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Managing Expectations When You Are Relocating Across the Country
It is a hard lesson at times, finding out that you cannot get what you want for the price that you can afford to pay.  I was out looking at homes with a relocation client today.  They are relocating here from Houston, Texas.  It is a much different market here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Managing expectations are very important.
Some Differences that I have Discovered between Texas and Iowa: 
1.  We have basements.  This can be a huge selling point.  Here in Cedar Rapids there are many ranch options with full finished basements with large daylight windows or walkouts that make you feel like you are in a 2 story home.  No dingy basements here in their price range!
2. Ranches are better for resale than 2 story homes.  In our market, gone are the days where the family 2 story is the most popular floor plan.  The days of requests for a formal living and dining room are gone too.  Open floor plans with a larger eating area are more popular now.
3.  No Home Owner Associations and Very Few Gated Communities!  Although there are a few exceptions, HOAs are limited, for the most part to condominium developments.  This means that we ... more

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