What’s Wrong with Love Letters?
In this increasingly competitive market for homes, you hear of buyers doing some crazy things to get their offers accepted. Some of what we’ve heard have included: ordering pizzas or…
Find out real estate market trends, local family friendly events, tips on home maintenance and of course buying and selling a home information. All the info is both unique to Des Moines and surrounding communities. Nora will make sure you are at home.
How to Increase Your Home’s Resale Value and Your Bottom Line
The following post is from the guest, Curtis Fisher from TradesBright.org. Tradesbright highlights the many stories of tradespeople who’ve gone above and beyond by using their skills to better their communities…
Why is New Construction So Expensive?
If you’re trying to buy a home right now, you may be watching the prices of brand-new homes go up weekly. Trust me, I’m seeing this too. But why? Why…
3 Essential Questions That Can Help You Buy Your Dream Home
The following is a guest blog from TedKnowsMoney.com. Ted's blog site shares money tips and helps people take control of their finances. He is a professional financial counselor and coach…
How to Create a Safe Household Environment On a Budget
The following post is from the guest, Curtis Fisher from TradesBright.org. Tradesbright highlights the many stories of tradespeople who’ve gone above and beyond by using their skills to better their communities…
Buying a home this year? Be prepared to compete!
Buying a home this year? Be prepared to compete! So far, 2021 has proven to be a year of competition for buyers. I’d like to share a story: Last week,…
Lynn’s Top 10 Exterior Things to Do Before Listing Your Home
The following post is from a guest writer and friend of Home Sweet Des Moines, Lynn Kuhn. Lynn is the founder of Outdoors Transformations here in the Des Moines area.…
Tips for Buying in this Hot Market
Interested in buying or selling a home? Then you should know the exact market conditions at that moment. Here in Des Moines, we’re in an extreme seller’s market in almost…
How to Become a Landlord
The following post is from the guest writer, Dan Hall freelance writer and the author for dadschange.com. Dads Change is a community of dads who want to show our support…
Having It All: Starting a Business and Moving To A New House
The following post is from the guest, Curtis Fisher from TradesBright.org. Tradesbright highlights the many stories of tradespeople who’ve gone above and beyond by using their skills to better their communities…
5 Ways the Pandemic Changed What People Look for in a Home
The following post is from the guest writer, Victoria Standridge. Victoria writes for Broadband Search to help others search their areas for the best Internet Services. Photo: Canva They say…
How was Real Estate in 2020 in Des Moines?
How was Real Estate in 2020 in Des Moines? 2020 will live on in our minds as the year no one predicted. And the Des Moines real estate market was…
How to Set Your Rental Property Up for Success
The following post is from the guest, Curtis Fisher from TradesBright.org. Tradesbright highlights the many stories of tradespeople who’ve gone above and beyond by using their skills to better their…
Nonprofits in Des Moines / Central Iowa
Des Moines / Central Iowa nonprofits – A Giver Mindset
2020 has been challenging in so many ways, for so many people. But we still try to help local organizations; not only do these organizations benefit, but we emotionally and…
As 2020 nears its end, I have been reflecting on all the challenges the year brought in its wake. Despite all of this, however, I am focusing this month on finding the good in our world. When the storms are gathering, I have a few simple steps to let the sunshine break through.
Surviving 2020
As 2020 nears its end, I have been reflecting on all the challenges the year brought in its wake. The pandemic, the derecho, economic instability, hard discussions about race and…
2020: Be kind to your realtor friends: We are still busy!
And the real estate market here in Des Moines is still hopping. While fall has brought cooler temperatures to our lives, it hasn’t appreciably cooled the real estate market yet.…
Fall Maintenance
Summer months are finishing up, so this is the perfect season to get our homes ready for the cooler weather in our future. Contractors and service industries are busier than…
3 lessons learned while searching for a new home
My husband Alan and I recently
Dream Home — 3 lessons learned while searching for a new home
The following is a guest blog from caretokeep.com Karen Mary is the creator and keeper of caretokeep.com. The site is dedicated to helping others find out how to take care…
Is it Time to Refinance? The Pros Respond
Interest rates have been changing, which makes us all ask, “Is it time to refinance my home?” We went to our local panel of "experts" to discuss this question and also…
Broadband Search, has an in-depth blog page dedicated to the best internet providers in the Des Moines area
Best Internet Providers in Des Moines, IA
The following is a guest blog from Broadband Search | Photo: Canva Broadband Search have put thousands of hours into our extensive research and our rankings are completely unbiased. They…
Best Home Security Based on In-Depth Reviews
The following is a guest blog from ConsumerAdocates.org | Photos: Canva Check out a shared blog article from Consumer Advocates. They have created a comprehensive guide to modern home security…
Healthy Home Upgrades for the DIYer (And How to Hire a Good Professional When Necessary)
Healthy Home Upgrades for the DIYer
The following is a guest blog post from Curtis Fisher who writes for tradesbright.org Tradesbright, an online blog site to highlight the many stories of tradespeople who’ve gone above and…
Best Practices for Packing Up and Moving
Best Practices for Packing Up and Moving
The following is a guest blog submitted by Mark Zappia. He writes for Clearskymoving.com, an online moving resource. Putting your life or business in a box can be a stressful…
Best Mortgage Rates
Based on In-Depth Reviews
Best Mortgage Rates Based on In-Depth Reviews
The following is a guest blog from ConsumerAdocates.org With mortgage rates falling to a record low, learn how to choose the right lender, and how smart mortgage decisions can pave…
Des Moines Area Housing Report 2020: “And that house is under contract”
I doubt anyone saw how 2020 would go back in January. Despite coronavirus, the real estate market is in full swing here in Des Moines; in fact, we have been…
Thank You Dad
Note from Nora: Last week, I unexpectedly spent time in Texas with my dad. As our parents age, we all step in to help. This time was such a gift. …
Celebrating Mom 2020
Mother's Day is this coming Sunday, May 10th. And we know that moms are so important! Here is a local gift guide to help you find just the right gift…
2020 Des Moines Housing Market Update – 1st Quarter
How’s 2020 going? You know we love checking out the numbers behind the real estate here at Home Sweet Des Moines (for past market updates, click here: 2019 Update, 2018…
How to Build Your Home to Order
Many of our clients are very excited at the idea of building their own home; they can get exactly what they want. Building a home to order is an incredibly…
Ready, Set, Stage!
Every person selling home wants their home to sell quickly for a large profit, but it takes more than luck to make this happen. It involves some upfront work, so let’s…