From the Des Moines Register….
“A proposed 500-acre development in Ankeny could provide the growing school district with space for athletic facilities and offer more fields for area recreation programs, but public officials say they cannot move forward without more information….
The plan calls for a football stadium and Olympic-sized swimming pool as part of a 150-acre sports complex that would be surrounded by 12 million square feet of commercial development.”
From Des Moines Business Record…..
In December 2011, 642 homes were sold in Greater Des Moines, a 13 percent increase from the previous year. For all of last year, 7,877 homes were sold, an increase of 200 from the previous year, the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors said today.
Hunziker & Associates, REALTORS is pleased to announce our new special promotion. From now through January 31st, purchase an eligible Hunziker & Associates listing through a participating lender, and receive a rebate of up to $1500 in closing costs!
We have had the experience at Hunziker & Associates, Realtors®, of helping a customer purchase a home based entirely on what they saw over the internet. The purchase agreement was completed from a distance by fax. Even though this scenario is rare, it will soon be possible to purchase a home using an e-signature on forms that can be emailed to the buyer and seller.
The Iowa Association of Realtors® just instituted a new feature that will make preparing forms and collecting signatures electronically possible for subscribing Realtor® members. Although it will soon be easier to buy a house online, certainly most customers will still continue to view the home in person before signing the purchase agreement, regardless of if they do so using a pen or an iPad.
Post by Tabitha Zesch, Relocation Director
RelocateAmerica.com named both Ames & Des Moines, Iowa as one of the top 100 places to live for 2011!
“Ames, Iowa, has been named the number 2 small city in America in a new book, THE NEW RATING GUIDE TO LIFE IN AMERICA’S SMALL CITIES, achieving the second highest grades for quality in 10 areas: Climate/environment, diversion, economics, education, community assets, health care, housing, public safety, transportation, and urban proximity. Mount Vernon, Washington was named number 1.”
“As Iowa’s capitol city, Des Moines is a hub of government action, business activity and cultural affairs. With a Metro population of 565,000, Des Moines is a bustling metropolis. In April 2010, Forbes ranks Des Moines the #1 place for “Business and Careers.” Although we have big city bustle, we’re extremely proud of our small town atmosphere. Our community offers quality schools, superb public services, and friendly neighborhoods. Truly the best of both worlds as Iowa’s capital city, Des Moines is a hub of government action, arts and cultural affairs.”
http://www.relocateamerica.com/top-100-cities/index.cfm
The Fourth of July is a great time to spend with family, friends, food, and the great outdoors! In our communities there will be plenty going on for anyone who wants to take part in the festivities and for all ages!
All activities in all locations are on Monday, July 4th.
Ames:
8:30-10:30 – Pancake Breakfast at City Hall
9:00-11:00 – Bill Riley Talent Search at Tom Evans Plaza
11:00 – Parade on Main Street
12:00-3:00 – Festival on Main Street and Burnett
10:00pm – Fireworks at Jack Trice Stadium
Nevada:
7:00-10:00 – Breakfast at the Fire Station
10:00 – Parade on Main Street
11:00-2:00 – Chicken Noodle Dinner at American Legion
4:30-7:30 – Kids Games, Face Painting, and Kid’s Train Ride at SCORE Pavilion Area
7:00 – Concert by Nevada Community Band, SCORE Pavilion
Dusk – Fireworks at SCORE Park
Boone:
Fireworks at the Boone Speedway at Dusk
If the holiday weekend takes you away from Central Iowa, another great way to spend a few days after you get back, is SummerFest in Ankeny. This runs from Thursday July 7th to the 10th and ends with a fireworks display. For more information, visit http://www.ankenysummerfest.org/.
Post by Haley Hagen, Realtor Support
2010 Census summary. Iowa grew by 4.1% since 2000, even though most counties lost population. Ankeny was the fastest growing city with a 68% increase to a population of 45,482.
Iowa has always been an affordable place to own a home. And now there is even one more reason to be thankful to live here. Iowa was ranked as the 3rd least expensive state for closings costs associated with getting a home loan by Bankrate.com. The image below was published in The Residential Specialist magazine, a publication for real estate agents with the Certified Residential Specialist designation.
Many years ago, there was a house for sale in Ankeny, Iowa that had been the scene of the brutal murder-suicide of a family of 4. The crime had stunned the safe suburban community. And once the murder house was put on the market, it became the scariest house for Realtors® in Ankeny to show. The home eventually sold to a local Pastor who was aware of its history, yet unafraid of possible ghosts, for a substantial discount.
Oddly enough, I was asked this week if sellers have to tell buyers if their house is haunted. Fortunately, this question came from a creative friend during a lively dinner discussion, and not from one of our real estate agents or clients! They were a bit surprised at the ghoulish response. Iowa laws do not mention the mandatory disclosure of observed paranormal activity, or horrific events that occurred within the walls of a property at any point in its history; nor do they appear on the Seller’s Disclosure Statement.
Fortunately, haunted houses typically only appear in late October; and their ghost occupants are usually teenagers gifted in the dramatic arts enshrouded in a layer of costume makeup. But there is probably no need to be spooked by Iowa’s lack of ghost reporting laws. If a real haunted house found its way on the market, most real estate agents say they would be too scared to show it, or sell it, without telling the buyers anyway. Happy Halloween from Hunziker & Associates!
Post by Tabitha Zesch, Relocation Director
Photo Credit: Holloween Arcitecture Photos
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