Stefanie Running Anderson, Realtor with Boutique Real Estate

10/02/2026

An installment sale of property can provide tax benefits worth thousands of dollars to a seller. It can also help a buyer purchase without mortgage financing. Here’s how it works.

If you sell real property, you can avoid or reduce your capital gains tax by structuring the deal as an installment sale. Here’s how it works.

09/30/2026

Unseen leaks can not only result in higher water bills, but they can also potentially cause major damage to your home. If you don't have X-ray vision, you can monitor your water meter usage at times when you know there won't be any usage. Here are some more water conservation tips.

Homeowners with an eye on water conservation will be richly rewarded, saving themselves money on monthly water bills and helping their fellow citizens guard against potential water shortages. Here are six ways to tap into savings at the tap. Low-flow faucet heads. Install low-flow nozzles on all you...

09/28/2026

Section 8 housing vouchers are designed to help low-income, disabled and elderly people afford decent housing. Here is how they work.

The federal government offers assistance to allow low-income families, disabled people and the elderly to rent homes through the Section 8 Housing program.

09/26/2026

Could you see yourself living in a Yurt?

09/25/2026

Are you ready to negotiate the sale price of your home with a buyer? Use these strategies to get top dollar.

When you get an offer to buy your house, take a deep breath and set aside your emotions. It’s time to negotiate using solid numbers based on the real estate market’s current conditions in your area. Crunch the numbers. Ideally, you and your agent did a Comparative Market Analysis or CMA before l...

09/23/2026

The need to work remotely from home during the pandemic has led to cloffices - offices carved out of closets. Here’s how to create an effective workplace in a tiny space.

Tucking an office into a closet space carves out a dedicated workstation but uses minimal space. Here are some tips for creating a “cloffice.”

09/21/2026

While online mortgage lenders can save you money, you may be better served working in-person with a loan officer. See the Pros and Cons here.

Mortgage lending is yet another industry that has undergone massive change by the internet. Online lenders advertise fast and easy transactions while traditional lenders offer more personal service. Regardless of which option you choose, it’s important to understand the difference between a mortga...

09/19/2026

Hang some eucalyptus in your shower for a spa-like experience.

09/18/2026

When selling your home, you do all you can to make it as attractive as possible. But what your neighbors do can affect how quickly you sell, and you may have little or no control of the problem. Read about six ways your neighbors can sabotage your sale and some possible solutions.

Here are six ways your neighbor can sabotage your home sale, as well as some suggestions for resolving such situations with minimal conflict.

09/17/2026

Lowe’s is partnering with the Polk County Emergency Management Agency to support local residents recovering from recent flooding. On Saturday, September 19, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, a free drive-up giveaway will be held at the Polk County Emergency Operations Center to distribute approximately 200 flood cleanup buckets to community members dealing with flooding and wet basements.

Lowe’s Red Vest associates will distribute Lowe’s buckets filled with supplies. Each bucket is packed with sponges, flashlights, bottled water, trash bags, goggles and hand sanitizer to help with recovery and cleanup.

This drive-up community partnership event aims to provide immediate relief and essential supplies directly to affected residents in the Des Moines Metro and greater Polk County area.

Event Details:

What: Free Lowe’s Flood Cleanup Bucket Giveaway
When: Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM (while supplies last)
Where: Polk County Emergency Operations Center, 1907 Carpenter Ave., Des Moines
Traffic Flow / Directions: This is a drive-up event. For smooth traffic flow, vehicles should enter the parking lot from Carpenter Avenue or northbound from 19th Street.