The Des Moines Register reported today that property tax assessments in Polk county will decrease by an average of 3.1% as the latest assessment notices are sent to property owners. This is not entirely unexpected after the rough housing market of the last couple of years. However, the good news for property owners is that lower property tax [...]

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The Virginia Property Owners Alliance has a great article with tips for homeowners who are unable to make mortgage payments and therefore concerned about foreclosure. Read the article here: http://www.vahomeownersalliance.com/pages/how-work-your-loan-servicer-prevent-foreclosure For Iowa-specific mortgage help resources, please visit http://www.iowamortgagehelp.com/

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The Des Moines Register published a lengthy blog post on its website today providing an overview of bills that have been introduced in the Iowa Legislature this year. According to the Register’s blog post, the following bills specific to property owners are still “alive” and active for debate in the legislature: Tax breaks for businesses [...]

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Note: This article provides explanations and examples of proposed changes to the mortgage interest deduction and their potential impact on the taxes paid by a homeowner. The article was published by the National Association of REALTORS®. Entry into a new political, economic and fiscal world in 2011 has opened the most active debate in recent [...]

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There is approximately 1 month left of the Iowa 2011 legislative session. The associated press reports that thus far the following bills have been signed by Governor Branstad: A supplemental spending bill Two technical measures dealing with corporate regulations A resolution calling for a statute honoring Norman Borlaug A measure legalizing the hunting of mourning [...]

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Iowa’s population grew 4.1% over the last decade, but the growth wasn’t as fast as other areas of the country. This means that Iowa will lose a congressional district and thus the counties assigned to each congressional district must be reallocated. It also means that one of Iowa’s 5 current US Representatives will be out [...]

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 Property owners often have questions about selecting a contractor to perform improvements or maintenance to property. Below are some resources with suggestions for selecting a contractor, agreeing on contract terms, and making payments to the contractor. Finding a contractor or handyman [ or handyperson ] Angie’s list is an online resource that allows consumers to [...]

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The Obama administration recently released three proposals that outline possible solutions to the problems facing the U.S. home mortgage industry. Illustrating one issue in the industry, CNN reports that today government-sponsored entities like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Authority now account for more than 90% of mortgage originations – up from 36% [...]

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As the cost of surveillance cameras has decreased, more property owners and businesses have started using surveillance equipment as a means of property protection. Recently, some controversy has developed in Davenport regarding the use of surveillance equipment, and the rights of individuals and neighboring property owners to not be recorded by cameras. (read the story [...]

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Dave Kansas from SmartMoney.com makes the argument that now may be a good time to invest in real estate. Low prices, low interest rates, and the possibility of higher inflation in the future mean that buyers should take a closer look at real estate. Read the article here: http://www.smartmoney.com/personal-finance/real-estate/-1295050347411/

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