-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
A pair of real estate signs are in place along Williams Drive. Local real estate agents say the market is stable and active.
Home prices reached an all-time national high in June, while the country’s housing slump rolls on with fewer people buying homes nationally in June and July, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors.
But local real estate agents say that Fort Dodge and Webster County’s housing market is relatively stable and active in comparison to the national trend.
“We have a pretty diverse community and spread of inventory that fits a variety of price ranges,” said Keenan Schuur, 2024 president of the Fort Dodge Board of Realtors as well as broker associate and co-owner of Coldwell Banker Associated Realtors.
“Fort Dodge as a community has a lot to offer,” he said. “We have seen a big increase in retail and manufacturing development, changes and growth in our education systems, and we have a lot of quality of life initiatives in place and more that are continuing down the pipeline. I am very optimistic with where the city is moving.”
“Fort Dodge and Webster County are relatively stable and active compared to the national trend,” added Todd McCubbin, associate broker and co-owner of Kesterson Realty. “While the national report indicates a slower market, our area benefits from a consistent demand driven by local industries, ongoing developments, and the appeal of small town living with modern amenities.”
According to Schuur, the average sale price in the Fort Dodge area is $168,000 which is lower than the state average of $220,000. The national average is $412,000.
While Webster County homes aren’t selling right away with multiple offers and over asking price, they are selling with more marketing involved by the agent and with some taking longer to sell. According to Schuur, the average days on the market in Webster County is around 67 days which is up from 59 days last year.
“Our inventory is up a bit from previous years and feels almost as if we are heading back into our normal small town Iowa market,” added Jeremiah Condon, associate broker and co-owner of Kesterson Realty. “We may only have so many buyers in a certain range and just because a house sits on the market a bit longer than the national average does not necessarily mean that there is anything wrong with the home. We may only have four buyers in that range and if three of them don’t like it because the bathroom is too small, and the other needs the stove to be gas, then we need to manufacture a new buyer.”
And buyers are coming to Fort Dodge and the Webster County area, according to McCubbin.
“Local businesses and initiatives play a role in maintaining the area’s appeal,” said McCubbin. “Projects like the Corridor Plaza, Mainstreet Iowa, and Vision 2050 are not only improving the quality of life, but are also attracting new residents and investors, further boosting the real estate market.”