Another House Buying Questions Thread

[cmjh10]

So, I am relocating for work. I am looking at Buffalo Center, Titonka, and Woden area. Basically between Forest City and Algona. I am pre approved right now and I have found some houses I may be interested in. I know its a rural area, but does anyone have any leads on good realtors in the area that I can work with? What are other tips, ideas, and suggestions for a first time buyer that is terrified and nervous about all this?

TIA

 

[ISUAgronomist]

All counter offers in writing from the sellers. Don't let a real estate agent screw you over by moving your offer up with "they are countering $" with no proof in writing. Agents just want paid and it's at your expense.

 

[CloneGuy8]

Make sure you have a decent amount of reserves after your downpayment in case something like a furnace breaks down.
Don't take anywhere near the amount you're approved for.
If you can afford a 15 year mortgage, go that route.

 

[khardbored]

So, I am relocating for work. I am looking at Buffalo Center, Titonka, and Woden area. Basically between Forest City and Algona. I am pre approved right now and I have found some houses I may be interested in. I know its a rural area, but does anyone have any leads on good realtors in the area that I can work with? What are other tips, ideas, and suggestions for a first time buyer that is terrified and nervous about all this?

TIA

What about Rake???

 

[19clone91]

I lived in Iowa for 25+ years and have never heard of any of those towns. Good luck out there!

 

[GoClone]

We have worked with Farm and Home in Algona when buying and selling homes in and around Algona.

Think about where your kids might go to school too. Titonka kids now go to Algona. Depending on your new job location, you might consider Bancroft also. It is a little farther to Forest City, but only 15 miles to Algona. Blue Earth and Fairmont, Mn aren't that far away either.

 

[cmjh10]

Thanks for tips, I have been asking anybody and everybody questions that will listen. Im sure as I get further into this, I will have more.

 

[IceCyIce]

Make sure you get the Home Shield Warrantee negotiated into the price of the house. If you can get multiple years that would be a good idea. Best insurance you can buy.

 

[CycloneErik]

Thanks for tips, I have been asking anybody and everybody questions that will listen. Im sure as I get further into this, I will have more.

You have questions that listen? I want to know more, and I'll hang up and listen.

 

[cmjh10]

You have questions that listen? I want to know more, and I'll hang up and listen.

Sorry, too much on my mind to worry about proper grammar at this time

 

[CycloneErik]

Sorry, too much on my mind to worry about proper grammar at this time

You also could have said "shut up, jerkface" and been right on.
It's all good.

 

[cmjh10]

You also could have said "shut up, jerkface" and been right on.
It's all good.

Better?

 

[CycloneErik]

Better?

Painful but fair.

On topic, definitely get everything in writing, and make sure to have someone that represents you instead of "both sides" in a small town. We made that trusting mistake in Nebraska and it took years to sort of recover.

 

[IcSyU]

Farm and Home in Algona has some great agents but also a few who will lie straight to your face just to get a sale.

Landmark Realty (also in Algona) has a much more limited staff but I've had good interactions with most of them.

Both places have agents who grew up in that area and will know the area very well even though it's rural.

 

[cyfreddy]

Very familiar with Buffalo Center as my wife is from there. My in-laws still live there. Not to bad for a small town. Btw, if you move there 107.3 is the radio station that carries Cyclone games!

 

[AuH2O]

We have worked with Farm and Home in Algona when buying and selling homes in and around Algona.

Think about where your kids might go to school too. Titonka kids now go to Algona. Depending on your new job location, you might consider Bancroft also. It is a little farther to Forest City, but only 15 miles to Algona. Blue Earth and Fairmont, Mn aren't that far away either.

The school thing would be a big factor for me in that area. Both Forest City and Algona seem like pretty decent places to live, and are probably the only schools in the area that I would feel sure are going to be there in 10 years.

I think there is still a school in Armstrong but that has to be small and already covering a large region, including Bancroft. Used to play HS baseball games in Bancroft. It had to be the coolest small school field in the state.

 

[cyclonespiker33]

If you are looking for a real estate agent, contact @IowaRealEstate (aka Mark Charter) and ask him for a recommendation. He gets a "finders fee" and can continue to sponsor this website.

 

[BCClone]

Sent you a PM. Am extremely familiar with all the towns you listed.

 

[ClonesFTW]

Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have any questions on the financing aspect.

 

[Mr Janny]

Very familiar with Buffalo Center as my wife is from there. My in-laws still live there. Not to bad for a small town. Btw, if you move there 107.3 is the radio station that carries Cyclone games!

Shoutout for KIOW!

I used to be the drive-time guy there. Great people there.