Business Details
11 Years
experience
Your Trusted Local Real Estate Experts
Urban Acres has established itself as a premier full-service real estate firm in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids Corridor. Our member-owned structure fosters a collaborative environment where 60+ experienced agents work as allies rather than rivals, prioritizing client needs over competition. We combine decades of local market expertise with innovative marketing strategies to deliver exceptional results for buyers, sellers, and commercial clients. Our team's deep community roots enable us to provide insider knowledge about neighborhoods, schools, and lifestyle factors that matter most to our clients. As active community participants, we bring both professional expertise and genuine personal investment to every real estate transaction.Our proven track record includes multiple years of market leadership positions and consistent recognition for quality service. We differentiate ourselves through comprehensive support systems that include transaction coordination, marketing specialists, and an extensive network of trusted partners. Our commitment to transparency extends to clear communication throughout the buying or selling process, with no hidden fees or surprises. We specialize in matching clients with properties that align with their unique lifestyle requirements while maximizing investment value. Our innovative approach combines traditional real estate excellence with modern technological solutions for a seamless experience.
Services
Residential Sales
Commercial Sales
Property Management
New Construction
Investment Properties
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We have 10+ years as market leaders in Iowa City Corridor
- Our 60+ agents work collaboratively, not competitively
- We provide community insider knowledge from local residents
- Our team includes specialists in new construction sales
- We offer comprehensive support through every transaction phase
Services
Residential Sales
Our residential sales specialists help buyers find perfect homes and sellers maximize property value. We leverage advanced marketing tools and local market expertise to facilitate seamless transactions. Our team provides comprehensive guidance through every step of the buying or selling process.
Commercial Sales
Commercial real estate services focus on investment properties and business spaces. Our specialists offer market analysis, negotiation expertise, and strategic positioning for commercial transactions. We serve entrepreneurs, developers, and investors seeking optimal commercial property solutions.
Property Management
Property management services handle tenant relations, maintenance, and financial reporting for investment properties. Our experienced managers ensure compliance with regulations while maintaining property value. We provide detailed performance reports and proactive maintenance solutions.
New Construction
New construction expertise connects buyers with premier builders and development opportunities. We guide clients through selecting custom features and understanding construction timelines. Our team maintains strong relationships with top local builders for exclusive opportunities.
Investment Properties
Investment property services focus on portfolio growth and market timing. We analyze cash flow potential and market trends to identify lucrative opportunities. Our team provides comparative market analyses and return-on-investment projections for investment properties.
People
Anne Aguirre
REALTOR
Anne helps clients relocate to Iowa City area with 10+ years of local expertise. She specializes in guiding new residents through community integration while leveraging her California to Iowa relocation experience. Her client-centered approach focuses on long-term community connections.
Jane Axt
REALTOR, ABR, CNE
Jane brings 20+ years of Iowa City market experience, specializing in revitalizing distressed properties. She focuses on educating clients throughout transactions while maintaining a deep understanding of local housing trends and historical property values.
Mike Bails
Commercial Specialist and REALTOR
Mike leads Corridor home sales with 25+ years of experience and construction industry knowledge. As former HBA president, he provides expert guidance on new construction and commercial developments while maintaining extensive builder networks.
Ashley Bermel
REALTOR
Ashley has assisted 200+ families with Iowa City and Cedar Rapids transactions since 2006. Recognized in top 10% of state agents, she specializes in condos and new construction while prioritizing stress-free client experiences through proactive communication.
Taylor Blazek
REALTOR
Taylor builds lifelong client relationships through transparent service and market expertise. With southwest Iowa roots and decade-long Iowa City residency, he combines local knowledge with enthusiastic support for cultural and community resources.
Questions
How does Urban Acres differ from other real estate agencies?
We're the only member-owned agency in the area with 60+ collaborative agents working as allies rather than competitors, combining local market expertise with comprehensive support systems.
What areas do you serve?
We specialize in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids Corridor including Coralville, North Liberty, Marion, Tiffin, Solon, and surrounding communities across Johnson and Linn Counties.
Do you offer commercial real estate services?
Yes, our commercial specialists handle business property transactions, land development, and investment properties with dedicated marketing and market analysis resources.
How do you help first-time homebuyers?
We provide step-by-step guidance through pre-approval, home search, and closing processes while leveraging our community expertise to match buyers with suitable neighborhoods and properties.
What sets your agents apart?
Our agents bring specialized expertise in different market segments while collaborating as a team to provide comprehensive solutions beyond individual agent capabilities.
Can you help with investment property purchases?
Yes, we offer market trend analysis, cash flow projections, and comparative market research to identify investment opportunities with optimal return potential in our service areas.
Reviews (4)
Eve Doyle
Aug 02, 2021
Report
I bought my house with Whitney and sold it with both Ben and Whitney. They are very communicative and quickly responded to any questions or concerns I had. They did most of the work for me and made the process as simple as possible. I trust their opinions on pricing and selling strategies. I will definitely use Ben and Whitney as realtors again if I move back to the area!
Emily Nelson
Jul 07, 2021
Report
Dream team! They both worked with our schedules to get the pictures, listing and showings scheduled at convenient times for us. They're knowledge of the current market put our home at a price point to get several competitive offers. Ben and Whitney were very helpful with navigating the multiple offers to get us the best and highest deal! #RussellHustle
Adli S. Adnan
Mar 16, 2021
Report
Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
I had a great experience working with Ben to find the right property for me. He is very responsive and great communicator and does really well to understand my wants and needs. I would recommend Ben and Whitney to assist you in get your new home.
I had a great experience working with Ben to find the right property for me. He is very responsive and great communicator and does really well to understand my wants and needs. I would recommend Ben and Whitney to assist you in get your new home.
Jenny Lord
Mar 06, 2021
Report
Positive:Professionalism,Responsiveness
Benjamin and Whitney Russell are amazing to work with. I have purchased two homes and sold one with them. They are honest and upfront and hustle hard to get you what youre looking for! Highly recommend if youre looking to buy or sell!
Benjamin and Whitney Russell are amazing to work with. I have purchased two homes and sold one with them. They are honest and upfront and hustle hard to get you what youre looking for! Highly recommend if youre looking to buy or sell!
