4 Simple Tips to Reduce Maintenance Costs as a Renter

There are plenty of benefits to renting—varying levels of commitment, amenities, and, most importantly, access to a maintenance crew. While maintenance teams are great for large issues such as a leaking roof, broken appliances, and structural deficiencies, small repairs can quickly add up for tenants. So before you put in a maintenance request, review these […]

Making Your (Rental) Life A Little Easier

Ironic, isn’t it? The joy and wonder of the holiday season can also bring increasing stress and chaos to our already busy lives. This is just one reason Westwinds strives to provide our tenants the easiest ways possible to help manage their rental properties. One of the best ways is by using the online TENANT […]

731 American Pharaoh Drive

Westwinds Real Estate Project Manager, Mike Hoogerwerf, finished construction on this custom home in Churchill Meadows in May 2019. Hoogerwerf estimates that he has built a couple hundred houses over his career. Hoogerwerf takes care when building new houses to consider the construction of surrounding houses while adding uniqueness to his design. This careful balance […]

4 Essential Steps When Purchasing Property

Purchasing a house is likely the largest transaction you will ever undertake. It is essential that you perform your due diligence prior to investing in a property to ensure a smooth transaction. CHOOSE A LENDER. Do your research. Find an institution that you can trust and a Lender to whom you are comfortable disclosing financial […]

4 Essential Steps: Getting Started in Real Estate Investing

All investments come with some risk. Before you dive into real estate investing make sure you are set up for success. Review these four essential steps: Reach out to professionals Contact a real estate agent or a property management company to learn more about available properties and potential rental income. Westwinds can help with both […]

Tips That All Renters Should Know: Emergencies vs. Non-Emergencies

During your time as a renter, you may come across some leaky pipes, clogged sinks, or lockouts. While these can be inconvenient, they may not be an emergency. Emergencies that cause large, immediate damage should include a call to maintenance and sometimes even a call to 911. What qualifies as an emergency? Fire If a […]

Entire Home Transformation

It is fun to see a house completely transform! Here is Westwinds Real Estate’s latest house renovation, spearheaded by expert Project Manager, Mike Hoogerwerf. Check out these before and after pictures! Before After Fresh exterior paint and a new garage door gives this house a much needed facelift! Fresh interior paint and trim throughout and […]

Prevent Grill-Related Fires

July is the peak month for grill fires, and Westwinds wants you to stay safe while you enjoy cooking outdoors! The potential for fire increases when precautions are not taken while using grills and deep fryers, especially in multi-family dwellings. Outdoor grills are involved in more than 8,900 home fires per year. Just 2 weeks […]

Build Credit by Paying Rent on Time

According to a LendingTree.com article, the minimum credit score needed to be approved for a mortgage is 660. Credit can be difficult to build and easy to destroy, which is why it is important to know what impacts your score. Rental history is one effective way to build credit. Make payments on time. It is […]

We’re Moving!

To accommodate our growing customer base we are excited to announce that our office will be relocating to 316 E. Court Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 as of Monday, September 26, 2016. Our office phone number will remain (319) 354-3792. Metered, on-street parking is available on E. Court Street and S. Linn Street. The S. […]

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