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REAL ESTATE BUYERS’ GUIDE

find your dream home HOME MORTGAGES Whether you are a first time home buyer or experienced property investor, we have the right borrowing solution to meet your needs. Rachael Cook NMLS# 1507003

3031 5TH AVE. S. • FORT DODGE • 573-5150 • WWW.FSBWC.COM

www.messengernews.net W W W . M E S S E N G E R N E W S . N E T •• F RAugust E E • A U2026 G U S T 2• 0 2FREE 6

Real Estate Buyers’ Guide • August 2026

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Real Estate Buyers’ Guide • August 2026

REAL ESTATE BUYERS’ GUIDE

INDEX

Heartland Bank��13 Hopkin Realty�� 10 Jim’s Carpet One �� Cover Kesterson Realty��4-7

Abstract Associates �� Cover Availa Bank �� Cover

Legacy Realty Group, LLC ��13 McElroy Concrete �� Cover

Coldwell Banker�� 12 Mediacom ��11 Eric Construction �� 16

Mikos & Matt Fine Furniture�� Cover

First State Bank �� Cover Northwest Bank ��1 Flooring America Design Center�� Cover Regency Realtors ��8 Fort Dodge Fiber �� 8 Riley Armstrong ��15 Fort Dodge Realty �� 9 Security Savings Bank ��15 Green State Credit Union �� 14 The Country Store �� Cover

Summer Savings Start At Home...

GET $1,000 OFF* YOUR MORTGAGE CLOSING COSTS!

Sarah Niemand sniemand@nw.bank

Dee Murman dmurman@nw.bank

NMLS#974223

NMLS#640562

READY TO MAKE YOUR SUMMER MOVE? Get prequalified before you shop for your home!

10 N 29 th St, Fort Dodge | 515.955.3331 www.NW.Bank

*Credit score of 720 or greater on primary residence purchase loans only. Receive $1,000 off closing costs with a loan amount greater than or equal to $150,000 or $500 off closing costs with a loan amount of $50,000-$149,999. Funds cannot be applied towards down payment, prepaid interest, etc. Offer valid for secondary market loans only. Use of the Closing Cost Offer may limit or preclude utilization of other discounts or programs. Available to applications dated January 1- December 31, 2026. Property insurance is required. An open and active Northwest Bank Compass Rewards, Compass Relationship, Compass Digital, Compass Cash, Compass Free or Private Banking Checking Account is required. $10 minimum to open checking account. Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS#486668.

Real Estate Buyers’ Guide • August 2026

E H T N COVER O

1518 175TH ST. • CLARE IOWA

1926 1st Ave S., Suite A Fort Dodge, IA 515-955-7714

www.kestersonrealtyfortdodge.com

Listed at $549, 900, this stunning 4+ bedroom, 4-bath acreage offers the perfect blend of luxury, space, and natural beauty. Situated on 2 ed on 2.24 acres bordering Lizard Creek, the property provides breathtaking views and a peaceful setting that feels like a private retreat. Enjoy the outdoors from the wraparound porch, the enclosed porch, or the private dock overlooking the water. The property also features a large shed and a fenced backyard ideal for pets or play. Inside, you’ll find three finished levels of living space. The dramatic living room features vaulted ceilings and a striking fireplace as its centerpiece. The main-foor primary suite includes a private bath and walk-in closet, along with the convenience of mainfloor laundry. A truly exceptional property offering space.

MLS# 30018 • Price $500,000

A publication of The Messenger. The publisher is not responsible or liable for misprints, misinformation, typographical errors herein contained.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this magazine is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability, or any intention to make any such preference limitation.” This magazine will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law and our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Real Estate Buyers’ Guide • August 2026

1605 1st Ave. N., Suite 1 Fort Dodge, IA 515-574-4663

SPECIALIZING IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 1605 1st Ave. N., Suite 1 FORT DODGE, IA 515-573-4911 Office Hours: M-F 9-5 p.m. actionrealtyinc@yahoo.com Savannah Ruhnke Realtor Phone: 515-573-4911 Lori Essing Realtor Phone: 515-573-4911

David Essing

Broker-President, Licensed in Iowa

Cell: 515-570-4496

Jo Berkland Ly Tran Realtor Realtor Cell: 515-320-5162 Cell: 515-302-4714

2048 WESTWOOD DRIVE, FORT DODGE Picturesque treed lot with beautiful landscaping, rock water feature, firepit, deck and patio. Spacious ranch home with 2932 sq ft of living space, newer shingles, vaulted ceiling in LR, and numerous updates including master bath with onyx shower and countertops and tile flooring. Master BR en-suite has a roomy walk-in closet along with ample storage throughout. Kitchen includes black stainless steel appliances and plenty of custom cabinets. Cozy gas fireplace on each level. Lower level is an entertainer’s dream with a separate family room and large game/ pool room with wet bar. Oversized, heated attached double garage includes a workshop area and an additional 14 x 18 storage shed. This home includes an air exchange system, new radon reduction system, and sump pump with battery backup.

MLS# 29992 • $345,000 214 WEST ELM AVE., POCAHONTAS

401 S 15TH STREET, FORT DODGE

E IC ED PR DUC RE

FOR RENT 809 CENTRAL AVE

Large office space with 5 to 6 individual offices and a reception area. $1200.00 rent per month plus electric. 809 CENTRAL SUITE 320

Open concept living in this modern 4BR 2 Bath Townhouse. The large, country style kitchen has oak cabinetry and a handy breakfast bar. Main floor laundry. Shower is handicapped accessible. Lower level has 2 BRs (1 non-conforming), bath and a large family room.

MLS# 30004 • $155,000

Nice income property fully rented.

MLS# 26533 • $54,900

729 PLEASANT ST. ROCKWELL CITY Classic 2 story home with 3BRs and 1.5 baths. Beautiful oak woodwork throughout including 8” baseboards. Some original wood flooring and leaded glass windows. Large living room with an open staircase. Main floor laundry and large closets. Inviting open porch in the front and additional enclosed porch in the back. Detached double garage. History buffs will appreciate this original Sears home.

MLS# 30029 • $97,500

1427 6TH AVE S, FORT DODGE Rare 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bathroom for sale. new paint, new kitchen flooring, large 2 car detach garage. showing at anytime. come see it today!

MLS# 29764 • $118,500 Real Estate Buyers’ Guide • August 2026

3 offices plus a Waiting area. $475 plus electric 809 CENTRAL AVE STE 315

Office space with 3 individual offices and a reception area $375.00 Plus electric 13

FEATURED LISTINGS

F E A T U R E D

L I S T I N G S

F E A T U R E D

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206 206 NW NW 8th 8th Street Street Pocahontas

102 3rd Av A Avenue enue 102 3rd AAv Avenue enue SW SW Pocahontas

Pocahontas

206 NW$219,900 8th Street 2 BED | 1.5 BATH BAT BA ATH | 1,588 SF Pocahontas $219,900

102 3rd Av A Avenue enue SW $245,000 3 BED | 2 BATH B BA ATH | 1,820 SF AT Pocahontas $245,000

2 BED | 1.5 BATH BAT BA ATH | 1,588 SF $219,900

$245,000

MOVE-IN MOV O E-IN READY OV D DY

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3 BED | 2 BATH BAT BA ATH | 1,820 SF

2 BED |SUNRO 1.5RO BATH BAT BA ATH | 1,588 SF SUNROOM R OM

3 BED | 2 BATH BAT BA ATH | 1,820 SF

QUARTZ QUART R Z COUNTERT RT COUNTERTOPS R OPS RT

MOVE-IN MOV O E-IN OV D DY EXTRA EXT X READY XT R LOT RA

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Real Estate Buyers’ Guide • August 2026

NO DATA CAPS NO DATA CAPS NO DATA CAPS NO DATA CAPS NO DATA CAPS NO DATA CAPS NO DATA CAPS Mediacom Internet Offers Include:

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†Service not available in all areas. Go to shop.mediacomcable.com to check availability in your location. Upstream Usage Threshold and Speed Reductions: Advertised speeds are for a wired connection. Actual speeds may vary and are not guaranteed, see https://mediacomcable.com/internet-broadband-disclosures. Upstream usage over 1 TB may result in reduction of upload speed by up to 50% for remainder of month. ^eero: eero devices are third-party products subject to disclaimers at eero.com/legal/disclaimer. Call or go online for details.

Real Estate Buyers’ Guide • August 2026

Jamie Lara 408-2265

Heather Vandi 571-8212

Craig Patterson 570-0804

Sadie Andersen 408-1824

Nick Taylor 570-1350

Jim Schwan 570-8608

1100 1st Ave N. Fort Dodge 515-302-8633

THE

essenger www.messengernews.net

Real Estate Buyers’ Guide • August 2026

Erin Bintz 302-1307

Barbara Benton 570-4425

Lisa Crouse

Tommy Halligan

NMLS #812113

MLO #1649168

PH: 712-469-2800

PH: 515-316-6102

515-316-6102 515-337-8698 515-316-6100 712-469-2800 515-513-3030

GreenState is the

MORTGAGE LENDER IN IOWA

With low rates and ﬂexible terms, it may surprise you just how affordable purchasing a home can be.

Call Cameron to discuss the options.

1207 Central Avenue, Fort Dodge

GreenStateMortgage.org

Cameron Nelson (515) 955-0620

CameronNelson@GreenState.org www.GreenState.org/CameronNelson NMLS# 2766661 Real Estate Buyers’ Guide • August 2026

Local Home ADVERTISING Improvements That Works as Hard as You Do

For All Your Plumbing Needs Proudly Serving Fort Dodge for 34 Years

Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

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CALL 515-955-2232 11 North 20th St. Fort Dodge

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515-352-3333 securitysavingsbank.com

Talk to us today

about the best locally focused print, digital and specialized advertising solutions to fit your business! THE

essenger 515.573.2141

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www.messengernews.net 19

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CALL TODAY! 1.855.895.1466 New orders only. Does not include material costs. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Minimum purchase required. Other restrictions may apply. This is an advertisement placedon behalf of Erie Construction Mid-West, Inc (“Erie”). Offer terms and conditions may apply and the offer may not be available in your area. If you call the number provided, you consent to being contacted by telephone, SMS text message, email, pre-recorded messages by Erie or its affiliates and service providers using automated technologies notwithstanding if you are on a DO NOT CALL list or register. Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use on homeservicescompliance.com. All rights reserved. License numbers available at eriehome.com/erielicenses/

Real Estate Buyers’ Guide • August 2026

71 FURNITURE THAT LASTS • SERVICE YOU CAN COUNT ON

Treat your new home to new furniture! Let us help you find the perfect pieces!

SAVE NOW...

Serving Iowa Since 1953

FORT DODGE • 515-576-7241 www.mikosandmatt.com HOURS: MON. 9AM-7PM • TUES-THURS. 9AM-6PM FRI. 9AM-5:30PM • SATURDAY 9AM-5PM SUNDAY NOON-5PM

Find us on

The KitchenAid® Line The KitchenAid®® Line The to KitchenAid Line Designed be personalized

Designed to be personalized Designed to be personalized

Monday 8:30 am - 7 pm • Tue-Fri 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm ®/™ © 2025 KitchenAid. All rightsAve. reserved. 250452KX. 524 Central Fort Dodge • 515-955-2330 ®/™ © 2025 KitchenAid. All rights reserved. 250452KX. ®/™ © 2025 KitchenAid. All rights reserved. 250452KX.

Real Estate Buyers’ Guide • August 2026

McElroy Concrete

• Concrete Paving • Slab Patios • Decorative Concrete • Excavation & Grading • Commercial, Residential & Industrial • Licensed & Fully Insured Professional • Guaranteed Quality Workmanship

McElroy Concrete

3012 200th St • Duncombe

515-571-7982 Bill McElroy, Owner

Real Estate Buyers’ Guide • August 2026

Titus is in his 50th Year of Selling and Installing More Efficient Fireplace Inserts & Vent-Free Gas Logs. If you have a fireplace that burns wood, you know that it loses all of its heat up the chimney. Rick Titus has a wood burning insert that will burn with the efficiency of a wood stove and fit inside your fireplace so it keeps your fireplace look, heating up to 1,000-2,000 sq. ft. The insert could heat up to 2,000 sq. ft. and burn a third of the wood! If you have a gas log in your fireplace it also sends all of its heat up the chimney. Rick has Vent-Free gas logs that can burn as efficiently as a gas cookstove and burn with the damper closed, thus keeping all the heat in the house, heating up to 1,000 sq. ft. of your home So no matter what kind of fireplace you may have, Rick has an efficient solution for it. Call Rick or email him at yahtitus@gmail. com or go to his website below. Rick even has new fireplaces and wood stoves that can heat your home even during a power outage.

Call Rick at 515-532-3881 or 515-293-2455 or visit www.fireplacesatthecountrystore.com Real Estate Buyers’ Guide • August 2026

FLOORING, CABINETS, COUNTERTOPS & MORE

Because the best spaces aren’t just stunning—they work beautifully for the people who use them every day.

DESIGNED forREAL LIFE 3026 5th Avenue South Fort Dodge • 515-576-4176