Real Estate Market

Des Moines May 2010 Market Summary is now available for review.

This Market Summary offers you the most current information available in the Des Moines, Iowa real estate market.  You will also find the Facts and Trends Definitions along with charts.

If you have any questions on this Market Summary, please let me know.

It can be easy for homebuyers to overlook home insurance costs. Most buyers tend to focus on factors such as quality of neighborhood, property taxes, school districts and available recreational and cultural outlets. But the seemingly mundane detail of home insurance can add up to a big investment. The size, location, construction and overall condition of a house can affect insurance cost, choice and availability, according to the Insurance Information Institute. When looking at prospective homes, the Institute recommends that homebuyers consider the following:

• Where is the nearest fire department? Houses located near a fire station usually cost less to insure.
• Are the plumbing and electrical systems in good condition? Poorly maintained, unsafe and/or outdated systems are more costly to insure than well-maintained ones.
• Is the home vulnerable to wind damage? A beach home may be more susceptible to wind damage and can be more costly to insure than homes located inland.
• Is the home at risk for flooding or located in a flood zone? Most standard homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover floods, so you may need a separate policy, which you can get through the National Flood Insurance Program, which is serviced by private carriers, or from a few specialty insurers.
• Is the home located in an earthquake-prone area? If so, earthquake insurance requires an endorsement or a separate policy.
• Is the house well constructed and well maintained? Homes built with disaster-resistant materials and designed to meet current building codes are more likely to withstand natural disasters.

 Your home is your biggest investment. Make sure you protect it with the right type of homeowners’ insurance policy.

 Welcome to my one-of-a-kind Des Moines, Iowa Market Snapshot 

Imagine receiving up-to-the minute MLS graphical reports automatically delivered to your email box with updated real estate information on your area. As well, it keeps you up-to-date on the major questions every home seller has in today's market.

• What is the supply of unsold homes in my neighborhood?
• How fast are homes selling right now?
• How do actual selling prices compare to listing prices in my area?
• How do I get more for the money in a changing market?

Sign up today! 

The look of your home’s exterior can make a strong first impression, enhance curb appeal and help boost resale value, but choosing the right color can be tricky. The paint experts at Sherwin-Williams offer several helpful hints for selecting the best color for your home’s exterior.

First, examine homes in different neighborhoods to get an idea of how residents apply color to their own homes. Note the most appealing color schemes in the area and consider adapting them to your home. Choose a scheme that blends well with homes in your current neighborhood or subtly stands out.

Landscaping elements, such as flower gardens, flowering shrubs and trees that change color, can affect your color choice. For example, heavily wooded lots will make colors appear darker due to the shade, and the foliage tends to camouflage the home.

Elements of your home, such as roofing shingles, brick or stone accents, often have varying shades and hues that can serve as the foundation of your paint color choices. For example, a charcoal gray shingle could have flecks of gray-blue or gray-green that you can incorporate into the color scheme.

Be sure to examine color samples outdoors at various angles and at different times of the day. Consider buying small quantities of paint in desired colors and paint a section of the house where the body, trim and accent colors can be seen together.

Pay attention to the direction and intensity of the sun. Intense sunlight can wash out colors. While brighter colors may be suitable in Sunbelt cities, lighter, neutral tones often work better in other locales. Tinted and mid-tone neutrals are popular because they play off landscaping and other building materials.

White or light colors make a large home on a small lot appear even larger, while dark colors tend to make the same home look smaller but more substantial. Remember, light colors advance in space while dark colors recede. So if a home is located far from the curb, painting it a light color will make it look more prominent.

 FAST FACT

Mowing your lawn too frequently can damage plants. Grass should be cut when it reaches about 2 inches; never cut more than 1/3 of the height of your lawn.

Jon is always looking to the future of real estate and how he can assist his clients with their real estate needs even in the market we are currently in. Jon has continued his education in order to assist homeowners who are facing difficult issues and decisions when it comes to their home.

The Certified Distressed Property Expert Designation (CDPE) is an indication that Jon has taken the initiative to become an educated and prepared advocate on the behalf of a homeowner in distress.

For the uninformed, blogging is hitting the Internet today and making a real impact!

What is a blog? An easy explanation of this is a WEB LOG or a journal on the web. It’s a place where folks can “voice” their thoughts, share ideas, or comment on those of others.

Des Moines, Iowa now has such a blog where new items of interest will be posted and comments can be made. Topics range from those related to real estate and community highlights to local events of interest or anything personal or business related that might be perceived as worthwhile information for public knowledge, discussion and/or use.

It’s even possible to subscribe to a blog of interest and receive text updates on your iPod! Check out the latest updates for the Des Moines Iowa Real Estate Blog:

http://www.desmoineshomesource.com/blog.asp

Let's connect and keep up-to-date on the latest Des Moines Real Estate Market.

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