Pro-Link Blog

Here is a report that shows the year-to-date number of building permits requested for single family units in the Siouxland community.

 We hope you enjoy the Pro-Link team website, but also checkout the website tools each of our agents also provide!

	Julie Eickhoff, ABR, CRS 712-490-2435 www.juliethepro.com
	Ken Spies, CRS 712-251-6065 www.kenspies.com
	Cathy Frost, CRS 712-490-1553 www.cathyfrost.com
	Jim Trucano 712-301-2300 www.jimtruano.com
	Madhvi Hainds 712-490-5873 www.madhvihainds.com

With the economic challenges of the nation, are the effects starting to trickle down to real people?  Have you changed any of your normal day to day routines because of the changing business climate? 

We want to have you share your advice.  What are you doing differently during these times of uncertainty?

<a href="http://technorati.com/claim/jraq8y3sh6" rel="me">Technorati Profile</a>

In August 2008, there were 487 homes on the market in Sioux City with the average list price of $142,336 compared to 481 homes in July 2008 with the average list price of $143,794 and 448 homes in August 2007 with the average list price of $132,889.

Within the entire MLS area, there were 161 homes sold in August 2008. The price range of homes sold were 24 under $50K, 59 homes between $50K-$99,999 and 78 homes that were $100K & over.

Click on the housing button above to take you to the Siouxland Market News where you can download the entire report.

Would you consider leasing your home? Siouxland businesses with new executives relocating to the area are coming to us asking for help in locating nice homes available for lease.  There is not enough inventory available to meet the needs of the calls we receive on a daily basis.  In today’s markets, a lot of the individuals moving into our community are struggling to sell their home in the town they are relocating from. Or, they have come from a market where houses are not selling and wish to rent till they get to know the community a little more. If you have considered the purchaser of income property or if you have a home currently on the market, and would consider a short term lease, this may be the time to look into this opportunity.

Why you might consider renting vs. selling:

• Renting prices will slowly go up as the difficulty of buying a home increases.

• Imagine retiring after spending your entire life paying off your mortgage. Now image how much better your retirement would be if you had two properties instead of one.

• The nice thing about renting out your properties is the tax break you'll get.  Landlords are allowed extra deductions for expenses and depreciation of the home and appliances.  You can deduct the interest on your mortgage, your property taxes, the cost of repairs, any cleaning services you have for the house and the utilities.

If you are interested in exploring this option, please call us at 712-224-2300 or e-mail us at info@pro-linkrealty.com.

Sioux City has the nation's most affordable housing according to the Coldwell Banker Home Price Comparison Index!  See the articles below with the details.

Sioux City Journal Article

Business Week Article

Just a friendly reminder to VOTE in today’s School Board Election. Having troubles deciding…..do not fear. Listen to each candidate at the link below, make a decision and VOTE.

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/blogs/news/

What’s that……where do I VOTE? Never fear, use the link below, enter your address and VOTE.

http://www.woodbury-ia.com/departments/Auditor/precinct.asp

Thanks to the Sioux City GO Civic Committee Chair, Jason Klemme, also with Howard R. Green for providing us with this information for the blog!

Rate Lock Advisory - Monday Sep. 8th

Monday's bond market has opened down slightly following strong gains in stocks. The stock markets are rallying as the news of the government's takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is being taken as positive for the markets. Also contributing to early stock gains were rallies in international markets overnight. The bond market is currently down 7/32 as investor interest has turned towards stocks. However, due to strength in bonds Friday and reassurances by the Fed that Fannie and Freddie have enough funds to conduct business, we should see mortgage rates improve this morning by .250 - .375 of a discount point.

To learn more about where rates are forecast to head, click here.  This is updated on our website daily under the For Buyers section.  It is titled "Daily Rate Lock Advisory".

Tonight is the seventh Fridays on the Promenade concert of the 2008 summer season. The show starts at 6 pm, and is done by 8 pm, and is held in front of the Promenade Theater, around the Roth Fountain at 4^th and Virginia. Concerts will continue every-other Friday night through September. A different musical act is brought in for each show, with musical styles ranging from rock, to blues, to bluegrass. Admission is only $2, and there is a cash bar and food available with part of the proceeds going to a local charity. The shows are a lot of fun, and don’t take up your entire night. There is limited seating, so you may want to bring a lawn chair with you.

Check out the website at www.fridaysonthepromenade.com.

Future Shows
Sept 19	Les Exodus

The musical guest for the evening is Watermelon Slim and the Workers. Listen to him at www.watermelonslim.com.

Saturday Evening -

Kicks on Route 66 - Join the Journey

Dinner, dance to the Embers - - Rock & Roll Revival; car show; auction.  Fun, Fun Fun!  Tickets are $35 each or 2 for $60.

5:30 - 12:00 at Marina Inn & Conference Center

Benefit for Siouxland FACE and Siouxland Center for Active Generation, co-located at 313 Cook Street, Sioux City. 

Satellite Central and Clear Channel Radio want to recruit YOU to collect spare change donations from TODAY through October 1st to benefit St. Luke's Children's Miracle Network!  Call in to sign up to be a Change Angel today to support your favorite radio stations:

    KG 95 - Z98     KISS 107.1

    FOX SPORTS 620 AM      LA PRECIOSA

The stations need YOUR help as they are competing to see who can raise the most money for St. Luke's Children's Miracle Network.

How do you sign up?

    1.  Stop by Satellite Central today, September 5th from 1-3 pm

    2.  Call us at 258-5595 to request your Change Angel kit

    3.  Click Here for the link.

Help us make a difference in the lives of Siouxland children!

The Sioux City Economic Development Department, in conjunction with the Sioux City Argosy Casino, will be hosting a Business for Breakfast event on Friday, September 12 at 7:30 am in the Sioux City Convention Center.  Internet marketing expert, Dana VanDen Heuvel, will present new marketing and media technologies with his topic "Marketech ' 08:  Using Emerging Media in Marketing" and will address how changing technology affects how you do business.  Dana is widely recognized for his expertise on blogging, podcasting, RSS, Internet communities and interactive marketing trends and is a frequent speaker at American Marketing ASsociation events.  He has received the Marketing Sherpa "Best Blog" award for authoring a leading business to business marketing weblog at www.danavan.net.

Business for Breakfast is geared toward area empmloyers and rofessionals interested in emerging business trends and topics.  RSVP by calling 712-224-5500 by Friday, September 5th.