First Choice Real Estate- Sheila Budelier

10/17/2026

📊 Muscatine Market Spotlight

Muscatine prices are moving — here's the data:

🏠 Median sale price: ~$211K (up 22.1% year-over-year)
🏠 Typical home value: ~$191K (up 7.4%)
🏠 Price per square foot: $162 (up 14.9%)
📅 Median days on market: about 8 days
📈 Homes selling at 100% of list price, on average

Muscatine offers more home for your dollar compared to larger Iowa cities, and buyers are catching on. Whether you're looking in Muscatine or the surrounding areas, I can help you understand what's happening in this market.

📞 563.210.9781 · 💻 www.fcreiowa.com · ✉️ [email protected]
Sheila Budelier | REALTOR® | First Choice Real Estate

10/15/2026

🔑 Seller Tip: Preparing Your Home for Fall & Winter Showings

Selling in the cooler months? Here's what actually matters:

🍂 Keep walkways and driveways clear of leaves and debris
🌡️ Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature before showings
💡 Maximize lighting — open blinds, turn on all lights, use warm bulbs
🔥 If you have a fireplace, make sure it's clean and staged
🚪 Check that all doors and windows seal properly — buyers notice drafts
📸 Use your summer exterior photos in the listing to show curb appeal year-round

Homes sell year-round. The buyers who are looking in fall and winter are usually serious. Don't wait for spring if you're ready to sell.

📞 563.210.9781 · 💻 www.fcreiowa.com · ✉️ [email protected]
Sheila Budelier | REALTOR® | First Choice Real Estate

10/13/2026

🏠 Community Spotlight: Wilton, Iowa

Wilton home values have climbed nearly 10% this year — and it's easy to see why.

📍 Population: ~2,900 in Muscatine County
🏠 Typical home value: ~$238K (up 9.9% year-over-year)
📍 Historic downtown, just 3 miles south of I-80
📍 Small-town charm with easy access to Muscatine and the Quad Cities
📍 Strong community with local schools and businesses

Wilton's growth is real. If you're considering buying or selling here, timing matters. Let's talk about what's happening in the Wilton market.

📞 563.210.9781 · 💻 www.fcreiowa.com · ✉️ [email protected]
Sheila Budelier | REALTOR® | First Choice Real Estate

10/10/2026

💰 Did You Know? Iowa First-Time Homebuyer Programs

If you haven't owned a home in the last 3 years, you may qualify as a first-time buyer — and Iowa has programs that can help:

🔹 FirstHome Program — mortgage rates below market for qualifying buyers
🔹 Down Payment Grants — up to $2,500 toward down payment and closing costs
🔹 Homes for Iowans — available for first-time AND repeat buyers
🔹 Home$tart Grants — up to $15,000 for eligible buyers
🔹 Purchase price limits up to $566,000 ($692,000 in targeted areas)

These programs are underused because people simply don't know about them. If you or someone you know is thinking about buying, let's see what you qualify for.

📞 563.210.9781 · 💻 www.fcreiowa.com · ✉️ [email protected]
Sheila Budelier | REALTOR® | First Choice Real Estate

10/08/2026

📚 Real Estate Term of the Week: "Days on Market" (DOM)

You'll see this number on every listing — but what does it actually tell you?

⏳ DOM = the number of days a home has been listed for sale

Why it matters:
🔹 Low DOM (under 30 days) = high demand, possibly multiple offers
🔹 High DOM (60+ days) = could mean overpriced, condition issues, or a slower market
🔹 It's a negotiation tool — a long DOM can give buyers room to negotiate

Right now the median Iowa home sells in about 39 days, and well-priced homes in Muscatine have been going in about a week.

Questions about a specific listing's DOM? Just ask.

📞 563.210.9781 · 💻 www.fcreiowa.com · ✉️ [email protected]
Sheila Budelier | REALTOR® | First Choice Real Estate

10/06/2026

🏠 Why I Love Calling Durant Home

I live right here in Durant, and this community is exactly why I do what I do.

A few things that make Durant special:
📍 Population of 1,871 — you know your neighbors here
📍 10 public parks, a pool, and a multi-sports complex
📍 Easy access to the Quad Cities, Iowa City, and Muscatine
📍 Small-town feel with big-community heart

Thinking about buying in Durant or the surrounding area? Let's talk about what's available.

📞 563.210.9781 · 💻 www.fcreiowa.com · ✉️ [email protected]
Sheila Budelier | REALTOR® | First Choice Real Estate

10/03/2026

📊 Iowa Housing Market Update — Fall 2026

Here's what the numbers are telling us across our area:

🏠 Iowa median sale price: $255,934 (up 4.5% from last year)
🏠 Muscatine median sale price: ~$211K (up 22%)
🏠 Wilton typical home value: ~$238K (up 9.9%)
🏠 Durant median home value: ~$243K

📈 Iowa homes are selling at about 99% of asking price
📅 Iowa median days on market: 39 days
🏘️ 3.3% more Iowa homes for sale than a year ago

What does this mean for you? It's a good time to talk strategy. Whether you're buying, selling, or just curious about your home's value, reach out.

📞 563.210.9781 · 💻 www.fcreiowa.com · ✉️ [email protected]
Sheila Budelier | REALTOR® | First Choice Real Estate

10/02/2026

🎃 October home maintenance tips are here! Don't let home repairs haunt you this fall 👆

Check the image for your October checklist 📋

📞 563.210.9781 · 💻 www.fcreiowa.com · ✉️ [email protected]
Sheila Budelier | REALTOR® | First Choice Real Estate

09/20/2026

Click to Donate anytime beforeour walk on Oct 14th: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3651840268830582326&created=1789866844

09/16/2026