If you're looking to invest in a cottage or waterfront getaway, there are three key things to keep in mind throughout your search.

How's The House?

Even if the lake is the highlight of a property you're considering, it is important to make sure that the home is equally as great as the beautiful body of water it borders.

How's its orientation? Is it built on the ideal angle to take full advantage of the sun? Does the deck or large windows face another house directly? The orientation is an impo...

Fixer uppers can come with huge price benefits and opportunity, as well as problems. Make sure you understand what you're getting yourself into before you purchase a home that needs significant restoration.

Carefully Calculate

Do the math very carefully before jumping in. Add up the expected renovation costs based on a thorough evaluation of the property. As some of the expected costs will lie within a grey area, it is important that you base your estimation on the higher end of the price rang...

Selling your home can be an extremely emotional process, but it's important that you don't let your emotions get the best of you. Learn which common mistakes emotional sellers make when selling their home so that you can identify them during your own sale and overcome them before it's too late.

Price Paralysis

You love your home, you know the value it provides to its owner, and you think it's special compared to other houses on the market... and that it should be priced as such!

Be wary of th...

We all want to sell our homes at above asking price, but what is it that makes a seller succeed at this? Here's our expert advice on how you can sell your home above the asking price.

Ask For Less

You may be surprised, but pricing your home lower than market value can have an extremely positive effect on the offers you receive. This is because a low-priced listing will stand out and will draw more attention, which boosts your chance of a bidding war.

By attracting more buyers to come and look...

Evaluate the cost of purchasing, installing, and maintaining an outdoor spa to decide if it’s a worthwhile addition to your deck.

 

Hot tubs and spas come in an array of shapes and sizes, and can be equipped with scores of accessories. Accordingly, they have a wide range of prices. Choosing the right spa depends on its intended use, how big your deck is, and what structural alterations will be required for your deck. In addition, you’ll need to know the cost of installation, day-to-day expense...

Exit Realty Midwest agents want you to be the most educated and informed home buyer or homes seller you can be.  We are here to listen to your wants and needs when look for a new home in Spirit Lake, Okoboji, or anywhere in the Iowa Great Lakes area.

It’s not uncommon for sellers to search for a new home while simultaneously hosting open houses to encourage buyers to make an offer on their current home. But while common, being both a buyer and a seller is difficult enough, and even more so when...

Purchasing a house, especially for the first time, is a life-changing experience. While renting has its perks, you will most likely enjoy owning a home even more.

When you own a house, it truly is yours, provided you pay off the mortgage. You are your own landlord and you’re free to make any changes inside and outside that you want. It’s also the place where you can raise a family if you choose to do so.

While becoming a homeowner is often a life experience, it’s also an important part of the...