I talk to people from all around Des Moines on a daily basis. I have friends, family, coworkers, and clients that cover the different areas from Downtown to the suburbs. As a Realtor, I’m always curious why people are living where they are. What brought them there? Job? Family? Community?
I posted a simple question on Twitter a few days back asking Tweeps: What do you love about your Town?
Let’s listen to what they said:
Jake Boyd(@jakeboyd),a local photographer, said that he liked the small town feel of Norwalk. His favorite spot? Daily Grind (coffee shop), as well as the library. There are a lot of photo opportunities as you head out of town…
Elisabeth McLaury Lewin (@podcastmama) loves her River Bend Neighborhood in Des Moines. She appreciates the older homes with the front porches, the easy access to bike trails, proximity to Drake and downtown, and her active neighbors. Her site is great! Fine Elisabeth here! (PS…if your neighborhood is thinking of making a site, talk to Elisabeth!)
Susan Appleget Hurst (@cakeinthegarden) lives in West Des Moines. Her favorite part is the assortment of restaurants, grocery & hardware stores, banks, & more w/in 1/2 mile walk. Bike path too.
Emily Cataldi (@ecataldi) lives in Urbandale. She loves the small town feel, especially their 4th of July celebration! (I would agree! BEST 4th EVER!)
Justin Volrath (@iowarealestate) lives in the Pleasant Hill/Altoona area. Justin raved about the commute. He likes not having sun in his eyes for the morning commute.
Dana Brubaker (@danabru) lives near Justin in Altoona and also mentioned that Altoona is a true community and has a small town feel. She loves seeing people she knows all around town. She loves Altoona because it’s casual. She never feels like she’s out of place.
Isaiah McGee(@isaiahmcgee) raves about Waukee. McGee says Waukee is like a modern Norman rockwell painting. Both small town living and city convenience are within grasp.
Have more questions? There are definitely more answers. Feel free to connect with me via Facebook, Twitter, Text, Email, or by cell. I’m happy to help.
Your privacy awaits! This walkout ranch sits on over half an acre and you’ll love this setting! Trees surrounding the property make neighbors next to invisible. 3600+ SF with more to finish on the LL. An open layout on the main floor and vaulted ceilings makes this a great home for entertaining. Lead guests out to the large backyard with in-ground pool, green space, and perennial gardens. Oversized 2 car garage can easily be converted to a 3 car. Too many updates to list on this one…it’s a must see!
If you live in Des Moines and you haven’t seen Jake Boyd’s photography yet, you’re missing out. We came across Jake and his photos on Twitter, and we can’t believe what we see! Mad talent!
We especially appreciate his talent shooting Des Moines architecture. We’ve never seen anything like it. After seeing his work, we knew he needed to be featured…so here goes…
Let’s Meet Jake:
Jake Boyd Photo
How long have you been in business? Right now it’s just a hobby
Describe your business… I shoot anything and everything in the Des Moines area.
What makes your business unique? I take more of an artistic approach with my photos. I try to use angles/ideas that you don’t normally see. I also work with photos in Photoshop to ensure the best quality.
Who is your typical client/customer? Anyone who needs photos taken. I prefer architecture.
Where can we find you? You can follow Jake on Twitter (@jakeboyd) or visit his website at http://www.jakeboydphoto.com.
Take a look at some of Jake’s work
Thanks Jake, for letting us see your photos! You do amazing work…best of luck to you. To order prints from Jake’s collection, visit his website at JakeBoydPhoto.com!
You know, a quick fix to look prettier? I “borrowed” that from someone a few years ago. Can’t remember who, but I’ve used it since. It works out perfectly in the real estate world. Pretty houses sell….
I often hear the question…what does my home need to sell?
The answer is easy. Really…it is.
Your home must look great, be in good condition, and must be priced right. Period.
Know this…a buyer is looking for a home that stands out from the rest. They want that “feeling” when they walk in the door. Shag carpet isn’t going to do it!
Many don’t want to spend the money to update
I’m not asking you to remodel, or even do anything unnecessary. Just step outside of your own shoes, become the buyer, and walk through your home.
Is your carpet dated or worn? Replace it.
Are your walls white or too bright? Paint them.
Is your house dirty, dusty, or piled to the ceiling? Fix it!
Realtors offer staging advice and will even recommend or hire a staging service for their sellers. Listen to them…they know what they are saying!
Check out these quick fixes
This homeowner had VERY dated carpet, paneled walls, and older appliances and fixtures. Replace these…and things look much better. First picture is before, 2nd is after. Enjoy!
Have more questions? There are definitely more answers. Feel free to connect with me via Facebook, Twitter, Text, Email, or by cell. I’m happy to help.
If you are buying a condo that is new construction or that is in a newer community you should know:
With condos, it’s always important to lenders what the entire project looks like. The reasons they take consideration into the entire project is because it impacts resale value (so, it’s a good thing they care about it).
Here are some examples of questions that a mortgage lender will ask about a condo project:
Which phase of development is this property located in?
How many of these units are sold in this project?
How many units are completed?
Is this project a conversion?(from apartments to condos) Who has voting control on the Board of Directors?(Builder or association dues) Does the project contain any rental units? If so, how many?(this matters BIG) How many unit owners are delinquent more than 30 days on dues? (this also matters BIG) Total Sales Information: ( __Total # of completed unites in project, __ Total number of units conveyed, __ Total number of units under contract, __ Total number of units conveyed/under contract investors).
Long story short, each project is looked at individually before getting ‘approval’. Some condo projects have their project already approved through FHA and Fannie Mae, others don’t.
Just know going into these condo purchases that they could get into trouble getting approved with an unusual condo questionnaire.
If you’re thinking of buying a condo you might want to check this out. PS..grab a beverage, it’s a LONG one!
You Must Know
In my personal opinion, buying a condo is HARDER than buying a single family home. The details are endless and you need to be prepared.
Let’s Dig In: The Questions
How many units are in the building?
Is the building large with so many tenants coming and going that you’ll get lost in the shuffle?
Is there a building manager? What is he/she responsible for? Do they live on site?
How much are the association dues?
A MUST know…without a doubt. You have a budget for your mortgage. If the price seems right, but the dues are too high, you’ve gone overboard. It’s in your best interest to review dues before you see the unit. Don’t waste your time.
What do the dues cover? Is there a “repair fund”?
If the dues seem high, take a step back and see what they cover. Some will cover all utilities, cable, and internet. Do your homework and crunch the numbers to see if they work for you.
How is the HOA run?
Each Homeowner’s Association has their own set of rules and guidelines. Be sure to see how things come together
Is parking included?
Many condominiums do NOT come with parking, or parking costs more. Even if the listing online says there is parking, double check with your Realtor.
Where do I take out the garbage?
Seems silly, but do you have to lug your garbage a few miles, or just down the hall? Hmmm…..
Can I see the covenants, financials, and history of the dues?
YES! Your Realtor should request these before you make your offer. Make sure you see and review all of these documents. They hold the answers to many questions you might have about where your dues are going and what the future of the condo might be.
Will my furniture fit?
Another question that might seem silly right now…but how are you going to get that baby grand piano up the stairs or elevator? (Yes, this is a real scenario…)
Can these units be rented out? How many units are owner occupied vs. renter occupied?
Can I rent out my extra parking stall?
What is the history of resale of these units?
Not everyone gets to stay put for more than a few years at a time. If your job or life might take you elsewhere, find out the history of how these units have sold.
Does each unit have laundry?
If laundry is not in the unit, is it included in dues or do I have to pay?
Does each unit control their own heat? AC?
What kind of privacy can I expect?
Oh boy…I’ve been waiting to add this piece. @mitchgroup on Twitter gave me this one. You should ask: “can i get a refund if the guy upstairs is a tap dancing insomniac who likes rap music?” booom booom clickety clack giggity! (If you appreciate his humor…follow him here)
What repairs/updates have been made to the building in the last 5 years?
Get a handle on what’s been done. If the roof is 30 years old…you might expect an increase in dues.
Are there any current or pending special assessments on the property?
Are pets allowed and are there limits?
Without a doubt, this is the number 1 question I get at a condo open house. Kudos..if Fifi or Sparky can’t stay, then you should go.
There is also info that your lender will need to know when you buy a condo. Tomorrow will be part two featuring advice for condo buyers from Tyler Osby of Four Legacies Mortgage.
Wow…a lot of info. As always, we welcome your input in the comments below…
Have more questions about Des Moines? There are definitely more answers.
Feel free to connect with me via Facebook, Twitter, Text, Email, or by cell. I’m happy to help.
Today marks a progressive day in the state of Iowa. I’ve invited Tanya Keith, owner of Simply For Giggles, to join us with a guest blog on her experience today. For more info on this ruling, click here. It’s just one more reason it’s great to Live In Des Moines.
I’ll admit it, when I moved to Iowa in 1992, it was a little against my will. I was excited to be together with my soon-to-be fiance, but Iowa? Let’s just say growing up in New Jersey, I didn’t give Iowa a whole lot of thought, but if I had, “progressive Midwestern state” would not have come to mind.
What better time than now, when faced with a shortage of workers, and needing to become more competitive economically, to present Iowa as a 21st century state? The caucuses could not have done any better for positioning Iowa as a forward thinking, revolutionary place that the world should be paying a little more attention.
Iowa had already attracted my sister in law, Barb, back to Iowa from Chicago about a year ago. She was stuck in traffic and saw a billboard advertising Iowa’s “rush hour” as a business man getting rushed by his kids in the driveway. We love having her and her partner Betti here where they can watch our kids grow up and be more involved in their lives. But when they moved here, I wondered if they would struggle to be welcomed back to Iowa as a lesbian couple in the same way we talk about welcoming young Iowans back after they’ve seen the outside world.
Today, I got my answer, and I am thrilled! I’m tired of trying to explain to my daughter that while Betti loves Barb the same way I love Barb’s brother (Dad to my daughter), until now they couldn’t get married. I told her that it didn’t make any difference to us, or to her status as flower girl, but the truth is, it makes a huge difference. They already had been committed to each other for years, they don’t need a commitment ceremony, they need a marriage, and now it can be theirs, and ours to enjoy for them.
It’s another great day in Iowa history. Iowa has become the 3rd state in the nation to legalize gay marriage, and the timing couldn’t be better. For Iowa, this decision isn’t about whether you agree with the politics, it’s about presenting Iowa as a place that’s modern, progressive, and tolerant. A place that will welcome a young Jewish entrepreneur from New Jersey as well as an Iowa raised lesbian returning from Chicago. Betti and I will spend the day gloating to Washington and New Jersey, our respective home states. States that can only say they are progressive.
If you have ever been to Des Moines, Iowa, then you know it’s a great place to be. You know that this is a fun spot for singles, . You know that the size is just right, there are four seasons, and that it takes 15 minutes to get everywhere!
Des Moines also offers plenty of entertainment (think Iowa Cubs, Iowa Energy Basketball, DM Bucs, or Civic Center performances). You’ll appreciate how “friendly” Des Moines is to every generation.
WHY DES MOINES?
If you’ve followed the news at all, Des Moines has been featured a few times as being a desirable place to live.First, this fall, The Today Show named Des Moines, IA in the Top 5 Places to Invest in Real Estate.
Or maybe you recently saw that West Des Moines, Iowa was named the Best Affordable Suburbs 2009 by Business Week? See that here!
Ask anyone around…and you’ll get similar answers. Des Moines and it’s surrounding areas have a lot to offer.
WHAT DO DES MOINES LOCALS LIKE BEST?
I hopped on Twitter and asked some of my favorite “tweeps” what their favorite part of Des Moines was…
Karri Wells (@karebear006) said “The people definitely, and the relaxed attitude of the city. And the fact that you can get anywhere in 10 minutes”
Barb Niccum (@barbniccum) mentioned that she had previously moved away from Des Moines. Guess what she’s missed most? “It’s always been food related…Tasty Tacos, A Dong, George’s Chili King, Dairy Queen. We lived away 10 years, these were the things I missed!” And if that wasn’t enough, she later added “I also missed the Iowa State Fair, Noah’s Pizza, Maid Rite, and Anderson Erickson Cottage Cheese.” These are some of Des Moines BEST restaurants!
Tanya Keith (@TanyaKeith) said: “I’d miss the complete lack of traffic and the juxtaposition of city conveniences and fun with great green space and trails. I’m also a sucker for the Iowa State Fair and the East Village.”
SO,IS DES MOINES BORING? NOPE!
Since we were on the subject of life in Des Moines, I wanted to give kudos to a fellow Des Moines blogger. Pete Jones is very active in his community and his blog is GREAT! You’ll love this title:
He spends his time writing about his experiences in and around Des Moines and gives his insight and proof as to why Des Moines is not boring! Love it!You can also follow Pete on Twitter here.
Have more questions about Des Moines? There are definitely more answers.
Feel free to connect with me via Facebook, Twitter, Text, Email, or by cell. I’m happy to help.
Following up from yesterday’s post titled 
I’ll admit it, when I moved to Iowa in 1992, it was a little against my will. I was excited to be together with my soon-to-be fiance, but Iowa? Let’s just say growing up in New Jersey, I didn’t give Iowa a whole lot of thought, but if I had, “progressive Midwestern state” would not have come to mind.
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