College Towns Do Well in Recessions.

How can your city best weather an economic downturn? 

Based on research, make sure it has a university. As reported in New Geography’s College Towns: High Marks for Lifestyle, college towns consistently have unemployment rates below their state figures, and nationally as well. Columbus, Ohio (Ohio State University) stands at 8.9%, below the 11.2% state and 9.4% national rates. Manhattan, Kansas, (Kansas State University) rates at 4.6%, the second lowest small city rate in the nation, and Iowa City, Iowa, (University of Iowa) at 6.2% (pictured).

Why the resilience of university towns?
- For one, universities don’t typically suffer from massive layoffs of students. In fact, I’m sure we all know at least one person who had difficulty finding or keeping a job that considered returning to school. That provides a constant population of residents and consumers for local businesses, kind of like why toothpaste companies don’t suffer in economic downturns.
- Graduating students translate to educated candidates to start new businesses or infuse existing ones with fresh, innovative talent.
- Former graduates are returning to the towns they want to school in, according to Tom Wetzel, founder and president of the Retirement Living Information Center. If you’re retired or laid off, why not return to that sense of community and camaraderie you had in school, from intellectual pursuits to the big football game. Blacksburg, Virginia (Virginia Polytechnic and State University) and Davis, California (University of California) are favorite return destinations because of the strong sense of community and purpose they establish with their students.

Finally, college towns are full of creatives, and we’re headed to a more creative economy. Thus, college towns already possess many of the placemaking qualities that a creative economy needs to thrive - walkability, local independent businesses, human-scaled buildings, active public spaces…
Photo of Iowa City’s downtown pedestrian mall by Kables.  Reprinted from Cooltown Studios. http://www.cooltownstudios.com

Content provided by Jeff Edberg, Partner at Lepic-Kroeger, REALTORS® 

The January 5th Advantage is Available now

Happy New Year! Check out the first Advantage for 2013.

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REALTOR® Ring Day - Giving Back to the Community

Lepic-Kroeger, REALTORS® supported the Salvation Army last Friday for REALTOR® Ring Day.  We had over 35 agents that were ringing the bell at Walgreens and HyVee in Coralville/Iowa City area. 

Maria White, an LKR agent has a story to share about her experience that day.

It’s a great time to give back! Whether you are ringing a bell, buying an extra gift for a child in need or baking a few extra cookies for a loved one. This is truly a wonderful time of year to give back.   The feeling of brightening someones day is soothing to the soul.   This past week, we had a day that REALTORS® in the great state of Iowa rang Salvation Army’s bells.  What a great time to spread Holiday cheer!  I decided last minute to take my 4 year old with me.  Wow, what a rewarding experience.   Not only did we enjoy ourselves to the fullest, but teaching a child to take time to give back to those in need was incredible!  My little guy was full of energy and at some points had lines of kind folks waiting to give him a donation to put in the red kettle.  (He made sure to tell them that it was his favorite part).  With his blue apron on and some warm winter gear, he smiled and wished everyone a great day.   This is such an easy lesson in life.

   

 

As quoted by Maya Angelou 

“When you learn, teach.  When you get, give.”

I got to do both that day!  Thanks to the Salvation Army and Iowa Association of REALTORS®. So during this Holiday Season, don’t forget that you can make a difference.  It may seem small in your eyes, but everlasting to someone else.  Wishing everyone an enjoyable Holiday Season! 

This weeks LKR Advantage is now available on our website!

Check out this weeks LKR Advantage providing you with the most current listings as well as the open houses for Saturday and Sunday. 

December 15th, 2012 Publication

NEW - Electronic Version of the LKR Weekly Advantage is Available

LKR is now providing our weekly print publication in an electronic format! You can access this via the LKR website, Facebook and Twitter or you can still view the print format in the Press Citizen in the Saturday paper. 

Check out our New Listings, Open Houses and Featured Properties by agent!

Click the link below to start searching!
Lepic-Kroeger, REALTORS® Weekly Advantage December 8, 2012

Jeff Joins Lepic-Kroeger, Realtors as partner

Jeff has re-joined Lepic-Kroeger, Realtors, the largest and one of the oldest Iowa City real estate companies as a broker and partner! Lepic-Kroeger is the home to many of the areas top real estate agents, and also houses top real estate developers as well. Now, Lepic-Keorger will have the top commercial real estate team to lead sales and leasing in the area.

Rachel Barnes is joining me as my licensed assistant and now as a CCIM candidate. Rachel has been invaluable to me and my clients for the last 7 years and will be for many years to come.

Together, we will keep you informed on the area with the emphasis on commercial real estate sales and leasing trends, but also will report on new projects and interesting events around Iowa City.

We will also be bringing commercial real estate education, speakers and tools to the agents at Lepic-Kroeger to raise the bar with every one's comfort and knowledge of commercial real estate.

Drop in at 2346 Mormon Trek Blvd in Iowa City or just give a call at 319-331-6187. Jeff's email is the same at jeff@icrealestate.com.

Lepic-Kroeger House Float in Parade

We enjoyed seeing you at the 4th of July Parade in Coralville!  Check out some pictures from the Parade.

We look forward to seeing you again at the University of Iowa Homecoming Parade!