Approximately 1116 square feet of living area.  Main level includes living room, informal dining area, kitchen, ½ bath, laundry and utility room.  The upper level includes a large master bedroom, additional bedroom and full bath.  Garage and open patio area add to the appeal of this home.  Association dues include: swimming pool, exterior maintenance lawn care, snow removal and trash pickup.  All appliances included: washer, dryer, dishwasher, disposal, range and refrigerator.  Seller is providing a one year home warranty!  Call us today for your showing, 515-232-5700!

http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/100-best-places-to-live-in-america-2010-edition

Conveniently located on the corner of 13^th and Roosevelt with over 1000 square feet per unit.   Each unit has finished first and second levels and own basement.  The units share a fenced back yard.  Each side rents for $645, for a total of $1290.  Located near Ames High as well as an elementary school.  Call us today for your showing, 515-232-5700!

Four bedroom, four bath home in like new condition.  This home offers approximately 2753 square feet of living area.  The main level features a living room, kitchen, formal and informal dining areas, ½ bath and laundry room.  Upper level offers master plus 2 additional bedrooms, a full and ¾ bath.  Full daylight lower level includes garden level windows, family room, ¾ bath, fourth bedroom and utility room.  Additional features include: 3-car attached garage, deck, gas fireplace, air exchange system, hardwood, tile and carpeted flooring and central air. Appliances included: disposal, dishwasher, range and microwave.  Call us today for your showing, 515-232-5700!

Quality Buck-built home with a unique architectural design.  Main level includes living room, kitchen, full bath, master bedroom and sunroom.  Lower level features family room, full bath, 2 additional bedrooms, laundry and utility rooms.  Additional features of this home include a deck, two fireplaces, hot tub, sun room, skylights, storage sheds, and a new roof in 2009.  Appliances included: washer, dryer, dishwasher, disposal, range and refrigerator.  Seller is providing a one year home warranty!  Call us today for your showing, 515-232-5700!

Approximately 4017 square feet of living area in this 6 bedroom, four bath home.  Main level offers a great room, formal and informal dining areas, kitchen, 1 and ½ baths, master bedroom suite and laundry.  Upper level features 3 additional bedrooms and a full bath.  Lower level includes a family room, 2 bedrooms, ¾ bath and utility room.  Additional features include a central vacuum, jetted tub, hardwood floors, and patio.  Appliances included: disposal, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator and range.  Seller is providing a one year home warranty!  Call us today for your showing, 515-232-5700!

Custom built by Millikin.  Home overlooks the pond and offers approximately 3899 square feet of beautiful living area.  Main level features great room, formal and informal dining areas, kitchen, master bedroom suite, 1 and ½ baths, mudroom and laundry room.  The upper level features 2 additional bedrooms, another bath and a utility room.  The lower level includes a family room, fourth bedroom, ¾ bath and utility room.  This home features an elaborate stone fireplace, main floor master bedroom suite with 2-sided gas fireplace, central vacuum, sprinkler system, storage shed, heated over-sized 3-car garage, and 276 square foot deck.  Fire pit area makes this yard perfect for enjoying the outdoors.  Appliances included: disposal, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator and range.  Call us today for your showing, 515-232-5700!

Carefree ranch style North Park Villa living.  Home features vaulted ceilings, new laminate flooring, and attached garage.  Main level includes great room, informal dining room, kitchen, full bath, and 2 bedrooms.  Laundry and utility room are located in lower level.  Association dues include club house, exterior maintenance, lawn care, snow removal, swimming pool, tennis court, and trash pick-up.  Appliances included: disposal, dishwasher, refrigerator and range.  Seller is providing a one year home warranty!  Call us today for your showing, 515-232-5700!

Great townhome with approximately 1,068 square feet of finished living.  Three bedrooms, one full bath and one ¾ bath in this split level townhome.  Newer laminate flooring and a garage are great features.  Main level has a living room, informal dining, kitchen, full bath and a bedroom.  Lower level consists of two additional bedrooms and a ¾ bath.  Seller is providing a one year home warranty!  Call us today for your personal showing!

Located on a corner lot in Meeker school district and near the Ames High.  Main level features living room, formal dining room, kitchen, master bedroom with ¾ bath, full bath and 2 additional bedrooms.  Lower level features laundry and utility room.  Additional features of the home include vinyl siding, hardwood floors, and attached double garage. Appliances included: disposal, washer, dryer, refrigerator and range.  Seller is providing a one year home warranty!  Call us today for your showing, 515-232-5700!

This home is in immaculate condition and offers several updates.  There is over 2000 square foot of living area.  Main level features living room, huge family room, formal dining room, kitchen full bath and 3 bedrooms.  Lower level features family room, laundry and utility room.  Appliances included: dishwasher, washer, dryer, and range.  The yard has been nicely landscaped and the home is located on a quiet street.  Seller is providing a one year home warranty!  Call us today for your showing, 515-232-5700!

CRS stands for Certified Residential Specialist, which is the highest designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field.  The CRS designation recognizes professional accomplishments in both experience and education.

GRI stands for the Graduate REALTOR Institute, which is the mark of a real estate professional who has made the commitment to provide a high level of professional services by securing a strong educational foundation.  REALTORS with the GRI designation are highly trained in many area of real estate to better serve and protect their clients.

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/lifestyle/the_simple_life.html?generalStatus=Thanks%21%20Your%20email%20has%20been%20sent.

OUR PLEDGE TO OUR CUSTOMERS

To provide unsurpassed service to help you buy your home in the shortest time, with the least inconvenience to you, we will...

• Explain real estate agency relationships
• Initiate and maintain constant and continuous communication with you
• Carefully analyze your needs, being sensitive to your special requirements
• Orient you to current market conditions
• Provide helpful community data
• Explain local real estate practices and procedures
• Provide information on lenders and financing alternatives
• Thoroughly analyze the entire inventory of homes on the market
• Coordinate appointments & professionally show all properties of interest that meet your needs
• Provide relevant market data as to fair market value of homes
• Disclose all material defects of the property that are known
• Carefully explain and prepare offer to purchase forms
• Arrange to present all offers to seller in a timely manner
• Conscientiously facilitate the negotiations for the best possible price and terms
• Explain post-purchase activities and responsibilities
• Follow up on post-purchase activities
• Keep in touch with you after moving day

If this sounds like the kind of service you're interested in don't hesitate to contact one of our Buyer Specialists below.

Haley Pick                                                                                                                                       K'Lynn Lynn

515-232-5700                                                                                                                              515-232-5700

haley@tomrandall.com                                                                                               klynn@tomrandall.com

LET US HELP YOU!

Buying a house can be confusing at times.  There are many different directions and options.  But no matter where you find a home you may be interested in seeing, you need only call the Tom Randall Real Estate Team for help.  Because we share a cooperating relationship with all real estate offices within our community, it means we can show you properties that are listed with us or any broker in our area.  We can also assist you in "For Sale By Owner" transactions.  Just call the Tom Randall Real Estate Team at 515-232-1685 for all the information you need!

• Hear about a property for sale? Give us a call and we'll search out the details for you!
• See a sign? We can show you properties that are listed with us or any broker in our area.  We can also assist you in "For Sale By Owner" transactions.
• Want to visit an open house? If we cannot accompany you, please either do not sign in, or sign in & put "The Tom Randall Real Estate Team" after your name! We can also provide you with an Open House Guest Pass.
• Want to tour a new construction project?The Tom Randall Real Estate Team will need to accompany you to the property on the initial visit.  By letting us help you with builders, you get all the services offered we offer, as well as those offered by the builder...with out paying more for it!

If you would like any additional information about buying or selling your home do not hesitate to call the Tom Randall Real Estate Team at 515-232-5700. If you are looking into buying you can also call one of our exceptional Buyer Specialists below:

                Haley Pick                                                     K'Lynn Lynn

                (515)232-5700                                             (515)232-5700

               haley@tomrandall.com                                   klynn@tomrandall.com

Steps to prepare for home ownership

1.  Don't start looking at homes before you know how much home you can afford.  Select a lender and determine how large a mortgage you can afford.  Also explore different loan options and decide what's best for you.

2.  Determine if you have enough saved to cover your down payment and closing costs.  Calculate the costs of home ownership including property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and association fees, if applicable.

3. Develop a wish list of what you'd like your home to have.  Then prioritize the features on your list.  Be picky, but don't be unrealistic.

4. How long do you hope to stay in this home? This decision may indicate what type of home you'll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that suit you best.

If you have any questions about buying a home, or need any assistance in finding the perfect home for you contact our buyer specialists at the numbers or email addresses below.

                         Haley Pick                                        K'Lynn Lynn

                         (515)232-5700                               (515)232-5700

                         haley@tomrandall.com                  klynn@tomrandall.com

Common Closing Costs for Buyers

The lender must disclose a good faith estimate of all settlement costs.  A check to cover your closing costs will probably have to be a cashier's check.  The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for:

• Down payment
• Loan Origination fees
• Points, or loan discount fees you pay to recieve a lower interest rate
• Appraisal fee
• Credit report
• Private mortgage insurance premium
• Insurance escrow for homeowners insurance, if being paid as part of the mortgage
• Property tax escrow, if being paid as part of the mortgage. Lenders keep funds for taxes and insurance in escrow accounts as they are paid with the mortgage, then pay the insurance or taxes for you.
• Deed recording fees.
• Title insurance policy premiums
• Survey
• Inspection Fees - builiding inspction, termites, radon etc.
• Notary fees
• Prorations for your share of costs such as utility bills and property taxes

If you have any questions about this or any thing else related to buying or selling real estate don't hesitate to contact the Tom Randall Real Estate Team at (515)232-5700, or email a Buyer Specialist at haley@tomrandall.com or klylnn@tomrandall.com.

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/home2.html

Home prices are one factor in determining your cost of ownership, but so are interest rates and financing availability. Even though interest rates have gone up in the last six months, they are still near historic lows. Since your monthly mortgage payment is a combination of paying down your principal and paying the interest owed, if home prices come down a little further but interest rates go up, it could cost you even more to service a mortgage on an identical home!

While a home is a major investment, it is also the center of your personal life. It's important to live in a home that reflects your taste and values, yet is within your financial "comfort zone." To that end, it may be more important to lock in today's relatively low interest rates and low home prices, rather than to hope for a further break in prices in the future.

Please give me a call if I can be of any assistance in determining how much home you can afford in today's market.