Ben Grotzke Realtor

06/04/2026

The Next Housing Opportunity Isn’t Downtown. It’s Rural America.

While many investors continue chasing deals in major metros, I’m seeing a different story unfold in rural markets.

Many small communities have:
✔️ Employers hiring
✔️ Schools and amenities in place
✔️ Available land
✔️ Strong demand for housing

What they don’t have is enough housing inventory.

The result? Workers struggle to find places to live, employers struggle to attract talent, and communities struggle to grow.

That raises an important question for investors:

Are rural housing developments one of the most overlooked investment opportunities today?

In many rural markets, competition is lower, municipalities are eager to support projects, and even modest developments can make a meaningful impact on a community while generating attractive returns.

I’m curious what others are seeing:

• Are rural housing projects penciling better than metro developments?
• What financing challenges are you encountering?
• Which incentives have been most effective?
• What markets are showing the strongest demand for workforce housing?

The housing shortage isn’t just an urban problem. Some of the biggest opportunities may be in the communities that receive the least attention.

What are your thoughts?

06/01/2026

A reminder that some of the best opportunities happen when you're simply out doing the work.

Last Friday, I drove to South Central Iowa to take photos and record two video walkthroughs for a commercial listing that will be hitting the market soon.
While I was walking the property taking exterior photos, an older gentleman pulled up and started a conversation. What began as a discussion about a neighboring property quickly turned into something much bigger. I learned he owns a substantial portfolio of rental properties, several farms, multiple commercial buildings, and other investments throughout the area. During our conversation, he called a friend who came over shortly afterward. As it turns out, his friend has a very similar portfolio and is constantly buying, selling, and trading properties.

What I expected to be a few minutes of conversation turned into several hours over the course of the weekend:

✅ Friday evening – 1+ hour phone call
✅ Saturday – 1-2 hours discussing opportunities and challenges
✅ Sunday – Another hour diving deeper into strategy

Today, I'm helping them evaluate plans to scale parts of their portfolios, strategically dispose of other assets, and identify ways to reinvest in their communities.

This is one of the reasons I love real estate.
I drove down to market a commercial listing and ended up building relationships with two investors who collectively own a significant amount of real estate and care deeply about the communities they invest in.

In real estate, the best opportunities don't always come from sitting behind a desk. They often come from being present, walking properties, meeting people, asking questions, and genuinely listening.

You never know when a simple conversation in a small Iowa town will turn into new partnerships, new projects, and opportunities to help investors achieve their goals while strengthening their communities.

05/29/2026

Investors often get stuck chasing only off-market deals, but the reality is some of the best opportunities are sitting right on the MLS.

Example:
A house was listed at $125,000.
We came in at $60,000 knowing it was aggressive.
Seller countered at $70,000… buyer accepted.

Investor put roughly $35k–$40k into renovations and later sold it for $185,000.

There are still deals on-market if you:

* Understand construction costs
* Know your numbers
* Can move quickly
* Aren’t afraid to make offers

Don’t fall into the “off-market only” trap.
Good deals come from relationships, timing, negotiation, and knowing value — not just where the lead came from.

05/28/2026

🚨 COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY ALERT – BLOOMFIELD, IOWA 🚨

Investors, developers, and entrepreneurs — this is the kind of property that doesn’t come around often. Check out one of my AWESOME commercial listings in Bloomfield, Iowa featuring a motel, restaurant, and approximately 5± acres of land with HUGE redevelopment potential! 🔥

This property offers multiple streams of opportunity all in one package:
🏨 Existing motel operation
🍽️ Restaurant space ready for your vision
🌳 5+/- acres with room to expand or redevelop
📍 Excellent visibility and accessibility
💰 Value-add and income-producing potential

The possibilities here are endless:
✔️ Redevelop into multifamily or workforce housing
✔️ Modernize and reposition the motel
✔️ Create a destination restaurant or event space
✔️ Expand commercial development opportunities
✔️ Split the assets — the restaurant and motel can be SOLD SEPARATELY

Whether you’re an experienced investor looking for your next project or an entrepreneur ready to bring new life into a property with serious upside, this is a chance to secure a large footprint with flexibility and long-term potential.

Real estate is constantly evolving, and properties like this are where vision creates value. Don’t miss the opportunity to transform this site into something incredible.

📩 Message me directly for pricing, financials, or to schedule a private tour!

Mixed Use property for sale at 905 S WASHINGTON ST, BLOOMFIELD, IA 52537-2146. Visit Crexi.com to read property details & contact the listing broker.

05/19/2026

JUST LISTED – Unique Investment Opportunity in Bloomfield, Iowa

A rare chance to own a well-established restaurant, motel, and approximately 5 acres of prime development land in Bloomfield.
Offered at $1.2 Million, this property presents multiple income and expansion opportunities for investors, developers, or owner-operators.

Property Highlights:
Established restaurant operation
Motel included on-site
Approximately 5 acres of land with development potential
Excellent opportunity for expansion or redevelopment
High-visibility location in Bloomfield, Iowa
Ideal for hospitality, commercial, or mixed-use possibilities
This is a versatile property with strong potential for future growth and investment returns.

For additional information or to schedule a showing, please contact us today.

Ben Grotzke
LPT Realty
2425 N Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50023
515-745-0425 Mobile
[email protected]
BenGrotzke.com
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05/05/2026

I got the privilege to team up with Brandon Tauber and Owen Dashner and FaceTime them when I walked an investment property in Des Moines today.

Time to get to work running numbers for listings, arvs, contractors and investors through the property.

05/04/2026

Value-Add Duplex Opportunity – Winterset, IA
Asking Price: $125,000

Vacant duplex in Winterset with strong value-add potential. Ideal for investors looking to renovate and increase rents or owner-occupants seeking to house hack. Property is currently vacant, allowing for immediate improvements and tenant placement.
This is a great opportunity to build equity and generate cash flow in a growing market.

Highlights:
Duplex (2 units)
Fully vacant – ready for renovation
Value-add potential
Strong upside on rents after updates
Ideal for investors or owner-occupants

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/523-S-2nd-St-Winterset-IA-50273/126635639_zpid/?utm_campaign=zillowwebmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

Contact:
Ben Grotzke
LPT Realty
2425 N Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50023
📞 515-745-0425
📧 [email protected]
🌐 BenGrotzke.com
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This 1556 square feet Multiple Occupancy home has 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is located at 523 S 2nd St, Winterset, IA.

05/01/2026

Congratulations to my buyers and sellers on gettging to the closing table today. From Signed purchase agreement to closing was 4 days! Thank you to Tara McGuire for handling the craziness with me!

On to the next!

03/26/2026

What happens when you combine the right operator with the right investor team on a Mobile Home Park?

You turn vacancy into velocity.

We’re actively working with a park owned by one of my clients where vacant units were sitting idle and dragging down performance. Instead of waiting for organic absorption, we built a team around the opportunity:

• Investor capital to acquire and turn units• Professional property management to stabilize operations and tenant quality• Strategic brokerage (my role) to structure the deal, source opportunities, and position the asset for long-term value

The result?

Vacant units are being converted into income-producing rentals, occupancy is climbing, and the park is moving toward stabilization at a much faster pace.

This is what scalable, repeatable value-add looks like:• Faster lease-up timelines• Improved cash flow consistency• Increased asset valuation• Clear runway to refinance or exit

In today’s market, deals don’t perform—teams do.

If you own a park with vacancy or you’re an investor looking for scalable opportunities in this space, let’s connect.

03/20/2026

🏡 Your Dream Home Awaits at 1411 Guthrie!

Looking for the perfect home? Come see 1411 Guthrie this Sunday from 10 AM – 12 PM for our open house! Explore every corner of this beautiful property, imagine your life here, and see why this could be the place you’ve been waiting for.

✨ Spacious, welcoming, and full of charm
✨ Perfect for families, entertaining, or your next adventure
✨ Get all your questions answered in person

Don’t miss this chance to step inside and experience the home for yourself!

📍 Address: 1411 Guthrie
🕙 Time: Sunday, 10 AM – 12 PM

See you there! 👀