Iowa City Real Estate Blog

Last week was the first full week of classes at the University of Iowa. This is a college town and as anyone will know who lives in a college town, the students bring an atmosphere that you just don't get anywhere else. On the day I took these photos I was lucky enough to be invited to lunch at the Masala, a vegetarian Indian restaurant downtown and thought since I was right there in the thick of things I'd take a walk and soak up the atmosphere. The weather was perfect and I think what struck me most is how green the UI Campus is. Iowa City shows up on green cities lists all the time. Quite clearly the University of Iowa supports and contributes to that. Check out the slide show and you'll see what I mean.

Below is a map showing the venues where the films are being shown. When you click on the camera marker you'll find showing times for Saturday and Sunday.

Rain did not wash all the sand sculptures away on Friday. Resourceful Iowans managed to save their exhibits and the weekend continued without further ado at this year's Sand in the City event. I headed over yesterday afternoon, enjoyed some really excellent singing with the all male capella, Intersection. (I'm Welsh, that makes me a sucker for an all male choir - it's in the genes). Right after that I took some snaps of the wonderful exhibits from the Sand Sculpting Competition. Click here if you'd like to see the full-screen version of this slide show over at Picasa.

Sand in the City is part of the Iowa City Summer of the Arts Program. It kicked off on Friday with the sculpting competition and continues through the weekend with fun events and live music - Topped off with great food on Culinary Row. In case you're thinking of heading down there, it's not at the Ped Mall where you might expect it to be. It's at Iowa Ave, in front of the Old Capitol. (The road is closed down as far as Linn St).

I was there yesterday to check out the sculpting competition. As is typical in Iowa City this year the weather managed to put a dent in proceedings. It was looking good until around 5.00pm and then the rain came in... Check out the slide show. This was just prior to events being "rained off." Today the weather is dull, but the sun is doing its best to shine through. Here's a blog post I wrote yesterday with the schedule and map if you want to head on over and have some fun.

Click here if you'c like to check out the full screen slideshow at Picasa.

OPEN HOUSE 2237 Oakleaf St #3, Coralville IA 52241 - Saturday August 21, 2010 - 1.00pm - 3.00pm

The owners have been busy updating in this townhouse in Coralville. Come visit with me at my open house and check out the new fresh look. Freshly painted entry way and living room with nice neutral colors. Vaulted ceilings in living room, dining room and kitchen. New light fixtures, new ceiling fan AND new carpet in the entryway too. 2 car garage and a nice fenced in common area. With just three homes in the complex this is a very small condo association with low condo fees too at just $65 per month! Directions: 22nd or 23rd Ave to 9th St to Oakleaf St

Located off 9th St it's less than 5 minutes to Coral Ridge Mall in one direction and 2 minutes to the Strip and Lantern Park Plaza in the other direction. (Hyvee, Hobby Lobby, Radio Shack etc. are at Lantern Park Plaza).

Bus stop is just around the corner offering a quick commute to UIOWA and UI Hospitals.

Rents are going up and condos are the best prices we've seen in years. What a great time to think about owning your own home! If you finance through one of our local banks you may qualify for their in-house 100% financing too! (Email me for contact numbers if you would like more info about that).

Click here to view more pictures @ Picasa

Come check this one out Saturday August 21, 2010 - 1.00pm - 3.00pm.

This is what you see if you're hanging out at the Ped Mall in Iowa City... Browsing fine Art and reading books. Two of my favorite pastimes right there! And you can never get enough of kids having fun. An average day in a college town. You've got to love it!

Music in the Park today in Coralville. Where? Morrison Park. When? 6.30pm - 8.00pm. The weather looks like it's going to play ball. We aren't exactly having our best summer ever... Today by way of a change they're forecasting sunshine. All the more reason to enjoy this break in the wet weather, bring along your chairs and hang out at Morrison Park and enjoy some good local music with Jeffrey Morgan and Friends.

Best of all, this event is free, plus there's plenty of free parking too. As it's a Thursday it's Farmer's market day, plus Hyvee will be sure to get those juices flowing with the smell of brats on the grill. You know you can't beat the smell of brats sizzling, don't you?

Made it to the Marriott to take some cool photos of Anime 2010 and got a bit more insight into the world of Anime - Japanese animation. I have a curious mind and it was a lot of fun learning about something that I didn't have the first clue about just two days ago.Turns out these young people are used to being accosted in the street and were happy to pose for photos. They were open and friendly and Mitch and Holly even filled me in on some background info on the Anime Conventions and the costume Holly was wearing. She's the White Mage in the slide show. Of course everyone knows what a Mage is, right? If you're into fantasy you will. I have sons who are into online gaming, so I had no trouble "getting" what Mitch was talking about with the difference between white and black Mages. I think even without my in-house experiences I would have understood. I'm a Brit. We have Camelot and Merlin and Co. Good and bad sorcerers is not exactly a brand new concept!

Talking to these kids, it seems that cosplay gets you hugs galore off-line from fans who identify with their on screen characters. And if you don't know what cosplay is you will just have to read my last post to find out. At any rate I loved the idea of that and totally get why these conventions are such a huge hit. It's an opportunity for fans to bring their virtual world into the real world. How cool is that?

It's Senior Day at Johnson County Fair today if you want to head on over. I was there yesterday for Kids Day on probably the hottest day of the year... Okay, I don't think it was, but it sure felt like it! Most of the animals were exhausted from the heat. The cheeky little goat in the slide show below caught my eye - Apparently didn't want to miss a thing! If you haven't made it over there yet and want to know what's going on just scroll down below the slide show and you'll find the schedule for today and tomorrow. Want to know where it's at? Here are the Directions to Johnson County Fairgrounds.

This is a first for a slide show for me so if it doesn't work for you on your PC, just click on this link and it will take you to Picasa where you can view the photos on their server. Or.... You can head on over to my website ichomesforsale.com where I've posted the photos too...




Wednesday July 28 - Senior Day

• Classic Car Display
• Pickleball Demonstration
• 5.00pm Banned Wagon Group
• 7.00pm Bill Riley Talent Contest
  

Thursday July 29 - Veterans Day

• Chainsaw Display & Auction
• Pie Contest & Auction
• 6.30pm Skid Steer Rodeo
• 7.00pm Extra Credit Project Band
• 9.30pm Fireworks

You'll find more information at the Johnson County Agricultural Association website JohnsonCoFair.com.

OPEN HOUSE 2237 Oakleaf St, #3 Coralville Sunday July 25, 2.00 - 4.00pm

Updates galore in this spacious townhouse in Coralville. Come visit with me at my open house at 2237 Oakleaf St #3 and check out a condo with a difference in a fantastic central location. Vaulted ceilings in living room, dining room and kitchen - Freshly painted this week in a nice neutral color. New light fixtures, new ceiling fan AND new carpet in the entryway too. 2 car garage and a nice fenced in common area. With just three homes in the complex this is a very small condo association with low condo fees too at just $65 per month! Directions: 22nd or 23rd Ave to 9th St to Oakleaf St

Located off 9th St it's less than 5 minutes to Coral Ridge Mall in one direction and 2 minutes to the Strip and Lantern Park Plaza in the other direction. (Hyvee, Hobby Lobby, Radio Shack etc. are at Lantern Park Plaza).

Bus stop is just around the corner offering a quick commute to UIOWA and UI Hospitals.

Rents are going up and condos are the best prices we've seen in years. What a great time to think about owning your own home! If you finance through one of our local banks you may qualify for their in-house 100% financing too! (Email me for contact numbers if you would like more info about that).

Come check this one out Sunday July 25 - I'll be there between 2.00 - 4.00pm.