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Aaron Jones - RE/MAX Hall of Fame & Lifetime Achievement

Aaron Jones

RE/MAX Hall of Fame & Lifetime Achievement

About Aaron Jones

Thank you for checking out my profile.  My name is Aaron Jones and I am the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Lakes Realty.  I specialize in lakeshore home sales on West Lake Okoboji, East Lake Okoboji, Big Spirit, Lake Minnewashta, Lower Gar Lake, and Upper Gar Lake.   Below you will find over 150 testimonials on Zillow.
I have been selling real estate since 2012. I am a lifelong resident of Lake Okoboji and my family has been in construction for about 60 years. I grew up in construction and understand construction costs, and this has helped me immensely in adding value for my clients. Prior to selling real estate, I managed a furniture manufacturing facility in Milford, IA. I learned a lot about lean manufacturing and have brought many of those concepts into our business here, mainly focused on efficient technologies in real estate. I have a great team of 24 agents that work together to find buyers for our clients. I have 2 incredible employees, and also have a technology business partner in India, and we have been developing real estate management and paperless transaction management solutions, along with our own proprietary electronic signature service (www.signfast.com and www.leadcity.com) and we use these solutions daily in our office. I have built 5 homes since I was 26, 4 of them being lake homes, and I invest everything I have in real estate. 
 
I’m very proud of our agents in so many ways, but the success is partially defined by the numbers. In 2020, our office closed more Dickinson county transactions than any other office, and in Dickinson county, we beat all other offices in Sales volume by over $20,000,000. We know how to market; we know how to treat people, and we know how to do the right thing, regardless of dollar signs. Lastly, since 2015, I have closed more transactions than any other agent in the MLS in Dickinson county, and I’m proud to say that I was #1 in sales volume in 2020 for the entire MLS. When you hire me to sell, you will get ethical, professional service with expertise in online marketing, social media marketing, and web lead generation, which will produce a buyer for your home.  When you hire me to buy, you will have someone in your corner that will find you that perfect home, even if that means sending out mailers or contacting owners through facebook to find you that special place.
 

 

Aaron's Listings (8)

$849,000

Status: Active
86 HWY 9, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

  220125

 N/A

 N/A

  367,210


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (454.545.6565)
Price Decreased

$474,900

Status: Pending
290 240Th Avenue #106, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  231382

 3

 3

  1,465


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (454.545.6565)
Pending

$459,000

Status: Active
2221 33rd Street, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

  231380

 N/A

 N/A

  4,000


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (454.545.6565)

$444,900

Status: Active
290 240th Avenue #62, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  240044

 3

 2

  1,155


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (454.545.6565)
New Listing

$424,900

Status: Active
290 240th Avenue #126, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  240029

 3

 2

  1,155


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (454.545.6565)
Open House

$399,000

Status: Active Contingent-No Show
1006 Emerald Hills Drive, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  230859

 3

 2

  1,376


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (454.545.6565)
Open House Price Decreased Active Contingent-No Show

$294,900

Status: Pending
22823 Horse Creek Lane, Milford, IA 51351

  231081

 N/A

 N/A

  5,400


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (454.545.6565)
Pending

$214,900

Status: Active Contingent-No Show
411 Okoboji Avenue, Milford, IA 51351

  231361

 4

 2

  2,462


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (454.545.6565)
Active Contingent-No Show

Area Insights

AmericInn

AmericInn in Okoboji

AmericInn Lodge & Suites is centrally located in Okoboji on beautiful Brooks National Golf Course. This hotel offers 61 guest rooms all with 32' flat screen televisions and plush top beds. There are a variety of different room types are available.....fireplace, whirlpool tub, patio or balcony. They offer a free hot home-style breakfast such as waffles, sausage, eggs or biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit, yogurt and more! Enjoy the heated swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna or soak up the sun on one of the three patios. AmericInn offers an affordable option to tourists, especially in the summer. It is also conveniently located just off the trail system in Okoboji.

The West Lake "Tie Up"

The West Lake

For most leisure boaters in the Iowa Great Lakes, there are 2 main hot spots to go throw an anchor, sit back, and just relax. Sometimes this will result in numerous boats tying up to one another (you may not even know your neighbor), and sometimes it results in a little more privacy where you can chill just by yourself. Every weekend, boaters make the trek across the deepest parts of West Lake to either Gull Point (North AND South side) and Miller's Bay. Thought there are many other great areas to throw an anchor, relax, and swim, these are the two hot spots. If you aren't sure where to go on a Saturday afternoon or wonder where your friends might be, these two spots would be a good start.

EAST Algona

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in Lakes Agent Insight Description of East Lake Rush Lake in the Lake Section of the Area Category.

Dixon Family Chiropractic

Dixon Family Chiropractic in Spirit Lake

Dixon Family Chiropractic is a clinic located on Hwy 9, east of Walmart, next to Pizza Ranch and has convenient hours.....open 6 days a week at 7:30 am, evenings and Saturdays. Formerly in the convenient health care building south of the 4 way stop in Spirit Lake, Wade and Adalee offer a friendly staff and professional services.

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

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

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.

EAST Algona

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in Lakes Agent Insight Description of East Lake Rush Lake in the Lake Section of the Area Category.

SUNNYVILLE BAKERY

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in SunnyvilleAgent Insight on the Sunnyville Bakery in Sunnyville City

Arrowood Resort

Arrowood Resort in Okoboji

Arrowood is a year-round conference center and hotel with over 100 guest rooms, whirlpool suites and a "Great Room" for hosting group events and hospitality suites. Formerly known as Village East, the resort offers an outdoor pool, deck, playground, volleyball and croquet courts and a heated indoor pool area. Hotel goers can also enjoy an on-site salon, Minervas Bar and Eatery and lit parking. Located on Brooks National Golf Course, Arrowwood Resort offers some of the finest lodging around. Years ago, Brooks Golf Course clubhouse was actually housed on the rear side of Arrowood, but since then, the course has been converted to 27 holes with a a new separate clubhouse. Also, the Racquet Club was a part of the facility, offering workout facilities, racquet ball, and tennis. However, with the addition of the YMCA, the racquet club was unsustainable and converted into retail.

Beware the (I'll get your home sold in a week) agent

Beware the (I'll get your home sold in a week) agent in The

I hear this one all the time from prospects looking to list their house. "Well, agent xyz told us that if we listed with her, she'd have it sold in a week." This would fall into the category of "If it sounds too good to be true, the probably is." The majority of agents are not going to make this claim, but rather will give you an honest market analysis, inform you as to how weak or strong the market is, especially the market in which your home resides, and present the objective facts. A good agent will then lay out an effective marketing plan, where the majority of the focus should be on "online marketing". Be careful to not get caught up in empty promises, reduced commissions, and being talked in to lowering your price below market value (unless you must have a quick sale). The key to choosing a good listing agent is to objectively determine who is going to provide you the best opportunity to sell your home. Will your listing agent also aggressively work to find buyers, or will they just list your home and wait for another agent to do the work.

Arnolds Park Amusement Park

Arnolds Park Amusement Park in Arnolds Park

Having lived in Okoboji all my life, there are a wealth of memories of Arnolds Park. I, like many of the locals, miss the nostalgia of the old Roof Garden, the fun house, the water slide and much, much more. With time comes change, and the amusement park continues to reinvent itself. Currently with over 20 rides to choose from, the family is sure to have a good time. The main attraction, The Legend Roller Coaster, is the 7th oldest coaster in the United States and apparently the 13th oldest in the world. Reaching speeds of up to 50 mph, the roller coaster has undergone substantial renovations in the last year. In front of the amusement park on West Lake is the Queen II excursion boat, and Pirate Jacks Bar. The sunsets here are unparalleled. If you have a chance to visit, make sure to check out the tipsy house, the three sons, and all of the shops. Just to the east is the green space, which provides great entertainment and in 2013 OAR came to play, which is a pretty big name for Okoboji.

Blogs

Townhouse vs. Condominium: Key Differences and Which is Right for You?
Aaron Jones Residencial April 02, 2025

Townhouse vs. Condominium: Key Differences and Which is Right for You?

If you’re thinking about buying your perfect home but you’re stuck choosing between a townhouse and a condominium? Don’t worry, this blog will help you choose the right one for you! Let’s break it down in a super simple way so you can decide which one fits your lifestyle best.

Read More
Types of Real Estate Investments: A Guide for Beginners
Aaron Jones Residencial April 02, 2025

Types of Real Estate Investments: A Guide for Beginners

Real estate is one of the best ways to build wealth; however, there are many different ways to invest. Whether you're interested in owning property or making money without being a landlord, there’s an option for you! Let’s go over the main types of real estate investments in a way that’s easy to understand.

Read More
Is it cheaper to build a house or buy one?
Aaron Jones test-Category April 02, 2025

Is it cheaper to build a house or buy one?

Choosing a home is a significant financial decision, whether you’re a couple, a family, or an individual buyer.

Read More
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Aaron Jones Lorem Ipsum April 03, 2025

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Testimonials

We are first time home buyers and Aaron was helpful throughout the whole process- beginning to end! He answered any questions we had, didn't push for the bigger buy, and gave us his honest opinions of the homes we looked at. He ensured we spoke with our landlord before moving forward. Aaron was even there for us when he was out of town. Great guy to work with!!!

Kaylen R.

06 Aug, 2018 11:49 AM CDT

Aaron did a great job assisting us with the purchase of our Lake home. We would highly recommend him to anyone in the market to purchase a new home. He was very detail oriented throughout the entire process and helped keep things on track. Thanks again Aaron

Scott T.

23 Aug, 2018 10:52 AM CDT

Aaron worked so fast and efficiently to close on the house for us. His office staff, (Beth you are the best) is also amazing and they went above and beyond to answer questions and do some legwork since we are out of state buyers. I will not hesitate to use Aaron and his team for future transactions in the Lakes area. Thank you!

Amber L.

29 Aug, 2018 01:37 PM CDT

Aaron and his staff were very helpful when we were trying to find a property as we are not from the area, he was more than willing to help us out. He would personally contact us when he thought we would like something, then keep following up with us.

James W.

06 Sep, 2018 11:02 AM CDT

Market expertise and patience with us were the biggest selling point for us. Aaron worked with us, pointing out pluses and minuses to each property, providing us with addition details that helped us make a wise purchase, he is the only realtor you need in the lakes area.

Deanna R.

11 Sep, 2018 10:41 AM CDT

Aaron is very well connected and extremely knowledgeable of the lakes area real estate market. As a result we were able to quickly establish a listing price which both seller and buyer could agree. Accordingly, our property sold the day after it was listed at full asking price.

Todd O.

24 Sep, 2018 08:56 AM CDT

Aaron is an extremely knowledgeable realtor and is easy to work with. He was very helpful in guiding us through a process that was new to us and helping us make informed and wise decisions along the way. I would highly recommend working with Aaron as a realtor, he puts his clients first and is there every step of the way.

Katie N.

26 Sep, 2018 09:12 AM CDT

Aaron was very professional and friendly from start to finish. He was able to answer questions and provide guidance when needed. I would recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.

Todd N.

26 Sep, 2018 11:49 AM CDT

Write a Review on Zillow | See All Reviews on Zillow

Reviews On Zillow

(29 reviews on Zillow)
29 Recent Sales on Zillow

Herman is a hands on and easily accessible agent. He sold our house before it hit the market and above asking. Would highly recommend working with Herman.

allison aring

29 Nov, 2016

If you are looking to buy or sell a home, look no further than Herman Holt! Herman is an impeccable realtor who is well-versed in realty, is GREAT with communication, has tremendous marketing techniques, and best of all, knows how to get the job done! We could not have had a better experience with Herman. He made a very stressful situation, stress-free, which is quite hard to believe. For all your realty needs, contact Herman Holt! Thank you, Herman, for everything!

chelsea farrell89

23 Jun, 2016

When we contacted Herman, he came to our house ready to answer our questions about staying at our house or move to another one. He helped us sale the house and also found our new home, he was there when we needed him and helped us through out the transition. If you are planning of buying or selling your house he is the person to contact. You will not only find a Realtor but a friendship.

esmeraldaangulo

01 Feb, 2017

Herman is the best in the business I have been buying and selling houses in DFW for over 20 years and I have never had someone so detailed, informative, professional and results driven. He got more then I was asking for my house and sold it within a week. I will never use another realtor.

melissahaworth7

29 Oct, 2016

After another realtor failed to sell my home, Herman sold it in one weekend! He is extremely knowledgeable and strategic. I definitely recommend using Herman.

Kyndle Reiter

31 May, 2017

Herman possesses a knowledge of the local market second to none. After discussing the market and housing trends we were able to list and sell within a weekend. I believe that was entirely due to Herman’s recommendations in staging the house, excellent photographer, and spot in pricing. My wife and I enjoyed Herman’s honest and accurate advice throughout the process. If we ever need to buy or sell a home I would definitely use Herman again!

quinn pedigo

06 Nov, 2017

As first time home buyers, my husband and I lucked out when we found Herman Holt during our search for a real estate agent. We combed through various websites for reviews before finding Herman. Our goal was to ensure that we found someone that would help us find the home of our dreams and provide us the honest feedback we would need to make a sound financial decision for the biggest purchase of our lives. Other satisfied home buyers highly recommended Herman as a 380 corridor expert and trusted confidant. Herman not only lived up to this description but he went above and beyond to help us buy our home. Herman helped us though every step of the process and he was willing to work with us 7 days a week if needed to make sure we secured our home. Thanks to Herman, buying a home was a smooth and relatively easy process. Although we have already closed on our home, Herman remains a resource and trusted adviser to us.

Rebecca Corona

03 Oct, 2017

If you need a professional, upfront and a person who will represent you and be on your side throughout the process wether you are buying or selling, Herman Holt is your guy.Highly recommended!

danay5

10 Jan, 2017

Mr. Holt is a great realtor! He is very knowledgeable, and takes the time to educate his clients. He keeps his clients best interests at heart during each phase of the process. Mr. Holt helped to make the transaction of both buying and selling a home extremely smooth. I don't plan on moving anytime soon, but if I needed a realtor again, he would definitely be the first person I call!

anume8507

21 Aug, 2017

Herman made selling our home easy and profitable! We had family emergencies that came up during our selling process and Herman made sure all the details were taken care of.

busymom972

28 Nov, 2016