Ames Holiday Activities: December 13th-16th

Take a look at what the Ames community is offering this weekend to add to your holiday spirit!

Special Holiday Events:

Santa Express Train | Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
On board, you will sing Christmas carols, hear the story of "Santa's Scenic Valley Ride," be served hot chocolate & a cookie and meet & receive a silver bell from Santa.
Thursday, December 13th - 6pm
Friday, December 14th - 6pm

Gifts & Decor:

Stocking Stuffer Night | Reiman Gardens Gift Shop
For special pieces to put in your family's stockings, come to Stocking Stuffer Night at Reiman Gardens Gift shop. There will be refreshments served. There is not cost for entry to the gift shop.
Thursday, December 13th - 5pm to 8pm

Floral Design Series: "Garland and Swags" | Reiman Gardens
Learn how to design and make your own Christmas garland and swags. Take home your handmade decor and save the knowledge on how to design them for years to come.
Thursday, December 13th - 2pm or 6:30pm | $30 for CoHorts Members/$38 General Public

Open House | Ciccotti Art Glass Studio
Ciccotti Art Glass will be showcasing new work while having the gift shop open for purchases. There will also be blown glass demonstrations throughout the day.
Saturday, December 15th - 10am to 4pm

Ames Holiday Actvities: November 30-December 2

The city of Ames has several holiday activities planned this month. This weekend is full of family friendly things to do to celebrate the Christmas season. I have compiled a list of the top holiday events to participate in this coming weekend.

Festival of Trees Workshop | The Octagon
The Octagon Center for the Arts is sponsoring an ornament and holiday workshop as part of the Festival of Trees. While you're there making ornaments, make sure you check out their array of beautifully adorned Christmas trees.
Saturday, December 1st - 1:30pm to 3:30pm | Free/Free Will Donations

ISU Forestry Christmas Tree Sale | Reiman Gardens Parking Lot
Haven't picked out a Christmas tree yet? Why not support Iowa State students in Forestry and get the perfect tree?  Conveniently located in the Reiman Gardens parking lot, you can do many of the  events offered at Reimans and take your tree home afterwards.
Friday, November 30th - 3pm to 8pm
Saturday, December 1st - 9am to 5pm
Sunday, December 2nd - 12pm to 5pm

Christmas Cookie Demonstration | Cooks Emporium
The annual Christmas cookie demonstration at Cooks Emporium is this Saturday. Get great recipes, ideas and tips for your holiday baking this season.
Saturday, December 1st - 10am | $5

Central Iowa Symphony Sounds of the Season Concert | Ames City Auditorium
The orchestra will be playing holiday classics all night. This would be a great date night idea to celebrate the Christmas season.
Saturday, December 1st - Doors Open 6:45pm, Performance Starts 7:30pm | $20

Snowball Drop | Tom Evans Park on Main Street
Holiday prizes, coupons, and discounts will be falling from the sky at Tom Evans Park this Saturday during the annual Snowball Drop. Stop here before going holiday shopping.
Saturday, December 1st - 1pm | Free

Altrusa Home Tour | Homes in Ames
Curious about the interior of the most beautiful homes in Ames? Here's a great opportunity to see some of those homes decorated for Christmas in the Altrusa Home Tour. There will be five homes in Ames included the tour: 3002 Sapphire Circle, 5316 Thackeray Drrive, 51552 180th Street, 1919 Polk Drive, 4317 Timber Ridge Drive.
Saturday, December 1st - 1pm to 5pm | $12 Advance/$15 At the Door
Sunday, December 2nd - 1pm to 5pm | $12 Advance/$15 At the Door

Santa Express Train | Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
On board, you will sing Christmas carols, hear the story of "Santa's Scenic Valley Ride," be served hot chocolate and a cookie, meet, and receive a silver bell from, Santa.
Saturday, December 1st - 10:30am, 1pm, 3pm, & 6pm | $16

Holiday Music | Reiman Gardens
Live holiday music will be preformed at Reiman Gardens this weekend. Reiman Gardens has decked the halls and is ready for Christmas. Enjoy the scenory and the music offered at Reiman Gardens this weekend.
Saturday, December 1st - 12pm to 3pm | General Admission Rates
Sunday, December 2nd - 12pm to 3pm | General Admission Rates

Ames Children's Choirs Holiday Concert | Bethesda Lutheran Church
The talented children of Ames Children's Choirs will be performing holiday music at Bethesda Lutheran Church. There will be songs sung in several languages, including Portuguese, Hebrew, Latin & English.
Sunday, December 2nd - 3pm | $8 Adults/$5 Students & Seniors

Do you have events that you traditionally go to in Ames during the holidays? Will you be going to any of these activities listed?

Holiday Traveling: How to Prep

If you're traveling this weekend or during the holiday season, here are a few tips and reminders to make sure your journey is a success before you even leave.

1. Fill up your tires. As the weather (presumably) will get colder, your tire pressure will change. Before leaving for a long car ride or even just the ride to the airport, make sure your tires are full. It would be a disappointment to have to change a tire on the side of the road or to come back from your trip and see your tires flat in the parking lot. A tire gauge is $2 and worth it, even if you have tire pressure sensors as a feature in your vehicle. Other car maintenance like an oil change or a car wash can't hurt either.

2. Figure out what to wear. While it is important to figure out what you'll be wearing for the holiday festivities, it is also important to figure out what to wear in the car or on the plane. A belt is a hassle in both scenarios; either it's leaving a dent in your stomach in the car under your seat belt or you're having to remove it and put it back on when going through airport security. Comfortable, yet classy. Relaxed, but not sloppy. Thinking about not just what your clothing will look like but how practical it will be is a good rule of thumb when preparing what to wear on the journey.

3. Pick up your house and water your plants. When the stress of having to pack and coordinate travel plans gets overwhelming, you may have the urge to leave the mess for when you get back. Do yourself a favor and pick up out of place objects, do the dishes, wipe down the bathroom, take out the trash and water your plants. Imagine coming home completely exhausted, having piles of laundry to do, emails to check and your house is a wreck. You don't need to deep clean before you leave but tidying up beforehand will help you in significant ways when you return.

4. Give a spare key to a neighbor that you trust. Fears of "I forgot to turn off the..." or "I forgot to feed the..." will be settled more quickly when you have someone to check on things while you're gone. If you're going to be gone for more than three days, you might even ask them to turn on your living room lights for a few hours each night. Trustworthy neighbors are indispensable. Jump on the opportunity to return the favor for them so it's a good deal for everyone involved.

5. Take a break. Give yourself a time limit to get all of your travel prep done. Then take a few hours just to enjoy being home before your trip. If you are high stress up until the minute that you leave, chances are, that stress will carry to your destination. Holidays are supposed to be a time to step back and enjoy blessings with family. Give yourself the grace to let things be undone and less than perfect before you leave so that you can get excited for the real purpose of the traveling, spending time to celebrate.

What are your must-dos before you travel?

Happy Thanksgiving from the Jared Van Cleave Real Estate Team!

Featured Listings: November 19

10590 530th Ave. Story City, IA

Century farm located just minutes NW of Story City. Features include: completely updated home in 2008, 9' ceilings, refinished wood floors, new electrical, new plumbing, new metal roof and gutters, reinsulated, new drywall, Swan Creek custom cabinets, Corian counter-tops, stainless steal appliances, washer/dryer included, open floorplan, new fixtures, MBR suite w/ adjacent 3/4 bath, spacious closets, huge deck, 54'x60' Morton insulated & propane heated Morton building w/ two 14'x12' overhead doors, well maintained century barn, pasture, groves, rural water for house & well for exterior hydrants, new septic, bus stops at end of driveway, beautiful Iowa views, and much more! Wonderful farm just a short drive from everything!

2118 Ashmore Dr. Ames, IA

Fantastic ranch home with nearly 2900 total finished sq ft and vaulted ceilings in outstanding neighborhood near ISU Campus, Jack Trice Stadium, and Reiman Gardens. Huge picture windows provide great natural light and views of mature trees in private back yard. Features include: open floor plan, main floor laundry, 3-season porch, large MBR suite, hot tub, and composite back deck. Well built and maintained 1960's era home with new windows, new roof, raised garden beds, ceiling fans, updated mechanicals, and much more.

2009 McCarthy Rd. Ames, IA

 

Nearly 3550 total finished square feet in this large ranch home within walking distance to Reiman Gardens, Jack Trice Stadium, and ISU Campus. Features: gourmet kitchen added in 2004, oak hardwood floors, double oven, gas cooktop, pantry, quartz countertops, main floor living & family rooms, formal dining, main floor & LL laundry options, MBR suite w/ 3/4 bath & walk-in closet, 3 seasons porch, spacious living room in LL w/ 3/4 bath & 4th bedroom, mature trees, perennials, fruit trees, garden shed, spacious & private backyard, and much more than meets the eye.

Decorating for Autumn

When the seasons change, home decor follows. While decor might have been light and airy in the summer time, throw blankets, pumpkins and candles generally enter in the fall. Here are a few examples of a home decorated with coziness in mind. What's your favorite way to decorate for fall?

 

 

 

These pictures are of 906 Murray Dr. in Ames.

 

 

The Past Week.

Sometimes the market gets a little crazy. The past few weeks things have been pretty low-key in the market. Not a lot of listings. Not a lot of pendings. Not just for me but for most of Central Iowa. Then came this week. 5 official new listings, 2 more on their way by tomorrow, and 2 new pendings on my plate this week. It's always surprising how/when things turn around. I am thankful for the new business that has come my way and I'm excited to share with you the new  listings that I get to represent.

 

2211 207th Pl. Boone, IA

Over 3300 finished SF in this sprawling ranch walk-out acreage just 10 min West of Ames. Features include: nearly 4.5 acres, fenced horse or livestock paddock, outbuilding/stable, multiple tree and bush plantings, walk-out basement, 2+ car garage, large deck, wonderful Iowa views, natural lighting, open floorplan, gas fireplace, oak hardwood floors, formal dining & breakfast nook, vaulted and trey ceilings, main floor mud/laundry room, MBR suite w/ his & hers closets, dual sinks, shower, & jetted tub, 2 additional bedrooms in LL, huge LL family room w/ gas fireplace & new carpet, quick possession available...motivated seller!

 

1803 Clark Ave. Ames, IA

Over 3000 total finished SF in this Central Ames ranch home. Features include: corner lot, newer roof, fenced-in backyard, 3-seasons porch, walk-up basement, beautiful landscaping, hardwood floors, large kit w/ center island, updated baths, family room with wood fireplace, mud room, main floor and LL laundry, main floor MBR suite, some new windows, newer mechanicals, bar in LL, and more. AV does not reflect improvements. Quick possession available.

 

327 Hartford Dr. Ames, IA

Outstanding floorplan with open features in this 2 story West Ames property. Features include: 3+ car heated and cooled garage, no maintenance siding, vaulted ceilings, new carpet 2012, large dining and kitchen with center island, all appliances included, pantry, main floor laundry, master bedroom suite on main, 2 spacious bedrooms with full bath on 2nd level & open finishable basement.

 

1535 Little Bluestem Ct. #44

Great location for this comfortable townhome just south of ISU campus. Features include: located on a cul-de-sac, private treed backyard, 1 car attached garage, new furnace and AC, open main floor, all kitchen appliances included, laundry on main floor, new washer, 3 bedrooms and large full bathroom on 2nd level, and more. Currently owned as a rental property at $1260/month, but can be owner occupied as well. Great investment opportunity!

Featured Listings: September 18th

 

1217 Sand Cherry Ln., Huxley, IA

2 Story Farmhouse in Huxley's friendly Trail Ridge neighborhood! Features include: nearly 1 acre, irrigated/manicured lawn, walk-out basement, boulder retaining walls, wrap around porch w/ swing, green space and tree views, 3+ car attached garage, open floorplan, formal dining, hardwood & travertine floors, custom trim work & ceiling details in kit, granite surfaces, stainless steel appliances, stone wood fireplace in LR, large bedrooms and closets, jack and jill bath, huge MBR suite w/ walk-in closet, vaulted ceilings, balcony, bubble soaking tub, tile walk-in shower, dual sinks, see-through gas fireplace, central vac, high efficiency mechanicals, options to customize the basement, and much more! Hurry to make this one your home!

 

 

 503 Park Ave., Story City, IA

 

Charming cottage on Park Ave in Story City near the heart of downtown. Features include: new roof, new siding, new gutters, wrought iron decorative fence, walking distance to downtown, shopping, grocery store, library, etc, new carpet, updated kitchen and baths, ornate archways, formal dining, bedroom, full bath, and laundry all on main floor, 3 bedrooms plus a play/multipurpose space on 2nd story, fruit trees, garden, mature trees, and much more. Quick possession is available.

New Elementary School Plans Unveiled

The Ames School District has revealed the preliminary designs for the new elementary school building on Miller Avenue. Miller Avenue Elementary will replace Edwards Elementary when it is completed. The initial renderings of the design plan for the new school have been released and the school looks well thought out and intuitive. What do you think of these plans?

Go here for more information.

Featured Listings: August 21st

The summer has been incredibly busy for the Van Cleave team. There are a lot of great new listings that I'm excited to share with you.

2717 White Oak Dr. Ames, IA

What a property! Over 5400 finished SF in this rare find. Features include: complete remodel in 2001, hardwood floors, maple cabinets, updated appliances, large living room w/ wood/gas fireplace and entertainment center, 6+ bedrooms, 6 baths, huge laundry room w/ 2 sets of W/D, custom built-ins, attractive lighting, massive composite deck and balcony, water feature, car port overhang perfect for covered parties, 3+ car fully finished heated/cooled garage, hot tub room w/ 3/4 bath, custom wood shop, massive studio apartment w/ kitchenette & 3/4 bath, fenced-in backyard, basketball court, play scape, firepit w/ trampoline above, dog kennel, manicured landscaping w/ smart irrigation, and much, much more! AV does not reflect the value.

2522 Kellogg Ave., Ames, IA

Wow!! This updated home has over 3500 finished square fee and features: nearly a half acre park-like setting for a backyard, mature oak trees, perennials, patio, sandbox, deck, garden, basketball hoop, fenced-in, completely updated inside and out in 2008, MBR suite, maple hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, loads of natural light, large kitchen with center island, pantry, storage and more storage, 3+ car garage, rain barrels, awesome location close to schools, golf course, shopping, this is an unique find for Ames' buyers!

1027 N 2nd St

Nearly 1700 finished SF in this sharp bungalow near downtown Ames. Features include: corner lot, mature trees, metal siding, new furnace and AC, 1+ car detached garage, fenced-in yard, enclosed front porch, oak hardwood floors, custom paint colors, spacious closets, updated full bath with tile tub surround, huge living room, finished upper level as large bedroom, storage in lower level, and much more. Motivated seller!

For more great listings, click here.

Summer Activities in Ames

Ames has some really great family friendly things to do during the summer. I've compiled a list of my favorites. What are your favorite summer activities?

1. Ames Main Street Farmers Market
Whether you're looking for organic veggies, live music, or just a reason to stroll around downtown Ames, every Saturday from 8am to 12pm, the Ames Main Street Farmers Market is a great place to spend time with your family and community.
 


2. Furman Aquatic Center
This pool has it all: a lazy river, intertube slides, high boards, and an interactive small children section.



3. Downtown Thursday Night Music
Every Thursday Night there is live music at the Bandshell and Tom Evans Park at the end of Burnett Ave.




4. Live at the Vineyard
Each Sunday afternoon from 3pm-6pm, Prairie Moon Winery hosts a musical performance. The cost is $3 per person but includes sangria for all adults of age and you're invited to bring your own picnic dinner to enjoy as you listen to the music and walk around the vineyard.




5. Octagon Art Festival
Sunday, September 23rd, 10am to 5pm, the Octagon Center for the Arts and the Ames Multicultural District host the Annual Octagon Art Festival in Downtown Ames. It's completely free and has great street vendors and artist featured every year.