July 2021 Bad…read moreexperience: I listed my brother's home for sale with John Sharkey - Iowa realty in 2021 The transaction was one sided from the beginning - favoring the buyer's side. My agent John Sharkey failed miserably in honoring his fiduciary duties to me as a seller. I feel that Iowa realty's representatives' broker - Barry Frink and the CEO Kim Bakey were just as negligent in representing me with my transaction. John entered my listing into the multiple listing service. That same evening at 8:00 pm (too late in the evening to do any business) John called me to tell me he received a full price offer and that he would be by at 9:00 am for me to sign it. John arrived and was very forthright with me and insisted I sign the offer. John also told me there were (2) other possible buyers wanting to see the property that day. I told John I wanted to show the property to as many people as possible. He said no that this would be the best offer I would receive, again I insisted only to be turned down again with my request. I was intimidated and felt I needed to sign the offer right then and there. (There were no other showings.) The signed contract included a septic addendum. I signed the paperwork. In hindsight the paperwork was not explained to me as I feel now it should have been. I say this because what I thought was a septic inspection only, turned out to be an agreement for me the seller to pay for all costs associated with the septic including any and all repairs and total replacement. This signing was before the septic was even inspected. This is where the transaction went sideways. The septic system needed to be totally replaced with an amount of up to 25,000.00. I was shocked! John and Barry 's response was "you signed the addendum, let's go to close" what?! No, we are not going to close! We need to negotiate this septic. I did not understand and you as the professional failed to inform me of what could possibly happen by signing the septic addendum. I was stuck! No one was on my side representing me! I was not going to allow this misrepresentation to happen to me. The buyers were not willing to negotiate. I asked John to submit an addendum reflecting a 50/50 split in costs (this should have been his suggestion) which he did reluctantly. I did not receive a response to this addendum ever. There were unanswered long periods of silence, leaving me wondering what was going on. The buyers hired an attorney to send to me a "generic attorney letter demanding I proceed to close." I, in turn, had to hire my own attorney which cost me a substantial amount of money. This was so unnecessary. I hired Iowa realty and John Sharkey to negotiate for me at a commission rate of 3%. I never should have been forced to hire an attorney. I have a friend who is real estate agent in another state that assisted me through this nightmare! (I should have talked with her before I signed anything and for that I take responsibility.) I never thought for a minute I couldn't trust my agent and I thought fiduciary duties meant something. The end result was the buyers did indeed by the house. (I always felt John knew the buyers and their agent and he was on their side determined to get the house for them.) The septic was negotiated by me and my realtor friend to a fair and reasonable amount to both parties. My attorney had to write several letters. (Had the buyers accepted the initial addendum they would have negotiated a better deal for themselves. But I feel because of greed by all John, Barry the buyers and the buyer's agent they all failed the buyers as well. John Sharkey, Barry Frink and Iowa realty collected their unearned full commission. (John did not attend the septic inspection.) I called the CEO of Iowa realty Kim Bakey to file a complaint and to explain how her agents failed to represent me and the fiduciary duties were not adhered to. Kim Bakey responded "her agents were not negligent "and the property closed." The end! I should have not expected anything less! My realtor friend was the one who represented me. None of them! Iowa realty cost me daily frustration, immense anxiety and additional money needlessly. I would not put my trust in this company's realtors and management. Please do yourself a favor and find another realtor and a real-estate company to represent you. Be sure to understand the contract you are signing and do not sign if you have any questions or concerns. A true buyer will buy the home when you are ready and when you are comfortable with your obligations in the contract. My first clue was at the very beginning when the (2) two possible buyers were not allowed to view the home even though I insisted they take a look. I would not wish this expensive nightmare on anyone!

We needed to rent because sale of home and new one not ready. They didn't not clean unit when we…read moremoved in. I provided pictures to rental agent and was told we would get a cleaning credit. We moved out and they charged for a crumb they found in a cupboard, a water spot on a shower head, etc. We didn't even use the shower they deducted for which means it wasn't cleaned when we moved in. They also charged $1,200 for carpet cleaning, which was not necessary. The amount of carpet in the apartment could have been replaced cheaper but again, wasn't needed.

From the owner: At Q4, our focus is on you, and our goal is to provide unbeatable customer service to help you…read moreachieve your commercial real estate goals. How are we different? As a member of the Ahmann Companies family, we have access to a team of professionals that include design, engineering, building, maintaining and managing commercial property in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City metro area. We are vertically integrated and understand the commercial real estate world from the ground up. And because we're all under one roof, we can develop creative strategies that may or may not be conventional in the commercial real estate world that will get the deal done. Our goal is to be completely transparent with the marketing of the properties we own so that you're never wondering if your competing against your agent, and we're approaching commercial real estate from a whole new perspective. Buyer and Seller Representation Landlord and Tenant Representation National Client Representation Commercial Property Management Residential Property Management Multi-family Property Management

Worst company to rent from!! Do do or fix things. Management is poor at communicatingread more

The worst of the worst. Slow snow removal. Won't put out ice melt. Showed me a unit in good…read morecondition and then the unit they rent me is all messed up. Left the place cleaner than when I moved in, even used the carpet cleaning service they recommended, then they charge me for carpet cleaning anyway. Said that they never got my written notice that I was moving out but somehow they managed to get the rent check that was included with it.

I have been a tenant in one of the offices for a couple of years. I've never had any problems, and…read morethey were flexible with my rent on a couple of occasions when money was tight.

From the owner: Armstrong Development specializes in land development, office buildings, and retail centers to make…read morefinding your perfect workspace easy. Founded in Cedar Rapids in 1957, Armstrong Development is a locally owned and operated real estate development and property management company. We manage the properties that we own to provide our tenants with the space that best fits their current and future needs. Our goal at Armstrong Development is to work together to create and ensure a pleasant, working environment for you and your team, and secure the right location for your business.

Two Thumbs Up This was my second time working hiring Ron…read moreand Chassy to be my REALTORS. I highly recommend them because of their dedication, expertise and friendly approach which made my home buying experience enjoyable. They both have excellent knowledge of the local market. They provided me with valuable insights and advice that helped me make informed decisions about my home purchase. I highly recommend them to anyone searching for a home to buy or sell! They are REALTORS and also own their own local Brokerage Better Way Realty!

From the owner: At Better Way Realty, we’re here to Define what Real Estate means together with each client we…read morerepresent. We believe buying or selling a home isn’t just about property—it’s about people, relationships, and the future you’re building. We don’t simply put a sign in the yard or open doors. We partner with you to understand your goals, educate you on your options, advocate for you and guide you through every step of the process. Each client deserves honesty, transparency, and integrity, and that’s the foundation of how we operate. Our mission is to elevate the standard of real estate by delivering clear communication, empowering you to make informed decisions, and ensuring that every move is made with your best interests at heart. We provide Elite Service with Negotiable Fees backed by a compensation Guarantee. We’re a small brokerage making a big impact. At Better Way Realty, we believe in working better together — our team of REALTORS® collaborate both with you and behind the scenes to ensure you get the time, attention, and excellence you deserve. We’re selective about who joins our team, welcoming only those who fit our proven model of professionalism, integrity, and care. Because we expect the best from our Team of REALTORS®, we deliver the best for you— and that’s the Better Way Better Way Realty—where service, education, and results come together to redefine real estate. “Better Way” Isn’t just our name, It’s our Promise!

D&D is easily the sleaziest Slumlord in all of Cedar Rapids, if not the entirety of Iowa. If you…read moreleave a negative review on their Google Reviews, they will slander and lie in their response. They are liars. I lived at Maplewood Apartments for 1 1/2 years, and I don't know how I made it that long. When I moved in, 3 burners on the stove didn't work, the garbage disposal didn't work, the air conditioner didn't work, there were no knobs on the bathtub and I had to use pliers, the front window was cracked, and they did not disclose that there was a security light 5 feet directly across from the bedroom window! I was escaping an abusive relationship, so this beggar couldn't be a chooser, and D&D absolutely preyed on that. Additionally, the neighbors were TERRIBLE! The couple living directly above me fought nightly, and he beat the hell out of her on several occasions. I reported to CRPD and D&D, but nobody ever did anything to help that poor woman! Finally, I knew that the carpet would need to be replaced and the 400 sq ft apartment repainted, but never in my wildest dreams would I have thought they would price gouge me TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS to do so. The carpets were saturated with cat piss when I moved in; so much so that I had several guests get nauseous from it. It took myself about a week to quit dry heaving, when I entered the front door, but desperation will make a man do nearly anything. I cannot possibly stress this enough but DO NOT RENT FROM D&D!

They get zero stars! Worse company ever!! For one my niece had mold in her unit on the ceiling for…read moremonths, the came and painted over it, finally after it spreading and complaining from her neighbor upstairs they fixed the leak and fixed it, and now my niece sought out and has her own rental insurance from another company who's cheaper and doubled her values and added guest liability ( something they didn't include ) and they won't let her cancel it! The agent called and said since it's in her lease she can't. unbelievable mind you they're charging her rent at a higher amount because of this! Unbelievable, it should cancel and she has better coverage, make that make sense. So ,i will be looking at tenant lawyers for her and see what her options are and if they'll help her out because this company is a joke! I do NOT recommended, save yourself.0 s