There is approximately 3,054 sq ft of living area in this custom built walk-out ranch. You’ll appreciate the immaculate condition and bright, open floor plan. Beautiful Corian countertops and oak cabinets in the kitchen. Main floor includes living room with gas fireplace, formal and informal dining, kitchen, Master bedroom with walk-in closet and three quarter bath, two more bedrooms, full and half baths, den/office, mudroom and laundry. Lower level is nicely finished with a family room and kitchenette, rec room, fourth bedroom, utilities. Enjoy the wonderful view from the many windows inside and two levels of decks outside of the wooded back lot. Seller is providing a one year Home Warranty Inc. policy!

One level, 1,055 square feet, townhome living near Ada Hayden Park! Main level includes living room, formal dining room, kitchen, full bath, master bedroom, 2^nd bedroom and laundry. Enjoy cozy winters with a gas fireplace. Newly painted interior and all new carpet. All appliances are included. Unfinished lower level has an egress window. This home also includes a double attached garage.  Enjoy carefree townhome lifestyle! The dues take care of exterior maintenance, lawn care, and snow removal. Sale subject to court approval. Showings begin on 5/8 and set up through Tom!

Don’t miss this home with approximately 2008 square feet of living area close to River Valley Park and Meeker Elementary! Main level includes living room, formal and informal dining areas, kitchen, den/office, full bath and two bedrooms. Finished basement has a family room, den/office, ¾ bath, laundry and utility. You’ll love the fireplace and oak floors. All appliances stay. Seller is providing a one year Home Warranty Inc. policy.

This one level, Rich Lepper built, Stone Brooke townhome overlooks Ada Hayden Lake. A 3-season room with French doors and a walking path to Ada Hayden Park in the backyard give you easy access to the great outdoors! Located in a quiet neighborhood on a cul de sac, you’ll find easy living amenities including club house, swimming pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care and snow removal. On the inside, the floor plan creates an open feeling with a great room, vaulted ceilings, and beautiful views from the 3-season room. Approximately 1,954 square feet includes great room, formal and informal dining, kitchen, full bath, ¾ bath, Master bedroom, 2^nd bedroom, laundry and 3-season room on the main level and the lower level includes a family room, ¾ bath, a 3^rd bedroom and utilities. Upgraded oak cabinets in the kitchen. New furnace and central air in 2012, newer water heater. Come see this townhome in a most desirable Waterbury Circle location.

Within walking distance of Sawyer Elementary and close to ISU, this two story home is ideal for a family or professional. Over 2,000 square feet provides three bedrooms and a main floor family room with cozy fireplace. In addition to the family room, the main floor includes the living room, informal and formal dining, kitchen, and half bath. Upstairs, you’ll find three bedrooms, full bath, plus a ¾ bath off the Master bedroom. Another family room is located in the basement along with the laundry and utilities. Mostly new windows and new central air. Outdoors, you can enjoy a large deck and invisible fencing for your pet. Seller is providing a one year Home Warranty, Inc. policy! Showings start April 5. Make your appointment for that day by calling 232-5700.

You’ll fall in love with this four bedroom home built on a beautiful .62 acre wooded lot in Nevada. A walk-out lower level, screened porch and decks take advantage of the wonderful view. Approximately 2,773 square feet of living space provides a great room, formal and informal dining, kitchen, half bath and laundry on the first floor; three bedrooms, 3/4 bath and den/office on the second floor. Lower level features a family room, kitchenette, full bath, bedroom and utility. Vaulted ceilings add to the spaciousness and a wood burner and wood burning fireplace add to the coziness. Central vacuum. All appliances stay including a deep freeze and second refrigerator. Outside, you have maintenance free steel siding and the luxury of a two-car attached garage with a heated driveway. The sidewalk to the front door is also heated. There is a one-car detached garage also! Seller is providing a one year Home Warranty Inc. policy. Closing is on June 30, 2013 or as agreed.

Don’t miss this custom built 4 bedroom home on 7.5 acres of peaceful country living just outside of Ames. You’ll enjoy the open floor plan with lots of windows and natural light. Main floor includes large kitchen, formal and casual dining areas and beautiful family room with fireplace. Laundry room is located on the upper level along with 3 bedrooms and full bath. Expand to the lower level with a family and rec room, 4th bedroom and ¾ bath. Experience the wildlife activities from the 3 season porch. Take a cool dip after work or late at night in the swimming pool that requires little work to maintain. This home has a geothermal system, private drive and 3 car garage. Lots of built-ins and low utility bills. Come see why this is the home for you!

Be sure to see this three bedroom, split level home in one of Story City’s prime neighborhoods. You’ll find approximately 1,488 square feet of living area built in 1999. The main level includes living room, informal dining area, kitchen, full bath, and two bedrooms. Lower level includes a family room, full bath, bedroom, and laundry/utility areas. Appliances are included. No maintenance vinyl siding and two car attached garage add to the convenience. Enjoy nice weather on the deck and patio. Call Tom for your appointment to see this lovely home.

This like-new condo is fresh and airy with vaulted ceilings and south-facing windows in each room. Great room layout, one bedroom and office. The kitchen is open with a center island and extra storage. For your convenience there is an in-unit laundry. Enjoy relaxing on the private, partially shaded deck with third floor views. Get your exercise in the fitness facility right in the same secure building and you’ll have easy access to bike and running paths. There is a garage with extra storage space and quick and easy access to highway 30. Add excellent sound-proof walls and reasonable association fees and you’ll want to give Tom a call today! 515-232-5700.

This handsome two story home offers approximately 3,272 square feet of living area with 5 bedrooms and 4 baths. Situated on a wooded 1+ acre lot, it affords a beautiful private setting you can enjoy from the 3 season porch and deck. Main level features great room, formal & informal dining areas, kitchen, den/office, 1 bedroom, bath, and laundry area.  Additional 4 bedrooms including a master bedroom are on the upper level along with 3 full baths. A walk-out lower level is ready to finish. Special features include gas fireplace, central vacuum, invisible fencing, intercom, jetted tub, and skylights. New roof, new furnace and central air in 2012. Seller is providing a 1 year Home Warranty!  Call the Tom Randall Real Estate Team, 232-5700 for your showing.

Many sellers question if December bodes well considering how busy people are and because so many home owners like to personally decorate their homes during this time. Holiday decorations can distract buyers and make it hard to focus on a home’s important features.

No need to forgo your favorite traditions but keep these tips in mind. And don’t forget, if the weather brings snow and ice, make sure the home is safe to enter by clearing all walks, steps, and the driveway and put down some salt if needed.

1. Should we take our house off the market or not list it until after the holidays?
Absolutely keep it on the market. While sales may go down this time of year, people who brave the weather and take time out of busy schedules, are the most serious about buying. Some buyers also like the idea of purchasing before the end of the year for tax reasons. This is also a good time to sell due to low inventory and low loan rates.
2. What are appropriate outdoor decorations?
Simple and classic. Some lights on the trees and bushes, potted plants and a wreath on the front door. Light colors should be kept to white or discrete seasonal pairings such as green and red or silver and gold. Keep in mind that during the day, the wires from lights can actually be an eyesore. A festive, warm holiday mood is all that is needed.
3. What’s best for the inside?
Avoid clutter and try to stay neutral. Be subtle with your personality, now as well as throughout the year. Good ideas would be one tree with a few ornaments and wrapped presents, one wreath, a simple garland up a staircase, a few stockings, some candles and a holiday inspired dining room table runner. Tons of holiday cards, miles of tinsel and every decoration you own may get too personal and messy. The goal is to let the buyers imagine their own holidays in the home.
4. What about religious decorations?
If these objects are very meaningful to you no one wants to ask you to change your traditions but the key is to not have too much.
5. Music?
Soft music is fine but remember, some buyers may be tired of hearing holiday music.
6. Do cookies and candles smells entice buyers?
Baked goods and fragrant candles always bring a nice welcome. It’s an emotional touch that lets buyers make a connection with the home. But of course, don’t overwhelm.
7. Is it okay to say no to showings when having visitors or parties during the holidays?
Of course you can say no but not repeatedly. If you are planning to have a lot of overnight guests and parties, it might be better to list in January. If you have a party, be sure to thoroughly clean up right away.
8. By what time should be decorations be taken down?
By the week after New Years.

And remember, seasonal good cheer is always in style!

Tom Randall and K'Lynn Lynn participated in the REALTOR ring day for the Salvation Army.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."   ~Melody Beattie

Knowing important factors that will influence your housing decision helps the agent to narrow the selection of homes on the market.  They can show you specific parts of town or just certain types of home.  Communication is key-find an agent that is easy to talk to and is a great listener. 

Here at the Tom Randall Real Estate Team we have great buyer specialist that will focus solely on your needs and wants. 

Click on the link below to read about our buyer specialists: K'Lynn Lynn and Haley Pick.

http://www.tomrandallrealestateteam.com/About

You have undoubtedly heard that old saying about the "hard way" and the "easy way" to do something. The hard way to get the "SOLD" sign up is to try and sell it yourself. The easy way is to use the services or our Team that has proven ways to get your home sold for the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time.

Remember, our team doesn't get paid until your home is "SOLD". And the amount we earn in commission is dependent upon the amount of the sale. That's a lot of genuine motivation to do the job right. Save yourself headaches and frustration and call the Tom Randall Real Estate Team today!!!

We also have a great page of Radon in Iowa.  Please click the link below to find out more...

http://www.tomrandallrealestateteam.com/Radon-a-Health-Risk

http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/fastest-growing-small-towns.html

I ran across this article in Yahoo Finance today(written by CNNMoney.com).  What a great article to sum up the market not only in Ames but across the nation.  Good news is they agree the market will turn around.  Bad news is they do not know when. 

They have a great quote in this article that I use everyday when I am working with someone to sell thier home.  "Wherever you are, pricing your home right is key." 

Through my 30 years of selling real estate that has never been so true. 

Please click here to see the whole article!

--the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the whole house for many prospective buyers. Smart sellers will take a close look at how they can make their kitchen a real asset when it is time to sell.

Your kitchen doesn't need to be state-of-the-art to be attractive. The first step toward enhancing your kitchen's appeal is a thorough cleaning. This includes the walls, cabinets (inside and out), floors, and appliances. Keep the counter tops as clear as possible of small appliances and gadgets. Consider low-cost improvements which can make a big difference, such as a coat of paint, fresh wallpaper, or new floor covering. Be sure to keep the kitchen sparkling when the house is being shown. This means no dirty dishes in the sink or moldy cucumbers in the refrigerator. This extra effort will pay great dividends!

For more great tips call the Tom Randall Real Estate Team today!

Here at the Tom Randall Real Estate Team we have great agents that can focus on you and your specific needs and find you a home of your dreams.  Call today! 515-232-5700.