When you think of Iowa you probably don’t think of Super Bowls, Olympics, or The Masters. The truth is that many great athletes, that are still active in their sport today, came from the state of Iowa and represent us quite well.

Shawn Johnson, Iowa’s Golden Girl, increased her star power by winning ‘Dancing with the Stars’ after returning from the 2008 Beijing Summer Games. Shawn continues to capture the attention of fans around the world.
Casey Blake, a slugger for the Los Angeles Dodgers, grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa. In the 2009 season Blake and the Dodgers won their division but lost to the Philadelphia Phillis in the League Championship Series.
Arizona Cardinals Quarterback, Kurt Warner, won the harts of football fans everywhere in 1999 when the previously unknown player took the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory. In early 2010 Warner retired from the NFL with a solid place in the hall of fame.
Even people that don’t like watching the sport of golf remember where they were the day that Zach Johnson, of Cedar Rapids, marched up the fairway to take down the most famous golfer in history, Tiger Woods. Johnson is known for his humble demeanor and attributes his skill in golf to his faith in Jesus Christ.
Lori “Lolo” Jones was favored at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the 100 meter hurdles. Unfortunately Lolo tripped on a hurdle and was unable to fulfill the fan expectations of gold. Lolo has been very philanthropic in the Des Moines area including donating to her former high school, Roosevelt, and making special appearances at the Drake Relays.
Dallas Clark, a former non-scholarship walk-on tight end for the Iowa Hawkeyes has gone on to one of the most successful careers for a tight end in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts. Already a Super Bowl and Pro Bowl regular, Clark reminds non-scholarship athletes everywhere that hard work will lead to success.
These, and many other professional athletes from this state, continue to paint Iowans in a great light. With their high quality of character and positive attitude they are sure to be role models for years to come.
@dsmhomes

If you are a first time buyer or someone that has bought more houses than Donald Trump there are 3 questions that every home buyer needs to ask before buying a house.
1. How is the neighborhood?
Purchasing a house is a lot like getting married. Not only do you get a wife or husband, but you get the family that goes along with it. When you buy your house, you are pretty much stuck with the neighbors and the neighborhood. Take time to do a bit of research to find out what the neighborhood is like. Are there other children in the neighborhood for your kids? Is it near your usual conveniences? Is there a history of crime? Go to the neighborhood some evening while it is still light and go for a walk. You will be surprised about what a 30 minute walk will reveal.
Aside from asking the neighbors some questions (which is a great way to meet the neighbors) there are a few online tools you can use to do research. Google Maps can show you what businesses are in the area and www.SpotCrime.com can help you understand the crime trends:

2. Are there other “costs” associated with buying this home?
Nobody likes surprises when it comes to home buying. Association dues, tax assessments, limits to association members, high utilities, rural utilities, etc. can surprise a new homeowner. Ask your REALTOR© if they are aware of any of these things. Ask the neighbors about their associations, any current problems, and any potential raise in dues. Call the utility company and get an average utility cost to help you understand what your budget for utilities might be.
3. Has there been any significant damage to the home?
Although water and fire can be cleaned from a home they can often leave lasting effects that might not become apparent for some time. Water damage from a flood or fire hose can result in mold growing in walls and under carpet. Mold remediation can be quite expensive and time consuming. Smoke damage can discolor walls, causing peeling of paint and wallpaper, and can leave lasting smells in the house.
Final Thoughts
Purchasing a home is one of the biggest decisions a person can make. Taking the extra time to do a bit of research can make this process a lot more rewarding when you end up purchasing a great home in a great neighborhood!

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RAGBRAI, one of the most celebrated yearly events in Iowa, announced the route for their 2010 bike trek across Iowa. Every year this week-long event brings cyclists from around the United states to Iowa to celebrate the country roads, corn, and comradery. This year’s event starts off in Sioux City and takes a northern path across the state that includes stops at Storm Lake, Clear Lake and Waterloo before finishing up in Dubuque. The 442 mile route may seem like a long one but it’s actually one of the shortest and flattest routes in the 37 year history of RAGBRAI. Despite the lack of character in the route there will undoubtedly be no shortage of characters participating in this unbelievable event. Still not sold on RAGBRAI? Hear about it below from someone that knows a little bit about cycling and has made several trips to Iowa for the annual event.

@dsmhomes