Storm Lake Iowa Homes - Georgia Weaver's RE Blog

Pilot Tribune Article Link for the Weaver LLC Realtors new business Opening

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:29:55 -0600

Pilot Tribune newspaper article and picture showing our new brokerage sign, Dusty Rydstrom (Office assistant and me posing. No I'm not a poser I AM THE REAL THING! Just ask me :)

http://www.stormlakepilottribune.com/story/1584806/photo/1287165.html

http://www.stormlakepilottribune.com/story/1584806.html

We are very busy getting the office up and going, all the property books made, forms developed, printed and filed, accounts complete, license, insurance, accounting software and of course training, and the office looks great - same colors we used on our house on Peterson St.

New Brokerage in Alta, IOWA!

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:09:16 -0500

This week I finally opened my own brokerage, Monday I went to Des Moines for my license and have been working in my own space since then. This weekend we put some of the finishing touches on, setup the computer for the assistant and hang our big sign. We officially open to the public this Monday, November 2, 2009.

Weaver LLC Realtors -

Only one Focus -YOU
We do only one thing - REAL ESTATE

YOU are our top priority, NOT Number of Sales, Number of Listings, Number of Agents, or Number of Dollars - YOU!

Our new location is 113 Main St., Suite 3, in Alta, Iowa
Call our office at 712-200-4663
Call or text me direct at 712-574-5426

Call me or come by to see how I can help YOU.

Storm Lake and Alta Iowa Weekly Market Report 9/16-23/09

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:49:21 -0500

Weekly
Storm Lake MLS
Market Statistics - 9/16/09 to 9/23/09

Storm Lake
Available Residential Properties - 71 homes
Sold in last 30 days - 14 homes

Alta
Available Residential Properties - 16 homes
Sold in last 30 days - 5

Properties are listing and selling, waiting till "the market improves" DOES NOT APPLY to our market. Personally as a real estate investor, I am buying and selling. 4 Closings this month so far!

http://www.slrealtycheck.com/ for more information on the Storm Lake and Alta Iowa real estate market or call me 9Georgia A. Weaver) direct at 712-574-5426

Storm Lake and Alta, Iowa - June, July , August 2009 Real Estate Market Report Comparision with 2008

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:38:22 -0500

2008

40 total properties with the above criteria sold in this period

Days on Market in this period - 27.5% marketed 0 to 30 days, 35% marketed 31-60 days, 2.5% marketed 61-90 days, 7.5% marketed 91-120 days, 27.5% marketed120+ days

Average Days on Market (DOM) was approximately 80

2009

36 total properties sold within the above criteria in this period

Days on Market in this period - 22.2% marketed 0 to 30 days, 33.3% marketed 31-60 days, 8.3% marketed 61-90 days, 13.9% marketed 91-120 days, 22.2% marketed 120+days

Average Days on Market was approximately 87

Summation:

The striking thing about this 3-month block of sales is what little difference there is from last year to this year. None of the numbers are greatly significant, it shows our local market (Storm Lake and Alta) are very stable and have not been negatively impacted by the national downturn. Real estate is a good investment in general, a number of people are purchasing, and selling, we (Realtors) have seen a good year to date. The Storm Lake and Alta housing market is gaining ground overall.

As of August 31, 2009 we had 2.59 months of housing supply for sale in the above markets, this is referred to as the Listing/Absorption rate. 2.59 months is an excellent inventory compared to many markets that have over 12 months housing supply for sale. The supply and demand scenario in our area is excellent at 2.59 months of inventory, this gives buyers a number of properties to choose from but there aren't so many available that it drives the prices down like it has in Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and most cities in Arizona in general. However, these markets also offer many opportunities, if you are an investor, looking for a second or retirement home or want to move up now is the time to do it in these markets.

Town Allowing Property Owners To Remove Sidewalks in City Limits - Any input on other towns allowing this?

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:43:34 -0500

Help,

A small town I serve is allowing property owners to remove sidewalks. This is a big problem, the area is northwest Iowa, we get a lot of snow and many children still walk to school. No sidewalks is also a problem if you are handicapped, I think it could lead to some accessibility problems for the city when it comes to their streets and the ADA. Anyone have any input as how to proceed, I hope to be talking to the City Council October 5th and I would like to go in with some input from other Realtors. Thanks for the Help!

Open Houses

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:30:16 -0500

Denise - Totally agree, one thing I've found is that sellers looking for a Realtor will go to open houses in their neighborhoods, so it can be really beneficial to the Realtor. I like tour of homes better than open houses, it gives lookers a chance to see many homes and puts a sense of urgency (due to the shorter time allowed for each property) in the prospective buyers. Good to see you online. :)

Via Denise Kilbride (Real Estate Professionals):

I'm not sure why it seems that real estate agents don't like to do open houses. Sure, there may be times when you don't have anyone at the house, but when you do, it gives you time to speak one on one with a potential home buyer. Maybe they won't make an offer on that house, but you have had a chance to talk with them and get some insight on another house that may be better suited to their wants and needs. You will occasionally get a neighbor or two who are "just curious" about what the house looks like. That's okay too. They may know someone in the near future that needs to buy or sell a house. They may pass on your name! As for the down time, when no one is at the house, use it to catch up on reading, correspondence, or reorganizing the contact list in your blackberry!

New Credit Reporting Guidelines - Dates and Impact

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:05:21 -0500

FICO 08 are the new guidelines that refer to the new credit scoring. Already, 2 of the reporting agencies, Equifax and Trans Union have started using the new reporting.

The impact of the changes for someone with good credit could be a slight increase in score, if you have some problems your score could drop. Small collections under $100do not count on your score, and some late payments will not hurt you as much if you have other accounts that are current. Like the old system a lot of late payments will drop your score.
As a Realtor I see a lot of credit scores that need work, the way to keep your score in good shape, check your reports at least once a year and twice is best. Pay all bills at least on time and at best early. Do not carry a lot of debt, if you can't pay off a credit card DON'T use credit until you can. Inability to pay off credit cards monthly is a big red flag that you are living over your means and when you do that you are headed for trouble.
Watch for a change in your credit card billing the end of February 2010, and already in effect banks can not give you less than 45 days notice if your interest rates are to change and all credit card statements must be mailed to you at least 21 days before your payment is due.

Tax credit raised to $15,000 - Proposed

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:36:05 -0500

Tax Credit Raised to $15,000 with out limits!! Proposed Posted: Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 64 comment(s) [ Comment ] - 0 trackback(s) [ Trackback ] Category: BrokerAgentSocial.com

There is legislation in both the Senate and the House that would expand the tax credit. A proposal by Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., would raise the credit amount to a maximum of $15,000 for any buyer of any home over the next year. It would remove the income caps that currently apply (those limits are now $75,000 for an individual and $150,000 on couples).

"I think we've got a realistic chance of doing this," Isakson says. "Our problem is not with the first-time home buyer, it's the move-up buyer."

Lawrence Yun, chief economist at NAR, says extending or raising the tax credit would spur the housing recovery, which in turn would help bolster the economy.

The IAR and the NAR are working hard to get the current tax credit for first time home buyers extended and expanded. Realtors, contact your local representatives and senators, tell them how this has helped your clients. I know it has really helped mine and I would like to see it extended at least a year and expanded to all home purchases.

Your Blog - Is it Art or is it Science? 10 Steps to a Seach Engine Friendly Blog

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:24:28 -0500

#This is a great article, plain English, easy to execute and something I plan to print off for future reference!

Thank you Ross

Via Ross Hair (Real Estate Advocate):

Publishing a blog is a mixture of art and science.

The art is your content, how you phrase your sentences and pen your words.

The science is the systematic checklist you use to make sure your blog is fully optimized for the search engines so it can be seen by your real estate customers.

I going to leave the wordsmithing (I think I just inventicated this word) and poetic language about your recently rehabbed 3 bed 2 bath to you.

I'm only going to help you with the technical stuff so here's the "10 Step Scientific Outline and Checklist for Publishing your First Blog Post":

Select a topic for your post. Make sure the topic is relevant, interesting and valuable to your target audience.

Select the keywords and category for your post. Your keywords are critical as the search engines will index your post based on keywords and keyword relevance. It's very important that you use your keywords in the page name, post name, post header and first few sentences of your post.

Write each page name to include your keywords and include the same words that will be in the heading of the post. You have the ability to name each page that you publish so make sure you include the keyword and title in the page name.

Write your heading to include the name of the page and include your keywords.

Write your sub-heading or tag line to reinforce the heading.

Write a description of the post. This is a hidden back end feature that you can use to basically stuff keywords into the post. Your reader won't see the description but it will be indexed by the search engines.

Write meta tags that include your keywords. Meta tags are a way to strongly identify the keywords associated with a post. You're basically tagging certain words and asking the search engines to pay attention to those words.

Write a category for the post. The search engines like nice clearly defined structures. By categorizing the post under a niche group, you're highlighting what you want the search engines to notice and index.

Write your first line to include your heading and create links to your site. An example of this would be a post with the header "Three Ways to use Creative Finance to Purchase Real Estate". Your primary key word is creative finance because this is a post about using creative finance. The first sentence of your post should read something like " I'm a big fan of using creative finance to purchase real estate". You've basically regurgitated the post's header in the first line. You also bolded the words "creative finance" and included a link from the words to the creative finance section of your blog. The search engines will notice the keywords, bold letters and hyperlink.

Include a footer with your details as the author and a link to your website. This way, if someone re-publishes your post you'll have a back link to your site. I also like to publish my name as the author right under the heading as I've noticed a trend whereby a number of blog sites use an auto RSS feature to lift hundreds of blogs and aggregate them on a single site. They often cut off the author acknowledgement at the end of the article.

Another Storm Lake, Iowa Acreage for Sale

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:46:18 -0500

6275 170th Avenue, Storm Lake, Iowa is a nice rural property with a 3 bedroom older home, lots of mature trees, fruit trees, perennial flowers, large outdoor entertaining space, a number of out buildings including a large barn with 3 separate areas (2 have concrete flooring and one has pea gravel). Check out the video of the home.
It is not too late to qualify for the first time home buyers tax credit, call me to take a look at this rural home.

This property is located in the Storm Lake Iowa area, just off Highway 7. Storm Lake Iowa is a great area that has a destination part, King's Pointe, a recreational lake, shopping, http://www.bvu.edu/, Buena Vista Regional Hospital, The Pilot Tribune newspaper and the Storm Lake Times Newspaper, a community calendar

New Alta, Iowa Acreage Video Tour

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:44:58 -0500

Dream of living in the country; then this is for you. 2.9 A and a 3 bedroom home, kitchen through living room are open, huge family room has a stone hearth wood burning fireplace. Fruit trees, black walnut, maple, ash and evergreens cover the landscape. A 50 by 50 barn could be used for a business, storage or other, it has heat, water and electricity and 3 bays- 2 are concrete and one is pea gravel. Lots of potential entertainment space inside and out, large deck, 2 patios, one has pavers and the other is octagon shaped made of brick and stones. Many birds have been viewed including: owls, finches and woodpeckers. Call Georgia Weaver 712-574-5426 to see this gem.

Member of a MLS? If so, I need some input

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:19:54 -0500

How is your organization managed:

1) Do you have a board fo directors

2) if so, who's on the board - anyone (agents, associate brokers, broker owners) or only broker owners and designated brokers

3) how are decisions made, all members vote or board of directors decide

I am on a board committee that is responsible for seeing that the MLS is in compliance with the National and State guidelines. A number of members of one specific MLS have concerns with how the group is functioning and I am trying to address these concerns to the everyone to help the group work better together.

Thank you ahead of time for taking the time to respond to this request.

Helping a Spender Spouse Become A Saver - Yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause!

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:57:46 -0500

Most marriages are made up of a saver and a spender. I am a spender, Ronnie - my husband is a saver. Together we usually make an awesome team, I find properties, see the potential, scribble up a plan and budget and then run it by Mr. Number Cruncher. He brings me back to reality sometimes and then sometimes I get his head in the clouds with mine. Below is a link to a 2 part article to help out with those who are married to their opposite. I have also included a link to a great website I have been checking out on money.

www.StretchyDollar.com

http://www.stretchydollar.com/financial-independence/converting-a-super-spender-to-a-frugal-saver-part-i/

http://www.stretchydollar.com/financial-independence/converting-a-super-spender-to-a-frugal-saver-part-ii/

Remember now is the time to invest in real estate, sound the call!

OSWAP - Onsite Waste Water Assistance Program for IOWA

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:32:47 -0500

DO you live in a rural area, that isn't served by a community waste treatment system? If so, you may qualify for some help with the new Iowa septic system ruling. This ruling goes into action July 1, 2009 and will apply to many households in Iowa.

http://www.iowadnr.gov/water/npdes/files/final69.pdf

Above is a copy of the ruling, below is a link to an assistance program to check into if you need it. In the area I serve (Storm Lake and Alta, Iowa) north west Iowa the cost for a new septic system runs from $8,000 - $15,000.

http://www.iowafinanceauthority.gov/en/water_quality_programs/onsite_wastewater_assistance_program_oswap/

If you think you will need help with this cost, especially if you plan to sell your home within the next 1-5 years don't wait, with the economy and a lot of cuts coming it is difficult to know how long this program will be in place.

Tax Payers to Pay Even More

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Fri, 01 May 2009 09:46:30 -0500

INSIDE WASHINGTON: Taxpayers to get rude surprise

INSIDE WASHINGTON: Millions of couples, retirees may have to repay some of Obama tax credit

Check out this article, it is very important to everyone, most of the readers on Active Rain will be impacted by this hidden tax that will have to be paid. Put it aside now so you aren't caught unprepared tax time next year.

I continue to be appalled at the Obama blunders in the financial area, you don't have to be an economist to see there is a Whole Lot of Spin on most of what comes out of this man whose goal seems to be outright socialism.

For evil to succeed all it takes is one good man/woman to remain silent are you that one good man or woman?

Real Estate Tech Gadgets - Free Websites to Assist Buyers with Building Design, Landscaping, Interior Design and Selections, and Furniture Placement

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:45:59 -0500

WOW! I like this, I have an investor interested in the perfect property to use these tools on to show it at it's maximum potential. I have been struggling with a CAD program that is like learning Martian. Thank you :)

Via Ryan Shaughnessy, Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner (PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com):

Whether you specialize in new home sales, have a vacant home for sale or just have a customer who doesn't see the possibilities offered by a home, it is often necessary to assist the customer by showing them the possibilities and unlocking the potential contained in a home to fully meet their needs and desires. Often, a customer has difficulty working off of flat two dimensional floor plans to visualize changes.

The following programs can be effectively used to assist with modifications to builder floor plans, landscaping designs to create outdoor spaces, making selections to visualize room color schemes, etc. For years, new home sales representatives have relied simply on graph paper to show the client how different layouts would work. Now, there are four easy to use websites that can be used to simplify the process:

www.SmallBluePrinter.com

SmallBluePrinter is a simple interactive program that can be used for basic home designs. It has a module that is geared to landscape design and is helpful in assisting buyers to visualize how to improve the landscaping or plant the new garden at their new home.

www.FloorPlanner.com

Floorplanner is a simple interactive program tha allows you to draw a floor plan. You start by creating the floor plan setting the general room dimensions, location of walls, and adding windows and doors. After establishing the general floor plan, you can add some finishes like floor coverings and color. Finally, you can drag and drop furniture, rugs and other home furnishings. However, the furniture selection is limited. View in two or three dimensions.

www.seemydesign.com

SeeMyDesign is geared towards interior design. It allows you to combine things like wall colors, window treatments, flooring and furniture to see option for various color combinations. It is good for assisting in making color selections. However, the site is limited by the available options which is limited to their family room photograph and limited options for wall color, furniture, window treatments and floor covering.

www.mydeco.com

Mydeco is a web-based room planner that lets you recreate your room and furnish it in a two dimension and three dimension environment - similar to FloorPlanner. This site allows you the greatest latitude of all the aforementioned sites to design your room in terms of the furniture, lighting and accessory options. In addition to the floor plan design program, you can also upload photographs and place furniture into the photographs to see how your furniture placement would look in the actual home.

These sites will never replace trained architects and draftsmen in developing floor plans, renderings, etc. However, if you need basic floorplans to facilitate a sale or selections, these sites offer a good starting point.

Interested in purchasing or selling a condominium or loft in St. Louis? Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or by e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

Please fix your mls pictures

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:47:02 -0500

Totally true!

I am very particular about the pictures that represent the property, just ask any of my Sellers. It is really your 1st shot at a Buyer, so your online presentation needs to be really good.

Via Walter Aaron Poling (Long & Foster):

When i take on a listing, i belive that the mls system is our most powerful tool. I would also like to say that the picure on the mls is the first thing that customer and agents look at. In most cases if there is not a picture the listing will not even get looked at. Below i have listed a few things about listing pictures that i do.

1. Do not submit a listing without a photo. This is something that i cant personally belive that agents do.

2. Post multiple photos. It doesnt take too long to snap a few photos while your already walking a house. Please tell me that you are walking your listings.

3. Edit your photos. It only take an extra minute to run your photos through Publisher or any number of other photo programs.

4. Take some spring time photos. If the pictures of your listing has something covered in snow please take a new photo. This also applies to new construction photos, when the house is complete, take a fresh photo.

5. Clean up your photos. If there is a trash can in the photo, move it before you take a picture. If your taking your main picture and there is a window unit a/c, see if you can get it moved. There are lots of these examples but just use common sense. Make sure you have homeowner permission before moving anything.

6. Take neighborhood photos. With lots of developments there are great views, or amenities that would be great to show as part of your package. Not too many agents do this, so you can set yourself apart.

These are just a few ideas, but the point is pictures are a valuable resource so dont ignore it. You owe it to your lising and to yourself! Thanks for reading.

Chinese Toxic Drywall - Heads Up for Home Remodelers

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:17:03 -0500

If you do remodeling, or are a property investor who has remodeled properties this link is very important. Book mark it and keep current, be sure you know where your materials come from. I have always thought it important to buy American and now more than ever. I am particular with where my food is grown and I am now much more cautious of where the materials we use come from. I will keep you posted on this but get the facts before you buy anymore drywall and check what you have already installed.

If you live in a home built after 2001 and are experiencing health prolems follow the advice in this article and get checked out.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/04/prweb2311464.htm

Postlets - Love Them!

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:56:48 -0500

I just got my Postlets account setup, it took several weeks. Problems with account and password and finally had to ask the site to reset the password so I could get setup. Was it worth it; yes indeed! Check out this one http://www.postlets.com/res/2047615.

I knew you'd love it, get yours too, it is free and great advertising for just a little work :)

This is a little more work but well worth it too, not free and more work but again well worth it!

http://www.slrealtycheck.com/listings.html

New Foreclosure Auction in Storm Lake, Iowa

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:15:15 -0500

This one is a looker! I received it today from the sheriffs office. The address is 116 West 6th Street, picture below, it is a split foyer and located very close to the old middle school. ted

Go to my website www.GeorgiaWeaver.comto print off a copy of the notice and the details. The judgement amount and noted fees on this one are less than its assessed value. Assessed values are not always fair market value (depends on the market) and it is very hard to tell what it looks like on the outside so be careful if you think you are interested. Do your due diligence both at the property and in the court house records. Remember foreclosures can have a lot of hidden problems that will cost a lot to remedy.

Winter Blizzard?

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:01:10 -0500

Quick note to all my readers and all the Storm Lake and Alta, Iowa locals. I have had a very busy week showing properties, attending a closing for a great couple from Colorado - Stacey and Alan Schlechten, negotiating a commercial building purchase, analyzing a couple of income properties for an investor and finished it up having great fun helping mud the drywall in the new basement of a wonderful couple of friends - Brad and Cindy Pedersen with a bunch of other friends - John Hase, Joyce Rydstrom, Matt Younie, Gary Launderville, Ronnie (you know my husband), sorry if I missed anyone.

Soon, many of you will receive my new real estate newsletter, "Your Home Newsletter", yeah I know not too original but it gets to the point, kind of like me.

One thing to keep in mind all you newly weds, college graduates, mid 20's, late 20's, you get the point, if you have been thinking about buying or selling a property now is the time. Interest rates are rock bottom, many below 5% and on top of that if you are a first time home buyer you may qualify for up to $8,000 in tax credit! Call me, let me help you get into that home you've been longing for - we have a lot of great new homes on the market and new coming on everyday. OK, I'm beat, it's snowing sideways and it's forecast to snow 6-10 inches and we have a real blizzard warning till 1 tomorrow afternoon, I'm packing it in for the night.

Real estate Market Coming Back Strong in Storm Lake and Alta, Iowa - Don't Wait

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 22:22:47 -0500

Soon, many of you will receive my new real estate newsletter, "Your Home Newsletter", yeah I know not too original but it gets to the point, kind of like me.

Thank you everyone who commented on my real estate question!

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:57:25 -0500

I am absolutely blown away by all the response I have received from the ActiveRain members on my question on EXIT. Many, many fans out there, I look forward to learning a lot more very soon! I will keep you posted.

Thank you again!

Happy 85th Birthday Les Juhl

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:06:49 -0500

Everyone say happy birthday to Les if you see him, he is 85 today!

We love you Les, I am sure you are one of the oldest realtors in Iowa.

Have a very Happy Birthday

First time Home Buyers- A Remodeled Home in Alta, Iowa with location and quality

Georgia Weaver (Weaver LLC Realtors) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:35:26 -0500

Listing number 14339 on the Storm Lake MLS and priced to sell at $88,000.

A top local remodeler has completed yet another home, this one is in Alta, very good location (2 blocks from Main and 5 blocks from the school), and a very good price especially with the new tax credit.

Did I mention it has a 4 CAR GARAGE! 2 doors both new and double deep

Formal Dining room has a nice bump out lined with windows, great for morning coffee

New kitchen, eat in nook, enclosed back porch, appliances included.

To see more of this home, call Georgia or text at 712-574-5426 and go online to www.stormlakemls.com and enter listing number 14339.