Don’t miss this inviting 3-bedroom home with a 2-car garage, ideally located close to schools, the water park, and shopping! Step inside to an open oor plan lled with amazing natural light from the new windows. The brand-new kitchen features new appliances, kitchen island & stunning quartz countertops that ow perfectly Into the eat-in kitchen area & main living space, making it ideal for everyday living and entertaining. You’ll love the updated bathroom and the convenience of main- oor laundry. Outside, enjoy the bene ts of new siding and an extra-large lot behind the home, offering space, privacy, and endless possibilities. A move-in-ready home in a fantastic location-don’t miss this one!
MLS#27654 • Jamie Lara 515-408-2265
Welcome home to this 4-bedroom, 2-bath split foyer located in the charming Kennedy Brown neighborhood. This well-maintained home features updated ooring and major appliances throughout, blending modern style with the comfort of home. Enjoy the spacious backyard.
MLS#26387 • Sadie Andersen 515-408-1824
This charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath condo offers comfortable living in a quiet, landscaped neighborhood. Features include an open living/dining area, modern kitchen, spacious bedrooms, and a private primary suite. Enjoy a lovely patio surrounded by mature trees and manicured grounds. Conveniently located near parks, schools, and local amenities with an attached garage and low-maintenance living.
MLS#R26277A • Jamie Lara 515-408-2265
Property in a PRIME LOCATION in the middle of Fort Dodge! Situated on over 1.2 acres across 3 lots, this versatile property offers endless possibilities for your business or investment vision. The site features ample parking and is fully secured with a 6-foot-high perimeter fence and vehicle gate.
MLS#26554 • Barb Benton at 515-570-4425
2414 Poplar Avenue • Duncombe • $459,900
Nestled on 6 serene acres, this beautifully renovated farmhouse seamlessly blends charm with modern convenience.6 bedrooms with 4 bathrooms, this home offers ample space for family living or hosting guests. This renovated farmhouse has been placed on a new poured walk-out basement, leading to a large stamped concrete patio. Step inside to find a spacious light filled rooms that showcase stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The fully updated kitchen features quartz counters, new cabinetry, appliances and walk-in pantry. Lower level includes wet bar, family room, 2 bedrooms & a full bath. Outdoors, enjoy plenty of room for gardens or recreational activities.
MLS#25999 • Jamie Lara 515-408-2265
Home to this beautiful 2 story home, lled with charm and just looking for your special touch! Plenty of space for the family to spread out over the holidays and just as much to enjoy outside with the newly poured concrete patio and the spacious 3 car garage featuring an upper space for storage or a work room
2526 Hickory Circle •
Welcome to this awesome 3-bedroom 2-bath home nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac in the woodlands. Sitting on a spacious .62 acre lot, this home offers open-concept living with a large living room perfect for entertaining or relaxing. The oversized master suite features a walk in shower, stand alone tub, and a walk in closet. With an attached 2-car garage.
MLS#26357 • Nicholas Taylor 515-570-1350
2102 2nd Ave N • Fort Dodge • $99,900
ooring, and a spacious yard-perfectly situated across the street from the Aquatic Center. Priced at $169, 900. For a showing, contact Jim Schwan at 515-570-8608
MLS#26609 • Jim Schwan 515-570-8608
MLS#26568 • Sadie Andersen 515-408-1824
Excellent opportunity to own a well-located triplex just steps from local schools, shopping, and other amenities. Each unit is separately metered, making utility management simple. One unit is currently rented to a reliable tenant, providing immediate income. The middle unit requires only minor work before it’s rentready, offering quick potential to increase cash ow.
MLS#26431 • Nicholas Taylor 515-570-1350
804 Northrup
1.90 Acres in the Coleman District – Your Dream Property Awaits! Looking for the perfect spot to build your ideal home, shop, or unique living space? There are 2 parcels that combine to almost 2 acres in the Coleman District.
MLS#26477 • Barb Benton 515-570-4425
$308,000 MLS#
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$190,000
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Well-Maintained 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Home This comfortable home has been cared for over the years, everything kept in good condition. It offers three bedrooms and two full bathrooms, along with a new refrigerator, stove, and recently updated hardwood flooring. The basement is fully finished and provides useful extra space for a family room, hobby area, or storage. Well-kept home that’s ready for its next owners to make their
A home-buying guide for empty nesters
The day a child leaves home can be bittersweet for parents. Although a son or daughter being successful and mature enough to move on to new opportunities can be a source of pride, parents typically lament the quiet that comes from empty rooms and a change to the daily routine they’d grown accustomed to when the kids were around. After some time, some couples decide to downsize to a home more befitting the empty nester lifestyle.
Downsizing presents an option for homeowners whose kids have left the nest. New analysis from a survey of 2,500 empty nesters commissioned by Regency Living found that 30 percent of empty nesters choose to downsize and move from their original family homes. When retirement is just around the corner, many professionals shift focus to how they want to live and where. Moving to a new home presents plenty of opportunities for older adults, including a chance to choose a home based on what’s right for them in this stage of life. There are questions homeowners can ask themselves as they ponder if downsizing is right for them.
1. How much upkeep can I handle? A lifelong family home may be well-loved, but chances are it requires significant upkeep and repairs. Empty nesters may choose to move on to a home that offers lifestyle benefits like less maintenance. Homes in lifestyle communities or those overseen by a homeowners’ association tend to have certain maintenance built into a monthly fee.
2. Is this layout still a fit? Many empty nesters may not immediately feel the effects of aging, but before selecting a next home, individuals should think about aging in place and any unique needs they may have. Opting for a single-level home, or at least one with the owner’s suite on the main level, can be advantageous.
3. Can I make due with less square footage? A cavernous home with many rooms often isn’t desirable for empty nesters. All of that square footage requires heating, cooling and maintenance. Rattling around inside a big, empty house may precipitate the decision to downsize. Downsizing also can free up home equity, which can be used to fund retirement needs.
4. Which features do you desire? Many empty nesters want the next home to focus on some luxury items they may have bypassed in the first home when priorities lay elsewhere. Upscale environments like gourmet kitchens, spa-like bathrooms and outdoor living spaces may be in the budget when moving into a home with a smaller footprint.
5. Will my home be secure while I travel? Empty nesters might want to choose homes in gated communities or condominium complexes for safety reasons. Should they opt to spend a portion of time at a vacation rental or second home as snowbirds, secure communities enable residents to leave their primary residence with the peace of mind that those homes will be less vulnerable to thieves.
6. Does this home have enough light? The American Optometric Association says many adults start to have problems seeing clearly beginning at age 40. Homes with more light from large windows and artificial lighting can reduce accident risk.
Moving to a smaller home is a consideration for many empty nesters. Various features offer benefits to adults who want to age in place.
The basics of home inspections
The process of buying a home involves a number of variables that present at various times throughout buyers’ search for a home. For instance, real estate professionals typically advise buyers to receive a mortgage preapproval prior to beginning their search for a new home. Once such preliminary measures have been taken care of, buyers can then search for a home and ultimately make an offer.
One of the more critical steps buyers can take when making an offer is insisting that the offer is contingent upon a home inspection. Home inspections offer a measure of protection
• You choose your own inspector. Buyers will choose their own home inspector, so it can pay dividends to start asking people you trust for recommendations even before you begin searching for a new home. Realtors also may recommend inspectors they’ve worked with in the past. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors® (nachi.org) also can help buyers find a home inspector.
• You can, and should, attend a home inspection. It’s wise for buyers to attend a home inspection. Doing so allows them to see potential issues firsthand. Some seasoned home inspectors even prefer clients to attend an inspection so they can point out issues as they go through the house and answer questions directly rather than later on over the phone or via text or email. Though inspectors typically will answer questions off-site, it’s easier for both buyer and inspector to discuss issues in person on the day of the inspection. And for buyers, this can be a great way to become more informed about the home inspection process.
that can save buyers from investing in properties that may look nice to the naked eye, but feature a host of costly problems beneath the surface. Individuals new to home buying may not know what to expect of the inspection process. In such instances, the following rundown can shed light on home inspections.
• Recognize inspection may be mandatory. Though it’s not always the case, home inspections may be required by mortgage lenders. Lenders want to ensure borrowers can repay their loans, which might prove difficult if a home is in need of considerable repairs. That’s why home inspections tend to be mandated by lenders, even if they’re paid for by buyers. Estimates from HomeAdvisor indicate home inspections cost between $279 and $400 on average, but that cost is well worth the peace of mind of knowing you won’t unknowingly be buying a money pit.
• Expect to spend a good deal of time at the inspection, and not necessarily with the sellers present. The National Association of Realtors indicates inspections can take as long as three hours, so this won’t be an inand-out excursion. Buyers don’t want to rush the process, so block out ample time on your schedule to attend the inspection. In addition, sellers typically are not home during an inspection, though it can happen. Buyers who don’t want sellers present can request that they are not on the premises while the inspection takes place. There may not be anything to compel sellers to be off-site, but it can’t hurt to ask.
Home inspections are a vital component of the home buying process. It’s imperative that buyers take inspections seriously so they can feel confident they are not investing in a flawed property.
Home Improvements
Welcome
• 4 Bedrooms/ 3 Full BathroomsPlenty of space for everyone.
• Great Room with Cozy FireplacePerfect for relaxing or entertaining.
• Oak Kitchen with Appliances Included - Warm and inviting, ready for your culinary creations.
• Newer Deck - Great for grilling, gatherings, or simply enjoying the outdoors.
• Triple Garage - Ample room for vehicles, tools, and storage.
• Open Front Porch - Welcoming charm and curb appeal. This home combines a thoughtful layout with quality finishes in a serene neighborhood setting. Whether you’re hosting guests or enjoying a quiet night in, this home delivers the perfect balance of comfort and convenience. Don’t miss your chance to live in the peaceful Woodland Addition - schedule your showing today!
Check out this 4 bedroom, 2 bath home in Round Prairie. Freshly painted and new flooring for the new owner to just move in. Single derached garage. Priced at $119,900 Call Gery Cook 570-6208
How much home can I afford?
By the third quarter of 2025, the tide seemingly began to turn in regard to a housing market that had been marked by limited inventory since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. According to market indicators from Redfin, the National Association of REALTORS® and Homes for Heroes, by the summer of 2025 things began to shift in regard to inventory (9.4 percent increase year-over-year). Prices also began to level off, as the median existing home price in the United States was $435,300 in June 2025, which marked a 2 percent increase from the previous year. Price reductions also became more common compared to 2024, signalling a cooldown in some segments.
Although affordability concerns still persist, many people may finally be ready to enter the home-buying arena. When doing so, it’s essential prospective home buyers recognize how much they can comfortably spend on a home. Most experts suggest buyers combine lender affordability guidelines with an assessment of one’s personal budget. These factors can help individuals determine a reliable budget when shopping for homes.
· Debt-to-income ratio: Lenders use various parameters to identify a borrower’s creditworthiness. That includes figuring out a person’s debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Wells Fargo says DTI can be calculated by adding up all of a person’s monthly debt payments and dividing them by gross monthly income. That number is multiplied by 100 to get a percentage. The lower the DTI, the less risky one is to lenders.
· The 28/36 rule: Part of the DTI equation may include the 28/36 rule utilized by many mortgage lenders. This is a standard guideline that can help one see if it’s possible to afford a home loan. The 28 percent is allotted housing costs. The monthly housing expenses (principal, interest, taxes, homeowners insurance, private mortgage insurance, and homeowners association fees) should be no more than 28 percent of one’s gross monthly income. One’s total monthly debt payments, including housing, car, loans, student loans, and credit cards, should be no more than 36 percent of the gross monthly income. So if a prospective home buyer earns $10,000 per month, or $120,000 per year, the housing costs should not exceed $2,800. Total debt payments, including housing, should not exceed $3,600 per month.
· Personal budget considerations: Lenders may allow borrowers to borrow a certain amount of money, and buyers then go out and spend that much on a home. But to avoid living paycheck to paycheck and having all of one’s money go toward a home, it is best to account for personal spending habits and savings goals. It’s important to have an emergency funds account to pay for unexpected things like home repairs, or to account for instances when income may decline. Ongoing costs to manage the home also merit consideration, as do utilities and future renovations.
· Income-to-home price ratio: Some people abide by another general guideline to shop for a home that costs no more than three to five times their annual household income. That means with an annual income of $100,000, one should aim for a home priced between $300,000 and $500,000. The specific range will also depend on a person’s existing debt.
· Interest rates and other factors: The interest rate on home mortgages as well as down payment also must be considered. Resources like Bankrate and Zillow provide home affordability calculators that will factor in interest rates, terms of a loan, down payment, and property taxes. Buying a home when interest rates are high means spending more over the life of the loan. Also, how much one puts toward a down payment has a big impact. Aiming for 20 percent means avoiding paying for private mortgage insurance (PMI).
There is no fail-safe way to determine how much home you can afford. Many factors are in play and are exclusive to buyers in the market for a new home.
If you have a fi replace that burns wood, you know that it loses all of its heat up the chimney. Rick Titus has a wood burning insert that will burn with the effi ciency of a wood stove and fi t inside your fi replace so it keeps your fi replace look, heating up to 1,000-2,000 sq. ft. The insert could heat up to 2,000 sq. ft. and burn a third of the wood!
If you have a gas log in your fi replace it also sends all of its heat up the chimney. Rick has Vent-Free gas logs that can burn as effi ciently as a gas cookstove and burn with the damper closed, thus keeping all the heat in the house, heating up to 1,000 sq. ft. of your home
So no matter what kind of fireplace you may have, Rick has an efficient solution for it. Call Rick or email him at yahtitus@gmail. com or go to his website below. Rick even has new fireplaces and wood stoves that can heat your home even during a power outage.
