3146 E Porter AVE Des Moines, IA 50320

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/AXRKCM

Looking for a great home, in a great location? Here you go! Easter Lake 2 Story within walking distance to park/trails/fishing and YES its in the Carlisle school district! This Beautiful home features 3Beds/3Baths and approx. 1,900sqft of finish! Spacious Kitchen offers plenty of counter/cabinet space and opens to dining area. Slider leads to deck overlooking fenced backyard - the perfect spot to grill/chill this Summer! Head upstairs and check out the Master Suite w/private bath and walk-in closet! Two more beds up w/additional full bath. Enjoy the big game or movie night in the Finished LL Family Rm! Updates within the last 5 years include; Roof, Pella Windows, Water Heater, Garage Door/Opener, Flooring and more! Put this one on your "must see" list today!

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3.00

Square feet: 1,493

Price: $187,000

For more information about this property, please contact Charlie Fazio at 515-556-5474 or charliefazio@remax.net. You can also text 3366462 to 67299.

See more listings at: www.charliefazio.com

MLS ID: 512258

5271 Windsor CT Pleasant Hill, IA 50327

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/XZAQL5

This open floor plan was custom built to maximize owner comfort and convenience. Interior features include granite countertops w/backsplash, cabinets w/under lighting and soft close drawers, cabinet-depth refrigerator and beautiful Elder wood trim throughout. The laundry room is conveniently located off the spacious master bath with 5 walk-in tile shower. The professionally landscaped exterior features low maintenance oversized deck with motorized awning and fantastic view of the Copper Creek 13th fairway and rolling skyline surrounding Pleasant Hill. Copper Creek lake with lighted walk/bike paths connecting to the Gay Lea Wilson trail system are a short bike ride away.

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2.00

Square feet: 1,612

Price: $265,900

For more information about this property, please contact Sherman Ploeger at 515 967 2903 or shermploeger@gmail.com. You can also text 3366456 to 67299.

See more listings at: shermploeger.remax-central.com

MLS ID: 512228

Aging-in-place upgrades that look great and make sense

(BPT) - Do the words "aging in place" and "home improvement" conjure images of institutional-looking grab bars in bathrooms and overhead kitchen lights that could illuminate an airport runway? Many people eschew certain types of home improvements for the same reason others refuse to wear hearing aids - the negative connotations of age.



Changes in mobility, vision, hearing and stability are a reality of growing older for many Americans. Certain types of home improvements can make your home safer and more comfortable as you age, allowing you to live there longer. From lovely skylights that fill rooms with vision-friendly natural light and fresh air to slip-resistant flooring in designer colors, those "aging in place" home improvements can be beautiful as well as functional.



Here are a handful of aging-in-place upgrades that shout "fabulous" instead of "fogey":



In the kitchen



We all spend a great deal of time in the kitchen, and it's the room where we also do the most work. Upgrades that improve your ability to reach important appliances, enhance vision and boost safety will help you use your kitchen more efficiently for as long as possible.



Age-related vision changes can necessitate increasing the amount of light in your kitchen. Task lights and under-cabinet lighting can focus illumination where you need it most, and hide discretely out of sight without disrupting the clean lines and unmarked beauty of kitchen cabinets.



Overhead lighting is also important, but rather than opting for industrial-type lights that may cause harsh glare, consider introducing natural light. Research published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology suggests that natural light may be better for aging eyes than artificial light. A skylight is an upscale, beautiful home improvement that can benefit boomers with natural light.



Skylights can also help improve indoor air quality. Most exposure to environmental pollution occurs by breathing indoor air, according to research by the Greenguard Environmental Institute. No leak solar powered fresh air skylights not only provide healthful natural light, they also provide passive ventilation to reduce fumes, humidity and stale air - improving overall indoor air quality.



You can increase a skylight's energy efficiency with solar powered blinds. The complete daylighting system, plus installation, is eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit. To learn more about these Energy Star-qualified skylights, visit www.veluxusa.com. The website offers a skylight planner app to show you exactly how skylights and blinds will look in your home, as well as a tax credit calculator to figure your savings.



In the bath



Falls are a leading cause of injuries that result in hospitalization of older people. Most falls in the home occur in the bathroom, so taking precautions in this much-used room makes sense. Like them or not, grab bars improve safety in the bathroom. Fortunately, bathroom fixture manufacturers seem to understand the need for products that blend safety and beauty. It's now easy to find grab bars in a variety of attractive finishes and designs that complement your interior decor.



Lighting is also important in the bath, and a fresh air skylight can be beneficial in this room. Skylights provide natural light and passive ventilation while ensuring privacy in the bath. If your bathroom is on the ground floor, without direct roof access, you can still enjoy natural light by installing a Sun Tunnel tubular skylight.



Flooring is another opportunity to blend beauty and practicality in the bathroom. Replacing slick, traditional ceramic tiles with slip-resistant flooring such as stone, vinyl or textured ceramic tile, can be visually pleasing and safety-enhancing at the same time.



Outside the house



Navigating from the car to the front door can be fraught with peril for older folks, yet many people dislike the way certain assistive devices, like ramps, look in front of their home. If you're not ready to add a ramp, a decorative railing for outdoor stairs is a great alternative. It's easy to find good-looking options and virtually any home contractor can help you create a railing that meets your safety needs and meshes well with your home's exterior design.



Outdoor lighting is also important for safety. Make sure walkways are well lit with low lamps that put illumination directly at your feet. New high-output solar lights are a great way to effectively light a path while minimizing energy costs. Finally, keep concrete sidewalks and brick pavements in good repair. Take care of uneven spots or loose pavers right away, to reduce the risk of falling outside.

6981 NE 11th CT Ankeny, IA 50023

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/A7N68Q

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3.00

Square feet: 1,834

Price: $242,500

For more information about this property, please contact Bonnie Christensen at 515-971-9973 or bonniechristensen@remax.net. You can also text 3363772 to 67299.

See more listings at: bonniechristensen.remax-central.com

MLS ID: 512204

728 NE 42nd ST Ankeny, IA 50021

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/APDNM5

Better than new brick ranch resale.Pride of Ownership shows in this one owner custom built home.This is a very open plan with nice upgrades including a kitchen with tile floors,dovetail drawers,cabinet pullouts,quartz countertops and large center island.The family room opens up to an amazing sunroom with great views of a walking path to the East and West.You can also enjoy the views from the maintenance free deck that wraps around the sunroom.The master suite w/double vanity and walk in closet sits on one side of the home while 2 of the other bedrooms and another bathroom sits on the other side.The walkout lower level has a finished family room,full bathroom & 4th bedroom.There is an additional heated space w/french doors on the lower level for a workshop, mower storage,etc.Additional features include rounded drywall corners, 36" handicap accessible interior doors,a heated garage with workbench and hot and cold water and a fully irrigated large corner lot.You need to see this home!

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3.00

Square feet: 2,028

Price: $415,000

For more information about this property, please contact Stephanie VanDerKamp at 515-210-3210 or stephanievanderkamp@remax.net. You can also text 3363758 to 67299.

See more listings at: www.VDKRealEstate.com

MLS ID: 508196

2220 SW Woodland DR Ankeny, IA 50023

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/AKWY76

Better than new, one owner Westwinds resale! This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom, 1 1/2 story home has almost 3900 square feet of finish. The front of the home has a formal dining/living room and French doors leading from the front entry to an office/den. The kitchen has new granite countertops, a center island and is open to the vaulted great room. The master has door to a private deck, a master bathroom with whirlpool tub, separate shower and his and hers vanities. The upstairs has 3 large bedrooms and full bath with double vanity. The walkout lower level has an exercise room, recreation room and an additional full bathroom. The yard is irrigated and fenced. Westwinds Park is right across the street.

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 4.00

Square feet: 2,686

Price: $384,900

For more information about this property, please contact Stephanie VanDerKamp at 515-210-3210 or stephanievanderkamp@remax.net. You can also text 3363738 to 67299.

See more listings at: www.VDKRealEstate.com

MLS ID: 507809

2658 NW 76th AVE Ankeny, IA 50023

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/6HHRGD

Check out this 1 1/2 story home on a wooded acre near Saylorville Lake. This one owner home has it all! The main floor has an office with built-in cabinets, a formal dining room, spacious kitchen with granite countertops and breakfast bar. The main floor also has a mud room/laundry room off the 4 car garage a large great room with custom wall artwork, a large master suite with vaulted ceilings that lead to a master bathroom with an extra deep whirlpool tub and custom tile shower. The second floor has 3 bedrooms, and an additional full bathroom. On the lower level enjoy the built in wet bar with dishwasher, recreation room with second fireplace, home theater and sliders that walkout to a hot tub, coy pond and wooded rear yard.

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 4.00

Square feet: 2,698

Price: $514,900

For more information about this property, please contact Stephanie VanDerKamp at 515-210-3210 or stephanievanderkamp@remax.net. You can also text 3363717 to 67299.

See more listings at: www.VDKRealEstate.com

MLS ID: 506609