“I Gotta Guy” (Or Gal)…

You know that feeling when someone asks you for a recommendation, and you’re like, “Oh, yeah, I know a guy”? That’s basically my life. I’ve been in the real estate business in Central Iowa for over two decades now, and in that time, I’ve collected a treasure trove of “guys” (and gals, let’s not be sexist about this). Plumbers, painters, junk haulers, septic installers—you name it, I’ve got a name and number in my phone. Honestly, I could probably host a speed-dating event for contractors.

And let me tell you, when you’re a REALTOR, this little black book of contacts is pure gold. Because nothing, and I mean nothing, derails a home sale faster than, some lead paint, a missing handrail or a surprise septic issue (oh, have I been there).

It All Started With a Septic Tank

Let me set the stage: it’s a sunny July afternoon, and I’m showing an acreage north of Ames to a sweet couple dreaming of raising chickens and possibly a goat or two. Everything’s going great—the house is charming, the yard has just the right amount of shade, and then… the smell.

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of encountering a failing septic system in the middle of summer, you know the kind of smell I’m talking about. We’re not talking “oops, I left the trash out too long” bad. This was “curl-your-nose, gag-a-little, rethinking-my-life-choices” bad.

Did I panic? No. Did the buyers panic? Yep, 💯. But it was their dream acreage. So I pulled out my phone, gave a quick smile, and said, “Don’t worry, I gotta guy.”

And sure enough, my septic guy was there the next day, diagnosing, explaining, and ultimately fixing the issue before closing. The buyers got their dream acreage (with a fully functioning septic system), and I got to look like a hero. Well, a hero who smelled like hand sanitizer for a week, but still a hero.

Junk Haulers Are My Unsung Heroes

Another day, another story: Picture an elderly homeowner who’d lived in their home for 40+ years and all her kids lived out of state. A lifetime of memories had turned into a literal mountain of stuff. We’re talking boxes stacked to the ceiling, closets that hadn’t seen daylight since the Carter administration, and a garage you could almost park a car in—if you didn’t mind climbing over 17 lawn chairs and a questionable treadmill.

Enter my junk hauler. This guy (and his team) showed up with a trailer and a smile, and in a matter of hours, the house was transformed. The seller was thrilled, the buyer could actually see the space, and I didn’t have to spend my weekend elbow-deep in cobwebs. Win-win-win in my book.

The Secret Sauce

Now, here’s the thing: my “guys” aren’t just names in a Rolodex (does anyone use those anymore?). They’re people I trust. People who’ve saved the day more times than I can count. When I recommend someone, it’s because I know they’ll show up, do the job right, and make me look like I’ve got my act together (which, spoiler alert, I totally don’t always).

And trust me, this isn’t just about keeping my real estate transactions running smoothly. I get just as many “I need help” calls AFTER my clients have been in their new house for a while. It’s about helping people. Because when someone calls me in a panic, saying, “Brandi, we just found mold in the basement,” or “We need a plumber, like, yesterday,” it feels pretty great to say, “I gotcha covered.”

The Moral of the Story?

Whether you’re buying, selling, or just trying to figure out what to do about that weird stain on the ceiling (hint: call my cleaner & my painter), it pays to have someone in your corner who knows a guy. Or a gal. Or a whole team.

And if you’re in Central Iowa and need a recommendation? Well, let’s just say my phone is very well-stocked.

You could even call me… your “go to guy.” 😉