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The Real Estate Store The Real Estate Store is dedicated to providing high-quality real estate services in the IA . Bolinger Organization Inc. Certification Number : MH-339 .

At The Real Estate Store : We provide a confidential environment so your goals can be met on your terms. We offer free and when requested fee-based consultation and evaluation for both buyers and sellers. The Real Estate Store is an independent, woman owned organization of skilled licensed Brokers and Agents who have the goal of bringing together parties interested in making real estate transactions. The Real Estate Store provides services in the areas of residential, farm, recreational and commercial real estate in addition to property management. dba The Real Estate Store, Ruth Bolinger Broker IA Licensed, has a Iowa Manufactured Housing Retailer License pursuant to Iowa Administrative Rules Chapter 661-372.1 (103A) . The Real Estate Store provides property management services through contract for Quiet Harbor Estates LLC a Parkway Communities LLC property. Our goal is to provide professional, friendly, and reliable service to our customers.

Why Builders May Be More Motivated To Sell Than HomeownersPending home sales just dropped 11.3% compared to last year. B...
10/29/2026

Why Builders May Be More Motivated To Sell Than Homeowners

Pending home sales just dropped 11.3% compared to last year. But what if that slowdown could actually help you get a better deal on a brand-new home?
Here's why that matters.

When the market slows, homeowners and builders don't always react the same way.

A homeowner who isn't getting the offers they want can decide to stay put and wait. But builders? They've already invested in houses they need to sell. And every completed home that sits unsold costs them money.

That can make builders more motivated to negotiate. And the numbers prove they're already making moves.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, 65% of builders are offering incentives, and 43% are cutting prices. The typical reduction? 6%.
For buyers, that could mean serious savings. Think lower prices, help with closing costs, or even a better mortgage rate.

And the biggest opportunities may be hiding in brand-new homes that are already built and waiting for buyers.

So, before you rule out new construction, let’s see which builders in our area may be ready to negotiate.



Ruth Bolinger Broker IA Licensed
The Real Estate Store
Creston IA
641-782-4935

The headlines about home sales falling through may sound scary. But here's something sellers should know. Most sales go ...
10/29/2026

The headlines about home sales falling through may sound scary. But here's something sellers should know. Most sales go through just fine. Only roughly 10-15% hit a snag.

And the #1 reason those buyers back out is something you can actually head off before it ever becomes a problem.

By getting a pre-listing inspection, you can avoid surprises and keep your sale moving forward, because you’ll already know what the buyer’s inspection will find and can fix it before you ever list or go in ready to negotiate.

Don't let fear of the what-ifs hold you back. With the right prep and a smart strategy, selling is still possible. I help people do it every day.

Let's talk about how to set your house up for success.

In case you haven’t heard, 27% of homes sold in September were bought with cash, according to NAR. That’s more than 1 in...
10/28/2026

In case you haven’t heard, 27% of homes sold in September were bought with cash, according to NAR. That’s more than 1 in 4.

When you hear a number like that, it’s easy to wonder how that’s even possible nowadays – especially with so many people struggling with affordability.

You might picture wealthy investors with deep pockets…but not all cash buyers are who you'd think.

Some are just regular homeowners who’ve built up enough equity over the years to sell their house and buy their next one in cash.

So sure, affordability is tight. But that doesn't mean buying a home today is only possible for the wealthy or big investors.

If you own a home and you’ve lived there for a while, you may be in a better position to move than you think.

Want to know how much equity you have? Let’s find out what it could do for your next move.



Ruth Bolinger Broker IA Licensed
The Real Estate Store
Creston IA
641-782-4935

10/27/2026

Staging Could Put More Money in Your Pocket

If you’re selling soon, staging can help you draw in buyers and get the most for your house. Mid-level staging can bring a 350% return on what you spend. On a $400k house, the typical $4k cost can add about $18k in value. That could mean about $14k more in your pocket at closing. Working with a smaller budget? Even just decluttering and rearranging furniture can make a big difference. Let’s walk through your house together and pinpoint the updates that’ll help it sell sooner – and for more.



Ruth Bolinger Broker IA Licensed
The Real Estate Store
Creston IA
641-782-4935

We would LOVE to introduce you to this beautiful home! The The Real Estate StoreRuth Bolinger Broker IA Licensed 701 W T...
10/26/2026

We would LOVE to introduce you to this beautiful home!
The The Real Estate Store
Ruth Bolinger Broker IA Licensed
701 W Townline Suite B Creston IA
641-782-4935

Newly built homes now cost less than existing ones in about a third of major markets.And nationally, the gap is pretty b...
10/26/2026

Newly built homes now cost less than existing ones in about a third of major markets.

And nationally, the gap is pretty big. A newly built home typically sells for about $35,000 less than an existing one.

Prices can look very different from one area to the next, though. So, what neighborhoods do you have your eye on? Let’s tour a new home and an existing one, and see how they compare.



Ruth Bolinger Broker IA Licensed
The Real Estate Store
Creston IA
641-782-4935

Here's something most buyers overlook…When the housing market slows down, homeowners and builders don't always have the ...
10/26/2026

Here's something most buyers overlook…

When the housing market slows down, homeowners and builders don't always have the same priorities.

A homeowner may be willing to wait for a better offer. But builders with completed homes sitting unsold often have more reason to keep sales moving.

In October, over 60% of builders offered some type of incentive. And almost half (43%) cut prices.

That could mean more negotiating opportunities for you.

The trick is knowing where to look. Let's find the builders with more move-in-ready homes available right now and see what they're willing to offer to get their inventory sold.



Ruth Bolinger Broker IA Licensed
The Real Estate Store
Creston IA
641-782-4935

To Sell or Rent? How To Choose the Best Path for Your House.Your house isn't selling as quickly as you hoped. So, should...
10/25/2026

To Sell or Rent? How To Choose the Best Path for Your House.

Your house isn't selling as quickly as you hoped. So, should you just rent it out instead? It's a question more homeowners are asking. And the numbers show just how common this backup plan is becoming.

According to Parcl, about 9% of homes currently listed for rent were originally listed for sale.

That's a lot of homeowners becoming landlords when selling didn't go according to plan.

But before you trade your "For Sale" sign for a "For Rent" sign, there's something worth considering.

Being a landlord isn't always the easy passive income opportunity it sounds like.
Landlord insurance typically costs about 25% more than regular homeowners insurance. Property management can eat up around 10% of your rental income.

And that's before unexpected repairs, vacancies, or late-night maintenance calls.
Suddenly, renting might not look quite as simple.

Now, that doesn't mean renting is a bad idea. For some homeowners, it's absolutely the right move.

But if selling is what you really want, don't give up on that plan just yet.
Sometimes, the difference between a house that sits and one that sells comes down to the changing the strategy.

Thinking about renting your house because selling feels harder than expected? Send a message. Let's compare the numbers and figure out which option actually makes the most sense for you.



Ruth Bolinger Broker IA Licensed
The Real Estate Store
Creston IA
641-782-4935

10/24/2026

We highly recommend J & A Flooring LLC to our clients. Quality people with quality product stop in and see their remodeled showroom today.

Address

701 W. Townline, Suite B
Creston, IA
50801

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

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