April 25, 2011
By skogman
On April 17th, CNBC.com ran an article highlighting 10 ten states with the healthiest housing markets. While Iowa is reported to have some of the lowest real estate prices, we were still able to rank in the top 5! To determine the state of the housing market the chief economist at LendingTree, Cameron Findlay, looked at debt-to-income ratio, unemployment, home ownership, negative equity and the average loan-to-value ratio.
Iowa was ranked number 5, behind Maine, New Hampshire, Minnesota and number one was North Dakota.
Here are the stats for Iowa as reported by CNBC.com:
Debt as percent of income: 13%
Unemployment rate: 6.1%
Home Ownership: 71.1%
Negative equity: 42.9%
Average Home Price: $152,000
Loan as percent of home value: 66.7%
Percent of U.S. Market: .42%
The article states that Iowa ‘has the best debt as a percent of income on the list’, that combined with the low unemployment rate are what kept us high up on the list.
To read the full of the article: http://www.cnbc.com/id/42557873?slide=1
April 20, 2011
By skogman
On May 3rd Linn County residents will be voting to extend the local option sales tax. These funds would be used to help pay for flood protection, street repair and property tax relief. Currently the Corp of Engineers has recommended a plan that will only protect the East side of the river, but both sides need it and this vote would ensure all are protected.
The Skogman Companies strongly support the vote for the flood protection plan and believe it is vital to the growth and future of this community. The city is in line for $65 Million in Federal money and its community members need to show support by voting for the 1% sales tax. We need to show that our community can provide its share of the funding before the state and federal money will be available.
Without flood protection for both sides of the river, residential neighborhoods and commercial businesses are at high risk of suffering another devastating flood and would significantly hurt those who in these areas. A second flood would cripple our community for more than a generation
Please vote on May 3rd to extend the local option sales tax. This is the only way we can protect the East and West side of the River from another devastating flood.
