PROGRAM:

SCOTT RUMBLE introduced Charlie Shook, whose topic was The Lafayette Real Estate Market. Charlie Shook For years Charlie proclaimed that the local market was a bit insulated against economic ups and downs experienced in other areas of the country. The recent recession showed him that we are not as insulated as he thought. A dramatic correction took place between 2008 and 2014. Charlie said 2015 was a good year, perhaps linked to improved consumer confidence. The Housing Sector led the economy in 2015. With rising GDP, the increase in the discount rate had no effect on long term interest rates. The price of oil was down and growth in China slowed. Locally, existing home sales were up by 11%. High end homes sold well because people felt it was safe to invest again. Building permits were down in 2015 due to lack of building lots. To address that problem, there are several project in the pipeline at Area Plan. Overall the economy is strong; residential market is strong with lots of momentum; and an increase in interest rates is inevitable.


STUDENT GUESTS:
LIZ SOLBERG introduced Abigail Hancock and Benjamin Pijanowski from Harrison High School.  Each received a certificate with the Four Way Test to commemorate meeting with us today.


THANKS TO THOSE WHO HELP WITH
MEETING FUNCTIONS:
Money Collector:  JOHN WILLIAMS and STAN MITHOEFER;  Greeters: DICK RAHDERT and BETTY NELSON; Piano Player: HARLEY FREY;  Song Leader:  MAURI WILLIAMSON;  Invocation:  VICKI BURCH;  50/50 Raffle: AIMEE JONES;  Help with attendance and facilitating a smooth meeting:  JO WADE and RENEE FIGUEROA.  Webmaster:  LARRY HUGGINS.


THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

Seen recently on a “House for Sale by Owner” sign:  “Must sell.  Lost job.  Can’t pay mortgage.  Wife left and took dog.  House a gem, except for the asbestos.  Willing to negotiate.”


100% CLUB:
BAHA; BARRETT; BARRON (2); BIEDERSTEDT;  BODENMILLER (2); BRANDT (5); BRICKLER (2); COPPOC, G (3); COPPOC, H (6); DAVIS; FIGUEROA (3); FILMER (241); FREEMAN; GUTWEIN; HANSEN; HATFIELD (422); HUGGINS (7); JACKSON; JANLE (218); KECK (241); KELLEY, J (60); KELLEY, L (60); KIEL (2); KLUSMAN (60); LANDGREBE; LUHMAN (5); LUZADER; ; MC DIVITT (104); METZGER(7); MILLER (523); NELSON; NIELSEN (2); OVERMAN (2); PEARSON (2); RAHDERT (7); RAMSEY, G (5); ROBLEDO (12); RUNNELS; RUTLEDGE; SCHNEIDER (3);  SOLBERG (2); SUDDARTH (4); VERPLANK (609); WADE (267); and WEST (271).

CONGRATULATIONS to BECKY ROBLEDO who had one year; JACK and LETA KELLEY and JIM KLUSMAN who had 5 years of perfect attendance as of the end of February 2016.