Tobias Brown, Hunziker & Associates, Realtors

08/10/2026

Evaluating Storage Space When Touring Homes
Storage is rarely the first priority for buyers touring a home, and it shouldn't be the first thing they consider. Kitchens and floor plans usually command the most attention, while storage receives far less notice. But a home that looks spacious during a showing can feel cramped once the boxes are unpacked.
Inspect...

Storage often gets overlooked during a home tour. Here's what to check in closets, the kitchen, the garage, and other hidden corners before you make an offer.

08/05/2026

How to Improve Your Home's Outdoor Lighting
Most people don't think much about outdoor lighting until something feels off. The front walk is hard to see, or the porch feels dim. The backyard is pleasant during the day, then disappears once the sun goes down.
Small changes can help more than a full redesign. The point is not to make everything...

Better outdoor lighting can make your home feel safer, warmer, and easier to enjoy. Start with the areas people actually use after dark.

08/03/2026

Why Commute Times Matter More Than You Think
Commute time is one of those things buyers tend to round down in their heads.
Forty minutes becomes "about half an hour." A route with three bad intersections becomes "not too bad." A home that's farther out starts to feel reasonable after you've seen the kitchen, the yard, or the extra bedroom you...

A commute can seem simple during a home search, but daily routines tell a different story. Here's what buyers may want to test first.

07/29/2026

Stop by Sunday, August 2nd from 1:00 to 3:00 PM to see 106 NE Country Meadow Lane Ankeny, IA 50021 for an open house!

OFFICIAL LISTING website. 106 NE Country Meadow Lane, Ankeny, IA 50021, 1512 square foot, 3 bedrooms, 3 full & 1 partial bathrooms, asking price of $318,500, MLS ID 70062

07/29/2026

Simple Ways To Make Your Laundry Area More Functional
Laundry rooms rarely get the same attention as kitchens, bathrooms, or living areas. They're often squeezed into whatever space was left over: a hallway closet, a basement corner, a mudroom, or the pass-through from the garage.
Still, this small area can affect daily routines more than people realize....

A laundry area doesn't need to be large to work better. These simple updates can make washing, folding, and storage feel less chaotic.

07/27/2026

How to Balance Location, Layout, and Long-Term Needs
Almost every home search eventually hits the same wall. You find a layout you love in a neighborhood you're not totally sold on, or the location is right, but the floor plan needs more work than you expected when you walked in.
There's rarely a house-hunting scenario where all three of these line up...

07/22/2026

Stop by Sunday, July 26th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM to see 106 NE Country Meadow Lane Ankeny, IA 50021 for an open house!

OFFICIAL LISTING website. 106 NE Country Meadow Lane, Ankeny, IA 50021, 1512 square foot, 3 bedrooms, 3 full & 1 partial bathrooms, asking price of $318,500, MLS ID 70062

07/22/2026

How to Use Landscaping to Create More Privacy at Home
Privacy doesn't require a 10-foot wall or blackout curtains over every window. Most of the time it comes down to picking the right plants, structures, and placement, and doing it in roughly the right order. Get the order wrong, and the yard ends up pretty in photos, but useless for the window that's...

Discover how strategic landscaping choices, from evergreen hedges to fencing and layered planting, can add privacy to your yard without losing curb appeal.

07/20/2026

How to Think Through Your Must-Haves Before Touring Homes
Most buyers walk into their first showing without much of a plan, and it shows. They fall for a good paint job, then second-guess everything by the third house. Twenty minutes of planning fixes most of that, but many neglect it.
Start With What You Actually Need
Before you book a single showing, split...

Before your first showing, be clear on what you actually need. Here's how to build a must-have list that keeps your home search focused and realistic from the start.

07/15/2026

How to Keep Your Home Comfortable During the Hottest Weeks of Summer
There's always a stretch of summer when the house just feels warmer than usual. The air conditioner runs longer. Sunny rooms heat up faster. Even the kitchen can feel stuffy after dinner.
The good news is that comfort doesn't always come from one big fix. A few smaller changes can help your home hold...

Hot summer weather can make every room work a little harder. These simple steps can help your home feel cooler, calmer, and more comfortable.