Topic of the Month: Reasons to Live In Ames

All month long we have been sharing a few of the highlights from our Monthly Topic series on why Ames is one of the best places to live in America.  Now that we have bragged on our fair city for a whole month, we'll let the city take over.  Take a look at all of the awards that the City of Ames has won!  It is no wonder why so many people have chosen to make Ames their home.  Are you the next new resident of Ames?

Want to know more about Ames?  We're "THE" experts on Ames real estate.  We can find the right buyer for your home, or find the perfect home for you to buy.  Give us a call or check out our website!  We would be more than happy to lend you a hand.

-The Steve Bock Team

Tip of the Week: Residence Replacement Rule

Question: We plan to sell our home next month.  This will be our 2^nd sale in 3 years.  We deferred paying capital gains tax on the 1^st one because we bought a more expensive home.  Can we do the same thing again?

Answer:  You can use the residence replacement rule to defer your profit tax as many times as you wish.  To qualify, both the old and replacement home must be your principal residences.  You must occupy the replacement home within two years before or after selling your old home, and the replacement home must equal or exceed the old home’s sales price.  Home ownership continues to be a great tax shelter.

Let us know your questions so that we can include them in future Weekly Updates:  team@bockrealestate.com

Topic of the Month: Reasons to Live In Ames

The rest of the country is quickly learning what we have known all-along… Ames is a great place to live.  Check out the following article from CNN Money that highlights some of the best parts of Ames.

CNN Money 10 Best Places to Retire "Extremely affordable housing and low crime complete the package. Life here is quiet and calm, just the way you might like it."

This article can be found HERE

Want to know more about Ames? We're "THE" experts on Ames real estate. We can find the right buyer for your home, or find the perfect home for you to buy. Give us a call or check out our website!  We would be more than happy to lend you a hand.

-The Steve Bock Team

Tip of the Week: Home Buying Psychology

Question: Just how important a factor is overpricing when selling a home?

Answer: Buyers buy homes by comparison.  The average buyer is no slouch.  He’ll shop a particular neighborhood and home type.  He’ll rarely buy the first one he visits.  It’s too big of an investment to be nonchalant.  He will then compare prices against comparative value.  He’ll quickly throw out any obviously overpriced homes.  If the buyer really likes an overpriced home, he may make an offer at a lower price – closer to its true value.  Historically, the buyer probably will make his offer for one that is properly valued.  Overpricing will hurt a sale.

Let us know your questions so that we can include them in future Weekly Updates:  team@bockrealestate.com

Topic of the Month: Reasons to Live In Ames

The rest of the country is quickly learning what we have known all-along… Ames is a great place to live.  Check out the following article from Mother Earth News that highlights some of the best parts of Ames.

Mother Earth News 9 Great Places You've Never Heard Of: Ames Iowa "Mayor Ann Campbell, a 40-year resident of Ames, Iowa, is committed to making her hometown greener and healthier ... she’s worked with the city council to purchase a fleet of hybrid vehicles, construct public buildings to LEED standards (a green building ranking system) and maintain the CyRide bus system, which provides public transportation for both city residents and Iowa State University students..."

This article can be found HERE

Want to know more about Ames? We're "THE" experts on Ames real estate. We can find the right buyer for your home, or find the perfect home for you to buy. Give us a call or check out our website!  We would be more than happy to lend you a hand.

-The Steve Bock Team

Tip of the Week: House Value vs. Lot Value

Question: What is the proper relationship between the cost of a lot and the value of the house on it?

Answer:  Old rules of thumb have lost much of their meaning.  It used to be that land represented about one-sixth of the home’s purchase price.  Then it moved up to one-fourth.  And it will change again as the cost of land continues to rise or fall.  Nevertheless, the land value versus house value ratio cannot be totally dismissed because it does, to some extent, affect the resale of the property.  It may not make much difference if you put an inexpensive house on an expensive lot, but it could be a mistake to have too much house for the land.

Let us know your questions so that we can include them in future Weekly Updates:  team@bockrealestate.com

Topic of the Month: Reasons to Live In Ames

The rest of the country is quickly learning what we have known all-along… Ames is a great place to live.  Check out the following article from CNN Money that highlights some of the best parts of Ames.

CNN Money Best Places to Live "The perks of living here are palpable ... "

This article can be found HERE

Want to know more about Ames? We're "THE" experts on Ames real estate. We can find the right buyer for your home, or find the perfect home for you to buy. Give us a call or check out our website!  We would be more than happy to lend you a hand.

-The Steve Bock Team

Topic of the Month: Reasons to Live In Ames

The rest of the country is quickly learning what we have known all-along… Ames is a great place to live.  Check out the following article from Business Week that highlights some of the best parts of Ames.

Business Week Best Place to Raise Your Kids: 2010 "… about 35 miles north of Des Moines, is home to Iowa State University and its Cyclones sports teams. It has 33 woodland parks, 55 miles of bike paths, five golf courses, and good schools.”

This article can be found HERE

Want to know more about Ames? We're "THE" experts on Ames real estate. We can find the right buyer for your home, or find the perfect home for you to buy. Give us a call or check out our website!  We would be more than happy to lend you a hand.

-The Steve Bock Team

Tip of the Week: Bridge Loan to the Rescue

Question: I have just found a buyer for my home, but he cannot close the purchase for three months.  The replacement home I am buying has a closing date in only one month.  In other words, there is a two month lag between the time I need the cash to purchase the replacement house and the time I will get the cash from the sale of my present home.   Where do I go from here?

Answer: An experienced Realtor can often arrange interim financing, or what is known as a “bridge loan”, for you.  The money is advanced by your bank on a short term basis with interest computed daily.  Your equity in your present home is the loan security.

Let us know your questions so that we can include them in future Weekly Updates:  team@bockrealestate.com

Topic of the Month: Reasons to Live In Ames

The rest of the country is quickly learning what we have known all-along… Ames is a great place to live.  Check out the following article from AARP that highlights some of the best parts of Ames.

AARP Best Places To Live The Simple Life "... With its thrice-weekly farmers' markets, paddling options on the Skunk River, and 55 miles of city-maintained trails for avid bikers, runners, and walkers, Ames is a place for people who like wide-open spaces."

This article can be found HERE

Want to know more about Ames? We're "THE" experts on Ames real estate. We can find the right buyer for your home, or find the perfect home for you to buy. Give us a call or check out our website!  We would be more than happy to lend you a hand.

-The Steve Bock Team