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Written by Jennifer Jansen, Broker/Owner, Epic Realty, Sioux Center

Located in Sioux County, Sioux Center (population 7,579) is the place I get to call home. It’s a privilege to be part of a community where people truly care about each other, their property, and our kids. I think Sioux Center is special, because we have a spirit of generosity that runs deep and a seamless collaboration with the school systems and our City government. The atmosphere here is exceptional. We are all about growth, and our future is made even more vibrant with our ongoing spirit of teamwork.

If you’re coming to explore Sioux Center, I must confess that nothing starts my day better than grabbing a morning cup o’joe at two of our wonderful local establishments. You can’t beat the coffee at Fruited Plain, or Butlers. Both are tasty, and the service will have you walking out caffeinated and happy you chose to start your day there.

While lots of communities have a great library, I think the one here in Sioux Center is among our best hidden gems. A new building was built in 2007, making it a modern and interactive space to meet the needs of our growing community. Our library leaders do a phenomenal job of reaching a variety of interests through book clubs, and reading programs for kids, teens, and adults. They offer engaging summer programs, genealogy clubs, educational events and more. I can’t think of a better thing than to have your library be one of the busiest spots in town!

Love ball games? Me too, because DIAMONDS are a girl’s best friend! Our Sioux Center Parks Department received the 2017 and 2018 Diamond of the Year awards for turf management on our baseball and softball fields at Open Space Park. Our ball diamonds are gorgeous, and my hometown Warriors play great ball. Put on a hat, grab your sunscreen, and cue the music… “Take me out to the ballgame…” And if you’re hungry after catching a game, I highly recommend the fried pickles with chipotle ranch at The Ridge Grill as a great post-game snack. Add in a cold one and grab a seat on the patio for a lovely view of the golf course and a relaxing summer afternoon.

If you were looking for one word to describe Sioux Center, I’d tell you it’s collaboration. Our community continues to enjoy significant economic and population growth. As a mom, a business owner, and a taxpayer, it’s a joy to see our city leaders, public schools, the private elementary school, and Dordt University join forces to work together on endeavors and projects that make logistical or financial sense, like the collaboration that takes place to make Open Space Park an award winning facility. No one has their own fiefdom in Sioux Center; rather, there is a tremendous level of mutual respect and collaboration that recognizes we make all of our entities stronger by working together.

Finally, I love that we celebrate our community and collaborative efforts every spring! Our Spirit of Community Banquet is an annual event hosted by the City and Chamber of Commerce to recognize local citizens and businesses for their leadership in our community. We work hard to make our town great, and it’s important that we take time every year to shine a spotlight on the well-deserving and kind people that make Sioux Center so special.

For me, there’s no place like home, and I’m glad Sioux Center is the place my family and I get to do life. I hope you’ll stop and say hello if you’re passing through, or if you see me at the ball field. Go Warriors!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Jansen is the Broker/Owner of Epic Realty in Sioux Center. A busy wife, mom and community volunteer, Jennifer serves on the Executive Board of Sioux Center Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Sioux Center Health Board, a 4-H leader, FFA Alumni President and volunteers at local ministries. Jennifer is currently President-Elect of the Northwest Iowa Regional Board of REALTORS® and will step into the shoes of President in the fall of 2019. According to Jennifer, they will be a CUTE pair of shoes, too. Jennifer’s favorite part of real estate is, “Getting to know my clients and understanding their needs; it is such a privilege to walk alongside them in these moments. There is no place like HOME!”

No one knows the in’s and out’s of our 13 counties and hundreds of communities like our REALTOR® members. Our Town is a monthly feature spotlighting the special places that make the NWIA region so unique.

NAR’s REALTOR® Safety Program hosts a webinar on the role of intuition and situational awareness in staying safe. Danielle Martin, founder and ambassador of True Boundaries, will lead the webinar. It’s on April 23 at 1 p.m., Central time.

Spring is a great opportunity to refresh your personal protection plans. Take advantage of this free member benefit to get ready for the busy season ahead.

Learn more and register here.

NWIA’s annual member blood drive is May 1 from 1:30 to 4:00 PM, with the LifeServe Mobile Blood Center in our parking lot. Sign up today for your appointment time. 

The Sioux City Explorers have teamed up with NWIA to save local lives. DONATE BLOOD at our office on May 1, and you will receive a voucher for 2 free tickets to the Sunday, May 19 baseball game. 

More than 38,000 people need donated blood every day, and because there is no substitute for human blood, it must be donated by volunteer blood donors. You participation helps save a life, and it helps us meet NAR’s Core Standards for Boards.

The Northwest Iowa Regional Board of Realtors® and Iowa Association of Realtors® (IAR) are offering mortgage and rental payment assistance grants to Iowa residents impacted by recent flooding, thanks to a $250,000 grant from the nationwide Realtor® Relief Foundation. With $25,000 in matching funds from Iowa Realtors®, $275,000 is now available to provide assistance to Iowans in need.

Individual households impacted by recent flooding can visit this link to learn more about the program and obtain an application for assistance. Grants up to $1000 are available for mortgage payment assistance, or payment of rental costs incurred by displacement from a residence due to flooding.

“Northwest Iowa was especially hard-hit during the mid-March weather event,” said Mark Vos, President of the Northwest Iowa Regional Board of Realtors®, and agent with United Real Estate Solutions in Sioux City. “We are delighted to be able to offer this assistance to our friends and neighbors, who we know are still suffering from so much devastation and heart break.”

“With 59 of Iowa’s 99 counties declared disaster areas by Governor Reynolds, we know our neighbors have sustained heavy losses. Iowans are known for helping each other, and the Iowa Association of Realtors® is committed to assisting with recovery from this disaster,” stated John Goede, President of the Iowa Association of Realtors®, and agent with Century 21 ProLink in Spencer, Iowa.

“We appreciate the support from the National Association of Realtors®, and we look forward to helping as many Iowans as we can. We know that Realtors® across Iowa are already helping their communities on a personal level, and this grant will help us reach thousands more neighbors in need,” said Gavin Blair, CEO of the Iowa Association of Realtors®.

Widespread flooding due to rain, snow melt, and frozen ground have impacted almost two-thirds of the state since the middle of March, with some communities over 60% inundated with water, and many farms and local businesses devastated.

The Northwest Iowa Board of Realtors® is comprised of 450 real estate professionals in a 13 county region across the northwest quadrant of Iowa.

The months of December and of January are usually cold, but seeing new faces join our board warms our hearts.  Welcome to these new members, and we are glad to have you as a part of the NWIA family.  Contact information for these members is available in our member directory on the website.

Lori Ebel, Gustafson Realty
Theresa Deger, Keller Williams Siouxland
James Most, Falcon Enterprises (Affiliate)
Kyle Uhl, Century 21 ProLink
Minh Vuong, Century 21 ProLink
Dennis (DJ) Naatjes, Realty ONE Group
Rob Valdovinos, Century 21 ProLink

NWIA will be holding our changeover training for all SentriLock users on February 12, 13 and 14 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Sioux City.  Members received a personalized email with a link to register to attend one 90 minute session.

While we encourage everyone to be there to learn the system from the experts, we recognize some members cannot attend this event due to previously scheduled vacations or other commitments.  If it is impossible for you to attend, please print the following form, complete it, and send it with the agent chosen to act as your proxy.

Note that online training will be required to be completed before a SentriLock key will be issued to the absent member.

Questions can be directed to Kelly at (712) 255-8811.

SentriLock Conversion Proxy

If you are a current Supra Lockbox user you must take note of this important information as we prepare for the changeover to SentriLock boxes on February 12, 13 and 14.

• If you currently use the Xpress key (you do NOT use an app on your phone) you must turn your key in to your Broker no later than Monday, February 25.
• If you fail to turn in your key, we will be forced to to pass along the fee the Board will be charged. Members who fail to return keys will be invoiced $300 and new Sentrilock services will be suspended until payment is made. Board staff will pick up all keys from Brokerages.
• Supra keys (both app and Xpress Key) will remain active until midnight Sunday February 24. This gives all agents ample time to exchange all Supra lockboxes to Sentrilock lockboxes on their listed properties. If you will not be able to make the exchange in this time frame, agents need to speak with their Broker to see what help can be provided.  The Board office cannot extend Supra services past February 24.
• When you remove your Supra lockbox(es), they should be taken to a dumpster which will be located at 911 6th Street in Sioux City beginning February 12. This is the Al Sturgeon Law Office (formerly Re/Max). After collection, the boxes will be recycled.  Note that the dumpster will not be located at the Board Office, due to current renovations. We are grateful to Al Sturgeon for graciously allowing us to use space in his lot.  The dumpster will be removed February 25, so do not delay in making your deliveries.
• After February 25, individuals still in possession of any Supra lockboxes will need to dispose of them at their own discretion. The Board Office will not accept Supra lockboxes.
• Any Supra box left on a property February 25 or following will need to be cut it off. Locksmith services will need to be obtained to remove the property keys from inside. This will be expensive, and the listing agent will bear any associated costs.
• Once again, take note: YOUR SUPRA KEYS WILL NOT WORK BEGINNING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25.
• It is vital that all agents make all lockbox exchanges to SentriLock before Monday, February 25.

If you have questions, speak with your broker.  If you need more information, reach out to Kelly at (712) 255-8811.