Seller’s Real Estate Dictionary
Not only does buying a home involve its own language (https://homesweetdesmoines.com/buyers-real-estate-dictionary/), but selling a home does too! We at Home Sweet Des Moines speak the language of selling real estate…
Buyer’s Real Estate Dictionary
Buying a home involves its own language. Thank goodness we at Home Sweet Des Moines speak fluent Real Estate. Today, we’re focusing on the ones we most commonly use with…
2019 Des Moines Spring Housing Market
How’s 2019 going? While purchasing or selling a home is often an emotional business, we here at Home Sweet Des Moines also like to keep an eye on the numbers. …
How to Spring Clean & Declutter in Des Moines
If you are planning to sell your home, make a move, or just get ready for some spring cleaning, you first need to declutter. Cleaning can pay off hugely…
Those Crazy Iowa Property Taxes
Property taxes. We all hate them. They are the primary source of revenue for our local governments, however, and are therefore, inescapable. Iowa handles our property taxes strangely, however, and…
Des Moines Housing Market: 2018 Update
How did Des Moines Housing Market do in 2018? Do you remember the analysis I put together in July 2018, looking at the first half of 2018? Now that we’ve finished off…
Holiday Traditions from Des Moines Area Friends and Family
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa (or all of them, or none of the above!), this time of year can be magical. If you’re celebrating with kids, furbabies, in-laws,…
Here are some of our favorite charities in the Des Moines area
Giving Back – Charities in Des Moines
It’s that time of year when we all start to count our blessings and try to give back to those with less. On the Homes with Nora team, we love…
Myths and Misconceptions in Real Estate
When it comes to real estate, everyone has bits of information that they've heard over the years. But what's really true and current? We're clearing up some common myths and…
Location, Location, Location!
You’ve heard this before when it comes to real estate: Location, Location, Location! Why is Location so important? Two reasons: you can’t change it, and it matters to potential buyers. Read…
Tips for selling a home in Des Moines this Fall
Should I sell my house in the fall?
Are you questioning whether it’s time to sell your home, even though school is starting soon and it’s getting close to fall? Don’t worry – fall is a GREAT time…
Altoona
AltoonaThe Altoona community is the northeastern suburb of the Des Moines metro area, located directly off the Interstate 80 and the Highway 65 bypass. It is only a 15-minute drive…
Grimes
Grimes Grimes is located on the northwest side of Greater Des Moines area. It offers the amenities of city living while maintaining all the advantages of a small hometown. Convenient…
Beaverdale
The Beaverdale neighborhood is one of the largest of the recognized neighborhoods in the city of Des Moines. It extends from Forest Avenue at its southernmost border to the city…
How is the Real Estate Market doing in 2018?
Do you remember the analysis I put together in January of this year, looking at 2017 and comparing it to previous years? We’re now halfway through 2018; how is the market doing?…
Reminder: Lower your Property Taxes!
If you purchased a home in 2017 or this year 2018. Please make sure to sign up for the homestead exemption for your property taxes. This can save a few…
Costs of Buying a Home
Last month we shared all the costs that home owners should be prepared for when selling a home. This month we are looking at all the expenses for which you…
Costs of Selling a Home – Don’t be Surprised!
In the current Des Moines seller market, home prices are on the rise. It can be a great time to sell, but be ready for what the hidden costs of…
Why should I worry about interest rates?
Why should I worry about interest rates? If you are thinking about buying a home in the next 6 to 12 months, you've probably heard that interest rates are really…
Johnston
The city of Johnston is another fast-growing Northern suburb of the Des Moines Metro area. Johnston is home to numerous businesses and organizations, parks and bike trails. There is always something…
How to Stay Sane while Moving with Dogs
Moving is stressful for everyone, including your family dog(s). This month, my technology assistant Jeannie Crosby is taking the reins to tell us about her move to Des Moines from…
What is so special about new construction?
As we get into springtime, more and more buyers and houses will be coming out of the woodwork. You may be wondering if you should be looking at new construction…
Des Moines Housing Market: 2017 Update
Last January, I reported that the number of home sales annually continued to increase year-over-year (see full report for 2016 here). This past year, the number of home sales continued to…
Tax Reform – Times Are Changing
For this post, we have Stephanie Majeran, a CPA and owner of WellRun Results, LLC, explaining some of the provisions of the tax bill being considered. I’ve then added some potential…
Urbandale
Urbandale Urbandale is located in the northwest part of the Des Moines Metro Area at the intersections of Interstate 35, Interstate 80, and Iowa 141. Urbandale is in both Polk…
Best Home Improvement Returns
Now that you’ve bought a house and moved in, naturally you want to begin making the house your “home”. And, you’ve heard that remodeling bathrooms and kitchens can add value…
West Des Moines
YES! WEST DES MOINES When clients ask – I say “Yes! West Des Moines!” West Des Moines is the largest suburb just west of Des Moines, straddling the junction…
Waukee
Waukee Waukee, the western most suburbs of Des Moines is one of the areas fastest growing communities. Located west of Interstate 35 and straddling Interstate 80. Waukee is a great…
Ankeny
AnkenyAnkeny is north of the metropolitan area it has one of the areas fastest growing housing markets. Many successful businesses have settled in Ankeny, attracted by its highly skilled and…
Fall Events and Pumpkin Patches 2017
Fall is a great time to get out with the whole family, young and old alike. Here are some sites to check out for good ole fall fun in and…