Just cannot get enough of this duo!  Had to share……… Hope you enjoy.

Lately I have been compelled to spend some time at Woodlawn Cemetery.  I do not have any relatives (that I know) of buried there but I am sure if I looked hard enough I would find some.  Sioux Falls is still a “small town” and connections can be found everywhere.  I find Woodlawn a beautiful and fascinating place and I am intrigued by the stories it has to tell.   I literally could spend hours and hours there looking for opportunities to take photos or study the past.  I’m sharing some photos from my last visit to hopefully compel you to check out this local treasure!

If you would like to see more photos of Woodlawn, check out my photo stream on Flickr.

Although the economy is soft and consumer confidence remains low, new data from the National Association of REALTORS® shows positive signs for the future. To help REALTORS® interpret current economic data and address clients’ concerns, here are 10 key facts to understand about today’s market.

1. The economy is growing, though slowly.
2. The private sector is finally creating some jobs.
3. Consumer confidence remains low, though clearly off bottom.
4. The 30-year mortgage rate is at generational lows.

5. The national median-home price is stabilizing.
6. Other home-price measurements also are showing price stabilization.
7. Home price-to-income ratios have returned to fundamentally justifiable levels.
8. Economists expect price increases in upcoming years
9. Delinquencies are high but recent loan originations are performing well.
10. The long-term path to self reliance may be helped from long-term housing-wealth gains.

To see the statistics behind these facts, download the full NAR research report, Market Facts in Uncertain Times > (PPT: 1.39MB)
To share this report, download the PDF > (1.46MB)

Reprinted with permission, Copyright National Association of Realtors.

September’s First Friday theme is Chalk the Walk. Participating businesses in the downtown are invite you to stop in during the day, grab a piece of sidewalk chalk and draw something outside of their store on the sidewalk. Be sure to check out local artists drawing with sidewalk chalk downtown that evening.  It looks to be some great weather for exploring downtown Sioux Falls.

Check out all the special deals to be had on this lovely September evening!

For those who love Fresh & Local……….

Don’t forget about the Sioux Empire Farmers Market this afternoon 3pm-6pm at Kohl’s on Louise Ave. in Sioux Falls.

Time is winding down to take advantage of this fresh produce opportunity.  This market is available every Wednesday afternoon until the season ends. It’s a great day for grilling out.  Enjoy!

Sushi, sushi here I come!!

If you have any interest to improve or freshen up your cooking skills, you need to check out the great classes offered from our local Hy-Vee stores here in Sioux Falls. I have a attended a couple of classes at the Hy Vee on south Minnesota Ave. and I must say each one was worth the price of admission – which averages $15.00 per person. And to top it off (literally) they serve wine with the food! I took this opportunity to provide my husband with some sushi making skills! He – much to my surprise – was a pro after one attempt. I make some pretty good looking rolls, but we did have one tragic attempt in our group. As you can tell by the photos, it turned out to be more of a sushi casserole! That is the fun of cooking class!! Food, wine, and laughter makes for a great evening of sharing.

All in all, each class has been a delight.  It is a great opportunity to learn new skills, create new dishes, and eat some great food (plus wine), plus you get discounts on the selected wine after the class. It is definitely a win, win, win situation. Hy Vee offers several classes each month, so there is something for everyone!

Well….this is some of the animals! We are missing the Doyle – the black doberman, Toby – the psychic cat, and the bird! It is a zoo but they are our family……

Holy Crap!

In my first attempt to start up a new blog and transfer in data & posts, I have literally begun to pull my hair out.  Everything is touted as being “quick and easy” while in reality I equate it to a million little paper cuts – minor damage but it hurts like hell!  So….enough of my belly aching and back to the subject.  I am moving all of all of the area’s real estate statistics and data to a new blog called Sioux Falls Market Stats. The new blog will be real estate specific and this blog can get back to it’s lighter and brighter self.  Hopefully, all will be well in the world shortly.  Thanks for reading (and listening to my rants).  Hope to see ya back soon!