(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Association of Realtors, today (Thursday), said the Iowa housing market showed typical signs of a dwindling summer as Iowans settled into their homes for the beginning of the new school year. Anticipated drops in interest rates, coupled with increased inventory outweigh slight dips in metrics tracked by Iowa REALTORS® in August.  IAR President Shaner Magalhães says “As we transition into fall, the Iowa housing market is poised for positive developments. With an increase in inventory and anticipated interest rate drops, both buyers and sellers are in a strong position to capitalize on new opportunities. It’s a time for collaboration—buyers can negotiate better terms, while sellers may see a surge in interested buyers. Now is the moment to engage with your REALTOR® to explore the possibilities.”

Inventory of homes for sale continued to increase in August, allowing buyers a more robust market to investigate with their REALTORS®. Overall inventory jumped 23.2% in August with 8,240 homes on the market compared to the 6,686 homes listed at the same time last year. Monthly, the jump was 6.7% from the 7,721 homes listed on the market in July.
New listings also saw a slight climb in August as 4,088 homes joined the market, an increase of 4.6% from the 3,910 that were added in July. The increase was similar month-to-month, jumping 4.8% from July’s 3,893 new listings.  Home sales saw a 6.5% decline with 3,169 homes sold in August compared to the 3,391 homes sold one year ago. Home sales also decreased monthly by 0.7% compared to the 3,191 homes sold in July.

Pending sales continued a downward trend, dropping 6.9% in August with 2,841 pending sales versus the 3,050 pending sales of August 2023. The sales were just slightly lower monthly coming in at a 0.6% drop from the prior month. Days on the market jumped 17.6% to 40 days compared to the 34 days home averaged last year. The median sales price jumped 5.5% to $286,714 compared to the $230,000 from last year. According to Iowa Realtors statewide housing analyst Les Sulgrobe, “August statistics highlight a shifting landscape in the Iowa housing market, with an increase in inventory providing buyers with more choices than in previous years. While home sales have seen a slight decline, the median sales price has risen, indicating continued demand. This environment presents unique opportunities for all individuals entering the market.”

Townhouses and Condos
Overall inventory remained the bright spot for the townhouse and condo market in August. Inventory jumped 18.7% with 1,516 units on the market compared to the 1,277 of one year ago. Monthly, inventory decreased just slightly by 1.4% compared to the number of units on the market in July. The number of townhomes and condos joining the market in August dropped 6.3% with 519 homes listed compared to the 554 of last year. Monthly new listings remained flat.  Closed sales once again decreased, this time by 9.3% with 447 units sold compared to the 493 sold the prior year. Just ten fewer homes were sold in August compared to July.

Pending sales dropped 5.5% in August with 395 home sales pending, compared to the 418 of last year. Compared to July, pending sales dropped 2.5%.  Days on the market increased exponentially in August – 50% – to 72 days on the market compared to 48 days one year ago. Median sales price remained flat at $250,000. 5.5% to 58 days compared to the 55 recorded last year. Median sales prices stayed flat at $245,000 compared to last year.

The information used to create the IAR August Housing Trends Report was current as of Sept. 18.The information is subject to change due to the dynamic nature of the IAR’s housing statistics system, which is based on data from the local participating MLS (multiple listing service) systems.

(Anita, Iowa) – Nishna Valley Trails, Cass County Conservation, and Healthy Cass County’s “Tour de Lake Anita” free, community group bicycle ride is set to take place 2-p.m. October 6, 2024, beginning at the Lake Anita Shelter number 5. Freewill donations will be collected for the Cass County Coalition on Mental Wellness.

Tour de Lake Anita is a guided, leisurely five-mile group ride around Lake Anita that will make stops along the trail where various community groups and organizations will greet riders and provide information on activities and organizations involved in the Anita community. Participating organizations include Anita Sesquicentennial, Anita Health and Wellness Center, Friends of Lake Anita, Anita Town & Country, and Iowa Bluebird Conservationists.

The ride will start and end at Lake Anita State Park shelter 5 (55111 750th St. Anita IA 50020). When cyclists finish their ride, singer Sarah Selders will be performing and the Nishna Valley Trails will be sponsoring a free-will donation snack bar for participants; all donations will go to the Cass County Coalition for Mental Wellness.

Tour de Lake Anita participants can expect to ride on hard-surfaced trails and roads around Lake Anita. The route will be guided by Dave Chase, Bruce Henderson, and Jon Jordan. ‘Tour de Lake Anita’ is a play on the name of the famous bike race, the Tour de France, but unlike the famous event, this bike ride is not a race. Registration for the event is preferred by September 29 to ensure that participating organizations bring enough supplies and food. Cyclists can register with Grace McAfee by calling 712-250-8170 or emailing mcage@casshealth.org. Registration for this event is preferred by September 29 to ensure that participating organizations bring enough supplies and food.

Nishna Valley Trails is a tax-exempt local nonprofit that promotes the development of recreational trails and cycling. People who support these causes are welcome to join the group. For more information on Nishna Valley Trails or to join the organization, contact President Dave Chase at 712-249-3059.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s unemployment rate went up for the first time in four months in August — moving from two-point-eight to two-point-nine percent. Workforce Development director Beth Townsend says the state is doing well despite several manufacturing lay-offs. “Even though we saw a slight uptick in unemployment…we’re 20-thousand jobs over where we were this time last year,” She says. “So we’ve got more people working. We have fewer unemployed, and we have more jobs than we did the same time last year.” Townsend says concerns about the national economy are part of the issue with manufacturing layoffs.

“I think that’s what’s giving employers pause right now. So it’s hard to say if, if we did see an increase in September, whether that’s related to the layoffs, or whether that’s just uncertainty and anxiety in the in the economy for now,” Townsend says. “You know maybe some of this will get resolved after the election, because, of course, that’s another X Factor, right?” Townsend says those who get laid off still have many options. “I mean, we still have over 54-thousand open jobs on iowaworks.gov, ” she says.

Townsend says Iowa’s economy continues to weather the problems at the national level.”The number of unemployed individuals, while it’s up from July, is actually down 45-hundred from where it was this time last year. So we actually have fewer unemployed than we did a year ago, when we didn’t have all those layoffs,” she says. The state’s labor force participation rate fell one tenth of a percent to 66-point-three, which Townsend says was driven by retirements.

(Adair/Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center Community School District Boards of Education held separate meetings Monday and Wednesday, this week. Shared District Superintendent Josh Rasmussen said his report to both boards encompassed how the school year started-off, and efforts to ensure students and staff are safe, in light of past and recent events.

He also updated the Board on HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), as well as construction projects.

There were some personnel matters for both board to approve.

The Guthrie Center Board approved an out-of-state trip for their FFA students to travel to attend the National FFA Convention from Oct. 22^nd through the 26^th in Indianapolis, IN. This is Homecoming Week for the AC/GC Chargers. Superintendent Rasmussen says there are a lot of things going on.

The Homecoming Parade starts at 2:15-p.m., Friday. It begins at the grocery store and ends at the football field with a Pep Rally.The Booster Club has a tailgate party at 4-p.m. Friday, with free hamburgers, inflatable bounce house type games, and more.

(Radio Iowa) – The latest Iowa Drought Monitor shows moderate drought conditions have returned to about four and a half percent of the state, with the rest of Iowa rated as abnormally dry. Just over half of Fremont County in southwest Iowa is considered to be in moderate drought, along with five counties in the northeast corner of the state. All of Clayton County and most of Fayette County is in moderate drought, along with the northern tip of Dubuque County and southern areas of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties.

Through Wednesday, rainfall in Iowa was about four percent of what’s normal for September. If the dry weather persists, this month would rank as the second driest September in Iowa since weather records have been kept.

The Iowa Drought Monitor is released weekly, on Thursdays, using weather data collected through 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. Already today (Thursday), rain HAS fallen in areas of Iowa mainly north of Interstate 80. Forecasters say a line of storms stretching from Minnesota, through Iowa and down to Missouri will develop tonight (Thursday) that could be capable of producing large hail. There is the potential for isolated tornadoes as well.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) has approved electric and gas rate increases for Alliant Energy. Under an approved settlement, Alliant can increase its annual electric rate revenue to $185 million and a return on equity reduction from 10.0% to 9.65%. This will increase the average residential monthly charge for electric customers from $13 to $15.50. The IUC also okayed Alliant to increase its annual gas rate revenue to $10 million.

The IUC ordered Alliant to file compliance filings and associated tariffs within 30 days of today’s order based on the decision and documents in this rate case proceeding. Rate changes for customers will take effect upon the IUC’s review and approval of the compliance tariffs. Under Iowa law, because Alliant used a future test year to determine rates, the IUC will conduct a subsequent proceeding to determine whether the actual costs and revenues are reasonably consistent with those approved by the IUC. This will occur approximately 15 months after the new customer rates become effective.

As part of the proceedings in this rate case, the IUC received hundreds of written public comments and held three in-person public consumer comment meetings throughout Alliant’s Iowa service territory and one virtual comment meeting.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department reports there were nine arrests that took place between Sept. 9th and the 17th. Each of the following individuals were taken into custody and booked-into the Cass County Jail:

• 50-year-old Keith Zarbano, of Atlantic, was arrested Tuesday (Sept. 17) on a Cass County warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. Zarbano was also charged with Burglary in the 2nd Degree.
• On the 16th (Monday), Atlantic Police arrested 44-year-old Kevin Viether, of Atlantic, for Driving While License Denied or Revoked.
• There were 2 arrests in Atlantic last Saturday:
  • 28-year-old G Love Kovac, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication & Disorderly Conduct.
  • 22-year-old Dalton Clark, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication.
• On the 13th, 46-year-old James Fulk, of Hamlin, was arrested in Atlantic on a Cass County warrant for Theft in the 3rd Degree.
• Atlantic Police arrested 39-year-old Akue Deng, of Omaha, on Sept. 12th, for OWI/2nd offense.
• On the 11th:
  • 22-year-old Chase Paul, of Atlantic,was arrested for Public Intoxication & Disorderly Conduct.
  • 25-year-old Sonjay Paul, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct and Providing False Identification Information.
• And, on Sept. 9th, 20-year-old Masen Jordan, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Violation of Probation.

None of the persons mentioned above were listed as jail inmates, as of Sept. 16th, meaning they were released pending court appearances. Atlantic Police report also, 37-year-old Aaron Macias, of Atlantic, was cited into court Sept. 14th, for Theft in the 5th Degree (shoplifting). Macias was released from the scene after receiving the citation.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports two people were arrested on separate warrants, Wednesday:

• 47-year-old Brian Averill Gutmann, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center, on an outside agency warrant. Gutmann was charged with six-counts of Prohibited Acts/Schedule 4 or 5 Controlled Substance, two-counts  of Insurance Fraud/Presenting False Information, and Tampering with Records. Gutmann was taken to Union County Jail and released after posting a $72,000 cash or surety bond.
• 49-year-old Carrie Ann Johns, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday at the Creston Walmart Store, on a charge of Theft in the 5th Degree. Johns was also arrested on two Union County warrants for a Controlled Substance Violation/Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance Violation, and, Possession of Controlled Substance/2nd Offense. Johns was taken to Adams County Jail, where her bond was set at $29,300.

Creston Police arrested 42-year-old Scott W. Lemon, of Creston, Wednesday evening. Lemon was charged with Forgery and Theft 5th Degree. He was later released after posting a $5,300 bond.

(Ames, Iowa) – Despite delays and other challenges faced by universities and students this past FAFSA cycle, state university officials said during an Iowa Board of Regents meeting Wednesday, in Ames, they share some optimism for the new cycle set to begin this winter. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports admissions leaders from the state’s public universities presented to the board of regents about the impacts of the last FAFSA cycle on enrollment numbers and demographics for this fall and expressed their hope for the next go-around, even with another scheduled delay.

University of Northern Iowa Director of Admissions Terri Crumley said that while universities saw the biggest change in the FAFSA form itself being delayed from October to December, the greatest impacts of a FAFSA cycle plagued with stops and glitches was the fact that they didn’t start receiving financial aid reports until mid-March. The delay, as well as further issues with the data universities were receiving, caused financial aid awards to be pushed back until April, which Crumley said created challenges for both families and financial aid staff at colleges. UNI serves a higher percentage of low-income and first-generation students than its peers, she said, and not being able to work with them consistently on figuring out financial aid was difficult.

The University of Iowa saw a record number of applications this spring, Assistant Provost and Executive Director of Admissions Kirk Kluver said, and a few thousand students had already accepted their offers, but staff had no way of knowing how enrollment would turn out once financial aid offers went out. Financial aid records began to trickle in on March 12, and just over a month later, the university started sending out offers. Kluver said the UI ended up with enrollment numbers right around its target, at just over 5,200 first-year students and more than 1,000 transfer students. While first-year student applications at the UI were up 8.1%, the number of those applicants who also filled out the FAFSA had decreased by 8.3% from last year, Kluver said.

Nationally, the number of high school seniors who filled out the FAFSA is down 9%, according to the National College Attainment Network. Of the enrolled first-year class, FAFSA filings dropped from 87% to 86% while Pell Grant recipients increased by almost 2% to 19.3%, which Kluver said he’s heard has been common across the U.S. Other areas of concern included the share of first-generation students, which remained steady at around 20%, and first- to second-year retention rates, which Kluver said hit 90%.

Iowa State University Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of Admissions Katharine Suski said during the presentation that the delays with the financial data looked to have a larger impact on nonresident students, both out-of-state and international, than on Iowa students. Nonresident students waited longer to make their enrollment decisions after financial aid offers were released, Suski said, which in turn delayed enrollment and budget management, housing coordination and orientation attendance, among others. However, ISU saw acceptances and enrollment from resident students throughout the FAFSA cycle.

Some students are still having issues even after getting their FAFSA submitted, Kluver said. The UI has found about 200 students who haven’t had their financial aid disbursed despite getting the form filed and accepting awards. The university has waived any late fees and is working with the impacted students to figure out their aid. Financial aid teams at the universities are still looking into impacts from other changes to the FAFSA, such as changes to applicants coming from families with farms or businesses, or who have multiple students in college at the same time. Kluver said the UI saw several students come in and try to find solutions to the possibility of their aid being reduced as a result of these shifts.

Next year’s FAFSA will be released fully to the public on Dec. 1 after a phased rollout to certain groups starting in October. In past years, the form has become available to all students in October, but Kluver said those in higher education are feeling confident about the timeline.

Kluver and others at Iowa’s universities are “eagerly awaiting to see if things go as planned on Dec. 1,” he said, and are hoping for a positive outcome of receiving financial aid records by mid-December.

“Looking ahead, however, we are optimistic, as we always are in admissions,” Crumley said.

(Radio Iowa) – Members of the Des Moines-founded heavy metal band Slipknot will make appearances at two central Iowa stores this week to meet fans and promote their new Iowa whiskey. Cory Meiners, spokesman for Fareway Stores, isn’t sure how many members of the band will be at today’s (Thursday) event at the Pleasant Hill grocery store, but he’s expecting at least a thousand Slipknot fans, known as Maggots.

The band will sell two types of Slipknot-branded whiskey, a regular bottle for around 35-dollars and a “reserve” version at 70-dollars, though no purchase is necessary meet the band and snap a photo. Slipknot is hosting a similar event at the Hy-Vee Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits in West Des Moines on Friday.

The band’s Iowa Knotfest 2024, a day-long concert featuring multiple acts, is Saturday at Water Works Park in Des Moines.