How long does it take to buy a home in Iowa City? There is a common misconception that buying a home is a long drawn out process. It isn't, or at least it doesn't have to be. In reality buying a home in the Iowa City area is faster than most buyers think. A common scenario is for closing to take ... » Learn More about How Long Does it Take to Buy a Home in the Iowa City Area?
buying a home in iowa city
Top Questions to Ask When You Buy a Condo in the Iowa City Area
There are many details to watch out for when you buy a home in the Iowa City area. This is true for every home big or small and even more true when you buy a condominium. The reason why is quite simple. When you buy a condo you're not buying the land or the common elements. You are buying an ... » Learn More about Top Questions to Ask When You Buy a Condo in the Iowa City Area
Buying a Home in Iowa City – How do I know how much to offer?
How much they should offer is always the first question I hear from buyers when they're ready to make an offer on a home in the Iowa City area. Right up front I want to say that Realtors don't set the price on homes on the market, neither do they tell buyers what to offer. What we do is provide ... » Learn More about Buying a Home in Iowa City – How do I know how much to offer?
Bottom Line – 3 Good Reasons to Work with a Buyer’s Agent
Why would you hire a buyer's agent to help you buy a house in Iowa City? Apart from the fact that Buyer Representation is FREE that is. Recently I wrote a post about what you should expect from a buyer's agent. It's a very long post and since you probably don't have all day I thought I'd summarize ... » Learn More about Bottom Line – 3 Good Reasons to Work with a Buyer’s Agent
What Does Contingent Mean? Can I Still View a Contingent Property?
When a home is marked as contingent on the Iowa City MLS it means it has an accepted offer. Listings don't get removed from the public MLS until they're Sale Pending, so of course the assumption is that since they're still being advertised online they're available for showings. Technically that ... » Learn More about What Does Contingent Mean? Can I Still View a Contingent Property?
Buying a Home in Iowa City – The Benefits of Working with a Buyer’s Agent
Where do you start when you're ready to buy a home in Iowa City? You start by finding yourself a good buyer's agent to work with. If that sounds counter intuitive, think of it this way. Home Sellers call an agent right away when they have a home to sell in Iowa City. They know they need someone to ... » Learn More about Buying a Home in Iowa City – The Benefits of Working with a Buyer’s Agent
How Buying a Car in the Iowa City Area Compares to Buying a House
Finding the right car is a huge challenge. I'm sure new home buyers feel the same way about buying a home in the Iowa City area. Where do you start? Are open houses a good place to start? After trotting from dealership to dealership and being given the "up sell" on a variety of cars I'm not so sure ... » Learn More about How Buying a Car in the Iowa City Area Compares to Buying a House
Iowa City Real Estate: What is a Split Foyer Home?
The best way to explain a split foyer, sometimes known as a split level home, is to say that when you enter the home through the front entrance, you'll need to make a decision whether to go up some stairs, (usually 6 or 7), to get to the main living area or down the same number of stairs to the ... » Learn More about Iowa City Real Estate: What is a Split Foyer Home?
Iowa City Real Estate: What is a Zero Lot Anyway?
What exactly is a zero lot? This is a term that I've only heard in Iowa. A zero lot home is a duplex style home where the owners share a wall. Each owner is sole-owner of the unit they own, including the land. This is NOT the same as a regular duplex, also available in the Iowa City market. A ... » Learn More about Iowa City Real Estate: What is a Zero Lot Anyway?
What Does Sale Pending Mean? Can I Still Look At a House that is Sale Pending?
What does Sale Pending mean? Can I still look at a house in Iowa City that is Sale Pending? When a house is Sale Pending it means that the typical contingencies for inspections and financing have been met and buyers and sellers have moved into the last phase of the contract. Sellers are ... » Learn More about What Does Sale Pending Mean? Can I Still Look At a House that is Sale Pending?