This site was started on February 14, 2007 and has provided exactly what it was designed for. When my own personal search for downtown housing began I could find absolutely nothing about downtown online. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t there, it just means that I was unable to find it. And if I was unable to find it, Google didn’t think it was very important either–since that’s how I searched, and how everyone else looks for information as well.

This site had nearly 11,000 hits in October, and November is looking to be right on par with that. Google loves us, providing nearly 70% of the traffic we get from specific web searches.

We started with nothing, no traffic, no connections, no knowledge, no anything. In that short time we’ve made friends, been threatened with lawsuits, exposed secrets, met the who’s who downtown, filled units, formed partnerships, and most of all, become downtown Des Moines’ best resource. We have helped tens of thousands see how exciting downtown Des Moines has really become.

We’ve had readers on every continent except Antarctica, all 50 states, and all over the Americas.

We’ve grown so much that this is the end of this blog as you know it. We’re taking this to a whole new level. So keep your eyes open, check back often and prepare to be amazed.

Are you one of the thousands of people looking for something to do this December? As if shopping (I thought Santa took care of that?), parties, dinners, decorating and everything else we load our calendars with isn’t enough. For those of you looking for more here’s a taste of what downtown has to offer you this month.

Iowa Stars Hockey on the 4th, 15th, 21st, 26th, 28th and 31st.

Iowa Energy Basketball on the 14th, 20th, 23rd, 27th and 29th.

Both of these are obviously at Wells Fargo Arena.

Do you prefer events at the Civic Center? Coming the 13th is the Trans Siberian Orchestra, and all throughout the month is the Radio City Christmas. In addition the symphony will be performing Handle’s Messiah on December 1.

Perhaps I’ve missed something here, but as you can see there’s a lot of events heading our way. Be sure to grab your dinner downtown as well when you’re checking out any of these great events!

The Iowa Energy had their home opener last night over at Wells Fargo Arena. If you’re keeping track, that now gives downtown Des Moines residents pro baseball (I-Cubs), pro basketball (Energy), pro hockey (Stars) and coming soon, Arena Football. All in all it’s quite exciting for downtown Des Moines.

Here’s what the Register had to say about it.

Still, what the night might have lacked in aesthetics, it nearly made up for in atmosphere. All sides of the arena’s lower bowl had bodies in them, something you couldn’t say about the Iowa Stars’ playoff games here six months ago.

Paid attendance was 8,842, a new D-League record for a franchise’s home opener. The previous high was 7,317, set just last Friday by the Mad Ants - that’s the nickname, honest - of Fort Wayne, Ind.

“I’m really excited,” Nurse said. “I think people have given us a great reception. It’s been positive. Really, surprisingly positive.”

Are you a fan of NBA basketball? If you are I highly recommend you check these guys out.

Since Feb. 14–the date that this site was officially started, we’ve got some great pictures of downtown Des Moines. Here are some of our favorites, a tour of downtown made just for you.

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Now that we’ve had this:

And you’ve enjoyed this:

It’s time for this:

If you want to get something unique, and you want to get gifts that people won’t get from everyone else……Be sure you spend at least some of your time shopping downtown and in the East Village.

It’s not just the shops either.  Restaurants, entertainment, gift certificates, tickets, events, a new loft for your wife……Ok, maybe a new loft isn’t in your Christmas budget.  Either way, be sure you give gifts that are unique and remembered, shop downtown.

Did you remember to bring everything with you to the biggest meal of the year?

Here’s our Wednesday video of a few owners at Brownstones on Grand discussing how energy efficient their new home is.

Did you miss this?

If you didn’t–share your experience!

Did you catch this on Sunday? It seems that Iowa Realty has switched marketing messages. First it was:

This isn’t Las Vegas, Miami or California, the market is “rock-solid steady” and it’s the best time to buy in years…..

Then the COO of the commercial division seemed to disagree saying the market was “saturated.”

Now it’s more of an “ignore the news and trust us” message. But they have remained true to the “it’s the best time to buy in years” motto.

Here’s a closer image of the text:

National news isn’t Iowa news……..Also from THE DES MOINES REGISTER on Friday, right before this ad ran.

My favorite quote from this article:

“It’s interesting that the industry has invented new ways to lose money when the old ways seemed to work just fine,” he quipped.

But this is the most telling:

Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf said Thursday that housing is in the worst shape since the economic devastation of the 1930s.

“We have not seen a nationwide decline in housing like this since the Great Depression,” Stumpf told those attending a Merrill Lynch & Co. (NYSE: MER) investment conference.

He anticipates hard times ahead for home owners in financial straits — and their bankers.

“I don’t think we’re in the ninth inning of winding this,” Stumpf said. “If we are, it’s an extra-inning game.

From Sunday (the same day the ad ran)–

From Aug. 22 this article describes Iowa as #9 in the nation for foreclosures.

Foreclosure Wave Hits Iowa Hard

The reasons for Iowa’s high foreclosure rates:

- Poor credit - A large portion of borrowers had poor credit and could get only subprime loans, which typically carry higher interest rates. Iowa had nearly double the percentage of subprime loans with adjustable interest rates in foreclosure as the nation.

- ARMs - Higher-cost subprime loans frequently have adjustable-rate mortgages - or ARMs - that were used as teasers, promoting artificially lower payments to lure financially strapped buyers. Now, the interest rates are increasing two or more times a year, pushing payments beyond what’s affordable.

- Bad appraisals - Many questionable loans were based on inflated appraisals. Larger loans, critics say, meant larger fees for mortgage brokers and lenders.

[note: I highly recommend you read that whole article if you haven't yet. I just highlighted a small portion.]

And last, foreclosures are so bad here that the Iowa Attorney General’s Office has set up a hot-line and foreclosure rescue squad to help those in need. And they have been BOMBARDED. Link.

So thanks Iowa Realty for pointing out so clearly that Iowa news and National news are not necessarily the same. Want to know how the real estate market is? For the real scoop ignore the national AND LOCAL news and look to Iowa Realty, where it’s always the best time to buy in years!!!

Do I think the market is great, rock-solid steady, etc…? No. Do I think it could be a good time to buy? Maybe. Take the Brownstones on Grand for example.

With a market like this, and prices falling, this might be a good time to purchase. Then again, prices could keep falling…. Overall it’s probably better to do your own research then rely on a company who only makes money from you buying or selling your home, and is telling you that it’s always the best time in years to buy.