Iowa property owners are estimated to receive approximately $40 million from a large mortgage settlement involving 5 banks and negotiated by 49 states attorneys and the federal government. Specifically, Iowa’s share of this settlement breaks down like this: Iowa borrowers will receive an estimated $5,899,449 in benefits from loan term changes Iowa borrowers who lost their home [...]

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Iowa legislators stick to a schedule in order to help give new legislation a fair shot at being heard while making sure that ideas that aren’t well-supported don’t live on forever.  This schedule is important because bills that don’t make it through the “funnel” are most likely dead for the legislative session. The following are key dates [...]

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Today (January 9) marks the start of the 2012 Iowa Legislative Session. As we have reported previously, property tax reform promises to be one of several key issues discussed during this year’s session. Governor Branstad has publicly stated his intention to make property tax reform a key piece of legislation this year, and the governor’s [...]

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The U.S. House and Senate have been at odds recently on whether a payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits should be extended and how to best pay for the associated costs. So how does this impact housing and property ownership? The Senate has devised a bill that extends the payroll tax cut and some unemployment [...]

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CLIVE, IOWA (Dec. 15, 2011) – According to the Iowa Association of Realtors® (IAR), Iowa home sales were up again in November, marking it the fourth month in a row with an increase in number of sales. IAR’s 2011 November Housing Trends Report indicates the number of home sales in November increased by 12.2 percent, [...]

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The 2012 legislative session is just a few weeks away, but already proposals on how to best modify Iowa’s current property tax structure are starting to take shape. The focus has been on providing commericial property tax relief, which legislators say will make Iowa a more attractive place to do business, thereby helping businesses to add [...]

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Good news! A recent study cited by Forbes Magazine says that 14% of employers in the Des Moines, Iowa area expect to add jobs in 2012. This places Des Moines third nationally among metro areas in terms of employers that plan to add jobs in 2012. Read the full article here http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2011/12/13/where-the-jobs-will-and-wont-be-in-2012/

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Down payment assistance of up to $3,500 is now available for a limited time to eligible home buyers who purchase their homes using the Iowa Finance Authority’s FirstHome and FirstHome Plus program through the end of the year, an increase of $1,000 above the normal amount of $2,500. The Iowa Finance Authority is a self-supporting [...]

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Check Windows and Doors for Air Leaks The U.S. Department of energy provides the following steps to check your home for air leakage: Turn off your furnace on a cool, very windy day Shut all windows and doors Turn on all exhaust fans that blow air outside, such as bathroom or stove vents Light an [...]

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As you may know, the debate continues over the mortgage interest deduction (MID). Some legislators want to eliminate the MID in efforts to reduce the deficit. However, many others believe the MID is vital to the stability of the American housing market and economy. The ability to deduct the interest paid on a mortgage can [...]

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