James Kesterson has been a figure in real estate world locally for four decades. His appraisal services now have branched out to a different location to better serve the residents of Iowa’s Webster County. The building that is Kesterson Realty and Appraisal’s new headquarters underwent a massive renovation prior to the move.
“It took about two months,” Kesterson told the (Fort Dodge, Iowa) Messenger News. “It's a better location and a more convenient layout."
He said the new office sets the stage for expanding the business.
“We plan to get bigger,” Kesterson told the paper. “We now have room to add four or five additional staff.”
For residential property sales, Kesterson said the company focuses on Webster County.
The appraisal work takes Kesterson well beyond Webster County and can occur for a variety of reasons.
“Some appraisals are needed for property sales, some for refinancing. We do a lot of estate work. In divorce cases you have to know what the assets are, so appraisals may be needed,” he said.
Kesterson handles the appraisal work. His expertise in appraisals led to his service for six years as one of seven members of the Iowa Real Estate Appraiser Examining Board.
Kesterson said the economic boom that has been taking place in Webster County in recent years has been good for Realtors.
“It’s a very healthy market,” he said.