Testimonials

Will was very flexible to our needs when house hunting, knew the area well, and was on top of the market- otherwise we may not have the wonderful home we have now! Thanks Will!

zuser20161020143026990

09 Mar, 2017

I wanted to share my excellent experience in selling my house through Aaron Jones and the RE/MAX team. Aaron Jones did an excellent job of marketing my home and answering any questions I had. Once a purchase agreement was signed, RE/MAX also let me use their enclosed trailer for moving purposes. Beth Toliver also was great at keeping me informed during the closing process. I would definitely recommend Aaron Jones and the RE/MAX team when you are buying or selling a property.

Bojigolf4

12 Sep, 2024

Will is the best!! Knows the local market, put together an awesome listing and got the job done and brought qualified buyers to the table!!! Will was able to answer any questions immediately and was always available whenever I needed him. I consider Will a trusted partner in Okoboji real estate

scottkarlson65

12 Aug, 2020

People buying in Okoboji are all looking for something different to fit their own needs and their own visions. Aaron not only knows the Iowa Great Lakes like the back of his hand, but we he took the time to really understand the intricacies of what we were looking for and bring our best options to the forefront with maximum efficiency. We’re thrilled with our new condo, and would highly recommend Aaron and his team for their specific real estate needs as well.

ryhultgren

04 Mar, 2025

Aaron was very attentive to my needs as a buyer. He has exceptional market knowledge & strong communication skills. He was able to assist in negotiating for the things I wanted. I believe Aaron has a genuine care for the client's needs!

Diane Eischeid

25 Nov, 2024

Was struggling to find a home with another agent for weeks. Was able to talk to Will a bit about my frustrations and within a week found exactly what I needed and where. Would always consider working with him first and foremost

danielson48

05 Jul, 2017

Showing listings 1 to 12 of 18

Get In Touch

Local Expert Updates

Will Kretsinger

Cell: 712.301.4040

Aaron Jones

Cell: 712.320.9442

Community Updates

"Turn-Over" Thermocline

Referred to locally as the lake turning over the thermocline is a feature of lakes with deep water. The water on the top of the lake changes temperature much more variably during the year. On West Lake, it can reach as much as 75 degrees in July while the water below, greater than 35 or 40 feet deep is relatively stable around 45 degrees. In the fall and early winter, the top strata of the lake will cool to below 45 degrees, and then because it becomes denser, it will "sink" below the lower strata, thus, displacing it and making the lake "turn-over". In the deepest part of West Lake (near the 136ft mark), no light is availble, and hence little life is known whether fish or plant. Typically questions are raised as to why the surface water gets dirty for a short period of time in the fall, this this is the standard answer.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in West Lake Okoboji

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Taco House

One of a kind Authentic Mexican Cuisine right here in West Okoboji! A local favorite and rated five stars by visitors young and old. Be sure to put this as a favorite on your list of places to not miss when you are vacationing in the Lakes area. Close to Terrace Park so if you are feeling up for a small walk you may walk from Terrace Park to the Taco House.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in West Okoboji

About West Okoboji

Cheap vs high end quality. A buyer's perspective.

Here's the scenario. You are building a house or remodeling your house. Material costs are up. Labor costs are up. You ask yourself, where can I save a buck? Before answering this question, you must be careful, especially if your home is located in an area where other quality homes are built, whether on the lake, off the lake, or in higher valued developments such as golf course developments, etc. Growing up in construction and with a plethora of new construction and remodels under my belt, let me share with you some of the easy things that your future buyers will recognize when they are looking for quality.
1. One of the first things buyers of higher end homes will look for is to determine if the owner used hollow core doors. It's an immediate sign that the seller was looking for ways to save money (where else then did they cut back that I can't see???)
2. The second most obvious is the counter tops. Did the sellers spend for a quality granite, quartz, or other hard surface, or was formica used?
3. The third item that might stick out is the cabinetry. Do the drawers have dovetail construction with hardwoods? Did they use "soft close" drawers? Are there pull outs for the pots and pans?
4. Flooring is an easy one also. Was laminate used, or is it engineered or hardwoods? Does the carpet convey a quality feel and plushness? Is there a nice thick pad underneath the carpet?
5. Though there are many other items to look at, cheap vs quality lighting and plumbing fixtures are probably the next major focus.

There is nothing wrong with with using lower cost materials, especially when trying to keep a project within budget, especially when trying to build more house for less money. Just be aware that most buyers looking to spend in excess of $300k for off lake homes and $500+ for East Lake chain homes, and $1M+ for West and Big Spirit will expect the very best materials and finishes.

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