Realtor ‘cautiously optimistic’ about numbers

Home construction continues to build momentum in Council Bluffs so far this year, but don’t celebrate on a record year just yet, according to a local real estate agent. “I’m optimistic, but cautiously optimistic,” said Jason James of Heartland Properties.

Council Bluffs Home Improvement and Landscaping Show March 5-7

If you’re considering a kitchen, bath or bedroom addition or remodel, or adding a garage, there’s no better place to talk face-to-face with a professional than at the 8th Annual Council Bluffs Home Improvement and Landscaping Show, March 5-7, at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs. You’ll find a million ways to save green and go green on your next home improvement project.

Fast fixes for foreclosed homes

The high volume of foreclosed homes on the market is allowing some astute buyers to turn eyesores into eye-catching properties with only minimal investment. While not every property can be fixed up affordably, there are some common projects that dramatically improve a foreclosed home’s appeal and value.

Home prices hold steady

The Iowa Association of REALTORS(r) reports the average sale price of homes across the state remained steady, while the number of days on the market decreased.

Selling your home? Easy improvements to attract buyers

Real estate pros often coach their clients on the value of making “curb appeal” improvements to help sell their homes. Outside painting and minor repairs signal that the house has been well cared for. That’s a great marketing tactic, but an even better advantage is offering multiple bathrooms. So if you’re planning to put your house on the market and want to make it stand out, consider going a step further and adding a new bathroom.

Housing market a work in progress

Omaha’s housing market may be showing signs of stability, but two panelists at a housing conference Wednesday indicated that the market isn’t in the clear just yet. An economist from the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City issued a caution that the housing market may yet see an influx of foreclosures.

Dramatically update your kitchen in six hours or less with six projects

With the amount of time you spend in your kitchen, why settle for out-of-date features and decor - especially since it is easy to give your kitchen a 180-degree makeover? Try these six simple projects, and in no time at all you’ll have a kitchen where you will want to spend more time.

Break out of your color comfort zone this winter

At first thought, winter might not conjure up words like spicy, bold or sunny. It should, though, at least when it comes to the inside of your home. While it might be gray and dreary outside, infusing color into interior decor is one of the quickest ways to create a cozy, inviting living area. And winter is the ideal time to do it.

Slight decline in land values does not cause concern for Page County farmers

Although the average value of farmland in Iowa declined in 2009 for the first time in a decade, Iowa State University Extension Farm Management Field Specialist said that is not necessarily bad news for farmers in Southwest Iowa.

Beware of “Foreclosure Rescue Scams”

Scam-artists are trying to cheat Iowans who are caught up in the nationwide foreclosure crisis. Mortgage foreclosure “rescue” schemes ask you to pay hundreds of dollars up-front for so-called assistance or “rescue” from foreclosure – but they just take your money and do little or nothing to help. The scam puts you in a deeper financial hole, does nothing to save your home, and diverts you from getting real help.