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RE/MAX Partners Realty Attains Multi-Faceted Growth

Entire Brokerage Attends Global Convention; Second Des Moines-Based Agent Joins Team

Grinnell, IA RE/MAX Partners Realty agents and staff recently attended the RE/MAX R4 international convention in Las Vegas, participating in accreditation courses, seminars and networking events alongside thousands of fellow RE/MAX agents from more than 60 countries. Continued education is a theme for the brokerage which has contributed to the overall success of its agent production.

“This year, our agents had the highest average production out of all the RE/MAX brokerages in the State of Iowa and we were the highest producing commercial brokerage in the entire Central region,” says Matt Karjalahti, Broker & Agent at RE/MAX Partners Realty. “That’s why I took my entire staff including my marketing consultant to this convention; the more we know how to navigate the industry, the better we can serve our customers.”

In addition to educational growth, the brokerage is also physically growing: Bob Craven joined the RE/MAX Partners Realty team as a licensed REALTOR® based in Des Moines. Bob has more than a decade of experience in both residential and commercial real estate and specializes in historic and interesting homes. He has historically helped homebuyers and owners in Sherman Hill, Waterbury, South of Grand and the western suburbs.

“The agents at RE/MAX Partners Realty are all extremely successful in their own right, but also work so great as a team,” says Craven. “Our customers benefit from a pool of knowledge and I don’t think many brokerages can say they work as a team like this group does; I look forward to learning and growing with these talented agents.”

Bob resides in Des Moines and enjoys vintage cars as a hobby. He serves the community through weekly volunteer work and as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He has also served on the boards of local nonprofits Road Rally Charities and the Iowa Youth Chorus.

RE/MAX Partners Realty is the premier real estate brokerage in Polk, Marshall and Poweshiek Counties, offering top tier advisement while tailoring services and communications to its clients’ needs. RE/MAX Partners Realty offers dynamic options to ensure transactions are informed and seamless. Visit the Grinnell or Marshalltown locations to meet face-to-face or explore online tools at remaxcentralia.com.

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Facing COVID-19 in the Real Estate Industry

RE/MAX Partners Realty Practicing Prevention and Preparedness

Grinnell, IA As a leader in the Midwest real estate industry, RE/MAX Partners Realty is navigating the COVID-19 pandemic with one goal in mind: to serve its clients while keeping safety at the forefront. While many unknowns exist, the brokerage and its agents are practicing a variety of innovative ways to prevent the spread of the virus, prepare for the effects it will have on the economy and communities it serves and ensure its clients continue to experience the greatest level of service possible, given regulations and parameters. These steps include the following:

LISTINGS: Listings will be placed with 360º tours whenever possible. Agents will continue to share new properties and encourage their clients to review the listings in depth before visiting a property.

SHOWINGS: All showings must occur virtually before a physical showing takes place. In addition to availability of 360º tours, agents are trained to assist with sharing properties live through various digital platforms such as FaceTime and Zoom. Physical showings will occur only if all parties comply with the CDC guidelines to protect themselves and others as outlined on CDC.gov. At this time, it is suggested that no more than two visitors are present at one time. Sellers will also be required to adhere to the CDC guidelines and ensure cleanliness of the property; they will reserve the right to not allow a showing based on their discretion and comfort level. If anyone associated in the showing has been in contact with COVID-19 or shows any symptoms, the showing will be postponed until all requirements can be met.

CONTRACTS: All contracts will be written and signed electronically unless otherwise authorized. As new COVID-19 cases arise, disclosures covering COVID-19 for both buyers and sellers may be implemented.

OFFICE HOURS: Both offices –– in Grinnell and Marshalltown –– will be closed to visitors and will only open for mandatory face-to-face meetings. Visitors must follow CDC guidelines to protect themselves and others as outlined on CDC.gov and RE/MAX Partners Realty will continue to practice a high level of cleanliness and hygiene within its office spaces.

“We are in unprecedented territory right now, but we will do everything in our power to press forward for our clients and their needs – the world doesn’t stop for those in need of a place to live, a workspace, a sale to go through –– and we see these situations every day,” says Matt Karjalahti, Broker & Agent at RE/MAX Partners Realty. “We have been monitoring news and updates on a daily basis and will continue to do so –– if any of our clients have any questions, we’re certainly here for them and encourage them to contact us via phone or email.”

To stay updated on real estate industry news and suggestions, visit remaxcentralia.com. For more information on the COVID-19 virus and how to prevent, prepare and take action if you believe you may be sick, visit CDC.gov.

RE/MAX Partners Realty is the premier real estate brokerage in Polk, Marshall and Poweshiek Counties, offering top tier advisement while tailoring services and communications to its clients’ needs. RE/MAX Partners Realty offers dynamic options to ensure transactions are informed and seamless. Explore online tools at remaxcentralia.com or email the RE/MAX Partners Realty team at info@remaxcentralia.com.

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RE/MAX Partners Realty Expands to Des Moines

Top Performing Grinnell-Based Agency Adds New Talent

Grinnell, IA This month, Samantha Winebrenner joined the RE/MAX Partners Realty team as a residential and commercial real estate agent based in Des Moines, expanding the agency’s service area to now cover Des Moines, Marshalltown, Grinnell and all of Poweshiek County. A Des Moines native, Winebrenner offers clients insight and background knowledge that only a local can provide; she is an active member of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, participant in various Gen YP committees and has a unique, deeply connected network that spans from her mortgage and finance background to her combined total of six years as a licensed REALTOR®.

“Samantha’s experience and heightened interest in continuing education matches perfectly with RE/MAX Partners Realty and our highly accredited group of agents,” says Matt Karjalahti, Broker & Agent at RE/MAX Partners Realty. “Her proficiencies in the real estate industry are extensive and on top of it all, she’s an extraordinarily genuine person – her clients love her.”

“I knew right away that RE/MAX Partners Realty would be a great fit for me and I’m excited to partner with a group of other agents who work so diligently for their clients,” says Winebrenner. “It’s unbelievable that this brokerage based in little Grinnell, Iowa is one of the most successful agencies in the Midwest and I look forward to continue that success.”

Winebrenner graduated from East High School in Des Moines in 2004 and furthered her education at Central College in Pella obtaining a degree in Psychology. Winebrenner began her professional career in insurance and banking, expanding into the mortgage and loan sectors; she earned her real estate license in 2011. Winebrenner resides in Urbandale with her two daughters, Lucy and Gwen.

RE/MAX Partners Realty is the premier real estate agency in Polk, Marshall and Poweshiek Counties, offering top tier advisement while tailoring services and communications to its clients’ needs. RE/MAX Partners Realty offers dynamic options to ensure transactions are informed and seamless. Visit the Grinnell or Marshalltown locations to meet face-to-face or explore online tools at remaxcentralia.com.

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RE/MAX Partners Realty Unveils Storefront Touch Screen

Above: Community Leaders Visited the Grinnell Office for a Demonstration

Grinnell, IA — Last week, RE/MAX Partners Realty unveiled its recently installed touch screen to a group of community leaders at its Grinnell office, showcasing the screen’s current functionality and future offerings. The agency’s marketing firm, Double You Marketing, and RE/MAX agents provided an interactive tour of the product’s features including Central Iowa’s most complete database of listings. At the beginning of the new year, RE/MAX Partners Realty plans to offer community listings and advertising opportunities to surrounding businesses.

“This is a great tool for downtown visitors to not only have the opportunity to view listings 24/7, but also as a directory and navigational piece that works well given our location in the heart of Grinnell’s downtown,” says Matt Karjalahti, Broker & Agent at RE/MAX Partners Realty. “Consumers and businesses alike will benefit and that’s really what this is all about – community inclusivity and the ability to share information with each other.”

“Promoting your business and products with limited local media options can be challenging,” says Jeff Finch, President of Wes Finch Auto Plaza. “I see this as a useful communications tool not only for local downtown businesses, but also for those of us who do business just outside of town. It’s one more touch point to reach customers with information they find interesting and useful.”

“Consumers digest information differently and this piece offers a unique mix of media ranging from out-loud billboard messaging to measurable digital interactivity,” says Katy Wells, Owner & Brand Consultant of Double You Marketing. “While touch screens are not completely unheard of, it’s certainly an advanced technology offering that resonates with anyone who has adapted to the world of swiping, clicking and connecting with brands on preferred time.”

With its future offering of community listings and advertising opportunities, RE/MAX Partners Realty plans to work with local businesses to organize and coordinate efforts to ensure users can easily navigate the interface and experience. For any inquiries, email info@remaxcentralia.com.

RE/MAX Partners Realty is the premier real estate agency in Poweshiek County and surrounding areas, offering top tier advisement while tailoring services and communications to its clients’ needs. RE/MAX Partners Realty offers dynamic options to ensure transactions are informed and seamless. Visit the Grinnell or Marshalltown locations to meet face-to-face or explore online tools at remaxcentralia.com.

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Now is the Time to Sell

Are you considering selling your home? Why wait until the weather is warm? Now is a great time to list for peak value as:

  1. Inventory is at its lowest since the recession, giving your home more visibility and fewer properties for it to compete with.
  2. “Spring Selling Season” has already started – Days on Market historically begins declining in January.
  3. Starting the listing process now ensures your home is listed, and ready to show once the weather actually does warm up!

The selling process can be a bit daunting, but we’re with you every step of the way. We’ll help you:

  • Determine your home’s value
  • Prepare your home for sale
  • Market your home
  • Show your home
  • Receive purchase offers and negotiate
  • Open escrow and order a title
  • Coordinate appraisals and inspections
  • Navigate disclosures, requests for repair and any contingencies
  • Close escrow

See what our clients are saying…

I wish I had used Matt for all seven of the real estate transactions I completed in Grinnell over the past 10 years. He found us a buyer within a week, negotiated fair and equitable terms for both parties, and closed the deal; no problems, no delays. This was the most efficient and professional sale I have experienced in Grinnell. Hire Matt.~ Jennison


Guadalupe helped us sell my mothers home in Marshalltown and was AMAZING!! We live in RI so we could not be there for the whole process of readying the home for sale but she went above and beyond to help us get t done! We needed someone to help mow the lawn and clean the house before the showing and she helped us find great people who were affordable and extremely helpful as well. She also knew just how to deal with a difficult buyer at the end of the sale. Highly recommend!!! ~Chester


I am so thankful for Alyssa. After I lost my husband Brian, in 2016, the house we built our family in became more than I wanted to keep up with. I contacted Alyssa and she went right to work. This was an emotional decision I was making and Alyssa knew that. She took special care to make sure she took care of all the details in selling a home. I could contact her anytime I needed to and ask about the smallest details. After we put the house on the market, I needed to get busy and decide where I wanted to live. I fell in love with the one and only place we looked at! Alyssa took care of all the details and before I knew it I was in the process of moving into my new home. Alyssa encouraged me to keep my house on the market in the winter and it paid off. Sold it in Feb! Alyssa also helped to facilitate the purchase of some property at Holiday Lake which my family and friends enjoy as much as I do. I highly recommend Alyssa to anyone who is looking for a new home, or deciding to put their home on the market! I’m happy to call her my friend now. Best wishes to you Alyssa, I can’t thank you enough. ~ Porath


When I first met Cheri, she instantly was willing to help and put me in touch with all of the resources that I needed for my purchase. Cheri showed us properties across 2 counties and stuck with us until she found us the house we bought. Our transaction was complicated, but she kept all the wheels on the bus and made it happen and made it comfortable. We did most of the transaction via telephone, fax, email, and text. She even showed us a house at 9pm in a snowstorm! She did everything she could in her power to make our purchase happen. She worked with all of the players involved in our transaction with ease. Even the attorneys in our transaction were impressed with her hard work. She’s unbelievable! Cheri Garcia is a gold star first class real estate agent and an amazing person! ~ Arvey

Connect with us and let’s get started!

Our agents offer the most comprehensive service for buyers and sellers.
Contact us today!

Alyssa Beaderstadt Cheri Garcia Guadalupe Gomez Lynn Mawe Matt Karjalahti
319.521.7016 515.210.2668 641.351.0414 641.990.1206 641.260.0672
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