About Boone County, MO

I went to a great presentation this week given by Jeff McClellan of First National Bank here in Columbia, MO. He spoke a great deal regarding the national economy and the Columbia economy. As we know, the national news media reports about how terrible and devestating the real estate market it and that it has been the downfall of the financial markets. What we do know is that real estate is local, so yes, there are areas of this country that have been very very hard hit by the devaluation of homes and increased foreclosure rates.

So what is going on in the Columbia housing market? Well, regarding foreclosures... forclosures are up from last year by about 34%. Boy that sounds like a horrible number. But the foreclosure rate in Boone County is actually only about 1/2% of all homes, as opposed to 7% in Ft. Myers FL which reports one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. So that is great news actually. Only 1/2% of homes are in foreclosure. Though if you are looking for a market with great foreclosure deals Boone County may not be the one you want to try.

What is some other good information about the Columbia economy? The National unemployment rate for September stood at 6.1%, in Columbia we are at that highest rate in years -- Again sounds really bad doesn't it. That rate is about 3.5% nearly 1/2 of the national average. That's great.

Another bad/good number. Home sales in Boone County and in particular Columbia are down approximatley 20% from last year. Again, sounds bad. The good number -- Prices are actually INCREASING -- for example, Last September average sale price was 180,083, this year it was 198,813. Thats an increase on the average sale price of $18,000. The median sale price INCREASE approximately $17,000 from 153,500 to 170,000 this September.

All in all the Columbia housing market remains strong and stable. Are there homes that are overpriced, in foreclosure, up for short sales, are their motivated sellers, the answer to all those questions is yes. But in Columbia, most homes do end up going for about 97% of asking price. Interest rates today are the same as they were in Dec of 2007 and June 2006 so with the low interest rates still available today is a great day to buy.

Welcome to Small Town Missouri

Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival
Downton Hartsburg, MO

Description:

In 1991 a community festival began, organized by a local group of 8 people, known as the Hartsburg Bike and Social Club. Today the annual festival 150 craft vendors, petting zoo, pony rides, food booths, pumpkins galore, and a variety of pumpkin activities for the whole family.

The charming river town of Hartsburg hosts thousands of visitors. Hartsburg is located on the Katy Trail.

They are predicting perfect weather so why not park at the trail access near Jefferson City and make a day of the event? They are asking participants to carpool as much as possible this year. Try for access via the river bottoms, relax and enjoy your day!

Celebrate small town charm and perfect weather at the 35th Annual Hatton Craft Festival in Hatton, Missouri.

175+ exhibitors and artists craft festival with dolls, hand-painted chin, paintings, wooden toys, seasion items, local produce and many more. Free wagon rides and three buildings filled with crafts. Lunch will be served. Event sponsored by the Hatton Extenion Club.

A hearty welcome to Fall and only 30 minutes from Columbia! Perfect Day Trip!

The Quality of Calories
Big Fat Lies: The Truth About Diet, Exercise & Obesity

Gary Taube

Thursday, November 13, 2008
2:30 - 4:00 PM
Monsanto Auditorium, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

The Department of Nutritional Science and the Boone County Medical Society welcomes award winner Gary Taube to Columbia on Thursday, November 13 from 2:30 - 4:00 pm. He will discuss his controversial best seller, Good Calories, Bad Calories which argues that much of what we have been told about the relationship between body weight, diet and exercise is wrong.

This lecture is free and open to the public but seating is limited so you must pre-register at the link below.

Monstanto Auditorium is located in the Life Sciences Building on the MU Campus. As there is plenty of road construction on campus, I suggest you park in the visitor lot adjacent to the Virginia Avenue Parking Lot which is located east of University of Missouri Hospital on Virginia Ave and Hospital Drive

http://www.midmissourifamily.com/register_taubes.htm

When the husband of a friend from our local MOMS Club group was deployed she had two little ones at home and a third on the way. She didn't have family that lived locally but our group does what we can to support each other. We carpooled to school and helped with what we could.

One thing we struggled providing was help with yard care. She a two year old in the house and was far along in a pregnancy so trying to spend the afternoon on a riding mower was pretty much impossible. I called so many different organizations trying to locate help and I learned of a project today which would have been a blessing to my friend at the time and may be something she'll need look at in the future!

GreenCare for Troops is a nationwide outreach program coordinated by Project EverGreen. GreenCare for Troops connects local lawn and landscape firms with men and women serving our country in the armed forces away from home. Stuart Scott, with Cevet Tree Service here in Columbia, promoted the project on our local talk radio station, KFRU, last week.

GreenCare has helped over 1,400 volunteers provide free lawn and landscape services for over 6,500 military families nationwide. The cost to manage the GreenCare for Troops Program is underwritten by Cub Cadet Commercial.

Here in Columbia, you can contact Stuart Scott with Cevet Tree Service at 573-882-2466. You can find additional information regarding the program and additional volunteers on the GreenCare website at www.projectevergreen.com

Thank you for your support!