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. …
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Timing a Sale and Purchase
If you're like most people, you're probably concerned about selling your house before having one lined up to buy. You don't want to sell your house first, not having somewhere…
Des Moines Real Estate Market: First Half of 2017
How is the Real Estate Market doing in 2017? Do you remember the analysis I put together in January of this year, looking at 2016 and comparing it to previous…
How do I make sure my home stays in tip-top shape?
Springtime is here, and it has brought its normal swarm of home sales. Even if you're not looking to sell your home, now is a great time to check these…
Selling Your Home, Part 3
In Selling Your Home, Part 2, I reviewed how to show your home, and how to receive and negotiate offers. The final part of selling your home will cover inspections, appraisals,…
Selling Your Home, Part 2
In Selling Your Home, Part 1, I reviewed how to recruit your REALTOR®, prepare your home for sale, and list your home. Once it’s been listed, now it’s time…
Selling Your Home, Part 1
So you’ve decided now is the time to sell your home. What should you do? How do you get from “For Sale” to “SOLD”? Recruit Your REALTOR® One of the…
5 New Year’s Resolutions for Homeowners in 2017
2016 is coming to a close, and with the new year just around the corner, people across the world are gearing up to set their intentions for the upcoming year…
How is the Real Estate Market doing in 2016?
How is the Real Estate Market doing in 2016? Now that we are six months into 2016, it's time to see how we're doing so far this year! Here are…
Buying a Home, Part 3
You have found your home and you and your REALTOR® have successfully negotiated with the seller. Now what? First, pat yourself on the back for making it this far through…
Buying A Home, Part 2
By now, you’ve found your ideal REALTOR® and lender, and you’ve worked through the initial financial process, so you know how much home you can afford. Great! The next step…
Buying a Home: Part 1
So you’ve decided now is the time to buy a home. What should you do? How do you get from “For Sale” to “Welcome Home”? Recruit Your Team:…
State of the Des Moines Housing Market: 2015 vs. 2016
You may remember last year's report, stating that both 2014 and 2015 were stellar markets for home sales in Des Moines. In 2016, the market continued to show homes selling…
State of the Des Moines Housing Market: 2014 vs. 2015
It’s about that time of year when we look at the past year and assess how we did. How did the Des Moines area housing market do? Compared to 2014…