Iowa REALTORS® Blog

Four years ago, members of the East Central Iowa Association of REALTORS® Community Involvement Committee set out to create a summer volunteer activity, and they had backpacks on their mind. After connecting with Dubuque and Western Dubuque School Districts, they learned of the St. Mark Youth Enrichment Apples for Students program. The rest, as they say, is history. 

In a world of YouTube tutorials, DIY home projects, and endless real estate apps, it might be tempting to sell your home without a professional. After all, how hard can it be to list a property and find a buyer?

With real estate apps at your fingertips and listings just a click away, it might seem like you can buy a home on your own. After all, how hard can it be to tour a few places and make an offer?

Have you ever received a call to help sell a property that just didn’t seem right? Perhaps the seller claimed they needed to quickly sell a property they inherited from their family, that they can only communicate via email and text and they want to list below market value for a quick sale? 

The Home Inspection Accountability Act (SF460) passed both the Iowa House and Senate on a unanimous bipartisan basis and was signed into law by Governor Reynolds. This legislation establishes comprehensive regulations for home inspections codifying qualifications for home inspectors, standards for inspection reports, and penalties for non-compliance, and is effective July 1, 2025.

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:

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. 

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.