We can tell by the level of activity at our weekly open houses in the area that seniors are really sensing the current opportunity in the real estate market and taking advantage of it. We have sold eight homes in eight weeks at our newest development in East Davenport—a company record. We’ve just begun moving dirt at our new Bettendorf site, and we have three site reservations already. Our Clinton and Iowa City sites are likewise perking. And in talking with other builders and suppliers in the area, I find their experiences are much the same as ours.

Here’s what’s happening. Aware seniors all know the economic environment will be changing one day soon and not for the better, for a whole series of reasons: rising interest rates, increasing materials costs, and an uptick in land prices. Accordingly, the cost of building that new home to meet the changing needs of the senior lifestyle is simply going to follow suit. I recognize that in some parts of the country, home prices are in decline, but that’s not the case in our area, particularly for the all-on-one-floor convenience and comfort of our stepless entry town homes that we feature.

Pressure on building materials will intensify as we begin the major reconstruction needed after the storm-related events in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Missouri, to name just a few areas. For instance, in the past we have seen a $6 sheet of siding go to $18 with insulation, roofing, etc. responding likewise. That impacts a home price dramatically. So far, we can still buy $6 siding, but not for long.

As the major reconstruction programs begin in Japan, we will see further pressure, because all our markets are now international in scope, so supplies flow to the highest price area. Again, plywood, roofing, etc. will all be impacted.

Interest rates are an important construction and mortgage factor, and they will be going up – big time. Builders typically finance the cost of a home during the four to five month construction period. That interest cost is recovered in the purchase price of the home. Higher interest costs add to the price of the home. We’ve talked previously about the impact of mortgage rates on the sale of existing homes. The lower the rate, the more affordable the home is to the buyer. Economic forecasts indicate that interest rates will be going up. When that happens, everyone will be impacted adversely.

We all recognize that the convergence of favorable prices and low interest rates that we are experiencing now — “the sweet spot” — will erode as costs of all types go up. Accordingly, the time is now to be making that senior housing decision while the factors remain favorable. Remember that senior housing inventories in the area are low at the moment, and that purchase agreements for homes now mean late 2011 delivery. By next spring I really expect to see many of the adverse factors discussed here to be upon us.

For more information including all the facts on the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase visit us at Stone Gate East in East Davenport any Saturday or Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Our host, Realtor, Don Gibeault, will be happy to give you all facts you need to make a purchase decision. And I can always be reached at (563) 570-1460.

Tentative Schedule Of Events:*

Saturday June 4
Classic Car Show, Flea Market, Garage Sales, Great Food, Petting Zoo, Live Music, Picker Trivia, Contests and more!
10:15 am – Welcome to American Pickers Festival – Levee Stage
10:30 – 11 am – Question & Answers with the Pickers – Levee Stage
11 am – 12:30 pm – Band
Noon – 1 pm – Win Lunch with the Pickers
12:30 – 1 pm – Picker Look a like contest – on levee stage

1 to 2 pm – LeClaire Antique Appraisals Show
2 – 4 pm – Autographs/Photo session on levee stage
4 – 5 pm – Q&A with a Woman who has been “picked by the Pickers”
5- 6 pm – Band
6 – 8 pm – Band
8 – 10 pm – Band

All Day – LeClaire, Iowa
City Wide Garage Sales

Sunday – June 5,
10:30 – 11:30 am – Autograph Session/photos
11:30 am – 12:30 pm – LeClaire Antique Appraisals Show
12:30 – 2:30 pm – Karaoke

*The organizers of American Pickers Festival/reserves the right to add and event or terminate an event from the event scheduled during the American Picker Festival without notification. If you have any questions or need more information, visit www.visitleclaire.com or contact us at info@visitleclaire.com.

By Max Molleston

I am most happy with things familiar to me. Does that ring a bell? the newest cycles in our nation and its reflection in the world, send an unreal portion of our jobs away. We get the doors slammed on customary activities and on things we consider “advancement.”

The News Year is a puzzle in its terms of what is ahead, and how shall it be treated for us and by us. In our household, with the two if us and a family of my daughter’s just minutes away in Iowa City, their concerns can become our concerns. It has always been that way, in households open and generous. It tends not to be with some family groupings where envy and limited resources rub the wrong way, consistently. These cases, haves versus have nots, however you lay it out, is always emotional and, to me, “carrying that water” can lead to a slippery pathway. For me, questions and answers need to be simple and direct. So much so that each, hearing, can understand. I have been through job cuts which meant layoffs, and in the end retirement. My wife had a responsible position in a school system. We knew our home was ours and meals would be no challenge. For more of the U.S. that has been fussy and messy and tied to people who want to say no. I go to poetry of Illinois native and Chicago chronicler Gwendolyn Brooks. Brooks could and did write poetry of all types: she was skilled in language and the turn of words to capture the day. Here is her poem:

The Bean Eaters

They eat beans mostly, this old yellow pair.
Dinner is a casual affair,
Plain chipware on a plain creaking
Wood.
Tin flatware.

Two who are mostly good,
Two who have lived their day,
But keep putting on their clothes
And putting things away.

And remembering…
Remembering with twinkling and Twinges
As they lean over the beans in their
rented back room that is full of beads
and receipts and dolls and cloths, tobacco
crumbs, vases and fringes.

There are other kinds of reality. their time may not be our time. For instance, this famous poem by Robert Frost.

Stopping by the Woods
On a Snowy Evening.

Whose woods are these I think I know
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill us with snow,

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

We are closing another montly note with extreme pride to be a part of the 50 Plus Lifestyles family of information. Join us within these folds in February of the new year.

Saturday, October 9, at 2:00  p.m. in the Bettendorf/Gilbert Rooms of the Bettendorf Public Library, Paul Ingram from Iowa City’s Prairie Lights Bookstore will talk about his favorite newly published books. He will highlight those which would be excellent for discussion and also those good for gift-giving.  As part of the hosting library’s Civil Rights Project, he will include his all-time favorite books with a civil rights theme. October is National Reading Group Month, so area book club members or club wannabes are particularly encouraged to attend. Books will be for sale. Light refreshments will be available. This program is sponsored by Scott County Libraries Together.

CELEBRATE THE “BIG READ”

Tuesday, October 12, 7-8:30 p.m., in the Bettendorf Public Library’s Malmros Conference Room, librarian and Hugo Award Winner John Klima will lead a discussion of the classic “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury in which a totalitarian regime has ordered all books to be destroyed, but one of the book burners suddenly realizes their merit.  Books are available on a first-come basis at the Information Desk.  This program is in partnership the “Big Read” at the Moline Public Library.

Some thoughts on why this may be the best buying opportunity for senior housing to be available for a long time‚ – and what to do about it.

My building materials supplier recently told me prices are NOT dropping any further and there’s evidence of increases in the offing.

My suppliers of electrical, concrete, heating and related services have indicated they are at rock-bottom pricing.

And when last I looked, land prices are not declining. On the contrary the prices of quality, buildable lots in desirable and convenient locations are stable at best with hints of rising.

Mortgage rates? They are still at rock bottom levels and the signs are for steady increases for as long as the eye can see. Even for seniors not planning to finance their homes, buyers of their current home may be looking to finance their purchase and Quad Cities banks all say that they are open for mortgage business. For qualified buyers the climate is
certainly favorable.

The current inventory of preferred new senior-friendly homes is favorable and growing. Seniors generally gravitate to newer homes because newer homes generally incorporate the lifestyle amenities that seniors want including everything on one floor, wider doorways, stepless entry, step-in showers and yard maintenance. During the recent
economic downturn some builders held off on new construction preferring to wait for the turnaround. However, those builders who continued with construction have an array of homes at favorable prices. At Dan Dolan Homes we anticipated the turnaround months ago so we kept building. For instance, in Davenport we now have homes in the $180s to the $270s. Our additions in Muscatine, Blue Grass, Clinton and Iowa City are similarly positioned to fill the needs of senior home buyers.

At Dan Dolan Homes we’ve been promoting the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase that was approved by Congress just a year ago. For many seniors we believe that mechanism represents a viable option because it allows buyers to move in after just a one-time down payment with no further mortgage payments ever. In our view, the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase provides seniors with a fixed housing cost for as long as they remain in the home. For instance, a buyer age 76 can buy a $200,000 Dan Dolan home for an estimated down payment of $78,000 with no further mortgage payments ever. By contrast, independent living in a large high-rise facility can range from about $3,000 a month to maybe $6,000 a month. At that rate, seniors could spend $100,000 in a relatively short period and the “meter” would still be rolling!

I hear from seniors every week at my open houses that “There’s no place like home.” We believe that the 2 bedroom, 2 bath homes with 2 car garage that we offer represent the best of all worlds. With the help of a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase the cost of living is predictable and any cash proceeds from the sale of an existing home can be saved for a “rainy day” or used for travel and enjoyment.

We believe that the current cost dynamics of senior housing are very favorable. Moreover, all our homes in Davenport qualify for the Davenport Now incentive that could yield some $5,000 or more in up-front tax incentives. As usual, our Realtor staff is available weekends at our various Saturday and Sunday open houses in the area. For hours at the various locations call me at 570-1460 or call Don Gibeault at 650-8007.

I first met a little boy named Sergio about two years ago. The eleven year old was battling a rare form of cancer in children (acute myeloid lymphoma). Unfortunately, I have met a lot of children battling illnesses these last couple of years. Behind the illness there is a character born from the struggles a child has to face to win the battle against cancer. In Sergio, there was much more character than I expected. His character reveals itself in more ways than one.

“I got disappearing ink and sprayed it on my doctor’s coat,” he laughed as he told me of his latest prank while undergoing treatment in Iowa City this fall.

To understand what it means to see him laugh, and play pranks—you have to know just a little more of his health history. You see Sergio and his mother were in the fight of his life last year. But as sick as he was, this little guy was so touched by the kindness people showed him, that he was determined to find a way to give back.

“He wanted to put on a blood drive to give the blood back that he used to get better,” his mother Melissa explains. “After the first drive he said, we should do it all the time.” And they have done just that. But they did not stop there. He signed on to help organizations like The Children’s Miracle Network with fundraisers.

Sergio

This fall, the brave boy slowly turning into a young man, stepped up to the podium to address hundreds of people at the Runway to Healing event. He modeled a bit too, strutting his stuff on the runway. “You looked cool, huh?” I teased. “Yeah!” he answered with a smile.

But that smile was hiding something else. As he stood at the podium a bit nervous—his family was nervous too. After beating his cancer the year before, there was new concern about his health. He underwent a painful biopsy just prior to the event. The results would come a few days later—and would take the breath right out of them. Sergio had cancer again.

“I was sad it happened again,” Sergio told me as we sat on the couch in his living room. “

They had been through the most difficult year of their lives. He beat the cancer and was declared cured. Now, they were about to start it all over again. But as heart-broken as they were, they were also determined to fight again with everything they have.

“I’m gong to kick this cancer again,” he said with determination. “I’m going to kick it even harder this time!”

His proud mother shook her head in support and added, “You can’t imagine what this little kid has been through and how strong he has been. All he has been through and he still smiles everyday. He is my hero. I look up to him 100 percent.”

He has found a bone marrow donor and has now been in the hospital fighting for several weeks. He has had plenty of really bad days, and a handful of days to celelbrate. His mom updates his Care Page on a daily basis—sharing his status changes, good and bad, with family and friends. Through it all Sergio and mom Melissa continue pushing for people to help meet and exceed the goal of Dance Marathon—a fundraiser to support families battling cancer.

Sergio and friends

If all goes well, Sergio hopes to make it home for the Super Bowl. If not, I am confident his family will find a way to look at the bright side and overcome the next obstacles too. Find a way to keep showing the courage and determination it takes to beat the illness that has changed all of their lives. Along the way still reaching out to give back to others. That makes them everyday heroes in my book.

Remember the name, Anne Michael Langguth, Miss Iowa 2009. I know you’ll be hearing about her accomplishments and her service to the state of Iowa.

By Becky Lee Hinton
Director of Marketing
The Fountains Senior Living Community

There was entertainment, excitement and drama aplenty at The Capitol Theater in downtown Davenport during the week of June 13th. Twelve of Iowa’s brightest and most talented young ladies competed for the opportunity of a life time; the privilege of representing the great state of Iowa at The Miss America Pageant in January 2010. They are all beautiful, but don’t you dare call them beauty queens. Don’t let the crown and rhinestones fool you, these 12 are serious scholars who plan to change their world for the better.

As an observer, it was clear to me that the judges had their work cut out for them.

Of those 12 wonderful ladies, these seven were singled out for special recognition. Emily Slaves was awarded the Lucky Lang Non-Finalist Talent Award. Casi Roethler won the Davenport Kiwanis Non-Finalist Interview Scholarship. Fourth runner-up was Sarah Hythecker. Third runner-up was Elizabeth Davidson. Second runner-up was Pauli Mayfield. Recipient of the Miss America Academic Scholarship and the Children’s Miracle Network “Miracle Maker” Award was first runner-up, Jennifer Neal. Winner of the Miss America Community Service Scholarship, the Miss Iowa Community Service Scholarship, and the Sheldon Sitrick Interview Scholarship is Anne Michael Langguth, Miss Iowa 2009.

Anne Michael Langguth is the daughter of Brad and Nancy Langguth of Iowa City.

Anne is a 22 year old 2009 graduate of Harvard University in Cambridge, MA where she majored in both Government and Pre-Medical Studies. Her career ambition is to become a practicing physician. Anne Michael’s platform is “Good For You” Promoting and Supporting Wellness Initiatives. As Miss Iowa, she will “partner with political and community leaders on a state and national level to develop and support initiatives that promote wellness through improving nutrition, increasing physical activity and maintaining positive mental health and self esteem.

Anne Michael is also an accomplished violinist. She mesmerized the audience and judges as she played “Zigeunerweisen” (Gypsy Airs) by Pablo Sarasate.

Remember the name, Anne Michael Langguth, Miss Iowa 2009. I know you’ll be hearing about her accomplishments and her service to the state of Iowa.

And when she is crowned Miss America in January, you can say “Yes, I know Anne Michael Langguth!”

Becky Lee Hinton is the Director of Marketing at The Fountains Active Retirement Community in Bettendorf and proudly serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Miss Iowa Scholarship Pageant and Executive Director of the Miss Iowa Youth Program.