Barb Barr

One of my dear friends has always given me the devil about the "joy of home ownership". Unfortunately with owning our own home there are responsibilities that do come with that priveledge. Those responsibilities have both community and financial impact.

But the pride in owning your own home typically shines through. It is so awesome to see homeowners upgrading their front door with even a coat of paint, planting trees and shrubs to add to the curb appeal and neighborhood appeal and even as much as raking leaves.

The foreclosure issue has kind of put a bit of a damper on the "joy of homeownership". As realtors we certainly hope to see this crisis over soon and families to feel that it is worthwhile to fight through the hard times and keep their home. It impacts everyone in their neighborhood.

As neighbors of foreclosures you may need to keep it up until the bank actually gets to own it. This will help your home value to stay up.

Oh, the JOY OF HOMEOWNERSHIP!!!

This morning I watched the "real estate expert" on the Today show. I really think she talked out of both sides of her mouth. She kept telling us how the market had turned around. And then she kept talking about how for every 2 houses currently on the market that hasn't sold there is a 3rd one just waiting to come on.

I just didn't understand her thinking on how this was making the price of homes rise.

My thoughts on our local market: The real estate market in Newton, Iowa has seen a decrease in the number of foreclosures coming on the market. Our prices seem to be stable. But homes still need to be priced well and in move in condition to sell quickly and for the most money.