The Great Toothpaste Confrontation of 2019 (1,000 Days of Winter)

I learned last week that my husband takes toothpaste, or the lack thereof, very seriously.  On Tuesday of last week, I witnessed the unfortunate circumstances of running out of "adult" toothpaste.  Bear in mind, we still had plenty of bubblegum Sparkle Crest on hand.  Apparently, that just doesn't do the same job as cool mint gel.  Nevertheless, this led to a 10 p.m. argument about not having any toothpaste.  Luckily, I was able to scavenge for a travelers pack of toothpaste to meet my husband's needs.  Fast forward to Friday.  Still no toothpaste in the house and the traveler's pack is empty.  At this point, the confrontation is boiling down to a battle of wits to decide once and for all who can hold out the longest and exhibit the utmost stubbornness of the two of us.  Turns out my husband won this no-contest, knock-down, drag-out fight by one fall.  I broke down and threw some Crest in the shopping cart while I was out buying groceries in the blizzard to avoid all of the other pre-blizzard shoppers.  He owes me big time, but guess what, he is too stubborn to admit it.

How has your 1,000 days of winter been going?  I would accept false spring at this point even though it will take us into third winter.  Clearly, we all need some fresh air, new perspective, and some Crest toothpaste to fill the void this gloomy, cold, artic tundra has left in our hearts.  By golly, at least the real estate market hasn't been frozen in its tracks by this weather.  I wasn't sure if I was coming or going last week, but I did tell our office manager every time I left that if I didn't see her again by 5 p.m., I would see her the next day.  This is good news for all of you who are anxiously waiting for new listings to arrive on the market.  As our 1,000 days of winter edges ever closer to an end, we will see new listings.  If you would like to be notified of what is coming available, send a text to (402) 518-0675 so I can include you in my early communications!

On the flip side, Sellers be warned!  Your sweet spot for listing properties is not actually the summer months as has long been the industry belief.  The best opportunity for you to command top dollar for your property happens when you list between February 15th and March 15th.  We are almost halfway through this short window, so contact me today if you are toying with the idea of listing.  I can provide initial consultations on preparing your house for sale (including how to use toothpaste for spackle, if needed).  And, don't forget, we have our second Lunch and Learn of the season coming up at Noon on March 13th with everything you need to know about preparing your home for sale, working with an agent for the best results, and surviving the process while trying to make a move.

If you're still not convinced that now is a good time to break up the 1,000 days of winter by listing your home, check out these pending sales that only lasted 24 hours on the market:

315 West 8th Street

1020 Poplar Street

Both of these sellers considered waiting to list their homes until warmer weather.  Nonetheless, getting their homes listed early in the year was a smart move.  Let me help cure some of that Seasonal Affective Disorder by kicking your spring cleaning into high gear and helping you market your home to an anxious pool of buyers. 

Despite recent sales, 1st Realty has a nice selection of homes still on the market!  Right now, we have something for everyone including ranch-style, 2-story, a townhouse, and investment properties to expand your portfolio.  Our team can help find a home that fits your needs!

118 S. Blaine Street

419 West 8th Street

1403 Linden Street

902 Nebraska Street

314 East 4th Street

So, don't let the winter blues get you down!  Go buy yourself a fresh new tube of toothpaste, keep the peace in your current home, and give me a call to help you with your next home sale or purchase.  After all, toothpaste is less expensive than roses, and I love to talk about real estate!  Welcome Home.

The Polar Vortex Effect

Well, folks, it just so happens that the Polar Vortex collided with my husband heading to the frozen tundra of Ames, IA for five days of continuing education at the CNHI (Case, New Holland, International) Training Center.  Although it might not seem like a long time to be away, the excursion coupled with the cold weather has forced me to cash in a sizable amount of my stock piled CP & G points.  It has essentially created a perfect storm for using every single resource available to me under the CP & G category.  You are probably thinking, "What on earth is a CP & G point?" Not only are they the most valuable currency any parent can possess, but they are easy to abuse.  People, I'm talking about Crock Pot and Grandma (CP & G) points.  This is how they work:

Me: Can I drop off the kids at 5:30 so I can meet with some clients.
Grandma: Sure! We have already watched them all day, what's a few more hours?
Me: OK, you don't have to feed them because my appointment should only take an hour and I have supper in the crock pot.

...2 hours 37 minutes later...

Me: Sorry it took so long!  Decided to try and meet with some other customers before the middle of the week when the weather turns worse. I bet the boys are starving.
Grandma: It was no trouble!  I didn't want to spoil their supper, so we went ahead and ate ours because they didn't like what we were having.  They had almost a whole bag of potato chips, so they might not be super hungry when they get home.
Me: OK, thanks. See you in the morning!

...10 minutes later, arrive at home...

Me: Boys, would you like something to eat?
Boys: We're not hungry.
Me (talking to myself): Great, what am I going to do with all this roast? (Searches desperately for enough plastic containers to store it all.)

...1 hour 37 minutes later while lying in bed...

Boy: Mom, I hungee!  
Mom: Would you like some roast beef?
Boy: No, hotdog.
Mom: One or two?
Boy: Two, with mustard. No, ch-etchup! I want mustard.

...sleep six hours and do it all over again...

You get the picture.  Those CP & G points flew out the door pretty quickly this week, and it is only Wednesday.  I could probably survive without the crock pot, but it would be a hard road without Grandma and Grandpa close by to fill in the gaps.  I try not to abuse the privilege, but we are fortunate to have a great support team nearby for these times when work takes my husband and me in different directions.  And, I'm lucky to have clients and customers who understand when my boys need to come along for appointments.  That is often the saving grace to ensure that I can refuel my Grandma points for use at another time. You all are so kind and generous to our family!

If my husband can get his pickup started tomorrow, he should be home in time to put the boys to bed.  I'll be sure to have supper waiting for him in the crock pot, just so I can use up my last few CP points before I hit the end of the week.  Maybe he'll take me out to supper this weekend to help build some CP & G points back up again.  I won't hold him to showing up at the door with any roses though.  Welcome Home.

On the Next Episode of "Hoarders"...

The first step to self-improvement is admitting you have a problem.  Here goes: "My name is Trisha Peters, and I am a hoarder."  I literally keep everything until it is no longer useful (i.e. past the point of repairing).  I have dishclothes with the edges so shredded in my kitchen drawer that they wind up in a huge ball in the washing machine because the strings knot up.  I have my adjustable plastic locker shelf that was last used in 1999 because I think my 2 year old might use it in his locker someday (like that's cool, Mom.  By the time he is in school, all his books will be stored in 'the cloud').  I have mix tapes of music taped off the radio in the 1980s because every product of the 80s needs a homemade Casey's Top 40 mix tape.  (Ironically, I do not have a tape player!)  You get the picture.  It's a problem.  One that has been lurking in the darkness of my basement, and that has only recently come out to play as I try to regain control of my life.  Combine this trait with a husband who shares the same characteristic, and we are one chromosome away from being a TV reality show.  For crying out loud, he literally saved the boxes for all the toy tractors that he has displayed in a glass case.  Every time I look under the basement stairway, I want to pour gasoline on them and burn them in the backyard. But, that would get me arrested. And, jail would not be favorable to me.

Why in the world can't we throw anything away??  I blame it on my Grandma.  She used to wash out Ziploc bags and reuse them (guilty as charged).  When something can't be effectively reduced, reused, or recycled in our family, we just store it until it's dead or someone else renders it useless and throws it out for us.  Because, you know what, the second I throw those mix tapes out, I'm going to need them.  Happens. Every. Time.

Case in point, digging through a box last Saturday, I found my old Alphie II robot computer and Smart Start calculator.  I carefully replaced the 16 size C batteries each one required back in 1987 and waited anxiously to show them to the boys when they returned home from the farm with their dad.  By this time, I am well on my way to winning Mom of the Year.  Man, did their eyes light up when they saw that little plastic robot sitting on the kitchen counter.  I was tickled pink! Then, the highly unanticipated Scenario B played out. A huge fight ensued as I introduced the iPad of my day to the boys.  Little brother was ready to rumble for possession of that little robot even though he had no clue how to read the cards or answer the questions.  The oldest one deemed Alphie as "not working" because you have to push the buttons just right to get it to register the answer.  Seriously?  I played with that thing for like an hour Saturday afternoon and had no troubles!  Why do you think I didn't get any vacuuming done?  C'mon man!  This thing is retro...a classic!  As it turns out, my nostalgia is not the same nostalgia my children share.  Who knew?  Since then, I've managed to stub my toe on the dang thing seven times in the middle of the night because the only thing the kids think its good for is to have his face light up in the dark as they are laying in bed.  If anything can be said about 1980s plastic toys, it is that they were built to break a toe or at least roll an ankle! iPad, shmy-pad. Whatever, Bill Gates.

I guess the moral of the story is that if you are storing stuff in boxes that you haven't used since the 1980s, pour gasoline on it and burn it in the backyard.  Just don't let the cops catch you.  Jail isn't all real estate and roses. Welcome Home.

(Disclaimer: Blog author, Trisha Peters, does not encourage you or any others to perform dangerous activities. Pouring gasoline on anything and burning it is not recommended.  Advice is given strictly for comedic effect and is not meant to be practiced in real life.) 

'Til the Cows Come Home

The first week in January means that it is time to start the migration of the Hansen cow herd towards the home place from their winter feeding grounds.  This three mile trek over pasture and county roads requires a minimum of five off-road trail vehicles, a lead tractor and hayrack, and two grandmas (one to watch the littlest cowkids and another to stop traffic when we get the herd out on the road).  It's quite a production, and one that I haven't missed in many years. Here's why:

"Phase One of Annual Herd Migration complete: Three mile drive thru rough terrain. Mud made it inside the vehicle. Touch and go for a few seconds there. Maxed out cool points with the kids again. Tiny cowboys and cowgirl yelling between steel horses giggling about the anatomical differences between bulls and cows. Herd will get used to their nonstop banter just as humans have. In all the commotion, three whitetails stumbled into the action. What a sight! Herd secure. City Slickers home from the ranch."

Working our way across the section

Make sure the window is up before you go mud running!

Three whitetail deer decided to see what all of the fuss was about. It was fortunate I got to share this quiet moment with my oldest son as we waited for the rest of the gang to get the herd moved to our position.

Billy Crystal should be jealous of this yearly undertaking.  Unfortunately, in all these years, we still haven't found Curly's Gold (that's a '90s movie reference for those of you who don't remember)!  We do get the Karsky Family out of town for extra assistance, and with all the littles around these days, we adults have to keep our sweet talk for the bosses rated PG.  The weather was nice the Saturday we moved the herd, and we had some trouble getting the cows rounded up and through the first gate to start our journey.  Believe it or not, livestock actually moves more willingly when the weather is poor.  They felt good, but once they figured out where they were going, they didn't cause any problems. 

This is a therapeutic undertaking for me.  The farm has always been my sanctuary. A necessary haven  to restore the balance of my introverted personality with the demands of a sales career.  Coming down from the rush of the holidays and an extraordinarily busy December market, it was a chance to spend a morning doing something a little out of the ordinary.  There is something to be revered about a Nebraska sunrise, fog in the valleys, and frost on the fence posts.  Just me and my family, a few close friends, the smell of burnt clutch and scorched exhaust, and the cows. Each doing a little part while working as one cohesive unit, doing what we have always done, 'til the cows come home.

Onto new feeding grounds for a few weeks.

I'll admit, I don't get much time anymore to really spend with the herd.  I used to know every cow...her demeanor, her tag number, her given name.  Some of that has gotten away from me as the pressures of a full-time career and family have taken precedence.  My herd has shifted to one made of people.  I don't regret that shift, but I do love a chance to look over the cow herd once in a while. Like people, each head of livestock has its own personality.  Over time, you learn to look for those wild-eyed heifers who like to keep their head up in the air.  They will be the first to spoil a good day.  These spirited cows aren't loyal, and they can ruin your taste for the whole business if you let them.  Eventually, you find that the best way to deal with a cow like this is to haul her to market, but not before she breaks down some of your fences.  While mending fences, you learn how to look for the signs next time and protect yourself before another one jumps over your brand new shiny gate and makes an oversized U-joint out of it.

Those wild-eyed heifer types give you new respect for those cows who have paid their dues and methodically plod at the back of the main herd as they make the trek home.  Those are the stubborn bosses who are upwards of 20 years old and might have even been a part of the study group for your Neihardt Honors Colloquium at Wayne State College. There is a lot to learn from the wherewithal of those old cows.  They have endured because they produce good calves, give good milk, and weather the storms successfully.  Once the heart of the herd, they are the bloodlines to all the younger stock.  Those old girls have a hard time keeping up, but they have played a vital role in the overall success of the herd.

Knowing where the two extremes lie makes it easier to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with the rest of the herd.  It is safe to say that if they do their part, I will do mine, and all will be rewarded with greener pastures in the end.  There are many correlations that can be made between that cow herd and my human herd so long as you don't get all sensitive on me and take offense to the comparison.  Farm life taught me how to take care of my human herd.  If you put your trust in me, I'll do my very best for you right up 'til the cows come home.  After all, what fun would life be if it was all just real estate and roses?  Welcome Home.

A Tale of Two Houses

I can't remember a time when I've cried tears of sorrow and joy all at the same time.  Is that even possible?  It happened.  And it was all caused by a house. Well, actually two houses...

Flashback to Tuesday, February 21st at approximately 7:45 p.m.  I was in the pickup driving home from a church meeting and suddenly came to the realization that this was my last commute to our home in Wisner. Seriously, the last one.  We moved to Wayne the next day.  Something I had done almost every single day for the last five years was suddenly going to end that night when I got home, and my life felt like it was spiraling out of control at that very moment.  What was I doing?  What was I dragging my family into?  How would the boys react?  How would my husband adjust?  Where were we going to put all of our stuff?  How were we going to get it all moved?  Why am I just thinking about all of this now?  And then the tears started to flow.  I cried the whole way home, and must have looked a sight when I pulled into the local Pizza Hut to pick up our supper.  The high school student working the cash register didn't say a word.  He was having trouble calculating the change, so he had bigger things to worry about than the rivers of mascara flowing down my cheeks.

Once I got home, I kept it together through supper.  My husband and I discussed our game plan for the next day and tried to keep it civil.  Emotions have been running high on both our parts.  We have been pulled in different directions throughout our married life mostly due to job and family commitments.  A move to Wayne simplifies our life in many aspects, including work, child care, school, and church.  Nonetheless, Tim has strong ties to his family and their farming operation, which lies about an hour in the opposite direction.  My hope is that we will both have more time to devote to that important aspect of our lives now that we are spending less time on the road each day (between the two of us), but I have yet to convince him of the benefits.  He still reminds me that one of his unspoken marriage vows was, "We shalt never live any further north than Wisner."

Bedtime came for the boys, and my oldest son begged me to read him one of his new favorites, Beauty and the Beast.  The tears welled in my eyes as we laid in bed and I thought of all the stories we had read in our Wisner house.  A whole bookcase of children's books was packed up and ready to move the next day.  I just couldn't stop thinking about the fact that this would be the last time we would lay together reading a story in that room.  After all, this was the house to which we had brought both of our boys home from the hospital.  It is a great house, and it has made a great home for us.  I have so much pride in the improvements we have done (and are currently finishing).  The tears of sorrow flowed thinking of bygone days, happy times, and special moments together...

...and tears of joy streamed from thoughts of our new home waiting for us in Wayne.  The new carpet and paint looked so fresh and clean, and the walls just seemed to be begging for us to start moving in.  This move would be a time saver for our family.  Between their mom and dad, my boys will get an extra two hours of time with us EACH day outside of a car seat!  We will be home before sundown so we can go to the park, hit the library, or actually do something fun besides eat a quick supper, take a bath, and go to bed.  No more making five or six trips to the car in the morning to make sure I have absolutely everything I need because I can't run home over lunch to get it.  The commute is over, and it is going to be life changing. 

Tears of joy and tears of sorrow flowing at the same time over two houses.  That, my friends, is the impact a home can have your life.  More fun to follow later regarding our move, the days leading up to it, and the upcoming sale of our Wisner home.  Welcome Home!

 

Attitude Adjustment

Raise your hand if you've been in a winter funk.  We are well into the long stretch of winter that remains before a sustained spring thaw, and all I can say is thank goodness for the warmer temps this week!  A day like today can really work wonders one's attitude and outlook.  I was getting to a point where I didn't know how much more subzero weather I could tolerate. It's depressing.  However, I am thankful that we haven't been getting the snow and ice our counterparts in the eastern part of the country are experiencing. Things could be worse.

Like me, most of you are probably getting spring fever.  It's that itch to hop in the car and go somewhere or at least to get outside and breathe the fresh air.  If showing houses doesn't give me an excuse for getting out of the office on days like today, I make my own.  You might see me at Dollar General with both arms full of office supplies because I've been procrastinating a trip to the west edge of town since they moved the store from its convenient location across the street.  Maybe I'll to run into you at the post office, or you just might catch me at the car wash polishing my wheels.  Anything for a few brief moments outside!  So, I'm begging you. Let's go look at some houses before the frigid cold settles in again!

We do have quite a few homes to see right now.  All kinds, shapes, colors and sizes are currently available from cozy ranches to 2-story cottages and low-maintenance townhouses.  If you can't find something that fits your needs today, just wait as we enter into March and April when listings typically sprout up overnight.  Remember, we are still in the throes of winter for another month or so (and I'm counting down the days until spring!)  In the meantime, check out these recent listings to see if there is something on the market that might tickle your fancy during this February thaw:

311 East 9th Street - Beautiful hardwood floors, remodeled bath, main level laundry

302 East 7th Street - 3-stories of living space, remodeled in 2000

1011 Sunnyview Drive - Cute home, 3-bedrooms, appliances included

212 East 8th Street - beautiful archways, sunroom, and remodeled kitchen

1226 5th Road, Wisner - private acreage with house, grove, and many outbuildings

819 Lincoln Street - Adorable cottage-style home, 3-bedrooms, Bressler Park view!

If you are buying or selling, contact me at 1st Realty to for help with your housing needs this spring.  Or, if you see me out and about playing hooky on these nice days, don't hesitate to stop and visit about the local housing market.  Getting into a new home or out of your existing one can do as much good for your attitude as the weather!  Welcome Home!

tpeters@1strealtysales.com                     
Office:  (402) 375-1477                     
Cell:  (402) 518-0675     

Remodeling...Again.

It's official. My husband and I have not celebrated a New Year yet without having some sort of major home remodeling project in the works.  We ended 2013 with the joy of replacing our 13 month old water heater which unexpectedly started leaking right after Christmas.  If you remember, in November of 2012, we switched out the old-as-the-house-gas-hog for a more efficient electric model.  Guess they just don't make 'em like they used to!  We rang in the New Year in style by prepping for new windows and doors which were installed last week.  No more draft coming in under the front door (and judging by the amount of dust coating our living room furnishings, the saws-all must have let that door know who's boss), no more frozen midnight toilet seat from the draft in the bathroom, and no more curtains blowing in the south wind.  At least we didn't end up replacing windows on the coldest day of the year thus far!  Our new energy efficient, argon filled, double paned windows were certainly put to the test this week.  So far so good.  This year's resolution is to not have any more projects in the works by 2015 (yeah, right)!

Many of you have also probably made some resolutions of your own.  I'm hoping a few of you have set a goal to buy or sell a home this year.  Even though it is cold outside, now is a great time to buy and/or sell.  Sellers are  motivated to get their homes sold this time of year.  As mentioned in a previous post, fewer buyers are in the market for homes during the long winter stretch from January to March.  This motivates sellers to strongly consider any and all offers.  However, you have probably noticed that housing inventory is low as we start out the new year.  This means that those of you on the fence about listing your home until the weather warms up also have less competition right now.  This increases your odds of selling in a shorter period of time and commanding a higher price for your home.  We have buyers waiting anxiously for new listings, and now is the time to get your house in front of them while those resolutions are still fresh in their minds.

Let me help you keep your New Year's resolution to buy or sell a home in 2014.  Contact me at 1st Realty by calling (402) 375-1477 or e-mailing tpeters@1strealtysales.com to get the inside track to our new listings.  Cheers to a wonderful year ahead!  Welcome Home.

Is 2013 the Year to Buy or Sell a Home?

A recent report in HousingWire magazine indicates that the nationwide housing inventory was down 27 percent as of December 2012 from December 2011 figures.  The Wayne area is experiencing a similar phenomenon with declining housing inventory levels as buyers continue to search for a variety of homes in all price ranges.  Buyers and sellers  needing to make a move due to changing familial status, health issues, job changes, and a variety of other reasons are having difficulty securing properties to meet their needs in Wayne or other market areas.  First-time homebuyers and move-up homebuyers are struggling most significantly at this point to locate home listings that satisfy their needs and wants. 

The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) is predicting that increasing rental rates will continue to drive homebuyer traffic as many people find that home mortgages are actually more affordable than the rising cost of rent in many areas of the country.  Several families in Wayne are finding this to be the case as well.  This is being fueled by low mortgage interest rates as well as favorable conditions for obtaining home financing in rural areas.  The USDA-Rural Development and FHA loan programs continue to be popular loan products for first-time buyers and many local lenders.  Several first-time buyers are also seeking downpayment and rehabilitation assistance from programs such as the Wayne Community Housing Development Program or Northeast Housing Initiative.

According to NAR, solid demand for homes in 2013 is predicted to drive home sales up and improve prices across the board by roughly one to two percent, which is great news for sellers.  Home sales will also increase if bank underwriting standards return to normal levels as rising home prices improve collateral values for banks.  However, pending Federal legislation threatens to make it more difficult for lenders to finance buyers, which will affect home purchasing decisions.


Since starting at 1st Realty in 2004, the number of home listings on the residential market is at the lowest level that I can remember.  The market is certainly trending towards a seller's market.  Buyers will testify that there is not much selection to pick from in today's marketplace.  In particular, several move-up buyers have commented on the lack of inventory available between $125,000 and $200,000.  Unfortunately, this has been the case for several months.  Much of this phenomenon can be largely attributed to the cautious optimism that is accompanying the U.S. economic situation.  Economists predict that many buyers and sellers have been biding their time in order to determine what the fiscal cliff debate means for them in 2013.  With the promise of higher taxes and fewer deductions, many people have decided to stay in their existing home longer in hopes of avoiding financial problems in the future.

With all this in mind, 2013 is indeed the year to sell your home.  Limited inventory means limited competition from other home sellers as well as the benefit of increased buyer traffic.  Many buyers in today's market are prequalified for loans and have money available for downpayments and closing costs.  Several qualified buyers are also in the market to make immediate purchases as they are currently renting and do not have to wait on home sale contingencies.

As opportunities arise, 2013 will also prove to be the year to buy a home.  Interest rates continue to be favorable for buyers as they hover near all time lows.  Although the looming threat of higher taxes is always upon us, the good news is that the mortgage interest deduction survived the fiscal cliff and is still available for homeowners.  As mentioned, many economists predict that housing prices have hit their lowest point and will start to appreciate in rural areas between one and two percent each year. 

If you have questions about the local housing market, contact 1st Realty at (402) 375-1477 or e-mail me at tpeters@1strealtysales.com.  Whether you are in the market to buy or sell a home, farm, or commercial property, 1st Realty can provide you with the advice you need to make 2013 your year to buy or sell!  Welcome Home.

Source: “Housing Inventory Steadily Declines in 2012,” HousingWire (Jan. 9, 2013)

Autumn Inspiration

As I drive to work each morning, I can't help but notice all of the colors that abound this time of year in the Elkhorn River Valley. I'm not really sure why I missed this for the past few years, but it seems like I have really taken notice of the colors of the trees and the changes in the farm fields throughout the past month.  Maybe it was the fact that my previous home was situated on a street with few mature trees, or maybe I need a distraction to keep the daily drive interesting.  Irregardless, harvest has already wound to a close at the Hansen farm and will soon be done further south at the Peters farm where my in-laws and husband have waited patiently for the crops to dry down in comparison to their northern neighbors.  They were fortunate to catch a few timely rains in their area, so the yields are slightly better and the corn is taking longer to mature. Nonetheless, this is a year like none many of us have ever seen, and we certainly hope that we do not experience the extreme drought and heat again anytime soon.  The devastating results were evident as farmers discussed their 1.5 bushel/acre yields while I waited in line on Monday morning at the County Treasurer's office.  My husband is thankful this week that harvest hours are starting to wind down as he continues to trek across Northeast/Central Nebraska and Eastern Iowa to service and maintain harvest systems.  (This wife is thankful for some downtime to have her husband help with fall projects around the house.) 

The fall weather has put me in the mood for making all kinds of soup, canning tomatoes, and changing decor around my house.  In a world where the average human does up to 300 routine things during any given day, a little change in life might be just what the doctor ordered.  I'm noticing scarecrows and pumpkins adorning front stoops all over town, and I'm anxious to start digging into my basement store room to see if I can find my fall decorations.  The mums along the south side of our home are a welcome surprise this fall, so maybe I'll have to renege on my previous comments about a "total" landscaping makeover for next year.  Despite the drought, our landscaping has provided us with some beautiful surprises!

The falling leaves have added beautiful contrast to the green grass in our yard at home. 

 Speaking of inspiring autumn surprises, don't forget the huge yard and extensive landscaping potential at 803 Grainland Road.  Priced at $125,000, it is a great deal for a 3-bedroom, 3 bath home (including master bath with walk-in shower), main floor laundry, and large rear deck.  Cozy up by the gas fireplace on these crisp autumn nights!

Your very own autumn inspiration is waiting for you at this beautifully updated acreage located just 3.5 miles north of Wayne on Highway 15.  Plenty of room for a hobby farm, garden, and all the perennials you can imagine.  Buy it this fall and start dreaming about your spring landscaping plans while the snow is on the ground.  Price reduced to $165,000!

Now is also a good time to get inspired about investing your money in something more profitable than a CD or the stock market.  Check out all of 1st Realty's investment listings like this one at 608 West 1st Street for $67,500.  New roof, new kitchen floor, mostly new interior main floor paint, and it is rented for $650/month through May, 2013.  This property has not been vacant for more than one month since 2007! 

You can also get inspired to start making those rent payments go to work for you by checking into a manageable 2-bedroom home like this one located at 1007 Poplar Street.  With 900 square feet, a full basement with egress window, a newer roof, and a large deck, this home has great possibilities.  Enjoy the shaded, fenced backyard and the attached garage for your fall projects.  It is a great home for a first-time buyer!

Wherever you find your inspiration, always make sure you have a place to call home to re-energize your spirit.  Stay in touch with 1st Realty for your autumn home buying or selling inspiration!  Welcome Home!

Fountains and Fish Ponds

Prior to last weekend's much welcomed rains, my husband and I decided it was finally time to check out the old underground sprinkler system at our home.  We hadn't inspected it prior to closing because we closed in the dead of winter.  I am a bit of a conservationist, so I try not to waste too much water on watering the lawn.  However, I still like to keep it from going totally brown and turning into a barren wasteland (I am a farmer's daughter, and that is my "farm ground," after all).  With the help of my brother Dale (that guy is incredibly handy!) we cycled through the stations on our sprinkler system.  Everything was good until we got to station 7.  Suddenly, it looked like we had Old Faithful in our backyard!  A sprinkler head was broken off and water was shooting up as high as the treetops.  I wish I had some pictures to share the excitement!  Dale started laughing and said, "well, at least you have good water pressure!"  My idea was to dig the hole out and make a coy pond with a fountain in the center of our backyard.  Tim did not care for this idea.  Grumbling, I added "sprinkler head" to our unending to-do list.

I'm sure many of you can relate to our list of things to complete at our home.  This time of year gives everybody the itch to start doing things in and around the home.  The beautiful weather and longer daylight hours add to the enticement of working outside.  Weeding, trimming, and mowing lawn are a few of my favorite things to do in the summer time. Many of you probably don't know, but Tim is quite handy with a wrench, and he refurbished an old Allis Chalmers lawn mower especially for our lawn in town.  He got everything finished except for the muffler, so until planting season winds down, we will be the folks that sound like we are having the lawn mower version of Thunder by the River every time we mow lawn.  It gives our neighbors something to point and stare at, and we're all about bringing new life to the neighborhood!:)

I hope that you are finding time for all of those activities you have planned around your home.  If you are tired of working on your current home, we have seen some excellent new listings coming on the market in the local area.  Check out some of the great homes we have for sale at 1st Realty this spring:

This great home at 1312 Meadow Lane is located on a quiet street provides a great view of the evening sunsets.  It offers 3-bedrooms, 2 baths, and a 2-car garage. Enjoy the spacious living room, formal dining room, and eat-in kitchen.

Check out 803 Grainland Road with a great country view as well!  Features include a master bath, functional kitchen, large rear deck, gas fireplace, and newer roof and windows. 

This wonderful acreage north of Wayne provides the perfect country setting and the convenience of being located along Highway 15!  With a total of 6 bedrooms, it has plenty of room for the entire family and guests!  Enjoy the extra space provided by the detached 2-car garage and .86 acres of room to run!

This townhouse at 1010 East 14th Street is move-in ready with 3-bedrooms, 2 baths, and a full basement.  No steps from the garage or front door make it the perfect place to retire!  Mowing and snow removal is covered by the monthly association fee!

Invest in your future with this home at 221 Lincoln Street.  Reasonably priced at $41,000, it has potential as a rental property with 2-bedrooms and a full, unfinished basement.

This newer home at 1527 Vintage Hill Drive was built in 1997.  The floor plan includes 3-bedrooms, 2 baths, a formal dining room, and kitchen with dinette. The corner lot has a great view of the fields to the east and the unfinished basement offers lots of potential for any owner!

Consider the benefits of living in a small town, and take a look at this beautiful home in Concord.  Just 10 minutes north of Wayne, this home has been completely remodeled.  The original woodwork is in excellent shape, and the owners have taken great pride in the improvements.  A new roof and new exterior paint are to be completed this spring.  Listed at $89,500, this home is a great deal!

Be sure to visit www.1strealtysales.com for all of our latest listings.  Keep up to date with information in the world of real estate, and see what's happening in my blog!  I look forward to working with you this year!  Welcome Home!