Cedar Rapids Real Estate Blog

Entering my 3rd year in Real Estate after teaching for 12 years, I've learned one thing.  If you believe in something strong enough, spread that news to as many people as possible.  Then follow through with direct action and the results will follow.  Entering my 3rd year, I've sold my listings for 102.3% of the asking ...

For Immediate Release: Christopher Smith, Realtor with Skogman Realty in Cedar Rapids, Iowa has been inducted into the Master Sales Association with the designation of Master Sales Professional (MSP). The Master Sales Association stresses Relationships, Service & Values. This distinction is earned by the very few committed real estate ...

Okay, you and your significant other have decided to sell your house and move.  You contact a Realtor to pay your home a visit and price it for the market.  Now what?  Most home sellers do not jump up and down with joy when they hear how much the Realtor believes their house is worth.  Why is this?  One reason and one ...

If you are one of thousands preparing your house over the winter months to place on the market in the spring, congratulations!  The market at this point and time is slow and so it's a good time to make necessary repairs and replacements.  When you market your house with a Realtor, you want to make sure that your house is in A+ ...

If I've heard this once, I've heard it a hundred times.  "Christopher, isn't it a bad time to put your house on the market?"  I always say to them, "It depends."  If you're a seller or about to be, you need to know that you will be competing with a much smaller percentage of homes on the ...

Are you looking to buy real estate in Cedar Rapids or surrounding areas in the next few months?  Are you a first time home buyer?  Are you relocating to this area, looking to buy your first home?  If so, I've got great news for you.  It's never been a better time to buy Cedar Rapids real estate.   We all ...

As the year ends for all of us collectively, we as Realtors like to look at the trends that we have experienced over the course of the year as a tool to evaluate trends for the future.  From our collective experiences we have started to see a trend.  Instead of keeping up with the Jones, the new trend is moving down with the ...

Pheasant Trail, Marion  -  Announcing a price reduction on 2710 Spoonbill Drive, a 3,243 sq. ft., 3 bath, 5 bdrm ranch. Now MLS® $299,473 - Upgrades Galore in Marion. Property information Please contact me for more information on this gorgeous Marion ranch! Christopher Smith Skogman ...

Once a year, I like to blog about me.  This is the only time that this blog will be all about me, but I think it's important to know who you are working with, especially when it comes to one of the largest transactions you will ever undertake in your life.  If you want to cut to the chase and miss a great article, you can go to ...

I guess Realtors will say anything right to get you to work with them.  They'll say, "Interest rates are at an all time low, better lock in your rate now and buy that home."   Or, you might hear the opposite; "Interest rates are on the rise." (As you see the Realtor's hand gesture upwards towards the ...