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Community Moments: Profiles within the Iowa City Metro Area

Liz Erb Firmstone, Realtor®
Serving The Iowa City Metro Area
Connect - 319.541.5292
Finding Your Place...
Is all about the lifestyle you want to live!

Liz ERB FIRMSTONE YOUR LIFESTYLE REALTOR®
Iowa City - Coralville - North Liberty Real Estate


Community Moments...Empowering Voices

Community Moments is my way of introducing and sharing a variety of people, community neighborhoods, and amenities within the metro area, through empowering voices and making a positive difference in our local community by profiling stories which enrich the lifestyle living in the place we call home.

Being a Lifestyle Realtor, especially within the Iowa City Metro area, I meet and engage with a number of incredible people who live adventurous and inspiring lifestyles that very much contribute to uplifting all of our lives and our community in a natural holistic way. Our community consists of many traditional and non-traditional creative professionals, including visual artists, musicians, writers and poets whose contributions attract a great number of people to the Iowa City area to live, work, and play.

These endless talents and interesting stories are chronicled here because empowering people to pursue their passions and realize their dreams brings me great joy...and I hope their stories capture you as deeply as they have me.


We begin with Alexandra Ackerman a local Iowa City artisan...with international appeal! Alexandra Ackerman is an amazing artist who transforms the canvas into incredible works of art with watercolor and acrylic paints that display the vibrancy of the colors and forms that inspire her paintings. I had the unique opportunity to visit with Alex in her studio and learn how and why she produces her wonderful artwork.

Alex's Story: Iowa City Artisan

Copyright © Liz Erb Firmstone Real Estate, LLC

Visit Alex's website: www.alexandra-ackerman.com
Manville Heights is a suburban neighborhood (based on population density) located in Iowa City, Iowa.

Manville Heights real estate is primarily made up of medium sized (three or four bedroom) to small (studio to two bedroom) single-family homes and apartment complexes/high-rise apartments. Many of the residences in the Manville Heights neighborhood are established, having been built between 1909 and 2010.

Manville Heights Neighborhood:
A Community Perspective with Betsy and Melissa ‐ Manville Heights Residents

Copyright © Liz Erb Firmstone Real Estate, LLC


What really matters in a Home Inspection...?

Buying a home can be stressful. A home inspection is supposed to give peace of mind, but it often has the opposite effect.

You will be asked to absorb a lot of information over a short time. This often includes a written report, a checklist, photographs, environmental reports or concerns, and what the inspection finds and says about the inspection. All of this combined with the Seller's Disclosure and what your Realtor and you notice yourselves, can make this experience sometimes overwhelming.

What should you do...? Relax. Inspectors such as Mike are highly trained professionals and are certified in their profession.

Most of your inspection will be related to maintenance recommendations, minor imperfections. These are good to know about, however the issues that really matter will fall into four categories.

    1. Major defects: An example of this would be a structural failure
    2. Things that led to major defects: A small roof flashing leak for example
    3. Things that hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy or insure the home
    4. And, safety hazards: Such as an exposed live buss bar at the electric panel
Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property, especially in categories 2 and 4.

Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of the defects uncovered by the home inspection. However, you need to realize the sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report.

No home is perfect. So keep things in perspective, and do not kill your deal over things that do not matter. It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed on the Seller's Disclosure statement, or nit-picky items.

As a Certified Negotiation Expert, I'll guide you through the home inspection process and a problem-free closing.

Interview with Mike O'Brien
Certified Home Inspector - O'Brien Home Inspections, LLC

Copyright © Liz Erb Firmstone Real Estate, LLC

Visit Mike on: Facebook

Interview with Melissa
Manville Heights


Copyright © Liz Erb Firmstone Real Estate, LLC

Liz Firmstone, Your Lifestyle Realtor
Liz Erb Firmstone, Realtor®
Broker / Owner | Firmstone Real Estate
BS Industrial Engineering | MBA Marketing
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
ABR, SRS, CNE, GRI Graduate

Iowa City Realtor | Liz Firmstone
265 N. Westminster St.
Iowa City, Iowa 52245
Direct: 319.541.5292
Email: liz@lizfirmstone.com





Licensed to sell Real Estate in the State of Iowa
Iowa City Realtors | Liz Firmstone

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Residential Mortgage Network, Inc.
is a lending partner of Firmstone Real Estate®.


Livability

Whether you are looking for recreation, fine dining, cultural events, arts and entertainment or quality schools, health care and healthy living, the communities of Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty offer an abundance of choices for living the lifestyle you desire and in the home you deserve.

Wellness

Wellness and healthy living goes far beyond just exercising and eating right, wellness and healthy living also includes whether residents have access to the amenities that support the lifestyle they want to live.

Availability and access to quality lifestyle amenities are key when looking for the home and community you desire. Each community within the Iowa City Metro area has its own distinct wellness and lifestyle amenities that offer residents and visitors unique features and interests that draw Millennials, Boomers, and the Golden generations to live, work, and play in these charming communities.

It's All About Lifestyle

The lifestyle you want to live is connected to the community you want to live in, and the home you want to buy.

That's why I'm committed to helping you make the right choice in finding your place. ~ Liz