Lynn Harder, Realtor

09/11/2026

🎥 This is NOT my best work, but we’re rolling with it.

It was early. It was hot. It was muggy. And most importantly…I do not want to be on video. 😅

BUT these two Bondurant lots are worth me stepping outside my comfort zone!

📍 12245 & 12275 NE 68th St, Bondurant

If you’ve been dreaming about building and want a little more space, let’s chat! 🏡

Check comments for links to listings

09/08/2026

🍎 It’s back-to-school time, so today’s lesson: HOAs 101. 🏡

And this lesson comes from a real-life situation that unfolded VERY quickly.

A client of mine purchased their home in July 2025. After realizing it wasn’t quite the right space, they reached out several months ago to talk about selling and possibly buying something different.

What we didn’t know? Their HOA had already started discussions about replacing a 500+ foot retaining wall — a project that could mean a significant special assessment for homeowners.

The project had been briefly mentioned in HOA meeting minutes before they purchased, but let’s be real…most people aren’t reading their HOA meeting minutes for fun or fully grasping what’s being noted in the minutes.

Fast forward to this summer: an informational meeting was held in late June, a vote happened in July, and assessment funds were due by the middle of August.

That’s a pretty quick turnaround for a potentially BIG expense.

📚 So what’s today’s homework?

🏡 Read your HOA meeting minutes and emails.
🏡 Attend a meeting every once in a while.
🏡 Before buying, review the HOA documents, financials, reserves and any upcoming projects or assessments.
🏡 Work with a Realtor who knows what questions to ask when an HOA is involved.

HOAs aren’t necessarily a bad thing — they can provide great benefits and help maintain a community.

But when you buy a home with an HOA, you’re not just buying the house. You’re also buying into the financial health, rules and future obligations of that association.

And that deserves a little homework, too. 😉🍎

09/04/2026

09/02/2026

I think I’ve told you before that sometimes I have to take little creative breaks, but I’m back, and I have an ENTIRE series planned. Yippee!

And since it’s back-to-school season, it only seems fitting that we’re heading back to the classroom around here, too. 📚

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to “teach” Home Buying 101 to the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals — and I had so much fun doing it! Plus they came with great interest and questions, which is always a bonus!

Fun fact: before I got my real estate license in 2019, I was a preschool teacher for several years. Apparently I just traded teaching little people for teaching grown-ups about inspections, appraisals, property taxes and HOAs.

So… welcome to my Back to School: Real Estate Edition! 🍎🏡

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to have a few little lessons on the parts of buying and selling a home that people don’t always understand until they’re right in the middle of them.

Think:
🏡 HOA 101
🔎 Inspection 101
💰 Property Taxes 101
📋 Seller Disclosures 101
📏 Appraisal 101
…and possibly a few more.

No tests. No homework. And I promise not to make you sit criss-cross applesauce.

Class is officially in session. 📚🍎🏡

Photo of some of the YP’s who attended Home Buying 101

08/28/2026

https://waukeetownecenter.com/press-release/5845-waukee-towne-center-unveils-first-wave-of-tenants?fbclid=IwRlRTSAT-lgJwZG9mBWZkaWQWUNVXFZC2dxfZjSXDDkW8sAf__O9qAmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR59Fj2MUotGzc3x8H7kVkNY9RL1pUR0gARyn97YpLdwE-l-tfP7s6uP1tNFFw_aem_cFmDzKplonyFyMR1IfWzHA

Conveniently located on traffic pattern of metro commuters with new I-80 interchange on Alice‘s Rd. / Grand Prairie Pkwy., Waukee Towne Center is a uniquely planned center featuring fountains and surrounding bike paths winding around a stunning lake with trending shops, entertainment, exercis...

08/18/2026

✨ SIGNIFICANT PRICE IMPROVEMENT! ✨

1485 Rodeo Ave just got a new price — and these sellers are ready to make a move!

They’ve found their dream home and are just waiting for the right buyer to fall in love with this one.

If you’ve had your eye on it, now might be the time for a second look.

📍 1485 Rodeo Ave
💰 New price: $439,900

Who do you know that needs to call this one home? Please share!

https://us-east.prospects.com/prospects/m.do?tk=f77bf7eab3ca41722fd49de96897298b

08/14/2026

This year in real estate has been HARD, so let’s have a little fun while we talk about it.

I’ll also introduce you to my new friend. Great listener, never interrupts, and somehow still acts interested when I’m sharing boring real estate stories.

Some real estate seasons just have… character. 😉

Lately, it feels like every transaction has come with its own plot twist. Difficult. Delayed. Defiant. And occasionally downright ridiculous.

I’ve navigated:
• Judgments
• Easements
• VA loan entitlements
• Special assessments
• FHA requirements
• Unrealistic inspection improvements

At this point, if it ends in “-ment,” I’m suspicious.

But underneath all the chaos, this season has reminded me what being a Realtor really looks like.

I’m the one helping navigate the emotions.
I’m the one brainstorming creative solutions when Plan A disappears.
I’m the one who needs to remain a team player with the other Realtor, lender, attorney, title company, inspectors, and everyone else working toward the same goal.

And I’ve learned A LOT.

Every challenging transaction has taught me something, made me a better problem solver and advocate for my clients, and reminded me that so much of this job happens behind the scenes. Turns out, I don’t just look at pretty houses all day.

So yes, real estate has been testing me a little this year.

And thankfully, I have a new friend who’s willing to listen to me talk about it.

Any ideas on what my new friends name is?!?!

08/09/2026

The best part of what I do? The people I get to meet along the way! 🩵

08/07/2026

🌅 JUST LISTED | Your little slice of Iowa country life

If your dream includes golden sunsets, fresh eggs, apple trees and a little more room to breathe…this one might be for you. 🐓🍎🌱

Sitting high on 2 private acres surrounded by pasture and trees, this acreage feels like so much more.

✨ Home built in 2000
✨ Attached 3-car garage
✨ 3 bedrooms + finished flex space upstairs
✨ 2 full bathrooms
✨ Finished basement + second family room
✨ Wood-burning fireplace
✨ Established garden + apple & pear trees
✨ NEW chicken coop + established chickens
✨ Fire pit made for cool nights + those gorgeous sunsets
✨ Wildlife galore—deer, turkey, pheasants & birds
✨ Incredible privacy and views in nearly every direction

And you can have all of that country living while still being approximately 35 minutes from downtown Des Moines, with Lake Red Rock, Pella and Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge nearby.

Basically, point your rocking chair west, grab a basket of fresh eggs and watch the sun go down. ❤️

This is the kind of property you don’t just buy—you buy the lifestyle that comes with it.

📍 1485 Rodeo Ave, Monroe, Iowa
DM me for details or to schedule a private showing!