, salsa, hand crafted soaps, unusual clothing, and hand made jewelry.  Beautiful cut flowers, herbs and plants are weekly menu items to purchase.  In late July through August, the best Iowa sweet corn is available. It sells for about $5.00 a farmer’s dozen (13). 

Several restaurants offer menu breakfast offerings on their patio, which is a great way to people watch and take in the whole experience.  Personally I love the Farm Boy’s breakfast burrito.  Tortilla, scramble eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, cheese, salsa, peppers, sour cream and yummy.  Of course you don’t need to have everything on yours, but having “everything” is WOW.  

Whether your taste buds are Indian, Italian, Bosnian, French, American, Spanish, Asia it’s all there.  Don’t keep getting the same old thing, dare yourself, and try something different each time you hit the market.     

Fall markets are filled with the seasonal veggies and fruits.  The selections are bountiful and the warm autumn colors and scents of the assorted squashes, apples, pumpkins and gourds are plentiful.  Oh, I so love this time of year.         

Des Moines is never lacking for something to do day or night.  Get a copy of the weekly Cityview or dmJuicemagazines.  Des Moines is always growing, never gets stale.  On the web check out www.desmoinesisnotboring.com

We moved from Albany, NY to Des Moines, IA in 1978 with my husband’s company.  We do consider ourselves Iowans.  We have raised two daughters here; the Iowa environment is conducive to family life.  Iowa is a great place to live, work and play. 

 I have been a local real estate agent since October 2001.    I have always been with First Realty Homes; the office is located at 5500 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines.  There is nothing better than this career choice.  Well, I could add the housing market could be better for sure, but hang in there it will change back to normal or better.  But in the meantime, do your have some needs for changing your home status?  Buying right now could not be better, the interest rate dropped to below 4% this week for conventional 30 yr. fixed mortgage.  Have a house to sell?  OK, maybe it’s not the perfect time.  But sell it now.  Housing prices are not expected to come back for perhaps as many as seven years.  Take the loss now, than buy a great house cheap.  Build up your equity in your new home.  And don’t forget to shop at the farmers’ markets for cost saving and fresh items.  Check us out at www.donandpatlutz.com

 Comments are always welcomed

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Basil equals pesto

August 31, 2011 · 0 comments

in What's in your garden

Gardening is so popular; even more so as prices soar for fresh produce.  Homeowners are planting flowers, vegetable and herb gardens to help defray the grocery stores costs.  Plus it is much more satisfying to sit down to a meal knowing that you had a green thumb in “the menu”.  We all love the look and scent of fresh flowers in the home, what better way than to plot out a piece of backyard and plant away.  Well thought out gardens are also attractive to house hunters.  Backyards are entertaining areas outside of the four walls that appear to add more livable square footage to your home.

Container gardens are also popular for smaller backyards, decks, and herb growing.   Personally I plant my herbs in clay pots and place them here and there.  They add a nice mix to flowers and shrubs.  Also put herbs into baskets and hang them from tree branches or Shepherd’s hooks.  In the Midwest we have a limited growing season, so we take advantage of the few short months and grow in abundance.

So if you are like me and overwhelmed by the amount of basil you have right now, here is a great recipe for pesto I found.  Courtesy of Barefoot Contessa’s, how easy is that? Cookbook 2010

PESTO

Makes 4 cups

1/4 cup, walnuts
1/4 cup, pine nuts
3 tablespoons, diced garlic (9 cloves)
5 cups, fresh basil leaves, packed
1 teaspoon, kosher salt
1 teaspoon, freshly ground black pepper
1 ½ cups, good olive oil
1 cup, freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Place the walnuts, pine nuts, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade.  Process for 30 seconds.  Add the basil, salt, and pepper.  With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is pureed.  Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute.  Use immediately or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.

Ina Garten “aka” Barefoot Contessa suggests how to prep your basil and save it for several days.

To clean basil, remove the leaves from the stems, swirl then in a bowl of water, and then spin them very dry in a salad spinner.  Store them in a closed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel.  As long as the leaves are dry they will stay green for several days.

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Iowa. What a Great State to Live, Work and Play

August 18, 2011 · 0 comments

in Things to do in Iowa

This past week has been everything about IOWA- IOWA- IOWA.   I have to start off with my fav,  Josh Groban, the singer was in town performing at the Wells Fargo Arena, Wednesday  August 10th and spoke  about the Iowa State Fair’s opening day on Thursday,  a much talked about state fair throughout the country I might add.  While Josh talked to a fan in the audience he asked her what she does at the fair.  He got an unexpected answer.  Her reply was she raises bunnies.  The audience laughed in good humor, as Josh gave her a hard time about “raising bunnies’ all in good fun.  Josh Groban’s concert was terrific and sold out.  Iowans love Josh’s music and artistry and welcome him back.  Des Moines books fabulous entertainment each year, another plus about living in Des Moines.  

Thousands flock the fair over 10 days.

Also on Wednesday August 10th all the major and local new stations camped out waiting for the entire Republican Presidential candidates to arrive for the Iowa State Fair’s opening day August 11th.  They were all scheduled to speak and ask Iowan’s to “pick me-pick me”.  Sarah Palin also showed up with her bus tour to liven up the day even more. The buses that the candidates tour in are incredible.  All pretty and dolled up, not your everyday city bus, but their home away from home for weeks at a time.  I can’t imagine the fuel expenses, let alone the overall cost to tour for the candidates.     

Then on Saturday in Ames, Iowa was the Straw Poll not to be missed.  Each candidate talked to the crowds about the issues at hand, vote for me because I will-I can-I promise.  Each candidate had their own massive tent filled with goodies, food, and give-a-ways.  Thousands came, and lines were very long at each tent, however it was a beautiful summer day in the high 70’s and they did not mind waiting.  Iowans are patient people.

So, who came out on top in the Straw Poll?  Michelle Bachman did.  Now we Iowans take our straw poll serious, and so do the candidates and the media networks.  Millions of dollars came into Iowa in the last week.  Absolutely a good kick for the local economy, plus they will all be back to travel Iowa during the Iowa caucus in January of 2012.  I have lived in Iowa since 1979 and I consider my self a true Iowan for sure.

At the Iowa State Fair we have what is known as the corn kernel jar count.  Fair goers’ place a kernel in the jar of their favorite candidate, and the candidate with the most kernels is announced a day or two after the fair.

Comments always welcomed on this subject.

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So you think you want a dog?

August 4, 2011 · 0 comments

in Homeowner and pet ownership together

My inspiration to write this blog is that our 12 yr. old granddaughter told me she has almost talked her Dad into getting a dog.  Following are my thoughts on the subject.   

So you want a dog. Why?  The family is bugging you?  Almost everyone you know has a pet?  You see pet owners walking their dogs every day in the neighborhood; you think to yourself, I could do that.  First, think about all the life style changes that come with that.   

As a responsible dog owner myself, I take my pooch for her daily walk. It is also my responsibility to pick up after her.  Yes, I carry a plastic bag, yes, I scoop the “you know”, and yes, I dispose of it in my trash bin.  Yes, I am a responsible doggie owner, I made the choice to have a dog and I don’t want my neighbors getting upset that I did not clean up after.  Well, seriously I don’t want to step in either.  My dog is a Border Collie, she is 15 years old, very intelligent, well behaved, and a loyal companion.     

Having an active dog and working outside of the home is making it work together.   Household pets are dependent on humans for food, drink, health and creating a good safe environment for them.  Being a real estate agent I have the flexibility of working from my home office, my Prudential First Realty office, and of course my office on wheels. Speaking of which, I just purchase four 60,000 mile tires. Ouch $$$$   

As a Realtor for 11 years and a pet owner for over 30 years, I can share the experiences and appreciate having a pet in the home.  Not always easy with vacations, parties, overnight guests and family emergencies.    

Showing homes is part of my job description.  When I make a showing appointment with the homeowner’s, I ask if they have a pet.  I always ask the pet’s name so I can greet them.  I find this instantly calms the animal, and it makes our home visit less alarming for the pet and visitors.  I might add that the sellers appreciate the extra attention to detail of the Realtor’s thoughtfulness.         

Ok, back to getting a dog.  School is starting soon; summer is just finishing up and schedules change.  Everyone will be gone during the day.  Who might be home to take care of the pet during those hours?  Or do you plan on putting Fido in a crate all day?  I am not a crate/kennel fan.  Generally everyone is gone by 8:00 a.m. and may not arrive back home until 4:00 or later.  Then it is, hurry someone let the dog out to do its business (who has been holding it ALL day), somebody feed the dog, give Fido fresh water too.

Then each evening many other activities take place.  Dinner, dishes, a load or two of wash, cleaning, homework, baths, playtime, and looking at the next days schedule and making lunches for the kids, getting the backpacks ready the night before.  Has anyone really given woof love yet?  

Finally bedtime, you climb into bed, the furry person jumps in too. Perhaps looking for a hug, but you are too tired to deal with it.  However, the dog has been cooped up in a small, tight kennel/crate/cell all day, waiting for the family to come home so the family pet can give some wet kisses.  Barks, jumps, runs in circles, and brings you its favorite toy to play fetch.  With a pat on the head, you say “not now”.   

Have you ever heard from a dog owner that when their dog accidently goes potty in the house or crate it is fearful of the owner when the incident is noticed?  Or maybe the family pet is acting funny when you come home.  Whoops, I went potty in the crate or on the floor.  Sorry Mom and Dad, but I had to go, I mean I really had to go, but nobody was home to hear me barking that I needed to go outside.  Do you really think I want you upset with me?  I didn’t have a choice.      

How often do we hear a co-worker, friend, and neighbor, ask if they know of anyone that wants a dog, they just don’t have time for it, and they really don’t want to bring it to the animal rescue league.   

No time to feed.
No time to water
No time to exercise
No time to play with
No time for training
No time for becoming part of the family
No time to clean the kennel and yard
No time for grooming
No time for petting
No time for?  What is your reason?

Read enough? If you answer “No I don’t’ have time” then you should not get a dog.

Comments are welcomed

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Should I get a sump pump?

July 16, 2011 · 0 comments

in Safe and healthy homes

HONEY, the basement is flooded!  How many times have we heard that horrid story?  Months of winter’s snow accumulation, spring rains, then heavy summer storms will certainly cause saturated grounds to find runoffs.  High streams, creeks, lakes, dams continue to rise; the water needs to go “somewhere”.  Minot, ND is a classic example of what flooding waters are capable of doing.  Minot’s residences are not an example of how a sump pump could have changed things.   

Having just one more heavy downfall can be the onset of flooding.  Be prepared.  One way to be proactive in your home is to have a really good, well constructed sump pump installed.  However, if you live in a flood prone area a sump pump can’t compete with an over the banks creek that now acts like a raging river.  

Water entry damage to a basement can sometimes be prevented in advance.  A good sump pump can be worth its weight in gold, and now a day’s that’s a lot with the price of gold. 

There are many vendor brands of sump pumps, and pumps can differ with how they operate.  Water powered water pumps, water sump pumps; sump pumps with battery back up.  Investigate your choices and determine what is best fitting for your home’s situation.  Be a knowledgeable consumer.

How is the drainage in your neighborhood?  How old is your current pump?  How often do you hear it running?  How often do you check it?  Do you live in an area that loses power frequently?  If so battery backup could be your back up plan.   

Check out price points, consumer digests, get information from a plumber, browse the local big box stores, or your favorite hardware store.

We live in Des Moines we know about flooding in the midwest for sure.  In 1993 Des Moines was heavily flooded and we lost our water plant for 11 days, hundreds of homes experienced flooded basements and many homeowners lost their homes.  Since the early nineties some parts of Des Moines have experienced more flooding in and around our downtown area when the river gets to high, and additionally dam water needs to be release from Saylorville Dam.  Our sump pump was working overtime, we were so thankful it did not fail. 

As a Realtor and a homeowner I know the importance of working sump pumps.  For as little as they cost to replace with a sturdy brand, it can save thousands of dollars in potential loss of property damages.   

www.SumpPumpHelp.com    

Comments or questions welcomed

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RADON

July 11, 2011 · 0 comments

in Safe and healthy homes

Buying a home?  Whether it is a resale or new construction, be proactive; tell your Realtor you would like a radon inspection as part of your purchase agreement contract.  The buyer usually pays the upfront cost of the test ($125-150).  If positive, it is generally the seller that pays the cost to mitigate.  Someday in the next few years it will be mandated that homes be tested for radon at the time of sale. This is a good thing!   

IOWA is a hotbed for elevated (high) levels of radon, a naturally, occurring, odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that seeps from the soil into the basements of homes.

Radon in a home is a potential serious health hazard; it is believed to cause lung cancer.

Seven out of ten homes tested in IOWA have radon levels that exceed federal guidelines for exposure, which is 4 picocuries per liter.  The EPA recommends that homes with levels at or above 4pCi/L should have a mitigation system installed to reduce the exposure below that threshold.

Average homes in IOWA test 8.5pCi/L though some homes have tested in triple digits according to the director of the state’s radon program.

To test for radon you may purchase a DIY kit from a big box store, hardware store or have it professionally tested.  Professional/certified inspectors will have a meter that they set up in the home over three days.  At the end of the 72 hours or 3days the meter will produce readings from every hour the meter was constantly on.   It averages the numbers and determines what the home’s radon level is.  The meter is then cleared for the next radon test of another home.  

If the radon level is higher then the EPA guidelines of 4.0 pCi/L radon mitigation would be recommended.  A professional installer is required to install the radon mitigation system.  The cost for installation and materials is about $1200.to $1700. and can usually take two days at tops.  Within 24 hours after installation you will see the level of RADON drop.  The venting has a meter indicator for continual homeowner observation. 

It is becoming more common in IOWA for new home builders to install a passive system.  If radon is found afterwards, they can make it an active system by adding a blower, which is usually prewired when the passive system is installed.  Ask you professional builder about passive radon systems at the time of your plans and specs meeting.     

Local businesses in Des Moines

Hawkeye Inspection

Whole house inspections
Radon inspections and radon mitigation
Steve Casely-Owner
515-778-9663

Midwest Indoor Air Quality Associates, LLC

Radon inspection and mitigation
Dave Reynolds 515-783-4669

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Open Houses-Will they be a thing of the past?

July 6, 2011 · 0 comments

in Open Houses

Over the years there has been controversy regarding residential Realtors continuing to have seller’s homes open for potential buyers to visit.  Reasons vary; decreased buyer attendance, information easily found on the Internet, family time is limited on weekends.  The newspaper’s open house sections are getting smaller and smaller.  What used to be a 12 page pull out section at minimum was dedicated to real estate ads, open house pictures with text ads, builder’s ads, and new housing developments…

The local newspapers, such as the Des Moines Register have experienced shrinkage in their real estate section.  The number one reason would be the sky rocketing cost of print advertising in the last few years that is  passed on to the advertisers With the decrease in residential market sales, real estate companies have chosen to no longer spend their marketing dollars on weekly ads, but to invest it into internet marketing.  Subscriber membership to any kind of home delivery reading material is also at its lowest.  Why subscribe to a daily or monthly publication when you can read it for free at the click of a button.  I do.

Sellers and Buyers are flocking to the Internet for their real estate inquires.  Looking for a listing or buying agent?  Click. Looking for home prices in your neighborhood?  Click. What are your neighbor’s and friend’s homes worth?  Click. Looking to move from state to state or country to country? You know what to do.  The searching and clicking is endless.  Did I mention you can do this at home, work, the park, the coffee café, on an airplane?  The smart phones too have made easy access to anything a touch away.

Comments and questions?

  • Are you a buyer or seller, what is important to you?
  • What do you think of open houses, do you frequent them?
  • Could your choice of an agent be based on whether they do open houses?

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Firepits increase your home’s value and creates more family living space

June 20, 2011 · 0 comments

in Outdoor living

Loving this time of year? Trying to find ways to spend more time outdoors in your yard?

How about adding a “firepit” to the backyard this summer?  Firepit areas in the yard create the illusion of more living space to your home. Homeowners love the increased value it adds to their property’s selling price when they decide to move.    

Part of summer is all about grilling and enjoying all the hours outside.  Firepits are perfect for S’mores and toasted marshmallows too.  Click here for a great S’mores recipe.       

Visit the big box stores, fireplace centers and landscaping companies.  From modest to elaborate styles and sizes can accommodate everyone’s wallet and yard sizes.  Don’t forget to plan them away from the house, not by low tree branches, and of course never on the deck.

At Home Depot they have a “how to guide” on line that basically gives you the ideas on building one.  Remember to first check your city/county ordinances on having firepits; some cities have specific codes of what they will allow.  It’s easy to find out, call your local town hall or fire department.  

TIP! Clean out the cooled firepit ashes and add them to the compost for your garden. Your flower beds will love you.

Looking for more ideas, check out information on:

  • Chimineas
  • Gas patio heaters
  • Electric patio heaters 
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