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  • A Taste Of Things for LGBT Homeowners...

    Across America RealEstate affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of people daily, and it pays to be well informed of your choices!

    Most importantly though, is the need to be understood without having to explain your situation or feeling as if your being treated differently.

    As a specialist in Gay Realty and affiliated services, I strive to deliver a service that not only finds you the home you desire but also to make the experience rewarding for you and your partner.

    I'm Jeff Adolph and I look forward to discussing your concerns, concepts, and monumental Real Estate moments as we progress on a Realtor journey across this wide land we call home…

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March 11, 2008

Around the Nation -- Residential Real Estate Update - Iowa

By Jeff Adolph

State-by-state

IowaIowa is situated in the Midwestern region of the United States and is classed as the 30th largest state by population with 2,926,324 residents.

The economy of this state relies heavily on agriculture, industry and primary metal mining and the region has a 5% sales tax. Income tax brackets range from 0.36% to 8.98% and fall in nine increments, while property tax is assessed on taxable value of real property, and is separated into five classes.

Cedar Rapids

Cedar_rapidsThis area currently has more buyers than sellers, and homes are typically sitting on the market for 30-60 days with the market trend increasing. There is a good supply of homes in all price ranges in this region and home prices are hovering around the $150,000 mark.

Compared to last years figures prices of homes in Cedar Rapids are up by 5% and first time buyers and population growth are main factors of real estate activity in this region.

Des Moines

The median home price in this area hovers around the $175,000 mark and prices remain consistent, with no increase or decrease in last year's figures. Buyers are typically getting 95-100% of their asking price and homes are on the market for 60-90 days.

Repeat buyers are representing the area of greatest activity and there are currently more sellers than buyers in the market place.

LGBT Real Estate Facts: There are some 3,698 same-sex couples residing in this state, making it the 36th gayest state in the U.S.A. The gayest zip codes in this area are 52240 and 52245 Iowa City; 50315, 50310, and 50311 Des Moines; 52803 Davenport; and 52402 and 52403 Cedar Rapids. -- gaydemographics.com

Main Story Source: House Hunt (2008) Real Estate Market Trends; available online at http://www.househunt.com

Picture Source: jithy.com and growabrain.typepad.com

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July 20, 2007

Have Your Say On the LGBT Political Front - August 19th 2007

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Politics

DebateIn a national first, the Democrats are challenging the Republicans by staging a debate that is dedicated to the LGBT community and will answer many of the issues facing Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexual's and the Transgendered across the nation.

The leading candidates for the Democratic  nomination for presidency will actively involve themselves in this debate on August the 9th, which is being telecast by LOGO, a gay cable network. Alternatively, you may view proceedings on http://www.logoonline.com/ if you are unable to access the network.

Debate1Participants in the debate will include Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards (pictured above), with the moderators being singer Melissa Etheridge and Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign's president.

If you would like to actively participate by lodging questions for the candidates to answer you may do so by logging on to LOGOonline.com as well as on HRC.org.

Source: Demorcrats to Hold Gay Debate (2007) available online at www.wweek.com

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© 2006 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

November 14, 2006

Bankrupt Developer Causes Chaos for Tenants

By Jeff Adolph

Investment Heartache

FilebankruptcyA scandal that could possibly be one of the biggest to occur in real estate for some years, is unfolding from Green Bay to Dallas as a long paper trail of unpaid bills, unsatisfied investors and disgruntled creditors follows Professional Realty and Development Corp as it flees the sites of many incomplete developments.

The company, which has constructed hundreds of units for senior citizens and other investors in the states of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, is now seeking bankruptcy protection in Appleton. While claims that they have literally walked away from another major project in Kenosha and left it half-completed.

The sad thing is many of these investors trusted not only the company but also its owner, Architect Robert Niebauer, because of his notoriety and reputation.

As veteran investor, Bob Castleberg said, I had known (Niebuhr) so long, and the rate of return he was offering was so good I just handed the money over.'

And, there just possibly could be many other investors like Castleberg who will now have to fight in court for their return of their money.

It is suspected that the company has debts of more than $20 million with 'apartment-to-condominium conversions at Junction Point on Madison's far west side, Whispering Pines on the southwest side, along with Angelus Retirement Communities, especially the Nekoosa village that is now facing foreclosure.

The list of unfinished projects and failure to pay mortgages and tax bills is staggering with many tenants including the elderly now looking at the possibility of loosing their homes, something, even the bank is perplexed about!

As Attorney, Charles Hertel said of the bank involved with the Nekoosa Village, 'It's not just a simple business matter. We're talking about elderly residents who need to be taken care of, and that is something the bank is very concerned about.'

Images_5The question on everyone's lips is how did such a 'good' company get to this stage?

Speculation by investment experts suggests that the Professional Realty and Development Corp kept buying when the housing market bubble burst without considering that they could not possibly be able to sell the hundreds of units they had purchased, or were building.

As Castleberg added, 'I think Robert had simply gotten overextended. When interest rates went down, ever-body wanted to buy condos, and now that market has dried up.'

Unfortunately, the moral of this story is to consider the downside of any purchase before taking the plunge, always weight up the pro's and con's before buying and make sure that your investment return is favorable to your requirements.

Sources: Ivey, M (2006) Developer's Bankruptcy Leaves Investors, Tenants in the Lurch: available online at http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/index.php?ntid=107050&ntpid=0

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© 2006 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

October 27, 2006

Tax Incentives May Provide Keokuk with Economic Boost

By Jeff Adolph

Business Development

RegionThe Iowa Economic Development Board has announced its approval of a Transportation Enterprise zone in two regions of Keokuk, in a bid to entice new industry development in the area.

This means that existing industry can also expand and that new industry will be offered some incentive bonuses that could prove very fruitful for the gay owner or investor. These include:

  1. Real estate tax abatement for up to ten years.
  2. Waiver on sales and use taxes on building materials.
  3. Additional job tax credits.
  4. Additional research and development tax credits.
  5. Investors can earn tax free interest on a 'new' investment that is situated in the zone.

As State Rep. Phil Wise of the Keokuk district said of his and Christopher Rant, House Speaker for the Sioux City region, 'we both represent river industry communities. While Sioux City was fine with the population, the transportation piece was of interest.'

Iowa has an Enterprise zone previously but these new changes to legislation 'decrease the population thresholds' of cities in order to qualify and introduced a transportation Enterprise zone.'

The Keokuk's Transportation Enterprise Zone is approximately 150 acres in size and extends into the 'an economically distressed portion of the city.'

HomeWise added that the zone was part of a larger puzzle, with two other pieces being the attempt to establish a foreign trade zoning and the creation of a port authority. All of which open doors for economic development and enhance the community as a whole.

Source: Dunn, S (2006) State Approves Keokuk's Request for New Transportation Enterprise Zone: available online at http://www.dailygate.com/articles/2006/10/20/news/03.txt

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© 2006 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

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