Inman News listed Des Moines as #4 on their list of ”10 Real Estate Markets to Watch in 2012″.
“These markets are showing signs of strength in several key metrics, including above-average price appreciation, a flourishing job market, a high rate of sales in proportion to population, a high level of home affordability, low foreclosure activity, a below-average share of distressed sales, a low vacancy rate, and other characteristics indicating a healthy housing market.”
From the Foundation for Child Development…
“A Child’s Well-Being Is Strongly Related to the State Where He or She Lives. Child well-being varies tremendously from state to state, ranging from a 0.85 index value for New Jersey, the highest ranked state, to a negative 0.96 index value for New Mexico, the lowest-ranked state.”
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!
Ames continues to post unemployment rates at about half the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics currently lists Ames in a tie for the 7th lowest rate in the nation.
Interestingly enough, the Ames real estate market also continues to hold steady, with the average sale price almost identical to last year. Most of the metros listed for high unemployment rates are also the ones making news for high foreclosure rates and falling home prices.
Perhaps those of us in the industry should be quicker to comment upon hearing “the #1 rule of real estate” quoted. The reason that location, location, location matters, is due largely to the jobs, jobs, jobs.
http://bls.gov/web/metro/laummtrk.htm
Post by Tabitha Zesch, Relocation Director
Ames has attracted many high tech companies and start-ups over the last few years, many of which are located in the Iowa State University Research Park. Businesses from around the U.S., and even overseas, have relocated to Story County within the last few years.
The dramatic growth drew the governor and lieutenant governor to speak at the Ames Economic Development Commission celebration this week. And Ames has been touted by numerous magazines lately as one of the best places to do business, get a job, retire, or raise kids, etc. In August, Ames was labeled one of the geekiest cities in the U.S. by Forbes.
Now Business Insider Magazine is including Ames and Story County, Iowa on their list of 20 U.S. markets with the potential to become the next Silicon Valley. Certainly, as more high-tech jobs are established, the more the area becomes attractive to companies in need of a similar workforce base.
Post by Tabitha Zesch, Relocation Director
Thank you to those at Hunziker & Associates, Realtors who donated time or money to the Meals from the Heartland event in Boone. Over 750 volunteers packed 180,000 + meals for third world food relief over the weekend!
Our Nevada office enjoying downtown trick or treat night!
The highest priced home listed in Ames is on the market for $1,250,000. Would you like to see inside? Take a peek at the photos on our website!
http://ames.hunzikerrealty.com/properties/dspProperty.cfm?propertyID=271891
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