Iowa City Housing Market is Strong

By Mark Geary, Reporter

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By Mark Geary

Story Created: Jun 3, 2007 at 8:43 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 3, 2007 at 9:13 PM CST

IOWA CITY -- Turn on just about any news show or read any newspaper and you're bound to see or hear something negative about the housing market.

While the rest of the country waits for the housing slump to end, some Iowa City Realtors are working seven days a week to meet customer's demands.

At the annual Parade of Homes, some are looking to buy...others are looking for something else.

"This gives you some impressions as to what to do with your current house to put it on the market so that you can buy a new place," Bob Nelson said.

He and his wife are looking at everything from door knobs to light fixtures.

"One of these homes has cherry cabinets, so I wanted to look at that. We have cherry. So, it's kind of comparing what they have in these," Sue Nelson said.

The parade also gives people to see some of the latest trends -- like rounded wall corners -- so the paint won't chip as easily.

Realtors say Iowa City's market remains strong because interest rates are low.

Plus, the University of Iowa is nearby.

Some houses still have trouble selling, though...and that could be for a simple reason.

"If you have the idea -- well, let's price it high, we can always come down...that's not going to work in this market. We have very sophisticated buyers who generally know what the value of a house is," realtor Kay Braverman said.

Whether you're looking to buy or sell, Braverman says the best advice she can offer is to make sure you trust your realtor.

Nationwide, most people move every seven years. But, in Iowa City, the rate drops to about every five years.

Realtors say that's another reason why the market is stronger there.

Next Article Field of Dream Project Advances to Full Iowa Senate

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