If you have any questions, let me know:

319-331-2320 or jodie@jodiej.com

“This was my first house and Jodie was informative, helpful and took care of all of the details for me. Additionally, my mom was terminally ill, and it was important to me that she was involved with my new home purchase. Jodie assisted us with many pictures and information about potential homes so we could house-hunt from my mom’s kitchen.”
-- Jenn

So you've decided to buy a home... now what?

A home can be one of the most exciting - and overwhelming - purchases you make. But buying a home doesn't have to be a daunting experience. I am here to make the process easy, fun and stress-free. Plus, most of the time my services are free for buyers! I will work with you to:

• Identify what you need and want in your new home.
• Help you preview homes from virtually anywhere using the internet.
• Show you only homes you may be interested in - no wasting time with homes that don't meet your criteria.
• Represent you in negotiations with the seller.
• Make sure that all the details are taken care of before you move in to your new home.

Get started searching at Coldwell Banker
- or -
Contact me today at (319) 331-2320 or jodie@jodiej.com and let me start working for you!

Get started by reading the ten steps of the buying process that every buyer should know:

Step One: Talk to a lender and find out how much you can afford.
A loan specialist at your local bank is the first person to talk to once you've decided to buy a home. He or she is an expert in mortgages and interest rates and will help you understand what you can afford.

First, set the appointment. Then, get prepared by gathering two recent pay stubs, two recent bank statements, tax forms and information on any outstanding loans. Your lender will use that information, along with your credit history, to pre-qualify you for a mortgage that works for you.

To estimate what your monthly payments might be, check out my mortgage calculator.

Step Two: Choose a REALTOR®.
All real estate agents are not the same: REALTORS® are licensed experts and members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. They are committed to honesty and subscribe to a strict code of ethics. For more reasons you should choose a REALTOR®, click here.

So how do you choose a REALTOR®? Start by choosing a reputable real estate company. Nationally known and locally owned, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Professionals is the area's largest real estate company and has been recognized as the best Coldwell Banker office in Iowa four years in a row. J.D. Power & Associates ranks Coldwell Banker highest in repeat homebuyer satisfaction.

I would be honored to represent you. My philosophy is simple: work hard, be honest and have fun. I have the training and expertise to represent you with confidence and can answer any questions you may have. Call me at 319-331-2320 or email jodie@jodiej.com.

Step Three: Identify what you're looking for.
I usually advise people to make two lists: one with the things you absolutely can't live without, and the other with things that would be "nice to have" but are not deal-breakers. I can use these lists to search the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) - a database of hundreds of broker-listed homes. I can show you any home in the MLS, regardless of the real estate company working with the seller.

Step Four: Tour homes.
This is the fun part! We will tour homes that are potentially right for you, based on my knowledge of the local market and understanding of your needs. As your agent, I will share my evaluation of the positive and negative features of the homes we see, including factors that may affect their value and future resale.

Your feedback is crucial in helping to fine-tune the search process.

Step Five: Make an offer.
So, you've found your dream home... but in order to make it a reality you need to make an offer. I will help you write an appropriate offer, taking into account the current market with your best interests in mind.

Then I present the offer to the agent representing the seller, and they either accept it, reject it or make a counter-offer.

Step Six: Go back to the bank.
Once the offer has been accepted, take a signed copy of the purchase agreement back to your loan specialist. He or she will now turn your pre-qualification into a real, approved mortgage.

Step Seven: Set up inspections & insurance.
Whatever inspections that were decided upon in the purchase agreement need to be scheduled. These could include structural, radon and wood-destroying pest inspections.

Then, talk to your insurance company about securing appropriate hazard insurance for your new home.

Step Eight: Call utilities to set up service at your new address.

Step Nine: Final walk-through and closing.
I will lead you through a final walk-through of the property before we close the deal, making sure that everything is as it should be. Then we go to the bank, sign the papers, and hand you the key.

Step Ten: Move in!
Congratulations - you are now a home owner!

Let's get started! Contact me today at (319) 331-2320 or jodie@jodiej.com and let me start working for you!