Hard to believe with our worst winter storm of the season upon us that we’re just weeks away from the peak home buying time of the year in Iowa City. Students and new members of Faculty coming to the UIOWA for the Fall Semester. Med Students and Fellows relocating to Iowa City for their three or four year stint at the UI Hospitals.
They’ll soon be out in numbers looking for a new place to call home. Add to that the renters who are ready to buy a home and need to be out of their apartments either at the end of June or the end of July and you can see why Iowa City will be absolutely hopping come the end of February. Sellers should really have their house listed by March 1st if they want to see some real action. Buyers need to move quickly if they see something they like. Buyers Market or not, the nicest homes in the best locations will be the first to go!
One of the big things on the “wants” list of most folks relocating to Iowa City, whether it’s for the Med School or the University of Iowa, is a home close to Campus or to the UI Hospitals. Of the two, a home close to the UI Hospitals is more “doable” than finding a home close to Campus. The University of Iowa takes up a big part of downtown Iowa City. There aren’t nearly as many homes within walking distance of Campus as there are buyers wanting to buy them. Plus, often times buyers will be looking for newer homes and that’s even more difficult as most of downtown is in an historic area with big, turn of the century homes. Not something your average student is all that thrilled about. (Not to mention they can be a bit pricey considering the historic value).
The UI Hospitals on the other hand is on the other side of the river. Many of the homes on the west side are newer. There are also A LOT of condos close to the UI Hospitals. Some of them within easy walking distance, (and priced accordingly). Some of them with an easy commute by bus.
All kinds of people with all kinds of plans… Whatever your plan is this spring, make sure you have one! Make your needs, wants and wishes list now… It may not be intuitively obvious, but the concept applies to both buyers and sellers. Buyers need to know what’s important to them when they’re looking for a home. Some things they will compromise on, others not. If you’re selling a home in Iowa City you need to know what you expect from the transaction. How motivated are you to move? If you need to move, because you’re relocating out of state then we know you’re motivated. You need to sell. How about if you want to move, because your family is growing out of the starter home you’re in? What are your priorities? You definitely have a needs, wants and wishes list to put together and you should get started on that now!
This extreme weather will pass, probably quicker than we all think. (From someone who is totally done with winter this year, I’m definitely hoping so).
When the time is right, will you be ready to move?
