Dry Weather Helping Mills County YMCA Construction Schedule

You won't hear Glenwood officials complain about the area's recent dry, warm weather. Glenwood City Administrator Mary Smith told KMA News that the recent dry spell has helped initial dirt work for the Mills County Y-M-C-A project back on schedule. Glenwood's City Council Tuesday night heard an update on the project's construction. Smith says the construction schedule calls for continued earthwork next week--weather permitting. Smith says rain last month and earlier this month did delay the project's ground testing--which proved costly. Council members also heard an update on the project's fundraising efforts. More than 382-thousand dollars in donations are in hand, with another 209-thousand pledged. Smith says other funding sources are set for the project. Smith adds the council Tuesday night approved the Y project's third alternate--the addition of acoustical tiling for the facility's indoor pool at a cost of 15-thousand dollars

Council Approves Bass Pro Wetland Area

TIM ROHWER

Officials of Bass Pro Shops will be allowed to build a large wetland area at its new store now under construction in Council Bluffs.

The wetlands, which was approved by the city's Planning Commission earlier this month, was given the final nod Monday night by the City Council.

It would cover more than two acres on the southeast corner of the store.
Native grasses would be planted there and fallen dead trees would be laid there also, said a landscaping consultant.

"(The plan is) to make it look as natural as possible," said Ted Spaid. Migratory birds would be attracted to the site, he added.

The council's vote was not unanimous.

Councilman Dave Tobias expressed concern that the original plan to build a two-acre lake was washed away.

"People were excited about Bass Pro, and now it's changing," he said during the discussion. "We had a business agreement. We had a vision, and now it's going to change. I don't think it's proper."

Spaid said that water management issues made the lake impractical to build.

Fourth of July Celebrations Highlight the Region

COMPILED BY JOSEFINA LOZA

Council Bluffs
Weekend festivities at Harrah's Casino in Council Bluffs include an outdoor concert Sunday and a fireworks show Monday. On Sunday, the band Big Head Todd & the Monsters is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. in the Stir Concert Cove. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for lawn seating and $25 for reserved seating. Monday's fireworks show begins at dusk and will be choreographed to music, which will be simulcast on radio at 99.9 FM. Concession stand food will be available. Parking is $5 or free to those with frequent-player cards.

Rosenblatt Stadium
Baseball and fireworks - an all-American treat for Omaha. Fans of both will come together at Sunday's annual Omaha Royals baseball game and World-Herald fireworks show at Rosenblatt Stadium. The fun begins hours before the game. A Family Fun Festival will be held on the grounds south of the pavilion prior to the game from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The event is free and available to people who have game tickets. A live performance by the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band's country-rock group Night Wing is at 3 p.m. The Royals will take the field at 6:05 p.m. (Gates open at 4 p.m.) against the Albuquerque Isotopes. The game will be followed by a fireworks show, choreographed to patriotic music that will be simulcast on radio station 104.5 FM.

Things Not to Do Before Purchasing a Home

No Major Purchase of Any Kind
Any major purchase that would create debt of any kind. This includes furniture, appliances, electronic equipment, jewelry, vacations, expensive weddings…
…and automobiles, of course.

Don’t Move Money Around
When a lender reviews your loan package for approval, one of the things they are concerned about is the source of funds for your down payment and closing costs. Most likely, you will be asked to provide statements for the last two or three months on any of your liquid assets. This includes checking accounts, savings accounts, money market funds, certificates of deposit, stock statements, mutual funds, and even your company 401K and retirement accounts.

If you have been moving money between accounts during that time, there may be large deposits and withdrawals in some of them.

The mortgage underwriter (the person who actually approves your loan) will probably require a complete paper trail of all the withdrawals and deposits. You may be required to produce cancelled checks, deposit receipts, and other seemingly inconsequential data, which could get quite tedious.

Perhaps you become exasperated at your lender, but they are only doing their job correctly. To ensure quality control and eliminate potential fraud, it is a requirement on most loans to completely document the source of all funds. Moving your money around, even if you are consolidating your funds to make it "easier," could make it more difficult for the lender to properly document.

So leave your money where it is until you talk to a loan officer.
Oh…don’t change banks, either.

Should You Change Jobs?
For most people, changing employers will not really affect your ability to qualify for a mortgage loan, especially if you are going to be earning more money. For some homebuyers, however, the effects of changing jobs can be disastrous to your loan application.

How To Buy Land for a New Home

From Janet Wickell,

You've found the perfect house, but the land it sits on isn't quite what you have in mind. Or maybe you've seen a great piece of land, but the house doesn't fit your needs. If nothing really says home to you, it might be time to consider building.

Buying land may seem intimidating at first, but it really isn't difficult at all if you plan a course of action and stick to it.

Know Your Budget
Talk with a loan officer to find out how much you can afford. Both down payments and interest rates can be higher for land than for homes, so it's important to get the facts before you go shopping. If you plan to build soon, the loan officer should explain construction loans, including the closing procedures you'll encounter while the house is being built.

Building Costs
Talk with area contractors to determine the average price you can expect to pay per square foot for the type of home you wish to build.

• Include estimates for building a driveway or road to the homesite.
• Don't forget estimates for well digging and septic installation if your home will not be connected to community water and sewer.
• How will it take to construct the home?
• To find the maximum amount you can spend for land, deduct building costs from your total budget, then deduct a bit more for unexpected expenses.

Target A Location

If you've already looked at homes in the area, you may know where you want to build.

Your Wants and Needs

Make a list of all features that would exist on the ideal piece of land. Review the list, highlighting your must-haves, such as a great view, privacy, or a waterfront building site.

Land Use Considerations

How will you use the land? If you plan to build a duplex, you must choose a site where zoning or other restrictions allow multifamily dwellings. If you know you want a manufactured, consider only tracts of land where those structures are allowed.

Consider Restrictive Covenants

Developments are governed by guidelines called Restrictive Covenants. I know of one development where cats are not allowed, even if they are indoor pets. Some prohibit metal roofs, which are very popular on log homes. Some dictate paint colors or have an architectural review committee that must approve your home plans. Study covenants carefully to determine if you can live with them.

Start Your Search

• Look for 'For Sale' signs as you browse the area.
• Search for properties on the Internet.
• If you see interesting tracts of land, note their exact location. A visit to the county tax office is usually all it takes to find the owner.
• Find a real estate agent who likes to work land sales. Talk with the agent about all of the categories above, and any others that might help her locate the perfect tract.

Does the Land Suit Your Home Plans?
Ask a builder to accompany you to your top choices, to offer advice about the best building sites, and to suggest home plans that will work with the topography.

Utilities
Be sure to consider well and septic installation expenses for land without community water and sewer hookups. Check availability of electric, gas, and telephone services.

Easements
An easement is the right to use another person's land for a stated purpose. Does someone else have the right to use the property you want to buy? Find out before you make an offer, or add a contingency to the offer that you must approve of existing easements or the offer is void.
One way to find easements is to take a look at past deeds for the property you are considering and for surrounding parcels, but a real estate attorney or other title researcher can give a more accurate opinion.

Surveys
Does the bank require a survey? Updates to existing surveys can often be used, and are less expensive than a new survey.

Road Maintenance
If the property is accessed from a private road, there should be a formal Road Maintenance Agreement. Some banks will not lend without a recorded agreement that shows all owners have promised to help with road upkeep Restrictive Covenants normally cover road maintenance issues.

Environmental Liabilities
If homes or other structures were on the land in the past, ask for a signed statement that discloses facts about buried items, such as oil or gas storage tanks. Their removal and cleanup can be expensive.

Contingencies
Before you make an offer, think about the what ifs--things that would make the property unusable for your purposes. Add these to the offer as contingencies, which means if they do not happen, the offer or contract is void.

• All offers for land without sewer hookups should be contingent on your ability to obtain permits for a septic system.
• If an architectural review committee must approve your home design, the offer should be contingent on obtaining that approval.
• The offer should be contingent on obtaining the type of financing you desire.
• There must be a deeded right-of-way to the property.

Code of Ethics Training Sets REALTORS® Apart

By adhering to NAR's strict ethics, REALTORS® offer more value and accountability than non-member licensees.Read more >

Iowa's higher Interstate speed limit kicks in Friday

DES MOINES (AP) - Iowans' need for speed will be met Friday, when the speed limit on some Iowa highways rises to 70 mph and a tax incentive for a new NASCAR-style racetrack in Newton goes into effect.

"The big thing people will notice is the speed limit," said Senate Republican President Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny.

On issues ranging from economic development to reducing the state's deer population, the Legislature approved a hefty batch of bills during its 131-day session, the longest in 25 years.
Most of the measures take effect when the state opens its new fiscal year Friday. Some, like the higher speed limit, will be noticed right away, while other changes will be more subtle.

"Much of it you won't see right away," said Senate Democratic Floor Leader Michael Gronstal of Council Bluffs.

The Legislature approved a speed increase on rural Interstate highways to 70 mph, but fines will double and Gov. Tom Vilsack has promised that enforcement will be tough.

Dena Gray-Fisher, spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Transportation, said almost all the new speed limits signs that will be needed are done and should be installed by the end of Friday.

"We're going to be ready by July 1," Gray-Fisher said. "We'll start at 9 a.m., and we'll be done that day."

In Newton, construction already has begun on the new racetrack, and many think it will turn into a big draw, Lamberti said.

"If you drive by Newton on the Interstate, you're going to see that," he said.

As an incentive to build the track, lawmakers agreed to let the operators keep the first $12 million they collect in sales taxes.

Perhaps the priciest measure to take effect with the new fiscal year is a $700 million, 10-year economic development plan. Starting Friday, it will provide incentives to lure high-tech businesses to the state and tax credits to reward companies creating jobs in the state.
Other laws that take effect Friday:

• Tougher penalties for sex abuse. Prison terms for conviction of lascivious acts with a child have been lengthened and supervision tightened on inmates after release.
• A new tax credit for small producers of electricity using renewable energy sources.
• Companies that offer health insurance policies must include limited coverage for mental health treatment.
• Registration fees for boats go up, depending on the size of the boat, from $3 to $36 a year. Revenue from the higher fees, estimated at $962,000 a year, will be used for boater education and programs to clean lakes.
• Higher hunting quotas will be allowed in some areas to help trim the state's deer population.
• Public officials who knowingly violate the state's open meetings law twice or more can be removed from office.

Home Staging Helps Bring Top Dollar Sale

by Phoebe Chongchua

If your house could be sold looking the way a model home does, do you think it might bring in more money? Chances are it would. That's why home staging is a growing profession that's rapidly changing the way homes are sold.

Staging is not decorating. Decorating is optional, staging is mandatory in order to sell the house for the most possible money in the shortest amount of time. Really home staging is about de-cluttering and making a home desirable to the masses. Clutter eats up equity.

Today, hundreds of thousands of real estate professionals, decorators and sellers have come to understand the once-little-known term staging.

When your home is on the market it is no longer your home; it is a product and we're marketing it.

People don't see that a lot of things that are in their houses are part of themselves and when you try to sell a house you want to make it as neutral as possible, not necessarily in the colors, but in the way it's presented.

When people sell their homes they don't necessarily see their house as a potential buyer would see their house. They become attached to things. [The seller] doesn't notice things that other people would notice. So I do think it's important to have an opinion from someone else.

Here are a few home staging tips from professionals:

For the Inside:

• Clear the clutter.
• Put away all electrical cords and extra appliances.
• Put away family photos.
• Think open space.

For the Outside:

• Shutters improve the look.
• Paint/Power wash.
• Plants, high, medium, low -- with lots of color.
• Decks -- even small ones can be a big improvement.

Resale Houses Find Stiff Competition In New Homes

by M. Anthony Carr

As you place your home on the market, don't forget to look at the competition in your marketplace to help determine a price for your house. Some home sellers have found that while they have a "newer" home, the even newer homes (i.e., just built) have created havoc on the sale of their "previously owned" model.

This is especially true for those who live near a development that is currently under construction and in a community where the economy is slipping. One such case came to me by way of my Inbox the other day. The owner in Charlotte, NC, had already moved and was now faced with selling her townhouse. Her home was on the market for 5 percent less than what she had paid for it six years earlier.

Now she's wondering if she should keep the house on the market longer at the current asking price or consider dropping the price.

First of all, home sellers need to analyze what's going on in both the resale and new-home market as they place their house up for sale. Whether it's a hot or cold market, the properties in pristine condition will always sell quicker and for the highest dollar. It's just commonsense and human nature. If offered a $5 bill fresh off the press or one that is mutilated, muddy and ink-stained, most people will go for the new dollar bill instead.

If you find yourself up against new properties, look at following these steps to maximize your selling possibilities.

• Check out the condition of the new house. What you find may either depress you or stimulate you to action. New carpet, freshly painted interiors and impeccable decorating is what you'll find and have to take into account when preparing your home for sale. Come back to your house and walk through it as you just did at the new-home development. Where should you start? Get to painting, replacing old flooring and decorating down (meaning make it more vanilla) so that buyers can visualize how they would decorate the home if they owned it.
• What terms are you up against? Is the builder offering decoration choices? Free finished basement or deck? How can you compete with that? Can you offer up front a decoration allowance of $5,000? This might be more advantageous than dropping the price outright. Hang on to your price, but give the buyer an incentive to work with you in decorating the house the way they want it.
• Get serious about the trends in your market place. Your local real estate market is exactly that -- a market. The Realtors don't control the prices -- the buyers and sellers do. If home prices are falling it means buyers are holding off on the higher prices they face. If prices are escalating there's not enough inventory to meet the demand and buyers are willing to move on up on the offer. While you may have done a lot to your house, those hours of labor and tender care rarely mean more money. It's primarily what the buyer is willing to pay for it, regardless of the amenities.
• Check out the curb appeal. What can you do to seriously spruce up your exterior? A lot of buyers simply drive by and get the brochure out of the sign box if the house doesn't wow them right from the start. Builders know this and have the model with all the upgrades outside -- flowering plants, fresh mulch, great facades, good looking grass. What can you do to make your exterior look fantastic. One way to get ready to sell your house is to plan out a few months in advance. A drab yard can be replaced within one growing season if appropriately cared for.

Always remember -- the way you sell a house is not the way you live in it. Buyers want new, clean, fresh and unstained. For the highest price and terms possible, give them what they want.

U.S. Supreme Court: Cities Can Seize Homes for Private Economic Development

by Kenneth R. Harney

In a controversial 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that local governments can use their eminent domain powers to transfer private property to new private owners solely for local "economic development" purposes, including expanding the tax base. The decision in Kelo vs. City of New London puts all property owners at risk. Ken Harney reports. FULL STORY->

The Real Reason The Feds Want To Clip The Real Estate Industry's Commissions

by Blanche Evans
While the National Association of Realtors politely testified at the closed hearings called yesterday by U.S. Rep. Mike Oxley (R-Ohio) that banks will cost consumers more if they are let into real estate sales and management, they little realized they are speaking to deaf ears.

Real estate transfer taxes are already happening in all but 13 states because states have oversight of transfer tax rates for real estate transfers. With federal oversight, it becomes a federal coffer-filler.

Remember, we're talking about a government that is $7.8 trillion in debt. While government distracts the public from its overspending by scaring the public about underfunded Social Security, it has thought of a brilliant way to siphon off some of the $6.75 billion annually paid to the nation's 1.1 million Realtors in commissions.

The trick is creating a new tax without a public outcry. By distracting the public with heroics as it strong-arms Realtors into extinction, the transfer tax will be slipped through on a Congressional housekeeping bill and quietly show up on HUD statements at closing. Consumers will never realize the difference because all they will know, thanks to the trumpeting of Oxley's heroics by The Wall Street Journal, et al, is that consumers are paying less in transactions costs, trimmed sharply by banking fees promised to be lower than commissions paid to Realtors.

Read the FULL STORY->

Builder Confidence Hits New High For 2005

Encouraged by continuing low mortgage rates and robust demand for new homes, single-family home builders are more confident this June than they’ve been all year, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/ Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. The index rose one point to 71 in June, its highest level since a similar reading in December 2004.

“The favorable financing climate for new homes is proving too attractive for many buyers to pass up, so builders are staying very busy this summer,” said NAHB President Dave Wilson, a custom home builder from Ketchum, Idaho.

“In the past four weeks, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage declined 21 basis points, ending at 5.56 percent as of June 9,” noted NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. “Combined with the very solid appreciation rates we’ve seen, and the widespread expectation that mortgage rates will begin creeping up soon, that’s a powerful incentive to make a move,” he agreed.

Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for almost 20 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and expectations for sales in the next six months as either “good,” “fair” or “poor.” Builders are also asked to rate traffic of prospective buyers as “high to very high,” “average” or “low to very low.” Scores for each component are then used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index where any number over 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as good than poor.

June’s 71 HMI reading, up a single point from May, is the highest reading of the year to date. It reflects slight upward movement in all three component indexes, including a one-point gain in the current sales index, to 77; a two-point gain in the index gauging expectations for sales in the next six months, to 79; and a one-point gain in the index gauging traffic of prospective buyers, to 54.

The most optimistic builders are in the West, where an HMI reading of 88 far outpaces that of builders in all other regions. Moreover, the 88 reading reflected a solid four-point gain from last month. Southern builders were also a bit more confident this time around, posting a one-point gain in their regional confidence gauge to 76 in June. Builders in the Northeast maintained a healthy, 70-point reading on the confidence scale, while builders in the Midwest registered a two-point confidence boost, to 52.

Bass Pro Shops to Feature Wetland Area Instead of Lake

TIM ROHWER

The Bass Pro Shops that's being built in southwest Council Bluffs will have a different feature on the outside than what was originally planned.

Instead of a lake, a wetland area will be created featuring all sorts of native grasses and flowers, which may attract many forms of migratory birds.

The city's Planning Commission approved the change at its monthly meeting Tuesday night.
"This is a better alternative," said Jim Gallagher, project manager. "This is more in keeping with what's happening around here."

The wetlands will cover more than two acres on the southeast corner of the store, the same size and location as the original lake.

The wetlands area will extend from the west parking lot and wrap around the south and the east side of the store. In addition to the natural aesthetics of the wetland and the expected migratory birds, it will also absorb drainage from the parking lot.

It will also be easier to maintain than a lake, officials said at the meeting. "This is what our headquarters in Springfield, Mo., has," Gallagher said of the wetland.

The commission's decision will now go before the City Council for final approval.

Gallagher said that construction is still on schedule for a Nov. 3 grand opening date.Bass Pro is building a 130,000-square-foot retail store south of the Mid-America Center and west of Bluffs Run Casino. It's been estimated that up to 2.5 million people annually will visit the store. Between 250 to 300 people will be hired.

The Bass Pro Shops in Springfield is considered Missouri's top tourist attraction.
In other action at the meeting, the commission approved the preliminary plans for a 35-lot residential subdivision to be known as Oak Ridge Estates Phase IV. This proposed development is a northerly continuation of Millard Avenue, which connects the first three phases of this project.

Farm Bureau to Hold Cooking Contest

An outdoor cooking contest designed to promote Iowa meat is being planned by the Fremont County Farm Bureau.

Contest chairman and FCFB board President Charlie Zanker says "You don't have to be an expert chef to participate; you just need to enjoy cooking outdoors with quality Iowa meat."
This is the 42nd year for the Iowa Farm Bureau cookout contest.

Farm Bureau's cookout contest is open to anyone 13 years of age or older who is a resident of Iowa. Farm Bureau or affiliated company employees are not eligible.

Contestants can compete in one of seven categories - beef, pork, lamb, poultry, turkey, elk or combo/specialty. Combo is a combination of at least two of the six meats in one recipe and specialty is any other Iowa domestic raised product (this does not include wild game).

A Cookout Champion will be named, and awards will be given to winners in each category. Special recognition will also go to winners of the showmanship, teenage and team cooking categories.

The county contest will be held on July 17 between 11 am and 2 pm at the Fremont County Fair.
The county Cookout Champion will receive a hotel room of our choosing in Des Moines or $125 toward your choice of hotel room to attend the State Cookout contest.

Other category winners will receive a Farm Bureau Apron and Mitt.

The Cookout Champion, along with all first place category winners and winners of the showmanship, teenage and team awards will have the chance to compete in the state finals at the Iowa State Fair on August 16, 2005.

Anyone interested in entering the County Farm Bureau cookout contest should contact the county office at 712-374-2629.

Planners Picked for Mills County

BY JOHN FERAK

Officials in Mills County, Iowa, on Tuesday named a planning and zoning commission, the first step toward regulating development in the fast-growing county.

By mid-fall, the commission is expected to come up with its list of recommendations for a zoning ordinance, said County Auditor Carol Robertson. Public hearings would be held in communities across the county before a zoning ordinance were approved.

"I would like to make sure the growth has some kind of plan," said Keith Johnson, a member of the new zoning panel and Mineola-area fire chief for Oak Township. "It's not to discourage development at all."

Mills County is the only county in southwest Iowa without zoning laws to govern land use. A subdivision ordinance requires developers to receive final plat approval from the Mills County Board, however.

For decades, the three-member County Board resisted adopting zoning laws. Area farmers and rural landowners said government-enacted zoning would infringe upon their rights.

These days, Mills County is changing from an agricultural economy into a growing bedroom community for Omaha and Council Bluffs. At more than 15,000 residents, Mills is one of Iowa's 10 fastest-growing counties.

This spring, 29 people applied to be on the newly created zoning commission. The County Board reviewed résumés and met with finalists before choosing the panel's members.

The commission members, in addition to Johnson, are: Ted Mintle, a general contractor in Glenwood; Lyle Mayberry, county magistrate and land surveyor; Doug Beckman, a farmer and Mills County Soil Board commissioner; Peter Franks of Alley Poyner Architecture of Omaha; William Thompson, a committee member for the Mills County tourism board and the Indian Creek Historical Society; and Clay Plumer, a farmer and trustee in Oak Township.

What Is A Modular Home?

Modular homes are built in sections in a factory setting, indoors, where they are never subjected to adverse weather conditions. The sections move through the factory, with the company's quality control department checking them after every step. Finished modules are covered for protection, then transported to your home site. They are placed on a pre-made foundation, joined, and completed by your local builder.


How long does it take to build a modular home?

That depends on your design and the manufacturer, but some modular homes can be built in the factory in as little as 1-2 weeks. And since modulars are built indoors, there's never a weather delay. It usually takes another 2-4 weeks for your local builder to complete the home once it's delivered to the building site.



Don't all modular homes look alike?

No, and unless you were there to see the house delivered and assembled, you might not guess it's a modular home. Modular home manufacturers use computer aided design programs to draw plans to your specifications, or to modify one of their standard plans to suit your needs, so nearly any home plan can be turned into a modular home. Each manufacturer is different, so be sure to ask questions about flexibility if you would like to design your own home.

New Trends in Kitchen and Bath

by Carla L. Davis

The recent 2005 National Kitchen and Bath Show, held May 9-12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, showcased new products and trends to a sold-out exhibition hall.

This event gives professionals, and those interested in the industry, the chance to meet, greet, show, and discuss what is new and exciting in their fields. A press release from the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and Conference noted that this event allows "dealers, designers, distributors, manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and home centers [to] participate in round table discussions, network with industry leaders, and enroll in professional development courses."

But how do these new trends affect actual homeowners?

If you are planning on staying in your current house long-term, then some of the amenities and improvements may be an easy way of improving your overall quality of life. For instance, many of the leading washer and dryer manufacturers have come out with taller units, which for anyone with lower back problems is a wonderful modification. With these advances improving in affordability, the average homeowner can customize their own house for a fairly reasonable price.

If renovation is on your mind, then perhaps you should consider some of the more modern layouts for kitchens. This year recommends opening layouts up, giving precedence to clean lines and great views. (Click here for a great example.)

To achieve these clean lines and open views, you may want to consider using "built-ins." Some of these featured at the kitchen and bath show: microwave drawers, refrigerator drawers, in-wall dishwashers, and built-in coffee makers.

If you plan on selling your home in the near future, the amenities could be just what buyers are looking for, or just what edges you in front of your competition. And then conversely, if you are looking to buy, some of the new innovations and standards may be something you want to specify to your agent when beginning your search. I recommend surfing the net a bit to see what new gadgets and gimmicks the big manufacturers have come out with recently.
What are the new trends?

Danny Lipford (contributor and host of "Today's Homeowner") said of the event on CBS' Today Show, "People are spending more on certain fixtures in their home and feeling like they can step out on the normal look of things, like [with the] waterfall sink ... . More than anything, we saw the furniture-style cabinetry and the European influence on a lot of the designs."

Some of the main trends for 2005 Kitchens:

• open views
• high tech appliances (smart fridges, built-in TV units, touch-pad screens)
• detailing (inlaid surfaces)
• furniture style cabinetry (light paint, dark stains)
• clean lines (Asian and European influenced design)
• built-in TVs
• stainless steel

In the bathroom, look for:

• touchless faucets
• soft-closing toilet lids

As we entered the information age, many consumers and homeowners experienced technology overload. But savvy designers have started to turn that around. One no longer has twelve different appliances strewn across a counter top. Now, the counter top, whether it be marble or stainless steel, is the focal point of the room. Intricate design and inlaid tabletops are making a comeback. Simple beauty no longer has to be sacrificed for functionality nor vice versa. These clean lines and functionality are what kitchen and bath are all about for the coming year.

Female Painters Offer New Trend

by Phoebe Chongchua

There's lead-free paint and now there is nearly testosterone-free painters. A Hillcrest, California, company is capitalizing on its mostly female staff. "We have a female painting crew that provides the labor and also a higher level of customer service. They are fantastic communicators with clients. They have all been trained by me on tinting colors on job sites for clients. They're also trained in any kind of faux finishes or plasters," says co-owner, Jennifer Guerin.

Guerin and the lone male in the company, co-owner, Eddie Wheatley, started the business three-and-a-half years ago. "I think when you let strangers in your house, people feel more comfortable having a girl group come in. It's just different from having a bunch of guys walking around in your house... also a lot of times women have a better sense of color," says employee Susan Suyao.

Ox and Olive Painting specializes in interior projects. Guerin says her female staff brings a warm, caring style to each job site.

The company offers a wide selection of wall finishes and painting styles including murals and Trompe l'oeil -- a style of painting that creates a three-dimensional illusion.
Another highly requested look is the Venetian Plaster.

"It's a specialty finish that is applied in thin, translucent layers to create a rich visual finish with the illusion of depth and substance. Its composition is of slaked lime and finely grounded marble dust that can serve as a luxurious accent wall, or throughout an entire home," explains Guerin.
Still another popular trend is the use of 100 percent natural clay. "American Clay plasters are the newest in finishes," says Guerin. They're dug from the earth in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The actual clay is then tinted, and applied to walls using a trowel.

Guerin says it's growing in popularity because there are "No fumes and it can duplicate the Venetian plaster (look by using) a Porcelina finish or it can have more of a rustic and organic (look) in the Loma finish. It comes in 32 different colors."

The American clay isn't just used for its appearance. The clay helps control the temperature in your home. It regulates arid, and humid air and absorbs and releases moisture as the weather changes. The non-toxic clay can be painted, stained or plastered. It also helps to absorb sound.
When it comes to paint, Guerin says "Color washes are really popular, which is a layer of translucent color applied on top of a coat of paint. Also what's really popular... is adding accent walls and splashes of color where (a owner's home) was completely white, now it brings personality into the walls."

Color blocking is a style that uses several colors painted in various sized blocks on the wall. It creates an interesting look that can often take the place of artwork on a wall in a living room. It's best to use varying intensities of color from the same color card.

Sheen striping uses vertical stripes of the same color, but different sheens to create a subtle design. Typically this style is used in the dining rooms. In rooms with low ceilings this look can create an illusion of height.

Finally, some tips for getting started on your painting project:

• Call ahead for an estimate; the better contractors are booked in advance
• Before you hire a painting company or become a weekend warrior, choose the complete color palette before you begin; re-do jobs just to change color can be a headache
• Colors always come out two times darker than on the chip
• After painting is complete, dispose of paints by calling your local Hazardous Waste program
• Make sure there are contracts and written payment forms
• Never pay full price for the service before work has begun

Iowa Town May Build New High School

BY JOHN FERAK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

GLENWOOD, Iowa - Residents here could vote as early as September to decide whether to issue about $17 million in bonds to build a new high school. If the bond issue passes, the district would convert the 1960s-era high school into the district's middle school. This summer, the district hopes to find a suitable site for a new high school, said Superintendent Stan Sibley.

To cover the bonds, property owners could be asked to increase their taxes $40 a year for those with $100,000 of assessed valuation, Sibley said. "We can't be looking to build anything that would be a Taj Mahal," said high school Principal Dave Stickrod. "It will be practical, and it will be livable."

Sibley said inadequate facilities at both the middle school and high school are driving the bond project. About 600 students attend the high school, a building that has no fine arts auditorium and the smallest gymnasium in the conference.

For more than 10 years, the district has leased surplus building space at the Glenwood Resource Center campus to serve as its seventh- and eighth-grade middle school for about 300 students.
Today, that arrangement is no longer viable, several students and school officials said. "Mills County is one of the few counties in Iowa that is growing," Stickrod said. "We anticipate further growth."

The new high school would accommodate 600 to 800 students with room to expand, Sibley said. It would include seating for a 700-seat fine arts auditorium. Glenwood is one of only two high schools in the Hawkeye Ten Conference with no auditorium. A new gym would seat 1,500 to 2,000 spectators, the same size as most gyms in Glenwood's conference. Currently, the wooden bleachers in Glenwood's gym can seat 800. By far, it is the smallest gym in the conference.
During fall and winter sports contests, portable television screens are set up in the cafeteria for overflow spectators.

"The seating is just a flat-out embarrassment for us," Stickrod said. "A lot of people don't come to games because it is a hassle."

Junior student Kevin Tucker said the current gym would work well for a middle school setting.
"I hate our gym," said four-sport athlete Paige Hays, who will be a junior. "People have to stand on the floor, and our fans have to sit on the visitors side."

Travis Overhue, also a junior, said he hopes voters understand that complaints about cramped classroom quarters and lack of gym space are legitimate issues. "I just don't know why it would be a big deal to get support," he said. "New people are moving in all the time, and we're getting more students every day."

Iowa law requires public bond projects to receive voter approval of at least 60 percent.
In the early 1990s, Glenwood voters failed to pass two separate bond issues for a new middle school building, including a $4.8 million bond election that was defeated by a 2-to-1 margin in 1991. After both defeats, the district worked out its $1-a-year arrangement to lease space from the Glenwood Resource Center, Iowa's largest state mental institution.

Stickrod believes community support is more favorable than 15 years ago. "I also think it's easier to sell a high school than it is a middle school," he said. "The focus of the community is on the high school."

Larry Winum, president of Glenwood State Bank, said supporters must work hard in the coming months. Unlike neighboring Pottawattamie County, Mills County does not have a strong industrial or manufacturing tax base to help lower the burden on taxpayers, he said.

"It won't be an easy sell. It never is," Winum said. "This will probably come down to the people in the middle, those who say 'Give me the facts, tell me what it's going to cost, why it's needed. Let me digest them and make a decision.'"

30-Year Mortgage Rate Reaches a 14 Month Low

Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market SurveySM (PMMSSM) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.56 percent, with an average 0.6 point, for the week ending June 9, 2005, down from last week when it averaged 5.62 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.30 percent. The 30-year FRM has not been this low since April 1, 2004, when it averaged 5.52 percent.
The average for the 15-year FRM this week is 5.14 percent, with an average 0.5 point, also down from last week when it averaged 5.20 percent. A year ago, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.67 percent.

Five-Year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 5.01 percent this week, with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 5.07 percent. There is no annual historical information for last year since Freddie Mac only began tracking this mortgage rate at the start of this year.

One-year Treasury-indexed adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 4.21 percent this week, with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.26 percent. At this time last year, the one-year ARM averaged 4.14 percent.

"The May employment report came in at less than half of what was expected last month, which pushed bond yields -- and mortgage rates -- down further," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. "Consequently, markets are now speculating whether the Fed will continue raising rates at the same pace that it has been, or will it begin to moderate the frequency of its actions."

"Taking into consideration the fact that mortgage rates have fallen from the earlier peak at the end of March, we have lowered our forecast for long-term rates. We now expect that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates will likely end up somewhere between 5.9 percent and 6.2 percent by the end of this year."

Mills County Establishes Planning and Zoning Commission

With Mills County on the verge of a housing boom, officials are taking steps to regulate future subdivisions. At a special meeting in Glenwood Tuesday night, seven members and four alternates were selected to the county's fledgling planning and zoning commission.
Mills County Supervisors Chair Richard Crouch told KMA News that commission members were selected from almost 30 applicants. Crouch says the commission's purpose is to establish county zoning ordinances--something he feels is needed to order to oversee the increase in housing subdivisions.
Crouch says proximity to the Omaha-Council Bluffs area is fueling numerous development proposals in the county. Presently, Crouch says the only regulations in place are outdated. Crouch says R-D-G, a consulting firm based in Des Moines and Omaha, is assisting the county in the development of zoning ordinances.
Crouch says the commission could have the proposed ordinances formulate by mid-October, and begin the public hearing process shortly thereafter

Protect Your Acreage From Erosion

Spring rains can contribute to soil erosion, especially in areas with minimum or no ground cover or where water flow concentrates. Rain can cause unprotected soil to dislodge; once detached, soil particles are carried away with excess water.

This excess water combines and forms concentrated flow. On slopes, the water's energy can lead to gullies, visible flow paths that can vary from a few inches to several feet deep.
What can an acreage owner do?

There are several ways to limit erosion. Make sure that every part of the acreage is protected by grass, plants, shrubs, trees, etc. Use mulch to cover newly seeded or unprotected areas. It will help to absorb the impact of rain, reducing soil detachment.

Make your acreage more absorbent so water runs less freely on the surface. Pave only where necessary; vegetated ground encourages water to soak in and recharge soil moisture. Properly installed vegetated swales - through-like depressions that stop or slow erosion - also help.

Do not allow concentrated water to run freely over long slopes. If these slopes are steep, erosion can be severe. Vegetated depressions with barriers or terraces may help. If the slopes are extremely severe, properly constructed erosion control structures that safely drop water to a lower elevation may be needed.

Finally, look closely at your land during and after spring rains to see where erosion is occurring and how preventive measures are performing. This will help you better understand the conditions when making future decisions. Also contact your local Extension office for helpful resources

Whoops, Hollers Greet Iowa Soldiers

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Family members cheered, some cried and others just waited anxiously for a chance to hug their loved ones.

Emotional, tear-filled scenes played out in city after city across Iowa on Monday. Iowa National Guard soldiers who had spent the past 13 months in Afghanistan finally were home.

Police cruisers and firetrucks with emergency lights flashing led a troop bus into Carroll along a route lined with spectators. Dozens of relatives cheered returning soldiers at a sports complex near Fort Dodge. Gov. Tom Vilsack helped welcome soldiers at Camp Dodge north of Des Moines.

"I want to thank you for putting a face on our freedom," Vilsack said.
National Guard troops also returned to ceremonies in Davenport, North Liberty, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, Sioux City, Denison and Corning.

Soldiers will be welcomed home today in Council Bluffs and Shenandoah.
About 700 soldiers from several Iowa units were mobilized in February 2004 and trained at Fort Hood, Texas, for three months before deploying to Afghanistan. Units included infantry, engineers, artillery, medical personnel and air assault battalions.

One soldier from Task Force 168 was killed in action in Afghanistan. Spec. James C. Kearney III, 22, of Emerson died Nov. 1 when his convoy was ambushed by rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire.

Task Force 168 was the largest mobilization of an Iowa National Guard unit for overseas duty since World War II, officials said.

"Personally, I thank you for your commitment to excellence, your dedication to duty, the sacrifices that you and your family have made and, above all, your willingness to serve," Maj. Gen. Ron Dardis, the Iowa Guard's top officer, told soldiers in Davenport.

Spectators cheered and waved flags when 46 soldiers marched into a high school football stadium. As the soldiers stood in formation in their battle dress uniforms of desert camouflage, Mayor Charlie Brooke told them, "On behalf of the entire Quad Cities and indeed all of America, I thank you for fighting our fight. Thank you for fighting for freedom."

Some 300 family members and friends welcomed 38 soldiers in North Liberty as the 1970s rock song "The Boys Are Back in Town" blared from speakers.

Spec. Jennifer Zarr, 22, who's from Iowa City and attends the University of Iowa, said it was strange in a way to be back home."I keep expecting to see mountains in the distance and there is no dust blowing all over," she said.

At Camp Dodge in Johnston, about 450 people hooted, hollered and cheered as 50 infantry soldiers marched into an armory. A soldier dressed in a blue cavalry uniform and riding a horse led the troopers while bagpipe music played in the background. "The first thing that I noticed when I got off the bus was the smell," said Staff Sgt. Ted Strait of Huxley. "Iowa smells good and looks green."

A crowd estimated at 1,000 cheered as 60 soldiers marched into a high school gym in Carroll. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, told the troops they were part of history, saying what they had done "makes all of us safe and we're a grateful nation."

When the Guard troops were officially dismissed from active duty, relatives mobbed them in a rush of tears, sobs, screams and hugs.

"I can't describe it," said Cade Iversen of Vail, who was mobbed by his four young siblings and his wife, Ann. "It's the best feeling in the world."

Growing Mills County Looks to Future Development

BRIEN T. BOYCE, Staff Writer

GLENWOOD - Life in Glenwood is more tranquil than in the metro area just 25 short miles to the north - and people like it that way.

"We, in Mills County, have had two or three unfortunate circumstances that have received a good measure of media attention, but I don't see those negative things that have happened shaping our day-to-day outlook on our city," Glenwood Schools Superintendent Stan Sibley said, adding the influx of more people doesn't mean crime will increase either.

Real estate developer Craig Nakamoto also isn't worried about the media attention Mills County has received in recent months. Instead, he's more concerned about getting started on the largest development to date in the county, and the largest one he plans to oversee.

"I like Glenwood and the area, as it has lots of positive aspects," he said. "I'm trying to develop something that complements a lot of those aspects."

Each of Nakamoto's housing units will contain around 1.3 acres of land, and the entire area should be completed in five to seven years' time.

One thing that probably won't happen with the homes to be bought in Nakamoto's development will be a population increase to the Glenwood School District, Real Estate Broker and developer Jim Hughes said.

Families with younger children will tend to frequent the $200,000 to $250,000 homes that Hughes deals with, versus the up to $500,000 that people could spend on a home in Nakamoto's subdivision.

"Our experience is that with higher-dollar homes, you usually get less children," Hughes said. "Usually, this is the family's second or third house purchase, and the children are grown and out of the house by this point."

Denise Crawford, who works as director of the Glenwood Public Library, said the area desperately needs growth. "Glenwood is struggling financially. More things need to come in."
Mills County, as a whole, is seeing growth. According to www.locationone.com, which uses population figures from the United States Census Bureau, the county's growth is as follows:

- 1990: Population - 13,202;
- 2000: Population - 14,547;
- 2004: Population - 15,020;
- 2009: Population (projected) - 15, 161.

"I'm thinking that's low," said Jeannie Van Maasdem of the Glenwood Chamber of Commerce. "Those projected numbers (for 2009), I'm betting that's what we have now."

In addition to Nakamoto's 700 acres, Hughes is currently working on two subdivisions, plus he owns another 200 acres to the north of Nakamoto's land.

The proposed four-lane bridge stretching from Mills County into Bellevue, Neb., could be completed by 2010. The bridge would make access for those who work in Bellevue and at Offutt Air Force base but live in Mills County easier. It would also mark the end of paying a $1 toll at the existing bridge or going from I-29 to Interstate 80, then heading south on Highway 75.
Hughes hopes the new bridge would encourage new business to come to Mills County and Glenwood.

"I think we'll end up with some industry coming in here, and that's what we've been waiting for," he said.

Currently, the biggest employers in Glenwood are the Glenwood Resource Center and the Glenwood School District, which help comprise the educational, health and social services employment, according to city-data.com. That category provides 35.8 percent of the city's employment.

"I think Glenwood and Mills County will remain fairly rural, and the housing developments will still have a rural atmosphere," Nakamoto said. "That's why people are moving here, not to move to another area that will become crowded."

"We're a town of 5,500 people (in Glenwood)," Hughes said. "People moving here want some space."

You won't see what's happening to small communities in southwest and west Omaha happen in Glenwood, Hughes stated.

"We'll keep our countrysides. You're not going to see them covered with houses," he said.

"You've got a lot of people who want to live between Omaha and Lincoln. With us, we get the commuters to downtown Omaha and Offutt. We'll never see that much growth.

"More importantly, Glenwood will never lose its identity. There are too many people here who won't ever let that happen, no matter what kind of changes we see here."

Adjustable-Rate Home Loans Hitting Records

A record 63 percent of all mortgages written in the latter half of last year were adjustable-rate and interest-only loans, the Mortgage Bankers Association calculates.

A drop in refinancings has prompted many lenders to offer such products first, boosting their sales volume. American Bankers Association spokeswoman Heather McElrath says adjustable-rate and interest-only mortgages enable buyers to make home purchases at a time when soaring prices make them unaffordable through conventional means, adding that most homeowners re-sell their dwellings before the higher payments kick in.

However, MBG Information Services President Charles McMillion believes regulators should be troubled by the popularity of such loans, as homeowners could face financial turmoil when interest rates rise.

Source: Washington Post (06/03/05); Downey, Kirsten

Online Curb Appeal Brings Buyers to Your Home

by Phoebe Chongchua

Most of us have been to open houses where the wafting smell of fresh-baked cookies coming from inside a home lures us to the door. Curb appeal is a necessary tactic to get buyers and real estate agents into your home.

But nowadays the importance of curb appeal is taking on a more vital role, especially when the vehicle that first gets buyers to see your home is not a car, but an internet browser.

Curb appeal is no longer simply what you see from your realtor's car when you're driving by a house. Today, according to a study done by the National Association of Realtors, 74 percent of all home buyers use the internet as an information source when they are researching homes. Very often this is the first time a prospective buyer will see a home.

"The trend tends to be that they use the internet to do their window shopping and to get a lot of information and then they go to a realtor or licensed agent after they do their homework first," says Lorrie Mowat of the San Diego Association of Realtors.

That's why sprucing up photos of homes for sale is getting greater attention these days. Virtual tours of homes online are the next best thing to being there in person to view a home.
"A virtual tour will allow you to walk through the home online. You can see the front of the house, all the rooms on the inside, exactly how it lays out, which will give you an idea of the livability of the house before you ever go to look at the house or call an agent," says Christian Coleman, District Director for ZipRealty.

Online curb appeal can be the catalyst for getting buyers and real estate agents to your property. Consider these tips to enhance online curb appeal.

• Use colorful plants surrounding the exterior. Stand back and evaluate your home. Does it need color or landscaping fill-in? Are there any eyesores that distract from the home?
• Remember that when a home is photographed, lighting is very critical. Make sure you have light coming in from the outside so that the home appears cheerful and bright. Shooting with natural light rather than flash often gives a more desirable look.
• Make sure photos are taken of those extra-special areas that make your home stand out, such as a sitting area in a master bedroom, the beautiful garden view from a window or a yoga/meditation room. Even if they're described in a written summary, capturing them with a photo speaks to people's senses.
• Picture your home through the lens of a camera. Actually take a few photos with a digital camera. It's amazing what a camera can capture that the eye doesn't always see when the photo is being taken. You'll often find that a home is too cluttered; some furniture may need to be stored or moved to another room.
• Virtual tours can be even more beneficial as they can show the community as well.
  

And the way that communities change, it can really help the buyers to not only see the property and the size and the way that their furniture will fit in, but the community they'll live in as well.

Curb appeal whether online or in person is the first step to getting buyers to notice your property, so, just like first impressions, make it a good and lasting one.

Dollars Available to Assist With Care of Your Well

The Mills County Public Health / Sanitarian office would like to announce the continued availability of Grant dollars to assist with the care of your well. These dollars are provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and are available to assist with the following item:

• Well testing, water test kits are available at no cost to test well water for bacteria and nitrates.
• Well Closure, abandoned wells may be closed in an appropriate manner with cost share assistance up to $250.00 per well.
• Well reconstruction, wells in need or repair may be maintained with a cost share assistance of up to $600.00 per well.

Please contact the Mills County Public Health office at 712-527-9699 regarding well testing. Please contact the Mills County Engineer's office at 712-527-4873 for additional information regarding well closure and well construction

168th Division May Arrive Home Monday

By TIM JOHNSON and COURTNEY BRUMMER

Members of the 168th Infantry Division of the Iowa National Guard will likely return home Monday, officials confirmed Friday night.

Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood with the Iowa National Guard in Des Moines said while he could not confirm a specific time, Monday appeared to be the day the troops would return to Council Bluffs.

"I can't set a time, we haven't gotten those orders yet," he said. "It's looking very likely that they'll be back Monday."

Hapgood added that he should know more specifics on arrival time sometime today.

Whenever the time may be, a welcome-back reunion will be held soon after the troops arrive back in Omaha. The ceremony will be held at the Mid-America Center.

Why Use A REALTOR®?

All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.

But if you're still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®, here are a dozen more reasons to use one:
1. Your REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power -- that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a REALTOR® some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders -- banks and mortgage companies -- offer limited choices.

2. Your REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.

3. Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning. schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?

4. Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.

5. Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your REALTOR® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your REALTOR®, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.

6. Your REALTOR® can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.

7. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.

8. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

9. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.

10. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

11. Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

12. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

From Realtor.com

Long-term Mortgage Rates Drop for the Ninth Week Out Of The Last Ten

Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey in which the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.62 percent, with an average 0.6 point, for the week ending June 2, 2005, down from last week when it averaged 5.65 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.28 percent. FULL STORY->

Parade of Homes Begins Sunday

PHIL ROONEY, Staff Writer

The annual Spring Parade of Homes sponsored by the Council Bluffs Building and Trades Association is scheduled for Sunday, June 5th and 12th. The featured homes will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. on both Sundays.

Thirty-five homes at 14 locations created by 18 builders will be open for viewing in this year's parade.

The homes offer custom details for the discriminating homeowner, and many of the lots sit on high-tech additions with comfort, styling and decorating and scenic views that make them an outstanding representation of the personal pride these builders take in their product.

Subdivisions or communities with addresses for this year's Parade of Homes include:

Bent Tree: 23060 Breckmans Road.
Briarwood: 1314 Aster Circle,
1310 Berwick Circle,
1418 Oran Drive,
1605 Tipton Drive.
Coronado Keys: 470 Coronado Circle,
550 Coronado Circle.
Deerfield: 404 Fawn Park Circle,
412 Fawn Park Circle
Forest Ridge: 26 Norwood Drive,
30 Norwood Drive.
Fox Fun: 5109 Council Pointe Road.
Grandfield: 23539 Murphy Lane.
Greenview Village Townhomes: 107 Greenview Circle.
Parkwild: 745 Parkwild.
Ridge View Estates: 203 Delmar Ridge Lane.
315 Delmar Ridge Lane, 327 Delmar Ridge Lane, 334 Delmar Ridge Lane,
2303 Delmar Ridge Lane, 2311 Delmar Ridge Lane, 2318 Delmar Ridge Lane,
2502 Eagle Ridge Drive, 2506 Eagle Ridge Drive, 2507 Eagle Ridge Drive,
2510 Eagle Ridge Drive.
Lake Manawa area: 4428 Sioux
Glenwood: 22472 Grand View Ave.,
52106 230th St.,
52144 230th St.,
52262 230th St.,
53432 230th St.,
53442 230th St.
Minden: 33938 335th St.
Underwood: 415 Third St.

Sporting Event

Mid-America Motorplex, south of Glenwood, Iowa, at exit 35 on Interstate 29. "Friday Night Street Legal Drags," 7 p.m. to midnight Friday at the Rolling Thunder Drag Strip. Spectator admission: $10; children ages 6 and younger, free. "Bracket and Junior Drag Racing," 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the drag strip. Spectator admission: $10; children ages 6 and younger, free. "Porsche Club Races," 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the road course. Spectator admission: $10; children ages 6 and younger, free. (712) 622-8122 or www.midamericamotorplex.com.

Latest Housing Consumer Trends Focus On Upscale Amenities

2005 - Given the choice between more space or higher quality features, new home buyers are overwhelmingly opting for the latter, according to the latest survey data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

When asked to choose between a bigger house with fewer amenities or a smaller house with high quality products and amenities, 63 percent of the home owners surveyed by NAHB opted for the latter. To pay for those quality features, 57 percent said they preferred for them to be included in the base price of the home; while 43 percent wanted them to be offered as options at extra cost.

“One particular consumer trend stands out: While homes do not appear to be getting bigger, they are definitely getting better. There is a marked increase in quality, with updated features and amenities,” said Jerry Howard, executive vice president and CEO of NAHB.

The households who were surveyed indicated enthusiasm for just about every upscale feature available, Howard said, but became more realistic in their views when they were asked to choose among alternatives.

Among several other observations on what people want in their new homes:

- The top features home owners want in the kitchen are a walk-in pantry (84 percent), island work area (77 percent), special use storage (62 percent) and built-in microwave (62 percent).

- Thirty-seven percent said they wanted their kitchens visually open to the family room, with a half wall; 34 percent want the two completely open.

- The top bathroom features were a linen closet (91 percent), exhaust fan (88 percent) and separate shower enclosure (78 percent).

- Nine-foot ceilings are now a standard height, up from eight feet previously. “Consumers say it provides more openness, more light and makes the home feel bigger,” said Howard.

- Younger households prefer their washer and dryer to be located near the bedroom; older households prefer them near the kitchen.

- Brick was preferred by 44 percent of respondents as the front exterior wall material for their homes.

- Asked to choose between more space in the master bedroom and less in the master bath or the opposite, 69 percent chose more bedroom space. “Some of the master baths have been
getting bigger than the bedrooms themselves,” Howard said.

After growing steadily since 1970, the average home size leveled off during the past three years and stood at 2,340 square feet in 2004. This is close to the 2,426 square feet that home owners said they would like to have, according to Howard.

Looking at trends for the next five years, he predicted growing popularity for low-maintenance, natural materials; synthetic stucco; energy efficiency; and security on the outside of the home.

Inside, open space, quality features, technology and special purpose rooms are on the upswing.

An emerging trend in the higher end market is the advent of a “flex” room or “bonus” room situated above three-car garages.

“These rooms can be over 1,000 square feet and include a full-bath. We are finding that home owners are using them for a variety of purposes – as an in-law suite, a guest room, home office or media room,” said Howard.

Purchasing Land: What To Look For

by Mercedes Hayes

It doesn't take long to realize that finding the right piece of property is the most important aspect of new home construction. In a development, restrictions and easements have already been sorted out, but if you are looking for a stand-alone piece of vacant land, you're on your own. Here are some of the factors you need to consider before spending your hard-earned cash on a pretty view that might be unbuildable.

THE PERC. No, we're not talking about coffee. But we are talking about percolate. If you are outside of a community, chances are that you will not be connected to city water and sewer; you will have to build a septic system for your own house. The septic system will be designed by a local civil engineer and probably approved by the county, but before the engineer knows what kind of septic you need he'll have to take a Perc Test. They will dig a big hole in the ground, fill it with water, then clock how long it takes for the water to seep into the ground. If the water drains too fast, you have too much sand. If it drains too slow, you have too much clay (or probably rock). There is an acceptable tolerance, outside of which the perc fails. If one perc fails, they dig another hole elsewhere to see if there's any improvement. If the land doesn't perc, you may be able to find an alternative septic system, but you can be sure it will be very problematic. Any wise buyer will make the purchase of the land contingent on the perc. Don't assume that just because you have a big piece of land that it will perc somewhere; this is not necessarily the case. The cost of the test is usually paid by the buyer. However, a motivated seller will perc the land for you, or even offer an approved septic system. This is a big bonus, and adds peace of mind, but the land will be more expensive as a result. In the long run, it's worth the extra dollars to bypass this big hurdle. The septic system will be designed to accommodate the number of bedrooms in a house, and you cannot add any bedrooms without redesigning the system.Once the land is perced, that hole is the spot where the septic will be installed. If it's in the front yard, you cannot change the location without doing another perc. Also remember that nothing can be built on top of your septic field, nor can you plant any trees there.

SETBACKS: This is the space between the property line and the building, defined by the township. Nothing can be constructed in the setback, including your driveway. Some townships require more than 100 feet of setback from the road; setbacks on the front and back perimeters are usually larger than those on the sides of your property. On your survey, a dotted line usually defines the setback, and the space inside is called the building envelope. If the footprint of your intended house and driveway is wider than the setbacks allow, you may have to apply for a variance, or change the orientation of the building.

EASEMENTS: Easements are the rights given to other named parties for public or private use of a stretch of your land. This may include a gas main that runs through your property, power lines, railroad tracks, water mains, or a strip leading to a land-locked neighbor (this strip would be the "flagpole" of a flag lot). This easement should be clearly delineated in the deed, although common usage has been known to claim precedence over perceived rights. If you're the one who requires this easement for a flag lot, make sure it is in writing before you purchase this land, or you might not be able to access it.

WETLANDS: I used to think that wetlands looked like standing water with cattails and ducks. Not necessarily so... in fact, we almost bought three wooded acres of wetlands before a friend gave us a timely warning. If there's a little stream running through the woods, you might be in trouble. Just to be sure, we hired an engineer who dug a row of soil samples, each marked with a little flag denoting the edge of the wetlands. When he had finished, there was enough land for Ken and Barbie to build a dream house - in the setback, at that. This little disappointment cost us $600, which is a lot better than the $110,000 we would have spent for a disastrous ruin of our plans. There are times when you might be able to get a variance to build in wetlands, but this can be a costly and time consuming process, with no guarantee of success. You could take your chances and build anyway, but if the township gets tipped off, they could stop your project at any point, or even force to to tear down what you have already constructed.

DEED RESTRICTIONS: These restrictions can be imposed by the former owner of the property, or the township depending on application. For instance, you might be limited as to what kind of house you can build; or what materials you can use. You might not be allowed to build a log home. Some restrictions limit the square footage of the house, or the use of the property. You may have to limit the height of your house, or even what type of fencing you can use. There might be a limit to the kind of livestock you can manage, or how many acres per horse. This has nothing to do with zoning, which is a separate issue.

MINIMUM ACREAGE: Townships have started battling urban scrawl by imposing minimum acreage on a building lot. Sometimes, the piece of land you are trying to buy is smaller than the minimum acreage. If the lot was subdivided before the law was passed, it is usually considered "grandfathered" and you should be able to build on it. Check with the authorities to be sure; you may have to obtain a variance to build on a "substandard" sized lot. Also, if you are purchasing a big piece of land with the assumption that you can subdivide later and sell off parcels, make sure these subdivisions will be allowed. Sometimes, even large parcels can only be divided once or twice by law, depending on deed restrictions, prec restrictions, township restrictions, or possibly land preservation issues.

CLEAR TITLE: If there is a lien on a property due to non-payment of bills or taxes, the title will be considered clouded and you might not be able to obtain clear title to your piece of land. There may be disputes about boundary lines, or adverse possession if you have an unwelcome long-term squatter. In most cases, a thorough title search will uncover any irregularities, and the mortgage company will require that you purchase a one-time title insurance policy against any future issues. This needs to be done before settlement.

WATER SOURCE: If you need to dig a well, consult with the local well driller. There's a pretty good chance that the driller will have a good idea about how deep he'll need to go. You will pay by the foot to drill a well, and it could add thousands to your budget.

When it comes to purchasing land, the old saying "Let the buyer beware" certainly comes to mind. If you do not thoroughly investigate your property with the township, civil engineers, or land use lawyers, no one else is going to protect you. A cooperative township office will give you access to the public records relating to your piece of land; if it's been perced in the past, those records become public. They may already have a file about your lot and block number, and a trip to the township office may enlighten you if there have been problems in the past. At the very least, you should have an idea what you can and cannot do with your land, before you make that big commitment.

Airport Plans Fly Smoothly

TIM ROHWER, Staff Writer
06/01/2005

Not only is the expansion work at the Council Bluffs Municipal Airport on schedule, but two major projects in the plans have come in under budget, according to a local official.

The Council Bluffs Airport Authority recently awarded a bid to Cedar Valley Corp. of Waterloo to pave, mark and light the first phase of the new 5,500-foot-long runway. The company's bid of $2,760,613 was the lowest of four submitted, said Bill McGinn, chairman of the Airport Authority. The projected cost was $3.1 million, he said.

Excavation for the new runway will total $2.9 million, significantly below the projected cost of $4 million, McGinn said. The main feature of the airport's expansion plans is the new 5,500-foot runway, which will lie directly north to south. The airport's current runway is 4,000 feet and lies northwest to southeast.

Excavation for the first phase of the new runway is continuing, McGinn said, and paving it should begin later in the summer. "The completion date for paving is Nov. 15," he said.
The Iowa Department of Transportation doesn't want airport paving after that date because of the cold weather, McGinn said. The paving will involve the north side of the runway.
The installation of the runway lights and the runway markings should be done a month later, he said.

Next summer, paving will begin on the final 1,500 feet, located at the south end of the runway, he said. After that, the current runway will be repaved, McGinn said.
Additional hangars to hold more planes are also part of the expansion plans.
That's important, McGinn said, because the airport gets a nickel for every gallon of fuel purchased there. "It's good to have more based aircraft there because that means more fuel purchased," he said.

The total expansion project is about $20 million of which the Federal Aviation Administration is paying 95 percent, with remainder coming locally. So far, approximately $11 million in federal funds has been awarded, with $500,000 coming locally, McGinn said. Though not part of the original expansion plans, officials are considering a new terminal building that would be built closer to Old Highway 6, he said. It would offer easier access for airplane passengers than the current building, McGinn said. "It would be much bigger than the one now," he said.

Subdivision With Lakes Approved Near Mineola

BY JOHN FERAK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

GLENWOOD, Iowa - The Mills County Board approved plans Tuesday for the largest subdivision ever proposed in the county.

On a 3-0 vote, the board gave local developer Craig Nakamoto permission to build the first phase of his 350-lot Lake Ohana subdivision near Mineola, Iowa.

The 21 lakeside lots in phase one will range in size from one acre to 1.2 acres and will be offered for $50,000 to $75,000, Nakamoto said. Houses are expected to cost from $250,000 to $500,000, he said. He expects to begin construction this month.

The 700-acre development calls for three private lakes, including a 120-acre lake for watercraft and recreational boating. A 4-acre commercial corridor could include a restaurant, bank and grocery store. One acre will be donated to the Oak Township Fire Department in Mineola for a new station.

Mills County Board Chairman Richard Crouch said the subdivision should have no trouble attracting professionals from Omaha who want to live on a lake.

The subdivision will be 5 miles north of Glenwood and 2 miles west of Mineola. Mineola is about 22 miles from Omaha. "It's 10 minutes off the Interstate, and people like that area because it's out in the open," Crouch said. "You don't have to battle traffic, and it's only 20 minutes into downtown Omaha."