Lebanon, MO

Lebanon Missouri played host to the 8th Annual Route 66 Festival on Saturday, September 20th, 2008.

The event actually kicked off on Friday night with a Cruise-In sponsored by Steak-n-Shake of Lebanon.

Then on Saturday, from 9 am until 4 pm, the Cowan Civic Center, located on Historic Route 66, played host to a classic car show, motorcycle show, vendors and new vehicle exhibits. DJ's proved music in the morning and a live band hit the stage at noon. One of my favorite Lebanon caterer's, Maria's Route 66 Cafe, provided the concessions.

My Lebanon MO United Country office is right across the street from the Cowan Civic Center, so the kids and I were able to see a few of the classic cars before the rain sent us indoors. Since we were in the mood to get our "Kicks on Route 66" we drove over to the Lebanon/Laclede County Library - home of the Route 66 Museum and Research Center. My 11 year old daughter had been there before with school; for my 8 year old son, this was his first glimpse inside the museum.

Waking into the museum, you are transported to a different time - certainly a different way of life. A gas station of yester-year, where the attendant pumped your gas, checked your oil, washed your windshield, knew your name and the name of your children. Family owned diners were common place along the two-lane highway and to make a call, a real live operator put you through.

The Route 66 Museum is located just a few blocks off the historic "Mother Road"' -- cutting through Lebanon as a popular route to haul apples to the larger markets. The Museum is open six days a week; closed on Sundays. The museum houses many collections, the latest being a huge salt/pepper shaker collection; and the displays change occasionally.

While you're at the Museum, be sure to stop in at Maria's Route 66 Cafe, located between the library and the museum. Decorated in true Route 66 vintage, Maria will take you back with her family atmosphere and home cooked food. Be sure to tell Maria the girls at United Country sent you over - and don't turn down the brownies, you'll be sorry if you do!

I have talked to a whole host of SELLERS lately that wonder: Why should I list now?
Are there any buyers out there?
Are there any loan programs out there to help buyers?
Are banks lending money?

Yes, yes, yes!

We have buyers, there are loan programs and there are banks lending money!

Now is a great time to list, but more importantly, now is a great time to SELL property in Lebanon MO, Marshfield MO, Buffalo MO and the surrounding areas!

Missouri "Bond Money" is a loan program offered through the Missouri Housing Development Commission.

Bond money allows residents planning on living in their home to obtain assistance with their purchase (meaning: the home cannot be for investment purposes/rental)

Money is limited so the Missouri Housing Development Commission "announces" money and rates. Thanks to Darren Stewart with OakStar Bank for posting about new bond money and new rates. You can read his post here: Missouri Bond Loans - Major announcement !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CASH assistance available in Missouri!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are guidelines for the buyers income and for the property. A certified loan officer can assist you with all the particulars of the program. Darren is located in the Ozark area of Missouri, or you can search for a certified loan officer on the MSDC site. I have had clients use Susan Edwards at Countrywide in Springfield, MO and a few have used North American Savings Bank. Your favorite loan officer may already be qualified to assist you.

It's best if you contact one of the certified specialists to answer all your questions - as REALTORS we are not in the know of all the ins and outs of loan products. However, I do like to remind my clients and customers to ask about the "recapture tax" that is part of the bond money program.

Recapture Tax could apply in some cases when the home financed with Mortgage Revenue Bond funds is sold.

As I understand the program, the Recapture Tax would apply if the seller meets all of the following conditions:

* The home is sold within nine years.

* The Seller makes a net profit on the home. (After adjusting the value of the home for any improvements or repairs that have been made, and after deducting all costs of the sale, including sales commission.)

* The household income of the Seller has increased at least 5% each year (on average).

BUT, if you refinance your home at a later date to obtain a better interest rate, or to pull out some of the equity you have in your home, the Recapture Tax provision is not triggered.

There are lots of great programs still available to Buyers in Missouri. Missouri Bond Money is just one example.

If you're thinking of Buying or Selling in Southwest Missouri, I am more than happy to assist you with you real estate needs. United Country VIP Realty is a full service real estate brokerage, with an office in Lebanon MO and an office in Marshfield MO to best serve your needs. We work with a variety of lenders, locally and across the country.

Missouri Bond Money... another way you could be Finding Your Freedom in Missouri!

I'm sitting at my laptop, on-line via my cell phone. Satellite TV on in the background, coming from the living room. Sounds of the Wii float through the air from the kids playing down the hall.

Last Thursday a storm took out our router box, used for our high speed Internet connection. The box exploded into pieces - thanks to a summer storm, complete with show stopping lightening. We used a box from our Marshfield office over the weekend, but that box had to go back this morning, so business could resume after the holiday. UPS has yet to bring us our new box for our home. (Read: so our four computers can be connected to the world via the WORLD WIDE WEB)

Sitting here, I have to wonder - what did we do with our time before the Internet? before satellite TV? before the Wii, PS2 and Nintendo DS games of the world?

My kids have no idea what a pay phone is - I have trouble even remembering the last time I saw one.

My kids have no idea what a "calling card" would be for - a game of Pokemon perhaps?

A typewriter? You've got to be kidding! A word processor? What was that used for?

A Polaroid camera? How cool!

I've heard the stories, from the "old timers" of selling real estate without fax machines - writing listing information using graphite paper (which my kids I am certain have never seen!), hand delivering the pages and calling each other on the rotary phone to set an appointment. Maybe even mailing a contract through the US Post Office. {collective gasp!}

My husband and I bought our first desk top computer in the early 1990's - AOL was our first forlay into the wide world of the web. I remember using a book, similiar to the yellow pages to find web sites.

And, yet I still wonder, how did I survive before becoming addicted being introduced to the Internet? And will I live yet another day if the UPS man doesn't bring me my box! Darn these postal holidays!

Specialist James Finley, of Lebanon Missouri, was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan a little more than a week ago, on May 31, 2008.

Yesterday, Spc. Finley drove down Jefferson Avenue, a main drag in Lebanon Missouri for the last time. He made the journey from Heritage Baptist Temple on the north side of town to Mount Rose Cemetery, on the south side of town.

Yet, he was not alone.

Family,friends and complete strangers joined Spc. Finley. The Patriot Guard, over 20 strong, escorted the procession, along with local fire and police. Jefferson Avenue was lined with people, from near and far.

The procession was almost two miles long.

Businesses closed.

Wal-Mart shut and locked its doors.

On Monday afternoon, it wasn't about making money.

Local business owners joined together to buy flags, handing them out to young and old along the procession route.

Rain gently fell as we waited to say our final good-byes. No one moved. No one cared.

We shared umbrellas. We shared stories of family.

We shared our faith in America and we shared our celebration of community.

Specialist James Finley is our hometown hero.

Yesterday, we said good bye.

Yesterday, I was reminded of why I live in rural America.

Yesterday, I said, "Thank you"

Photos by Debbie DiFonzo, Lebanon, MO
May 9th, 2008