Zlatka Real Estate

Zlatka Real Estate My specialties are Luxury Homes, Residential, New Construction, Listing Specialist, First Time Buyers, Buyer Specialist, and Investment Properties.
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(515)724-8954 [email protected] Realty ONE Group Impact https://www.zlatkarealestate.com/

06/10/2026

The homes we’re drawn to often reflect more than our style—they reflect the life we’re hoping to create. Whether it’s a waterfront escape, a historic charmer, or a modern retreat, your dream home might say more about you than you think.

Every June, a specific type of buyer enters the market with a hard deadline: the school year.These are families who need...
06/10/2026

Every June, a specific type of buyer enters the market with a hard deadline: the school year.

These are families who need to be settled, unpacked, and enrolled before August. That gives them roughly 6–8 weeks to find a home, go under contract, close, and move. The urgency is real — and so is their motivation.

For sellers: family buyers are not casual browsers. When they schedule a showing in June, they're ready to make decisions. A well-prepared, move-in-ready home in or near a desirable school district is exactly what they're looking for — and they'll often pay a premium to get it.

For family buyers: here's your honest timeline check.

If you need to be in a home before school starts, you should be under contract by late June at the latest. Closing typically takes 30–45 days. That means you have weeks, not months, to find your home.

This is one of the most focused, motivated buyer pools of the year. If you're selling — you want to be on the market right now. If you're buying — you want to be pre-approved and moving fast.

DM me and let's build your June timeline today.

Everyone's talking about Baby Boomers and first-time buyers. But there's a third group quietly making serious moves in 2...
06/09/2026

Everyone's talking about Baby Boomers and first-time buyers. But there's a third group quietly making serious moves in 2026: Gen X.

Buyers ages 46–60 increased their share of the market this year to 25% — up from 24% in 2025. That might sound small, but when you understand who these buyers are and what they're doing, the number gets more interesting.

Gen X is the classic move-up buyer. They bought their first home in their 30s. They've been in it for 10–15 years. They've built equity. Their kids are older — some are leaving the nest entirely. And now they want the home they always intended to eventually own: more space, better location, the primary suite they've been dreaming about, the outdoor space, the home office.

They're also entering the multigenerational living conversation — either housing aging parents or accommodating adult children who've returned home.

For sellers: a move-up Gen X buyer is often selling a well-maintained starter home at the same time. For buyers: understanding that your competition includes these equity-rich buyers helps you price your offers more strategically.

Which generation are you buying in? Drop it below — I'm genuinely curious about who's in this audience.

Here's something most buyers don't know: a $10,000 price reduction saves you about $60/month on your mortgage. But a sel...
06/08/2026

Here's something most buyers don't know: a $10,000 price reduction saves you about $60/month on your mortgage. But a seller-paid 2/1 interest rate buydown? That saves you $400–500/month for the first two years — when your budget is tightest.

Almost half of all home sales right now involve some form of seller concession. Closing cost credits, rate buydowns, repair credits — these aren't rare anymore. They're mainstream strategy.

The question isn't IF you should negotiate. It's HOW. Comment 'CONCESSION' below and I'll send you my free guide.

You've probably seen the headlines: housing inventory is up nearly 9% this year. That sounds like great news for buyers ...
06/07/2026

You've probably seen the headlines: housing inventory is up nearly 9% this year. That sounds like great news for buyers — and in many ways it is. But let me tell you what the data actually shows when you look closer.

The inventory growth is concentrated at higher price points. Homes in the $750K–$1M+ range have seen some of the largest gains in supply. At lower price points — the $300K–$500K range where most first-time and mid-level buyers are shopping — inventory is still constrained.

What that means in plain terms:

If you're shopping above $700K, you have more choices than you did a year ago and real negotiating room.

If you're shopping under $500K, competition is still real, but concessions and contingencies are back on the table in ways they weren't in 2022.

For sellers: more inventory means your pricing and presentation have to be sharper. The buyers looking at your home are also looking at 10 others. You don't need to be perfect — but you need to stand out.

Knowing your specific price band matters more than knowing the national headline. DM me and let's talk about what the inventory picture looks like in your price range right now.

There's a reason real estate agents love June listings.Every outdoor feature your home has — the covered patio, the back...
06/06/2026

There's a reason real estate agents love June listings.

Every outdoor feature your home has — the covered patio, the backyard pool, the fire pit, the landscaping — looks better in June than it will at any other point in the year. The light is golden. The grass is green. The flowers are in bloom. Buyers can picture themselves out there.

And buyers in 2026 aren't just noticing outdoor spaces — they're prioritizing them. Outdoor living areas have moved from 'nice to have' to active search filters. Buyers are using outdoor space as a dealbreaker the same way they used to treat kitchen updates.

If you're listing this month, here's what to do:

Shoot your listing photos at golden hour — 7–8 PM in June gives you the warmest light of the year. Make sure your patio furniture is clean and staged. Add potted plants and flowers at the entry. If you have a pool, shoot it with the water sparkling in the sun.

And if you're a buyer touring homes this month — pay attention to the outdoor spaces. What you see in June is the best it's going to look. Everything else you can improve. That backyard? That's the lifestyle.

If you work from home — even a few days a week — a dedicated home office isn't a luxury. It's a lifestyle requirement. A...
06/05/2026

If you work from home — even a few days a week — a dedicated home office isn't a luxury. It's a lifestyle requirement. And the market knows it.

Buyers in 2026 are specifically searching for:
📚 Built-in bookshelves and storage
🔌 Wiring for multiple monitors
🔇 Sound insulation from shared spaces
💡 Good natural light without glare on screens
📶 Whole-home Wi-Fi connectivity

For sellers: if you have a home office, stage it like one. Don't let it look like a storage room. Buyers will pay more for a space that feels functional, not theoretical.

What does your ideal home office look like? Drop it in the comments 👇

Remember when a Ring doorbell was a cool add-on? In 2026, buyers expect it — along with a whole ecosystem of connected f...
06/04/2026

Remember when a Ring doorbell was a cool add-on? In 2026, buyers expect it — along with a whole ecosystem of connected features.

The smart home features buyers are now searching for:
🔒 Smart locks + video doorbells
💡 App-controlled lighting and thermostats
📶 Whole-home Wi-Fi systems
📹 Security cameras
⚡ Energy monitoring (especially important as utility costs rise)
🚗 EV-ready garages

For sellers: if you have these features, list every single one in your marketing copy. They add perceived value and help your listing stand out.

For buyers: these features will reduce your utility bills and insurance costs over time — factor that into your value calculation, not just the purchase price.

Which smart home feature would you never give up?

06/03/2026

If walls could talk, they would probably have a few opinions. From burned-out light bulbs to that collection of mystery items in the garage, homes see everything. The question is… what would yours text first?

Address

140 S 68th Street, Suite 1105
West Des Moines, IA
50266

Telephone

+15157248954

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