FAQ #2 for Relocation Buyers and Sellers: What About My Pets? - 02/16/11 05:12 PM
Let's just start by saying that people LOVE their pets.  They love them as they love their children.  They are important to you and you want to protect them from harm or needless anxiety.
When you are putting your home on the market for sale, we need to have a discussion about your little dog.  Your little dog cowered in fear as I stepped into the house, then worked itself into a barking frenzy that went on for a solid ten minutes.  The poor little thing was hoarse.  It looked at me with that little dog glare saying I don't want … (8 comments)

Weekend Best Bets in the Cedar Rapids Area - 02/15/11 02:54 PM
I think that it is great that Iowa can be such a great place for cultural and theatrical entertainment.  This coming weekend, there are some fabulous options in our area.
 
Friday February 18th:
The first is Ladysmith Black Mambazo who is performing at the Riverside Casino as part of the Hancher Season.  This is an acclaimed group of a cappella singers from South Africa and they are amazing! This music is all about creating unity and understanding, their songs celebrate their achievements and embracing of their childhood where singing just made people happy. 
Riverside Casino and Golf Resort is located … (0 comments)

Did Cupid Miss His Mark? - 02/15/11 11:35 AM
Did Cupid Miss His Mark?  Funny story....just happened to coincide with Valentine's Day yesterday...

Mr. Seller has relocated across the country.  His home hit the market at what seemed to be the worst time of the year, right before Halloween and long after the school year had started.  But it had its own pluses.  Due to a September hail storm, he was able to get a new roof and new siding which greatly improved the curb appeal of his home.  Fresh paint and new blinds throughout, professionally cleaned carpets, staged to sell, and an at market value price and we were in business.
Then … (4 comments)

Take Your Sweetheart to the Monster Trucks Show This Weekend! - 02/09/11 01:58 PM
Here come the monster trucks, just in time for that Valentine's present for that extremely difficult to please sweetheart of yours!  Or just some loud fun for the entire family.  Tickets on sale for the shows on February 11th and 12th at the US Cellular Center here in Cedar Rapids. 
Ticket prices for this event are as low $15 for adults & kids!

Click here for more information provided by the Cedar Rapids Downtown District!
 
Make this a weekend to remember for your entire family.  It is loud, so bring your earplugs and enjoy the fun. 
Keep smiling!
Karen
 
… (5 comments)

FAQ #4 for Sellers: What Do You Mean? You are Giving me "Homework"? - 02/08/11 03:35 PM
Once you have selected me as your agent of choice to represent your home on the market, it is time for your homework.  Remember in the initial home selling consultation, we discussed that your home price was going to fall within a range?  The price would be depending on your willingness to do the things necessary to get the highest price?  Well, this series of questions, suggestions, disclosures, and inspections will help us determine the best price for your home.
Your "Homework":
Not to be confused with house work, this part of the listing process is all about preparing your home for the … (2 comments)

FAQ#3 for Sellers: Why Do We Need a Home Seller Consultation? - 02/08/11 03:33 PM
Not to be confused with a CMA, a home seller consultation is more about the marketing plan of your home.  First, we will sit down and discuss:
1. Why you want to sell your home
2. Where you are planning to go
3. Your financial ability to sell
4. Your timeframe for selling
5. Your improvements and repairs to the home
Once we determine your motivation for selling and your timeframe that you need to move in, you will show me your home.  Please tell me anything that you think buyers will want to know about your home.  If you have added … (0 comments)

FAQ #2 for Sellers: What is the First Step in the Listing Process? - 02/08/11 09:42 AM
Especially for sellers that are doing this for the first time, they are researching all that they can to try to figure out where to start.  After all, this is your largest asset.  You may have purchased at the height of the market a few years ago with 100% financing, or maybe you came into a financial windfall that allowed you to pay a huge chunk ahead on your mortgage.  Your situation and reasons for selling are unique to you.  It is not always about the price.  And that is okay...
So the question is:  What is the First Step in the … (2 comments)

It's Just a Hop, Skip and a Jump..... - 02/07/11 09:56 PM
I can honestly say that in every part of the Cedar Rapids area, there is a grocery store, a restaurant, a park, a school, a walking trail, shopping...all within a hop, skip and a jump from any home that you see! 
I was out with a new relocating family over the weekend and as I drove through the areas that they had identified as neighborhoods of interest, they were amazed by the convenient locations of the housing compared to the shopping areas, recreation areas as well as medical facilities as well.
I guess I never really thought about it before.  The … (6 comments)

FAQ #17 for Buyers: When Will We Perform the Final Inspection? - 02/06/11 07:46 PM
The final inspection is one of the most important contingencies of the purchase agreement for the buyers.  This is what assures the buyer that the house is in the same, or better, condition as it was upon the date of the offer.  The final inspection is your opportunity to view the home after the seller has moved all their belongings out of the home so that you can see all the walls where the furniture was and anything else that you may have missed during the inspection. 

So the question is:  When will we perform the final inspection?
The final … (5 comments)

FAQ #1 for Sellers: How Will I Know that an Agent Showed My Home Today? - 02/06/11 06:47 PM
Prior to listing a home, I give my sellers a checklist of how showings will be handled.  We will discuss the person that should be called for access along with all the numbers where they can be reached, we will create a plan of how we are going to prepare for showings, and we will determine how much time is needed to remove pets or children from the home. 
In addition, I give my sellers the phone number for the showing desk to return calls to confirm showings.  If the showing is with an agent from Skogman Realty, the buyer's agent … (5 comments)

FAQ #1 for Relocation Buyers and Sellers: How Do I Find An Agent to Sell My House? - 02/02/11 07:04 PM
Hi there!  I see this over and over again where new employees immediately call an agent to get their home on the market.  Don't jump the gun!  Your employer may have a contract with a third party relocation company that handles all of this for you.  If you go out and hire the first agent that you call, it may negate your benefits, and will likely result in a difficult transaction all around.
For example, I am a relocation specialist for Rockwell Collins here in Cedar Rapids and they have hired Sirva Relocation out of Westmont, Illinois to manage the relocation … (0 comments)

Do You Know Your Relocation Seller's Motivations? - 02/01/11 06:10 PM
Every time that I go on a listing consultation, it is an opportunity to learn how to perfect my presentation skills. This is especially true with sellers that are relocating to another part of the country!
How well do I listen to the seller and their needs? 
                       Did I find out their true motivation and goal in listing their home for sale? 
How much do they think their home is worth?
                                   What are their concerns or fears about the process? 
What are their past experiences with other agents and what are their expectations of the agent that they are going … (1 comments)

Grand Opening of the newest Skogman Homes Model! - 02/01/11 02:58 PM
During the Grand Opening month, Skogman Homes is offering a special promotion in our production line homes.  New buyers can choose from the following:
An Ultimate Dream Bath with a walk in ceramic tile shower with glass door, granite countertops with an undermount sink, and heated ceramic tile flooring

 
OR  
                                                                                  
a third car garage...


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OR
 


















500 square feet of recreation room space in the lower level!

… (1 comments)

 
Kliks_2011_sitting Rainmaker_large

Karen Feltman, Relocation Specialist

Cedar Rapids, IA

More about me…

Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA Skogman Realty

Address: 411 First Avenue SE, Suite 500, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52401

Office Phone: (319) 366-6427 x 161

Cell Phone: (319) 521-0701

Email Me

Whether you are relocating from another state or you are moving within the market area, there is always some adjustments to be made! My focus is on the well-being and safety of your family. A house is very important, but making the Cedar Rapids area your home takes a little more effort. My clients call me long after the closing for advice on a veternarian for their new puppy or the best daycares in the area. Meeting new people is always fun for me and I love my job! Call me if you would like to know what your home is worth in the current market or if you think that you might want to move up to another home somewhere else. We will miss you, but I will happy to get you on your way to your next adventure as quickly as possible!


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog