Iowa REALTORS® Blog

As REALTORS® living and working in a community built around beautiful lakes, the Iowa Great Lakes Board of REALTORS® leadership team and members know firsthand how important water activities are to families in the area, and safety is always at the forefront of their minds. 

Iowa REALTORS® is reflecting on a positive 2025 Iowa legislative session where we achieved several bipartisan policy wins with an emphasis on increasing housing supply and consumer protection measures. These legislative wins would not have been possible without our members from across the state advocating for the passage of these bills. 

While the latest housing stats report from Iowa REALTORS® shows a welcome increase in housing inventory across the state, Iowa, like most of the country, continues to face housing inventory challenges. 

Iowa REALTORS® strives to ensure REALTORS® and their clients experience a clear, transparent real estate transaction. This year, that meant working with our elected officials to introduce and pass legislation that will improve the home inspection process during the home buying process. 

Four times a year, Honor Flight of the Quad Cities provides veterans with the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring their sacrifices. 

Real estate in Iowa and nationwide has seen an evolution in recent years, leading to passage of new laws and policies to address the changing real estate landscape. This has also necessitated updates to  Iowa administrative rules (193E) to ensure they are in compliance with enacted legislation. Below is a summary of the latest Iowa Real Estate Commission rule changes, effective in June 2025:

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a timely reminder for REALTORS® to pause and reflect on their well-being. While real estate can be a deeply rewarding career, it also comes with unique stressors—from unpredictable markets and demanding client needs to financial pressures and ever-changing interest rates. Even if you love what you do, it’s okay to admit: this job can be stressful.

April is recognized as Fair Housing Month; a time when REALTORS® work together to raise awareness of unfair and unjust practices that may prevent individuals from achieving the dream of homeownership.

Even though the month is coming to a close, we know that our work is not complete.

Each day, REALTORS® across the country - and in Iowa - work to ensure that homeownership is accessible to every American. But April holds a special place in the hearts of all REALTORS®.  Known nationally as Fair Housing Month, REALTORS® spend April reaffirming  their commitment to expanding homeownership opportunities through community activism, education and other avenues.

Iowa REALTORS® is dedicated to providing members with up-to-date, accurate information on the tools you need to be successful in your business. 

Iowa REALTORS® is excited to welcome Ella Mapes to the team as our new Administrative Services Specialist!

Joan Ballantyne, a long-serving and respected Iowa REALTORS® leader, died on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the age of 93. 

Iowa REALTORS® is excited to welcome Alex Wishard as our new Marketing Project Coordinator!

We close 2024 as a more technologically interconnected society than ever before. Every day we access instant communication tools capable of gathering almost any piece of information necessary to support our businesses, allowing us to reach out to our friends and family, or supporting our social media doomscrolling habits. 

Kristin Polley, Broker of the CENTURY 21 Signature Real Estate Marshalltown office, as well as, Polley Real Estate Team, has been named as REALTOR® of the Year by Iowa REALTORS®, the state Association of real estate professionals.