Saturday, May 29, 2010

We want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend; Congratulations to area youth graduating from local High Schools

May 29Th through May 31St, 2010 ...


It's appears that the weather is going to make for a great Memorial Day weekend and graduation weekend for of us here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA!

Congratulations to our area youth graduating from local high schools this weekend. We will be attending the graduation ceremonies for George Washington High School, this weekend.



Other local high schools are conducting graduations as well. We want to wish everyone in the Class of 2010 congratulations and best wishes in the coming years ...

Cultural events going on around The Corridor today!

For information on houses for rent through Tommy Tucker Realty Co., please call 319.365.6956 and visit extension 106. Leave a message or E-mail us, if you have further questions. Our formal office hours are typically, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm, or by appointment.

Our offices will be closed Monday, May 31St in observance of Memorial Day.

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. Thank you for visiting Tommy Tucker Realty Co. and we invite you back soon. We look forward to hopefully visiting with you in June 2010!

Friday, May 28, 2010

What you should know about Iowa: "Iowa's property-tax system has many bizare features"


Joe Kelly from the Landlords of Iowa group sent this article from the Des Moines Register.

The Register’s editorial • May 22, 2010

Iowa’s property-tax system has many bizarre features. For example:

It’s possible for three nearly identical buildings on the same street to have three different legal descriptions: One may be defined as an “apartment” building, one as a “condominium” and one as a “cooperative.” Although all three might operate the same way, with all units rented out to tenants, the owner of the first building will pay more than twice as much in property taxes as the owners of the other two.

Unfair? You bet. Simple to fix? Not a chance.

The difference is due to Iowa’s property classifications. Real estate is divided into separate classes based on its use – commercial, residential, industrial, agricultural, etc. Buildings with three or more rental units are classified as commercial property because they are considered business enterprises. This would not be a problem, except that residential property enjoys a huge tax break not available to commercial property due to what’s known as the “rollback.” The current rollback reduces the assessed value of residential property to less than half the value of commercial property.

This shifts some of the cost of local governments – schools, cities and counties – from residential to commercial property. That is an impediment to economic development in communities struggling to attract and preserve new businesses, including Main Street shops. Elected officials have made numerous runs at fixing this problem, but they inevitably run smack into brick walls.

Meanwhile, the inequities of Iowa’s property-tax system are exacerbated by property owners who exploit loopholes. In the case of apartments, owners discovered they could sneak a new multi-unit development into the residential classification by calling it a “condo,” even if they never sell any of the rental units. This left owners of existing apartment buildings with significantly higher tax bills than their new competitors, so they began converting their buildings into condominiums.

After local governments saw a stampede coming – and a loss of tax revenue – they got the Legislature to discourage such conversions by requiring that older buildings first be brought up to current building code, which requires installation of costly improvements, such as sprinkler systems.

Those who can’t afford upgrades seized on yet another loophole to fit the residential classification: calling their apartments “cooperatives.” Des Moines, West Des Moines and perhaps other cities have retaliated by requiring them to be brought up to code in an effort to stop another stampede.

It’s hard to believe the courts won’t eventually declare the inequitable tax treatment of similar properties unconstitutional.

It’s equally hard to believe a solution exists that everyone will like. A change that treats all multifamily rental housing equally – which is only fair – runs into a wall of opposition from building owners opposed to paying higher taxes, or from local governments that don’t want to lose tax revenue. The potential loss is not small change: Polk County officials calculate converting all commercial real estate would cost local governments nearly $19 million annually (Des Moines alone would lose $9 million).

Long range, the only solution is an overhaul of the tax system, including eliminating inequities created by the rollback. The only politically realistic way to do that, of course, is to lower taxes for all non-residential property, which means providing new sources of revenue to make up for what local governments would forfeit as a result. That would provide much-needed relief for all commercial property owners, and relieve taxpayers from scouring the law for loopholes.

Fairness is missing in Iowa property tax system. As Realtors®, property owners and those concerned about property rights in the State of Iowa, we thought you would appreciate the above article. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. Another good resource in Iowa is the Iowa Property Owners Alliance.

The group's mission is to “Protect the property rights of private property owners in Iowa and to serve as a resource for those owners to more fully enjoy the privileges of property ownership.”


Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Rental Housing available in Cedar Rapids-Marion area ...















Current properties being marketed for rent by Tommy Tucker Realty Co. in the Cedar Rapids-Marion area:


We invite you to take a closer look at one of these properties for rent. Call and talk to Robin Tucker at 319.365.6956 or e-mail him at rtucker@ttrco.com.

You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter!

Our office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment. Our offices will be closed May 29-31 for the Memorial Day holiday, but please leave a message, if service is needed.

ttrco

Monday, May 24, 2010

Attended monthly CRAAR Government Affairs meeting this morning


Republican 2Nd Congressional candidate Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks was our guest at our May Government Affairs meeting for the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors®.

  • She spoke on her background, along with Realtor issues, including the 2008 response by our current representative in Congress to the Flood of 2008 in our District. She primarily took questions and had a conversation with Realtors in attendance.

The primary in the State of Iowa for both Democrat and Republican candidates will be held on Tuesday, June 8Th. Auditors' offices in each county in Iowa will be open for absentee voting on the next two Saturday's ahead of the June 8Th primary.

After discussions with Dr. Miller-Meeks on various topics, our committee visited a little about some local issues coming up in our community...


  • 13 year low in new mortgages locally
  • Editorial on FHA and mortgages
  • Small Business Recovery
  • Flood Recovery in Housing - impacted Realtor® commented
  • PCI project and impact to Downtown and community in closing 2Nd Avenue SE from 10Th to 12Th streets
  • Proposed changes in Chapter 29

ttrco

Friday, May 21, 2010

Real Estate Rental News heading into the Weekend of Friday, May 21, 2010















Current properties being marketed for rent by Tommy Tucker Realty Co. in the Cedar Rapids-Marion area:


We invite you to take a closer look at one of these properties for rent. Call and talk to Robin Tucker at 319.365.6956 or e-mail him at rtucker@ttrco.com.

  • We rented 878 14Th Street NE last week and 2753 2Nd Avenue SE has been sold ...

You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter! Tommy Tucker Realty was started in 1958 in Downtown Cedar Rapids. Congratulations to I.L. 'Tommy' Tucker for his 55Th year of service to the real estate industry.

Information to Home Buyers and Seller from NAR.


ttrco

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Update on Block by Block and Flood Recovery in Cedar Rapids


John Smith mentioned something to us on Wednesday, when both he and Robin Tucker attended the Governor Terry Branstad news conference at Landmark Aviation at the Cedar Rapids airport. Of course, at yesterday's CRAAR meeting, Liz Mathis with Four Oaks talked about Block by Block, among other Four Oaks programs here in Cedar Rapids.

Hall-Perrine Foundation awards $750000 grant to Block by Block ... - The Gazette
May 20, 2010 ... Block by Block got started last summer with a $1-million gift from John Smith, chairman of trucking firm CRST International, ...

Other Flood Recovery News in Cedar Rapids ...

Take Action On Untouched Flood-Damaged Properties, Cedar Rapids ...‎ - KCRG
By Richard Pratt CEDAR RAPIDS -- Some 130 mucky, moldy, ... However, Eyerly was not flood recovery director at the time the law was passed, ...

Robin Tucker is a third generation member of St. Paul's UMC in Cedar Rapids. The local church is also involved in Block by Block.


ttrco



Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Attended monthly Realtor® Luncheon for the CRAAR ...



The Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors® meets monthly and this month's meeting had a variety of items ...



  • World War II Honor Flight - presented by 2010 CRAAR President Russ Nading

  • Liz Mathis spoke on Four Oaks and a variety of youth and housing programs

  • CRAAR Scholarship Committee - presented by BofD member Kathy Hall

  • Jen Neumann of deNovo spoke on Social Media

Local Realtors will present 33 - $500 scholarship to youth in Linn County at our June 2010 membership luncheon. We look forward to presenting one in the name of Realtor Robin Tucker next month.

ttrco

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Tuesday Rental news from Tommy Tucker Realty Co.











Current properties being marketed for rent by Tommy Tucker Realty Co. in the Cedar Rapids-Marion area:

We invite you to take a closer look at one of these properties for rent. Call and talk to Robin Tucker at 319.365.6956 or e-mail him at rtucker@ttrco.com.

We rented 878 14Th Street NE last week and 2753 2Nd Avenue SE has been sold ...

ttrco



Monday, May 17, 2010

Cedar Rapids and Carroll, Iowa will be part of Cancer Prevention Study -3 from the American Cancer Society ...


Are you interested in participating in the Cancer Prevention Study-3?

It's coming to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Research today for a cancer-free tomorrow.

You help FUND the cure,

Now help FIND the cure

by personally participating in cancer research.

This year, the Relay in Cedar Rapids will be hosting enrollment for




Who is eligible to participate?


Anyone who:


  • Is willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which involves completing periodic follow-up surveys at home

  • Is between 30 and 65 years old

  • Has never been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell cancer)

I learned about the event at the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting on Monday, May 17Th. I am enrolling myself in CPS-3! ~ Robin Tucker, Realtor® with Tommy Tucker Realty Co.

Join us at the Relay For Life of Linn County!

Participate in CPS3

June 4Th from 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm

Kirkwood Community College - Main Tent

For a reminder of the event or more information

e-mail: CPS3CR@gmail.com


Information is from handout materials from the American Cancer Society that we received as a person enrolling in the program.

Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids program spotlights American Cancer Study with Cedar Rapids Ties on Monday, May 17Th


Today's Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting ...





Realtors® Robin Tucker and Tommy Tucker are members of
Rotary International and are each Paul Harris Fellows ...


Celebrate Rotary's 105 years of service by contributing to The Rotary Foundation


Robin Tucker is planning to attend his Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting.


Monday, May 17, 2010

Crowne Plaza Hotel at Noon

Today's Program:

Gary Streit and Amy Boyle

American Cancer Study with Cedar Rapids Ties




Recent news on American Cancer Study: Study: US cancer costs nearly doubled in 20 years‎ - The Associated Press

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Can we help you with a Rental House in the Marion-Cedar Rapids area of Iowa?


Current properties being marketed for rent by Tommy Tucker Realty Co. in the Cedar Rapids-Marion area:


We invite you to take a closer look at one of these properties for rent. Call and talk to Robin Tucker at 319.365.6956 or e-mail him at rtucker@ttrco.com.

*** Ad in http://gazetteonline.com/ for Saturday, May 15Th

ttrco

Monday, May 10, 2010

Beware of Scams found on the Internet regarding Rental Housing

craigslist

The Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors have issued the following statement to its membership on a scam on Craigslist. There have been recent incidents in the Cedar Rapids area according to fellow Realtors.
There are a number of homes currently listed for sale that are also
being listed for rent on Craigslist by a scammer.

This scammer lists the house for rent, usually for a very low rate. The only information in the ad that is correct is the owner’s name. Everything else is fake including the email address and phone number which is actually for the scammer.

Usually this scammer states that he is a missionary that is out of the Country and is looking for someone to rent and take care of his home.

He has also stated that he is out of the Country on extended business. He says that he has the keys with him and is unable to show the inside of the property.

Each time, he is asking the potential tenant to wire or send a deposit and rent via Western Union.
Please be aware that this is a scam. You can go onto Craigslist
and flag this type of posting to be deleted.
- CRRealtors.org

It is similar to the Nigeria Letter Scam that has been out in the market for over 20 years. As a member of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, we are well aware of that common letter, now e-mail.

Craigslist Rental Scam Being Run From Nigeria? : The Real Estate ... - Real Esate Bloggers
Aug 6, 2009 ... The FBI has released a statement that a new Craigslist Rental Scam is being run out of Nigeria. Famous for the Advance Fee Scam, ...

Rental Scam Used Craigslist Ad - KFOX El Paso
Recently, several families have been scammed with one family being conned out of $1000. Police said someone is creating fake posts on Craigslist.org with ...

We suggest that you should always work with a local resource for your rental and real estate needs. The City of Cedar Rapids discourages absent Landlords and encourages a local contact for the public, when dealing with housing, especially Rental Housing.

If you have questions regarding properties for rent in Cedar Rapids-Marion, please let us know, if we can be of service to you. We currently are marketing 2 bedroom and 4 bedroom houses for rent.

John Fernandez, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development to speak at Today's Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting



Today's Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting ...






Robin Tucker and Tommy Tucker are members of
Rotary International and are each Paul Harris Fellows ...


Robin Tucker (May 8) and Tommy Tucker (May 9) celebrated birthdays over this past Mother's Day weekend.

Celebrate Rotary's 105 years of service by contributing to The Rotary Foundation


Robin Tucker is planning to attend his Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting.


Monday, May 10, 2010

Crowne Plaza Hotel at Noon

Today's Program:
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development

Backstory: Aid to Iowa hits $4 billion‎ - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration have pushed ... city of Cedar Rapids for construction of the new downtown events center, ...

Thursday, May 6, 2010

We are currently accepting applications for Houses For Rent in Cedar Rapids and Marion, Iowa...


Current properties being marketed for rent by Tommy Tucker Realty Co. in the Cedar Rapids-Marion area:


We invite you to take a closer look at one of these properties for rent. Call and talk to Robin Tucker at 319.365.6956 or e-mail him at rtucker@ttrco.com.

ttrco